🌱 Winter Garden CRA Approved + Maitland Jazz And Blues Festival

Happy Wednesday, Orlando! Here's everything worth knowing today in town.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and breezy. High: 88 Low: 72.

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Here are the top five stories in Orlando today:

1. The Orange County Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted March 8 to extend the Winter Garden Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) for 10 years. The city of Winter Garden had previously approved the extension. It is estimated that more than $20 million will be generated during this timeframe and at least 75% of these funds will be spent in east Winter Garden to revitalize the community, according to city staff. (West Orange Times)

2. The Maitland Jazz and Blues Festival will happen at Independence Square in Winter Park this weekend on April 1 and April 2. The free festival will showcase 13 bands on two stages. The headlining performances include Grammy award-winning southern blues rocker Jimmy Hall. (Click Orlando)

3. The victim of the of a fall at an Orlando attraction Tyre Sampson's father, Yarnell Sampson, said he learned about his son's death at ICON Park from a video posted to social media. He said, " I want to know what happened to my son. I want to know why my son is in a white bag, having to get shipped back home. He walked there. Why he can’t walk back? I want answers from everybody. Who all was involved in that?" (WESH)

4. Lake County's school board wants to ask voters to keep a special tax to enhance school safety. The board agreed on Tuesday to ask the Board of County Commissioners to place a referendum on the November election ballot to ask voters to continue the tax, which helps pay for things such as nurses, counselors, psychologists, and more. (Click Orlando)

5. Volusia County Schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Fritz has announced that he will be leaving his post at the end of the school year. He has led the district since December 2019 and his contract was set for expiration. When discussing an extension, members of the staff and the public offered mixed reviews of his performance. (WMFE)

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Today in Orlando:

• Universal Orlando Resort Mardi Gras. (9:00 AM)
• EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival. (9:00 AM)
• Wildflower Farm's Fables On The Farm. (11:00 AM)
• Superintendent Search Community Forum - District 5 at Orlando District. (6:00 PM)
• Live At Timucua: Amina Scott Quartet. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Top Drawer Consignments has left its longtime location in College Park. (Bungalower)
• The Femuline Tour is coming to Orlando. ⁠⁠Don't miss Todrick Hall at Hard Rock Live Orlando on Saturday, April 16.💃🏾⁠ (Instagram)
• Are you seeing Bad Bunny on March 30 at Amway Center? Plan your parking ahead of time, parking at the GEICO Garage is full. View alternative parking options online. (Facebook)
• 18-time Grammy-winner Yo-Yo Ma often travels to the best venues across the globe. and soon Steinmetz Hall will join that list as he performs with brilliant pianist Kathryn Stott. Get tickets now for April 28. (Facebook)

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You're all caught up 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.