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Sick puppies: Petland Waterford Lakes has a history of selling unhealthy, even dying, dogs
Even after a lawsuit from the state and a ban from the county, there’s no guarantee the suffering will end.
Central Florida’s Anna Eskamani wants to use tourist tax dollars to fix Orlando’s lingering problems
As airports brace for a Thanksgiving week with travel at numbers not seen since before the pandemic, Florida’s theme parks seem to have shaken off any pandemic blues. Orlando-based SeaWorld Entertainment saw its second-highest net income for Q3 in the company’s history in 2021. Walt Disney World saw double-digit growth in attendance since this summer,…
The age of budget hotels near Walt Disney World is over as luxury resorts continue to pop up around the park
Central Florida’s tourism sector still has a ways to go before it can safely declare the pandemic-induced downturn is behind it, but that’s not stopping investors from forging ahead with big plans. After years of focusing on budget-conscious travelers, the region is now shifting gears in an appeal to those on the other end of…
Legal Public Notices 11/17 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below at the property indicated: December 3, 2021 at the times and location listed below. The personal goods stored therein by the following: 12:00 PM Extra Space Storage 1101 Marshall Farms Rd, Ocoee 34761 (407) 516-7221 Michael Warner – Tools, Johnny…
Florida legislators move toward removing state from OSHA oversight
After rejecting a series of Democratic amendments, the Florida House on Tuesday prepared to pass a bill that could be a first step toward the state regulating worker safety and moving away from oversight by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Republican-controlled House is expected to pass the measure (HB 5B) on Wednesday,…
ACLU sues state of Florida to challenge bail system
The ACLU of Florida filed a class action petition this week on behalf of 11 people who are detained before trial in Sarasota and Manatee County jails because they cannot afford to pay their bail. The petition was filed in Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal, and seeks to challenge the counties’ practice of imposing…
Clearwater Marine Aquarium announces a week of memorials dedicated to Winter, their world-famous dolphin
After more than a decade at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Winter the Dolphin passed away last week. Her death, like her life, brought international attention to the small Gulf Coast marine animal rescue facility where she lived all but a few months of her life. In the hours after announcing her death, the aquarium saw their…
More than 60 dogs removed from Florida puppy mill’s ‘deplorable conditions’
A puppy mill in DeSoto County was shut down by local police last week. The sheriff’s office reported that they removed over 80 animals from the dog-breeding business Strawberry Farms. In a post shared to Facebook, the DCSO noted the “deplorable conditions” of the mill, including “urine and feces everywhere” and “no food or water…
Florida woman dies of COVID-19 after family sued hospital to allow ivermectin treatment
A Florida schoolteacher passed away from COVID-19 complications following an unsuccessful lawsuit from her family pushing for ivermectin treatment. Tamara Drock, 47, passed away on Friday, after spending 12 weeks at the Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center in Southeast Florida. During Drock’s hospitalization, her husband, Ryan Drock, sued the hospital in an attempt to force…
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Florida Democratic leadership calls special session targeting vaccine mandates a ‘[dick-]measuring contest’ between Ron DeSantis, Joe Biden
As a special legislative session called by Gov. Ron DeSantis kicked off Monday, House and Senate Democrats blasted measures being considered by the Republican-controlled Legislature as “political theater” designed to enhance the governor’s political ambitions. The special session will center on Republicans’ opposition to COVID-19 vaccination and mask requirements, with DeSantis, who is widely mentioned…
Earthday Birthday 2022 lineup is unveiled with Godsmack, Three Days Grace and more
With this year’s Earthday Birthday only recently in the books, the lineup has already been revealed for next year’s show, and there are some big names heading to the City Beautiful to play it. The annual WJRR-sponsored event at the Central Florida Fairgrounds is going down in April and has a little something for everything…
Orlando will be the only Florida date for the 2022 ‘Bay Strikes Back’ thrash metal tour with Testament and Exodus
OG titans of West Coast thrash metal have Orlando in their sights when “The Bay Strikes Back” package tour rolls into town next year. The heady triad of Testament, Exodus and Death Angel — three bands that have been able to balance critical clout with audience adoration through careers that started in the 1980s — are taking this…
