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🌱 Patch AM: How dangerous are Central Florida gator encounters getting in 2025?

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Hey there, Orlando! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How dangerous are Central Florida gator encounters getting in 2025?
  • Miss the Pop-Tarts Bowl chaos at Camping World Stadium? Start here.
  • How a Christmas Day Orlando shooting shattered one family

Also on today's calendar: Naughty List Lounge at Kings Orlando and 7 more events.

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

Today's riddle: I’m trying to think of a new cloud joke. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Sunday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 77 and low of 58 degrees.
  • Monday: Mostly sunny and nice, temps: high: 78, low: 46.
  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny and cooler, with a high of 60 and low of 39 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Alligator rescues, attacks and encounters in Central Florida (wesh.com) — Central Florida residents are being reminded how common alligator encounters are, with several 2025 incidents and expert insight coming from Gatorland Orlando. From deputies hauling gators in patrol cars to a 14-footer blocking a Sarasota road, the piece highlights safety concerns and directs people to the state’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline.
   

2. Pop-Tarts pastry bails on celebration and 4 other wild moments from bowl game (foxwilmington.com) — Orlando’s Camping World Stadium hosted a wild Pop-Tarts Bowl where BYU stormed back in the fourth quarter to beat Georgia Tech 25-21. Fans in Orlando saw quirky Pop-Tarts-themed ceremonies, a new Ring of Honor, and a mascot pastry hilariously “bail” on its celebratory toaster dive.
   

3. Family, friends honor 13-year-old killed on Christmas day in Orlando shooting (wftv.com) — A grieving family in Orange County held a candlelight vigil for 13-year-old Emony Nicole Jackson, who was fatally shot on Christmas Day in an Orlando-area home. Deputies say a 15-year-old boy admitted to the shooting, calling it accidental, and he now faces manslaughter charges as investigators continue to piece together what happened.
   

4. Desmond Bane converts 2 FT's in waning seconds as Magic nip Nuggets (statenews.net) — Orlando Magic fans just got a thriller, with Desmond Bane sinking two clutch free throws in the final seconds to edge the Denver Nuggets 127-126 at home. Anthony Black exploded for a career-high 38 points as Orlando stormed back from a double-digit deficit, capitalizing on Denver’s turnovers despite Nikola Jokic’s massive triple-double effort.
   

5. Texas NASA Intern Stole Moon Rocks in the Name of Love (wearemidlandodessa.com) — Orlando plays a surprising role in a notorious NASA moon-rock heist, where a young intern and his girlfriend drove here to meet a supposed buyer and were ultimately arrested. The 2002 caper, fueled by romance and bad decisions, destroyed valuable research samples and ended with prison time, but still stands out for its bizarre Orlando hotel twist.
   

📸 Around Orlando

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Vet Visit Anxiety - How to Desensitize Your Pet Step-By-Step —Vet and Tech Read on Patch
  • Orange county sheriff office UPDATE: (8:40 am) Imani has been FOUND and is SAFE!
    Thank you to everyone who shared this alert. Our community is so integral to the work we do. (Nextdoor Emerald Villas)
  • **REUNITED** Found her at 4am this morning in a neighbors bushes.
    So thankful for the community looking out and advice given. Missing cat. Name is Maria, she is all black with no front claws (not our doing), minimal… (Nextdoor Fernway)
  • Culver's Restaurant posted a job opening for Porter in Orlando. Apply here.
  • Johnston & Murphy posted a job opening for Full-Time Stock Associate 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 haven’t the foggiest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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