W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 92, NO. 41
Town of Oakland block party delights families, children. SEE PAGE 7A.
FREE • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2025
Rules of the road
These vehicles have become the transportation of choice for thousands of students. But with great power comes great responsibility. PAGE 5A.
YOUR TOWN WINDERMERE LACES UP FOR ANNUAL RUN One of West Orange’s most popular running events returns to Windermere this weekend. The 2025 Windermere 5K/10K Run Among the Lakes takes place Saturday, Oct. 11, beginning at Town Hall, 520 Main St., Windermere. Participants will experience one of Florida’s most beautiful and unique 5K run/walk and 10K run events. The scenic run traverses the dirt roads of Windermere, passing under a canopy of century-old oaks and alongside several lakes. This family-friendly event benefits the town of Windermere’s Parks and Recreation Department. The Kids Run is free for children ages 7 and younger, with no registration required. Participants can pick up their race packet from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, and Friday, Oct. 10; or from 6 to 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at Town Hall.
Gourd times
WARRIORS ON WATER PLANS WELLNESS DAY
Warriors on Water, a dragon boat team of breast cancer survivors, is hosting its second Paddling Through Healing Waters event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Dr. P Phillips YMCA Family Center, 7000 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando. This event — a toolkit for breast cancer survivors — will include chair yoga, nutrition information, energy healing, Tibetan healing bowls and more. Speakers will include massage therapist Lynn Teachworth and breast cancer survivor Elyn Jacobs. For more information, visit healingwaters2025.eventbrite. com.
PET FEST RETURNS TO HORIZON WEST
Liz Ramos
Winter Garden’s Diego Abreu and his brother, Colton Abreu, are ready for Pumpkin Glow with their newly carved pumpkins and their pumpkins from last year’s event.
Oakland Nature Preserve’s popular Pumpkin Glow is set for later this month. There still is time to carve your own entry for this year’s event. SEE PAGE 4A. Courtesy photo
Horizon West pets and their humans rejoice: The second annual Horizon West Pet Fest is coming to town. Horizon West Happenings will host the popular event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, in the Hamlin green space, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden. This event is designed to bring together pet owners, animal-lovers and the community for a day of fun. The event will feature a plethora of local vendors; pet products and services; adoption drives; and much more. Attendees also will enjoy fun activities and contests, such as the Best Pets Contest. For more information, visit bit.ly/4pXvtmD.
FLIPPING OUT! Gymnastics USA held its Over the Moon Bash Saturday, Sept. 26 — much to the delight of local kids. SEE PAGE 11A.
It comes down to these two Orange County commissioners will choose between two maps as it finalizes its redistricting process. SEE PAGE 7A.