Community leaders looking to stop opioid overdose deaths, blame pandemic
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Church leaders and law enforcement are working together to address the rise in overdose deaths within the last year. โWhat we are seeing is a perfect storm of the previous overdose crisis now colliding with COVID-19 and driving the numbers of deaths from overdose to historic levels,โ Andrae Bailey, CEO of Project Opioid said. Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma, a coach for Project Opioid, said they are working to bring more community programs to reach those struggling with opioid addiction. โWeโve incorporated a lot in various programs in Seminole County and this project with project opioid brings the faith community together, the business community together and the public sector to come up with real reasonable solutions,โ Lemma said. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6โฒs coronavirus newsletter and go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.
Detectives โhoning inโ on culprits in Seminole County double homicide
Tiffany Church, 35, and her boyfriend, Trodarius Rainey, 26, went missing Dec. 30. Their car was found abandoned on New Yearโs Eve with at least one bullet hole, Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday. Investigators believe the assailants knew the victims, the sheriff said. He added that detectives have โa pretty good idea of what happened,โ and are continuing to gather evidence. The sheriff said preliminary evidence shows that Church and Rainey were killed and then their bodies were dumped in different places.
Sanford mother of 2, boyfriend fatally shot after disappearance, sheriff says
SANFORD, Fla. โ Authorities have identified the body found Tuesday as that of Tiffany Church, a 35-year-old Sanford woman who was reported missing along with her boyfriend, according to the Seminole County Sheriffโs Office. Their car, a black Toyota Camry, was located in Sanford with a bullet hole in it on Dec. 31. Sheriff Dennis Lemma said both victims were shot. Lemma said Church and Rainey were last seen Dec. 30 at a gas station then were unreachable by family and friends. The sheriff said itโs unclear where both victims were killed but it appears Rainey was shot and his body was moved to where he was discovered.
Body of man found at Seminole County park; woman still missing
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. โ The body of a missing man was located Saturday in Seminole County, but a search continues for a missing woman with whom he was last seen, officials said. According to the Seminole County Sheriffโs Office, the body of 26-year-old Trodarius Rainey was discovered in Lake Jesup Park. Rainey and Church were last seen Wednesday and had been in a black Toyota Camry with the Florida tag JKMN34, deputies said. The same vehicle was found at 1980 Cameron Avenue in Sanford early the next morning, according to deputies. Deputies said there was evidence inside the car that indicates the coupleโs disappearance was suspicious, therefore they were considered โendangered.โAnyone with any information on the whereabouts of Church is asked to contact the Sheriffโs Office or Crimeline at 800-423-8477.
Asia Today: S. Korea has highest daily increase since March
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region: Authorities imposed a one-week lockdown in Nepals capital and surrounding districts Wednesday after a surge in coronavirus cases. Nepal's 1,016 cases recorded Tuesday was its highest daily spike. Australia has a deal to manufacture and distribute a potential coronavirus vaccine being developed by British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. The deal came as Australias hard-hit Victoria state announced its lowest number of new coronavirus cases in more than five weeks. The Victorias Health Department on Wednesday said 216 new COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths were reported in the latest 24-hour period.
Marion County man drives into church, lights fire with people inside, deputies say
MARION COUNTY, Fla. Deputies with the Marion County Sheriffs Office are investigating after they say a man drove into a church then lit a fire. According to deputies, the man drove through the front doors of the Queen of Peace Catholic Church on Southwest Highway 200. The man then proceeded to light a fire while parishioners were inside, investigators said. He then led deputies on a vehicle chase and was soon captured, officials said. Stay with News 6 for more updates.
