🌱 Brevard "Blackface" Firefighter Terminated + OPD Removed From Misconduct Program

Happy Friday, Orlando! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Fog in the a.m.; mostly sunny. High: 85 Low: 65.

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Here are the top five stories in Orlando today:

1. The president of Revived Soldiers Ukraine, a Central Florida nonprofit that helps injured soldiers from Ukraine, is working to purchase medical supplies and equipment for those in need. The organization also helps women and children in addition to looking for housing for soldiers and their families. The nonprofit plans to drive supplies through Poland since flying to Ukraine is no longer an option after hostilities started between Russia and Ukraine this week. (WESH)

2. A Brevard County man is accused of stealing two crossbows from a True Value Store in Mims. Police used surveillance camera footage to identify the accused. Darren Durrant is facing charges for felony petit theft in Brevard County and is already in jail for unrelated burglary charges in Seminole County. (Orlando Patch)

3. Orlando Police Department (OPD) has been kicked out of a program to help stop police officer misconduct after organizers said "the department was not operating in the spirt of the program." The decision comes after an Orlando police lieutenant questioned the fidelity of the program and had a program instructor dismissed. (WFTV)

4. A Brevard County firefighter at the center of an investigation regarding a blackface photo controversy that surfaced on social media in November has been fired, according to the county. Jake Johnson worked at Brevard Fire Rescue Station 63 in Indialantic. The woman who posted the photo said she did not know the term "blackface" until a friend contacted her about the photo. (Click Orlando)

5. Orange County Public Schools will make masks optional for faculty and staff at the end of this month. They cited the "continuing decline of COVID-19 cases in our district and in the community." Orange County fought the state over its mask mandate for much of the pandemic and the state legislature is now planning to fine the county financially over the mandate. (Orlando Weekly)

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Today in Orlando:

• Wycliffe's Passport To Adventure. (10:00 AM)
• Windermere's Food Truck Night. (5:00 PM)
• DeLand Artisan Alley Farmers Market. (6:00 PM)
• Winter Garden's Friday On The Plaza. (7:00 PM)
• Houston Rockets At Orlando Magic at Amway Center. (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• WUCF employees reportedly said they felt burned out, overworked and undervalued, although they say things have improved since the station's leader resigned last year, according to a new study released recently by the University of Central Florida. (Florida Politics)
• The new I-4 Express lanes will be free for the first 5 days starting Saturday, February 26. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) says it wants to allow motorists to adjust to the changes. (Click Orlando)
• Orlando's Funk Fest is returning this summer with the likes of Mary J. Blige, Jazmine Sullivan, Raheem DeVaughn, and more. Tickets are available now. (Orlando Weekly)
• A Central Florida teenager accused in a series of road rage shootings in Orange County appeared before a judge again on Thursday, this time facing more charges from fighting in jail. (Fox 35 Orlando)

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Events:

• Taxes in Retirement Webinar 2/25 & 3/3 (February 25)
• Learn How To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease During American Heart Month (February 28)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar (March 1)
• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 11)
• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 12)
• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 13)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! See you tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.