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🌱 Patch AM: What NTSB says went wrong at Orlando’s Lake Eola drone show

And on the Orlando Patch calendar - N Fusion

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Thursday September 17th Patch AM
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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 NTSB says went wrong at Orlando's Lake Eola drone show
  • What's next for the nearly empty Colonial Promenade shopping plaza?
  • How impaired was the teen driver in Orlando's deadly I-Drive crash?

Also on today's calendar: Mexican Tin Art and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: When geese fly, one side is longer than the other. do you know why that is ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 89 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: A couple of thunderstorms, temps: high: 89, low: 72.
  • Saturday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, with a high of 89 and low of 72 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Orlando drone show errors led to Lake Eola crash that seriously injured 7-year-old: NTSB (fox35orlando.com) — Federal investigators say multiple preventable safety errors at Orlando's 2024 Lake Eola holiday drone show caused a drone to slam into a 7-year-old boy, leading to open-heart surgery. The NTSB cites misaligned flight areas, outdated geofencing, and a pilot who continued despite losing control of dozens of drones, while the family's lawsuit and a proposed settlement move through court.
   

2. Derelict Orlando shopping center poised for new life as last businesses prepare to leave (clickorlando.com) — A long-struggling shopping center at Colonial Promenade, next to Orlando Executive Airport, is being cleared out as its last tenants leave, paving the way for a major redevelopment. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority says revitalization is "imminent," though no developer is signed yet, and nearby Orlando Fashion Square mall remains stuck in a separate redevelopment feud.
   

3. Court docs reveal impairment level in fatal crash on International Drive (wftv.com) — A recent DUI crash at Central Florida Parkway and International Drive in Orlando left one man dead and his fiancée seriously injured, and new court documents now detail the driver's high blood alcohol level. The victim's family, still waiting for her hospital discharge, is calling for justice and warning local young people about the consequences of drinking and driving on Orlando's busy roads.
   

4. Gas prices, budget concerns have Central Florida drivers delaying holiday travel bookings (clickorlando.com) — Orlando-area drivers are paying some of Florida's highest gas prices, and many are delaying Thanksgiving and Christmas travel plans as they juggle tight budgets. AAA warns that waiting for cheaper prices can backfire, with many late bookers paying more, and urges Central Floridians to start researching flights, hotels, and off-peak travel dates now to keep holiday costs under control.
   

5. Orlando moms train for OUC Half Marathon with stroller runs and 'starting from square one' (wesh.com) — Two Orlando moms, including a downtown resident who trains around Lake Eola, are sharing how they're rebuilding fitness and community while preparing for the 2026 OUC Orlando Half Marathon. Balancing stroller runs, family health challenges, and busy schedules, they describe the race as a way to reconnect with themselves and run alongside neighbors toward a shared goal.
   

📸 Around Orlando

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Orlando

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★ Featured events ★

    Thursday September 17
  • N Fusion →
    Blue Martini – Orlando, 9101 International Dr #1182, Orlando
    7:00 pm

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📣 Orlando Shout Outs!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Thank you to everyone who shared the post helping Louis get back home;
    after a month of living in anguish and worry, he has finally been found. Louis was last seen in College Park, Orlando, FL, and was found by a Good… (Nextdoor College Dr)
  • Please help me find my neighbor's dog , she's a huskyshe went missing this weekend, the Avalon Park area in East Orlando.
    Her name is Honey.Thank you, she's 11 years old. (Nextdoor Waterford Chase East)
  • Copart, Inc. posted a job opening for Inventory Specialist in Orlando. Apply here.
  • SPX posted a job opening for Electronic Assembler 1 (Orlando, Florida (FL), US, 32805) 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: because there are more geese on that side (Thank you jo L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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