SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 11, NO. 42
Dr. Phillips Little League celebrates two state champs. SEE PAGE 9A.
FREE • THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2026
Squeeze Plays The Winter Garden Squeeze reflects on a stellar season. SEE PAGE 9A.
CANDIDATE
Q&A
AIM HIGH, HEAL WELL
Two School Board members vie for the board’s top post. 3A.
YOUR TOWN CALLING ALL YOUTH ARTISTS Oakland Nature Preserve is calling for young artists to share their art during the preserve’s yearly Nature Fest event. This year’s theme is “Floral Fantasies.” Artists must be 17 years old or younger, and artwork must fit the theme. ONP said there are no restrictions on the type of medium used — watercolors, crayon, pencils, multimedia and more are welcome. Artwork must be dropped off one week before the event, which takes place at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at ONP. To register, visit oaklandnaturepreserve.wildapricot.org/ event-6577397.
HORIZON HIGH MARCHING BAND TO HOST CAR WASH
The Sound of Horizon, Horizon High School’s marching band, is hosting its annual Band Camp Blood Drive, Car Wash and Kona Ice fundraiser. People can have their cars washed while they donate blood on the Big Red Bus before stopping by Kona Ice for a sweet treat. The fundraiser will be from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, July 24, at Horizon High School, 10393 Seidel Road, Winter Garden. All the donations will support the Sound of Horizon’s trip to Chicago, where the band will perform in the city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Appointments for the blood drive can be made at donor. oneblood.org.
Courtesy photo
OCOM students Sebastian Morales-Campoamor, Radhika Vatsa, Guillana Socorro Fajardo, Emmagrace Brock and Joseph Sundling endured U.S. Air Force Officer Training School together. They relief on one another’s support before returning to OCOM as second lieutenants.
Five Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine students completed their U.S. Air Force Officer Training School together Thursday, July 2. Now they prepare to continue school before returning to service. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
EXPECTO PATRONUM Local wizards experience the wonderful world of Harry Potter at Hogwarts summer camp. SEE PAGE 14A.
Windermere council: Tax education is key Town leaders say local governments must communicate with voters about the implications of the tax reform. SEE PAGE 5A.