FEEL GOOD FRIDAY

Moffitt's Arts in Medicine provides healing through music

2:02

Moffitt's Arts in Medicine provides healing through music

Moffitt Cancer Center's Arts in Medicine program helps to provide patients with healing through music.

2:02

Tampa1 week ago

Judi Erickson and her best friend Julia Balson are tennis fanatics. They also teach the sport to kids on the autism spectrum. (Spectrum News)

2:13

Friends teach kids with autism how to play tennis at Red Bug Lake Park

Program is a partnership with Posh Rock Tennis Foundation and Seminole County Parks and Recreation.

2:13

Orange County2 weeks ago

The O.U.R. Girls Mentoring Program provides homework help, summer camps and college prep. (Spectrum News 13/Nick Allen)

2:25

South Lake mentoring program building brighter future for girls

The O.U.R Girls program grows educational skills, offers summer camp and helps prepare participants for college.

2:25

Lake County3 weeks ago

Luis Tacuri at a recent Orlando Social Network event. (Spectrum News/Nick Allen)

2:06

Connect offline and find lifelong friends at the Orlando Social Network

An Orlando-area couple started a group to help people make friends later in life.

2:06

Orlando1 month ago

Cubing Club members with their Rubik's Cubes. (Spectrum News 13)

2:10

Learn to solve the famed Rubik's cube: Inside the Celebration Cubing Club

Peter Raymundo, a former Disney animator, is the instructor for C3.

2:10

Orlando1 month ago

Tampa Middleton High Senior Rudra Patel, who is a back-to-back STEM Champion, returns to Washington for the national festival. (Spectrum News/Roy De Jesus)

3:18

Tampa's Middleton High senior STEM Champion returns to Washington

Tampa Middleton High senior Rudra Patel, who is a back-to-back STEM Champion, returns to Washington for the national festival.

3:18

Tampa1 month ago

East River High School violinist Ryan Johnson doesn't just play in the school's orchestra — he has also been raising funds to help buy and fix instruments to ensure all the students in the school's orchestra have quality instruments for their musical experience. (Spectrum News/Nick Allen)

2:02

East River High School student raises money for instruments for school's orchestra

Knowing funding is limited, Ryan Johnson took action to help ensure students in the orchestra would have quality instruments to play.

2:02

Orange County1 month ago

St. Pete physician Dr. Alan Smith (left) is retiring after 40 years. He is handing his practice over to son, Dr. Jeremy Smith. (Spectrum News/Roy De Jesus)

3:06

St. Pete doctor retiring after 40 years but doesn't look far for stand-in

His son, a third generation physician, takes over the family practice.

3:06

Tampa1 month ago

2:07

Stitching Creativity: Inside the Lake Mary Crochet Club

Each week, the Lake Mary Crochet Club gathers to create magic together.

2:07

Orlando1 month ago

Volunteers at Loaves and Fishes stack shelves with food. (Spectrum News/Jesse Walden)

2:10

Winter disaster in 1984 leads to the start of something positive in Orange County

A major freeze 41 years ago led to the creation of a food pantry that is still going strong today.

2:10

Orange County2 months ago

Alicia (left) and Robert Rein decide on their meal. (Spectrum News/Arnie Gerard)

2:03

Generosity allows couple to be together for Valentine's Day

Local transport company made Alicia and Robert Rein's Valentine's Day special.

2:03

Brevard County2 months ago

Jeff hard at work at Daytona International Speedway

2:01

Bethune-Cookman University-NASCAR program helps students to race toward success

The 12-week NASCAR Campus Lab teaches marketing, budgeting, event planning and other aspects of the racing industry.

2:01

Orlando2 months ago

Geovan Acosta has been hard at work at Goodwill in Sanford for three years. (Spectrum News 13)

2:33

Veteran from Seminole County finds success in life after military

Geovan Acosta, an Army National Guard veteran, says you have to male adjustments and be persistent.

2:33

Seminole County2 months ago

Chef Izzy Santiago (left) teaches at the Second Harvest Food Bank's Culiinary Training Program. (Spectrum News/Chris Hare)

2:24

Orlando area chef shares cooking, life skills at Culinary Training Program

Getting along with others and getting the food out in a timely manner also are important, chef Izzy Santiago says.

