Legal Public Notices 4/01 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: ESTATE OF KAREN ANN DELANEY Deceased. PROBATE DIVISION. File Number 2020-CP-000539. NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION: The administration of the estate of KAREN ANN DELANEY, deceased, File Number 2020-CP-000539 is pending in the Circuit Court for Orange County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of…
Shirtless YouTuber Joe Winko gives a tour of Orlando’s Lake Eola Park
YouTuber Joe Winko, the self-described “Autistic Guy” and “Your Favorite Hawaiian Guy,” recently visited Orlando, where he posted a review and historical tour of Lake Eola Park. Don’t take it too seriously. The tour begins with the always-shirtless Winko explaining how the park came to exist. His on-camera story, sourced to Wikipedia by way of…
Shaquille O’Neal knows you have questions about his appearance in ‘Tiger King’
Business mogul and former Orlando Magic center Shaquille O’Neal makes a brief but memorable appearance in the new Netflix documentary Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness. Some fans are asking why, and in his podcast, the Big Man explains his appearance in the film, and his love of big cats. “Speaking of Netflix, have you seen the…
Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida hospitals are getting COVID-19 tests with five-minute results
At his Tuesday afternoon press conference, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said rapid-result COVID-19 tests are on the way to Florida. Apparently not on the way, however, is a statewide stay-at-home order. Calling them “instant tests,” DeSantis said the new coronavirus tests, made by pharmaceutical company Avid, take 5 to 15 minutes to give results. DeSantis…
Publix now says they will offer paid sick leave for employees who test positive for coronavirus
Over the last week, three Publix employees have tested positive for coronavirus, and today the Lakeland-area grocer says they will start offering paid sick leave to associates who test positive for the virus. Speaking with Creative Loafing Tamp Bay, Publix Director of Communication Maria Brous said employees at all locations who test positive for coronavirus…
Florida gas prices ‘plummet’ below $2 per gallon
For the first time in four years, gasoline prices in Florida average less than $2 a gallon, according to the auto club AAA. Regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.97 a gallon, down 78 cents from a year ago and down 40 cents in the past month. Demand for gasoline and other oil-based products has dropped in…
Hillsborough sheriff says he now gets ‘6 tips a day’ on ‘Tiger King’ cold case
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister says his office is now getting “six tips a day” regarding the 23-year-old cold case of Tampa resident Don Lewis, following the wild success of the Netflix docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness. Speaking to reporters Tuesday in a live virtual conference, Chronister said the show has reignited interest…
Orlando International Airport isn’t responsible for how concession employees are treated. That’s another company’s job
As workers at Orlando International Airport (MCO) were laid off in March, many members of the public directed their anger at the airport itself, but the layoffs were thanks to a third-party vendor, HMSHost. Like most airports, Orlando International Airport and its parent organization, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, make their money via lease agreements…
Two Florida Publix employees have now tested positive for coronavirus
Lakeland-based grocer Publix confirmed Monday that two employees at a southern Florida location have tested positive for the coronavirus. According to a statement sent to the Miami Herald, the employees worked at a store located at 9420 SW 56th St. in Southwest Miami-Dade. Publix spokeswoman Maria Brous told the paper that the store has since…
Tampa pastor who chose to hold services during coronavirus outbreak says he ‘had no option’
Speaking to hundreds of thousands of people during a live webcast last night, Tampa pastor Rodney Howard-Browne said he had “no option” but to hold church services in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, which resulted in his arrest. “I had no option. Had I rolled over and caved, and not had church the last…
Study shows evidence of COVID-19 spread in the Villages
University of Florida health experts say they see “initial” community spread of the novel coronavirus in The Villages. The findings are predicated on the results of 2,280 people who were tested last week by UF Health Medical professionals at a testing site at the sprawling retirement community in Central Florida. In all, 25 people tested…
Publix finally allows employees to wear gloves and face masks during coronavirus outbreak
After employees claimed Publix would not allow them to wear masks and gloves because they could “scare away customers” during the coronavirus outbreak, the Lakeland-based grocery giant now says some associates will be allowed to wear personal protective equipment. According to a statement sent out Monday afternoon, Publix director of communications Maria Brous says the…
Coronavirus is forcing Florida-based cruise lines to face the consequences of their shady business practices
Prior to the approval of the multi-trillion-dollar economic stimulus package, there was much talk about how it would assist the cruise industry. Few sectors of the economy have been hit harder, or received more negative coronavirus-related press, than cruise lines. The industry was hoping that after months of negative press, from the horrific weeks-long debacle…
Disney really has no clue what to expect, but neither does anyone else
Last week saw Universal Parks announce a reopening date of April 19, then a few days later, as pressure mounted for Disney to acknowledge their April 1 reopening was unlikely, the Mouse confirmed their U.S. parks will be closed indefinitely. Now, with the latest models showing coronavirus peaking in the nation just days ahead of…
‘Shameful’: Orlando state representatives hammer DeSantis on state’s unemployment website
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday backed ongoing efforts to handle the surge of jobless claims caused by the novel coronavirus, as Democrats said more action is needed because of the state’s historically troubled unemployment-compensation system. DeSantis repeated calls for people to be patient as the CONNECT claims system within the Department of Economic Opportunity has…
