Hi friends! It’s Brenda, back for all the Central Florida Happenings.

Enjoy the spring weather listening to live tunes at the Maitland Jazz & Blues Festival, a two-day event featuring local and touring artists.

A new mayor was voted in, a controversial city commissioner will stay in office and a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers has been blown away. Those are some of the races and issues that brought Orange County voters to the polls in city elections Tuesday.

The east coast premiere of a documentary featuring the “history of mischief, scandal, and thievery at Walt Disney World” will soon show at the Enzian Theater in Maitland, according to a news release.

Marcus Jordan is now facing a charge of ketamine possession, not cocaine possession, stemming from his arrest in a DUI case in Maitland earlier this month, according to new documents from the Orange-Osceola state attorney.

A top federal prosecutor in Florida is raising concerns over a growing number of anti-Semitic hate crimes, urging community members to report incidents of discrimination and threats.

National Pizza Day is on Feb. 9 (the same day as Super Bowl day!) which means indulging on cheesy goodness and enjoying the game.

Officers approached the passenger side of the vehicle where they spoke to the passenger and Jordan, who was in the driver’s seat. Officers say they could smell alcohol coming from the vehicle, the affidavit states.

Many people have resolved to tighten their belts in 2025!

Work is set to begin by early 2026 to transition Maitland’s public library from its current and quaint home near Lake Lily to a two-story, 20,000-square-foot facility right up the road, according to the city.

Did you know - Lake Eola is a sinkhole and much of Central Florida sits on top of a massive sinkhole? An Engineering Professor explains what that means and what homeowners should keep in mind.

In a year marked by the closures of beloved restaurants like Kappy's Subs in Maitland, Pom Pom's Teahouse in the Milk District, and Hamburger Mary's Downtown, the Central Florida restaurant scene is facing unprecedented challenges.

Today, we’re taking our live stream to the Maitland SunRail station to shine a light on an important safety issue impacting both drivers and pedestrians.

From markets to festivals to drive-through displays, the options are endless when it comes to holiday fun.

A 77-year-old Orlando man died after being hit by an SUV on U.S. 17-92 just north of Maitland, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

A Central Florida citrus staple is changing its business model after 70 years.

A Florida holiday tradition will not return to Maitland this year, after 70 years in business.

Immerse yourself in traditional Greek culture with the sounds, sights and tastes of Greek Fest Orlando. Guests can enjoy the festivities free admission.

Sanford Brewing Company embarked on a weekend of all-day happy hour and cash-only sales that went directly to employees amid concerns over the future.

A Maitland couple is back home in Central Florida tonight after being stranded for days on a North Carolina mountain due to the damage from Hurricane Helene.

"Querencia" is a Spanish concept with meanings as vague as a place of belonging to as specific as the spot in an arena where a wounded bull rests. Read about how the relationship and adventure shared by artists Que Throm and Cicero Greathouse impacted Orlando and why their life together can be described by no better word.

Call it a Kappy’s comeback. The venerable sub shop and diner in Maitland will be able to reopen after reaching a new lease deal.

An iconic Central Florida sub shop has opened up its doors for the last time.

The search for a new place to eat is on. Check out these five must-try restaurants in Central Florida to find your next go to spot.

After news of the iconic eatery’s closure, Kappy’s Subs in Maitland had to close early Tuesday due to “overwhelming” love and support from the community.

Kappy’s Subs, an iconic Central Florida eatery that has been open for 57 years, announced it is closing for good.

Maitland firefighters knocked down a fire that destroyed three city-owned vehicles, including a back-up rescue vehicle, a city spokesperson said.

Dozens of backpacks filled with hygiene products and new pajamas will be donated to foster kids in the Orlando area.

Over the next two weeks, the Lake Mary All-Stars will try do what no team from Florida has ever done before: win the Little League World Series. But which teams came before?

According to investigators, he left several letters at various locations across Orange County threatening to “explode everything here in whole America.”

A new dining and entertainment venue is now open in Maitland.

A Maitland woman, who spent hundreds of dollars to secure a hotel room for a trip to Mississippi, was denied a refund after the hotel caught fire and shut down.

The incident reportedly affected the state's vital statistics system, responsible for handling birth and death certificates.

A home on Apache Trail in Maitland caught fire after used fireworks were placed in a garbage bin by residents on the Fourth of July, according to the Maitland Fire Department.

Buca di Beppo closed its Maitland location permanently on Monday, after nearly 25 years of service.

Here are some of the events happening this month in Central Florida to commemorate Juneteenth.

A new pizza joint, brownie shop and Italian restaurant are all coming to Maitland this summer!

A precautionary boil water notice was issued Saturday for all municipal water utility customers in Maitland, according to the city’s Public Works Department.

The festival is back in Maitland and Winter Park for its 33rd year. Here's what to expect.

Get ready for two days of music and a “diverse lineup” as the Maitland Jazz & Blues Festival swings back into town.

Every morning, crossing guards across Central Florida dedicate their time to make sure our students get to school safely.

Every morning, crossing guards across Central Florida dedicate their time to make sure our students get to school safely.

Local chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

Here are the results for the city race in Maitland.

A “major car crash” has closed a busy Maitland road on Tuesday afternoon, according to a news release.

Two people riding a motorcycle along Interstate 4 in Orange County were killed Friday night upon being rear-ended by a pickup truck, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

A pedestrian was killed in a crash on U.S. 17-92 in Seminole County early Wednesday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

One person was taken to the hospital after firefighters responded to a house fire in Maitland.

After nearly 70 years in business change will be inescapable, but the Lingles say they do their best to keep the Hollieanna Groves experience the same for their customers, some of whom have been with them for decades.

The three-day festival features local artists and highlights live music.

