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Politics Reporting

Compilation of my work involving countywide elections, local politics and municipal government, including my coverage of the Florida House of Representatives District 41 primary and Orange County School Board District 4 race.

The Charge •

Final details are being sorted out in Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal

A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was reached on Wednesday and is pending approval from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet according to official documents and reports.Some outlets have announced Hamas and Israel reached an official ceasefire and hostage-release deal, but AP reports Netanyahu’s Cabinet must first approve the proposal. The meeting to approve the agreement was rescheduled to Friday due to Netanyahu believing Hamas may not follow through with parts of the de...
Orlando Weekly •

How to donate election signs in Central Florida to be turned into energy

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Orlando Weekly •

Florida Highway Patrol rescues dog tied up along state road, urges against abandoning pets in storm

Since 1990, Orlando Weekly has served as the free, independent voice of Orlando, and we want to keep it that way.

Becoming an Orlando Weekly Supporter for as little as $5 a month allows us to continue offering readers access to our coverage of local news, food, nightlife, events, and culture with no paywalls.

Join today because you love us, too.

Since 1990, Orlando Weekly has served as the free, independent voice of Orlando, and we want to keep it that way.

Becoming an Orlando Weekly Suppo...
VoxPopuli •

Profile on Anne Douglas for August 2024 primary

Veteran public school teacher Anne Douglas, 59, of Dr. Phillips, is making her first run for office as a District 4 candidate for Orange County School Board. She faces fellow teacher Jacob “Jake” Petroski and business development manager Kyle Goudy.

The nonpartisan election is Aug. 20 and the winner will take the school board seat. If no one wins more than 50 percent of the vote, a run-off will be held Election Day, Nov. 5. Early voting takes place Aug. 5-18, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily. See our li...
VoxPopuli •

Profile on Jacob "Jake" Petroski for August 2024 midterm

Public educator Jacob “Jake” Petroski, who recently left the classroom to run for office, is taking his vision for Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) to the next level. Even as he has never held public office before, Petroski, the parent of a rising freshman at Olympia High School and a fourth-grader at Thornebrooke Elementary School, was first to file, putting in his paperwork for the District 4 seat on the Orange County School Board in May 2023.

“Schools are going through a real change in th...
VoxPopuli •

Profile on Janét Marie Buford-Johnson for August 2024 midterm

Orlo Vista resident Janét Marie Buford-Johnson, 55, had a dim view of politics until her community was ravaged by Hurricane Ian. Now, the former Circle K general manager (currently on disability) isn’t just making her first run for elected office, she’s doing so in District 41 against political heavyweight Democratic incumbent State Rep. Bruce Antone.

The winner of the open Aug. 20 primary will take the seat. Early voting takes place Aug. 5 through Aug. 18. Mail-in ballots can be requested thro...
VoxPopuli •

Profile on Bruce Antone for August 2024 midterm

Democratic incumbent State Rep. Bruce Antone, 63, is asking voters to send him back to Tallahassee for his eighth term in the Florida House. He is fending off a challenge from first-time candidate and former convenience store general manager Janét Marie Buford-Johnson.

The Aug. 20 election will decide the winner of the solidly Democratic District 41. Early voting takes place Aug. 5 -18, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily. Check our list for locations. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Aug. 8 and...
VoxPopuli •

Supervisor of Elections Candidate Dan Helm sues Cynthia Harris for allegedly paying qualifying fee from personal account

Attorney Dan Helm, a Democratic candidate for Orange County Supervisor of Elections, Thursday filed a lawsuit in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court against Cynthia Harris, the no-party-affiliated candidate, alleging that she improperly paid her qualifying fee.

The lawsuit claims Harris used a personal check to pay the qualifying fee before the June 14 deadline and that she “falsely indicated” to the filing officer that the check was drawn from a campaign account. Orange County Supervisor of Elect
VoxPopuli •

Oakland issues proclamation for Juneteenth

The earliest Juneteenth events took place in 1866 in Texas. Winter Garden and Orlando are hosting celebrations Saturday, June 15, 2024, in City Park at 10 a.m. and Camping World Stadium at 2 p.m.

The Town of Oakland Tuesday issued its twelfth Juneteenth proclamation, and its second consecutive recognition of what’s known as Black Independence Day or Freedom Day, during its commission meeting.

Juneteenth (a meld of the words June and 19) marks the day on June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived
VoxPopuli •

Bracy demands Thompson drop out of District 15 race over residency issue, threatens lawsuit

In a press conference last week, Randolph Bracy, the former Democratic state senator, called out the serving Democratic state senator, Geraldine Thompson, who he is challenging for the Senate District 15 seat in the Aug. 20 election, and accused her of living out of district. Bracy threatened to file a lawsuit if she did not drop out of the race by Friday, the candidate qualifying deadline.

