Business

U.S. Postal Service Prepared For The Holidays

Published

8 years ago

December 10, 2018

ORLANDO, FL — The U.S. Postal Service is prepared for the holiday season and will offer extended retail hours at many locations. Whether customers need to ship it quickly or have plenty of time, the Postal Service has an option that will make shipping convenient and affordable.

Extended Retail Hours: Postal facilities throughout the Suncoast District are either opening and/or extended their hours leading up to Christmas Day. Those designated offices will provide full retail services, including stamp sales and package acceptance. Locations with extended hours are listed below. In addition, several Suncoast District Post Offices not listed already offer retail hours on Saturdays and after 5 p.m. Customers can check usps.com/Find Locations and/or call 1.800.ASK.USPS for hours at specific Post Offices.

OFFICE	ADDRESS	ZIP CODE	HOLIDAY HOURS OF OPERATION	Sunday DATES no changes
ORLANDO MAIN	10401 Post Office Blvd. Orlando	32862-9998	12:00-18:00	12/16,12/23

OFFICES with regular late hours			HOLIDAY HOURS OF OPERATION	Monday- Friday 12/17-12/21
ORLANDO MAIN	10401 Post Office Blvd. Orlando	32862-9998	09:50-21:00	12/17-12/21

Offices	Address		HOLIDAY HOURS OF OPERATION	Open Sunday 12/16
LLK-LADY LAKE PO	850 Teague Trail Lady Lake	32159-9998	12:00-16:00	12/16
LMY-LAKE MARY SIA	3415 W. Lake mary Blvd. Lake Mary	32746-9998	12:00-16:00	12/16
MEL-SUNTREE BR	6105 N. Wickman Rd. Melbourne	32940-9998	12:00-16:00	12/16
MEL-WEST MELBOURNE BR	2305 Minton rd. Melbourne	32904-9998	12:00-16:00	12/16
ORL-ALAFAYA BR	650 N Alafaya Trail Orlando	32828-9998	12:00-16:00	12/16
ORL-SAND LAKE BR	10450 Turkey Lake Rd. Orlando	32819-9998	12:00-16:00	12/16
ORL-SOUTH CREEK BR	1701 W. Wetherbee Rd. Orlando	32837-9998	12:00-16:00	12/16
OFFICES with extended hours 12/17-12/21			HOLIDAY HOURS OF OPERATION	Monday- Friday 12/17-12/21
LADY LAKE	850 Teague Trail Lady Lake	32159-9998	09:00-17:00	12/17-12/21
LAKE MARY	3415 W. Lake mary Blvd. Lake Mary	32746-9998	08:00-18:00	12/17-12/21
MELBOURNE – SUNTREE	6105 N. Wickman Rd. Melbourne	32940-9998	09:00-17:50	12/17-12/21

In addition, we have our Self Service Kiosks at the following locations for your use 24/7:

Alafaya Post Office , 650 N Alafaya Trail, Orlando 32825

College Park Post Office, 1705 Edgewater Dr., Orlando 32804

Dixie Village Post Office, 2860 Delaney Ave., Orlando 32806

Main Post Office, 10401 Post Office Blvd., Orlando 32862

Orlo Vista Post Office, 501 S Kirkman Rd., Orlando 32811

Pine Castle Post Office, 7707 S Orange Ave., Orlando 32809

Sand Lake Post Office, 10450 S Turkey Lake Rd., Orlando 32819

South Creek Post Office, 1701 W Wetherbee Rd., Orlando 32837

Busiest Mailing and Delivery Days

Thanks to more people shopping earlier and shopping online, the Postal Service’s “busiest day” notion is now a thing of the past. Instead, the Postal Service now has a busiest time, and it starts two weeks before Christmas. Beginning the week of Dec. 10, customer traffic is expected to increase and the Postal Service expects to deliver nearly 200 million packages per week during these two weeks. The week of Dec. 17-23 is predicted to be the busiest mailing, shipping and delivery week. During this week alone, the Postal Service expects to process and deliver nearly 3 billion pieces of First-Class Mail, including greeting cards.

2018 Christmas Shipping Deadlines

For delivery in anticipation of Christmas, the Postal Service recommends keeping the following mailing and shipping deadlines in mind:

· Dec. 11 – APO/FPO/DPO (all other ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail

· Dec. 14 – USPS Retail Ground

· Dec. 18 – APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express^®

· Dec. 20 – First-Class Mail (including greeting cards)

· Dec. 20 – First-class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)

· Dec. 20 – Hawaii to mainland Priority Mail and First-Class Mail

· Dec. 20 – Priority Mail

· Dec. 20 – Alaska to mainland Priority Mail and First-Class Mail

· Dec. 22 – Alaska to mainland Priority Mail Express

· Dec. 22 – Hawaii to mainland Priority Mail Express

· Dec. 22 – Priority Mail Express

*Not a guarantee, unless otherwise noted. Dates are for estimated delivery before December 25. Actual delivery date may vary depending on origin, destination, Post Office acceptance date and time and other conditions. Some restrictions apply. For Priority Mail Express® shipments mailed December 22 through December 25, the money-back guarantee applies only if the shipment was not delivered, or delivery was not attempted, within two (2) business days.

Skip the Trip and Ship Online

Consumers don’t even have to leave home to ship their packages, simply visit usps.com. The Postal Service anticipates Dec. 17 will be the Postal Service’s busiest day online with more than 8 million consumers predicted to visit usps.com for help shipping that special holiday gift. It’s predicted that nearly 105 million consumers will visit the USPS website between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. And usps.com is always open.

It’s estimated nearly 400,000 consumers will use the Click-N-Ship^® feature and other online services on Dec. 17 to order free Priority Mail boxes, print shipping labels, purchase postage and even request free next-day Package Pickup.

New for this Year

Packages and cards have been sent on time, now what? USPS Informed Delivery™ is the Postal Service’s free daily digital preview of what’s coming to your mailbox. This holiday season, not only can you manage your packages and sneak a peek at cards headed your way, you can also see some exterior images of magazines and catalogs — all from your mobile app, dashboard, tablet or computer. Informed Delivery™ is one more way the Postal Service is helping you anticipate, communicate and celebrate this holiday season.

Additional news and information, including all domestic, international and military mailing and shipping deadlines, can be found at the Postal Service Holiday Newsroom: usps.com/holidaynews.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Business

New AdventHealth Middleton Clinic Brings Pediatric Specialists, Urogynecology Near The Villages

Published

5 days ago

October 30, 2026

FNN NEWS

The multispecialty clinic features 24 treatment rooms, pediatric imaging and services designed to bring care closer to Middleton families.

MIDDLETON, Fla. (FNN) — Families in Middleton have a new option for pediatric and women’s specialty care with the opening of the AdventHealth Middleton Multispecialty Clinic, according to an Oct. 29 news release from AdventHealth.

Located at 2274 Alder Ave., the clinic brings together pediatric primary care, pediatric cardiology, pediatric orthopedics and women’s urogynecology services. The facility includes 24 treatment rooms, a pediatric X-ray room and spaces for children’s heart screenings.

Bringing care closer to families

Middleton, a master-planned community along Central Parkway, is home to approximately 1,200 families and households, many with residents who work in and around The Villages, according to the release.

For Jenny Trew, whose family was the first to move to Middleton, the new clinic could mean fewer long trips for routine appointments. She has been driving nearly an hour to Clermont for pediatric care for her 13-year-old twin sons, Jasen and Jackson.

“Going to the pediatrician usually means pulling both boys out of school, taking time away from work and making a day out of something that should be pretty simple,” Trew said in the release.

Having a pediatrician in the neighborhood will make it easier to balance health care appointments with work, school, sports and other activities, she said.

Dr. Vanessa Carroll, chief medical officer of AdventHealth for Children, said proximity matters when families are seeking care for a sick or injured child.

“Parents don’t want to take their child to just any doctor. They want someone they can trust, right around the corner,” Carroll said in the release. “Because when your child is sick or injured, an hour-long drive can feel even farther.”

