Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Orlando’s homeless memorial reveals the toll of Florida’s camping ban

Make time for Brunch Buffet with Santa & Mrs. Claus on the Orlando Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Thursday December 18th Patch AM
Thursday December 18th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning Orlando! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Orlando’s homeless memorial reveals the toll of Florida’s camping ban
  • Why Orlando’s airport tram upgrade suddenly needs $7 million more
  • Why an Orlando firefighter is facing new stalking-related charges now

Also on today's calendar: Brunch Buffet with Santa & Mrs. Claus and 6 more events.

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

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Thursday: Warmer with clouds and sun, with a high of 81 and low of 67 degrees.
  • Friday: Variable cloudiness, temps: high: 79, low: 53.
  • Saturday: Sunny; pleasant, less humid, with a high of 77 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. At Orlando service, doves and tears for 136 homeless people who died this year (clickorlando.com) — A downtown Orlando memorial at Heritage Square honored 136 homeless neighbors who died this year, even as new state laws drive more people into hiding. Advocates shared sobering numbers on homelessness in the Orlando area, rising arrests under Florida’s public camping ban, and the daily challenges unsheltered residents face, while urging the community to see each person’s story and humanity.
   

2. Tariff effect: $4M added to contract for Orlando airport Gate Link replacement project (clickorlando.com) — Orlando International Airport’s Gate Link replacement project just got $7 million more, including $4 million to cover new tariffs on Japanese-made train components, but officials say no local tax dollars are involved. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority approved the allowance so the multi-year tram upgrade can stay on schedule, with unused tariff funds returning to the airport.
   

3. Orlando firefighter arrested for a second time, now facing stalking charges (wesh.com) — An Orlando firefighter has been arrested again, this time on stalking-related charges after police say he repeatedly contacted and tracked a woman without her consent. The same firefighter was previously arrested following an incident at Orlando Fire Station 9 that led to assault charges. He is now on unpaid leave while the Orlando Fire Department conducts an internal investigation.
   

4. Raw sewage spills near Lake Orlando after sewer line damaged by contractor (clickorlando.com) — A major sewage spill near Lake Orlando has sent an estimated 10,000 gallons of raw sewage into nearby stormwater ponds, prompting a city health alert and ongoing E. coli testing. Orlando crews are pumping out contaminated water, while nearby residents report overpowering odors, concerns about wildlife deaths, and uncertainty about how long the neighborhood will be affected.
   

5. Four years later: $5K reward for information about Osceola County missing woman, Paola Marie Miranda-Rosa (fox35orlando.com) — Four years after an Orlando woman was last seen leaving her grandmother’s home, investigators are renewing the search and highlighting a $5,000 reward for tips. Her vehicle was later found at Wekiva Springs State Park, where extensive searches turned up nothing. Osceola County deputies are urging anyone with information to contact them or Crime Line.
   

📸 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 ★

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!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday December 18
  • Coffee Club Nona-Vista
    Mission BBQ Lee Vista , 6324 S Semoran Blvd , Orlando
    8:30 am
  • 9:00 a.m. Development Review Committee Meeting
    Casselberry Calendar , 95 Triplet Lake Drive , Casselberry
    9:00 am
  • Red Light Hearing Board
    Ocoee, FL Calendar , 1 N. Bluford Ave. , Ocoee
    9:00 am
  • Breathe with the Trees Relaxation Training
    Mead Botanical Garden , 1300 S. Denning Dr. , Winter Park
    10:00 am

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:

  • Got Balloons — (407) 655-3161
    We make Orlando pop with custom balloon setups for events!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Central Florida retail center sells for $18.1 million —Missy Hurley Read on Patch
  • Colliers announces the sale of 67,500-square-foot retail plaza in Central Florida —Missy Hurley Read on Patch
  • For those with children 13 and younger - there is a toys for tots set up where the old DDs used to be (the plaza with Ross on OBT / wetherbee southchase area) giving toys away.
    All you need is a photo id and picture of your children’s birth certs ! 8am - 6pm (Nextdoor Sky Lake South)
  • This app has really been God sent.
    There are so many wonderful people willing to help and I’m very grateful. May you all be blessed and have an amazing holiday season. (Nextdoor Lake Fredrica)
  • Tonight, Chief Eric Smith and officers attended a Christmas celebration hosted by the Carver Shores Neighborhood Association! This gathering brought... (X: OrlandoPolice)
  • Special visitors have been popping up all over OCPS! Clay Springs Elementary students were greeted by their very own elf on a ... roof! Meanwhile, at... (X: OCPSnews)
  • ABM Industries posted a job opening for Baggage Handler in Orlando. Apply here.
  • Oakview Group posted a job opening for Guest Services Staff | Part-Time | Addition Financial Arena 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 don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Orlando