3 seats on Orlando City Council attract slew of candidates as election season approaches

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 8/8 11:00P Ryan Gillespie

With election season beginning to ramp up, 11 so far have declared their candidacies for three seats on the Orlando City Council that represent residents from Lake Nona to downtown Orlando up into College Park and Rosemont. More than half are in...

Seminole looks to boost gas tax after raising property taxes

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 8/8 2:00A Martin E. Comas

Fresh from voting to hike property taxes, Seminole commissioners on Tuesday will consider adding a 5-cent tax on every gallon of gas sold in the county next year. The board also will look at raising its public service tax on water and electric...

Afternoon and evening forecast has rain, weekend preview looks ‘unsettled’

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 8/8 12:49A Garfield Hylton

Afternoon and evening showers are forecast for Central Florida on Friday. Frequent lightning strikes, wind gusts and heavy downpours that could lead to minor flooding are possible, according to NWS Melbourne. Highs are in the low-90s across...

It’s the end for film at CineDome as Orlando Science Center updates

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 8/8 12:06A Dewayne Bevil

Film is almost finished at the Dr. Phillips CineDome at Orlando Science Center . The museum is moving into the digital age, and the final reel-to-reel viewings are scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. The...

Winter Park conflicted over MLK statue’s larger-than-life attributes

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 8/8 12:00A Brian Bell

What s 9 feet tall with an enlarged head, big shoes and a left arm beefier than the right one? The new sculpture of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Winter Park. The larger-than-life-size bronze...

$500,000 gift means free tickets, more for Orlando Family Stage centennial

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 8/7 11:00P Matthew J. Palm

As Orlando Family Stage begins a two-year centennial celebration, the theater for young audiences is ramping up community initiatives, including No Empty Seat, a program that allows children who...

Red Bull’s ‘Tandem Rollercoaster’ lands in U.S. for first time in Altamonte Springs

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 8/7 3:15A Patrick Connolly

Central Florida is getting a brand new roller coaster for just one day in September when a wild and wacky Red Bull event lands in Altamonte Springs . Red Bull Tandem Rollercoaster presents an...

Thursday forecast includes high heat and afternoon showers

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 8/7 12:51A Garfield Hylton

Afternoon and evening showers are expected to favor the afternoon on Thursday. The strongest impacts will include frequent lightning strikes, wind gusts and heavy downpours up to three inches, according to NWS Melbourne. Highs will be in the...

Inspections force another 7 Central Florida restaurant shutdowns last week

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 8/6 4:45A Garfield Hylton

Seven Central Florida restaurants shut down the week of July 27-Aug. 2, according to data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Orange Mrs. Potato Restaurant at 4550 S. Kirkman Road in Orlando shut down on July 29....

Report: Disney World notches record 3rd-quarter revenue

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 8/6 1:46A Dewayne Bevil

Walt Disney World brought in record revenue for the third financial quarter, company executives announced Wednesday. There s been a lot of concerns, of course, because of the new Universal park down in Florida, Hugh Johnston , Walt Disney Co....

Inland rain chances increase while there are fewer storms near the coast

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 8/6 12:41A Garfield Hylton

Central Florida will see several showers favoring the interior. Rain chances are 70 percent around the Greater Orlando metro and 40 percent along the coast, according to NWS Melbourne. Lightning strikes, wind gusts and heavy downpours are...

Dr. Phillips Center unveils new 6-show Broadway subscription

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 8/5 11:00P Matthew J. Palm

For the first time since the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has co-presented Orlando s annual touring Broadway series , a partial season subscription is being offered. A six-show ticket...

Family-friendly TSA lines debut at Orlando International Airport

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 8/5 6:13A Skyler Swisher

Travelers with small children can now use dedicated, family-friendly security lanes at Orlando International Airport, part of a new program that aims to minimize stress for flyers lugging strollers...

Florida DOGE team arrives in Orange County in hunt for ‘government excesses’

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 8/5 5:54A Ryan Gillespie

A team of auditors from the Florida Department of Governmental Efficiency, or DOGE, arrived in Orange County on Tuesday to collect a cache of files for an examination of county spending, part of an announced effort by Gov. Ron DeSantis to rein in...

Epic Universe drives Orange County tourist tax to best June ever

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 8/5 4:36A Zoey Thomas

Universal Orlando is bringing “epic” tourist-tax collections to Central Florida with the second record-setting month in a row after opening its newest theme park. Orange County collections soared to about $33.7 million in June, according to a...