W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2026
VOLUME 93, NO. 14
School chops it like it’s hot Whispering Oak Elementary School enjoyed a plethora of fun at its annual Spring Carnival. PAGE 13A.
A fight for her father
Traffic, safety top concerns about school expansion Windermere Preparatory School’s new elementary campus, proposed to be built at 15765 New Independence Parkway, has some Horizon West residents worried how it will affect their community. SEE PAGE 6A.
YOUR TOWN LOOKING FOR SOME EASTER EGGS-CITMENT?
Sonya Alvarez has cared for her father, David Pherai, since 2013.
Courtesy image
Sonya Alvarez and her husband, Sherwin, are seeking legislative changes to the state’s guardianship laws that have kept her away from her dad. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Property rezone allows more commercial uses
ROTARY ROCKS!
n Crossline Community Church Easter Egg Hunt — 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at Crossline Park, 17922 Old YMCA Road, Winter Garden
n Glad Tidings Church’s Egg Ocoee — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday April 4, at the church, 2009 Fullers Cross Road, Ocoee
BRAINFOOD Celebrate Earth Day with un-bee-lievable fun facts about the honeybee. SEE 11A.
HORIZON WEST n Dream Finders Homes Hippity Hop 5K — 8 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at Hamlin Town Center, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden
OCOEE n Easter Eggstravaganza — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee
Winter Garden city commissioners approved ordinances for 761 Garden Commerce Parkway that add more uses to the project. PAGE 8A.
BUZZ-WORTHY!
In addition to area churches offering special services this Sunday, there are a plethora of options for Easter fun this weekend.
WINDERMERE/GOTHA n Easter Egg Extravaganza — 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 4, at Town Square, 520 Main St., Windermere
The Rotary Club of Winter Garden hosted Evening at the Pops. PAGE 3A.
n Easter Sunrise Service — 6 a.m. Sunday, April 5, at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha