🌱 Osceola Critical Race Theory Ban + Orlando Outdoor Speaker Permits

Good day, neighbors! Carlos Hernandez here with a fresh Orlando Daily.

First, today's weather:

Cooler with a few showers. High: 64 Low: 46.

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Here are the top five stories in Orlando today:

1. A Volusia County man, Steve Shand, is facing a human smuggling charge after a family of four, including a baby and a teenager, was found frozen to death near the U.S.-Canadian border. Shand is from Deltona and was arrested in North Dakota. (WFTV)

2. 22-year-old Brian Garabito of Orlando was arrested Wednesday and accused of shooting up his family's occupied home during an argument, according to an arrest affidavit. No injuries were reported. Garabito is being held in the Orange County jail on no bond. (Click Orlando)

3. The Apopka City Council voted 5-0 at its January 19th meeting to reject the proposal from Standard Investments and Holdings LLC (SIH) to create a downtown Apopka mixed-use project consisting of retail, office, and/or residential development using 3.4 acres of property purchased from the City. (The Apopka Voice)

4. Osceola School Board Attorney Frank Kruppenbacher presented the early workings of a resolution to ban Critical Race Theory (CRT) teachings in county schools this week. His resolution mimics state law as the Florida Department of Education has already banned CRT in the state. (Osceola News-Gazette)

5. Orlando City Council will vote on whether or not to extend a current moratorium on outdoor speaker permits at the upcoming January 24th City Council meeting. An ordinance already exists that limits outdoor speaker permits, but this proposal would extend it through August 31st, 2022. (Bungalower)

Today in Orlando:

• Clean Up Ivanhoe Village at Ivanhoe Village Main Street. (9:00 AM)
• Yoga in the Garden at Mead Botanical Garden. (9:00 AM)
• Rollins College Men's Swimming at Florida Tech. (11:00 AM)
• Brazilian Festival Orlando. (1:00 PM)
• Jennifer Hudson & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Steinmetz Hall. (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Third Thursday Orlando is back bigger and better with even more offerings. (Twitter)
• Metro Orlando December 2021 unemployment was at 3.8%, per FL DEO. November's total was 4% and the prior December that number was at 4.5%. (Twitter)
• City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and his wife Susie have both tested positive for COVID-19 and are isolating at home. (WMFE)
• Chief of Police Orlando Rolón recently recognized Christopher Zastawney, a University of Central Florida Knight, who volunteered more than 400 hours of his time to help residents. (Facebook)
• Gatorland is offering Florida residents half off single-day admission in an extended deal now through February 28th. (Spectrum News 13)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday! 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.