W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026
VOLUME 93, NO. 24
New duds for a new season The Winter Garden Squeeze has adopted a new look to reflect its home base at Horizon. PAGE 9A.
NAILED IT
Tax reform legislation weighs on Ocoee leaders Commissioners emphasized the importance of the public staying informed with the decision they will make on November’s ballot. SEE PAGE 5A.
YOUR TOWN OBSERVER WINS STATE AWARDS FOR ADVERTISING, JOURNALISM
Photo by Leticia Silva
Omairis Santiago appreciates her salon on a daily basis. With the help of her husband, Luiyi Santiago, children and friends, the interior has become everything she’s wanted and more.
Omairis Santiago, owner of Polished Artistry Co., is a nail artist like no other. More than a nail salon, her business is a safe space for women. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
KNIGHT MOVES Ocoee High celebrated its Class of 2026 May 26 at Addition Finacial Arena. PAGE 14A. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: OLYMPIA HIGH SCHOOL | PAGE 11A DR. PHILLIPS HIGH SCHOOL | PAGE 11A
Reflecting back, looking forward Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings held his last State of the County Friday, June 5, at the Orange County Convention Center’s Linda W. Chapin Theater. PAGE 6A.
The West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer won 14 state awards, including six firstplace honors, for advertising and journalism at the 2026 Florida Media Conference, held June 4-5 at Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista — Disney Springs. In the 2026 FAME Creative Excellence Awards, the Observers won a Gold Award in Multimedia Campaign (Sarah Santiago). In the 2026 Florida Press Association Weekly Newspaper Contest, the West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer won five first-place awards: Photo Series in One Issue (Michael Eng); Feature Photo (Michael Eng) Best Obituary (Amy Quesinberry Price); Faith & Family Reporting (Amy Quesinberry Price); and Education News (Liz Ramos).
OMG WRITER THROWS FIRST PITCH
FAMILIAR
FACES Following her time in the U.S. Navy, Horizon West’s Nedy Trent opened Color Me Mine. SEE PAGE 3A.
Observer staff writer Megan Bruinsma threw out the first pitch at the Winter Garden Squeeze’s game Saturday, June 6, closing out the team’s threegame series against the Orlando Snappers. The Squeeze’s infielder Osjun Rivas acted as a catcher for the pitch. The team won the first game of the series 11-6 but fell in the next two.