Orlando

Scott PowersJanuary 3, 2018

Evacuees seeking a place to live in Florida after Hurricane Maria wrecked their homes in Puerto Rico will get another two months of a program that allows them to use federal vouchers to live in hotels or motels. FEMA has extended the Transitional Shelter Assistance Program, set to expire Jan. 13, to March 20, U.S. […]

Scott PowersJanuary 2, 2018

Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith is kicking off the new year by kicking off his re-election campaign in Florida’s House District 49, with a new internet campaign video featuring a proud, unrelenting Smith, and a fundraiser set for Friday. Smith, who is openly gay and unabashedly liberal, puts those qualities front-and-center with a re-election […]

Scott PowersDecember 28, 2017

Housing continues to be the toughest challenge and most likely the biggest long-term challenge as Central Florida absorbs tens of thousands of people displaced from Puerto Rico because of Hurricane Maria, surmised a new task force formed by U.S. Rep. Darren Soto. There still is no clear idea how many of the more than 260,000 […]

Scott PowersDecember 28, 2017

Republican David Smith has won the endorsement of the Oviedo Professional Firefighters Local 3476 in his quest to be elected to the Florida House of Representatives in House District 28, representing eastern Seminole County. Smith, a business consultant from Winter Springs, received a unanimous vote from the union’s board, and a letter from Local 3476 […]

Scott PowersDecember 27, 2017

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto announced Wednesday he is forming a Central Florida task force to advise on matters involving the the tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans who have fled the island for Central Florida to escape the island’s plight following Hurricane Maria. The regional Task Force on Puerto Rico Arrivals to Central Florida was […]

Scott PowersDecember 27, 2017

With the new federal tax laws kicking in next year capping deductions of state and local taxes, Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg is urging Gov. Rick Scott to follow New York’s lead and open a loophole allowing Floridians to prepay 2018 property taxes now, before 2017 ends. “It is this office’s recommendation that you […]

Scott PowersDecember 27, 2017

Construction has begun of three Wekiva Parkway bridges over the Wekiva River, drawing on complex engineering and construction that were critical in winning over approval from much of the environmental and conservation community for the overall 25-mile tolled expressway, the Florida Department of Transportation announced. The bridges, carrying the expressway and two non-tolled, one-lane service […]

Staff ReportsDecember 24, 2017

Guests at the three monorail resorts at Walt Disney World are seeing tighter security during their hotel stay, just in time for the holiday season. If you’re staying at the Grand Floridian, Polynesian or Contemporary resorts, you will no longer have a “Do Not Disturb” sign to put on your hotel door. Walt Disney World […]

Scott PowersDecember 22, 2017

The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol is reassigning 10 border patrol agents away from the Orlando International Airport to the Mexican border for the next six months, a move that led airport officials and U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy to protest Friday that the already overwhelmed airport security will be seriously compromised. CPB informed Orlando airport […]

Scott PowersDecember 22, 2017

Their work in Puerto Rico gone, their home still without power, their family now living in a motel in Orlando, and their future still uncertain, Emanuel Ortiz and Crystal Rodriguez now hear their bank threatening to foreclose on their home in Bayamón because they haven’t been able to make a house payment since Hurricane Maria wiped […]

Orlando

Transitional shelter voucher program extended for Puerto Rico evacuees

Carlos Smith re-election video doesn’t hold back

Puerto Rico evacuees to Florida need immediate, long-term housing, task force concludes

David Smith gets Oviedo firefighters’ union endorsement in HD 28 race

Returning from Puerto Rico, Darren Soto organizing advisory task force

Seminole Tax Collector Joel Greenberg urges Rick Scott to allow pre-paid taxes

Wekiva Parkway wildlife bridges over Wekiva River begun

Disney hotels add new security measures

Orlando airport officials: announced loss of border agents ‘will seriously diminish security’

Groups calling attention to foreclosures following Puerto Ricans fleeing to Florida