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3-hour trains from Orlando to Miami: One-way for $79, under $200 for family of 4

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A high-speed train will begin selling tickets for 16 daily round trips with hourly departures from Orlando to Miami in May, with tickets starting at $79 each way, or $199 for a family of four.

The Brightline Orlando Station was unveiled on Thursday, April 20 at the Orlando International Airport.

According to Brightline, tickets will go on sale next month for the high-speed trains, with one-way fares starting at $79. Fare bundles for families of four will be available for less than $199 each way.

Service will include 16 daily round trips with hourly departures between Miami and Orlando. The non-stop trains will have a run time of 2 hours and 59 minutes.

A regular service will also be available from Orlando to Miami, providing stops at all Brightline stations along the way. That includes West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Aventura. Those trains will have a run time of 3 hours and 30 minutes, according to company officials.

Brightline Orlando Station at Orlando International Airport
Entrance to Brightline Orlando Station at Orlando International Airport

The company says its hourly departures from Orlando to Miami will take place between 5 a.m. and 8:50 p.m. every day, with the first southbound train arriving in Miami at 8:30 a.m.

Brightline officials say that additional dedicated trains will continue to serve commuters and the South Florida region between Miami and West Palm Beach, with early morning departures at 5 a.m. and late night departures until 12:45 a.m. out of Miami.

The new, 37,305 square-foot Orlando station is located in the Orlando International Airport’s 80,000 square-foot train station facility, which is adjacent to Terminal C.

Brightline train interior 1
Interior of Brightline train departing from Orlando International Airport

That facility provides direct access to Terminals A and B, and connects directly to the airport’s Parking Garage C. Brightline officials say Parking Garage C will have more than 350 parking spaces designated for train users.

Once inside the station, riders may purchase tickets from guest services or one of the self-service kiosks. Luggage may be checked before proceeding through turnstiles and into a security screening tunnel.

The train terminal features Mary Mary Bar, which offers cocktails and appetizers, as well as MRKT PLACE, a convenience store with sundries, refreshments, and gift shop items.

Departures from Miami to Orlando will begin at 6:50 a.m. and will continue through 9:45 p.monweekdays, with the first northbound train from Miami arriving in Orlando at 10:15 a.m. On weekends, departures from Miami to Orlando will start at 5:45 a.m. and continue through 9:45 p.m., with the first northbound train arriving at 9:15 a.m.

Brightline will offer SMART and PREMIUM tickets, which designate two classes of service. The PREMIUM service includes complimentary meals, snacks, and beverages, a dedicated first class lounge, free checked luggage, priority boarding, and a dedicated coach.

Throughout the station, all guests will have access to free, high-speed Wi-Fi, charging stations in every seat, 87 big screen televisions, and a children’s play area.

“Brightline’s Orlando Station sets a new benchmark for travel that establishes a seamless, convenient and comfortable experience built for today’s modern traveler,” said Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline, during Thursday’s unveiling. “We’ve curated an experience well beyond time-savings and we can’t wait to welcome guests onboard.”

Mayor Buddy Dyer, who earlier this week announced his bid for a sixth term in Orlando, heralded the new station as a “critical connection” for the community to “jobs and opportunity.”

“As a lifelong Central Floridian, it made me proud to see the advancement of our community today as our true multimodal hub becomes a reality and we celebrate the Brighline Orlando Station and soon to come train service to our international airport,” said Mayor Dyer.

Earlier this year, Brightline set a land speed record for the fastest train in the southeast after testing trains at 130 mph.

William Sheets

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Bill Sheets passed away on April 17, 2023, at the age of 77, in Winter Garden, Florida. He fought a courageous battle against Alzheimer’s and passed peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. Bill was born in Canton, Ohio, on November 21.

Bill was a legend. He charmed everyone he met with a smile and a story about his girls or cars. His winning sense of humor and fierce love for his family drew people to him and left a lifetime of simply unforgettable memories. Bill devoted his life to building a recycling business and restoring classic cars. He graduated from Canton South High School, was a Journeyman Carpenter, and was part owner of Alliance Recycling Company.

He leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Sharon, and his two children, Debra (James) Unger, and Kristen (David) Stalker; grandchildren: Cheyenne Unger, Aiden Unger, and Shea Stalker as well as his sister Jean Brooks and many close friends who became family.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Mayberry, and father, John Sheets.

There will be a mass at Holy Family Catholic Church in Orlando, Florida on April 28, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. in the chapel.

Drug Take Back event across Central Florida

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Multiple law enforcement agencies will participate in this year’s Drug Take Back Day hosted by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency.

The event will take place on Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a multitude of local police agencies, including ones in Seminole, Orange, Osceola, and Volusia counties. The event will provide an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications to law enforcement officers for destruction.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office will accept submissions at its Central Operations Center (2500 W Colonial Drive), and substations at 1111 N Rock Springs Road in Apopka, 11000 Lake Underhill Road in Orlando, 475 W. Story Road in Ocoee, and 2400 W. 33rd Street in Orlando.

The Altamonte Springs Police Department will host its event at 451 E Altamonte Drive in Altamonte Springs. On Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the department will also offer safe disposal at its COPS Center, located inside the Altamonte Mall’s lower level, between JCPenney’s and Macy’s.

Additional drop off locations include:

Longwood Police Department – 235 W Church Avenue, Longwood

Sanford Police Department – 815 Historic Goldsboro Boulevard, Sanford

Winter Springs Police Department – 300 N. Moss Road, Winter Springs

Osceola County Sheriff’s Office – Poinciana Hospital (325 Cypress Parkway, Kissimmee); Walgreens (1880 W Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee); Sam’s Club (4763 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee)

Maitland Police Department – 1837 Fennell Street, Maitland; Downtown Police Station (110 N. Maitland Avenue)

Volusia County Sheriff’s Office – District 2 (1706 S. Woodland Blvd, DeLand); District 3 (1435 U.S. 1 Suite D-3, Ormond Beach); District 4 (1691 Providence Blvd, Deltona); District 6 (79 S. Charles Beall Blvd, DeBary)

St. Cloud Police Department – Southland Shopping Center Save-A-Lot (916 13th Street, St. Cloud)

VIDEO: Seminole firefighters burn off 500 gallons of propane after gas leak

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A gas leak in Oviedo prompted the closure of a couple local roads and a burn off of over 500 gallons of propane on Friday afternoon.

Crews from the Seminole County Fire Department and Oviedo Fire Rescue responded to reports of a gas leak near the intersection of Pauline Street and Swanson Drive on Friday, April 21.

The SCFD Hazardous Materials team worked with Oviedo firefighters to burn off between 500 and 600 gallons of propane.

Roads were temporarily blocked off behind multiple businesses in the area as a precaution.

Currently, the state of Florida is still categorized as experiencing “severe drought” in most areas. Additionally, a burn ban has been in place across the tri-county area for several weeks.

Nagesri Papiah

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It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Nagesri Papiah of Kissimmee, Florida, who passed away on April 17, 2023, at the age of 91, leaving to mourn family and friends.

Funeral Ceremony will be held today at Friday, April 21, 2023 at 4:00PM – 8:00PM. At Funeraria San Juan – Simpson. 2700 Simpson Rd. Kissimmee, FL 34744.

Hot pepper and taco eating contests at Orlando Taco Festival on I-Drive

ICON Park will play host to a two-day taco event this weekend on International Drive.

The Orlando Taco Festival returns on Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at ICON Park, which is located at 8375 International Drive.

The event will feature over 30 taco and food vendors, as well as a margarita bar, a tequila expo area, an interactive Mariachi experience, Lucha Libre wrestling, a kids fun zone, a hot chili pepper and taco eating contest, and multiple other activites.

Admission to the event starts at $9.99, with VIP tickets on sale for $49.99. Tacos and related food items will be sold for $4 each. All food items will work on a voucher system, with various voucher stations located throughout the festival.

For more information on this or similar events, visit the Taco Festival Orlando website.

Kenneth T. Olson

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To know him was to love him! His sense of humor and ability to relate to everyone will be greatly missed. He was the life of every party and he would do anything in the world for his family and friends.

