While still far from where officials want the numbers to be, SunRail’s ridership showed positive signs in the last quarter of 2015 with slight increases month-to-month from October to December. The modest gains over the last three months are definitely welcome as a turnaround from decreasing ridership, but heading into… [read more]
Yesterday, Ringling Bros. decision to retire all of its elephants by May of this year was “one of the biggest announcements in the modern era of animal welfare,” according to animal rights advocates. But for one of Central Florida’s most prominent Democratic politicians, it may actually be upsetting, after emails reveal one… [read more]
For months, there have been calls for justice in numerous cases involving Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Nye, who is accused of excessive force and abusing his position. In fact, 21 excessive force complaints have been filed against Deputy Nye in the past seven years, including two recent cases heading… [read more]
A few years ago, I was lucky enough to review the independent film Theresa is a Mother at the Orlando Film Festival. This was one of the best films I had seen in a long time – and I wasn’t alone. Theresa is a Mother would later win both Best Feature Film and Best… [read more]
Just months after receiving official designation as an Orlando historical landmark by the City Council, Tinker Field was degraded into a liquor bar and bathroom during this year’s bowl games. On the historic pitcher’s mound, the exact site where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke in his only visit to Orlando, city… [read more]
As Orange County grows and becomes more populated, traffic congestion has spiked, which increases the risk for pedestrian and bike accidents. According to statistics, the Metro Orlando region consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous cities for pedestrians in the country. That’s one reason why Orange County Mayor Teresa… [read more]
When he donated his $175,000 sculpture falloffstone to the City of Orlando, artist Peter Shelton never imagined his art would end up being destroyed by city employees and then the center of a three-year cover-up scandal by the Dyer administration. In fact, for years Shelton had tried to figure out what exactly happened… [read more]
This month, the troubled house owned by Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill will be sold at auction per a new court order issued just days before Christmas. On December 22nd, the Ninth Judicial Circuit court issued a notice of foreclosure against Hill in an ongoing case. The Commissioner told media last… [read more]
Despite last month’s decision by the Municipal Planning Board, the relocation of Orlando Union Rescue Mission’s homeless shelter is not a done deal yet. An official appeal has been filed against two items approved by the Orlando MPB on December 15th which rezone the proposed Parramore location and allow the development… [read more]
As public scrutiny focuses on police practices and use of excessive force, interest in body cameras has skyrocketed, including here in Orlando. While not a solution, body-worn cameras could definitely help but only if there is an open public discussion on how to improve the process as implementation continues. There are… [read more]