Crews finish installing rainbow crosswalk near Pulse:
City workers finished painting Orlando's new rainbow crosswalk to honor the 49 lives taken during the 2016 massacre at the gay nightclub Pulse. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said the city received an online petition asking the city to install a rainbow crosswalk to honor the victims and survivors of the attack. The rainbow crosswalk cost $2,900 and replaces the faded crosswalk that was at West Esther Street and Orange Avenue. "This will serve as a symbol of our compassion, love and unity in the Central Florida community," said Cassandra Lafser, spokesperson for Mayor Dyer's office.
Soccer star Kaká plays his final Orlando City home game:
Brazilian soccer superstar and Orlando City captain Kaká played his final home game in Orlando last weekend after he announced earlier that he would not be renewing his contract. The legendary soccer player said his decision was based on his family and being closer to his children, though he was not clear on his next venture. The Lions lost their last home game with Kaká against Columbus Crew Sunday night, 1-0.
Republican Bobby Olszewski easily wins Orlando-area House seat:
In unsurprising election results, former Winter Garden commissioner Bobby "Bobby O" Olszewski won the special election in Florida House District 44 to replace the vacant seat left by former state Rep. Eric Eisnaugle. The Republican won over Democratic candidate Eddy Dominguez with just over 55 percent of the vote. Dominguez's name wasn't even on the ballot. He entered the race late last month when the previous Democratic candidate, Paul Chandler, dropped out after his campaign was overshadowed by a lawsuit challenging his residency qualifications and a public fight between himself and local Democratic leadership. Chandler's name still appeared on the ballot because Chandler did not withdraw from the race until after the Orange County Supervisor of Elections office had printed absentee ballots.
Orlando will build bike loop connecting downtown to Colonial area:
The city of Orlando is planning to build an 8.25-mile "Orlando Bicycle Beltway" connecting downtown to the Colonial Drive area near the Fashion Square Mall. "Creating a beltway involves connecting our existing trail network by filling gaps and ultimately connecting downtown to the region's trail system," city staff said in a statement. Hopefully, this will help bring down Florida's count of bicycle fatalities, which are among the highest in the nation.