Night of a Million Lights is back to illuminate Central Florida for a good cause
Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee are bringing back their Night of a Million Lights holiday lights display for a second year, and it starts this week. Starting Monday, Nov. 17, and running for 52 nights, the houses in the Village will be festooned with millions of lights donated by Disney, creating a gorgeous…
Former Universal Studios creative director suing Disney for allegedly lifting ideas for ‘Star Wars’ ride
An ex-executive at Universal Studios is suing Disney, claiming the theme parks used a ride element he created in building Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Louis Alfieri alleges that he pitched the technology he holds a patent on to Disney years before the ride was complete. The former creative director at Universal Studios claims…
Florida politician calls police over LGBTQ book in school library
A Flagler County School Board member filed a criminal complaint with her county’s sheriff’s office last week after discovering that a memoir about a queer writer was available in area schools. Jill Woolbright took offense at the book All Boys Aren’t Blue:A Memoir-Manifesto being available at Palm Coast High School, Mantanzas High School and Buddy…
Classic rockers Journey, Toto head to Orlando next year on ‘Freedom’ tour
Classic-rock radio staples Journey on Monday announced a lengthy North American “Freedom” tour set for 2022 and they’re bringing along Toto for good measure. And, yes, they’re heading to Central Florida with an Orlando show at the Amway Center on April 21, 2022, and a Tampa show at the Amalie Arena on April 20. That’s it for…
‘Decline of Western Civilization’ screens this weekend in Orlando, along with Fond performance
The Decline of Western Civilization Part I: The Punk Years is still, decades after its initial release, one of the most compulsively watchable music documentaries of all time. And this weekend, you can check it out at Stardust, with some actual live music thrown into the mix. Released in 1981, Decline was filmed by a…
Senators call on President Biden to pardon all nonviolent cannabis offenders
U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Jeff Merkley of Oregon sent a letter to President Joe Biden last week calling on him to use his executive authority to issue a blanket pardon for all nonviolent federal cannabis offenders, whether currently or formerly incarcerated. In the letter, the senators, all Democrats, called…
Feds ask court to toss Florida’s challenge to vaccine mandate
Biden administration attorneys late Friday urged a federal appeals court to reject a request by Florida, Georgia and Alabama to put on hold a rule that would require tens of millions of workers nationwide to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or be regularly tested and wear masks. In a 26-page document filed at the 11th U.S.…
Brass Against apologize after lead singer Sophia Urista peed on fan during Daytona Beach’s Welcome to Rockville
The cover band Brass Against has issued an apology after their lead singer urinated on a fan during at Thursday night set at Welcome to Rockville. “We had a great time at Welcome to Rockville. [Lead singer] Sophia [Urista] got carried away,” they wrote. “That’s not something the rest of us expected, and it’s not…
Ava MediterrAegean promises notable chefs and a ‘multisensory’ experience
If you’re the kind of person who enjoys the scents wafting inside posh hotel lobbies, then you’ll love what Ava MediterrAegean (Website|Instagram) has in store when it opens in the old Luma space on Park Avenue early next year. A “multisensory experience” is what’s being promised — everything from special ingredients, to Olya Volkova’s lush…
Black Rooster Taqueria’s Curry Ford location will soft open Nov. 16
It’s been a year since we teased news of Black Rooster Taqueria’s Curry Ford West location, so now we’ll just bare it: It’s opening Tuesday. As we reported last November, BRT’s second location at 3097 Curry Ford Road location will be double the size of the Mills Avenue original and feature a pet-friendly outdoor patio…
Nelly, Lady A announced as headliners for Plant City’s Strawberry Festival
The music lineup for the 2022 Strawberry Festival in Plant City is here, and it includes a wide range of country stars, R&B, oldies, and even hip-hop. Today, the festival—which runs from March 3-13—announced that music headliners for 2022 include hometown boy Kenzie Wheeler who joins a country-heavy lineup that includes Jake Owen, Sam Hunt,…
Sanford police seem to think getting yelled at is reason enough to shoot someone
A Seminole County Schools employee was shot multiple times at a RaceTrac gas station in Sanford. Sanford Police are calling it a textbook Stand Your Ground case, though the critically injured man never laid a hand on the shooter. According to police, 32-year-old Maurice Holloway entered the RaceTrac that morning after stopping off in a…
