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About 175,000 Orange County residents will lose SNAP benefits as leaders put out urgent call for help

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Orange County leaders are calling on the community and Gov. Ron DeSantis for action as people relying on SNAP could go hungry during the federal government shutdown.

“We are a compassionate community. We come together when we need to during a crisis. And that’s what we’re asking us to do today,” Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said at a press conference Wednesday. 

About 175,000 Orange County residents — a group that includes senior citizens, veterans, people with disabilities and families with children — receive the emergency food benefits on their prepaid cards to buy fresh food at the grocery store. Now, that help is lapsing for the first time Nov. 1 unless the government shutdown ends or lawmakers allocate money to the program.

Orange County currently gives $5.3 million to Second Harvest Food Bank in Central Florida as well as to other programs to help people in need, but Demings said he plans to ask the county board for an additional $1 million in emergency help during the suspension of SNAP benefits.

Demings also is sending a letter to DeSantis asking for the state to step in and give emergency relief for SNAP recipients.

Other nonprofit leaders urged the community to give money to Second Harvest or United Way or donate food to the food bank.

Eric Gray, the executive Director at Christian Service Center for the Homeless, compared the level of calls his organization is receiving to a hurricane event.

“I’m a little scared, I’ll be honest … I’m not calling on people to make donations of food. I’m asking you to run a food drive,” Gray said. “This is one of those times. This isn’t good enough to just say we need a can of food that you bring to work. We need every business in the community, we need every church, every mosque, every temple, every Little League baseball team, every neighborhood association, and every Boy Scout and Girl Scout troop to be organizing food drives right now this weekend. That’s the kind of sense of enormity that we’re feeling right now.”

The helpline 211 fielded more than 1,600 referrals in the past 90 days from people seeking help to put food on the table, said Kelly Astro, Senior Vice President at Heart of Florida United Way.

“We know that those numbers are likely to grow as the SNAP benefits change takes effect, which makes partnerships like these and today’s message so important,” Astro said. “So to anyone who might be worried about putting food on the table or finding support, you are not alone.”

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People who need help are urged to go online at Second Harvest’s website and click “find help” to find a food pantry. In addition, people can call or text 211 or visit  211.org to find resources.



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Woman who died after riding Universal’s Revenge of the Mummy had ruptured aneurysm

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Ma de La Luz Mejia Rosas died last month after the 70-year-old suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm on Universal’s Revenge of the Mummy ride, according to a newly released Medical Examiner’s report.

Rosas became unresponsive on Nov. 25 on the indoor roller coaster then passed away two weeks later Dec. 9 at Orlando Regional Medical Center, records showed.

“Mrs. Rosas went to the park to enjoy time with her children and grandchildren, expecting a safe and joyful experience,” lawyer Ben Crump, who is representing her family, said in a statement.

“Instead, her family is now left grieving and searching for answers. They deserve a full understanding of what happened before, during, and after this ride. We intend to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragedy and ensure her family’s voice is heard.”

Crump said he is asking for information about the ride’s operations, safety protocols, maintenance history and data on other incidents.

Universal did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Rosas’ death was publicly disclosed on a statewide theme park injury report last week.

Florida’s major theme parks are required to self-disclose all visitors’ injuries on rides if the guests were hospitalized for at least 24 hours. The report is publicly released by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, though it contains limited information on what went wrong and about visitors’ condition.

The theme park injury report showed 16 people had been hurt on Revenge of the Mummy since it opened in 2004. Most recently, a 32-year-old woman felt “neck pain/motion sickness” last year. A 60-year-old woman hadseizure in 2017. Other guests reported chest pain, light headedness, feeling nauseous or passing out.

Crump was previously representing the family of a man with disabilities who died in September after riding a roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park.

The family and Universal settled out of court in a confidential settlement.

Millions of people visit Orlando’s theme parks every year, and a handful of tragedies occur.

