Gatorland + Needle Exchange Program + Army Reserve Stabbing

Good Morning and Happy Friday! My name is Carlos Hernandez and I am back to update you on the latest happening in the Orlando area.

In this issue, you'll learn about a suspension of an Orlando cop, a stabbing inside the U.S. Army Reserve Center, the latest on an Orlando City soccer star, and more. Now, let's get started.

Today’s weather: The high is 95 and the low is 75 with scattered thunderstorms. The chance of rain is 50%.

Here are the top 5 stories happening around Orlando:

1. Gatorland is moving its popular capybara brothers to Flamingo Island as they become full adults. Guests can watch them from afar for now and will eventually be allowed to pet and feed them again. (Orlando Weekly)

2. An Orlando cop accused of punching a man has been suspended after pleading no contest to battery charges. The victim’s attorney is concerned about how police have handled the incident as well as the outcome. (Orlando Sentinel)

3. A man was stabbed inside the gates of the U.S Army Reserve Center in Orlando. The victim was taken to a hospital and an investigation is underway. (Click Orlando)

4. Orlando City SC’s Darryl Dike scored the first goal for the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team in a 4-0 win over Costa Rica after a huge game against Mexico. The player has been on loan to Barnsley F.C. in England. Fans are eager to see him back in Orlando but his future is currently uncertain. (Orlando Sentinel)

5. A needle exchange program is being started in Orange County to combat HIV and STIs. The county is working to reduce overdoses that soared 70% during the pandemic. (Fox 35 Orlando)

Today in Orlando:

• Civil Rights Full Circle - Fulfilling the Promise at Shingle Creek Rosen Resort. (9 a.m.)
• Forbidden Kingdom Music Festival at Central Florida Fairgrounds. (1 p.m.)
• Live at Timucua: Jeff Rupert Quartet at Timucua Arts Foundation. (7 p.m.)
• Mark Normand at Orlando Improv. (7:30 p.m.)

Orlando Patch Notebook:

• MetroPlan Orlando is asking for input on how to improve the areas near Rock Springs Road and the West Orange Trail.
• Wine Bar George at Disney Springs has added a natural wine experience to their menu that includes five 2 0unce pours of wines from Slovenia to Chile for $33.
• An Orlando tech firm called Healthe Inc. has been sued by its previous landlord for alleged unpaid rent to the tune of $900,831.
• Orange County Animal Shelter, a kill center, is overflowing with hundreds of dogs. It is hosting an adoption event for the entire month of June and asking people to spread the word.
• Check out the long lines at Universal’s VelociCoaster as it fully opened to the public.
• The average household in Orlando owes $10,500 in credit card debt according to a new study.
• Timucua arts space in Orlando has lost its property insurance. One of 50,000 insurance policies dropped in the state after approval by Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation.
• Former President Trump and Bill O’ Reilly are headed to Orlando’s Amway Center this summer as part of a speaking tour.

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That's all for today. I will be back tomorrow with the latest happening in Orlando. My inbox is open if you have any tips to send or want to reach out: orlando@patch.com.

-Carlos Hernandez

About me: I have lived in Florida since 1999 and covered the Orlando area for nearly 10 years, mainly with a focus on food through my blog at CarlosEats.com.