USF Sarasota-Manatee campus transfer to New College one step closer to reality

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 2/24 6:00A Carter Weinhofer

The Florida House of Representatives passed a bill that would transfer the University of Florida’s Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College of Florida. New College would gain USFSM’s 11 campus buildings, including the new 100,000 square-foot Atala...

Freezing temperatures and a cool afternoon for Tuesday

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 2/24 1:54A Garfield Hylton

Tuesday is off to a frigid start before it warms up in the afternoon. The day starts with wind chills in the 20s to 30s, according to NWS Melbourne. There is a freeze warning and a cold weather advisory that remains in effect through 9 a.m....

First ride: Legoland’s Galacticoaster launches, spins into darkness

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 2/24 12:45A Dewayne Bevil

WINTER HAVEN – Legoland Florida’s new roller coaster swirls riders into an outer-space situation, one that may create mild out-of-body sensations. Galacticoaster debuts to the public Friday. There’s a...

Maxwell: Florida’s property tax cut plan is flailing. Here’s what should happen

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 2/23 11:00P Scott Maxwell

For more than a year, Tallahassee politicians have been yapping about how Floridians deserve a property tax break. But you know what they haven’t done? Actually given you one. When Big Business lobbyists ask for tax breaks to help pad their...

Another alleged Walmart shoplifter is shot after Orange deputy confronts man armed with knife,...

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 2/23 7:42A Cristóbal Reyes

A second alleged Walmart shoplifter was shot by law enforcement in Central Florida on Sunday, just days after a 16-year-old was shot and killed inside a Walmart store in Osceola County. On Sunday, a man who allegedly made threats while trying to...

Cancellations pile up at Orlando, other Florida airports because of northeast storms

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 2/23 3:58A Richard Tribou

Winter storms in the northeastern United States have caused travel headaches in Florida, with airports in Orlando, South Florida and Tampa ranking among the highest in the nation for canceled flights Monday. By 2 p.m., Orlando International...

Winter freezes hit Florida growers with $3.1 billion tab, state says

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 2/23 3:23A Jim Turner

TALLAHASSEE With farmers caught shorthanded and with crops not ready for harvesting, a pair of winter storms at the beginning and end of January potentially inflicted more than $3.17 billion in losses to the state’s agricultural industry . Winter...

Windy afternoon and a dangerous cold snap heading toward Central Florida

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 2/23 1:46A Garfield Hylton

Temperature highs are in the mid-50s as Central Florida prepares for a dangerously cold night. Monday will be sunny with a high near 56 and wind chill values as low as 34, according to NWS Melbourne. Winds are blowing northwest at 15 to 20 mph...

Orlando Sentinel 150: Monday Memory of Cypress Gardens’ long, fabulous run

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 2/22 11:02P Roger Simmons

On Dec. 30, 1935, a small wire story ran inside the Orlando Sentinel with the headline, Cypress Gardens opened. State Sen. S.L. Holland of Bartow was principal speaker at the formal opening of the...

83-year-old woman shot, husband arrested in Orange County

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 2/22 5:32A Elainie Barraza

An 83-year-old woman is dead and her husband has been arrested in Orange County on Saturday, the Orange County Sheriff s Office said. At approximately 5:20 p.m., Orange County deputies responded to the 8000 block of Romerly Court in reference to...

Orlando judges are releasing migrants from ICE custody, but a showdown is coming

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 2/22 12:00A Cristóbal Reyes

Reynel Bautista-Anzola, Angel Marquez-Perez and Francisco Delgado-Garcia entered the courtroom shackled on Feb. 9 and, walking in a line, were ushered in by federal officers to wait for their cases to be heard. The hearing in federal court in...

Will City Hall incentives bring single family homes back to Parramore?

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 2/21 12:00A Ryan Gillespie

Orlando has a plan its leaders hope will boost home ownership in Parramore, a neighborhood with nearly twice as many vacant residential lots as it has single-family homes. The city council is expected...

Someone is buying up downtown Winter Garden — and residents are in an uproar

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 2/21 12:00A Stephen Hudak

Winter Garden s downtown, the envy of neighboring communities for its successful blend of charm and homegrown commerce, faces an uncertain future as nine commercial buildings, eight on West Plant s...

Florida faculty union, profs decry ‘censored’ state sociology textbook

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 2/21 12:00A Steven Walker

Florida s higher education board censored a general education sociology textbook, the state s faculty union says, cutting more than half of the book’s original content and removing chapters on racism, genocide and inequality. The book, which is...

Orlando Sentinel 150: Friday Flashback to Boardwalk and Baseball

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 2/19 11:06P Roger Simmons

Baseball Hall-of-Famer Ted Williams was at bat when the Boardwalk and Baseball theme park opened south of Orlando in Haines City on April 4, 1987. Williams hit a ceremonial baseball to cut the ribbon...