Community News
Monday, May 18, 2026 · Maitland
Winter Garden City Hall Switches to LED Lighting, Cuts Energy Use 40-70%
Winter Garden City Hall installed energy-efficient LED lighting with a federal grant, cutting energy use by up to 70%.
Quest Rebrands Blossom Artisanal as House 81
Quest renamed its social venture House 81 to highlight the 81% unemployment rate among people with developmental disabilities and expand employment opportunities for the population.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Quest Training Center Staff Member Candice Hancock Recognized for Work with Participants
Candice Hancock, a direct support professional at Quest's Training Center in Apopka, earned recognition for her work with participants who have developmental disabilities, including teaching sign language and mentoring new staff.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Orange County Animal Services Warns Against Leaving Pets in Hot Cars
Orange County Animal Services warns residents not to leave pets in parked vehicles, where interior temperatures can reach dangerous levels within minutes.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Maitland Police Earns Highest State Accreditation
The Maitland Police Department earned the Florida Police Chiefs Association's highest accreditation level, recognizing the department's compliance with rigorous professional standards.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Orange County Urges Special Needs Families to Register Before Hurricane Season
Orange County opens registration for its People with Special Needs Program, which provides specialized evacuation assistance for residents dependent on medical equipment or additional care during hurricanes.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Orange County Program Helps Residents Protect Springs and Save on Septic Repairs
An Orange County program helps residents with failing septic systems, saving them money on repairs and protecting local springs.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Casselberry Prepares for Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Approval
Casselberry is moving forward with its Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget, a collaborative effort requiring two public hearings before final approval.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Altamonte Springs Opens Federal Procurement Hub for International Companies
Altamonte Springs opened a federal procurement center to help international companies navigate Buy America compliance and access billions in annual U.S. government investment.
Monday, May 18, 2026
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Toro Toro Miami
Toro Toro Miami will offer a four-course prix fixe menu with live entertainment for New Year’s Eve 2024, featuring dishes like Wagyu Short Rib and Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Maitland to Rebuild Sandspur Road Starting Late June
Maitland will close Sandspur Road from Bucher Road to Hope Road for up to five weeks starting in late June for reconstruction and sidewalk repairs. The project will remove problematic trees before rebuilding the roadway.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Maitland Extends Independence Lane in June, Adding 600 Feet of Downtown Roadway
Maitland will extend Independence Lane by 600 feet starting in June, mirroring the brick-paved design of the existing downtown corridor.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Maitland Sinkhole Appears Stable; Wymore Road Repairs Could Begin Thursday
A sinkhole that swallowed Wymore Road in Maitland on May 15 appears stable after water tests. Orange County plans to begin repairs Thursday if conditions remain unchanged.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Maitland Sinkhole Stabilizes; Road Work Could Begin Thursday
Engineers say the 25-foot sinkhole on Wymore Road in Maitland has stabilized. Reconstruction could start Thursday.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Sinkhole Closes Wymore Road South of Brightwater Circle
A 20-foot-wide sinkhole closed both lanes of Wymore Road in Maitland early Friday morning. Orange County is establishing detours while crews assess the damage.
Monday, May 18, 2026
DeSantis Rejects Florida Gas Tax Pause Amid $4/Gallon Spike
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shot down calls to suspend the state's 25-cent gas tax, warning drivers won't feel relief at pumps hitting $4 a gallon. Despite pleas from Democrats and Palm Beach County leaders, he cited past failures and oil market volatility. As global tensions rise, Florida motorists brace for pain at the pump.
Monday, May 18, 2026
DeSantis Signs 9 Key Florida Laws on Safety, Schools and Traffic
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed nine new laws Thursday in Tallahassee, tackling unlicensed drivers, church security and body camera privacy amid rising public safety concerns. Most take effect July 1, joining nearly 60 others passed this year. From stricter traffic penalties to expanded school guardians, the measures aim to bolster security across the Sunshine State.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Florida's Lab-Grown Meat Ban Survives Federal Court Challenge
Nearly two years after Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning cultivated meat sales in Florida, a federal appeals court upheld the controversial law as constitutional. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a challenge from California-based Upside Foods, cementing Florida's status as the first state to prohibit lab-grown meat—a move critics say protects the traditional livestock industry rather than consumers.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Florida Launches Mandatory Hurricane Drills Across All 67 Counties
With hurricane season looming just weeks away, Florida's Division of Emergency Management has rolled out mandatory public safety drills statewide to sharpen readiness. The initiative targets all 67 counties, urging residents to stock seven days of supplies and master evacuation protocols. Officials warn that recent storms underscore the need for swift action amid rising threats.
Monday, May 18, 2026
DeSantis Greenlights UFC, Colleges in Florida's New License Plates
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill unleashing eight new specialty license plates, from UFC fighters to South Florida high schools and military academies. Drivers can start pre-ordering Oct. 1, but only if 3,000 vouchers sell in two years. With over 2.3 million special tags already on roads, these could boost scholarships, mental health and more.
Monday, May 18, 2026