OCOEE

Here are the open shelters in the Orlando area.

A woman was arrested in August after Ocoee police said she tried to fraudulently rent out rooms in Ocoee properties.

A high school in Orange County received its second threat in two days Thursday, but the sheriff’s office says a suspect has been identified.

OCOEE, Fla. — Police in Ocoee need help to find a missing person. Watch: Snorkeling tourist on cruise out of Port Canaveral killed by shark in BahamasOfficers said 18-year-old Jordan Ware has high-functioning autism and was separated from his family over the weekend. Police said he hasn’t been seen since Saturday, when he was at a movie theater with his family at the West Oaks Mall. Read: Orlando police ask for help finding girl, 13, missing more than a weekHe was last seen wearing a gray shirt and gray pants. Watch: 20 families displaced after lightning strikes Orange County apartment building, sparking fireAnyone who sees Ware is asked to call the Ocoee Police Department at 407-905-3160.

The Ocoee Police department says its officers are searching for a missing 18-year-old man last seen at West Oaks Mall.

Florida-based barbecue chain Sonny's BBQ just opened a new location in Central Florida featuring a drive-thru for customers.

Florida barbecue chain Sonny's BBQ has opened a new Central Florida location (and this one comes with a drive-thru). The ninth outpost of Sonny's in...

OCOEE, Fla. — Ocoee police are investigating after two people were shot Saturday evening near Ocoee. According to police, the victims were able to run to a nearby subdivision after being shot. Read: Deputies: Man shot at Orange County motelBoth men were taken to Orlando Heath hospital for treatment. Police have not said what may have led to the shooting, only that the investigation is ongoing. Read: OnlyFans model Courtney Clenney extradited to Florida, jailed on 2nd-degree murder chargeInvestigators ask anyone with information to contact the Ocoee Police Department at 407-905-3160 or Crimeline at 407-423-TIPS.

Police said at 5 p.m., a dark or black sedan fired shots toward the two men, who were walking on the sidewalk in the area of South Maguire and Highbrooke Boulvevard.

OCOEE, Fla. — Students at Ocoee High School claim several of their classrooms have not had working air conditioning for days. The school district said as of Thursday the issue had been fixed, but not before hundreds of comments flooded social media complaining about the lack of AC. Read: Ocoee High School senior pushes for renaming Bluford AvenueThe school’s principal sent a message to families Wednesday saying the school was working on the issue, but parents said that message came a few days too late. “I don’t think it’s right, they shouldn’t be going to school if there’s no air conditioning,” Martez said. A spokesperson with Orange County Public Schools said Ocoee High first started experiencing isolated issues with the AC last week.

Florida state Sen. Randolph Bracy (D-Ocoee) sought to “call out” Gov. Ron DeSantis Monday in a news conference regarding the arrests of 20 individuals on election fraud charges.

OCOEE, Fla. — A local woman contacted Action 9 claiming she paid thousands of dollars for a sick puppy that isn’t even the full breed she expected. “So I started searching and we found Chews A Puppy,” Wood said. Chews A Puppy paid for some of the vet bills, but not all. Wood also paid for a DNA test that found Lil’ Prince is only 75% Yorkie. It gives you the choice of a refund, replacement or payment of your vet bills.

Following the approval of Orange County Superintendent Designate Dr. Maria Vazquez earlier this summer, the next deputy superintendent was announced Friday evening.

An Ocoee family said the memorial site of their son, who was shot and killed last year, has been repeatedly vandalized — and the family is looking for answers.

An Ocoee woman was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with a 2011 fatal shooting and armed burglary, according to the 18th Judicial Circuit Court.

VIDEO: Police are asking the public to help identify the person who shot a couple in a pickup truck in Ocoee VIDEO: Police are asking the public to help identify the person who shot a couple in a pickup truck in Ocoee (Christy Turner, WFTV.com/WFTV)OCOEE, Fla. — Police in Ocoee are trying to figure out who shot a person in a pickup truck that was driving down a local road. Investigators say the shooting happened Sunday around 3 p.m. on Ocoee Apopka Road between West Road and Fuller Cross Road. Police said after the shooting the couple drove to their house on Rain Lily Road in Winter Garden and called 911. Police have not released the identity of the person shot. Police are asking for the public’s help in finding the shooter.