He was the baby son of the late Edwin D. and Margaret Olson(nee Carroll).
The man just could not wait any longer to reunite with his beautiful bride of 53 years on earth, the late Susan Olson(nee Chojnacki).

Survived by his adoring daughters Lisa Olson(the late Marcial Rivera) and
Tracy Luker(Chuck). Blessed to be a grandfather “Pampa” to 3 amazing grandsons Zachariah Rivera, Kenny Luker and Charlie Luker
Beloved Brother to E. Robert(Bob) Olson, his favorite sister Margaret(Peg)
Olson, and his “clone” Victor Olson(Sandra) Fond Uncle of Kimberly(Michael) Heran, Victoria(Salvatore) De Lucia, Kristina(Richie) Pacheco, Heather(Ignacio) Urtubi, Amy(Benny) Borrelli, the late Paul Saliger, David(Melissa) Saliger, the late Scott Saliger, Melanie(Kevin) Enberg, and Valerie Mietz.

He was fortunate to have many longtime friends: Jim and Cheryl Masterson, Jim and Mary Lyman, the late Bob and Danna Burke, Fran Norris(the late Mike) and Skip and Barb Fowler…just to name a few!
He will be the Hamanama King forever!! For a man who had little tolerance
for people…he sure was loved!

Funeral Mass will be held on Friday April 28, 2023 at 2pm. At Nativity Catholic Church, 3255 N Ronald Reagan Blvd, Longwood FL 32750.

Folk & Urban Art Festival in Winter Park

A popular art festival will return to Winter Park’s Hannibal Square for its 14th installment this weekend.

The Hannibal Square Heritage Center Folk and Urban Art Festival will take place on Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at both Hannibal Square (642 W New England Avenue) and nearby Shady Park (721 W New England Avenue).

This year’s festivities include vendors and local artisans, free, hands-on art activities for children, as well as performances from Reggae artist Jeffery Mykals, and Winter Park resident The Dynamic Tony T, among many others. A pottery wheel demonstration will take place at the Heritage Center, hosted by Jeff Rodgers.

The event will also feature Black History Trivia and Hannibal’s Trek, an interactive activity for students of all ages.

For more information on this or other events at the center, visit the Hannibal Square Heritage Center website.

Thomas J. Garrahan

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Thomas J. Garrahan passed away on April 17, 2023 in Winter Park, Florida. He was born January 23, 1955 in Kingston, Pennsylvania. Thomas was the son of the late James and Dolores Garrahan of Willow Grove, NJ.

Thomas graduated from Vineland High School in Vineland, New Jersey, in 1974. Afterwards, he attended Stockton College (now Stockton University) in New Jersey and the University of Wollongong in Australia. He earned a Masters Degree in accounting. He was self employed as an accountant.

Thomas was an avid baseball fan from an early age. He played baseball for many years in various leagues. He also was an avid baseball card collector, autograph collector, and baseball card trader. He traveled with his wife, who is also an avid baseball fan, to various ball parks, stadiums, special events, baseball spring training and to Cooperstown, NY to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He met almost 100% of the Baseball Hall of Famers including Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams. He was close friends with Duke Snider and his wife Bev.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Stephen.

He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Kim Vida; two brothers, Timothy Garrahan (Lynn) of Delaware and John Garrahan of NJ; his sister Jennifer Errett (Scott) of Arizona. He is also survived by aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Memorial mass will be held August 12, 2023 at 8:00 AM (ET). AT St Margaret Mary Catholic Church. 526 N Park Ave. Winter Park, FL 32789.

Osceola police searching for teen that never showed up to school

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The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help to locate a 15-year-old girl who never showed up to school.

Sajiya Hall was last seen at her residence in the vicinity of Britten Drive in Kissimmee on Sunday, April 16. The next morning, Hall was not in her bedroom and did not arrive at Discovery Middle School.

Hall stands 5’3″ tall, weighs 95 pounds, has black hair and brown eyes.

Law enforcement authorities were unable to provide a description of Hall’s clothing at the time, as it is unknown what she was wearing when she left her home.

If you see or know the whereabouts of Sajiya Hall, please contact the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at 407-348-2222, or dial 911 in reference to case number 23I044223.