🌱 Man Arrested For Kissimmee Rape + Florida Partisan School Board Contests Advance

Good day, people of Orlando! It's me again, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Orlando Daily.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 78 Low: 55.

Here are the top stories in Orlando today:

1. Did you know: Seminole County has the fewest COVID-19 cases per capita in the Orlando region. It is also has a relatively low per capita fatality rate. There have been 194 coronavirus-related deaths for every 100,000 people in Seminole County, below the 216 COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 across the entire Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metro area. (Orlando Patch)

2. A person in California became the first in the United States to have an identified case of the COVID-19 omicron variant, the White House announced Wednesday. Dr. Fauci said the person was vaccinated but had not received a booster shot and was experiencing "mild symptoms." There has been no news about the variant being present in Florida. (Click Orlando)

3. The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts relaxed its mask and COVID testing requirements for indoors events last week, matching other recent local and national guidance changes. However, individual artists or event organizers may still require attendees to wear masks for their events. (Orlando Weekly)

4. 55-year-old Osvaldo Figueroa was arrested for the rape of an 18-year-old woman who was delivering pizza in Kissimmee over the weekend. Police say it happened in an elevator at Lepic Lane apartments. Figueroa is facing one count of sexual battery. (WFTV)

5. An effort by Florida Republicans to make Florida's school board races partisan contests advanced in the state Senate this week. Democrats are concerned about the partisan push after school board members suffered from angry attacks at school board meetings this year. (Florida Politics)

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Today in Orlando:

• Town of Oakland’s Hanukkah Concert. (3:00 PM)
• City of Ocoee's Operation Santa. (5:30 PM)
• City of Apopka's Tree Lighting Event. (6:00 PM)
• Winter Chorus Concert - Colonial High School. (7:00 PM)
• Orlando Shakes presents A Christmas Carol. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• City of Orlando - Government: "Poetry doesn't have to be limited to writing. How else can you express your creativity and ideas? Our newest Poet Laureate, Shawn Welcome, shows us how the spoken word can be just as impactful. For our next theme of Words & Wonders Poetr..." (Facebook)
• Creative City Project: "Did you meet our fantastical fairies at IMMERSE? You can see them again, plus giant dragons, and so much more at Dragons & Fairies! 🧚🐉 Presented by Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hos..." (Facebook)
• Downtown Orlando: "We can't wait to see you tomorrow at What's Up Downtown for the Holidays! Lake Eola Park 📅 December 2 - 11:30 a.m - 1 p.m" (Facebook)
• Orange County Public Schools: "In collaboration with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, students at Dr. Phillips HS can earn college credit & professional industry certifications, such as a commercial drone pilot’s license." (Twitter)
• Orange County Parks and Recreation: "Free Movie in the Park: Doolittle at @OrangeCoParksFL #MeadowWoodsPark Fri. 12/10 & #MagnoliaPark Sat. 12/11, 6pm. Bring chairs/snacks or purchase from food trucks. No pets in movie area, no alcohol in park." (Twitter)

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That's it for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update! If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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 Daily? Contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.