🌱 DeSantis Battles Disney Once Again + Former Rep. Carlos Smith Files

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Orlando Patch newsletter. Here's all the community news you need to know right now, including:

• Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney are battling once again over Reedy Creek.
• Former state Rep. Carlos Smith has filed to run for the Florida state Senate in Orlando.
• All of Central Florida is under a severe drought with the dry weather causing fires in Volusia County.

But first, today's weather: Times of clouds and sun. High: 89 Low: 67.

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Here are the top stories in Orlando today:

1. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney are battling once again. The governor has announced the state of Florida will seek to raise taxes on Disney’s hotels and impose tolls on roads that serve Disney theme parks. DeSantis told an audience, "Ultimately we’re going to win on every single issue involving Disney, I can tell you that." (Politico)
2. Former state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith has filed to run for a state Senate seat in 2024 in Orlando. The seat is currently held by Sen. Linda Stewart, who is term limited. Smith was elected to the Florida House in 2016. Smith was defeated in 2022 by Susan Plasencia in District 37 after new legislative maps were drawn by the Florida State Legislature. (Subscription: Orlando Sentinel)
3. A 28-year-old man was arrested and accused of touching and groping multiple women and girls in Cocoa Beach last Sunday, according to authorities. The suspect faces charges of child abuse, lewd and lascivious molestation of a child between 12 and 18 as well as disorderly public intoxication. He is being held at Brevard County jail. (Click Orlando)
4. All of Central Florida, including Orlando, is under severe drought status and is at risk of fires due to a lack of rain. Rain chances will begin increasing this weekend. Firefighters have actively been battling a fire in Volusia County this week near Tiger Bay State Park. (WESH)
5. Walt Disney World has announced the return of annual passes. Passes will be sold online starting April 20, although they will be limited in quantity. Sales of passes were suspended during the pandemic. The new offering of annual passes will start at $749 and go up to $1,399. (Yahoo Finance!)

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Today in Orlando:

• Pancake Breakfast at Canterbury Conference Center. (9 a.m.)
• Goat Yoga at Alaska Farms Orlando. (10 a.m.)
• Hop On Downtown at Kissimmee Main Street Program. (11 a.m.)
• Kicks For Your Sole Sneaker Convention Orlando at Sheraton Orlando North Hotel. (1 p.m.)
• Braxton Cook | Live Jazz at Timucua Arts Foundation. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Orlando Police Department shared: "ARRESTED: On Thursday, Jan. 26 at approximately 11:30 p.m., we received several calls of vehicles hitting what appeared to be a human body on I-4 eastbound near the Orange Blossom Trail exit." (Orlando Police Department via Facebook)
• Nature Conservancy In Florida shared: "We are seeking to fill three paid internship positions and we are asking you to consider applying. We have two Outreach and Education Intern positions." (Nature Conservancy in Florida via Instagram)
• City Of Orlando Neighborhood Relations shared: "The annual State of the City Address is a time to reflect on the city’s recent accomplishments and to look ahead to what’s next for Orlando. At the event, Mayor Dyer will highlight community partnerships, economic development initiatives and strategies to keep the city moving forward." (City of Orlando Neighborhood Relations via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. See you all tomorrow morning for another 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orlando Patch newsletter? Contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com