🌱 Spring Break Comes To Theme Park Capital + Rising Rent Battle

Carlos Hernandez
·4 min read

Happy Monday, neighbors! Here's everything you need to know to start today off on an informed note. Here's everything you need to know today in Orlando.

First, today's weather:

Sunny and very warm. High: 88 Low: 69.

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Here are the top stories in Orlando today:

1. Walt Disney World has released new video from inside the highly-anticipated new attraction ‘Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind,' opening at EPCOT this summer. The expected opening date is Memorial Day weekend, but it is still not officially announced. (Fox 35 Orlando)

2. Rent prices have surged more than 60% in some Orlando neighborhoods. In response, Central Florida Rep. Eskamani and State Sen. Victor Torres, D-Osceola County, have filed identical bills in the Florida House and Senate to repeal the law that blocks cities and counties from establishing rent control measures. (Click Orlando)

3. Central Florida attorney, John Gillespie, who is facing life in prison and accused of abusing his power and running a human trafficking operation out of his law firm, is now being sued by four women who claim he sexually abused or sold them for sex. Gillespie was deemed incompetent to stand trial, but a new court filing shows he is now able to face the charges of racketeering and human trafficking brought against him by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody's office. (WFTV)

4. Art students from The First Academy, Vintage Realty Group LLC, the town of Windermere and the Orange County Library System partnered to create the town's “Wings of Windermere” mural on Friday, February 18th. Students say the mural can mean many things including home, freedom, happiness, growth, faith and more. (West Orange Times & Observer)

5. Visit Orlando's CEO Casandra Matej expects a busy Spring Break in the theme park capital of the world. Hotel occupancy has slowly climbed back, but is still not quite at pre-pandemic levels. Matej concedes that the situation can change quickly and noted that the Omicron COVID-19 variant led to cancellations in January of this year. (Florida Politics)

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Today in Orlando:

  • Axiom Bank Celebrates The Grand Re-Opening Of Goldwyn Branch With Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. (2:00 PM)

  • Bartaco Margarita March Girls Night Out Celebration at Bartaco Dr. Phillips. (5:30 PM)

  • STAND CTU's Dino-mite Kickers Class. (5:30 PM)

  • Winter Park Library's Pajama Time. (7:00 PM)

  • Cults at The Social. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Orlando City SC remained unbeaten through its first two games, earning a point on the road in a 0-0 draw with Chicago Fire FC this weekend. Pedro Gallese recorded his 13th shutout across all competitions for Orlando City. (Orlando City SC)

  • The LGBT rights advocacy organization SAVE held a protest in front of the Walt Disney World Resort on March 2nd to pressure the company to speak out against the "Don't Say Gay" bill. The legislation is currently moving through the Florida legislature. (Orlando Weekly)

  • The Caribe Royale Orlando Resort plans to host a job fair at 8101 World Center Drive on March 8th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to numerous roles, including management positions. The fair will be held at the Bonaire Meeting Room at Grand Caribe Convention Center.(Subscription: Orlando Business Journal)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

  • JobNewsUSA.com Orlando Job Fair - March 10th (March 10)

  • Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 11)

  • Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 12)

  • Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 13)

  • Take Back Our Communities Stop The Builds (March 26)

  • Add your event

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday. I'll see you around!

— 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.

This article originally appeared on the Orlando Patch