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MAITLAND

Woman dies after being found wounded in car at The Bentley at Maitland apartments

MAITLAND, Fla. – A woman died early Monday, possibly from a gunshot, after being found wounded at an Orange County apartment complex, deputies said. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called around 1:55 a.m. to The Bentley at Maitland apartments on Woodlake Drive and found a woman in a car suffering from a possible gunshot wound. [TRENDING: Woman arrested in hit-run involving sheriff | Gov: Fla. won’t require ‘vaccine passports’ | Girl missing for weeks]AdThe woman was taken to Advent Hospital South, where she was later pronounced dead. Later Monday, deputies identified the victim as 30-year-old Shantaza Marquita Shaw and said her death has been ruled a homicide. An investigation is ongoing.

Maitland attorney arrested in November deadly shooting, deputies say

MAITLAND, Fla. – An attorney with offices in Maitland was arrested Wednesday on drug and murder charges following a Nov. 3 deadly shooting, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Raegan Yunger, 42, was arrested outside her office at 125 S. Swope Ave., according to the arrest affidavit. The investigation began Nov. 3, when a deadly shooting took place at the Sheraton hotel on North Lake Destiny Road. Officers said they found drugs in her office, including methamphetamine and heroin and Yunger was arrested on Nov. 10. Just before the car pulled away, deputies approached the vehicle and arrested Yunger, records show.

Maitland woman becomes 100,000th person vaccinated at Orange County Convention Center

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – As Florida works to vaccinate people 65 and older, the Orange County Convention Center celebrated a new milestone: vaccinating its 100,000th person. Hill posed for photos with the mayor, Orange County health department staff and site operators. AdThe Orange County Convention Center started vaccinating seniors in late December 2020 and can provide about 2,500 shots a day. pic.twitter.com/WI3pHbsJJn — Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings (@OCFLMayor) February 24, 2021According to the Florida Department of Health vaccination report released Tuesday, 117,432 people have received at least one shot of a coronavirus vaccine in Orange County. The Orange County Convention Center is currently vaccinating people 65 or older by appointment.

SunRail train hits vehicle in Maitland

A vehicle was damaged during a crash with a SunRail train on Feb. 19, 2021. SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A SunRail train hit a vehicle that was on the tracks in Maitland Friday evening according to Seminole County Fire Department. The crash was reported near Greenwood Drive in Maitland around 6:25 p.m. Officials from the Florida Department of Transportation said there were 25 passengers on board the train at the time of the crash and none of them were injured. A SunRail train hit a vehicle that was on the tracks in Altamonte Springs Friday evening and at this point, it’s unknown if anyone was injured, according to Seminole County Fire Rescue.

Africa secures another 400 million COVID-19 vaccine doses

(AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)NAIROBI – Another 400 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been secured for the African continent through the Serum Institute of India, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. An Africa CDC spokesman said the 400 million doses are of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Africa also is expected to receive some 600 million doses via the global COVAX initiative aimed at helping low-income countries. As for the 270 million doses announced earlier, “we know very well some of these doses will not be available soon,” Mihigo said. He said that overall, reaching 35% of Africa’s population with COVID-19 vaccines by the end of this year could be a “realistic assumption.”Mihigo also criticized the global differences in cost for COVID-19 vaccines.

Battling COVID-19, South Africa prepares for first vaccines

(AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)JOHANNESBURG – Battling a COVID-19 resurgence driven by a more infectious variant, South Africa is preparing to roll out its first vaccines to frontline healthcare workers in February. The start of South Africa's vaccination drive, one of the first in Africa, comes as the country has the continent's highest numbers of confirmed cases and deaths. South Africa's 1.4 million cumulative cases, including 41,797 deaths, represent about 40% of the cases reported by all of Africa's 54 countries. The shipment of 1 million vaccine doses produced by the Serum Institute of India is to be followed by 500,000 doses in February. The large numbers of people traveling to South Africa's coastal areas and attending family and social gatherings during the holiday season also contributed to the resurgence, according to experts.

