SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 10, NO. 50
FREE • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
Faith, feast and festivities The Episcopal Church of the Messiah is celebrating its 75th anniversary with multiple events. PAGE 3A.
‘The sky is not the limit;
Ocoee keeps millage rate A second budget hearing took place Wednesday, Sept. 17. SEE PAGE 8A.
YOUR TOWN ATTENTION: WOHS CLASS OF 1990
Mayra Feliciano hopes to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach. She wants to fly fighter jets.
Photo by Leticia Silva
it’s just the beginning’ Mayra Feliciano from Dr. Phillips High School’s Air Force JROTC program, was recognized as the No. 1 cadet in the world. SEE STORY ON PAGE 6A.
LOOKING GOOD FOR 120 YEARS The West Orange Times & Observer celebrates 120 years. ORANGEOBSERVER.COM.
Chaine du Lac adds $600K in ad valorem revenue Windermere’s millage rate, which has not changed since 2018, will stay at 3.7425 mills. SEE PAGE 3A.
Winter Garden leaders jockey to take back control City commissioners approved the first reading of an ordinance to bring development control back to Winter Garden after Senate Bill 180 was signed into law. SEE PAGE 8A.
West Orange High School’s Class of 1990 will host its 35th reunion next month. In keeping with good school spirit, the class also is welcoming members of the classes of 1989 and 1991 to join the fun. West Orange High School Reunion: Classes of 1989, 1990 and 1991 will take place from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at The View Restaurant & Bar, 2601 Clermont National Drive, Clermont. There is no entry fee; guests can buy food and drinks. There will be a reserved area for the group. A simulator-style golf driving range also is on property, and attendees can bring their golf clubs if interested. The event will go on rain or shine. In addition to the reunion, the class is hoping to secure a block of seats at the Oct. 10 home football game. Officers of the Class of 1990 were: President Dana (Tanner) Bumford, Vice President Shelley (Wells) Collins; Secretary Vanessa (Allen) Marshall; and Treasurer Bonny (Potz) Elder. For more information or to register for the reunion, visit bit. ly/3KnsQKq.
ROAD CLOSURES CONTINUE The town of Windermere is continuing water line installation and curb work through Friday, Sept. 19. Temporary daytime closures will be in effect, so ensure extra travel time. Water main installation will take place from 939 to 1141 W. Second Ave. There also will be road closures from the Forest Street intersection to Main Street for curb installation, as well as grading behind the curb for sod from Forest Street to Pine Street. The town thanks residents for their patience.