Clearwater Marine Aquarium, ‘Dolphin Tale’ star Winter the Dolphin dies at 16
Clearwater Marine Aquarium announced that Winter the Dolphin died last night. The famous dolphin with a prosthetic tail, whose rescue was fictionalized in the movie A Dolphin Tale, passed away ahead of a surgery to treat ongoing gastrointestinal problems. The 16-year-old dolphin had been in the care of the aquarium for almost its entire life.…
Yee-haw! Cows ‘n Cabs returns to Winter Park after COVID gave it the boot
Honky-tonkers and bon vivants will collide this Saturday night in a singularity of flannel and food when Cows ’n Cabs kicks off at the West Meadow in Winter Park. The popular outdoor fete off Park Avenue celebrates its ninth year (it would’ve been 10 had COVID not canceled last year’s event) and will feature dolled-up…
Florida’s attempt to block federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate moves forward
A federal judge will hear arguments Dec. 7 in Florida’s request for a preliminary injunction to block Biden administration efforts to require employees of federal contractors to be vaccinated against COVID-19. U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday this week scheduled the hearing, which will be held in Tampa. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office filed a…
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ education budget includes increased per-student spending, teacher pay
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday rolled out parts of his proposed education budget for next fiscal year, touting the recommendations as “wins for families, students and for teachers.” The governor will ask lawmakers during the 2022 legislative session to raise per-student spending in public schools by more than $200 over the current fiscal year, to…
A willingness to let Floridians die of COVID-19 isn’t enough to get an In-N-Out in the state
It would appear that the fast-food chain with Bible verses on the packaging is not interested in relocating to the “Fauci-free” peninsula of the South. Yesterday, In-N-Out officially declined an invitation to move its entire operation to Florida, following weeks of pandering from Gov. Ron DeSantis and CFO Jimmy Patronis after the company had a…
Nashville-style chicken chain Dave’s Hot Chicken to open Orlando location
Dave’s Hot Chicken is in the midst of a massive expansion and Florida will not be passed over. The Nashville-style chicken chain will open its first location in the state in Orlando. According to Orlando Business Journal, franchisees Scott Strahm and George Estep plan to open up 15 Central Florida locations starting with Orlando. The…
This $305K Florida condo is in a train car under a bridge
Related Stories
Orlando attraction Gatorland hosts ‘Crocfest’ fundraising event in December
Alligators usually occupy center stage at Orlando attraction Gatorland, but in December it’ll be crocodiles’ time to shine. On Saturday, Dec. 11, Gatorland is putting on CrocFest, a full day devoted to fundraising for crocodiles in peril (and not the fashion faux pas that are the shoes). Over the past 11 years, CrocFest has raised hundreds…
Clearwater Marine Aquarium says Winter the Dolphin is in ‘critical condition’
Clearwater Marine Aquarium says that their most famous resident is currently in critical condition. In a Facebook post updating fans on the status of Winter the Dolphin, the Central Florida attraction and rescue said that Winter was getting worse. “Earlier this week we shared that initial tests indicated Winter the Dolphin was likely fighting a…
Free Play Florida brings a weekend of retro gaming goodness to Orlando this month
In news that will be of more than passing interest to Orlando-area pinball wizards and kings of Kong, Free Play Florida is happening in just over a week with more gaming goodness than ever. This year’s Free Play Florida is going down on the weekend of Nov. 18-21 at the Caribe Royal Orlando. Notable names attending…
Orlando rap veteran MidaZ the BEAST drops new song and video
Following up this summer’s release of his LIVENIGGARAP EP, Orlando underground rap hero MidaZ the BEAST just dropped a new track and video. For “Beanies,” the seasoned MC returned to trusted collaborator Delle Digga, the producer with whom MidaZ made his last full-length album, 2020’s Where the Sidewalk Ends. This new joint keeps the vibe classic and true with a…
The last holdout Florida school districts end their mask mandates
Citing declines in COVID-19 cases, three county school boards this week decided to end mask requirements for students at all grade levels. The decisions by the boards in Alachua, Miami-Dade and Broward counties mean that all eight school districts that faced state financial penalties because of mask mandates have reversed course. The Alachua and Miami-Dade…
