W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2025
VOLUME 92, NO. 32
Local stars compete at APJI The action and competition were fierce at the 2025 Arnold Palmer Junior Invitational. SEE 3B.
Jump Jive an’ Wail
West Orlando Westies attracts dancers from throughout Central Florida.
Courtesy photo
Right: West Orlando Westies co-founder Chris Rupp picked up Neo-Swing in the 2000s and learned by watching VHS tapes.
The West Orlando Westies is dedicated to teaching swing dancing in a community-based environment. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4A. Photo by Carl Lind
YOUR TOWN OBSERVER WINS AWARDS
The West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer won awards for its journalism, design and advertising at the 2025 Florida Media Conference, held July 31 and Aug. 1 at the Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor. In the Florida Advertising Media Executives’ 2025 Creative Excellence Awards, the Observers won a Gold Awards for Digital Retail Ad (Discover Preschool). In the Florida Press Association’s 2025 Better Weekly Awards Contest, the Observers won four first-place, five secondplace and four third-place awards for writing, photography and design. The first-place awards included: Front Page Makeup (staff); Overall Graphic Design (Jessica Eng); Community History (The story of Gotha by Amy Quesinberry Price); and Community Service (Orange County Commission District 1 Candidate Debate).
‘C’ IS FOR DOGE begins Orange COOKIE! County investigation Have you met Matt Sutton, Winter Garden’s resident Cookie Monster? SEE PAGE 3A.
In response to a notice of investigation sent by the Florida Department of Government Efficiency, Mayor Jerry Demings is confident in the county’s funding decisions, calls audit ‘mean-spirited politics.’ PAGE 6A.
Residents push back on potential fire fee increase
BRAINFOOD BRICKS AND GIGGLES
An actual rate will be established at the Winter Garden City Commission’s meeting Thursday, Aug. 14. SEE PAGE 7A.
Did you know LEGO was named the ‘Toy of the Century’ not once — but twice? Find more LEGO facts inside! SEE PAGE 6B.