Juneteenth + Wheel Gets Bluetooth + Venues Wait On Federal Aid

Good Morning and Happy Juneteenth.

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery, and is regularly observed with celebrations of African-American culture on June 19th. It originated in Galveston, Texas, in 1866 and became a federal holiday earlier this week. You’ll find events all around town today that you can attend to mark the day.

In this issue, you’ll learn about Orlando music venues, dark money in local races, a new restaurant in Ivanhoe Village, the latest on the Volusia teenagers who shot at officers, and more. Now, let’s get started.

Today’s weather: The high is 92 and the low is 77 with cloudy skies.

Here are the top 5 stories happening around Orlando:

1. Orlando music venues are still waiting on federal aid after months of gridlock. Congress is responding to criticism with local U.S. Representative Val Demings joining a bipartisan group of representatives sending a letter to the SBA urging quick action. (Orlando Weekly)

2. A 14-year-old involved in a recent shooting incident with a Volusia officer will be charged as an adult, while the 12-year-old who also participated will be charged as a minor. Both face charges of attempted first degree murder of a law enforcement officer, burglary of a dwelling with a firearm, and criminal mischief. (WESH)

3. Ivanhoe Village's newest restaurant The Pinery will open its doors to the public on Monday, June 21st. The focus will be on fresh Florida foods. (Orlando Weekly)

4. Each of The Wheel’s 30 capsules at ICON Park now have a Bluetooth feature that lets visitors connect their mobile phones to the capsule’s sound system, allowing them to listen to their own music. It’s part of a broader technology update for the Orlando attraction. (Spectrum News 13)

5. Records have linked a big-business lobbying group funded by companies, such as Florida Power & Light, Walt Disney World, and U.S. Sugar Corp, to an ongoing election probe in the state filled with dark money. (Orlando Sentinel)

Today in Orlando:

• Winter Garden Farmers Market. (8 a.m.)
  
• Mead Garden’s Yoga in the Garden. (9 a.m.)
• Lake Mary Farmers Market. (9 a.m.)
• Juneteenth Celebration at the Bronze Kingdom. (10 a.m.)
• City of Kissimmee Juneteenth celebration. (10 a.m.)
• Juneteenth Celebration: Knowing and Remembering in Winter Park. Guest speakers, live performances, local food trucks, and more. (10 a.m.)
• Juneteenth on Sanford Avenue. (11 a.m.)
• The City of Winter Haven’s Juneteenth Celebration. (1 p.m.)
• Viewz Day Party (Juneteenth Celebration) at Amway Center. (4 p.m.)
• Black Wall Street: The Juneteenth Remix at Wall Street Plaza. (4 p.m.)
• Juneteenth Freedom Day at Painting With a Twist (Windermere). (7 p.m.)

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That's all for today. I will be back tomorrow with the latest happening in Orlando. My inbox is open if you have any tips to send or want to reach out: orlando@patch.com.

-Carlos Hernandez

About me: I have lived in Florida since 1999 and covered the Orlando area for nearly 10 years, mainly with a focus on food through my blog at CarlosEats.com.