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🌱 Patch AM: Could you qualify for free cervical cancer screening in Orange County?

Coming up: Harlem Globetrotters on the Orlando Patch calendar

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Friday January 9th Patch AM
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Morning Orlando! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Could you qualify for free cervical cancer screening in Orange County?
  • Which key Orlando City preseason dates should fans mark now?
  • Why fewer Orlando crashes aren’t making our roads any safer

Also on today's calendar: OCLS All About Amphibians and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Orlandofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the shovel say to the dirt? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Orlandofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 84 and low of 62 degrees.
  • Saturday: Sun mixing with clouds, temps: high: 84, low: 63.
  • Sunday: A couple of afternoon showers, with a high of 78 and low of 48 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. DOH-Orange Observes Cervical Cancer Awareness Month (floridahealth.gov) — Orlando residents are being urged by the Florida Department of Health in Orange County to use January’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Month as a reminder to get screened. The agency outlines Pap and HPV testing guidelines and offers low-cost or free screenings for eligible women ages 40–64 through its local Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
   

2. Orlando City announces 2026 preseason schedule (wesh.com) — Orlando City fans can start circling key preseason dates, with training resuming Jan. 12 in Kissimmee and a Feb. 14 home friendly against Colorado Rapids at Inter&Co Stadium for season ticket members. The Lions also head to Mexico for a late-January camp before opening the 2026 MLS season at home against the New York Red Bulls on Feb. 21.
   

3. 2025 crash numbers drop, deaths hold steady in Central Florida (wesh.com) — New state crash data shows overall collisions fell in 2025, but deaths on Central Florida roads — especially in Orange County and downtown Orlando — stayed nearly the same. Doctors at Orlando Health say they’re treating more severe injuries, particularly among pedestrians and motorcyclists, and warn that speed, distraction, and inattention are keeping local roads dangerous despite fewer crashes.
   

4. Florida bill would extend recess requirement to middle schools (fox35orlando.com) — Orlando-area readers should know a new Florida House bill would expand mandatory recess from elementary through eighth grade, adding 100 minutes of weekly free-play time for middle schoolers. Inspired by Osceola County students, the proposal aims to reduce stress and improve focus statewide and would take effect July 1 if approved.
   

5. Protests emerge in Orlando after ICE agent kills woman in Minneapolis (mysuncoast.com) — Demonstrators gathered outside Orlando City Hall to protest a fatal ICE shooting of a woman during an immigration operation in Minneapolis, tying national immigration policy to local concerns. Organizers called the Orlando rally on short notice, and speakers, including a local pastor, condemned the crackdown’s impact on communities.
   

📸 Around Orlando

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Orlando

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Saturday January 10
  • Harlem Globetrotters
    Addition Financial Arena, 12777 Gemini Blvd N, Orlando
    2:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Orlando Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Orlando PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
  • Got Balloons — (407) 655-3161
    We make Orlando pop with custom balloon setups for events!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please share & repost to help reunite this stray dog!
    FOUND on January 7, 2026 in Orlando, FL 32803 near S bumby ave Orlando Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the finder,… (Nextdoor North Shore)
  • Guys and Dolls, are you interested in joining our fun group?
    We will be getting together again this month. Friendly people who enjoy being together and getting to know one another in Orlando! (Nextdoor Richmond Estates)
  • Patrol Officer of the Month – December 2025 Congratulations to Officer Kyle Shaouni! Officer Shaouni has been with the Orlando Police Department for... (X: OrlandoPolice)
  • January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Human trafficking is a global problem that has affected millions of people and taken away... (X: OCPSnews)
  • Landry's, Inc. posted a job opening for Busser / Porter in Orlando. Apply here.
  • Molly Maid posted a job opening for Residential House Cleaning Professional in Orlando. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Orlando here.

Ok Orlando! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I really dig you!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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