2:24

Orlando2 months ago

Linda Cato has worked at Pershing School since 1977. (Spectrum News 13/Eric Levy)

2:30

Central Florida woman refuses to quit working at 92

For nearly 50 years, Linda Cato, 92, has walked into the same place to go to work.

2:30

Orlando3 months ago

2:05

Local nonprofit seeks to help pet owners with vet bills

11 year old non-profit helps pay some, or all, vet bills for people who qualify

2:05

Orlando3 months ago

Army Veteran Joel Silva bonds with a horse at the McCormick Research Institute. When Silva spends time with the horse named Teddy, it helps him clear his head. He struggles with PTSD. He is a recent graduate of the Camp McCormick Program. (Spectrum News/Devin Martin)

2:55

McCormick Research Institute's equine therapy helps veterans deal with PTSD

Over the next three years, the goal is to get 300 veterans through the Camp McCormick program.

2:55

Orlando7 months ago

UF/IFAS Asst. Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering Ying Zhang inspects lettuce grown in a shipping container in Citra

2:56

Shipping container farm in Citra feeds University of Florida campus community

A research project in Citra yields hundreds of heads of lettuce weekly.

2:56

Marion County7 months ago

Jeff Perera (right) and Madison Wyatt boil bagels in the kitchen of Jeff's Bagel Run. (Spectrum News 13/Julie Gargotta)

3:31

Ocoee bagel shop joins mission to help children with critical illnesses

Jeff and Danielle Perera saw an opportune time to help make more wishes come true. They did it with bagels and care.

3:31

Orange County7 months ago

Christina Harvey’s family pivoted amid the pandemic to virtual learning and continued for an extended time.

2:33

Melbourne family starts school with newfound gratitude and lessons learned

Following her cancer diagnosis, Christina Harvey's family grew even closer.

2:33

Brevard County8 months ago

With donations from the local Office Depot store, Mt. Vernon surprised their newly hired educators with a $100 shopping spree. (Spectrum News/Eddie Jackson)

1:54

Mt. Vernon Elementary sends new teachers on shopping spree

Newly hired educators received $100 gift certificates to purchase school supplies for the start of classes.

1:54

Tampa8 months ago

Jennifer Mesika, who now works as a trainer who helps stroke survivors build back their strength, played basketball since she was a young girl. (Courtesy: Jennifer Mesika)

3:10

Central Florida woman launches basketball league in Orlando

Jennifer Mesika says the league provides a "safe space" for women to play, while also welcoming their families.

3:10

Orlando8 months ago

It's a ritual: Each day, 94-year-old Doris Shope makes brunch for her 96-year-old husband, Maynard, who goes by

3:17

Melbourne couple celebrates 75th year of marriage milestone

"Bud" Shope met his wife, Doris, after World War II, and they had seven children.

3:17

Brevard County8 months ago

Summer campers pratice their song titled No Limits. Courtesy: Chris Hare

3:10

Summer camp helps kids produce their own music

Its a part of a six week youth mentoring and crime prevention program.

3:10

Orange County9 months ago

2:29

Orlando author encourages children to dream big

Diante Lawrence says he hopes to change the narrative and enhance representation of a broader community in children's literature.

2:29

Orlando9 months ago

3:01

Orange County youth soccer team raises money to go to Paris for competition

An under-12 team from the Avalon Park area will compete in Paris World Games next week.

3:01

Orlando9 months ago

PRIDE MONTH

GAP's Ashley Figueroa walks Samantha Stone through paperwork she'll file with Orange County in order to change her name

3:28

PRIDE MONTH

Organizations band together to support transgender community

Gender Advancement Project pays for fees associated with filing legal name changes.

3:28

Orlando9 months ago

Andrew Boyd takes a customer's order in a cafe at the Seminole County Services Building where he works alongside other special needs adults. (Spectrum News)

3:01

Seminole County nonprofit gets support to help adults with special needs learn to budget

Addition Financial recently hosted a personal finance workshop for Inspire of Central Florida.

