AltWeeklies Wire
Happytown: How Bad Are Things at the Orlando Sentinel These Days?new
We'll let an unnamed Sentinel staffer answer that one: "Apparently the depressing, winnowing months we've been through recently may soon be know[n] as 'the good ol' days.'"
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffrey C. Billman, Billy Manes and Deanna Morey |
06-12-2008 |
Media
Happytown: It'll be a Gender-Bending Weeknew
This year's Gay Days fest brings a welcome new addition -- Focus on the Family -- known best for its spittle-flecked morality rants -- is putting on its Love Won Out conference June 7, the very same day many a gay will be using a red T-shirt to "wipe one off"! The synergy is thrilling!
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffrey C. Billman and Billy Manes |
06-05-2008 |
Media
The Orlando Police Beatnew
This week's copper wire theft comes from a Florida Hospital parking garage construction site. Gays do not steal copper.
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffrey C. Billman |
06-05-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
The Orlando Police Beatnew
Warning: This is a pretty boring week in crime. So do what I did: Slam three shots of Jack Daniel's and a fistful of Vicodin and let's get on with it. And don't bitch. I have to write the damn column; all you have to do is read it. Anyway.
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffrey C. Billman |
05-29-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Happytown Goes to an Obama Town Hall Meetingnew
Because we are good journalists committed to bringing you the news in an evenhanded manner, the Happytown™ Mobile Election Center yes-we-can–ed our way down South Orange Blossom Trail all the way to the Kissimmee Civic Center to cover Sen. Barack Obama's May 21 town hall meeting.
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffrey C. Billman, Billy Manes and Deanna Morey |
05-29-2008 |
Media
Florida is Stuck on Stupidnew

Here we are again. The earth has orbited the sun. The continents have drifted farther apart. The seasons came and went, as they do. Que sera, sera. But through it all, one ironclad reality remained: Our state is stuck on stupid.
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffrey C. Billman |
05-29-2008 |
Commentary
The Orlando Police Beatnew
May 13, 1:08 a.m.: Swear to God, I once saw a porno that started exactly like this: "On the above date and time, two male suspects entered the residence and duct-taped the victim." No porny goodness here, though. The two guys -- described as "possibly Jamaican," for what it's worth -- just stole "various items" and left. Booooooring.
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffrey C. Billman |
05-22-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Police Beatnew
Recent happenings of local criminals and police.
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffrey C. Billman |
05-15-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Police Beatnew
Recent happenings of local criminals and police.
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffrey C. Billman |
05-08-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
The Election That Won't Dienew
AltWeeklies Award - News Story (1500 words or less)
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffrey C. Billman |
04-21-2008 |
Media
Tags: media
Bogus Outrage and Reagan Ain't Goodnew
AltWeeklies Award - Media Reporting
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffrey C. Billman |
04-21-2008 |
Media
Tags: media
Development-Mad Orlando Ignores Flailing Economynew
The $1.8 billion plan to build two new downtown venues and renovate a third that almost never gets used is rock-solid. Yes, it's based on rising property values, increasing tourism and people snapping up downtown condos, but it's rock-solid nonetheless. And that's all you need to know.
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffrey C. Billman |
04-21-2008 |
Economy
Leave It to Florida Democrats to Foul Up Another Electionnew
It wouldn't be a presidential election if Florida didn't figure out a way to screw it up. This time, hanging and pregnant chads and poorly constructed ballots aren't to blame, and neither is a partisan U.S. Supreme Court. In 2008, the fault belongs squarely to Florida Democrats.
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffrey C. Billman |
03-24-2008 |
Politics
Thanks for the Memories, Kevin Bearynew
As of January 2009, Orange County will have a new sheriff for the first time in 16 years. That's bittersweet for us. On the one hand, the OCSO is in desperate need of fresh blood. On the other, we won't have Beary to kick around anymore.
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffrey C. Billman |
02-11-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Why I'm Not Voting This Weeknew

It's not apathy. By virtue of job description and personal predilections, I follow politics more closely than most. Having learned my lesson eight years ago, I never miss a vote. But this election is different. Nothing will change. There is no point.
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffrey C. Billman |
01-28-2008 |
Politics