The 123‑room Home2 Suites in Lake Mary sold to New York buyer Pureland Hospitality for nearly $18M, ending the Rockpoint‑Highgate hold on the new hotel.

Showers and gusty northeast winds hit Orlando on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Localized heavy rain and dangerous surf are possible.

A Melbourne teacher’s aide says HealthFirst canceled her subsidized ACA plan after she owed five cents, leaving her responsible for thousands in medical bills.

State inspectors ordered five Orlando eateries to close last week after finding pests, moldlike growth and unsafe food handling. Most sites were cleared to reopen after fixes.

Osceola County approved CGI Advantage, an AI‑powered ERP to centralize payroll, HR and budgeting. Testing starts summer 2026 with a planned July 2027 go‑live.

Two people were hospitalized after a late‑night shooting along Aristotle Avenue near UCF. Deputies say few details have been released as the investigation continues.

Nathaniel’s Hope brings its Make 'm Smile festival back to Lake Eola on May 2, a free, sensory-aware celebration for people with disabilities and their families. Expect booths, character zones and the community Buddy Stroll.

Orange County reports 4,812 affordable units created or preserved, $58M in trust-fund awards and 32 surplus lots donated to nonprofit builders.

A 46-year-old Ocala woman was killed and three others were injured after a violent rollover at the US‑301/CR‑462 intersection in Sumter County on April 5.

Orange County deputies responded to a robbery at the McDonald’s near UCF Sunday; video appears to show a suspect taken into custody while authorities work the scene. Details remain limited.

Flooding closed both directions of I-4 near World Drive in Kissimmee overnight, forcing detours and major delays.

A new pool hall called Fat Cats Billiards is moving into 306 W. Ardice Avenue in Eustis with 19 pool tables, a full bar and planned league play. The operator is targeting an early-May opening.

Volusia deputies say a 1-year-old from DeLand was located at the U.S.-Mexico border; her mother was arrested and the child placed with Child Protective Services.