Orlando lawyer and notorious bigot Mat Staver to represent Tampa pastor arrested for holding services during coronavirus outbreak
Liberty Counsel chairman Mathew Staver, a guy who once said the “Q” in LGBTQ stands for “pedophilia,” will represent Tampa pastor Rodney Howard-Browne, who was arrested today after ignoring local and state emergency orders for holding services at his megachurch last weekend, which potentially exposed thousands to coronavirus. In a statement released Monday afternoon, Staver…
Tampa Bay Times furloughs some staff, cuts print edition to twice weekly, amid coronavirus outbreak
Folks used to holding a copy of the Tampa Bay Times should squeeze theirs a little tighter. Amid the fallout surrounding the worldwide coronavirus outbreak, the paper is temporarily reducing print publication frequency to twice a week starting next week. “The change is in direct response to the unprecedented fallout from the coronavirus as businesses…
Hillsborough sheriff issues warrant for Tampa pastor who held service during coronavirus outbreak
Last Sunday, evangelical pastor Rodney Howard-Browne held two church services in front of thousands of members at his mega church in Tampa, potentially exposing them to the coronavirus, and now Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warrant for his arrest. Speaking at a press conference Monday afternoon, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said the…
Florida sheriff needs your help with ‘Tiger King’ cold case
Sure, Netflix’s docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, is all about bitter rivalries and Joe Exotic’s antics, but a 23-year-old Tampa-based cold case involving current Big Cat Rescue CEO Carol Baskin’s missing husband, Don Lewis, is also a big part of the show. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister is hoping social media can help solve…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Monday, March 30, 2020
Every morning on Magic 107.7 FM, Leslye Gale discusses the most interesting Orlando Weekly stories of the day on “Chad & Leslye.” Check out Leslye’s picks today. Florida Megachurch Refuses to Shut Down The River Church in Tampa is making headlines once again and NOT for a good thing! Please read this and tell us, “what…
Central Florida megachurch makes headlines again for packed Sunday services
A Tampa megachurch held a packed Sunday service, despite dire warnings by the CDC and other health officials to promote social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The “Main Event” service, hosted by pastors Rodney Howard-Browne, was broadcast live on YouTube for more safety-minded congregants to watch from home, but the church was clearly packed in…
Publix is letting shopping center tenants go two months without rent
Publix announced Friday it was providing rent relief to tenants in its shopping centers. The rent relief is being offered to businesses operating in Publix-owned shopping centers that have closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It includes waiving rent and common-area maintenance fees for two months, regardless of whether the tenant is eligible for other forms…
Better Than Sex offers takeout desserts good enough to munch in the buff
Better Than Sex, the adults-only Ivanhoe Row dessert restaurant, has given Orlando romantics a cozy place to top off a special evening since 2016. Now, as restaurants across Central Florida switch to takeout and delivery orders only, BTS can’t rely upon their signature tinted lighting and photo-covered walls. They still do, it turns out, have a surprising…
Florida’s February jobless rate is already a distant memory
Florida’s jobless rate in February was 2.8 percent, but that doesn’t reflect a coronavirus-fueled spike in claims that has overwhelmed the state unemployment-compensation system during the past two weeks. The Department of Economic Opportunity on Friday posted the February unemployment rate, which was unchanged from January. But that was based on information from a time…
Worker at Florida juvenile facility tests positive for coronavirus
A worker at a South Florida juvenile-justice facility has tested positive for COVID-19, while the number of cases statewide has topped 4,200, officials announced Sunday morning. The employee of the Broward Youth Treatment Center was confirmed Friday as having the highly contagious disease. The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice did not specify the employee’s job…
Weekly Roundup: The coronavirus ripple effect
As the novel coronavirus continues to spread in Florida, hammering almost every aspect of our daily lives, the ripple effects of the contagion came into full view this week. Unemployment filings skyrocketed. More and more cities and counties set curfews and urged residents to stay home. Law enforcement officers began to lock up fewer people…
Seven Florida prison employees test positive for coronavirus
Seven Florida Department of Corrections employees who work at separate facilities across the state have tested positive for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus, agency officials said late Friday. Agency officials would not release the positions held by the infected prison workers, but in a statement said the employees either worked for…
Florida has set up a second highway checkpoint to stop Louisiana drivers
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Saturday announced the creation of an Interstate 95 checkpoint on Florida’s northern border to screen motorists traveling from the New York City area, in an effort to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. Saturday’s announcement came a day after DeSantis said he was setting up a similar checkpoint in Northwest…
Trader Joe’s Confidential: A Texan employee worries the company isn’t taking coronavirus safety seriously
Editor’s Note: As the coronavirus pandemic escalated into a national crisis, grocery stores have become unexpectedly risky places to work. A Texan Trader Joe’s employee, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation, reached out to our sister paper in San Antonio to offer perspective on what it’s like to work during this crisis and voice…
Is a testing backlog to blame for Florida’s surge in COVID-19 cases?
