a manhunt was underway. However, some seemed less disturbed by Squeeze's dis- appearance than others. âWait,â said B
“All the Juice That’s Fit to Drink”
The Citrus Sentinel
VOL. I ... No. 1
A.M. Edition Today, pleasant, high 77. Tonight, clear skies, low 59. Tomorrow, put your scarf away, fall is already over.
ORLANDO, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2017
$2.50
Squeeze Juiced, Suspects on Loose COLLEAGUES FEAR WORST FOR BELOVED MASCOT, CONFIDANT By: O.J. Mayo, Staff Writer
Photos by O.J. Howard
TURMOIL FOR SQUEEZE. Seen in happier times, Florida Citrus Sports mascot Squeeze is missing and being held for ransom by unknown assailants.
Investigators Follow Up On Leads in Search for Missing Fruit RANSOM NOTE LEFT BEHIND BY SQUEEZE’S CAPTOR OR CAPTORS
PERSONS OF INTEREST: Everyone is a suspect for now, but these four, in particular, are in the crosshairs of Orlando PD.
By: O.J. McDuffie, Staff Writer
Orange you glad you came to work today? Well, one local mascot sure isn’t, and area authorities are on the case. Orlando Police have all hands on deck in their search for Squeezleton “Squeeze” O’Citrus, and while the perpetrators of his kidnapping may be crafty, they’re clearly not professionals. According to a well-placed source within the department, the scoundrels left behind several clues that could potentially lead cops to their target. And there’s reason to believe it could be someone from within the Florida Citrus Sports offices. In fact, Squeeze’s captor, apparently a fan of the Saw film series, appears set on making people “play a game” to learn his whereabouts this Halloween.
Mickey Boylan
Cathy Weeden
Sam Gardner
James Zipperer
In the office all hours of the day. Constantly has a red solo cup in his hand. Is it full of orange juice? You don’t know, and, frankly, neither do police.
Anyone who willingly gets up before the sun to go to Orange Theory should be questioned when citrus goes missing. That’s police investigation 101.
Started calling himself a Syracuse fan once the Orange beat Clemson. Talks a lot of smack for a new guy. But who helped as his getaway driver?
Went to Boone (orange and white). Also looks like a guy who might kidnap and befriend a mascot. They’re probably playing D&D as we speak.
In addition to a ransom note cut letter-by-letter from discarded Russell Athletic Bowl signage and the lids of spent Keurig containers, the person in question also left what appears to be the first clue of a scavenger hunt. Per the source, it reads: “It is Halloween time and fall is in the air — but beware! This Halloween hunt includes clue
“It is Halloween time and fall is in the air — but beware! This Halloween hunt includes clue after clue, but before you move on, there’s something you must do! To start this game, go the place where FCS displays its fame!” - Ransom note found at the scene of Squeeze’s disappearance
after clue, but before you move on, there’s something you must do! To start this game, go the place where FCS displays its fame!”
Though there are many places in the Florida Citrus Sports offices where memorabilia is kept, DNA evidence on the note matches a fin-
gerprint also found on the trophy case across from the board room on the east side of the office. Anyone with information that could help locate Squeeze and return him to his grove and our lives is encouraged to keep all found clues together, in case a trend develops as the investigation unfolds.
Squeezleton O’Citrus, better known to friends and co-workers as “Squeeze,” has been kidnapped, according to reports out of Florida Citrus Sports HQ in Orlando, Florida. The faceless mascot of the 71-year-old nonprofit was reported missing early Tuesday by colleagues, who noticed his absence after he failed to send his weekly 6 a.m. group text proclaiming, ‘WAKE UP SLEEPYHEADS, TRIVIA STARTS IN 13 HOURS!” “It was pretty weird not to hear from him,” said friend Stephanie Marrone, a trivia regular who added, “Although, honestly, I don’t even know why he plays with us. He can’t answer questions. He doesn’t have a mouth or ears or anything.” What Squeeze did have, however, is heart, and the collective hearts of the employees at Camping World Stadium were shattered when they heard the news. “I’ve spent time around a lot of mascots during my time here, and there’s not a more genuine character in athletics than Squeeze,” said Florida Citrus Sports Foundation director Jill Mickle. “Children love him, his spirit is infectious and he truly embodies everything we represent as an organization.” Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan confirmed Squeeze’s disappearance, calling the stuffed orange “the most valuable asset on our staff.” “It’s mind-boggling to have something like this happen,” Hogan said. “Squeeze is more than just a friend and a teammate. Squeeze is family, he knows it, and if there’s any way he’s reading this, he knows we won’t rest until we find him.” In a Tuesday press release Matt Repchak indicated that a manhunt was underway. However, some seemed less disturbed by Squeeze’s disappearance than others. “Wait,” said Brooks Onderick, contorting his face in a familiar look of confusion. “What’s a Squeeze?”
No, You Can’t Call Shotgun.
NATIONAL A13-18
ARTS & CULTURE C1-16
Got a colleague who always needs a ride? Tell him to start walking. Read that and more in Nick Stepp’s column. Page A6.
Cereally Underrated.
Electric Daisy Carnival Returns Is EDM good? A very short debate. Page C1.
How Much Pizza is Too Much?
Will 2018 be the year Kellogg’s or General Mills steps up to sponsor the inaugural Cereal Bowl? It’s long overdue. Page A14.
Show Some Effort Sorry, simply wearing cat ears with your normal outfit doesn’t count. And wearing a sheet doesn’t make you a ghost. That and more Halloween costume tips. Page A16.
Hop Aboard the Bandwagon.
LOCAL A4-12
Local pizzerias have reported hordes of hungry Florida Citrus Sports employees overwhelming their businesses on Friday afternoons. Could “Pizza Friday” be too popular for its own good? Page A8.
Hands Off the H2O!
Archticked Off!
To Stand or Not To Stand?
Are the Magic For Real?
Increasingly, employees across the U.S. are enjoying refreshments intended for others. Will the epidemic hit your office? Page A5.
“No, I will not look up that member for you. That’s specifically why we held a training session.” Dan Brown vents. Page A10.
Do standing desks really make a difference? We discuss both sides in this week’s point-counterpoint feature. Page A18.
Orlando already has wins over San Antonio and Cleveland this year. Are the Magic getting it together? Nah, probs not. Page B6.
How’s That Working Out? SPORTS B1-16 Did your team blow a lead at Ohio State? Is it FSU or Kansas? Root for UCF instead. Plenty of good seats available. Page B1.
Gyms should offer membership packages where you only pay for the days you don’t go. That and other bright ideas. Page C12.
Publisher: O.J. Simpson
