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Two separate incidents shut down roads in Orange County on Thursday night. View the full article

An unmarked Orange County deputy's vehicle was stolen from Daytona Beach on Thursday, according to police. View the full article

A former Orange County deputy sheriff was arrested on child pornography charges Thursday, a Florida Department of Law Enforcement spokeswoman said. View the full article

Baltimore police have found that Freddie Gray suffered a serious head injury inside a prisoner transport wagon, with one wound indicating that he struck a protruding bolt in the back of the vehicle, according to sources familiar with the probe. View the full article

TAMPA — Jameis Winston now knows where the next chapter of his career will be written and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers presumably have their franchise quarterback after taking the highly-polarizing signal caller with the first pick of the 2015 NFL Draft. View the full article

Isn’t it amazing how our Florida sky makes our parks even more beautiful at night? This great shot, snapped near the park’s iconic Spaceship Earth, shows how well a fiery orange sunset illuminates the attraction. GalleryDisney Parks After Dark view allWhich Disney Park do you enjoy most during this time of day? Tell us in the comments section below. Disney Parks After Dark: Sunset at Spaceship Earth at Epcot by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

The SunRail commuter-train system will celebrate its first-year anniversary Friday with some giveaways and appearances on various runs by politicians, train officials and sporting mascots. View the full article

Jeb Bush says the Baltimore mother who chased her son away from a riot has a lot in common with his own mother, former first lady Barbara Bush. View the full article

As Earth Month comes to a close, here are the top five ways the Disneyland Resort connected children in Orange County, Calif., to nature and inspired them to be champions of the environment this Earth Month! Disney VoluntEARS, kids and families collected more than 100 bags of trash at Huntington State Beach, an event organized by Inside the Outdoors Foundation (ITO). The Disneyland Resort sponsored ITO with a $20,000 donation to support ongoing environmental field trips for students and activities like the beach cleanup.The Disneyland Resort sponsored Anaheim Community Foundation’s Spring Fun and Eco-Fair at Anaheim’s Oak Canyon Nature Center, where kids and families learned ways to reuse, reduce and recycle. The $20,000 donation helped make possible a mobile eco-fair that visited 10 Anaheim parks, schools and neighborhoods.Disney VoluntEARS supported environmental awareness events including the country’s largest Children’s Water Education Festival that the Disneyland Resort helped present at the University of California, Irvine, and MUZEO’s TrashARTist Challenge featuring student art made mostly of recycled materials.Students from Costa Mesa High School’s Environmental & Marine Academy took an environmental tour of Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park.The Disneyland Resort invited 140 children from eight Boys and Girls Clubs in Orange County to screen DisneyNature’s “Monkey Kingdom” at AMC Theatres at the Downtown Disney District.Top 5 Ways the Disneyland Resort Inspired Kids to be Champions of the Environment this Earth Month by Kevin Rafferty, Jr.: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