Earlier this month, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against The Boathouse restaurant after a man died from choking on a steak at Disney Springs last year.



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James Uthmeier endorses Jon Maples for HD 87

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‘Jon Maples brings real-life experience, strong values and a deep commitment to Florida families.’

Fresh off a commanding Republican Primary win in the Special Election for the empty House District 87 seat, former Lake Clarke Shores Council member Jon Maples has notched an endorsement from Florida’s top cop.

Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on X that he is fully behind Maples, who he said will be “a principled voice in Tallahassee.”

“Jon Maples brings real-life experience, strong values and a deep commitment to Florida families. He understands the challenges facing our state and is ready to lead with common sense,” he said.

“I’m proud to endorse Jon Maples for FL House 87.”

Uthmeier’s endorsement Tuesday adds to others from President Donald Trump, Republican Reps. Anne Gerwig, Griff Griffitts, Jon Snyder and “MAGA” Meg Weinberger, Palm Beach County Commissioner Sara Baxter, Lake Worth Beach Commissioner Mimi May, former Rep. MaryLynn Magar, the Florida House Republican Campaign Committee and business group Associated Industries of Florida.

Maples won last Tuesday’s Primary with 84% of the vote over one opponent. He’s set to face Democrat Emily Gregory, who took 88% of the vote against a single Primary foe.

The winner of the March 24 Special Election will succeed former Republican Rep. Mike Caruso, who vacated the HD 87 seat in August for an appointed post as Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller.

HD 87 covers Palm Beach County’s coast from Juno Beach south to Lantana, spanning Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Hypoluxo along the way.



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Stacy Hahn files to challenge GOP incumbent Donna Cameron Cepeda in Hillsborough Commission race

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Republican Hillsborough County School Board member Stacy Hahn has filed to run for the Hillsborough County Commission, challenging another Republican in a gambit for the countywide District 5 seat.

Hahn, who has served on the Hillsborough County School Board since 2018, announced her candidacy by citing her experience with the School District as evidence of her fiscal responsibility and belief in limited government.

The countywide District 5 seat is currently held by incumbent Republican Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda, who won election in 2022 as part of a broader GOP sweep that flipped control of the Hillsborough County Commission

The race is already drawing significant attention, with well-funded Democratic challenger Neil Manimala also vying to claim the seat. Manimala has a significant lead in funds raised, with his campaign already reporting more than $121,000 compared to $6,000 raised by Cepeda, according to Supervisor of Elections records. Hahn has not yet been required to submit a funding report.

Hahn described herself as a conservative who supports limited government and fiscal discipline, arguing that government is most effective when it empowers individuals, families and businesses rather than expanding bureaucracy.

In a statement, Hahn said her time on the School Board gave her a firsthand view of how county-level decisions affect classrooms, neighborhoods and the local economy, touching on issues such as public safety, infrastructure, housing affordability and budgeting.

“As a School Board member, I worked closely with families, educators, and community partners, and I saw firsthand how county decisions impact our classrooms, neighborhoods, and local economy — from public safety and infrastructure to housing affordability and responsible budgeting,” Hahn said.

“Hillsborough County is a unique and beautiful place with tremendous potential. To unlock that potential, we need common-sense leadership at the County Center — leaders who are focused on improving quality of life for every neighborhood, supporting local businesses, and being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

First elected to the School Board in 2018, Hahn has focused her tenure on financial transparency, literacy initiatives, workforce and career pathways, and early childhood education. She has pointed to her oversight of the School District’s roughly $4.4 billion budget and management of the county’s largest employer as preparation for the demands of county government, saying that experience helped her balance budgets, manage growth and deliver results.

Hahn has also been involved in a range of community and nonprofit efforts, including literacy- and STEM-focused programs, according to her campaign materials. She lives in Tampa with her husband, Jeff, their three children, Ethan, Jackson and Aidan, and their dog Rocky.

Hahn said she is “excited about the work ahead and the opportunity to serve.”



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