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The 25 most WTF Orlando stories of 2017

By Orlando Weekly Staff on Fri, Dec 29, 2017 at 7:59 pm

Over the past year the Orlando area has experienced everything from escaped cobras (again), the Sausage Castle burning to the ground, and a 10-year-old girl kicking a gator's ass. 2017 has been one hell of a year and we couldn't be happier that it's over.

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Bella Vista Baptist Church over in Edgewater found itself the butt of jokes on the internet after a picture of their sign made the rounds. Read more

A plane ran over and killed an 11-foot alligator at Orlando Executive Airport. Read more

An Orlando Police officer was under an internal affairs investigation after a video surfaced showing him cursing and threatening another man. Read more

The Orange Tree Golf Club in Orlando posted on its Facebook page that aggressive hawks are currently nesting on the course, and most importantly they more than likely will attack you. Read more

One University of Central Florida student decided to go old school, literally, to get back at his ex-girlfriend. Nick Lutz received an apology letter from his ex-girlfriend, and decided to pick up a red pen and grade her sad words. Read more

A local dog that has accumulated a tremendous amount of mass may have survived a bear attack in Altamonte Springs because of its overall thickness. Read more

A 10-year-old girl in Orlando pried open a gator's mouth to free herself while swimming at Moss Park, officials say. Read more

Every day, guests at Disney's Magic Kingdom will sit down along Main Street hours before a fireworks show, staking out prime positions. But when the show starts, it's anything goes, something visitors always get upset about. Read more

A small airplane was forced to make an emergency landing on I-4 during rush hour traffic. Read more

Bajalia International Group, a Winter Park jewelry company promoted on HSN, is being accused of bilking thousands of dollars from the female artisans it employs in developing countries like Afghanistan and India. Read more

A University of Central Florida student thought it might be fun to take a dip with a few toothy friends, and, of course, it only took moments for him to regret that decision. Read more

Bright Smiles Dental in Casselberry, Florida, just wants to inform the public of a great deal on X-rays and exams. However, some local teens refuse to let this happen. Read more

A goat blood–drinking white nationalist from Orlando who launched a previous failed bid as a Libertarian says he's running again for U.S. Senate, but this time as a Republican. Read more

A big ol' half-eaten shark washed up ashore at New Smyrna Beach, a sobering reminder that not only is there always a bigger fish, but that the ocean is metal as hell. Read more

While wearing an American flag T-shirt with the phrase "PROUD" across it, a federal agent in plain clothes dropped his gun and shot himself in the foot in the Orlando International Airport. Read more

A Daytona man was a little dazed and confused after finding a suspicious package while walking on the beach. Read more

The man who stole a swan boat and stranded himself on the fountain at Lake Eola told police he ingested a large quantity of molly and wanted to be with the swans because "they don't judge him." Read more

A woman somehow was able to bring her diaper-wearing service monkey into Epcot, despite company policy that only allows dogs and miniature horses. Yes, miniature horses. Read more