Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What a former Orlando-area hotel could mean for affordable housing nearby

Also, don't miss Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness on the Orlando Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Wednesday October 7th Patch AM
Wednesday October 7th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hi Orlando! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What a former Orlando-area hotel could mean for affordable housing nearby
  • Orlando family mourns son while desperately searching for missing parrot
  • How Creative Village's newest apartments could change downtown Orlando living

Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 10 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: A shower and t-storm; humid, with a high of 80 and low of 73 degrees.
  • Thursday: A shower and t-storm; humid, temps: high: 82, low: 71.
  • Friday: A shower and t-storm; humid, with a high of 84 and low of 74 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Orange County reveals plans to turn hotel into low-income apartments (orlandosentinel.com) — Orange County is moving ahead with plans to buy and convert a 200-room hotel next to the county jail into low-income apartments and limited emergency housing, directly affecting nearby Orlando neighborhoods. At a Holden Heights community meeting, residents shared mixed reactions as officials detailed income limits, on-site security, and case management support meant to address Central Florida's severe shortage of affordable housing and shelter beds.
   

2. Family hopes to bring missing parrot home while mourning 19-year-old son (clickorlando.com) — In east Orlando, a grieving family is still searching for their missing African grey parrot, Cuca, while mourning the recent death of their 19-year-old son, Andrew. They've spent weeks in Orlando posting signs, using drones, and broadcasting familiar voices, and are offering a reward to anyone who helps safely return the bird by calling or texting their listed number.
   

3. The Beacon opens in downtown Orlando, adding affordable housing to Creative Village (arcpublishing.com) — A new 115-unit affordable housing complex called The Beacon has opened in downtown Orlando's Creative Village, marking completion of the project's first phase and adding more options for income-qualified residents. Local leaders say the redevelopment of the former Amway Arena site is transforming Parramore, improving walkability, and setting up a second phase that will bring even more housing, offices, and opportunities to downtown Orlando.
   

4. Dozens of suspected invasive Cuban treefrogs appear outside Orlando homes after days of rain (fox35orlando.com) — After several days of rain, an Orlando neighborhood saw dozens of tiny frogs, likely invasive Cuban treefrogs, covering homes and yards, worrying residents about risks to pets and people. Wildlife experts say they mainly threaten native frogs, can mildly irritate skin and eyes, and usually disperse on their own, but Orlando homeowners can contact FWC if large numbers persist.
   

5. Man arrested after woman reports armed sexual assault in Orlando (fox35orlando.com) — Police say a woman was threatened with a weapon, sexually assaulted, and robbed early Tuesday on West Amelia Street in downtown Orlando, and a suspect was arrested shortly afterward. Investigators quickly tracked a vehicle tied to the attack and arrested 46-year-old Gervin Jawaski Lewis on multiple felony charges, with the police chief emphasizing their focus on getting dangerous offenders off Orlando's streets.
   

📸 Around Orlando

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Orlando

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Orlando Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Orlando PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Colliers promotes Lee Morris to vice chair, industrial services —Missy Hurley Read on Patch
  • Orlando Organ Workshop: A Weekend of Music, Learning & Inspiration —Reed Markham Read on Patch
  • I'm so grateful that we have low cost veterinary clinics in our area.
    I am going to try to showcase one each week so that people can get affordable care for spay and neuter and also for wellness and vaccines. They do… (Nextdoor Colonial Town North)
  • This may be an unpopular opinion, but I think kindness is becoming underrated online.
    I've noticed that whenever someone posts asking for advice, sharing a concern, or simply looking for a little support, there are always a few people… (Nextdoor Baldwin Park)
  • Boot Barn posted a job opening for Inventory Control Associate (Seasonal) in Orlando. Apply here.
  • Sprouts Farmers Market posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Orlando. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Orlando here.

Ok Orlando! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly?" — Stationary (Thank you David H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Orlando