"Leaders can't lead if they're in denial themselves," Bracy said during the June 5 press conference. "The
VoxPopuli •

Antone addresses opponent’s residency allegations

Democratic State Rep. Bruce Antone Thursday addressed his opponent’s claims that he does not reside in District 41 where he is running for re-election.

“Every time I run, they bring this up. And they’ve never proven that I do not live in the district,” Antone said in a phone interview.

Questions about Antone’s residency were raised in April when the Orlando Sentinel that his voter registration, homestead exemption and campaign filings matched an address for a house in District 40, which is rep
VoxPopuli •

Antone addresses opponent’s residency allegations

Democratic State Rep. Bruce Antone Thursday addressed his opponent’s claims that he does not reside in District 41 where he is running for re-election.

“Every time I run, they bring this up. And they’ve never proven that I do not live in the district,” Antone said in a phone interview.

Questions about Antone’s residency were raised in April when the Orlando Sentinel that his voter registration, homestead exemption and campaign filings matched an address for a house in District 40, which is rep
VoxPopuli •

Antone opponent files residency complaint with Florida Ethics Commission

“I deal in truth. The truth is, he doesn’t live in the district,” Janét Marie Buford-Johnson told VoxPopuli in a phone interview Tuesday, referring to Democratic State Rep. Bruce Antone, who she’s challenging for the House District 41 seat in the Aug. 20 election.

A hospitality professional and first-time candidate, Buford-Johnson filed a complaint in early May with the Florida Ethics Commission, alleging that Antone does not live in District 41 and has not for years. This was first Tuesday by
VoxPopuli •

Windermere corks new wine shop

Windermere's town council denied the couple behind the forthcoming wine market-cum-restaurant Solvino a permit to sell wine by the glass, stating they don't want more town businesses serving alcohol. But even without a permit, state law allows Solvino to pour quite a bit of wine samples.

Most folks know when they’ve reached their alcohol limit. The Town of Windermere just said when.

Citing overwhelming community opposition, the town council last week voted unanimously to deny the zoning varian
VoxPopuli •

Winter Garden to distribute welcome packets with new code compliance brochure

Winter Garden to distribute welcome packets with new code compliance brochure

Winter Garden's new code compliance brochure tells residents how to keep the city "inviting and beautiful for all.”

Winter Garden is adding new Code Compliance brochures to its welcome packets for new residents, according to City Manager Jon Williams. He made the announcement at the April 11 city commission meeting.

Titled Enhancing Our Community Through Code Compliance: Your Guide to Navigating Common Code Violatio
VoxPopuli •

Democrats choose diverse slate of five to represent Congressional District 11 at National Convention

Democrats choose diverse slate of five to represent Congressional District 11 at National Convention

Democratic voters from Congressional District 11 elected a diverse five-member slate to send to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on April 20, 2024, at the West Orange Recreation Center in Winter Garden.

Democratic voters in Congressional District 11 went to the polls Saturday in Orange, Sumter and Polk Counties to select five delegates — two women and three men — to attend the Demo
NSM.today •

UCF Celebrates the Arts remembers and honors Floridian veterans

Performers took the stage on Wednesday night at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts to remember and reenact the stories of Floridian veterans lost during World War II.

Central Florida-area actors brought a dramatic spirit and passion to the stories of the fallen veterans, helping audiences better understand the turbulent emotions and lasting impacts of war.

“It's one thing to help students understand the war; it's another to help students understand how much grief remains a part of peo
VoxPopuli •

Winter Garden swears in Chloe Johnson, Colin Sharman as commissioners

Johnson joins Lisa Bennett as second woman on the board.

Johnson joins District 1 Commissioner Lisa Bennett as the second woman on the commission. She is the first Black woman to sit on the commission since 2006 when Charlie Mae Wilder was appointed to complete Commissioner Mildred Dixon’s term after her death.

During commissioner reports, Johnson, who won election with 68 percent of the District 3 vote, thanked her supporters and said she was looking forward to working with city staff.

“I’m
VoxPopuli •

Winter Garden swears in Chloe Johnson, Colin Sharman as commissioners

Johnson joins Lisa Bennett as second woman on the board.

Johnson joins District 1 Commissioner Lisa Bennett as the second woman on the commission. She is the first Black woman to sit on the commission since 2006 when Charlie Mae Wilder was appointed to complete Commissioner Mildred Dixon’s term after her death.

During commissioner reports, Johnson, who won election with 68 percent of the District 3 vote, thanked her supporters and said she was looking forward to working with city staff.

“I’m
VoxPopuli •

Winter Garden swears in Chloe Johnson, Colin Sharman as commissioners

Johnson joins Lisa Bennett as second woman on the board.

Johnson joins District 1 Commissioner Lisa Bennett as the second woman on the commission. She is the first Black woman to sit on the commission since 2006 when Charlie Mae Wilder was appointed to complete Commissioner Mildred Dixon’s term after her death.

During commissioner reports, Johnson, who won election with 68 percent of the District 3 vote, thanked her supporters and said she was looking forward to working with city staff.

“I’m
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