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Health officials issue blue-green algae warning for Lake Sue

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The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has issued a blue-green algae bloom caution for Lake Sue.

The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has issued a Health Caution for the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Sue. This is in response to a site visit and water sample taken by the Florida Department of Environmental protection on Thursday, February 24.

Lake Sue is located just north of the Harry P. Leu Gardens and east of N Mills Avenue.

Blue-green algae is a type of bacteria that is common in Florida’s freshwater environments. A bloom occurs when rapid growth of algae leads to an accumulation of individual cells that discolor water and often produce floating mats that emit unpleasant odors. Many types of blue-green algae can produce toxins

Residents and visitors are advised to avoid drinking, swimming, wading, or using personal watercraft at Lake Sue until otherwise notified.

Understaffed and underpaid, State Attorney creates special unit for Orange, Osceola county victims of domestic violence

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Understaffed and underpaid, State Attorney creates special unit for Orange, Osceola county victims of domestic violence

Facing mounting staff vacancies and uncompetitive salary offerings, the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court is looking to create a special victim’s unit for domestic violence victims across Orange and Osceola county.

The new, special victims’ unit will handle the prosecution of all sexual crimes and allegations of domestic violence, according to a press release from State Attorney Monique H. Worrell.

Worrell says that consolidating cases into a single unit will lower individual caseloads, allow prosecutors to give more attention to each case, and put a dedicated unit prosecutor in every courtroom. The attorneys working in the new unit will also receive specialized training, including training on trauma-informed practices.

The state attorney’s office says that current salaries are below what attorneys need to cover expenses, including “the substantial law school debt most of them shoulder.” The office contends that prosecutors can obtain private sector jobs that pay tens of thousands of dollars more than what the state can offer and, as a result, many have decided to leave the office. According to the release, Worrell has repeatedly asked the legislature for additional funding to address the office’s staffing crisis.

With caseloads in the domestic violence unit skyrocketing, and staffing remaining stagnant or declining, Worrell says working conditions for attorneys at the office have “become untenable.”

The office believes the organization of the new unit will spread caseloads more evenly, eliminate positions that are purely supervisory, permit the consolidation of key resources designed to serve victims of sexual and domestic violence crimes, and increase efficiency as attorneys will no longer need to bounce between courtrooms or coordinate trial schedules between different judges.

Edwin Joel Leffler

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Edwin Joel Leffler

Edwin Joel Leffler, 82, of Winter Park FL, passed away on Feb 22, 2022. Ed was born May 20, 1939, in Brooklyn NY to Alfred Leffler, a Broadway Show ticket broker and Bertha Lashinsky. Ed graduated from Far Rockaway High School in 1956, and from New York University in 1960, where he met Beverly Ann Greenberg, his wife of 60 years.

After serving in the United States Air Force, Ed worked on Wall Street as a “market-maker” setting stock prices for Merrill Lynch for 10 years. Ed left to join his father-in-law, Sam Greenberg, in the retail clothing business, and he owned and operated Army-Navy stores in Richmond Hill, Queens and Baldwin, Long Island. Ed relocated to Florida in 1990, and owned and operated Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips franchises in Orlando. He enjoyed cooking, dining with friends and family, the theatre, listening to classical music, doing the NY Times crossword puzzle, watching British Comedies and Jeopardy. Ed, along with Beverly, took numerous trips to Europe as well as other historical places such as Israel, The Great Wall of China, Pyramids of Egypt and Angkor Wat.

Besides his wife, Ed is survived by his daughter Judith Leffler Riccardo, her husband John Riccardo, grandson Zachary Riccardo; his daughter Debra Leffler Engelmann, her husband Richard Engelmann, grandchildren David Engelmann and Rachel Engelmann; his brother Stanley Leffler as well as the extended Leffler, Greenberg and Shapiro families.

20-year-old Ocoee man arrested for vehicular homicide of two sisters, three young children

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20-year-old Ocoee man arrested for vehicular homicide of two sisters, three young children

A 20-year-old Ocoee man has been arrested in connection with a 2021 traffic accident that claimed the life of two sisters and their three young children.

According to a press release from the Florida Highway Patrol, FHP traffic homicide investigators arrested 20-year-old Osbaldo Patina Vazquez on Tuesday morning. Vasquez is being charged with five counts of vehicular homicide.

The arrest and charges come after nearly a year-long investigation into the fatal crash, which took place at Claracona Ocoee Road and Gaymar Drive on March 11, 2021.

The two sisters, who were later identified as ages 25 and 30, and their three children ranging in age from 6 months to 5 years old, were all killed in the accident.

Vasquez was booked into the Orange County Jail with no bond set.

39-year-old Orlando man dies from gunshot, discovered by authorities after car accident

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39-year-old Orlando man dies from gunshot, discovered by authorities after car accident

Local authorities have identified an Orlando man who was killed by a gunshot and found after crashing the vehicle that he was driving.

According to a press release from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the victim in the case has been identified as 39-year-old David Jarvis.