Video: Person hospitalized after shooting on Ocoee Apopka Road, police say Ocoee police are investigating an attempted homicide after a person was shot while riding in a vehicle Sunday. (WFTV)OCOEE, Fla. — Ocoee police are investigating an attempted homicide after a person was shot while riding in a vehicle Sunday. READ: FDLE, Brevard County deputies arrest man, woman accused of human traffickingOfficers said the shooting occurred around 3:08 p.m. on Ocoee Apopka Road between West Road and Fullers Cross Road. The driver of the car that was shot at drove to a home on Rain Lily Road in the Trails of Winter Garden subdivision. Photos: Person hospitalized after shooting on Ocoee Apopka Road, police sayExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 11 Person hospitalized after shooting on Ocoee Apopka Road, police sayPolice said the injured passenger was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center in serious condition.

Police said the passenger in the vehicle was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center in serious condition.

Video: Orlando police release video of gunman shooting at officers in unmarked car Police said the bullet hole in the windshield came from the suspect. Last month, investigators said officers in an unmarked car in Orlando noticed someone driving a car that was reported stolen. Photos: Orlando police release video of gunman shooting at officers in unmarked carExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 9 Orlando police release video of gunman shooting at officers in unmarked carPolice said they followed it for a while, and William Bullock, who was driving the car, shot at them. WATCH: Man dies after officer-involved shooting in Olive Garden parking lot near Mall at MilleniaThe video shows police returned fire. WATCH: Intense body camera video shows deadly officer-involved shooting in TitusvilleThe Florida Department of Law Enforcement is still investigating the shooting.

Orlando police released body camera video which investigators say shows a man wanted for stealing a car out of Jacksonville trading gunfire with officers.

From marble to masterpiece, the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune statue exhibit the Lakeshore Center in Ocoee takes visitors on a journey of the educator’s life and how she’s being honored at the Capitol.

The Ocoee Police Department before noon on Saturday said Jennifer Donnelle Riegle, 27, had been found safe.

Video: Police search for killer who beat Ocoee man to death last month Police said the man was a husband and a father. (WFTV)OCOEE, Fla. — Ocoee police need help finding whoever shot and killed a man, one month ago. WATCH: 11 people rescued from capsized boat in FloridaInvestigators found 33-year-old Mugen Pintar badly beaten on Little Aspen Court on May 15. WATCH: Man dies after fire rips through Orange County auto repair shopPolice said Pintar was a husband and a father. They are asking anyone who may know anything to come forward.

One hurt in west Orange County shooting (WFTV)ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A person was hurt after a shooting near Ocoee early Thursday. Sheriff’s deputies were called to the area of Clarke and White roads around 3:30 a.m.READ: Disney pushes back completion date of Lake Nona campus, reports sayVidalia Court shooting (WFTV.com News Staff)A WFTV news crew watched as deputies put up crime scene tape around a home in the 1500 block of Vidalia Court. READ: Orlando’s future tallest skyscraper takes big step toward breaking groundChannel 9 has learned one person was shot in the leg and should be OK.Investigators have not said what led to the shooting or if any arrests were made. READ: Extreme heat continues, ‘feels like’ temps climb into the 100sStay with WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for the latest on this breaking story. Vidalia Court shooting (WFTV.com News Staff)Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Police have increased the reward for any information about a shooting that killed a 33-year-old man in Ocoee two months ago.

Missing Ocoee man The Ocoee Police Department is searching for a 69-year-old endangered adult, the police said in a release Tuesday. (WFTV)OCOEE, Fla. — The Ocoee Police Department said Tuesday that it is searching for a 69-year-old man who is considered endangered. John Johnson, who is about 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds, was last seen in the Windstone subdivision, police said. Read: Boy among 4 shot in triple murder-suicide at Casselberry condo complexInvestigators said he was wearing black dress pants, black shoes and a shirt. Anyone with information on Johnson’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Ocoee police at 407-905-3160.

Jeff and Danielle Perera, the owners of Jeff’s Bagel Run, are opening another brick-and-mortar shop in Orlando's College Park neighborhood.

One of six men charged with raping a 14-year-old in Lake County in 2018 was found guilty by a jury on Thursday.

‘We must address these issues with legislation mandating universal background checks, expanding red flag laws, and regulating high capacity rifle magazines.’

VIDEO: Man accused of killing 2 in Ocoee festival crash reaches plea agreement A Winter Garden man accused of hitting and killing two people in Ocoee, then running from the scene, has pleaded no contest to one of the charges he faced. (Jeff Deal, WFTV.com/WFTV)OCOEE, Fla. — A Winter Garden man accused of hitting and killing two people in Ocoee, then running from the scene, has pleaded no contest to one of the charges he faced. The crash happened near the Ocoee Founders’ Day Festival in November of 2018 and left Diana Cole and her boyfriend, Rich Giannazzo dead. When he was caught, police say Mansour had the odor of alcohol on his breath. READ: Lake Butler man sentenced in illegal killing of black bears in Ocala National ForestAs part of his plea agreement, Mansour will receive credit for nearly a year of time already served.

Family members of a couple killed in a crash during the 2018 Founders’ Day Festival in Ocoee are frustrated after an Orange County Judge accepted a plea agreement from the suspect in the hit-and-run crash.

A teenager who recently arrived from Guatemala has disappeared from a home in Ocoee.

Three years after a man was fatally shocked with a stun gun outside of his Ocoee home, his family is calling for law enforcement to change their tactics.

After a person suspected of stealing a vehicle shot at a police car Wednesday evening, officers started to chase the vehicle, according to the Orlando Police Department.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A suspect was apprehended after an officer-involved shooting that ended in Ocoee, police said. It happened just before 8 p.m., when officers in an unmarked car spotted a car that was reported stolen and called for assistance, police said. The suspect vehicle continued driving outside city limits as other units were responding to assist. READ: Texas elementary school shooting: A timeline of events in the mass shootingOrlando Police say a person has been arrested in Ocoee after shooting at an officer and starting a car chase that crossed city lines. @WFTV pic.twitter.com/6iBwjQ9fyJ — Nick Papantonis WFTV (@NPapantonisWFTV) May 26, 2022Shortly after, the suspect inside the vehicle shot at the unmarked vehicle in the 4500 block of Jim Glenn Drive, hitting the officer’s unmarked vehicle.

For the first time since the pandemic began, festival-goers packed the Ocoee Lakeshore Center and Bill Breeze Park to attend Sunday’s Asian Cultural Festival.

National Weather Service Melbourne announced a Flood Advisory that is set to last until 10:45 p.m. Friday.

Juveniles in a stolen vehicle out of Ocoee crashed into an Orlando police patrol vehicle early Sunday, according to the police department.

Patronis made the announcement at the Ocoee Fire Station on South Bluford Avenue, where he announced a $112,579 disbursement to the aforementioned effec

The passenger in a car that crashed into a power pole and a building in Ocoee early Thursday morning later died at a hospital, according to the Ocoee Police Department.

An Orlando woman was killed in a crash with a tree on the side of an Ocoee road early Friday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The owners of Jeff's Bagel Run, Jeff and Danielle Perera, officially announced Friday they will be opening a second location of the bagel shop in Orlando's College Park neighborhood.

DG Doughnuts is planning to close up shop at the former Chevron station in Oakland that it has been operating out of as it looks to reopen in a new location in Ocoee.

A 21-year-old woman died in a fiery single vehicle crash in Ocoee early Monday morning, police said.

OCOEE, Fla. — A driver died after crashing into a tree along an Ocoee road, police said. Just before 4 a.m., officers said they responded to the area of Silver Star Road east of Ocoee Landings Boulevard for a crash. Police said they found a car on fire that crashed into a tree in the median. The driver was the only person in the car. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Headling the two-day Ocoee Music Fest on April 8-9 is Vanilla Ice and country music artist Walker Hayes.

Let the festivities begin!

OCOEE, Fla. — Weather has been wreaking havoc on work crews trying to repair damage from a large landslide that put a building in danger of collapsing. Ocoee city officials have deemed the building unsafe while crews work to fix the problem. Three different medical offices are inside the building, including an eye doctor’s office, a pulmonary medicine business and a wellness center. Power is now shut off, the building is deemed unsafe and businesses are closed. “If that corner falls in, it’ll collapse that whole side of the building, so it’s deemed unsafe right now until we get it fixed and everything,” Randall said.

A person was killed Wednesday afternoon in Orange County when the car they were driving struck a tree and caught fire, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Ocoee man is facing five counts of vehicular homicide related to a March 2021 crash that killed two women and three children, including an infant. Investigators said the three children who died in the crash were 6 months old, 4 years old and 5 years old. The two women killed were 25 and 30. At the time of the crash, first responders said the massive crash site was among the worst, if not the worst, they’d ever seen. READ: 2 children, 5-month-old among 5 killed in west Orange County crashTroopers said Vasquez is being held at the Orange County Jail on no bond.