Florida’s proposed redistricting map creates a new congressional district in the Orlando area
Florida’s new 28th U.S. House district would be planted in Central Florida, west of the Osceola County and Polk County line, under initial redistricting proposals rolled out Wednesday by Senate staff members. Otherwise, most of the draft maps included few drastic changes from current congressional and state Senate districts. Senate staff members released four proposed…
Singer Marc Anthony awarded the key to city of Orlando
In a peaceful transfer of power, Orlando city officials Tuesday night handed singer Marc Anthony the key to the city, effectively putting the pop superstar in charge of the city’s government. Just checking to see if you were paying attention. The honorific was actually in recognition of Anthony’s philanthropic and charitable work that includes efforts…
A crocodile took up residence at a Florida country club. Officials say it can’t be moved
A Florida community is asking residents to be “please be cautious” after an American crocodile took up residence at a local golf course. According to the Village of North Palm Beach, an American crocodile has set up camp at the Country Club, and not only is it not budging, but it legally can’t be removed.…
Pig Floyd’s to take over original Bubbalou’s location in Winter Park
Mills 50 hotspot Pig Floyd’s already had a half-expansion in the works, partnering with Al Palo of Stasio’s to work on the upcoming fusion pizza restaurant Pigzza. That wasn’t enough for owner Thomas Ward, however. Now his original concept is taking over the original home of a another area barbecue titan. Pig Floyd’s second location…
Orange County schools make face masks optional for teachers, starting tomorrow
In an email to faculty and staff, Orange County Public Schools announced that face masks would be entirely optional for employees of the district starting tomorrow (Thursday, Nov. 11). The end of the faculty mask mandate was not discussed at the school board’s most recent meeting and the announcement seemed to come as a shock…
Electronic musician Com Truise to play Orlando’s Soundbar in January
The concert calendar for 2022 is already starting to fill up and you can add electronic musician Com Truise to the list. He’ll be bringing the bleeps and bloops to Soundbar in January. The synthwave-adjacent electro conceptualist and Central Florida resident is doing a few shows in the South in January — Atlanta, Tampa and Orlando — to perhaps…
Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson coming to Orlando next year as part of spoken-word tour
Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson is hitting the road in North America early next year — but not as the frontman of his iconic British heavy metal group, but instead for a round of spoken-word dates. The “Evening With Bruce Dickinson” jaunt will see the iron-lunged belter trading in the guitar pyrotechnics and grotesque Eddie banners of…
Osceola County deputy arrested for allegedly attempting to help family evade arrest
An Osceola County Sheriff’s Office deputy was relieved of duty and arrested after authorities claim he tried to help a family member avoid arrest. According to Sheriff Marcos Lopez, the former deputy Kevin Encarnacion gave instructions to his cousin on how to evade officers following a domestic violence call. Police were called to the home…
Enzian to do an encore of their ‘Meet the Filmmaker” The Room’ event in January
Orlando film freaks, the Enzian will again be “tearing you apart” come January 2022. Due to popular demand, the Maitland moviehouse will put on an encore of their “Meet the Filmmaker” event featuring Tommy Wiseau’s immortal and deeply strange piece of cinema The Room. and actor Greg Sestero is returning to the City Beautiful to spill…
Tampa militiaman, alleged Jan. 6 rioter may have revealed explosives cache in Zillow listing
Jeremy Michael Brown — a former U.S. Army special forces soldier, Oath Keeper, and one-time congressional candidate in Tampa — was arrested last month and is currently in jail for his alleged role in the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S Capitol. But before he went to jail, federal authorities believe he accidentally revealed…
Florida recreational marijuana amendment gets fundraising boost from Trulieve
A political committee backing a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana use raised $307,522 in October, with $250,000 coming from the medical-marijuana company Trulieve, according to a newly filed finance report. The committee Sensible Florida, Inc. had about $314,000 in cash on hand as of Oct. 31, the report posted on the state Division…
Florida legislators encouraged not to talk about the way redistricting proposals might effect upcoming elections