When most people think of Walt Disney World, they automatically think of visiting with friends or family, which is lots of fun. But there’s another way that I really love to tour Disney World. And that’s solo. Sure. It’s always awesome to experience the magic with others…to catch their smiles, impressions, opinions. But sometimes out of necessity, and sometimes out of preference, I find myself visiting the ‘World alone. It may sound lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. After all, what better way to take advantage of that single rider line? You can also spend as long as you want drinking in every detail of attractions and other surroundings. But even if you’re totally OK with doing attractions by yourself, dining may feel like another matter altogether. You may be tempted to just stick with a table for one in the counter service spots. And that’s all good, if that’s what you want. But if you’re looking to enjoy some of the great dining choices Disney has to offer, we have some terrific Tips from the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining for making this an awesome experience. And this is just one of the many unique ways of enjoying the World that we cover in the guide. There’s a chapter for everything, so be sure to check it out! And if you find this information helpful, then be sure to pick up your copy of the Guide today for $4 off using code “2015” right here! Dine Overlooking a Great ViewThere is no shortage of great Disney restaurants with equally great views! Why not choose one of them for your next solo meal? One of my favorites is Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Request a window seat and enjoy an ever-changing view of the animals that call Sunset Savanna home. Watch the Wildlife as You Dine at Sanaa And while you enjoy the live action through the window, the food incredible as well! The menu features East African and Indian-inspired dishes, and I can never pass up the opportunity to enjoy their incredible Butter Chicken. Ya Gotta Try the Butter Chicken! Prefer serenity to scenery? Grab a table at one of Flame Tree Barbecue’s many pavilions. (Flame Tree Barbecue has been closed for refurbishment, but we expect it to re-open very soon.) Eat at the CounterMany Disney table service restaurants feature chef’s counters or bars where you can dine while you watch all of the exciting action of the kitchen. Sitting at these high-energy spots was a favorite tip that I received from my friend Gray at SoloFriendly.com. And if I’m choosing some of my favorite bar seating, it has to be Flying Fish Cafe. But spots like Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Jiko, and California Grill, among others, have similar setups. Bar Seating at the Flying Fish Sitting here is a great way to watch artistry at work. And I’ve always found culinary Cast Members to be willing to chat about their craft. Char-crusted Angus New York Strip Steak at Flying Fish Cafe. Don’t Miss This Just Because You’re Dining Solo! Who knows? You may even pick up a cooking tip or two! Take in a ShowAnother way to enjoy a solo dining experience is to take in a show while you eat. Consider classic options like Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort or the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. But hands down, one of my favorite spots to dine is the Biergarten Restaurant in Epcot’s Germany Pavilion. Playing the Alpenhorn at Biergarten Enjoy traditional live music as you dine on hearty German fare. Roasted Potatoes and German Sausage with Sauerkraut Get there early enough, and you just might get to tap the keg for the day! Ready for All of Our Best Tips?We’ve got TONS of Disney World Dining Tips — including more ideas for your best solo trip ever — in our big, bold, 490-page DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 — and the guide is your ticket to planning your best Disney trip yet! The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With sample dining itineraries, plus our “Disney Dining at a Glance” section, featuring “Where Can I Find?” options, you’ll have everything you need to plan the best vacation yet. Click here to get your copy of The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 E-book — and use code 2015 for an extra $4 discount for a limited time! Now I’d love to hear from all of you! What are YOUR best tips for dining solo in Walt Disney World? Share them with us in comments below! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: Tips from the DFB Guide: How to Avoid Crowds When Dining in Disney World Tips From the DFB Guide: Our Top 3 Tips for Late Night Disney World Dining Tips from the DFB Guide: How MyMagic+ is Impacting Disney World Dining View the full article

The much-anticipated Harambe Market opens late May at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where food plays a starring role with African-inspired street food at four walk-up windows and plenty of shaded seating – 200+ seats. GalleryFun New Tastes at Harambe Market at Disney’s Animal Kingdom view allBuilt around a Colonial-era train depot design complete with a 1960s water tower, the marketplace re-creates a bustling center of commerce where guests are welcomed from around the world who have come to visit the little seaside town and venture out to the reserve to observe Africa’s animals. Chef Lenny DeGeorge led the Food and Beverage concept development team, and tells us it’s the sort of food you’d find in a street market in Africa. “The menus reflect the unique personalities of the establishments’ owners,” says Chef Lenny. GalleryNew Harambe Market at Disney’s Animal Kingdom view all“Kitamu Grill” offers skewered chicken and a kabob flatbread sandwich. “Famous Sausages” features a corn dog, inspired by a South African sausage called a boerewors, dipped in curry-infused corn batter. “Chef Mwanga’s” serves a spice-rubbed karubi rib with green papaya-carrot slaw. “With three meaty ribs, the karubi rib is our version of the giant turkey legs served in the Disney theme parks,” says DeGeorge. We give two thumbs up to the curry corn dog, made with a special spiced sausage inspired by the traditional boerewors. A fourth window, called Wanjohi Refreshments (“wanjohi” means “brewer” in Swahili) offers beverages including six South African wines by the glass; Safari Amber Lager and Orlando Brewing I-4 IPA on draft; red sangria with Van der Hum tangerine liqueur from South Africa; The Starr of Harambe, a frozen drink with Starr African rum with mango puree in a souvenir mug; non-alcoholic tangerine lemonade, and fountain beverages including Sparberry from Zimbabwe and Bibo from South Africa. With shaded tables and merchandise shops, the new market, together with the recently opened Harambe Theatre (home to “Festival of the Lion King”) doubles the size of the original Harambe Village. Fun New Tastes at Harambe Market at Disney’s Animal Kingdom by Pam Brandon: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Windermere Police are searching the home of a man accused of drugging multiple women before engaging in sexual acts with them, officials said. View the full article

