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Orange Co. house fire rages for 90 minutes

Orange County and Winter Garden firefighters battled a fire for more than 90 minutes Sunday night before finally extinguishing the blaze. At about 6:20 p.m., a neighbor dialed 911 after seeing flames through the window of a home at 1346 9th St., just south of Colonial Drive in western Orange County. Firefighters said they saw a dark column of thick smoke coming from the house and that downed power lines made it hard to reach the house. They worked on the fire from a distance until power could be shut off. No one was home during the fire and no firefighters were injured. The cause of the fire appears to be accidental, however the State Fire Marshal's office is investigating.

Published: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:27:05 GMT

Car slams into Orlando apartment

Orlando police responded to 1078 East Michigan Avenue, after a report of a car accident. Police said when they got on scene, two cars had been involved in an accident, and one of those cars hit an apartment building. Police said the car hit the 1000 Oaks Apartments, but no one that was home was injured. At least one person in the car was taken to the hospital with injuries, police said. The power to the building was disconnected while rescue crews worked. Stay with Local 6 for more on this story.

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:25:58 GMT

Joel Osteen and the rise of megachurches

Lines of traffic filed into the parking garage and people rushed into the Amway Center in excitement as if they were going to a rock concert. But inside they were watching a preacher. Joel Osteen, the televangelist and Pastor for Houston's Lakewood Church, inspired thousands during his Night of Hope Event in December. Many in attendance were there to not only see Osteen, but their own Pastors take the stage as well. In a time when less people claim to be religious, megachurch attendance is on the rise and the faithful give Osteen and his counterparts credit. According to the American Religious Identification Survey, which is available through the US Census Bureau, the percentage of people who consider themselves to have no religious affiliation grew from 8 percent in 1990 to 15 percent in 2008. "I think some of it is, sometimes the churches haven't changed with the times," said Joel Osteen, in an interview with Local 6's Lauren Rowe last year. Osteen's church has not felt the effects of this trend. In the past ten years, his congregation grew from 11,000 to more than 44,000. It is now the largest church in the United States. Pastor Jeff Smith was one of a handful of affiliated churches who sponsored Osteen's event. Smith's family started City of Life Church in Kissimmee in 1986 with just 15 members. They've now grown to 4,000 members, and many of those new congregants have come on board just in the last few years. It's a big accomplishment for a guy who said he never really thought he would be a Pastor. "I wanted to write movies, I wanted to write films, I wanted to have a creative culture around me and I never saw a Pastor that did all those things," said Smith, who certainly doesn't dress like a typical Pastor. He dons converse sneakers and casual clothes instead of a suit or a robe. And it's working, he said about half of his members come from Catholic churches. "Part of the problem with some established churches is they want you to fit in their exact little box, to dress like them, to behave like them, before they accept you," said Smith, who professes an all our welcome message at City of Life. He said they use moves and contemporary music to bring people together in a hopes of accomplishes a small church feel at a large congregation. Megachurch members are consistently more active in their congregations and fellowship activities, according to a Baylor University Survey. The same survey also found that megachurch members are more absolute in their beliefs about heaven and hell than those who attend small congregations. "I think there is something about coming together, getting with other believers, I think that's contagious , I think that's healthy and that's my goal is to get people in church," said Osteen.

Published: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:49:11 GMT

Multiple grass fires shut down 429

The Florida Highway Patrol shut down State Road 429 between mile markers nine and 15 because of grass fires. Orange County fire officials said the first call came in around 8:40 a.m. Sunday reporting flames on the side of the road. Because of the windy conditions, those fires quickly spread and firefighter requested additional help, officials said. Fire officials reported the flames spread over a mile, requiring at least 50 firefighters from Orange County and Reedy Creek fire services. At noon, the Florida Highway patrol was able to open southbound lanes, but fire officials said northbound lanes remained closed so they could continue to monitor hot spots. Fire officials said Central Florida is in the dry season and residents and visitors must use extraordinary caution with fire outdoors. Any spark, whether it is from a carelessly tossed cigarette, a vehicle’s exhaust or outdoor burning, can be carried by the wind and damage or destroy a whole community.

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:22:34 GMT

Ormond Beach man killed in Lamborghini crash

A man died early Sunday morning after losing control of the Lamborghini he was driving, Ormond Beach police said. Police said the crash happened at 3:44 a.m. Sunday, in the 200 block of north U.S. 1 in Ormond Beach. Officers said 26-year-old David William Fulton was driving south on north U.S. 1 at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the vehicle, crossed the northbound lanes of the road and crashed into a steel pole at Buttleman's Sporting Goods. Police said Fulton was pinned in the wreckage and the car caught on fire. The passenger in the car, 40-year-old Vanessa Bain, made it out of the crash with only minor injuries. Fulton was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are still investigating. Police have not said if alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:08:03 GMT

3 killed, 2 critical in Marion accident

Florida Highway Patrol troopers said three were killed in an early morning accident Sunday on Maricamp Road near Ocala. Troopers said 22-year-old Andrew Persaud was driving east on Maricamp Road, possibly speeding, when he lost control of the car. Troopers said Persaud veered off into the shoulder of the road where he hit a tree. Troopers said the 2008 Honda spun out across the road and hit another tree, splitting in half. The front half of the car overturned and landed in the parking lot of the Heather Island Plaza, troopers said. Persaud and 22-year-old Nicholaas Bryon, his front passenger, were taken to Shands Medical Center in critical condition, troopers said. Three men in the back, Michael Ramdeholl, 23, of Ocala, Taylor Scanlin, 24, of Fruitland Park, and Eric Baker, 21, of Summerfield, were all passengers in the back seat and were killed in the accident, troopers said. Troopers said charges are pending.

