W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 93, NO. 8
Local detectives solve oldest cold case in Ocoee history. SEE 3A.
FREE • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2026
Blessed benefit in blue jeans Windermere’s inaugural Boots and Salutes raised funds for Wind River Ranch. 7B.
Healthconscious
Behind the music
AdventHealth Winter Garden expansion continues with new buildings. SEE PAGE 6A.
YOUR TOWN THREE BIRDS CAFÉ SUPPORTERS PLAN DEMONSTRATION
Following the announcement that Three Birds Café will be leaving downtown Winter Garden, supporters are planning a demonstration to show support for the local restaurant. The demonstration is planned for 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, outside the cafe, 2 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Three Birds owner Ashley Morton said the new owner of the building in which the café is located has decided not to renew her lease. “Despite every effort to communicate and explore possible solutions, we were not granted an extension or the opportunity to stay,” Morton wrote on Facebook. The last day of the café will be Thursday, Feb. 26. “This situation is entirely outside of our control, and we share it with heavy hearts,” she wrote. “Three Birds has never just been a coffee shop. ... It has been a placed filled with morning routines, first dates, study sessions, celebrations, tears, laughter and so much love from this community.” Morton said she is working on having Three Birds’ coffee carts out in the community, participating in local farmers markets and searching for another location in downtown Winter Garden. “You built this little café with us, and we promise we’re taking you wherever we go next,” she wrote.
Approvals pave way for several projects Two of the approved development site plans are for West Colonial Drive while another was approved for Winter Garden-Vineland Road. SEE PAGE 5A.
A ROYAL WELCOME
MEET NICOLE WILSON IN WINDERMERE
Photo by Liz Ramos
Winter Garden Parks and Recreation Director Laura Coar, Parks Manager Ricky Reynolds and Recreation Manager Jackie Mathis and their small but mighty team work diligently to ensure Music Fest runs smoothly every year.
Family Church rolled out the red carpet for the 2026 Night to Shine. PAGE 6B.
It takes about 40 city employees and 260 volunteers to pull off Winter Garden’s annual Music Fest. The 12hour concert festival returns Saturday, Feb. 21. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4A.
District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson will be available to meet with the public during in-person office hours Thursday, Feb. 19. Wilson will be at Windermere Town Hall, which is located at 520 Main St., from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for residents who have questions, concerns or ideas. A time slot can be reserved by calling (407) 836-7312 or emailing district@ocfl.net.