Thomas Mates

1 month ago | clickorlando.com | Thomas Mates

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - A man, who was already on immigration parole, is being held in Osceola County without bond on accusations he sexually abused a 13-year, according to the sheriff's office. Brayan Alexis Mendieta Lopez, 24, was arrested on March 7, according to a news release. Investigators said they received allegations that Mendieta Lopez had sexual contact with the victim. Deputies said they later discovered the abuse occurred multiple times at a home in Kissimmee.

1 month ago | clickorlando.com | Thomas Mates

SANFORD, Fla. - Nearly four years after a pair of deadly hit-and-run crashes, the man accused in those wrecks is now facing trial. Jury selection in the case against Michael Kraft, 40, began Monday. [STORY CONTINUES BELOW] Kraft is accused of hitting and killing Vincent Russo and Jenica Campbell before driving off in March 2021. According to investigators, Kraft hit Russo along State Road 46 near Summerlin Avenue and continued driving. Campbell had stopped to try to help, according to police.

2 months ago | clickorlando.com | Thomas Mates

ORLANDO, Fla. - Central Florida is home to a wide variety of ethnic markets, offering scents and flavors from all around the world. While wandering the aisle of these shops, the variety of snacks could catch your eye and make you wonder, "What could that possibly taste like?"That is the premise behind a new segment on the Florida Foodie podcast. On the first Florida Foodie Taste Test, hosts Candace Campos and Lisa Bell are subjected to a unique chip flavor from overseas by producer Thomas Mates.

2 months ago | clickorlando.com | Thomas Mates

WINTER PARK, Fla. - Jackie Moore hoped that her Winter Park business, Austin's Coffee, would be something she could pass down to her children, but the cafe faces an uncertain future as the city looks to repurpose the land. "This was meant to be an investment in their future," Moore said.

Jan 21, 2025 | ourcommunitynow.com | Thomas Mates

Share ORLANDO, Fla. – Shara Pathak never planned on owning a brewery, but her “soft heart” led her down this unexpected path. “I owned a building and had a tenant in there that was a microbrewery (Castle Church) and supported them through the infancy of their brand, which was approximately three years,” Pathak said. “In December of 2019, [the brewery’s owners] decided that they were going to shelve it.