Things To Do In SW Florida

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday recommended that Stephanie Kopelousos, a top adviser who most recently served on his campaign for president, replace Glen Gilzean as administrator of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District that oversees Walt Disney World.

The board, appointed entirely by DeSantis, still must approve it, but the governor’s office on Monday was already calling it a done deal.

“We are glad to see her step into this leadership role as the District embarks upon the next chapter in its efforts to ensure an even and transparent playing field for the businesses that operate in Central Florida,” said Bryan Griffin, communications director for the governor.

He said she “has extensive state and local government experience that make her the ideal candidate to take the reins at CFTOD.”

The position became vacant when DeSantis tapped Gilzean, a Republican ally, last week to replace retiring Bill Cowles, a Democrat, as interim Orange County Supervisor of Elections. Cowles retired on Jan. 31. read more

TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s unemployment rate stood at 3.1% in January, unchanged from a revised December rate, as the workforce continues to grow, state officials said Monday.

The rate for the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area was at 3.2%.

The Florida Department of Commerce estimated 340,000 Floridians were out of work in January, 1,000 more than in December and an increase of 37,000 from a year earlier. At the same time, a labor force of 11.077 million in January was up by 16,000 from December and 243,000 from a year earlier. The unemployment rate in January 2023 was 2.8%.

Jimmy Heckman, the Department of Commerce’s chief of workforce statistics and economic research, said demand for labor is keeping the unemployment rate low, with more than one job opening per unemployed person.

“Population growth leads to both a growing labor force and to growing demand for goods and services. That creates a lot of opportunities throughout the state,” Heckman said. “Every major sector in Florida added jobs over the month in January. Nine out of 10 of those sectors, especially the leisure and hospitality and retail-trade sectors, have added jobs over the past year.” read more

Three Central Florida restaurants shut down the week of March 3-9, according to data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Orange

Sunshine Soul Food Cafe at 2528 W. Colonial Drive Suite B in Orlando shut down on March 4. Inspectors found 23 violations, five of which were a high priority. Those violations included sewage water backing up in the drains, a stop-sale on food due to temperature abuse and raw food not separated from ready-to-eat food. Officials revisited the restaurant on March 5. They found 18 violations and issued time extensions on four of five high priorities from the previous inspection. A follow-up inspection is required, but there are no immediate threats to the public.

Volusia

Parched Oak at 145 N. Woodland Blvd. in DeLand shut down on March 4. Inspectors found 14 violations, three of which were a high priority. Those violations included rodent droppings found in several areas, a stop-sale on food for not being in wholesome condition and food held at the wrong temperatures. Two inspections happened on March 5. During the first inspection, there were six violations and the facility remained closed. Only two violations were found after the second inspection, and the restaurant met inspection standards. read more