Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Is Orlando’s 1% rent drop the start of real relief?

Also check out Christmas Day Brunch Buffet on the Orlando Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 24th Patch AM
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Greetings Orlando! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Is Orlando’s 1% rent drop the start of real relief?
  • Why are Legionnaires’ warnings posted on nearly every floor downtown?
  • How crowded will Orlando International Airport get during today’s holiday rush?

Also on today's calendar: Christmas Day Brunch Buffet and 5 more events.

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

Today's riddle: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 79 and low of 57 degrees.
  • Thursday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 80, low: 58.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 80 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Orlando rents drop 1% in October 2025 after last year's 15% surge (wftv.com) — Orlando renters are finally seeing a small break, with October prices dipping 1% after last year’s steep 15% jump. Still, Central Florida residents are spending around half their income on housing, far above affordability guidelines, and experts say it’s unclear whether this marks a lasting correction in the local rental market.
   

2. Legionnaires' disease signs posted inside federal courthouse as Orange County hits 100 confirmed cases (clickorlando.com) — Orange County now leads Florida in Legionnaires’ disease cases, and warning signs about Legionella bacteria have been posted on nearly every floor of the Orlando Federal Courthouse. Health officials haven’t confirmed whether the courthouse is tied to any outbreak, while Orlando Utilities Commission says its water tests clean and points to building management for internal systems.
   

3. Holiday rush at Orlando International Airport as millions travel for festivities (wftv.com) — Holiday travel is peaking at Orlando International Airport today, with officials expecting about 170,000 passengers and 3.1 million travelers over the full season. Locals heading to theme parks and bowl games are facing crowded terminals and potential baggage delays, though MCO has upgraded its luggage systems and some airlines now offer points or discounts if bags take more than 20 minutes to arrive.
   

4. Top Tables: The best new restaurants in Orlando (orlandoweekly.com) — Orlando diners get a curated look at 2025’s standout new restaurants, from live-fire Yucatecan cooking at June in Thornton Park to Iraqi kebabs on Turkey Lake Road and hand-ripped noodles off Carrier Drive. The roundup also highlights notable Winter Park and Altamonte openings, giving you plenty of fresh options for date nights, dumpling cravings, and special-occasion splurges.
   

5. Monarch Learning Academy students partner with United Against Poverty (yourcommunitypaper.com) — Monarch Learning Academy eighth graders in Orlando recently teamed up with United Against Poverty, better known as UP Orlando, to support its affordable grocery store. Students helped restock shelves and organize inventory while learning firsthand about local food access challenges and how existing community organizations are tackling them through long-term, dignity-focused support.
   

📸 Around Orlando

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Orlando

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📣 Orlando Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday December 25
  • City Hall Closed
    Ocoee City Hall - Ocoee FL 34761
  • Library Closed: Christmas Holiday
    Altamonte Springs, FL Calendar , 281 Maitland Avenue , Altamonte Springs
    10:00 am
  • Breathe with the Trees Relaxation Training
    Mead Botanical Garden , 1300 S. Denning Dr. , Winter Park
    10:00 am
    • Friday December 26
  • Kwanzaa in Historic Eatonville
    Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts , 344 E Kennedy Blvd , Eatonville
    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
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    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • My dog Haddie got out of my fence yesterday around 1pm, Havent seen her since.
    She is very old and going blind and deaf. If you have seen her please let me know!! (Nextdoor Mercy Drive)
  • 122 missing children were found and are going home for Christmas in Florida.
    Say something bad about that! Merry Christmas. (Nextdoor Sand Lake Hills)
  • Tonight, Chief Smith and OPD officers joined Commissioner Sheehan in the Reeves Terrace neighborhood for the annual Wheels 4 Kids Giveaway. OPD... (X: OrlandoPolice)
  • Two development firms are leading construction of the privately-gated community, which sits on land purchased for $ million in 2022 along Winter... (X: OBJUpdate)
  • Hilton posted a job opening for Night Auditor (Part-Time) - Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Airport in Orlando. Apply here.
  • The Gap, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Stock Associate (Late Night) - Orlando (Vin)Premium 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 got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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