With initial redistricting proposals slated to be released Wednesday, Senate leaders are urging lawmakers not to discuss how the maps could affect their political fortunes. Senate President Wilton Simpson, incoming Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book sent a memo Tuesday that said senators will face questions and comments after staff-proposed maps…
Danish-made series ‘Kamikaze’ hits HBO Max Sunday, and it’s a better ‘Home Alone’ remake than Disney’s
Streaming premieres this week you won’t want to miss. Premieres Wednesday, Nov. 10: Animal — Lions, wild dogs, kangaroos and a giant octopus are among the stars of a nature series about thriving and surviving in the wild. My money’s on the octopus, but everything I know about nature I learned from watching Bum Fights.…
Savage Love: Keep bragging about celebs and movie sets, and no guy is gonna give you access to his backlot
Dear Dan: I’m a 44-year-old gay man and I’ve never been in a serious relationship. I would like to find my way into an LTR, but I have a series of overlapping dating issues that I don’t know how to navigate. First, due to my career, I move around a lot, and often don’t see…
Your horoscope for the week of Nov. 10-16, 2021
ARIES (March 21-April 19): For much of her life, Aries poet Mary Ruefle enjoyed imagining that polar bears and penguins “grew up together playing side by side on the ice, sharing the same vista, bits of blubber, and innocent lore.” But one day, her illusions were shattered. In a science journal, she discovered that there…
Four ways to stop Disney Genie from nickel-and-diming you at the Most Magical Place on Earth
It’s been just over a month since Walt Disney World celebrated its big 50th anniversary, but now that the excitement of Oct. 1 has evaporated, theme park attendees seem less than elated by the resort’s newest additions, which will likely long outlive the 18-month-long anniversary celebration. For starters, the Magic Kingdom’s Enchantment fireworks and Epcot’s…
The pair behind Orlando’s wildly popular Taylor Swift dance party is taking it on the road
“It’s two girls who love Taylor Swift and who are really friends,” says Courtney Gibson of Le Petite Fete, ” and who just want to drink White Claw and sing with you.” As far as “elevator pitches” go, this one really drills down to the communal celebrations at the heart of Orlando party promoters Le…
Orlando’s Tanner Jones emerges from behind the counter of his Easy Luck Coffee with a new band, Couplet, and new album
“It’s a place called Easy Luck. I helped start it with some friends about three years ago. Actually not about three years, it was three years ago. Today’s our third birthday.” It feels like summer in October. Tom Petty is blasting through the speakers of Easy Luck Coffee & Bodega, South Street’s tastefully minimal coffee…
Democrats are bound to learn the wrong lesson from Glenn Youngkin’s win
The worst thing about Terry McAuliffe’s loss wasn’t the fusillade of journalists churning out pre-writes of Democrats’ midterm obituaries, or the schizophrenic New York Times editorial that accused the party of going too far left while simultaneously endorsing its policy goals, or even the fact that Republicans now have evidence that going full knuckle-dragger on…
Orlando concert picks, Nov. 11-17: Erykah Badu, Goodie Mob, Scarface, IV and the Strange Band, Beach Bunny
Be a mensch and mask up if you go out. IV and the Strange Band, Tejon Street Corner Thieves, Will Brack: Sandwiched on this bill between Colorado punk-grass band Tejon Street Corner Thieves and Kissimmee one-man band Will Brack is a huge story. Having just debuted in April, Nashville’s IV and the Strange Band are…
Things to do in Orlando, Nov. 10-16: EDC, Orlando Beer Festival, Whitney Cummings, Lil Gnar, Air Supply, ZZ Top
Our selections of the best stuff to do this week. Thursday, Nov. 11 Mac McAnally Nashville insider and award-winning songwriter and producer steps into the spotlight. 8 p.m., Tuffy’s Music Box, 200 Myrtle Ave., Sanford, tuffyscider.com, $50-$300. ZZ Top Legendary blues-rock trio ZZ Top come to town, valiantly soldiering on after the untimely passing of…
Beloved Orlando duo Sales have officially re-emerged with a new song, ‘Can’t Be Yours Forever’
Beloved Orlando duo Sales have officially re-emerged with a new song. Though just a single, “Can’t Be Yours Forever” is the first new material for the Sub Pop-published breakout band in over three years. With more production by singer Lauren Morgan this time out, the looping track tends toward the more beat-centric side of their…
Last week Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered a rant on ‘wokeness’; Orlando Weekly readers reacted
Last week we reported on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ speech at the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s “Future of Florida Forum” in Orlando. Appearing before a group of business leaders, DeSantis warned them against being too “woke.” He said Republicans “see these big companies that are really kowtowing to a very elite ideology … that’s not reflective…