Pilot John Patrick Van Ommeren completed an initial training course to fly a Piper Cheyenne just one week before his plane crashed near Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, killing all four on board. View the full article

Billy Donovan has agreed to become the next head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, ending his brilliant 19-year run with the Florida Gators and giving the 49-year-old the chance to finally test himself in the NBA, two sources confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel. View the full article

Donovan arrived at UF and turned Gators into one of the nation's top basketball programs Donovan arrived at UF and turned Gators into one of the nation's top basketball programs View the full article

A Florida Highway Patrol trooper threatened to arrest two Altamonte Springs police officers during an argument over which agency should investigate a crash, officials said. View the full article

Scholars overcame homelessness and being a single parent to win prize money. Scholars overcame homelessness and being a single parent to win prize money. View the full article

Are you planning a trip to the Disneyland Resort this May prior to the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration? If so, here are a few quick tips on merchandise events you don’t want to miss! May 1-3: Precious Moments doll designer and artist Linda Rick will be on hand from noon to 10 p.m., each day, at Off the Page in Disney California Adventure park, as we celebrate the release of her Mother’s Day Spring collection, among other fan favorites! Learn more here. May 2-3: Join us as we welcome Elizabeth and Mark from Hero Handmade Goods, May 2-3, 16–17 and 30-31, from 1-4 p.m., each day, at WonderGround Gallery in the Downtown Disney District. Learn more here. May 9: Join us for a special artist showcase at WonderGround Gallery in the Downtown Disney District as we celebrate the release of new works of art by Brian Crosby, Martin Hsu, Sho Murase (not appearing), Jared Andrew Schorr and Gregg Visintainer from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Learn more here. Artist in Residence: Appearing at WonderGround Gallery in the Downtown Disney District throughout the month is artist Gregg Visintainer. Look for artist showcases on the following dates: May 1, 2, 8, 9, 22, 23, 29 and 30 from 6-10 p.m. Learn more here. Which events have made your list of things to do? May 2015 Merchandise Events at the Disneyland Resort by Michelle Harker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

After months of preventing the inevitable MESSENGER final succumbs to solar gravity After months of preventing the inevitable MESSENGER final succumbs to solar gravity View the full article

For a growing number of Florida students each year, Bright Futures college scholarships are becoming harder to come by as the state has raised the academic requirements. View the full article

As Thuy Vincent Nguyen boarded a helicopter to flee Vietnam, he looked back one last time at his country under siege by the Communists. View the full article

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Army officials say an 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper from Florida has died during a training operation at Fort Bragg. View the full article

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Rick Scott weighed in on the essentially dead legislative session Thursday, saying he will set up a commission to look at taxpayer support for hospitals, as well as how to reduce health care costs and increase access. View the full article

SunRail, the first fixed-rail mass transit system in Central Florida history, has yet to transform the way most people get around the region as it marks its one-year anniversary Friday. View the full article

Salt or sugar? Blended or on the rocks? Many of you have go-to answers to these questions when it comes to drinking margaritas. And if you don’t, our Tequila and Margarita seminar is the perfect opportunity to taste test your preference. First, you’ll discuss the history and production methods of tequila, sipping brands such as Patron and Casamigos. You’ll also hear about types of tequila, including blanco (white), reposado (rested) and añejo (aged), learning and sampling the differences between each. Next up, you’ll taste both a classic and a modern margarita, deciding for both whether you want it prepared on the rocks, frozen or straight up. I hope you’re enjoying my series on beverage seminars and making note of which ones you want to join on your next Disney cruise. If you missed any of my posts, take a look back at them: Chocolate and Liquor Tasting on a Disney CruiseWhiskey and Cognac Tastings on a Disney CruiseMartini and Champagne Tastings on a Disney CruiseFrom Stem to Stern Wine Tasting on a Disney CruiseTequila and Margarita Tasting on a Disney Cruise by Salah Chetbi: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article