Featured Stories
Teaching Fire Safety Before the Alarm Sounds
Artificial smoke begins to fill the room. A child reaches for the doorknob, only to discover it is too hot to touch. Guided by firefighters, they crawl low beneath the smoke, find a safe exit and gather outside. It is not an emergency — it is a lesson that could one day save a...
Tourist Development Tax Investment Helps Raise the Curtain on New Winter Park Playhouse
The Winter Park Playhouse recently celebrated the opening of its newly renovated theater, marking a major milestone for the nonprofit organization and demonstrating how...
New Multicultural Senior Center Creates a Place to Connect, Learn and Thrive
Orange County has expanded its commitment to older adults with the opening of the new Multicultural Senior Center, a welcoming space where seniors can...
A Place to Call Home: Affordable Housing Trust Fund Opens 542 New Apartment Homes
When Sharon Donawa retired from a theme park job she’d held for nearly four decades, she looked forward to some well-deserved relaxation. Instead, she...
Community & Services
Tourist Development Tax Investment Helps Raise the Curtain on New Winter Park Playhouse
The Winter Park Playhouse recently celebrated the opening of its newly renovated theater, marking a major milestone for the nonprofit organization and demonstrating how Orange County Tourist Development Tax investments can strengthen local arts,...
New Multicultural Senior Center Creates a Place to Connect, Learn and Thrive
Orange County has expanded its commitment to older adults with the opening of the new Multicultural Senior Center, a welcoming space where seniors can stay active, build friendships and access programs and resources that...
A Place to Call Home: Affordable Housing Trust Fund Opens 542 New Apartment Homes
When Sharon Donawa retired from a theme park job she’d held for nearly four decades, she looked forward to some well-deserved relaxation. Instead, she faced a stressful housing situation that’s common for many across Central Florida. Unable to find an affordable place to live, she spent nearly a year post-retirement staying with her sister....
Public Health & Safety
Teaching Fire Safety Before the Alarm Sounds
Artificial smoke begins to fill the room. A child reaches for the doorknob, only to discover it is too hot to touch. Guided by firefighters, they crawl low beneath the smoke, find a safe...
Orange County Lowers Heat Threshold, Expands Access to Cooling Locations with Free LYNX Rides
As Central Florida heads into the peak of summer, Orange County is taking additional steps to protect residents from extreme heat by lowering its heat index activation threshold from 108 degrees to 103 degrees....
Whole Blood Program Saves Orange County Man After Crash
What started as a routine Sunday ride turned into a life-threatening moment that Kristopher Baker will never forget. “I’ve taken that road a million times,” said Baker. “But all it takes is that one time.” On March 9, 2025, Baker was critically injured in a motorcycle crash in West Orange County. Riding on a...
Business
Orange County Building Official Retires After Lifetime of Service
Orange County Building Official Thomas “Tom” Allen will retire July 31, 2026, concluding an extraordinary career spanning more than four decades in the construction industry and code administration. Allen is widely respected as a leader, technical expert, educator and mentor whose work has advanced...
Orange County Holds Budget Work Sessions for Fiscal Year 2026-27
Orange County is committed to maintaining its fiscal strength by managing resources responsibly and making strategic investments that support the community’s future. The Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will hold upcoming Fiscal...
Reflecting Back, Looking Forward: Mayor Demings Reflects on Eight Years of Progress in Final State of the County
Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings delivered his final State of the County on June 5, reflecting on nearly eight years of growth, resilience and investment while outlining a vision for the future of Orange County. Speaking before community leaders, residents and elected officials, Mayor Demings highlighted accomplishments achieved during his administration and emphasized...
