🌱 Operation Green Light Orange County + Hot Buns Asian Sanford

Happy Thursday, Orlando! Happy St. Patrick's Day. 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: 63.

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Here are the top five stories in Orlando today:

1. Orange County is hosting Operation Green Light from Monday, April 4 to Friday, April 8. During this time Orange County customers with outstanding traffic tickets and criminal fines will have an opportunity to pay overdue court obligations while saving the 25% collections agency surcharge. (Orange County Government)

2. At least 9 cats died in a Orange County house fire on Wednesday morning at around 8:30 a.m. A rabbit also is believed to be dead. The home on West Gulley in Oakland was engulfed in flames up to the roof. No cause for the fire has been established and an investigation is underway. The couple living at the home are expected to recover. (WESH)

3. Rollins College in Winter Park has fired a long-time tenured professor accused of sexual harassment against students. The student who filed the Title IX complaint is now a senior at the college. Jacqueline Bengtson alleges the sexual harassment from one of her tenured professors, Dr. Mario D'Amato included frequent, unspecified sexual innuendos in class, allegedly stared at her breasts, and on another occasion advised her that she should have a “summer lover.” (WFTV)

4. A group of LGBTQ Disney employees are staging virtual and in-person walkouts in response to the company's handling of Florida's recently passed "Don't Say Gay" bill. Interruptions are being planned via a Twitter account called Disney Walkout and organizers have a number of demands they are making from the company. Walkouts began this week during 15-minute break periods and will continue through next week. (Orlando Weekly)

5. Central Florida's Hot Asian Buns food truck will be opening up a new eatery on Sanford Avenue in the old Moon's Subs location. The new eatery is part of renovations taking place in the new West End Trading Co. entertainment complex. (Historic Downtown Sanford)

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Today in Orlando:

• Mighty St. Patrick's Festival at Raglan Road Irish Pub. (all day)
• St Patrick's Day Celebration at B Resort & Spa. (9:00 AM)
• St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl - Orlando at Elixir. (4:00 PM)
• Find Your Pot Of Gold In Winter Park @ Bulla Gastrobar. (4:00 PM)
• 3rd Thursday Gallery Hop at Downtown Arts District. (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• A recent Florida Department of Transportation report on Florida bridges found dozens of Orange County bridges functionally obsolete or structurally deficient. (Spectrum News 13)
• Orange County 2nd grade teacher Johnny Guignet of Waterford Lakes Elementary School is inspiring students as a volunteer running coach. The running club meets every Monday after school. (Click Orlando)
• Retired Army Col. Anthony "Tony" Sabb and businessman/philanthropist Christopher "Chris" Messina have filed to run for Orange County Mayor, challenging incumbent Mayor Jerry Demings' in the August countywide elections. (Florida Politics)

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Events:

• American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day: Understand Your Risk (March 22)
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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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.