State Surgeon General Scott Rivkees, the secretary of the Florida Department of Health, said a “backlog” at one of the state’s largest testing partners is responsible for a recent spike in the number of COVID-19 cases. Quest Diagnostics, Rivkees said, sent more than 4,000 patient test results to the state Wednesday night, causing a 25…
A virtual farmers market, dinner and a show at home, a free cookbook, and more restaurants where you can score TP in Orlando
Dexter’s New Standard isn’t just one of the best new restaurants to open in the city, but it also happens to be one of the most intimate concert venues as well. While the coronavirus outbreak continues to keep restaurants shuttered, the New Standard will stream live music every night on their Facebook page so that…
DeSantis adds Louisiana to list of states with Florida travel restrictions
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday he is adding New Orleans and other areas of Louisiana to a list of COVID-19 hotspots, requiring travelers from the state to self-isolate if they come to Florida. Also, as he continues trying to find ways to combat the spread of the highly contagious and deadly disease, DeSantis said he…
Watch how Orlando restaurants offer clean, ‘touch-free’ takeout and delivery services
We’re seeing lots email and social media messages from Orlando area restaurants promoting their upgraded deep-cleaning practices and touch-free routines, all to demonstrate the safety of takeout and delivery orders. It’s easy for some online commenters to glibly ask, “Weren’t they cleaning their kitchens before this?” – but we all know what’s really on people’s…
Orange County Sheriff’s Office gave a live online video tour of their forensics unit
On Friday morning, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office took Facebook viewers on a live video tour of their Forensics Unit, and you can still watch it online. The tour is led by the office’s resident storyteller, Jon Busdeker, and forensics supervisor Vanessa Nylander. It’s a fascinating look behind the scenes of local law enforcement, and…
Florida pastor says he’ll keep church open during coronavirus outbreak, claims to have most sterile building in America
Rodney Howard-Browne, a Tampa megachurch pastor who has already said he’ll cure coronavirus just like he did with Zika, says he will continue holding services at his church during the coronavirus pandemic because his church is very sterile. The conservative preacher and evangelical leader recently posted a video that was captured by watchdog publication Right…
SeaWorld just furloughed more than 90 percent of its workforce
SeaWorld Entertainment, which owns SeaWorld Orlando, announced in a Friday filing it will lay off more then 90 percent of its workforce, as of next Wednesday. The move follows the March 15 closure of SeaWorld’s Orlando location, one of a dozen in the U.S. that have shut down during the coronavirus pandemic. “The furlough period is…
Here’s the petition calling for Publix employees to receive hazard pay
Earlier this week, Lakeland-based grocer giant Publix announced that an employee has tested positive for COVID-19. Now an online petition dubbed “Give Publix Employees Hazard Pay” is circulating, and it calls for a major change in the company’s pay policy. “During this national emergency, Publix is making record profit,” wrote the creator of the campaign, whose…
Video shows cell phones on Florida beach during spring break, and where they’ve travelled during coronavirus outbreak
A new “heat map” using cellphone location data shows the terrifying consequences of Florida’s beaches remaining open during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. As you can see in the video, cellphones on a single beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, during spring break were selected and tracked, and then seen sprawling all over the Eastern half of…
Petition for DeSantis to shut down Florida now has over 300,000 signatures
An online petition calls for Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida State Senate to “shut down Florida” to deter the spread of COVID-19. The petition has been gaining traction. Although it was only created six days ago, it already has over 320,000 signatures. According to the website, the petition was created by a Winter Haven resident…
Why did Florida get all the emergency supplies it requested when other states didn’t?
