Virginia McKiernan, 85, of Zellwood, Florida passed away on January 15, 2024. Mrs. McKiernan was born on November 04, 1938 in Newberry, Florida.
She will be missed by her many loved ones and friends.
Suspect arrested in murder of Orlando father in parking garage
Orlando police have arrested a suspect that they believe is responsible for shooting and killing a 35-year-old father in a downtown parking garage earlier this month.
Aaron D. Willis, 36, was arrested by members of the Orlando Police Department Fugitive Investigative Unit on Monday, January 22.
Willis, who is from Apopka, is accused of shooting and killing Terry Shawn Rivers, who was found dead on January 7.
On that day, OPD officers responded to reports of a shooting at around 2:13 a.m. The shooting had occurred in the parking garage located at 2 Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando.
Upon arrival, police located a vehicle nearby that had crashed into the Morgan & Morgan headquarters at 20 North Orange Avenue.
Rivers was found sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to the Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.
Willis was eventually identified as the suspect in the case by homicide detectives. He now faces a charge of second degree murder with a firearm. He is currently incarcerated at the Orange County Jail.
Rivers’ family members have set up a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses. To make a donation, visit the Terry Rivers GoFundMe webpage.
Esmeralda Pena Nieves
Esmeralda Pena Nieves, 80, of Orlando, Florida, passed away on January 13, 2024. She was born on May 9, 1943 in Utuado, Puerto Rico to Eufemio and Calla Nieves.
She is survived by her husband, Ernesto Pena; Angel Luis Morales, Ismael Morales, Yolanda Martinez Mindalia Torres, Nancy Martinez, Jose Antonio Morales, and Nelson Morales; brothers, Carmelo Nieves and Eufemio Nieves; sisters, Ana Lopez and Aida Nieves; 23 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren and 3 great great-grandchildren.
Elementary school teacher arrested for inappropriate relationship with student
Law enforcement authorities have arrested a teacher who they say was maintaining an inappropriate relationship with a 13-year-old student.
Terrell Myron Foy was arrested on Friday, January 19, and charged with lewd or lascivious conduct and offenses against students by authority figures.
According to the Orlando Police Department, members of the Special Victims Unit received an anonymous tip about an authority figure at Blankner School who was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a student.
During their investigation, police identified the suspect as Foy, who worked as a teacher at the school, according to its website.
Detectives confirmed that Foy was having an inappropriate relationship with a 13-year-old student who attends the school, which is located at 2500 S Mills Avenue in Orlando.
In a statement, Principal Junella Kreil indicated that Foy had been terminated from his position.
Foy is currently incarcerated at the Orange County Jail. No additional filings have been made in the case, according to court records.
Richard L. Mays
Richard Lamar Mays was born on April 19, 1961 to Mr. Charlie and Mrs. Mattie Mays. Richard grew up in Oakland, Florida and graduated from West Orange High School, Class of 1979.
Richard worked at Walt Disney World and The Florida Auto Auction as a detailer until the time of his demise.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Mr. Charlie and Mattie Mays and one brother: Ernest L. Mays. Richard leaves to cherish precious memories to: his wife: Elaine Mays of Winter Garden, Florida; three brothers: Bernard A. Butler, Pierre L. Mays and Napoleon F. Mays all of Oakland, Florida; two beloved sisters: Amelia M. Butler of Oakland, Florida and Tonya Butler of Orlando, Florida; Richard also leaves his Uncle Thomas Butler of Orlando, Florida; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and sorrowing friends.
Maxine Ayers Bell
Maxine A. Bell was born September 11, 1937 in Gallion, Alabama to parents, Mary and Newton Ayers. She attended and graduated from Marengo County Public Schools. At a very young age, she received Christ and joined the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Gallion, Alabama.
After graduating high school, Maxine married the love of her life, Willie Bell, Sr. who officially gave her the nickname, “Monkey”, while they resided in Meridan, Mississippi. To their union, eight children were born. After their marriage, due to her husband Willie’s employment, the family resided in different states until 1969, then the family settled in Apopka, Florida.
At that time Maxine decided to further her education, and she attended Mid-Florida Tech in Orlando, Florida where she earned her certification in hospitality. With her certification, she obtained employment in the housekeeping department at the Court of Flags Resort in Orlando, Florida as an executive.
Maxine was a dedicated and hard worker. After leaving the Court of Flags, she secured employment at Roper Growers Cooperative in Winter Garden, Florida, as a crew leader specializing in operating the “GOAT”. She also worked at First Street Group Home, the Apopka Planter Newspaper, and Sunland Hospital. Maxine would later travel the country with Mike Enoch Special Event Food and Catering. She was also known as the community babysitter, just to mention a few jobs in her lifetime.