A plea agreement was denied Wednesday for a man accused of killing two people in a 2018 crash while leaving the Ocoee Founders’ Day Festival.

The sounds of a cement truck pouring into a sidewalk frame filled an Ocoee neighborhood Tuesday afternoon as city workers begin the process of installing a crosswalk in the area of Wurst Road and Adair Street.

An Ocoee mother’s fight for change is getting results for her community.

Ocoee city officials are hoping to get results for one neighborhood after complaints rang out when a teen was hit by a speeding car.

OCOEE, Fla. — Police are searching for a car involved in a hit-and-run crash Tuesday evening near Ocoee. Neighbors who heard the crash came out of their homes to check on the child as they called 911. Video from a nearby security camera shows a blue Toyota Corolla hit the child before driving away. Ocoee police are asking anyone with information to contact Ocoee Police or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). Police investigating hit-and-run crash in Ocoee (WFTV)Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

News 6 was on Wurst Road and Adair Street on Thursday where an Ocoee Police officer pulled over several drivers for speeding.

Ocoee police are looking for a driver involved in a hit-and-run with a child on a bicycle Monday evening.

The Human Relations Diversity Board has been in place in Ocoee since 2003

A 27-year-old man was killed in a crash in west Orange County on Monday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

A fatal crash has Narcoossee Road shut down in Lake Nona.

An Ocoee family wants their homebuilder to replace the stucco on their home after an inspector found it was not installed to building code.

Research shows spending 120 minutes a week in nature reduces stress, blood pressure, and heart rate, as well as enhances kids' physical, social and cognitive outcomes.

A local homeowners association claims dozens of homes have serious drainage defects, but the builder has not fixed the flooding problems. READ: Town hall meeting set to address fights, shooting at Orlando middle schoolNewton bought his new home from Pulte Homes three years ago. Newton claims it’s a drainage defect the builder is responsible for fixing as part of his new home warranty. “No, not from a company like Pulte,” Newton replied. The multi million-dollar settlement required Pulte to resolve claims with thousands of homeowners who had serious stucco defects.

A proposal filed Monday by Sen. Randolph Bracy, D-Ocoee, aims to make Juneteenth Day a paid holiday for all state government employees. The Florida Legislature...

Systemwide changes are coming soon to the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority’s LYNX bus service.

An Ocoee man was fatally struck by a car that drove away from the scene of the crash and was later found abandoned Saturday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

OCOEE, Fla. — New technology meant to keep Florida roads safer was installed along Florida’s Turnpike on Thursday. The WheelRight Tire Safety System will measure your tire pressure in real time. Drivers will drive down a lane and in a flash the system will measure the car’s tire air and tread levels. Officials said low tread and tire pressure can lead to crashes and effect braking. READ: 2-year-old killed, 8-year-old ‘critical’ after Lake Underhill Road crashThe WheelRight station is one of only two in the country.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State Senator Randolph Bracy (D-Ocoee) held a press conference Wednesday where he announced plans to significantly expand his Ocoee Scholarship Program. READ: A year-and-a-half later, impact of state’s broken unemployment system lingersBracy announced plans Wednesday to pass legislation that would expand the program to include up to 500 students. 12.01.2021 Press Conference: Today I announced specific efforts on how I plan to expand the historic Ocoee Scholarship Program. In remembrance of all that was lost during the 1920 Ocoee Election Day Massacre, I look forward to continuing to advocate for this priority. Posted by Senator Randolph Bracy on Wednesday, December 1, 2021He said it would make it the largest program in the country that pays some form of compensation to African-Americans.

Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said he filed a bill to create new zip codes for some areas in the state after receiving numerous complaints.

SR 408 will be closed overnight from Monday, Oct. 25 to Thursday, Oct. 28 due to construction.

An Ocoee woman, 66, was last seen Wednesday around 4 a.m. after leaving her house to go grocery shopping, Ocoee police said in a tweet.

An Ocoee man has been sentenced to six years and five months in federal prison for aggravated identity theft and wire fraud, according to a release from the Middle District of Florida United States Attorney’s Office.