3:01

Seminole County10 months ago

Orlando W. W. II veteran Mel Jenner returns to Normandy, via the Orlando International Airport, for first time since fighting in the war 80 years ago. (Spectrum News 13)

3:19

101-year-old World War II veteran from Orlando returns to Normandy

The trip will mark the first time he's been to the area since the D-Day operation in 1944, 80 years ago this week.

3:19

Orlando10 months ago

Grande, a 10-year-old German Short-Haired Pointer, retired in May after working as a bomb-sniffing dog at Orlando International Airport. He is now the pet of handler Justin Grindell, living the good life in Brevard County. (Spectrum News/Julie Gargotta)

2:39

Bomb-sniffing K-9 at Orlando International Airport retires

As Grande transitions to live as a pet, his handler celebrates their eight-plus-year partnership.

2:39

Brevard County10 months ago

AAPI HERITAGE MONTH

Kong examines his fruit-inspired mural which adorns a shop along Mills Avenue in Orlando

2:59

AAPI HERITAGE MONTH

'Fruits' art meet-up serves as new inspiration for Asian-American artist

Boy Kong hosts weekly, informal art get together

2:59

Orlando11 months ago

Dancers practice for their showcase performance in the Chance2Dance studio’s Black Box Theater Room, which simulates a stage-like experience. (Spectrum News/Julie Gargotta)

3:26

Maitland studio offers opportunity for special needs dancers to shine

Chance2Dance is preparing for spring showcase featuring hundreds of dancers.

3:26

Orange County11 months ago

Dr. Kenneth Sands of Melbourne prepares to lead a mission team to Bhutan to perform joint replacements. (Spectrum News/Christopher Hare)

2:53

Melbourne-based doctor leads medical team on a life-changing mission overseas

Dr. Kenneth Sands and other physicians will perform 50 joint replacements in Bhutan.

2:53

Brevard County11 months ago

Casselberry homeowner Nancy Rudner yanks weeds from her lakeside property, letting native plants thrive

3:07

City of Casselberry launches conservation program around native plants

Lake-dwelling homeowners can receive plants for free from city

3:07

Seminole County11 months ago

Disney's Horticulture cast members pour pulverized glass onto a greenhouse floor. (Spectrum News/Jerry Hume)

2:47

Disney World using recycled sand-like glass to help greenhouses

Glass is pulverized into a sand-like material.

2:47

Orlando1 year ago

Atreya Manaswi examines a 3D-printed device that he uses to ward off pests that affect beehives. (Spectrum News/Julie Gargotta)

3:09

Orlando teen scientist develops innovative answer to global honeybee crisis

Atreya Manaswi's work centers around honeybee-saving treatments.

3:09

Orlando1 year ago

The legend of Mister Rogers lives on at Rollins College in Winter Park.

2:38

Rollins College celebrates 'Mister Rogers Week of Kindness' with a concert

April 5 will feature a concert performing music composed by Fred Rogers.

2:38

Orange County1 year ago

Conductor Taryn Ioime helps Jak, 9, in a tug of war challenge at Downey Park

3:28

Conductive Education Center creates community for families of students with neurological disorders

Special Olympics Florida coordinated a field day for CECO students.

3:28

Orlando1 year ago

Donning aviator's gap and goggles, Martha Esch presents her adventure to crowd at Orange County Regional History Center Women's History Breakfast

3:10

Starting from Orlando, woman makes history by 'hitchhiking' her way across U.S. aboard antique airplanes

Martha Esch's 183-day journey took her across 48 contiguous U.S. states

3:10

Orange County1 year ago

Abigail Fazekas rehearses with her orchestra group at SunRidge Middle School in Winter Garden

3:45

Orlando woman finds new meaning following son's death by gifting music

Sherri Tyson's nonprofit LEGAStrings provides private lessons and instruments to Central Florida students.

3:45

Orlando1 year ago

Kelly Seidl, owner of Kelly's Ice Cream, stirs up tubs of some of her signature treat with mixers nicknamed

2:41

Ice cream shop that got its start in Orlando expanding operations

Kelly's Ice Cream hopes to open more counters, scoop shops and a corporate headquarters in Altamonte Springs, owner Kelly Seidl says.