In her younger days, she was very athletic. She played baseball, softball, and she loved to bowl. She also enjoyed watching her favorite football team, the “Miami Dolphins” with her boys. Maxine became a member of the Roland E. Baker Chapter 217 Order of the Eastern Star of Orlando, Florida. She later joined The House of God in Apopka, Florida, under the leadership of the late Presiding Elder Tripholia T. Brinson. She was a faithful and longtime dedicated member. Every time Maxine attended church, you would see her on “pew two”.
On December 25, 2023, Maxine celebrated her last Christmas on this side with all eight of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, surrounding her with joy and laughter.
On January 7, 2024, Maxine was surrounded with children, grandchildren, great grand-children, and great-great grandchildren as she transitioned from this life on earth to the other side of glory to reunite with her beloved Willie.
She was preceded in death by her Husband, Willie Bell, Sr.; Father, Newton Ayers, Sr.; Mother, Mary Ayers; Brothers: Frank Ayers, Newton Ayers, Jr., Murray Lee Ayers, Foddie Ayers, and Charles Ayers; Son-in-law, Broderick Watters; Grandson, Willie Bell, III; Great-grands: Khalila McCloud, Camari Dennison, and Gerald Neal; and Bonus Son, John Henry Smith, Sr.
Left to cherish her memory…her loving Children: Dora Norman (Rayshawn), Willie Bell, Jr., (Sandra), Leroy Bell, Sr. (Carlette), and Monica Bell, all of Apopka, Florida; Margaret Bell-Waters of Chilburg, Alabama, Newton Bell, Sr. (Reba) of Apopka, Florida, Mary Coley (David) of Jefferson City, Missouri, and Albert Bell of Apopka, Florida; Brother, Albert Ayers; Bonus Son, James Edward Raby, Sr. (Yvonne) of Apopka, Florida; Bonus Daughter, Shenita Williams (Kevin) of Apopka, Florida; 36 Grandchildren, 77 Great Grandchildren, 28 Great-Great Grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving relatives and friends.
Playboi Carti cancels show in Orlando, all other tour dates
Playboi Carti has cancelled all of his upcoming tour dates, including a stop in Orlando that was scheduled for this week.
According to the artist’s website, all of the dates on his “Antagonist” music tour have all been updated to “To Be Determined.”
That includes his stop at the Kia Center, which was scheduled for this Thursday, January 25.
No information was provided by the artist regarding the tour dates.
The tour was originally scheduled for the fall of 2023 until it was rescheduled to 2024, with a kickoff stop planned for earlier this month in Salt Lake City.
For more information on the tour, or the artist, visit Playboi Carti online.
Thaddeus Mach
Thaddeus Mach age 101 of Menifee, California, formerly of Lake Mary, passed away January 6, 2024. He was born November 9, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois.
Mr. Mach served his country proudly with the United States Marine Corp. Serving in WWII and the Korean War as an aviator fighter pilot, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel, after 39 years of active service. Ted met and married Luceil Mach in Miami where he flew for North Eastern and Delta Airlines. The two would then move to California in 1977 until he retired as a pilot.
Mr. and Mrs. Mach moved to Lake Mary in 1994 to be closer to family. He was a member of Nativity Catholic Church.
Ted was predeceased by his wife Luceil Mach, and two sons Steven Lee and Michael Mach. He is survived by his son Edmund (Diane) Mach, two daughter-in-laws Susan Lee and Dahlia Mach.
Mr. Mach is also survived by five grandchildren Jenifer (Danny) Herlong, Beth Wilson, Patrick (Amanda) Lee, Christopher (Leighanne) Lee, Stacy (Philip) Mach, and eight great grandchildren.
A Memorial Mass will be held at Nativity Catholic Church on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. inurnment with Military Honors will follow at All Souls Catholic Cemetery.
Second Harvest distributing free food at multiple libraries across Orlando
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida will host free food distribution events this week across multiple libraries in Orlando.
Food distribution events will be held on Tuesday, January 23, at 10 a.m. at the following locations:
Fairview Shores Library Branch (902 Lee Road)
South Trail Library Branch (4600 S. Orange Blossom Trail)
Hiawassee Library Branch (7391 W. Colonial Drive)
The events are first come, first served until supplies last. Free, non-perishable, shelf-stable food boxes will be available for kids and families. The food contents of the boxes may vary.
For more information on the event, visit the Second Harvest Food Distribution event listing.
Barbara Ann Burnham
Barbara Ann Burnham age 87, of Sanford, Florida, passed away January 13, 2024. She was born December 12, 1936 in Sanford, the daughter of the late James E. and Alden C. (Whitten) McAlexander, Jr.
She served faithfully along side her husband in Ministry for over 40 years. Prior to her retirement she was a daycare teacher.
Barbara was predeceased by her husband Daniel W. Burnham in 2010, and one son Daniel W. Burnham, Jr., in 2021.
She is survived by her brother James D. McAlexander, son Douglas Burnham (Frances), daughter Denise Taylor, son Randall Burnham (Debi), son Wayne Burnham, daughter Pamela Mansingh (Loydie), 20 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren.