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Orange County Jail Continues to Help Incarcerated Veterans Find Their Way

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ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Now in its fifth year, the Orange County Corrections Department Armed Forces Dormitory, which opened in November 2012, continues to exceed expectations as a blueprint for other correctional organizations seeking to establish similar programs. Making the dorm so unique is not just that it is for incarcerated military Veterans, but that those Veterans are supervised by correctional personnel who are also military Veterans or reservists.

The unit serves as a place where incarcerated Veterans can find solace among other members of the military and receive re-entry services designed to meet their specific needs. On the walls, one will find hand-painted military insignias, left behind by a former resident who painted them to represent the various branches of service both the inmates and staff represent. In comparison, the dorm is similar to many others at the Orange County Jail, but there is a different sense of order and pride on the floor. Here conversations among inmates, officers, as well as program managers often bridge across a common language of jargon and shared experiences from their past military lives.

The dorm, originally orchestrated by Orange County Correctional Captain Malik Muhammad, who is also a military Veteran, provides counseling, treatment and re-entry support while allowing Veterans to repay their debt to society. While the dorm offers a variety of supportive services, their Veteran status does not overlook the circumstances which led to their incarceration, nor excuse any behavior that may have caused hardship or pain to another.

Captain Muhammad explains that the effects from exposure to combat and military zones, coupled with substance abuse and mental illness is sometimes too much for many Veterans and likely why they are at a greater risk to be incarcerated than the general population.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, an estimated 181,500 U.S. Veterans were incarcerated in prison and jails across the country in 2011- 12. Although the number is slightly lower in 2017, Veterans still make up approximately eight percent of all inmates in county and state correctional facilities.

https://newsroom.ocfl.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Veterans-article-photo.jpgEach incarcerated Veteran housed in the Armed Forces Dormitory is screened to meet a specific criteria. Individuals facing violent or more serious charges are not candidates for the program.

“We hope that through our efforts, we [correctional staff] are able to give them a glimpse of the individual they once were, and remind them that despite a temporary setback, they can again be that person who was so widely respected and contribute to their country, community and family,” said Captain Muhammad.

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Florida

Scottie Scheffler Wins Second Red Cardigan at 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational

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Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN Sports) – Scottie Scheffler wins his second red cardigan at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, today, along with $4 million of the $20 million prize pool. The red cardigan was first awarded in 2017, in memory of Arnold Palmer who passed the year before. Scheffler first won the API in 2022.

 

Scottie Scheffler wins the Arnold Palmer Invitational. (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

The number one ranked golfer in the world, Scheffler finished at 15 under par for the four day tournament, carding a 66 today. Wyndham Clark finished in second place at 10 under par. API defending champion, Kurt Kitayama, did not make the cut, this weekend, finishing 7 over par after the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday.

This coming week, the top golfers head to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, for the 50th anniversary of The Players Championship. The winner will walk away with $4.5 million of the $25 million up for grabs. This is the PGA Tour’s largest regular season purse. Stay tuned to www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

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Golf

Lydia Ko and Jeff McNeil win the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions

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Lydia Ko win the 2024 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Sunday, January 21, 2024. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Lake Nona resident, Lydia Ko, has won the 2024 Hilton Grand Vacations LPGA Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, while Mets All-Star Second Baseman, Jeff McNeil, has won the celebrities and amateurs competition. The four day tournament wrapped up Sunday. Ko takes home $225,000 of the $1.5 million prize pool, while baseball player McNeil wins $100,000 of the $500,000 designated for the athletes and entertainers.

 

Lydia Ko and Jeff McNeil win the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Sunday, January 21, 2024. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

 

Ko finished at -14, two strokes ahead of Alexa Pano. Defending champion, Brooke Henderson, finished third at ten under par. McNeil ended with 138 points using the Modified Stableford scoring system, in his first time competing in this tournament. Annika Sorenstam finished in second place amongst the celebrity golfers, with 136. Former Major League Baseball pitchers Derek Lowe and Mark Mulder tied for third place at 135.

The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions also announced today that they have extended their agreement with the LPGA to continue this tournament at Lake Nona for another five years, with a 65% increase in the prize pool money.

Stay tuned to Florida National News for more, and be sure to follow our Florida National News page on Facebook for more photos and videos from the tournament.

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Golf

Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions Returns to Lake Nona

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Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions (Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

ORLANDO, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions is back at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando Thursday, 1/18 through Sunday, 1/21. This tournament kicks off the LPGA Tour’s 74th season, featuring top women golfers, who have qualified by winning a tournament in 2022 or 2023, playing alongside celebrities from the world of sports, entertainment, and music.

Annika Sorenstam practices on the driving range for the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. (Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

 

Comedy fans can watch Larry The Cable Guy entertain the crowd with his one-liners and banter. “Fresh Prince” fans can tune in to Alfonso Ribeiro in hopes of seeing him dance “The Carlton.” Bachelor fans can follow Ben Higgins or Wells Adams to see if they’re passing out any roses.

Sports fans can see some true legends in a different light. Basketball fans can look for Vince Carter, Ray Allen, or Chandler Parsons. Baseball fans can watch for John Smoltz, Albert Pujols, or Roger Clemens. Football fans will find Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith, Marcus Allen, Brian Urlacher, and Charles Woodson.

You’ll find many other actors, musicians, and champions of various sports. If you’d like to watch some fun golf while also celebrity spotting, be sure to visit the tournament’s website to get your tickets, and to see who else will be playing this year.

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