🌱 First Day Hike + Orlando Museum Of Art Dinner + Flights Canceled

Good day, people of Orlando! Carlos Hernandez here with a fresh copy of theOrlando Daily.

First, today's weather:

Sunny and very warm. High: 85 Low: 66.

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Here are the top five stories today in Orlando:

1. Floridians can start their 2022 off positively with First Day Hike at over 175 Florida state parks. First Day Hike is when people around the nation go hiking on January 1st. There are ranger-guided hikes are offered at some state parks for those interested. (Florida Patch)

2. A record week for new COVID-19 cases in Florida continued as the latest data showed 75,962 new cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control from the Sunshine State on Thursday. Demand for testing is also increasing as the virus spreads. (WPLG Local 10)

3. Orlando Museum of Art is hosting a special dinner with renowned photographer Clyde Butcher on Friday, January 7th at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $300 and include dinner, drinks, and a Clyde Butcher gift bag. Proceeds will benefit the Orlando Museum of Art. (Bungalower)

4. Legislation introduced by Florida Sen. Victor Torres (D-Orlando) and Florida Rep. Kristen Arrington (D-Kissimmee) would prevent unpaid HOA fines from becoming liens that could lead to properties being seized. The legislation comes amid outcry over what homeowners say are outrageous HOA fines during these difficult times with some communities fining $1,000 for driveway violations. (Florida Politics)

5. At least 50 flights were canceled on Friday at Orlando International Airport due to COVID-19 cancelations and weather including snowstorms. Regardless of several flight cancelations, the busy holiday season has continued at Orlando International Airport. (Click Orlando)

Today in Orlando:

• Naturalist Nature Walk Day at Lake Lorna Doone Park. (11:00 AM)
• New Years Day at The Brass Tap - Waterford Lakes. (11:00 AM)
• Painting With A Twist's New Years Day Classes. (11:30 AM)
• Deck The New Year at The Florida Mall. (4:00 PM)
• Varsity Boys Basketball vs Hagerty at Colonial High School. (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission plans to increase its presence on the water this weekend in an effort to curb intoxicated boating incidents. (Spectrum News 13)
• Orange County Parks and Recreation and District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson are hosting a Watermark Park virtual meeting on January 12th, 2022. (Twitter)
• Rapper Kodak Black played an after-hours show in Orlando last weekend. (Orlando Weekly)

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That's it for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with 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.