🌱 Patch AM: Why Orlando’s last big shelter plan collapsed—and what could replace it.

Greetings Orlando! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Orlando’s last big shelter plan collapsed—and what could replace it.
• Step inside the Lake Cherokee Victorian that helped shape Orlando’s story.
• How an Instagram DM turned into a brutal Orlando hallway ambush

Also on today's calendar: History Alive: Animation & Art in Florida and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: I quit my job as a banker. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Partly sunny and nice, with a high of 72 and low of 54 degrees.
• Saturday: Breezy in the afternoon, temps: high: 76, low: 60.
• Sunday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 70 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. How would you feel about a homeless shelter where you live? Central Florida leaders respond (clickorlando.com) — Orlando and Orange County leaders are wrestling with how to add homeless shelter space after neighborhood opposition sank a proposed low-barrier shelter on Kaley Street. Local advocates describe an 800-bed gap, rising arrests under the state’s camping ban, and what it would take for residents to support shelters, from security and wraparound services to mental health care and micro-shelter models across Central Florida.
   

2. Explore Orlando's First Historic Home On Lake Cherokee (orlandomagazine.com) — A richly preserved Victorian home at 614 Lake Avenue on Lake Cherokee offers a rare glimpse into Orlando’s early history, from suffrage leader Jessie Annie Mallory to civic figure William O’Neal. Current caretaker Aguirre has filled the 18-room house and gardens with travel-inspired design, launched the Orlando Supper Club there, and is now preparing to pass this beloved Cherokee/Delaney Park landmark to its next steward.
   

3. Florida man recalls axe attack, knife stabbing in Orlando lured armed robbery incident (fox35orlando.com) — An Orlando man is recovering from serious axe and knife injuries after deputies say he was lured to an Orlando apartment complex and ambushed in a planned armed robbery. An Orlando couple now faces multiple felony charges, while two additional suspects with weapons have not yet been found. Investigators relied on Ring camera footage, text messages, and a search warrant to piece together what happened.
   

4. Pentagon Awards Lockheed Martin Contract to Supply Military Equipment to Taiwan – [your]NEWS (yournews.com) — Lockheed Martin will build advanced infrared sensor pods for Taiwan’s air force at its Orlando facilities under a Pentagon contract worth up to $328.5 million, with work running through 2031. While the deal centers on Taiwan’s defense against rising Chinese military pressure, it also means long-term high-tech defense work and federal dollars flowing into Orlando’s economy.
   

📸 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 3

• El Boricua es Otra Cosa
  Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando
  7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday January 3

• History Alive: Animation & Art in Florida
  Orange County Regional History Center , 65 E Central Blvd , Orlando
  10:00 am
• Get Me The Fuck Out Of Florida - featuring BAD LUCK with Special Guests northbound, Porch Coffin, and Camp Trash
  Will's Pub , 1042 N Mills Ave , Orlando
  7:00 pm
• Salute To Vienna
  Steinmetz Hall , 445 S Magnolia Ave , Orlando
  7:30 pm
• Macartney Reinhardt
  Ole Red , 8417 International Dr , Orlando
  9:30 pm

Thursday January 8

• OCLS Little Scientists
  South Creek Branch Library - Orange County Library , 1702 Deerfield Blvd , Orlando
  10:30 am
• OCLS The Life of Zora Neale Hurston
  Orlando Public Library , 101 E Central Blvd , Orlando
  4:30 pm

Friday January 9

• OCLS All About Amphibians
  Southeast Branch Library , 5575 S Semoran Blvd , Orlando
  10:30 am
• OCLS Music in the Library: West African Kora
  Chickasaw Branch Library , 870 N Chickasaw Trail , Orlando
  11:00 am
• Daytona Boat Show
  Daytona International Speedway , 1801 W International Speedway Blvd , Daytona Beach
  11:00 am
• Lunch & Learn: Golf Fore Central Florida
  Orange County Regional History Center , 65 E Central Blvd , Orlando
  12:00 pm
• Functional Friday Dinner
  Maria & Enzo's Ristorante , 1560 E Buena Vista Dr , Lake Buena Vista
  7:00 pm

📣 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:

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

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

• Looking back ....
  It is nothing short of a Miracle, that I am still alive today and I thank God for it. I had my 2nd Heart Failure at the end of 2024 and basically… (Nextdoor Lakeshore Landings)
• Update: Pet Reunited
  A dog who went missing in Miramar, FL, has been safely reunited with their family after 5 hours, 8 minutes. More details here https://www.pawboost… (Nextdoor Kingswood Manor)

• The Officers working in our Downtown Core tonight are working diligently to protect everyone out trying to have a good time. If you see something... (X: OrlandoPolice)
• Orlando International Airport is adding seven new restaurants as part of its massive concessions overhaul, including a food hall at Airside 4 with... (X: OBJUpdate)

• USA Jobs posted a job opening for Hotel Valet Cashier - $15/HR - JW Marriott Bonnet Creek in Orlando. Apply here.
• NBC Universal posted a job opening for Assistant Manager, Facilities - Park - Universal Kids Resort 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 just lost interest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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