House Seat Race + Winter Garden Shooting + 4th of July Update

Good morning. My name is Carlos Hernandez and I am back to update you on the latest happening in the Orlando area. One more day to go until Memorial Day weekend!

In today's issue, you'll learn about the latest in the fight for Val Deming's House seat, an Orlando retail location at risk of default, shooting in Winter Garden, 4th of July fireworks update for Orlando, and more.

Today’s weather: The high is 93 and the low is 71 with mostly sunny skies.

Here are the top 5 stories happening around Orlando:

1. Central Florida politicians including Former State Attorney Aramis Ayala and Rep. Randolph Bracy have announced plans to run for Val Demings' House Seat, who is running for the United States Senate against Marco Rubio. (Orlando Weekly)

2. Several people were reportedly shot in Winter Garden during an argument early Wednesday morning according to police. Police say “several” victims in the front yard of the home were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center and other subjects who were shot were taken to area hospitals. (Click Orlando)

3. A former Orange County band teacher will spend five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to using a child for sex. He was arrested in 2019 on charges of sexual performance by a child (possession of child pornography).(WFTV)

4. A Downtown Orlando Chase Plaza retail center landlord is at risk of loan default after missing more than 12 months of payments, highlighting upcoming retail woes from the pandemic. The loan is at risk of "imminent monetary default”. (Orlando Business Journal)

5. City of Orlando is set to bring back Fireworks at the Fountain for 4th of July, after a year without fireworks. Guests can enjoy “live music, family-friendly activities and a 20 minute fireworks finale”. (Click Orlando)

Today in Orlando:

• Orange County Housing Finance Authority meeting via telephonic conference call. (10 a.m.)
• Northwest Neighborhood Center Mobile COVID-19 Vaccine Site. (10 a.m.)
• Orange County Sustainability Advisory Board meeting. Virtual attendance for public. (12 p.m.)
• MetroWest Food Truck Takeover at Veranda Park. (6 p.m.)
• Fitz & The Tantrums at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. (7:30 p.m.)

Orlando Patch Notebook:

• UCF has announced plans for full capacity football games this Fall.
• Sideward Brewing will debut an Omakase Lager at Celery City Craft in Sanford this weekend.
• Dutch airline KLM is scheduled to launch non-stop flights between Orlando International Airport and Amsterdam starting October 31st for winter service.
• Lake Nona has signed a surveillance deal with Japanese company Hitachi that will analyze the way people move through the community and not everyone is loving it.
• Royal Caribbean has been OK’d by the CDC for a Miami test departure that could open up the state to more cruise travel.

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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.