OCOEE, Fla. — Ocoee city leaders set to discuss Tuesday whether or not to allow a pet store to stay open in the city. READ: ‘He could not breathe’: Puppy owner says Ocoee pet store sold her sick lhasa apsoOcoee will decide whether to keep that ban or make an exception for a store with a controversial history. Orange County court documents show two different customers sued the retail pet shop claiming they were sold sick animals. READ: Orange County Commission considering ban of retail store puppy salesThe Humane Society told Ocoee commissioners the store is also tied to sales from multiple puppy mills across the country, including one in Iowa that’s received more than 100 violations for mistreating animals. Even if the commission says they can’t stay open, the store has until next year to change their business into a “humane” pet store only selling supplies instead of animals.

Ocoee Police Department voyeurism suspect flyer The Ocoee Police Department is asking the public to help them track down a voyeurism suspect. (Ocoee Police Department)OCOEE, Fla. — The Ocoee Police Department is asking the public to help them track down a voyeurism suspect. Police say the suspect, described as a white man with blonde hair, entered a department store on West Colonial Drive back in late August, and slid a phone under the door of a dressing room where a minor was changing clothes. 🕵️🕵️ Attempt to IdentifyCan you help us identify the suspect pictured in the Video Voyeurism case? pic.twitter.com/g87dUUT2Zg — Ocoee Police (@OcoeePD) September 15, 2021Police released surveillance photographs from the store showing the possible voyeur with the hopes that someone in the public might be able to identify him.

State attorney will not file charges after man dies after Ocoee police used TasersOCOEE, Fla. — State Attorney Monique Worrell confirmed Thursday that the officers who used a Taser on an Ocoee man who later died will not face criminal charges. Jean Celestin died after Ocoee police arrived at his mother’s home for a domestic disturbance in April 2019. They said they knew it was a symptom of someone suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder who was off his medication. Rather, they exercised the degree of force they believed necessary to detain Celestin, according to the correspondence. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

OCOEE, Fla. — The city of Ocoee is trying to figure out what to do about COVID-19 callouts. Ocoee ended the benefits earlier in the year, before the delta variant took hold of the community. The fire union said they are still at risk, and that the city should allow first responders to call in sick without using personal time. In February, the Ocoee City Council decided they would pick up the tab for employees who had been exposed to COVID-19. READ: Ocoee firefighter fights city over discipline related to calling in sick during pandemic©2021 Cox Media Group

OCOEE, Fla. — A 15-year-old boy is accused of fatally shooting another 15-year-old boy, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said. READ: ‘It is heartbreaking’: 15-year-old fatally shot outside Ocoee home identifiedInvestigators said the shooting happened at 4:40 a.m. Monday in the 500 block of 2nd Street. Photos: 15-year-old fatally shot in Orange CountyExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 11 Photos: 15-year-old fatally shot in Orange County Orange County deputies said the 15-year-old boy was shot to death at approximately 4:40 a.m. Monday in the 500 block of 2nd Street near Ocoee. Investigators haven't released a motive for the shooting nor have they made an arrest in this homicide. READ: Man bitten by alligator after falling into water at park, deputies saySee map of scene below:©2021 Cox Media Group

OCOEE, Fla. — A 15-year-old boy was fatally shot at a home in Ocoee early Monday, according to Orange County deputies. Deputies said they located the 15-year-old and rendered aid, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. READ: Florida woman arrested after 2-year-old dies in hot carAt least 10 Orange County patrol cars were seen on 2nd Street in Ocoee. We just learned a 15-year-old boy was killed in a shooting around 4:40 a.m. Orange County deputies said they will give an update on the shooting soon.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Channel 9′s “Ocoee Massacre” documentary won a Gracie Award on June 9, The Alliance For Women In Media Foundation said. The film, which debuted in November, won the award for local television documentary. Read: Election Day 1920The Gracies recognize exemplary programming created by, for and about women in radio, television, cable and interactive media. The documentary tells the under-told story of the nation’s deadliest Election Day massacre. You can catch the full documentary by clicking here or scrolling below:Click here to read more about the massacre.

OCOEE, Fla. — An Ocoee firefighter disciplined for calling in sick during the pandemic is fighting his discipline saying he was just following protocols. Veteran firefighter Eric Megegat is being disciplined for calling in sick four times in 12 month, a violation of city policy. VIDEO: Ocoee firefighters square off with city of sick time policyBut because of the pandemic, the city sent out an email to employees telling them to stay home if they feel sick and what to do if they were exposed to COVID-19. Video: Ocoee firefighter concerned over discipline over sick time from COVID concernsAfter our first story on his predicament, the city agreed to take away his discipline. “You should know we have morale issues at the city of Ocoee and this isn’t just about money … this is how we are treated,” Megegat said.