Our extreme weather is only part of the answer.
SNL’s Kate McKinnon will play Florida Big Cat Rescue CEO Carole Baskin in ‘Tiger King’ scripted series
Here’s one bit of good news for today: There’s currently a limited scripted series in the works based on the same source material used for the Netflix docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, and SNL star Kate McKinnon is on board to play Tampa Big Cat CEO Carole Baskin. According to TVLine, McKinnon will also…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Friday, March 27, 2020
Every morning on Magic 107.7 FM, Leslye Gale discusses the most interesting Orlando Weekly stories of the day on “Chad & Leslye.” Check out Leslye’s picks today. Watching Tiger King? The Real Tiger Kingdom Isn’t Happy It’s “the” show Americans are quickly agreeing is arguably the best distraction right now from the ongoing apocalypse, Tiger…
Labor groups and Florida Democrats are demanding changes to unemployment
Florida needs a more accessible unemployment-compensation system, with increased benefits, so people out of work because of the novel coronavirus can get assistance they need, labor leaders and Democrats said Thursday. In a conference call, union representatives and workers warned of a “massive wave of unemployment” hitting the state as they called on Gov. Ron…
Coronavirus is causing Florida to lock up far fewer people
Florida law enforcement officials are locking up fewer people and in some cases releasing non-violent offenders, a strategy designed to stem the spread of the coronavirus through the state’s criminal-justice system. The new approach is showing up across the state. In Hillsborough County, law enforcement officials last week released 164 non-violent offenders who could not…
Orange County Library System suspends home delivery services
Following a government directive to shut down non-essential services, the Orange County Library System has temporarily stopped home delivery service. Considering an ongoing shelter-in-place order in Orange and Seminole counties is keeping kids home from school, and a statewide order prohibits visits to retirement homes, the suspension hits parents and the elderly particularly hard. The…
Krispy Kreme is giving away dozens of donuts to healthcare workers on Mondays
Krispy Kreme, the chain of donut shops so popular that some drive-thru lines wrap around the block, is giving away thousands of free donuts to all healthcare workers. The giveaway starts Monday, March 30, which is National Doctors’ Day, and continues every Monday through May 11, which is during National Nurses Week. To participate, just go to a Krispy…
Florida’s long-term care facilities face big worries and few answers about coronavirus testing
As the novel coronavirus continues to spread across Florida, its impact on long-term care facilities and the roughly 190,000 elderly and disabled residents they serve is not clear. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration said 40 long-term care residents had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Wednesday evening, but it won’t say how many of those residents…
Southern Fried Sunday to host virtual #StayHome Fest, with food delivered straight to viewers’ doors
Orlando Weekly’s own beloved (and currently furloughed) events director is also a local scene organizer and do-gooder. The Southern Fried Sunday series she hosts at Will’s Pub combines southern and soul food with a roots music showcase. It’s a sight to behold and a feast for the senses. In light of the coronavirus pandemic crashing every…
Orlando Weekly launches searchable list of local restaurants offering takeout, delivery and curbside pickup
Orlando, we may be shut inside our homes for the time being, but that doesn’t mean we can’t eat well. Thanks to the statewide shutdowns ordered due to the coronavirus pandemic, local restaurants have been forced to close their dining rooms, but most have pivoted to a takeout and delivery model. Many are even offering…
Can’t get your hands on any toilet paper, Orlando? Try your local restaurant
Anyone who’s been to the paper goods aisle at Publix in the past couple weeks, or shopped for Charmin on Amazon, knows that toilet paper has been really hard to come by. But fret not, ye citizens of the modern world. There’s an option that won’t require you to go rummaging for frayed strands of…
Thursday afternoon’s latest coronavirus numbers show Florida has some hard weeks ahead
Gov. Ron DeSantis may still be ardently resisting a statewide shelter-in-place order, but the latest coronavirus figures released from the Florida Department of Health on Thursday afternoon show the spread of COVID-19 has not slowed. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Florida is now 2,355, an increase of 378 from Wednesday night. The number of…
Rick Scott, who gutted Florida’s unemployment system, says coronavirus stimulus will pay low-wage workers too much
Florida Sen. Rick Scott, the former governor who basically reached into the state’s chest, ripped out the unemployment system while yelling “Kali Ma,” and lowered it into a lava pit, argued last night that increased unemployment benefits in the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package may encourage people to not go back to work and remain…
