Local Politics · Orange County
Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell won the county mayoral race with just under 60 percent of the vote against businessman Chris Messina's 35 percent, in a contest drawing roughly 55 percent turnout countywide. The officially nonpartisan race saw Moore Russell succeed term-limited Mayor Jerry Demings, who held the office since 2018. As mayor, she will oversee a nearly $9 billion budget and serve on a newly expanded nine-member board of county commissioners. County commission races also produced results, including Patricia Rumph winning the newly created District 7 seat and Johanna Lopez leading in District 4.
Local Politics · Orange County
In the Nov. 3 General Election, Democrat Leonard Spencer retained Florida House District 45 with 33,624 votes (54.26%) over Republican Erin Huntley's 28,347 votes (45.74%). Orange County voters elected Tiffany Moore Russell as county mayor in a landslide, 273,693 to Chris Messina's 161,938, making her the first female Black mayor in Orange County history. Kamia Brown won the Orange County Commission District 2 seat over Mike Crabb with 63.21% of the vote. Orange County Public Schools' one-mill property tax amendment passed with 78.65% support. Statewide Amendment 3 appeared to pass with approximately 62% support as of press time.
Community News · Orange County
Mandatory lawn watering restrictions are now in place across Orange County, Florida, and will remain through the second Sunday of March. Residents with odd-numbered or no addresses may water on Saturdays; even-numbered addresses may water on Sundays; nonresidential properties may water on Tuesdays. Watering is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., though new sod or landscaping may be irrigated any day for the first 30 days after installation. Violators face a $25 fine per violation.
Community News · Orlando, FL
Parramore Market, a nonprofit-run micro-grocery operated by the Desire Foundation, opened last week at 536 N. Westmoreland Drive in Orlando's Parramore neighborhood, offering free fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread and household essentials to residents experiencing financial instability. Unlike traditional food pantries, shoppers browse aisles and select their own items after registering for a free market card allowing two visits per month. The store operates Wednesdays (senior shopping day only) and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and also provides access to an on-site clinic, computer lab, and assistance navigating Medicare and Medicaid services. Parramore has struggled with limited access to affordable, nutritious food for over a decade, and the project moved forward after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $170,000 in proposed state funding earlier this year.
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Local Business · Orlando, FL
Twenty-one new restaurants are set to open in the greater Orlando area before the end of 2026, spanning cuisines including Japanese, Pakistani, Mexican, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Colombian. Several venues will occupy former spaces of closed establishments such as Hammered Lamb, Tornatore's Ristorante, and Saigon Market. Highlights include Eola Food Hall, a 15,000-square-foot downtown venue with 10 vendors overlooking Lake Eola Park, and Chaska, a Pakistani street-food concept that soft-opened Oct. 17 in south Orlando. Additional openings are planned in Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, and Windermere.
Community brief · Orlando, FL
The Ocean Blue, a Pennsylvania jangle-pop band known for their 1989 self-titled debut, will perform at The Abbey in Orlando on Friday, November 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $37.22 through abbeyorlando.com. The venue is located at 100 S. Eola Drive.
Community brief · Orlando, FL
Indie rock bands Wednesday (Asheville) and Mannequin Pussy (Philadelphia) perform at The Beacham in Orlando on Friday, November 6, at 7 p.m., as part of their joint 'Bitch Cabal Tour.' Nashville punk band Snõõper opens the show. The event is listed as sold out.
Nearby · Local Politics · Orange County
Democrats flipped six state House seats across Central Florida on Tuesday, Nov. 3, helping break the GOP supermajority in the chamber. Gains came in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties, with Democrats unseating Republican incumbents in districts covering Apopka, Sanford, Altamonte Springs, Kissimmee and other communities. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee confirmed the statewide goal was reached Tuesday night. Republicans held two Lake County seats in HD 25 and HD 26.
