W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
INSIDE:
Observer
LOCAL
Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
MOTION AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO LIFE IN WEST ORANGE COUNTY
2025-2026
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 92, NO. 31
FREE • THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2025
Season’s greetings High school football teams return to the gridiron. PAGE 1B.
Observer
LOCAL MOTION 2025
1
YOUR TOWN SHOP TILL YOU DROP IN WINTER GARDEN
1960-2025
A legacy of devotion
If you’re in need of a little retail therapy, make sure you head to downtown Winter Garden this weekend. The Downtown Winter Garden Summer Sidewalk Sale takes place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2. Take advantage of end-of-season clearance closeout prices on boutique originals. Stroll the outdoor sale racks and tables and pop inside the shops for additional sales and promotions. Stack your savings with taxfree shopping on items eligible for the back-to-school sales tax holiday. Qualifying tax-exempt items include apparel, footwear and handbags priced at $100 or less. The event also will feature live music from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Centennial Plaza. The Absent Trio performs from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and L&G Live from 3:30 to 7 p.m. The event also will include free treats from Bryans Lemonade for kids from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as a free back-to-school kids craft from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. hosted by SOBO Art Gallery, 127 S. Boyd St. Swing by the gallery’s outdoor patio to make a custom-designed, zippered, cloth pencil case for the new school year.
CARS & COFFEE ROLLS INTO HAMLIN
Tim Keating loved a good day of fishing with family and friends.
Courtesy photo
Tim Keating led his life with service to his family, his community, his church and his industry. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4A.
HOUSEHOLD NAME
HEROIC EFFORT A Winter Garden police officer went above and beyond to save a local man. SEE PAGE 5A.
Winter Garden business owner and historian Austin Arthur is the new president of West Orange Habitat for Humanity. PAGE 3A.
The next Horizon West Cars & Coffee event rolls into Hamlin this weekend. The next Cars & Coffee will take place from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden. All years, makes, models, cars and trucks are welcome. The group will meet on the top of the parking garage in front of Cinépolis. Come hang out, have some coffee and meet some of your neighbors. The show coincides with Horizon West Happenings’ Homegrown in Horizon West market, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a family-friendly event. The goal is a peaceful, safe gathering where locals can share their passion and meet others in the community. Please follow the rules: n No revving n No burnouts n No speeding n No racing
Winter Garden leaders approve measures to deter solicitation The City Commission also set the tentative 2025-26 millage rate. PAGE 8A.