SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Community remembers longtime paper owner Anne Bailey. SEE 7B.
FREE • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026
VOLUME 11, NO. 19
Chili event stirs up fun! Legacy Events for Education serves up annual Central Florida Chili Cookoff. SEE 3A.
YOUR TOWN WINDERMERE ROLLS OUT RED CARPET FOR NIGHT TO SHINE
Survival mode
Family Church once again will host the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine event this weekend. Night to Shine 2026 will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at the church’s Windermere campus, 300 Main St., Windermere. The Windermere event will be one of hundreds taking place throughout the world. Night to Shine is a complimentary event for people with special needs hosted by local churches around the world. The event is open to anyone living with disabilities, ages 14 and older. Each event is unique to its location, but some cornerstone activities included across all of them are a red carpet entrance complete with a welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi, hair and makeup stations, shoeshines, limousine rides, karaoke, gifts, a catered dinner, a sensory room, a respite room for parents and caregivers, dancing, and a crowning ceremony where every guest is honored as a king or a queen.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Southern Hill Farms owner David Hill said the farm has lost at least 35% of its annual income as a result of the frigid temperatures. The sunflowers will need to be replanted.
ROAD CLOSURES CONTINUE IN WINDERMERE
The town of Windermere has announced daytime road closures on Butler Street and Seventh Avenue through Friday, Feb. 13. Crews will be grading Butler and Forest streets and working in Fernwood Park. Two crews will be removing old asphalt and dirt and installing new lime rock for paving from 535 to 636 W. Second Ave. and from 802 to 732 W. Second Avenue. Crews also will install lime rock base material for a ribbon curb in a cul de sac, as well as form and pour concrete for that curb. Crews will work with residents to notify them 24 hours in advance as to when the residents will lose access to their driveway.
Courtesy photo
The ice destroyed several blueberry bushes.
Foundation Academy names new president The West Orange Christian school searched far and wide for its next leader. But the perfect person was in the building all along. SEE PAGE 9A.
Southern Hill Farms owner David Hill said the frigid temperatures resulted in the farm losing 35% of its annual income. The farm’s future now is in the hands of the community. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
TRIPLE THREAT A trio of players anchors Olympia High’s 2025-26 basketball squad. They hope to bring the Titans a state title. SEE PAGE 1B.
Ocoee stiffens code penalties Leaders hope fines will encourage owners to keep their properties clean. 6A.