W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
VOLUME 92, NO. 38
Faith, feast and festivities The Episcopal Church of the Messiah is celebrating its 75th anniversary with multiple events. PAGE 3A.
Lookin’ good for 120
Ocoee keeps millage rate A second budget hearing took place Wednesday, Sept. 17. SEE PAGE 8A.
YOUR TOWN ATTENTION: WOHS CLASS OF 1990
Observer staff
Landra Wormack took a selfie with Observer Sales Manager Cyndi Gustafson, Austin Arthur and Observer Editor and Publisher Michael Eng.
The West Orange Times & Observer, West Orange’s only hyperlocal community newspaper, threw a birthday party to celebrate its 120th anniversary and the whole community was invited. SEE PHOTOS, PAGE 6A.
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
Kassie Gustafson | Black + Bay Photography
Ocoee High School’s drumline performed at the party. Right: Paige Winkler, Joe Berry and Lynn Wright looked over old editions of the newspaper throughout its history. “It’s amazing,” Wright said. “I grew up in Winter Garden. My grandfather was one of the founders. It takes me back.”
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.
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.