Community Corner

🌱 Sanford Firefighter Sentenced + Orlando's Romantic Restaurants Make List

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Orlando.

(Patch Media)

Morning, people of Orlando! It's me again, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Orlando Daily.


First, today's weather:

Pleasant with clouds and sun. High: 75 Low: 58.

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


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Here are the top five stories today in Orlando:

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

1. A Frontier Airlines flight headed from New York LaGuardia to Orlando had to be diverted on Wednesday night. A video posted to social media appears to show a shouting man being subdued by a group of fellow passengers, with witnesses alleging the unruly man threatened passengers on-board. (WESH)

2. A Sanford firefighter who pleaded guilty to a charge for his role in the U.S. Capitol riot as part of a plea deal with federal prosecutors was sentenced in federal court to two years of probation. Andrew James Williams was also ordered to pay $500 in restitution and a $10 special assessment fee as well as 60 hours of community service in 12 months. (Click Orlando)

3. Orlando Magic defeated an undermanned Portland Trail Blazers team on Tuesday night 113-95. Cole Anthony scored 23 points while Wendell Carter Jr. added 18. The win ended a losing streak for the Magic. (Spectrum News 13)

4. Orlando creative Brooks Dierdorff is currently the artist-in-residence at the new Casselberry Sculpture House. Visitors can see his exhibition starting today and check out the opening reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The exhibition will stay up until April 30th. (Orlando Weekly)

5. 3 Orlando restaurants have been named among the most romantic restaurants in America. Christini's Ristorante Italiano, Christner's Prime Steak and Lobster, and Kres Chophouse made the list. (Florida Patch)


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Today in Orlando:

  • Rollins College Baseball Vs. University of West Florida at Rollins Athletics. (5:00 PM)
  • Celebration's Food Truck Friday & Movie Night. (5:00 PM)
  • Free Movie in the Park: Space Jam at Wedgefield Park. (6:30 PM)
  • Jim Jefferies—The Moist Tour at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. (7:00 PM)
  • Don McLean at Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Orange County School Board Chair Teresa Jacobs called Florida State Rep. Randy Fine's $200 million, 12-county school funding-cut proposal "reprehensible." A joint letter with Dr. Jenkins calls it "illegal." Orange County would lose $16.5 million causing "significant harm." (Twitter)
  • Stop by Orange County Sheriff Department's Shred-A-Thon on Saturday, February 19th at Wekiva High School and dispose of your sensitive info securely. Items accepted include paper, folders, files, notepads, envelopes, CDs/DVDs. Prescription drug disposal also available. (Twitter)
  • The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to use money from the COVID-19 stimulus package approved by Congress last year to pay for more toll lanes on I-4 in Orlando. (Spectrum News 13)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with 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.

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