🌱 Lake Eola Swans Closed + UCF Student Tracks Russian Oligarchs

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

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and nice. High: 83 Low: 62.

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Here are the top five stories today in Orlando:

1. A 19-year-old attending the University of Central Florida in Orlando launched a Twitter account tracking the movement of Russian oligarchs on their private jets following Russia's invasion of Ukraine last week. (Patch Orlando)

2. The swan boats at Lake Eola Park will be unavailable through the end of March as city crews carry out overdue upgrades. The City of Orlando is working on $105,000 in renovations of the swan boat dock on Lake Eola in order to accommodate four more boats, for a total of 12 rentable swans when it reopens in early April. (Bungalower)

3. A New Jersey woman accused of repeatedly spitting on an Orlando International Airport police officer and damaging his patrol car has turned down a prosecutor's plea offer that would have spared her jail time. Chelsea Alston told a judge on Monday that she wanted to proceed to a jury trial. She faces charges of battering a police officer and causing more than $1,000 in property damage. (Click Orlando)

4. Orlando restaurant Bao's Castle is making moves and has just opened a new ghost kitchen at Collab Kitchens on Curry Ford. It joins Bento, Brad's Underground Pizza, DoshiBox Korean Kitchen, Lucky Dragon Chinese Takeout and Maui Poki in the space. (Orlando Weekly)

5. A school employee was arrested after he confessed to having sex with a student, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Cameron Burke is facing charges of sexual battery with a child and sexual conduct with a student. (WFTV)

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Today in Orlando:

• Tai Chi at 1st Unitarian Church Of Orlando. (9:00 AM)
• Walk In The Park at Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake. (9:00 AM)
• School Board Work Session at Orange County District. (1:00 PM)
• OM°A 1st Thursdays: Art Of The Diva at Orlando Museum Of Art. (6:00 PM)
• Jeff Rupert Jazz Quartet at Orlando Shakes. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Since 2012, Valencia College’s professors, librarians and bookstore staff have worked together to reduce book costs. They also track the costs of textbooks and educational materials over time to keep down costs for students. (Instagram)
• If you need ideas on where to start your artful walk in Orlando, Check out VISIT FLORIDA's downtown art guide. (Facebook)
• Thornton Park District: "Kicking off the celebration of Women's History Month with the mural at Burton's Thornton Park painted to celebrate women’s right to vote anniversary. It was painted by the group What Is She Painting (WISP Orlando), an all-female artist group with a mission to add more murals to Orlando painted by women.

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Events:

• RelateFest, 2022 Miami, FL: For People Endlessly Curious About Relationships (March 4)
• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 11)
• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 12)
• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 13)
• Take Back Our Communities Stop The Builds (March 26)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new 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.