🌱 Reedy Creek Fight Begins Again + Greenberg Sentenced To 11 Years

Hello, neighbors! It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Orlando Daily — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town. Including news about...

• 🚓 Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg will spend 11 years in prison and 10 years on probation.
• 🎢 Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney are battling again over Reedy Creek.
• 🚒 An Orlando warehouse fire on Thursday left two people dead and three injured.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny to partly cloudy. High: 82 Low: 61.

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Here are the top stories today in Orlando:

1. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing back against a report that state lawmakers were working to reverse a plan that would have stripped Disney of its ability to self-govern. The fight over Reedy Creek drew major headlines nationwide as the governor attempted to lambast Disney, one of Florida's top employers into the ground. A spokesperson for the governor said he will never back down. (Click Orlando)

2. A fire at a warehouse in Orlando left two people dead and three people hospitalized on Thursday. The incident happened at 901 Central Florida Parkway at about 7:15 p.m. The fire started in a fireworks storage area called Magic in the Sky, according to officials. (WESH)

3. Disgraced former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Thursday after a long battle and sweeping government investigation. Greenberg also will serve 10 years of probation. The charges include child sex trafficking, and the judge called his actions "downright evil." (WFTV)

4. Executive Director Laura Kelley will retire from the Central Florida Expressway Authority in 2023 after several years with the group. Kelley previously served as the executive director of the Florida Transportation Commission. (Bungalower)

5. Walt Disney World will be closing Splash Mountain for good on Jan. 23, 2023. It will be replaced with Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Tiana's Bayou Adventure plans to open at the theme park in late 2024, according to Disney Parks Blog. (Fox 35 Orlando)

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Today in Orlando:

• Board Game Boxcar Winter Con 2022 at The Bureau Escape Rooms. (9 a.m.)
• Repticon Orlando at Central Florida Fairgrounds. (9 a.m.)
• Winter Park Chamber's Ye Olde Hometown Parade. (9 a.m.)
• Succulent Christmas Tree Workshop at Harry P. Leu Gardens. (10 a.m.)
• Goat Yoga at Alaska Farms Orlando. (11:15 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Orlando City SC shared: "One of our own! 👊 We have signed midfielder Favian Loyola to a First Team contract as a Homegrown player through the 2025 MLS season, with Club options in both 2026 and 2027." (Orlando City SC via Instagram)
• Visit Orlando shared: "Cue the twinkly lights. ✨ Back for its third year and bigger than ever, Harry P. Leu Gardens transforms into a winter wonderland of glittering decorations and musical displays. 📍 : Dazzling Lights at Leu Gardenss 🗓️ : Now - Jan. 1." (Visit Orlando via Instagram)
• Orlando Police Department shared: "THANK YOU to the residents of District 5 who showed up in Parramore tonight to have the important and necessary conversations with Chief Smith along with our deputy chiefs, patrol officers and detectives." (Orlando Police Department via Facebook)
• Yelp Orlando: "Light Up SoDo 2022 is happening this Sunday at 2 p.m. in the SoDo District! 🎄This event is family and pet-friendly, so grab the kiddos + your furry friends and head down to the SoDo Plaza for an afternoon full of holiday fun!" (Yelp Orlando via Instagram)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday. I'll see you around!

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orlando Daily? Contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com