🌱 Orange Co. Transportation Sales Tax + Charlie's Bakery Sold

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

First, today's weather:

An afternoon shower or two. High: 84 Low: 69.

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Here are the top five stories today in Orlando:

1. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is proposing a transportation sales tax, which he says will help build the funds necessary to implement the transportation plan the county is proposing called the Transportation Funding Initiative. The county will be having five additional meetings in March with residents to gather their thoughts and opinions. (West Orange Times & Observer)

2. Police arrested a man Sunday after he was accused of attacking and assaulting a woman at knifepoint inside a bathroom at Orlando International Airport, according to authorities. 24-year-old Damani Matthews is facing charges of felony attempted kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after the incident. (Click Orlando)

3. A mother arrived in Orlando with her toddler after separating from her husband in Ukraine. "It's hard for me to feel like everything's okay because my husband's still back in Ukraine, our parents are in Ukraine and many of our friends," Tanya Savchynska said. Her sister Olya Walden says there have been encouraging signs in her Lake County neighborhood of support for Ukraine's struggle. (WESH)

4. Charlie's Bakery has been sold to new ownership after over 50 years in business. It will now be known as Charlie's Bakery and Creamery. The Hage Family hosted a special "regrand opening" in mid-February with a 50-year proclamation from Mayor Dyer and Commissioner Patty Sheehan prior to the sale. (Bungalower)

5. Lakeland's Polk Museum of Art has announced an expansion that will open in 2024. It will add more than 10,000 square feet to the 38,000-square-foot museum. The expansion will include new gallery, educational, and laboratory spaces with a focus on the permanent collection to be displayed. The project will more than triple the museum’s current major exhibition spaces. (Orlando Weekly)

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Today in Orlando:

• OCPS K-12 Mental Health Commission Parent And Community Outreach Subcommittee Meeting at Orange County District . (11:00 AM)
• Girls Beach Volleyball Vs. Cypress Creek at Boone High School. (2:30 PM)
• Wine Down Wednesdays at Ember. (5:00 PM)
• Orlando Vegan Market Dinner at The Veranda At Thornton Park. (6:00 PM)
• Much Ado About Nothing at Orlando Shakes. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Harbor House of Central Florida received a $15,000 donation this week from The Beacham to help complete a kitchen renovation.⁠ ⁠ The donation came through the Orlando venue's charitable arm, Aspire with Us. (Instagram)
• Orlando Police Department is warning residents that no government agencies will call, email, or text you and ask for money/personal information. Only a scammer will do that. You can report scams to OPD's Fraud Line at (407) 246-4012. (Facebook)
• This Friday, hear from the hilarious ladies behind #IMOMSOHARD which has grown to 1.5+ million followers and 120+ million video views. Get tickets now for great seats in Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• 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 Wednesday off right. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with your next 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.