OCOEE, Fla. — It’s official: The state of Florida will provide scholarship funding for descendants of the Ocoee Massacre victims and Black residents who live in the city. Ron DeSantis signed the budget this week and left the funding in, which means the scholarship applications will be available this year. READ: Florida to offer scholarships to Ocoee Massacre descendantsThe scholarship will award up to $6,100 each year to up to 50 qualified applicants who are descendants of Ocoee Massacre victims and Black residents of the city looking to attend college. The amounts of each scholarship will be given out based on need totaling up to $305,000. READ: Task force submits plans to include Ocoee Massacre in school curriculumsThe program mirrors what was done in 1994 for descendants of the Rosewood, Florida Massacre victims.

OCOEE, Fla. — After 15 months apart, people with family living at an Ocoee long-term care facility are finally able to hug and embrace their loved ones again. Earlier this week, 9 Investigates discovered Ocoee Health Care was still only allowing 20-minute outdoor visits between Plexiglas, even though the governor lifted restrictions on long-term care facilities nine months ago. READ: ‘It’s been so long’: Visitors still unable to see loved ones without barriers at Ocoee long-term care facilityThat meant no holding hands and no hugs. Ocoee Health Care notified families they could start visiting their loved ones indoors between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. seven days a week. Channel 9 has been trying to reach someone at Ocoee Health Care since Monday, but we have still not heard back.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida’s coronavirus-related death toll topped 37,000 on Thursday. The state reported 77 additional virus-related deaths on Thursday, bringing the total death toll in the state to 37,076. INTERACTIVE MAP: Coronavirus cases in FloridaThat brings the total number of cases in the state since the pandemic began to 2,302,489. Albert Bourla, chief executive officer of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, agreed with Fauci that a booster shot will likely be needed. Pfizer is one of three companies that has gained emergency use approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a COVID-19 vaccine.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida reported 2,811 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. READ: Families demand better communication from Ocoee nursing home dealing with COVID-19 outbreak with protests, lettersOf the latest cases, 581 were reported in Central Florida. The state also reported an additional 45 virus-related deaths. INTERACTIVE MAP: Coronavirus cases in FloridaOf those deaths, 14 were reported in Central Florida. The latest deaths bring the total virus-related death toll to 36,999.

Ocoee Health Care Center As much of the country returns to some normalcy, family members of residents at an Ocoee long-term care facility say they still aren’t able to hug their vaccinated loved ones. OCOEE, Fla. — As much of the country returns to some normalcy, family members of residents at an Ocoee long-term care facility say they still aren’t able to hug their vaccinated loved ones. Each week at the facility, loved ones are allowed one to two 20-minute visits outside the facility with masks, plexiglass, and 6 feet of separation. You can’t hold hands, you can’t give anybody a hug,” said Gengie Nail, whose mother, Bonnie, lives at Ocoee Health Care. Ocoee Health Care is under new management, and Channel 9 has reached out for a response and timeline for resuming visitation but have not heard back.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The family of a man who died after being tased at least four times by Ocoee police is hosted a news conference to discuss a lawsuit they’ve filed against the officers involved on Friday. The Celestin family and one of their lawyers, Jeremy Markman, spoke during the news conference. READ: Man dies after being shocked with Taser by Ocoee policeHis family said they expected Celestin to be Baker Acted, not killed. “He was killed.”They recently filed a lawsuit against the city of Ocoee, the town of Windermere, four Ocoee Police Department officers, and one Windermere Police Department officer, in connection with Celestin’s death. FDLE and the state attorney’s office investigated the case, and the officers from Ocoee and Windermere were not charged.

“This will be the second time in the history of this country, I believe, that a state legislature will pass a measure like this,” Bracy told reporters at the Capitol. click to enlarge Photo via Florida History ProjectJulius "July" Perry, an Ocoee resident, was lynched in Orlando by a white mob after encouraging his African American neighbors to vote. Black residents were killed in the riot, and others fled the community as homes, churches and a fraternal lodge were destroyed. Last year, Bracy led a successful effort to require public-school students learn about the Ocoee riot, similar to a requirement for teaching about the Holocaust. When he initially proposed the 2020 legislation, Bracy sought $150,000 per Ocoee victim, a funding level modeled, in part, on a 1994 decision by the Legislature to compensate African-American families because of the Rosewood Massacre.