Church leaders join hundreds of participants during โWalk of Mourningโ
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Hundreds of people showed up in front of Camping World Stadium on Friday to join local pastors and leaders for a mile walk of mourning. โWe wanna mourn together so we can heal together,โ said Pastor Tim Johnson of Orlando World Outreach Center. "We need to make sure that aside from what's happened let's focus on the positive things we can do moving forward," Chief Orlando Rolon, Orlando Police Department said. Mayor Buddy Dyer, Chief Orlando Rolon & Sheriff John Mina pray before starting walk of mourning in front of Camping World Stadium. @news6wkmg @OrangeCoSheriff @OrlandoPolice @citybeautiful pic.twitter.com/aEryOUI6Y7 โ Ezzy Castro (@EzzyCastro) June 5, 2020The crowd walked from Church Street to Division Street, a street Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill said is forever history.
Churches prepare for Sunday services as Florida continues reopening process
ORLANDO, Fla. โ With the first weekend since the beginning phase of the stateโs reopening process, some houses of worship are getting ready to offer in-person services for the first time since the shutdown. Bishop Clint Brown, senior pastor at Judah Church, showed News 6 their Orlando location and how they have prepared for the five services theyโre hosting Sunday. โWeโve tried to make every precaution we can to make people safe.โHowever, not every location is ready to reopen. He devised a plan for when his church might return to in-person services, but for now, he said itโs just too soon, despite Motherโs Day this Sunday. Inward, we can experience peace,โ Zak said.
Orlando church gives 100,000 meals to families in need during COVID-19 pandemic
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Thousands of cars pulled into Calvary Orlando's parking lot on Easter Sunday morning to receive free meals donated by the church. The church partnered with the non-profit, Convoy of Hope, and purchased 100,000 meals to give to those who are struggling to make ends meet during the coronavirus pandemic. Lead Pastor Ed Garvin said the food should be enough to get them through the week. MORE: Religion while social distancing: Mount Dora church offers drive-in service"We fully expected that we would set an attendance record this Easter. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6โฒs coronavirus newsletter or go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.
Churches prepare to hold Easter Sunday services in very nontraditional ways
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Churches across Central Florida are preparing to hold Easter Sunday services in very nontraditional ways due to the COVID-19 pandemic. RELATED: Churches use alternative ways to worship on Palm Sunday"As you keep God close during these important religious days, make sure you continue to keep COVID-19 away," DeSantis said. The Catholic Diocese of Orlando has posted a list of parishes that live stream services. One popular sunrise Easter service is changing as well. This year, however, it's a "Stay-at-Home Easter Sunrise Service."
Florida governor urges Christians to keep their distance while celebrating Easter
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Churches across Central Florida are preparing to hold Easter Sunday services in very nontraditional ways due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ron DeSantis stressed that the state will not close any place of worship, but he stressed the importance of following social distance guidelines. Since last month, the Fellowship Church of Central Florida has also offered a drive-in worship service at a movie theater parking lot in Mount Dora. One popular sunrise Easter service is changing as well. Radio station Z88.3 typically hosts a yearly service at SeaWorld Orlando, but this year itโs offering a โStay-at-Home Easter Sunrise Service.โThe radio station is inviting everyone to listen to the service on the radio at 6:45 a.m.
Central Florida churches hold live streams of services amid coronavirus concerns
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Churches across Central Florida offered live streams of their services on Sunday as an alternative way for parishioners to worship due to growing fears of the coronavirus. The church canceled services amid the growing concerns over the coronavirus. [READ MORE: President Donald Trump declares coronavirus pandemic a national emergency | Hereโs what we know about the coronavirus cases in Florida]"There's no fear. We're doing that out of love for our community, love for our city, love for our neighbor because we need to slow this virus," Swanson said during Sunday's service. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6โฒs coronavirus newsletter or go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.
Guns at churches housed on school property? This Florida bill would allow it
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. โ A controversial measure involving guns at some churches in Florida is headed to the floor of the state House. The Judiciary Committee on Wednesday approved legislature that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to take their guns to churches, synagogues and other places of worship that share property with a school. State law generally allows guns at churches but bans residents from being armed on school property. They are a sitting target," state Rep. Ramon Alexander said. Opponents of the bill argue the move could lead to people having guns on school property when there is no religious meeting.