Jarvis was discovered by Orange County Fire Rescue units who were responding to a crash that took place on Sunday, February 27 at 4:43 a.m. The accident took place on Mercy Drive, near Princeton Street.

During OCFR’s patient assessment, emergency personnel discovered that Jarvis, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, had been shot. Jarvis was transported to the hospital, where he died of his injuries.

The sheriff’s office currently has no suspect information and the investigation is ongoing. The location of the shooting has also not yet been determined.

Chuan Lu Garden temporarily closes after failed health inspection

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Chuan Lu Garden temporarily closes after failed health inspection

Chuan Cai Wang Food, which does business as Chuan Lu Garden, was forced to temporarily close its popular restaurant along Colonial Drive last week after a health inspector cited 25 violations.

According to a report from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the restaurant, which is located at 1101 E Colonial Drive, was shut down on Friday, February 25, after a health inspector found 13 basic, 6 intermediate, and 6 high priority violations.

Among the issues were rodent activity, as the inspector found approximately 68 rodent droppings all around the kitchen and storage areas in the restaurant.

The inspector found that food was being improperly stored, citing multiple instances in which raw meat was next to uncooked produce.

Upon reinspection on the following day, Saturday, February 26, the restaurant was permitted to reopen after only six violations remained.

Clifford R. Thon

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Clifford R. Thon

Clifford R. Thon, 81, passed on to his eternal rest on February 19, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 18, 1940 to parents Floyd Thon and Eva Saborn, both which precede him in death.

Clifford leaves to cherish the memories of his life, his wife, Carolyn Thon; sons, Jeff (Becky) and Trevor (Kristen); daughters, Patricia (Joe) and Stacy (Val); grandchildren, Shane (Stephanie), Samantha and Jack; as well as many more family and friends that will miss him deeply.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like people to instead donate to The American Cancer Society or Halifax Hospice Orlando.

City officials working on new employment, training office on Colonial Drive

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City officials working on new employment, training office on Colonial Drive

During last week’s meeting of the Orlando City Council, commissioners approved the a new program that aims at helping residents in gaining employment and necessary training.

The new RISE Employment and Training Program is the city’s initiative in partnership with CareerSource of Central Florida, to provide access to opportunities for job training, coaching, and support services for residents in need of employment.

The program will operate out of 1221 West Colonial Drive, Suite 301, beginning in April, according to city officials.

“Education and job training removes barriers and opens doors to opportunity for everyone,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “That is why the city is excited to launch the new RISE Employment & Training Program and Office to ensure we are a city where every resident feels equally valued, equally protected and has a fair shot and real opportunity to thrive.”

The RISE office will be staffed in partnership with CareerSource Central Florida as the region’s official workforce agency and offer on-site connections with the agency’s system of employers, skills training partners and apprenticeship programs, as well as access to scholarships.

Participants will have access to social services, career assessments, case management, career counseling, job search/placement assistance and basic computer training, among other services. The program will also allow participants to develop connections within CareerSource’s network of programs, as well as afford opportunities for residents to have tuition fees covered through federal sources, including city funds received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

To learn more information about the program, or to receive updates regarding its opening, visit the city of Orlando’s RISE Employment and Training Program webpage.

Monica Yvette Harper Collins

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Monica Yvette Harper Collins

Monica Yvette Harper Collins, 50, passed on to her eternal rest on February 18, 2022, in Orlando, FL. She was born on October 17, 1971, in Lakeland, Florida from parents Samuel Harper, Doris Coleman, Mary Lee Brit and Benito “Charlie” Gonzalez, who precede her in death. She went to Lakeland Senior High, moving on to finish her studies at the University of Florida, from which she graduated with a Bachelor in Economic in 1993. Monica married Daryl C. Collins of Orlando, FL on February 9, 1996.

Monica leaves to cherish the memories of her life, her beloved husband of 26 years; Daryl Collins; kids, Daryl C. Collins II and Morgan Nicole Collins; siblings, Claudette Lee of Lakeland, FL, Samuel Harper of Orlando, FL, Tammy Kirkland (+) and Jeremy Kirkland of Lakeland, FL; in-laws, Willie Collins (Theresa) of Orlando, FL, Harold McKnight (Wendy) of Apopka, FL, Sheila Engram (Derrick) of Orlando, FL and Paula Scott of Orlando, FL; bonus sister and brother, Samantha and Lorenzo Hayes of Lakeland, FL; as well as a whole host of aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that will miss her dearly.

Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy arrested on DUI charge

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Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy arrested on DUI charge

An Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy was arrested this past weekend for allegedly driving under the influence.

According to a release from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, deputy Zachary Erickson was arrested by West Melbourne Police Department this weekend on a charge of driving under the influence.

According to the release, Erickson has been relieved of all law enforcement duties and has been reassigned to administrative duties while the criminal case is under way.

Erickson was first hired in November 2016 and worked in the Uniform Patrol Division.

Erickson is the son of the late Detective Michael Erickson, a 20-year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office who died suddenly of a heart attack in March 2011.

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