Florida's chapter of the ACLU and the Orange County NAACP sent a formal request to Gov. Ron DeSantis back on Oct. 23 requesting that he declare today – Monday, Nov. 2 – a day of remembrance for the 1920 Ocoee Election Day Massacre. And, as of the time of writing on Monday, that entreaty has been met with silence from the governor.Today is the centennial of the Ocoee Massacre, the largest and most horrific outbreak of Election Day violence in the United States. We've proclaimed a week of remembrance for the victims of the Ocoee Massacre because it's important for us all to learn about this horrific part of our region's history. "Dyer, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and city commissioners attended the "Descendants of the Ocoee Massacre: Honoring Their Ancestors" remembrance outside the Orange County Regional History Center to recognize the victims of the Ocoee Massacre on Monday morning.

Some 60 to 70 black residents of Ocoee are believed to have been murdered. This is considered the bloodiest day in American political history and it happened right in Central Florida on the presidential election day, Bracy said. In the days following this violence, the remaining African-American residents fled Ocoee, leaving their homes and property, the analysis added. After an altercation with the local constable or a group of white residents, Norman went to the home of July Perry, another African-American resident, before fleeing Ocoee. Later in the day, some white Ocoee residents formed a posse and were deputized by the Orange County Sheriff and were charged with arresting Norman and Perry.

click to enlarge Photo via Florida History ProjectJulius "July" Perry, an Ocoee resident, was lynched in Orlando by a white mob after encouraging his African American neighbors to vote. A pair of bills seeking compensation for descendants of the 1920 Election Day race riots in Ocoee will go before the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday.The measures (SB 1262, SB 1264), sponsored by Orlando Democratic Sen. Randolph Bracy, would set aside $25 million to create the Ocoee Election Day Riots Descendant Compensation Trust Fund within the Department of Legal Affairs. Up to $150,000 would be available for direct descendants of each person "killed, injured, or otherwise victimized" by the 1920 violence, which happened after a black man attempted to vote in the Central Florida community.Based on differing reports, between three and 60 African Americans died resulting from the violence on November 2-3, 1920, acording to a Senate staff analysis of the legislation. In the days following this violence, the remaining African-American residents fled Ocoee, leaving their homes and property, the analysis adds.The bill lays out requirements for applicants to prove their relationship to an Ocoee victim. The 1994 action also set up the Rosewood Family Scholarship Fund, which awarded up to $4,000 for tuition to eligible Florida students, with preference given to direct descendants of Rosewood families.State Rep. Kamia Brown, D-Ocoee, has filed House legislation similar to Bracys, which would also gives qualified businesses in areas affected by the riots priority under the Black Business Loan Program.

There are local options for this Halloween season such as Ocoee's haunted house. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

Florida Highway PatrolORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - An Apopka man has been charged with DUI manslaughter in a double fatal crash on State Road 429 near State Road 50 in Ocoee on the night of April 11. The Florida Traffic Crash report shows Thomas Greene, 25, had a blood alcohol level of .23. The Florida Highway Patrol said Greene was driving a 2007 Ford pickup north on the entrance ramp from S.R. The driver of the Toyota, Yordani Mellado Perez, 39, of Apopka, and one of two passengers in the pickup died in the crash, troopers said. The crash report showed a diagram of the crash.

An Ocoee man has taken his love for percussion one step further by handcrafting drums. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

Central Florida's first responders do much more than their job description requires of them. That's why we like to take a few minutes each week to highlight the good work they're doing in and for their communities. An Orlando Police Department officer decided to treat a local family to an impromptu ice cream celebration to help them beat the heat. Today, we salute Officer Cosme who treated a family to some ice cream. pic.twitter.com/Ac4PPaZlt5 Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) September 22, 2019Next we head over to Longwood, where their police department received an unexpected visit.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - An Orange County Correction Officer was arrested after he was involved in a crash while driving drunk Sunday morning, according to the Ocoee Police Department. King asked if his mother could pick him up instead of him completing a sobriety test, records show. Police said King was placed under arrest and a breath test determined his blood alcohol content was .175. He was booked into the Orange County Jail just after 6 a.m. Sunday on a charge of driving while under the influence. Authorities said King has been employed with the Orange County Corrections Department since January 2018.