Expanding women’s specialty services

The clinic also provides urogynecology services, including care for urinary incontinence and pelvic floor conditions.

The location gives women a nearby option for specialized treatment aimed at improving comfort, health and quality of life, according to AdventHealth.

“Women spend so much of their lives caring for others, and it can become very easy to put their own health last,” Kristen Toth, vice president of AdventHealth for Women, said in the release. “We want women to know there is care here for them, too.”

The clinic brings AdventHealth for Children and AdventHealth for Women together at one location to serve families through different stages of life.

Supporting students and schools

Middleton’s early childhood centers, two K-8 schools and high school collectively enroll more than 3,000 students, according to the release.

LeAnne Yerk, principal of The Villages Charter Elementary School, said access to nearby pediatric care supports students’ health and readiness to learn.

“As educators, we see firsthand that a child’s ability to learn, grow and thrive in the classroom is deeply connected to their health and well-being,” Yerk said in the release.

She described the clinic’s proximity to schools as an important resource for students and families, helping connect health care with educational support.

Location and appointments

The AdventHealth Middleton Multispecialty Clinic is located at 2274 Alder Ave., Middleton, Florida.

To schedule an appointment, call:

Pediatric primary care: 352-467-7862
Pediatric cardiology: 352-353-2788
Pediatric orthopedics: 407-303-5687
Women’s urogynecology: 407-303-1380

For online appointment information, visit MyMiddletonPediatrics.com for children’s services or MiddletonUrogyn.com for women’s services.

Business

GOAA Highlights Airport Improvements, Approves New Small Business Policies

Published

2 weeks ago

October 22, 2026

FNN NEWS

Gate Link train on an elevated guideway at Orlando International Airport, with palm trees, airport buildings and a control tower behind it.

A Gate Link train travels along an elevated guideway at Orlando International Airport, with the airport’s control tower in the background. Photo courtesy of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

Terminal upgrades, parking projects and international connections mark the authority’s fiscal year review.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority highlighted terminal improvements, expanded international connections and parking projects during its fiscal 2026 review, while its board adopted changes to a local business program and announced a new statewide small business initiative.

The updates affect Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport, which GOAA operates.

“We are undertaking an ambitious effort to redefine what it means to deliver a world-class airport experience,” GOAA CEO Lance Lyttle said in the authority’s announcement.
“As we welcome more visitors, more airlines, more routes, and new programs, our responsibility is to elevate every part of the journey — making it more welcoming, intuitive, and connected.”

A Gate Link train travels along an elevated guideway at Orlando International Airport, with the airport’s control tower in the background. Photo courtesy of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

Terminal Improvements Focus on Connections and Families

Among the completed projects was an enclosed pedestrian bridge with moving walkways connecting Orlando International Airport’s train station and Terminal C.

Terminal C also opened a new wing serving gates 250–254, providing additional capacity and becoming the new home for Virgin Atlantic’s airport operations.

Three new Family Zones — one in each terminal — offer spaces for children and families to play, read and recharge. GOAA also highlighted improvements to directional signs along airport roads, in parking areas and throughout the terminals.

Parking Expansion and $40 Million Improvement Program

GOAA reported progress on a parking guidance system at Terminal C, with phased activation across all garages planned through mid-2027.

Dedicated employee parking areas are intended to free additional spaces for travelers. Planning is also underway for two new garages expected to add 8,000 public parking spaces over the next few years.

Separately, the authority’s $40 million Beautiful Airports Program targets safety, functionality and appearance across garages, terminals and other airport areas.

Aviation Investments and International Service

The fiscal year review highlighted a $50 million investment by dnata, a $26 million redevelopment by Signature Aviation at Orlando International Airport and groundbreaking for Sky Harbour’s $40 million campus at Orlando Executive Airport.

International service developments included ZIPAIR’s nonstop passenger charter flights between Orlando and Tokyo and Iberia’s launch of nonstop service to Madrid.

GOAA described ZIPAIR’s service as the first passenger charter connection between Florida and the Asia-Pacific region.