Someone in Central Florida won big in Friday’s Mega Millions drawing, matching five numbers with a ticket bought in Maitland to score a $1 million prize.

Winter Park High School graduate Lauren Bergquist is technically from Maitland, but she really grew up in a swimming pool!

Ride along with Trooper Steve.

Police are looking for a suspect after a person was shot on Wednesday afternoon at The Arbors at Maitland Summit apartments near Maitland Summit Boulevard and Summit Centre Way.

An elderly disabled man reported missing Wednesday in Altamonte Springs has been found safe.

Maitland leaders passed a new millage rate cap for the 2023 tax year at the city council meeting on Monday.

Maitland police announced on Thursday that they are investigating a person's death.

Many kids got quite the surprise at a therapy center aimed at providing services and treatment for children diagnosed with autism.

A 20-year-old Daytona Beach woman died and two other people were left seriously injured after a crash on Interstate 4 in Maitland that shut down eastbound lanes for hours Saturday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Make Ends Meet

The Florida Film Festival is returning to Maitland and Winter Park for another year of film, talent and movie magic.

The polls closed in Orange County at 7 p.m. Tuesday for local races in two cities.

The City of Winter Park posted an advisory warning the public of Hazardous Algae Bloom events happening in the city's lakes. Among those impacted are Lakes Maitland, Baldwin, Sue, Osceola and Virginia.

Early voting has started in Orange County ahead of March 14 municipal elections in two cities.

Although the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t clench the Super Bowl title, there are two birds who were big winners in the annual ‘Superb Owl’ contest. The contest is sponsored by bonusfinder.com, playing off of the common misspelling of ‘Super Bowl' and a local owl won runner-up.

Eastbound lanes along Maitland Avenue have been temporarily closed after six people were injured in a crash on Thursday, according to police.

It's a play on the common Super Bowl typo. The 'Superb Owl' contest grants a $5,000 donation to the bird who beats out the other contestants in a vote, and a Central Florida bird made it to the finals.

A Deltona man was arrested in connection with a robbery investigation in Maitland, according to the police department.

A Maitland police officer was involved in a crash in Apopka, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

Orange County firefighters are called to a popular theater.

If you look up in the sky from time to time you may get lucky and see an owl, hawk or eagle.

Orlando-based band The Killer Robots are getting ready to take over the Enzian Theater for the premiere of their latest movie, Robotica Destructiva.

A Mount Dora restaurant with a huge social media following is getting ready to open a second location, this time setting up shop in Maitland.

MVP Sports Clubs, owner of the RDV Sportsplex, announced on Tuesday that is has sold its “flagship location in Orlando” to Genesis Health Clubs, according to an email sent to members.

Inside the auditorium at the Jewish Community Center in Maitland, nine young adults with special needs sat alongside their parents, scattered at tables around the room.

Maitland police are searching for a 24-year-old man who was last seen leaving his home.

The Maitland Rotary Club is set for a weekend of free, family-friendly fun.

Orange County announced an online debris removal map for homeowners countywide Thursday as the county continues its recovery after Hurricane Ian.

A Silver Alert has been issued for a Maitland man who went missing Monday morning, according to the Maitland Police Department.

H-2A visas are designated for people to come to the U.S. and temporarily work in agriculture.

Maitland Fire Rescue and the Maitland Police Department are assisting with active power lines on the ground, according to the fire department.

While Seminole County has not enacted an official curfew, law enforcement officials are warning drivers to stay off the road as Hurricane Ian moves north and Central Florida feels its impact.

In the midst of Global Peace Week in Orange County, officials installed a new student art exhibit in the administration center’s atrium gallery.

The Maitland theater has a slew of screenings and spooky drinks to pair them with for “13 Films of Halloween.”

Maitland’s Enzian Theater is calling all cat people to two separate, upcoming movie events celebrating both our feline friends and late pop legend David Bowie in August and September.

It’s time for filmmakers all over the world to reel in their excitement because the 2023 Florida Film Festival is now accepting entries for its 32nd annual event.

A Silver Alert was issued Thursday evening for an elderly Maitland woman who was reported missing after leaving her apartment, according to the Maitland Police Department.

From Marion County to Maitland, school resource officers and deputies across Central Florida are gearing up for back to school.

A retirement plan turned into a passion for Kentrail Davis when he made it his mission to bring Louisiana-style Cajun Style to Orlando.

Maitland police are showing their support for an officer who was injured earlier this month in a home fire — one that destroyed nearly everything he owned, according to the Maitland Police Department.

The vaccine site at the Roth Jewish Community Center will be open on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., where 200 doses of the Moderna vaccine are set to be available for children 6 months to 5 years old.

Florida Sen. Randolph Bracy will discuss the reopening of a vaccination site for children.

State Sen. Randolph Bracy, D-Orlando, is set to hold a news conference Thursday discussing the reopening of a children’s vaccination site in Maitland after it was postponed due to a lack of shots.

The Maitland city commission discussed the results of a study Monday evening to determine whether to raising water and sewage rates for residents.

One person was hospitalized after a crash between a SunRail train and a vehicle that delayed multiple trains in Orange County, fire officials said.

A state senator from Orlando is teaming up with the Roth Jewish Community Center to open a COVID-19 vaccination site for young children.

A person was hit by a car Tuesday afternoon along U.S. Highway 17-92 in Maitland, according to the police.

Orange County Fire Rescue assisted the Maitland Fire Rescue Department Saturday in responding to a reported structure fire close to Lake Seminary in Maitland, officials said.

We are once again pinpointing afternoon and evening scattered showers and storms across Central Florida.

Free Comic Book Day — an annual comics celebration on the first Saturday each May — will be making a return this year after its 2021 cancelation due to COVID-19.