🌱 Winter Springs Manager Retires + DeSantis Attacks Orlando Leaders

Hey, friends. It's Wednesday in Orlando and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in our community, including news on:

• Two Walgreens locations are shutting down in the Orlando area
• The DOT and FAA have awarded MCO with special grants for Terminal C
• UCF is once again one of the top-rated universities for patents in the world

But first, today's weather: Partly sunny and very warm. High: 87 Low: 61.

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Here are the top stories today in Orlando:

1. Two Orlando Walgreens stores in Central Florida are closing down in March. One store at 190 S. Orange Ave. will close March 30 and another at 4502 S. Orange Blossom Trail will close March 20. The number of employees impacted was not revealed. (Subscription: Orlando Sentinel, Free: Yahoo!)
2. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Monday that Orlando International Airport (MCO) will receive $49 million for the construction of four additional Multiple Aircraft Ramp System gates for Terminal C. MCO will also receive $20 million in funding for a Pedestrian Connector Bridge. (Click Orlando)
3. University of Central Florida (UCF) is now ranked in the top 100 universities for producing patents. It is the 9th consecutive year that the university ranks highly for the category. UCF is ranked no. 31 in the U.S.A. and ranked no. 60 in the world. (Fox 35 Orlando)
4. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis responded on Monday a recent string of shooting incidents in Orlando that left three people dead, including a journalist with Spectrum News 13 and 9-year-old girl. DeSantis proceeded to address blame to the district attorney and state attorney for a supposed lack of prosecutions in Central Florida. (WESH)
5. The Winter Springs city manager Shawn Boyle announced his retirement on Monday as the city faces audits by the state government. "The emotional and physical distress that I have been under make me unable to continue working as the City Manager for the City of Winter Springs. I wish the best for you and City Staff,” said Boyle in a letter. (Click Orlando)

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Today in Orlando:

• In-Person: Microsoft Word Level 1 at Southwest Branch Library. (10:15 a.m.)
• Windermere Chamber Business After Hour at MYLounge Orlando. (5 p.m.)
• Goat Yoga at Alaska Farms Orlando. (6 p.m.)
• Downtown Comedy Wednesdays at Bynx Orlando. (7:30 p.m.)
• Art & Wellness: Energy Wheel at Timucua Arts Foundation. (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Orlando City SC shared: "Purple Debuts 💜 Shoutout to Luca Petrasso, Dagur Dan Thórhallsson, Ramiro Enrique and Martín Ojeda on making their Orlando City debuts this weekend. 🙌" (Orlando City SC via Instagram)
• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer: "Saturday is a big day with many events scheduled throughout our community, including in Downtown Orlando. With support from our Downtown Development Board, SunRail is offering special service, helping residents get to and from events with ease." (Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer via Facebook)
• Girls on the Run Central Florida shared: "SoleMates is a community made up of passionate people raising money for Girls on the Run. Whether they’re counting miles on the trail or completing a runDisney race all SoleMates share a common desire to be champions for girls." (Girls on the Run Central Florida via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! 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.

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