VIDEO: Intruders sought in Maitland-area home invasion claimed to be cops

MAITLAND, Fla. – Orange County sheriff’s deputies are searching for intruders who ordered residents of a Maitland-area apartment to the ground during a home invasion. The break-in was reported at 2:39 a.m. at The Bentley at Maitland Apartments on Giant Oak Lane. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called to the complex and spoke with the victims, who said the intruders entered the home and demanded everyone to get on the ground. Video released by the sheriff’s office Thursday evening shows men armed with guns busting down the door while they claimed to be law enforcement officers. “Sheriff’s department, get on the ground,” one man said in the footage.

Missing woman with autism, diabetes found safe

MAITLAND, Fla. – UPDATE: Police said Monday afternoon that Heather Nicole Griffith was found safe in Apopka. Original story below:Maitland police say they’re looking for a missing woman who has been diagnosed with autism and diabetes. Heather Nicole Griffith was last seen leaving her home on Hamlet Drive around 9 p.m. Saturday. Griffith was wearing a pink shirt, black pants, black Skechers and a black MTV hoodie when she went missing. Anyone who sees Griffith or has information about her whereabouts is asked to call Detective Smith at 407-875-2807 or email jasmith@maitlandpd.org.

Man shot carpet cleaner in back in Maitland apartment, police say

MAITLAND, Fla. – Maitland police say a man cleaning carpets in an apartment was shot several times inside the home when one of the resident’s became agitated. where they found one male victim suffering from gunshot wounds inside an apartment at the Brickstone Maitland Summit Complex. The shooting happened inside an apartment in building 12, according to the arrest report. Investigators said it appears the victim was walking toward the door in an attempt to leave when Brooks shot him. Brooks shot him once and when realized he was not dead he shot him again, according to investigators.

Man shot at Maitland apartment complex

MAITLAND, Fla. – A man was rushed to a hospital after a shooting Thursday at a Maitland apartment complex, according to police. The Maitland Police Department said the man worked for a vendor that does work at the Brickstone Maitland Summit, where the shooting took place. [TRENDING: Snow tubing in Florida on hold | Viral video shows youth football coach striking player | Northern Lights again possible in parts of contiguous US]The complex is southeast of the intersection of State Road 434 and State Road 414. Police said officers responded to the complex after they received a report of gunshots for the area. The name and condition of the victim has not been released.

Maitland Holocaust Center exhibit captures reaction to George Floyd’s death

MAITLAND, Fla. – The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center opened a new exhibit called “Uprooting Prejudice: Faces of Change” -- a tribute to George Floyd, the man who died in police custody in Minneapolis on Memorial Day. I knew that I wanted to go to that site,” Noltner explained. | CDC gives guidance on Thanksgiving | Astronauts prepare for Saturday launch]Just days after Floyd’s death, Noltner came to the site where dozens were gathering. The exhibit shows 45 strangers, each portrait shows a message in English and Spanish. One of the portraits shows the father of Michael Brown Jr, who was fatally shot by a police officer in 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.

Orange County man with Down syndrome completes Ironman race

MAITLAND, Fla. – Chris Nikic, 21, is inspiring others to try 1% more each day. “It represents me better than I was yesterday,” Chris Nikic said about what that 1% he had printed on his orange T-shirt means to him. Chris Nikic, 21, is the first person with Down Syndrome to complete an Ironman Triathlon in under 17 hours. Once Chris Nikic was back on his bike, he was descending a hill at more than 20 mph. As for those who didn’t believe Chris Nikic could conquer a goal, his dad said they need to be more positive.

George Floyd exhibit now open at Central Florida Holocaust center

MAITLAND, Fla. – A new exhibit at the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center in Maitland features powerful and inspiring photos taken in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Those demonstrations erupted across the country, including here in Central Florida. And you matter.”Uprooting Prejudice: Faces of Change opened Nov. 2 at the Holocaust center in Maitland. You feel it,” Assistant Executive Director of The Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida Lisa Bachman said in a news release. It shows us we are not alone in our thinking.”The exhibit is open to the public with reservations.

Orlando radio station to play nonstop Christmas music starting this week

MAITLAND, Fla. – Nonstop Christmas music in early November? In a year known for the coronavirus pandemic, quarantining and this week’s election, Orlando radio station Magic 107.7 (WMGF-FM) will start playing Christmas music at 5 p.m. Friday. [TRENDING: 2020 Voter Guide | What to expect if Trump wins | What to expect if Biden wins]The holiday hits will continue all day, every day through Christmas Day. The station said it’s starting earlier than usual because everyone could use some extra holiday cheer this year. [TOO SOON FOR CHRISTMAS MUSIC?

