🌱 Markeith Loyd Gets Death Penalty + Drunk Orlando JetBlue Pilot

Hello, neighbors! TGIF. It's me again, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Orlando Daily.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 82 Low: 64.

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Here are the top five stories today in Orlando:

1. At least three people are dead after multiple early morning crashes on Thursday involving more than a dozen vehicles on Interstate 95 near Edgewater. Officials confirm five separate crashes happened at the same time overnight in Volusia County. The crashes included semitrucks. (WESH)

2. A JetBlue pilot from Orlando who airport authorities say was on a plane drunk was taken into custody Wednesday. 52-year-old James Clifton was passing through TSA at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport when an agent noticed he seemed impaired and alerted airport police. He may face federal charges next. (WFTV)

3. Markeith Loyd will receive the death penalty in the killing of Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton, Judge Leticia Marques ruled on Thursday. Defense attorneys urged the judge to overrule the recommendation unsuccessfully. (Orlando Patch, Spectrum News 13)

4. Valencia College accounting students and professors are offering free tax preparation help to the public. The volunteer tax preparers will be e-filing electronic returns for free at two Valencia College campuses on select Saturdays in March and April. This service is open to the public, and preference will be given to senior citizens, the disabled, and low-income individuals. (positivelyosceola.com)

5. Online retail giant Amazon has started a partnership with more than 140 colleges and universities that will provide fully-funded college tuition for its 750,000 hourly employees. On the list locally are University of Central Florida and Valencia College. The online retail giant will also be partnering with GEDWorks and Smart Horizons to help employees with free high school completion services and GED prep. (Bungalower)

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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: Encanto at Kissimmee Lakefront Park. (5:30 PM)
• First Friday Food Trucks In Clermont at Clermont City Hall. (5:30 PM)
• Annual Evening On Broadway at Hemophilia Foundation Greater Florida. (6:00 PM)
• Outdoor Cabaret - Jeff Rupert Jazz Quartet at Orlando Shakes. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Makers Mark's annual International Women’s Day celebration returns to Chroma Lake Nona this Tuesday, March 8th at 5:30 p.m., and Yelp Orlando is giving away a pair of tickets to this exclusive, invitation-only event. (Instagram)
• "A Taste of…presented by Tasty Chomps x Tabla" is a new secret menu for foodies to get a “Taste Of…” Tabla Indian restaurant with a special pre-fixe menu (similar to Magical Dining) for dine-in or take out for a limited time. (Instagram)
• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined Commissioner Patty Sheehan and children at Reeves Terrace Neighborhood Center who participate in Mayor Buddy's Book Club, a partnership with Orange County Library System, on Wednesday to celebrate National Read Across America Day. (Facebook)
• In honor of Women's History Month, Orlando Fire Department will be featuring its female employees all month long. Their first post is about Lieutenant Pollock, a company officer who leads by example. She earned a degree in public relations and, as an Orlando firefighter, wanted to pursue a career that gave back to her community. (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow 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.