Business Policy Changes Broaden Eligibility

The board adopted revisions to GOAA’s Local Developing Business program following research, town halls and discussions with internal experts.

The changes increase the allowable personal net worth threshold and clarify how assets are excluded from that calculation, including primary residence equity, business equity, retirement assets and certain nonliquid holdings.

Business size standards were also revised to account for inflation and increased operating costs. The announcement did not specify the updated financial thresholds.

A new Small Business program will complement the local program and extend eligibility to qualifying businesses throughout Florida. Under the announced framework, participating businesses must fall within 50% of the applicable U.S. Small Business Administration size standard.

GOAA said detailed guidelines for both programs would be posted on its website. Those guidelines will provide businesses with the information needed to assess eligibility.

Business

Florida Restaurant Show 2026: Orlando Event Features Chef Competitions, Pizza Innovation and Restaurant Solutions

Published

4 weeks ago

October 9, 2026

FNN NEWS

The combined events celebrate their 55th and fifth anniversaries Oct. 25–27 at the Orange County Convention Center, featuring education, culinary competitions and a $5,000 attendee giveaway.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The Florida Restaurant Show and Pizza Tomorrow Summit are marking milestone anniversaries at the Orange County Convention Center, bringing restaurant, pizza and foodservice professionals together Oct. 25–27 for product demonstrations, education, culinary competitions and networking.

The Florida Restaurant Show is celebrating its 55th anniversary, while the Pizza Tomorrow Summit marks its fifth. One registration provides access to both events.

Organizer Restaurant Events announced a total of $5,000 in attendee giveaways during the three-day gathering. Attendees can pick up a ticket at registration for a chance to win.

Education Addresses Food Costs, Staffing and AI

More than 40 hours of education cover profitability, food costs, operations, marketing, artificial intelligence, staffing, leadership and customer engagement.

Featured programs include Restaurant Management 201 and 301, presented by Darren Denington, founder and operator of Service with Style, and Alison Anne, leader of Restaurant Revolution.

A new program, “The Wizard Behind the Curtain,” presented by Maverick Theory founder Michael Tipps, examines how owners and entrepreneurs develop restaurant concepts and turn ideas into businesses.

A Team Bundle Package offers savings and flexible attendance options for groups of six from the same organization, allowing employees to explore sessions relevant to their roles.

Culinary Competitions Spotlight Professional Chefs

The Sunshine Plate Challenge Arena features more than 30 professional chefs across four American Culinary Federation-sanctioned competitions, organizers said.

The announced schedule includes:

Sunday, Oct. 25: Student and professional pastry sculpture competitions and the Professional Pork Challenge.
Monday, Oct. 26: The Professional Seafood Challenge, sponsored by Bar Harbor Seafood.
Tuesday, Oct. 27: The Professional Beef Challenge.

The arena’s Sunday programming also includes the Hospitality School Showdown, featuring culinary faculty and alumni representing four Florida hospitality programs.

Unox sponsors the arena, with product support from Gordon Food Service, Bar Harbor Seafood, Expedition Provisions, Yukan Foods, Pizzacini and Keg Kraft Beverage Company.

Pizza Tomorrow Summit Highlights Industry Innovation

The Pizza Tomorrow Summit features education, demonstrations and competitions focused on the pizza industry.

Its announced Monday programming includes a live taping of the “So You Want to Run a Restaurant” podcast with California Pizza Kitchen co-founder Rick Rosenfield. The session, sponsored by Back of House, includes a discussion and giveaway of his book, “The California Pizza Kitchen Story.”

The U.S. Pizza Team and Galbani Professionale U.S. are also hosting the 2026 Galbani Professionale Pizza Cup. Pizza makers and pizza acrobats compete in culinary and acrobatic events, with grand-prize winners earning a trip to compete at the World Pizza Championships in Parma, Italy.

One Registration Connects Two Industries

By holding the events together, organizers give restaurant operators access to ideas emerging from the pizza industry while connecting pizzeria operators with equipment, technology and education relevant to the broader foodservice market.

The Florida Restaurant Show and Pizza Tomorrow Summit conclude Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the Orange County Convention Center.