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:38:40 GMT

All-Star Jam tickets at Lake Eola

Lake Eola was the place to be Sunday morning as the Orlando Magic's DeAndre Liggns, mascot Stuff and the NBA gave out 1,000 tickets to the All-Star Jam in February. Basketball fans braved the cold Sunday morning in downtown Orlando get their tickets. Officials gave out the tickets that were on their "Giving Tree" as hanging tickets all around the lake. Officials let the fans in to grab the tickets for free! The NBA All-Star Jam session tips off Feb. 23 at the Orange County Convention Center. The Jam session is non-stop basketball action for fans, giving the the opportunity to shoot, slam and dribble, as well as, get autographs from their favorite NBA stars.

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:01:56 GMT

County giving away All Star Saturday Night tickets

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said she will be giving away eight pairs of tickets to see the 25th NBA All Star Saturday Night on February 25. The mayor said randomly selected residents who register on the <a href="http://www.orangecountyfl.net"> Orange County website </a> will have a chance to win. Entries will be accepted from February 13 through February 17. Anyone hoping to win the tickets will have to submit their name, email address, phone number and street address to be eligible. There is a limit of one entry per email address. Any attempt to enter more than once from the same email address will be cancelled. Winners will be required to produce proof of Orange County residency to collect their tickets. Winners will be notified on Monday, February 20 and announced at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, February 21 at 9:00 a.m. The Orange County Board of County Commissioners agreed to give the tickets away in an effort to provide members of the community an opportunity to attend one of the highly-publicized events which showcase the NBA, its brightest stars and the Greater Orlando area. Mayor Jacobs is giving the County tickets to the Friday, February 24 Rising Stars Challenge to a group of teenagers from Orange County's Great Oaks Village, a residential foster care group home for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. County Commissioners, who have elected to do so, will attend the Sunday NBA All-Star game to host corporate CEO's and clients of the Orange County Convention Center and Visit Orlando.

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:06:49 GMT

First lady fixes on must-dos prior to election run

Gearing up for a tough political season ahead, Michelle Obama said Saturday she's trying to get as much done as possible before the general election campaign starts to drown out everything else. "It's sort of like working before vacation — only it's not a vacation," she said in an interview with a handful of reporters. "It's that same notion of 'How much time do we have? What do I have to do?'" The first lady said she's also reminding herself not to take things personally once the rough-and-tumble of the campaign gets going. "Things are different in a campaign environment," she said. "It's a competition. Things are said. You just take it one day at a time." The first lady said she'll devote three days a week to politics once the campaign is in full swing, but she wants to continue working on her signature issues of fighting childhood obesity and supporting military families. She added that she'll draw a clear line between the campaign and those issues, to keep them from getting bogged down in politics and hurting the credibility of her efforts. The first lady spoke with reporters on the final day of a three-day national tour marking the second anniversary of her "Let's Move" campaign against childhood obesity. She visited Iowa, Arkansas and Texas before spending the last day in Florida. Mrs. Obama also talked about the importance of finding time to escape the White House bubble and have more normal interactions with friends and family — those who know her simply as "Meesh" — shorthand for Michelle. That includes unannounced shopping trips, outings with friends and even visiting her brother's house in Oregon with her daughters, she said. At times like that, she says, "I'm not the first lady." "We sat on the porch and we ate barbeque," she recalled. "It was important for me to go there." Mrs. Obama began her day at Northland Church outside Orlando, where she highlighted the work of churches and faith leaders in helping families to adopt healthier habits. Her last stop was Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, where she danced, played tennis and soccer and did other activities with youngsters and a bunch of Disney stars and professional athletes.

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:57:30 GMT

Homeless organization declares Sat., Sun. 'Cold nights'

Due to forecasted low temperatures, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida has declared Saturday and Sunday as “Cold Nights.” This means that the coalition will not refuse any person seeking shelter from the cold, regardless of space. The coalition's main campus can hold up to 375 men and its Center of Women and Families can hold 240 men, women, and children. Overflow space will be available in these facilities for people seeking shelter from the extreme cold temperatures. Room will also be provided at the Women's Residential and Counseling Center Campus. The Coalition for the Homeless main campus is located at 639 West Central Boulevard and the Women’s Residential and Counseling Center is located at 107 East Hillcrest Street. Both are in Downtown Orlando.

Published: Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:56:38 GMT

What's your sign? Cheesiest pick-up lines ever!

If you've been on the dating scene you know how rough it can be out there. So if you're having trouble finding "Mr. or Ms. Right", do yourself a favor and stay away from these cheesy pick-up lines.

Published: Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:08:56 GMT

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