The founder of Big Cat Rescue in Tampa is not pleased with Netflix’s ‘Tiger King’
Arguably the best distraction right now from the ongoing apocalypse is Netflix’s new docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, which essentially focuses on bitter rivalries within the bizarre big cat industry, and one of the main people featured in it, Carole Baskin, is not at all happy. In a blog posted Sunday to her…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Thursday, March 26, 2020
Every morning on Magic 107.7 FM, Leslye Gale discusses the most interesting Orlando Weekly stories of the day on “Chad & Leslye.” Check out Leslye’s picks today. It’s Happening Tonight Folks, Shelter In Place If you live In Orange or Osceola County, you need to adhere to the “stay at home” order. – LINK COVID-19 also…
Meet the Florida man who keeps forgetting to issue a statewide shelter-in-place order
Gov. Ron DeSantis has shut down bars and restaurants, cut off visitation at nursing homes and prisons and ordered senior citizens to stay home, as he attempts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. But the Republican governor’s efforts have sparked a partisan divide over whether he needs to do more to protect Floridians…
Florida’s Brightline train service suspended indefinitely during coronavirus shutdown
Update, March 26 | Late Wednesday night, Orlando Business Journal reported the grim consequences: Brightline is reportedly laying off more than 250 workers, including operations and management employees. Brightline trains are temporarily suspending service, according to an announcement made online around 7 p.m. on Wednesday. The suspension is effective immediately. The last train southbound was at…
Former Orlando resident and UCF grad receives major national literary award
On Wednesday night, former Orlando resident and UCF grad Jaquira Díaz won a prestigious $50,000 Whiting Award, the U.S.’s largest literary award for emerging writers. Ten writers of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and drama are chosen each year. Díaz won for her nonfiction work, Ordinary Girls, which the Whiting Foundation called a “devastating memoir … packed…
Alexander Cartwright confirmed as new UCF president via teleconference
The state university system’s Board of Governors on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Alexander Cartwright as the new president of the University of Central Florida. Cartwright, who has served as chancellor of the University of Missouri since 2017, was tapped by the UCF Board of Trustees last week, ending a six-month search process. The state…
Joe Biden to Ron DeSantis: ‘Floridians deserve science-based action’ on coronavirus
Joe Biden is accusing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis of dragging his feet in response to the coronavirus pandemic. “This deadly pandemic does not discriminate along party lines, ZIP codes, gender, race and certainly not state, county or city lines,” said the former Vice President and Democratic presidential primary front-runner in a statement on Wednesday. Biden…
Publix installing plexiglass barriers to protect workers from coronavirus
Lakeland-based grocery chain Publix says it will now install plexiglass to protect workers from the current coronavirus pandemic. The new plexiglass installations will be installed at registers, customer service desks and pharmacies. “We have installed and tested the plexiglass and have decided to expand this effort companywide,” said spokeswoman Maria Brous in an email to…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Every morning on Magic 107.7 FM, Leslye Gale discusses the most interesting Orlando Weekly stories of the day on “Chad & Leslye.” Check out Leslye’s picks today. Orange County Is Now Sheltering In Place With the support from other local leaders, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demmings calls for two weeks of “sheltering in place”. What…
COVID-19 dealt Orlando Weekly a powerful blow, but don’t count us out
Can’t stop, won’t stop
Meet Diana! She’s one year old and affectionate with people and other dogs
Meet Diana (A448100)! This sweet 1-year-old girl is very affectionate with people and playful with other dogs. She is used in our playgroups as our “greeter dog,” as she makes other dogs feel comfortable, introduces them to the group and matches the other dogs’ energy and play styles. Diana likes to be around dogs but…
Savage Love: Holing Up
My question is on managing “gray area” intimacies during the pandemic. I have a lover/friend that I’ve been hanging out with – fucking, drinking tea, going on hikes, eating ice cream, watching movies and other activities – for about nine months. He’s 36 and was married for 10 years and due to that experience he’s…
Phoenix Tears Productions treats Orlando to two short original plays presented in a two-car garage
March is supposed to come in like a lion and leave like a lamb, but this month began mild and turned into a mind-melting dystopian nightmare that would make Mad Max gobble Xanax. This past week in particular was like Thunderdome without the catchy Tina Turner theme song, as countless organizations – including the Fairwinds…
Streaming shows premiering this week: ‘Crip Camp,’ ‘Kill Chain,’ ‘Ozark: Season 3’ and more
On (small) screens in Orlando
