Here are the Central Florida happenings you need to know today. Be sure to check back with ClickOrlando.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date.
Orange County mayoral race
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings filed to run for Orange County mayor in the 2018 election and is expected to make an official announcement Friday afternoon. Two other people have also filed to run for mayor and now with Demings' candidacy several Central Florida law enforcement members have announced that they will be running for sheriff. Read more about the upcoming election here.
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Heat index
The heat index in Central Florida will be more than 100 degrees on Friday, although the actual temperature will be about 95 degrees. Rain chances are low for Friday but will increase during the weekend. Click here for the full forecast.
Thursday, July 6
YouTuber crashes motorcycle
An Orlando motorcyclist who runs a YouTube channel where he speeds through the Central Florida roadways crashed his bike while attempting a wheelie near Walt Disney World. "Obviously I take some calculated risks. Wheelies, or riding a motorcycle in general," Jake Bigby told his YouTube viewers. "(It) launched me and there was just no way to calculate that kind of an error happening in the middle of what was supposed to be a smooth launch." Click here to see video of the crash.
Vice President Mike Pence in Central Florida
The Kennedy Space Center will be hosting Vice President Mike Pence, who will tour the facility and speak to staffers on Thursday. A livestream of the event will be available here Thursday afternoon.
Doctor accused of sexually abusing patients
An 87-year-old Lake Mary doctor is accused of sexually abusing multiple patients at his private practice, police said. Dr. William Dalton was arrested Wednesday on a charge of sexual battery on a person 18 or older. Click here to see what he told police during their investigation.
Wednesday, July 5
Gas prices down
According to AAA, gas prices were the lowest in more than a decade as an estimated 37.5 million Americans hit the road for the Fourth of July holiday. Prices in the Sunshine State on Tuesday averaged at $2.23 per gallon, although lower prices were seen across the Central Florida region. For more information on how prices might change within the next few weeks, click here.
Shooting in Pine Hills
Deputies are looking for two men who they say were seen fleeing the area after a man was shot outside a home in Pine Hills around 3 a.m. Wednesday. The man died after he was taken to an area hospital. Click here to see video from the scene of the crime.
Tuesday, July 4
Fireworks at the Fountain
News 6 is hosting Fireworks at the Fountain at Lake Eola Tuesday afternoon. Thousands of people are expected to attend the annual celebration, which is capped off by a fireworks display. Click here for a guide that includes parking, transportation and what to bring.
Monday, July 3
Hot air balloon crash
One person was injured Monday morning when a hot air balloon with 16 passengers on board crashed into a retention pond near Walt Disney World. "It was scary. It was really scary," one passenger said. Click here to see videos and photos depicting the aftermath of the emergency landing.
Carjackings
Two separate carjackings were reported in the Central Florida area. On Saturday, a man went to Mastro Subaru in Sanford and carjacked a salesman at knifepoint during a test drive, according to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office. Click here to see what charges that man is facing. Another man carjacked a limousine driver in downtown Orlando early Monday morning, drove the vehicle the wrong way, hit an officer's unmarked police truck and then crashed into a building, police said. See video from the scene here.
Heat, rain expected
As Central Floridians prepare for the Fourth of July holiday, they should be aware of the heat and storms. The rain should subside before evening fireworks shows, but the heat will be hard to avoid. "Temperatures will feel more like 102, at times 105 degrees," News 6 meteorologist Troy Bridges said. Read the full forecast here. The Red, Hot & Boom fireworks show is scheduled for Monday night in Altamonte Springs and Fireworks at the Fountain, hosted by News 6, is Tuesday at Lake Eola. For a full guide to that event, including parking, road closures and Do's and Don'ts, click here.