Pulse National Memorial + UCF Wild Bear + Stetson Scholarships

Good Morning. My name is Carlos Hernandez and I am back to update you on the latest happening in the Orlando area.

Today is the 5th anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting. On June 12th, 2016, 49 people were murdered and 68 others were injured in a mass shooting. There will be events around Orlando and the country today remembering those that were taken with members of the community coming together.

In this issue, you’ll learn about a U.S. Senate bill for a Pulse memorial, White Castle, Stetson University, a new salad chain, and more. Now, grab your coffee and let’s get started.

Today’s weather: The high is 94 and the low is 76 with scattered thunderstorms. The rain chance is 40%.

Here are the top 5 stories happening around Orlando:

1. The United States Senate unanimously passed a bill to make Pulse a national memorial. U.S. representatives and local officials celebrated the passage. (Orlando Weekly)

2. Minnesota salad chain, Crisp & Green, is preparing to open in Orlando. Eight locations are planned in the area between 2021 and 2022. (Orlando Business Journal)

3. Stetson University is offering free scholarships for students who get vaccinated for COVID-19. Currently only 25 to 35% of students are vaccinated. (WESH)

4. A wild bear was spotted at UCF campus on Friday. There have been a growing number of bear sightings around the state lately. Police tweeted out tips in case you encounter one, including to “back slowly into a safe, indoor place.” (Click Orlando)

5. White Castle has reopened its ghost kitchen in downtown Orlando. The virtual location will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Currently only pick-up is available with delivery planned in the future. (Click Orlando)

Today in Orlando:

• Goat Baby Shower at Green Acres Farm Oviedo. (11 a.m.)
• 49 Bells Ceremony at First United Methodist Church of Orlando. (11:30 a.m.)
• Record Store Day at Ten10 Brewing Co. (12 p.m.)
• Downtown Longwood Saturday Night Cruise. (5 p.m.)
• Five-Year Pulse Remembrance Ceremony at Dr. Phillips Center Frontyard Festival. (7 p.m.)
• Dueling Pianos at Orange County Brewers Lake Mary. (7 p.m.)

Orlando Patch Notebook:

• There will be street closures today for the Pulse Remembrance Ceremony from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. More info at orlando.gov/roadclosure.
• A UCF School of Medicine student described what it meant to be one of 49 recipients of the onePulse Foundation scholarship honoring the 49 lives lost.
• Face masks will be optional for fully vaccinated guests in most areas at Walt Disney World starting June 15th.
• Wild Florida is expanding to feature more exotic animals in Osceola County.
• Shin Jung Korean BBQ has returned to Orlando after a 2019 fire.
• An upscale Tex-Mex restaurant from celebrity chef Ford Fry and Paris Baguette are opening in Winter Park. Paris Baguette is a French bakery chain from South Korea.

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That's all for today. I will be back tomorrow with the latest happening in Orlando. My inbox is open if you have any tips to send or want to reach out: orlando@patch.com.

-Carlos Hernandez

About me: I have lived in Florida since 1999 and covered the Orlando area for nearly 10 years, mainly with a focus on food through my blog at CarlosEats.com.