🌱 Fun Spot Mardi Gras Coming Soon + CVS Murder Suspects Arrested + Osceola Fair Goes Big

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

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sun. High: 83 Low: 63.

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Here are the top five stories in Orlando today:

1. Fun Spot America is preparing for its Mardi Gras festival that starts Saturday, February 5th. Visitors can enjoy New Orleans-inspired food and drinks, listen to free jazz music, and take advantage of colorful décor and photo opportunities. (Click Orlando)

2. A letter from the Osceola County School District has been sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking him if board member John Arguello should be suspended from office or not. Arguello is accused of intimidating a vendor that would not contribute to his sister's political campaign. (WFTV)

3. 19-year-old Javonne Marece White and 25-year-old Jasmine Yvonne Munro have been arrested in the murder of 78-year-old Uken Cummings. They also face charges of carjacking with a firearm. Police say Cummings was "gunned down in broad daylight in a CVS parking lot on Silver Star Road after picking up his medication." (Click Orlando)

4. The Osceola County Fair and Livestock Show is looking to break records in 2022. The attendance goal this year is 80,000 people over the 10 days and nights after averaging 75,000 the last five years, including during a COVID-19 lull in 2021. Guests can enjoy livestock shows, rides, food stands and headline acts. (Osceola News-Gazette)

5. Changes are coming to the renamed Packing District in Orlando, once part of the massive landholdings of local citrus grower Dr. Phillip Phillips. Developers are building apartments there and Mayor Buddy Dyer says streets in that area are being revamped to become more pedestrian and bike-friendly. (Fox 35 Orlando)

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Today in Orlando:

• Tai Chi in the Garden at Mead Botanical Garden (10:30 AM)
• KUA's Movie In The Park - Paw Patrol The Movie at Kissimmee Lakefront Park. (5:30 PM)
• Ivanhoe Park’s Brew & View Movie Night. (6:00 PM)
• Winter Garden's Friday On The Plaza. (7:00 PM)
• Live at Timucua: Gerald Law II at Timucua Arts Foundation. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• If an item is handmade and funky, it will be on hand at Milk Mart's upcoming Lazy Sunday market.⁠ ⁠Milk Mart features over 100 local makers, artists, pop-ups, food trucks and businesses. (Instagram)
• Valencia College dental hygiene students are looking for patients. A cleaning is only $20 and performed under the supervision of instructors. (Instagram)
• Science Night Live returns to Orlando Science Center on Saturday, February 19th. Experience Orlando's favorite interactive tech expo and science festival in a whole new light. (Instagram)
• Quiet Zones are now in effect within the city of Orlando. It is important to remember that trains pass through without blowing their horns. (Facebook)
• Brews Around the Zoo will return to Central Florida Zoo on Saturday, April 9th. Save the date and grab your tickets now. (Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with 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.