2:41

Orlando1 year ago

Elena Esquen practices a stroke assessment with program professors

3:55

Hands-on experience grows confidence of future nurses

Seminole State College partners with a hospital to stem the nurse shortage.

3:55

Seminole County1 year ago

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The beat goes on for Jones High Alumni Band, decades after graduation

Playing together again is about legacy, one member says.

3:21

Orange County1 year ago

Cecilia Nguyen took over Tien Hung Jewelry store after her father passed away. (Spectrum News/Julie Gargotta)

3:01

Former beauty pageant winner highlights tradition for Vietnamese community

The Miss Vietnam Florida pageant is Sunday, Feb. 18.

3:01

Orlando1 year ago

HUMAN INTEREST

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HUMAN INTEREST

Daytona Beach raises banners to pay tribute to local Black trailblazers

The city raised 18 banners to pay tribute to their accomplishments.

1:55

Volusia County1 year ago

Christie Edwards and her mother-in-law and business partner, Julie, work on merchandising in their Orlando store, The House on Lang. (Spectrum News)

3:31

Women-owned businesses flourish, find community tucked away on Orlando street

Several shops dubbing themselves the “Ladies on Lang” throw inaugural collective event for the community.

3:31

Orlando1 year ago

Christine Ramsay poses with her son, Matthew, who has Down Syndrome. (Photo courtesy of Christine Ramsay)

2:32

Osceola County school bus driver learns sign language to better communicate with her special needs students

Bus driver learned sign language to understand special needs riders

2:32

Osceola County1 year ago

Chris Green beams as he holds a painting, a surprise during the band's final performance this season. (Photo courtesy: Chris Green)

2:29

Band bids adieu to director, gifts surprise in appreciation

Chris Green is stepping down from directing the Central Florida Sounds of Freedom band.

2:29

Orlando1 year ago

Edgar Reyes and his wife, both longtime AdventHealth Celebration hospital workers, pause to pray in chapel

2:47

Car crash serves as catalyst for Osceola couple's acts of service

A hospital worker led the charge to collect coats for the homeless.

2:47

Osceola County1 year ago

Eric Levy

Each Friday evening, Spectrum News 13 and Eric Levy will feature Feel Good Friday stories.

With so many serious issues to face on a daily basis, Eric brings some positivity with stories about Central Floridians helping those around them.

MORE GOOD NEWS

Kristin Brown Steele is passionate about teaching science. She says science is an adventure where you problem solve and find solutions. (Spectrum News 13)

2:31

Apopka science teacher encourages students’ natural curiosity for learning

Kristin Brown Steele loves teaching science at Wolf Lake Middle School.

2:31

Orange County2 days ago

Bodybuilder Roger Thomas of Daytona Beach says he believes working out and building muscle mass helped him fight off cancer. (Spectrum News/Jesse Walden)

2:49

85-Year-old bodybuilder from Daytona Beach beats cancer, defies challenges

Roger Thomas credits strength training with tackling some of life's greatest hurdles.

2:49

Volusia County3 days ago

EASTER

1:56

EASTER

Orlando Fire Department partners with local nonprofit for inclusive Easter egg hunt

Orlando Fire's Arson and Bomb Squad created beeping eggs for children who are visually impaired.

1:56

Orlando5 days ago

Suellen Roselle says she can't imagine not teaching at a Christian school and not being able to talk about God all day long. (Spectrum News 13)

2:17

Brevard County teacher encourages students to love God and people

Suellen Roselle teaches students with special needs at Parkhurst Academy and says their class motto is to love God and love people.

2:17

Brevard County1 week ago

EVERYDAY HERO

Nick Solomon, Founder of King Solomon Foundation

3:06

EVERYDAY HERO

Men of Royalty program shaping boys into young men throughout Central Florida

Men of Royalty consists of more than 20 students who meet after school at several schools in Orange County.

3:06

Orlando2 weeks ago

Rosalind Lamphere wants her students to know learning never ends.

2:26