🌱 Rent Assistance + Ocoee Congressman Pushes Juneteenth Paid Holiday + Florida Manatees

Good morning, Orlando! Here's everything you need to know to get this Friday started off right.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and warm. High: 82 Low: 67.

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Here are the top stories in Orlando today:

1. Help may be on the way for manatees amid record deaths. Wildlife officials are asking lawmakers for nearly $7 million to help save Florida's official marine mammal. Massive blooms of toxic algae sickened manatees and killed off their food supply as well, leading them to starve. (Florida Patch)

2. Orange County has temporarily made its rental assistance program available to Orlando residents after the city ran out of funding for its own program. County officials say about $16 million is currently available for county and city residents. (Spectrum News 13)

3. A Vero Beach man, Travis Pippin, is accused of burning down his ex-girlfriend's parents home using gasoline and a blow torch. The family's dog, Rusty, was inside the house and was saved by firefighters. Pippin was arrested and charged with arson and cruelty to animals. (WESH)

4. Say It Loud! is selling its former space in Mills 50 for $2.9 million. The 5,338 square-foot one-story building comes with eight parking spaces, offices, a meeting room, and more. The property is currently zoned for retail. (Bungalower)

5. Ocoee congressman Senator Randolph Bracy is pushing to make Juneteenth a paid state holiday. The Florida Legislature in 1991 designated June 19th as “Juneteenth Day” to commemorate the freeing of slaves but did not mark the date as a legal holiday. (Orlando Weekly)

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Today in Orlando:

• OM°A Book Club: 'The Past Is Never' by Tiffany Quay Tyson. (2:00 PM)
• Varsity Girls Soccer @ Poinciana - Colonial High School. (6:00 PM)
• Lady Braves Basketball vs. Lake Brantley - Lake Brantley. (6:00 PM)
• Live at Timucua: Ribas-Dominicci & The War Bride (In-Person). (7:00 PM)
• Holiday Movies in the Park – The Polar Express at Lake Eola Park. (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Thornton Park District: "Santacon 2021! YES it is happening this year! Get yourselves some fun Santa, or Elf, or Reindeers or whatever you choose outfits and join us this Saturday for the 7th Annual Santacon! We meet at Cavo's Bar & Kitchen at 11 am and go throug..." (Facebook)
• City of Orlando - Government: "We've unveiled our Annual Historic Preservation calendar! Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer met with the winning photogs to celebrate and show everyone what 2022 will bring. Want one for yourself? Stop by City Hall, Leu Gardens, The History Cente..." (Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Valencia Park: "My cat Sebastian is still missing. We miss him so much. He has a short tail,and some white under his neck and between his legs. Our hearts are broken. If anyone has seen him or knows someone who has him or if you have him please let this touc..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Lucky: "If anyone is in need of a job, BJs Brewhouse near the Millenia Mall is hiring. We really need workers for all positions. It’s getting pretty busy with the holidays coming up and could really use hard working and determined workers. Hm..." (Nextdoor)

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That's it for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— 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.