Family of woman killed after jumping from car trunk seek answers in 16-year-old unsolved case

According to officials, Susan Perkins sustained life-threatening injuries on Aug. 31, 2004 after jumping from the trunk of a car. On August 31, 2004, around 8:30 p.m. Susan Perkins and a friend were tinting windows in a salon on Maitland Avenue, officials said. A masked Black male entered the salon, officials explained. He was armed with an unknown type of rifle.According to investigators, the man ordered Perkins and her friend into Susans red Ford Focus and made them drive to the Washington Mutual Bank. The victims leaped from the trunk but Susan struck her head on the pavement in her brave attempt to escape, investigators said.

1 person hospitalized after car drives into retention pond, officials say

MAITLAND, Fla. – Multiple agencies responded to a call Saturday afternoon after a vehicle crashed into a retention pond. According to officials, Orange County Fire Rescue, Seminole County Fire Department and Winter Park Fire-Rescue Department responded to a retention pond at Maitland Boulevard and Maitland Summit Boulevard. Officers said the driver was taken to a local hospital and is in stable condition. “Firefighters searched the pond to verify no other person was involved,” officials said. “Afterward, the divers followed standard procedures to be scrubbed down and decontaminated for their safety.”Officials did not say what caused the crash.

UPDATE: 1,200 Floridians receive suspicious seeds through mail

ORLANDO, Fla. More than 1,200 people have received suspicious seed packages through the mail, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. [RELATED: Maitland woman receives mystery seeds in mail, USDA warns not to plant them]State officials say the packages could be bearing Chinese characters. [RELATED: Florida officials warn of mystery seeds popping up in mail]The suspicious seeds have been reported in most states, according to Florida officials. UPDATE: @FDACS has 1,209+ reports from Floridians on suspicious seeds. State officials remind people who get the seeds in the mail to not open the packet and do not plant the seeds.

Small businesses starting to see $10,000 grants through Orange County CARES Act

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. More than 1,700 small businesses in Orange County are getting their checks for $10,000 through Orange Countys Small Business Grant Program funded by federal CARES Act funding given to the county. One of those businesses is Lake Avenue Nails in Maitland, owned by Dung Le, also known as Lee to his customers. Those were the folks we wanted to make sure got taken care of, said Eric Ushkowitz, Orange Countys economic development administrator and program manager for the Small Business Grant Program. According to Orange County, so far 3,150 have been denied. If you are a business owner in Orange County with less than 100 employees and received less than $50,000 in PPP money then you can find the documents required and apply here.

Here’s how the issue of growth is impacting Maitland’s city council race

“My platform is called ‘Smart Growth’ and that’s what we have to do,” Guthrie said. “I’m supporting that we have more restriction on our growth,” Guthrie said. They are going to have to bring something for the community,” Guthrie said." “I’m all about smart growth,” Brownlee said. However, he said he’s also gone door-to-door speaking to residents who have complaints that Maitland is growing too much.

2 shot in their Maitland home during armed burglary

MAITLAND, Fla. – One person was killed and another was injured late Sunday night inside their Maitland home during a burglary, police said. According to Maitland police, officers were called to the area for armed burglary and found the victims suffering from gunshot wounds. "I was getting ready to go to bed and I heard a couple of loud bangs," said Scott Henderson. “I definitely heard two, then it seemed like a bit later I could hear three that was not as close,” said neighbor Larry Mockabee. Monday evening, Maitland Police said the suspected gunman was found dead after a standoff in Seminole County.

Drivers optimistic new traffic pattern will bring relief to busy Maitland Boulevard

MAITLAND, Fla. – Drivers got their first look Tuesday at a new traffic pattern designed to bring much-needed relief to a busy section of Maitland Boulevard. Elevated lanes of eastbound Maitland Boulevard were opened before sunrise between Maitland Summit Boulevard and Interstate 4. [RELATED: Drivers who use Maitland Boulevard should take a look at latest traffic shift]“That’s going to be really good. A driver can continue straight into the new elevated sections of Maitland Boulevard toward I-4 or exit to the right. A frontage road gives drivers access to Maitland Summit Boulevard and southbound Keller Road.