9 things happening this week: Orange County to open COVID-19 vaccine appointments, ULA to launch Atlas 5 rocket and more

1. Orange County to open online appointments for COVID-19 vaccines

Orange County health officials will reopen online appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations at the Orange County Convention Center at 9 a.m. on Feb. 22.

Florida residents who are 65 and older can make an appointment online at 9 a.m. Monday.

Click here to learn how to make an appointment.

For frequently asked questions, click here.

READ: Here’s where to find the COVID-19 vaccine in your county

2. FDA to discuss emergency approval for Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

The Food and Drug Administration will hold an advisory committee meeting to discuss the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 26.

The FDA will discuss if it will approve the vaccine for emergency use.

Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 single-shot vaccine was shown to be 66% effective in preventing moderate and severe disease in a global phase 3 trial.

READ: Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine proves 66% effective

That trial also showed it was 85% effective against severe diseases.

The vaccine is being called a game-changer because of the one-dose administration and the fact that it doesn’t need cold storage.

3. Seminole County to open early registration for emergency rental assistance program

Seminole County will open early registration for its emergency rental assistance program on Feb. 22.

The county received $14.2 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury to provide rental assistance to eligible households negatively impacted due to COVID-19.

If approved, residents can receive financial assistance of up to 12 months of unpaid past due rent and utilities.

The portal will also open March 1.

For more information, click here or call 877-573-9375.

READ: Study: Pfizer COVID vaccine is ‘highly effective’ after one dose; can be stored at higher temperatures

4. Orange County to host virtual ‘Operation Green Light’

The Orange County Clerk of Courts is hosting a virtual “Operation Green Light” to help residents save money and get back on the road.

Customers with outstanding traffic tickets and criminal fines will have an opportunity to pay overdue court obligations while saving the 25% collections agency surcharge.

Officials said customers may be eligible for a payment plan and have their suspended driver licenses reinstated if all requirements are met.

The event will run through Feb. 22 to 26. It is online only.

Click here to learn more or call 407-836-2316.

The operation aims to help thousands of people in Orange County with overdue traffic tickets or criminal fines whose driver licenses have been suspended.

5. ULA to launch Atlas 5 rocket

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket will launch the STP-3 mission for the U.S. Space Force on Feb. 26.

The mission will launch the STPSat 6 satellite and several small satellites.

It is not known what time the rocket will launch.

6. Navy to drop bombs during training in Ocala National Forest

Heads up if you live or are traveling near the Ocala National Forest: the Navy will be dropping bombs in the area during a training.

The trainings are set to happen throughout the day from Feb. 22 to Feb. 25.

“During bombing periods, wildlife may be temporarily displaced. Use extra caution when driving through the Ocala National Forest and surrounding areas,” officials said.

The Navy’s Pinecastle Impact Range in the Ocala National Forest is the only place on the East Coast where the Navy can do live impact training. The Navy drops nearly 20,000 bombs a year at the site, a few hundred of which are live, according to its website.

7. Brevard County to host meeting to review plans for environmentally endangered lands program

A meeting to review the public access plans for the environmentally endangered lands program south beaches region will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Brevard County.

Officials said the purpose of the meeting is to gather public input from stakeholders and users on a proposed public access plan for each of the following sanctuaries:

• Barrier Island Sanctuary Public Access Plan
• Coconut Point Sanctuary Public Access Plan
• Hardwood Hammock Sanctuary Public Access Plan
• Hog Point Cove Sanctuary Public Access Plan
• Hog Point Sanctuary Public Access Plan
• Maritime Hammock Sanctuary Public Access Plan
• Ocean Ridge Sanctuary Public Access Plan
• Washburn Cove Sanctuary Public Access Plan

Members of the public can also participate in the meeting through Zoom.

Click here to learn more.

8. Monster Jam returns to Orlando

Monster Jam is returning to Orlando’s Camping World Stadium on Feb. 27 and 28.

The event features “the ultimate mix of high-flying action and four-wheel excitement.”

It will be one of the first family events to open its doors to fans since the pandemic began.

To learn more, click here.

9. Walt Disney World’s Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts to ends

Walt Disney World’s Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will end on Feb. 22.

The event includes the following:

READ: EPCOT Festival of the Arts to kick off Jan. 8

• More than 15 food studios serving culinary art throughout World Showcase.
• Diverse work of Disney and other invited artists on display in marketplaces around World Showcase Lagoon.
• Special photo locations scattered around the park.
• The chance to participate in a paint-by-number mural that will serve as a collaborative art project for everyone.
• Visiting artists creating magic right before your eyes.
• Performances by EPCOT musical artists Mariachi Cobre and the JAMMitors.
• An artful scavenger hunt for Figment around World Showcase.
• Festival-exclusive merchandise.

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Cox Media Group