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. 48
FREE • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2025
Forever grateful to our heroes Winter Garden honored veterans at the ninth annual Challenge 22 Ruck Walk. SEE PAGE 7A.
SOME LIKE IT HOT!
Santa’s big helpers
Phase 1B of the Horizon West Regional Park will include a 2-acre open lawn, splash pad, and a boardwalk and floating dock to Lake Hartley. 6A.
YOUR TOWN
The city of Ocoee rocked and rolled during its 2025 Ocoee Music Festival. SEE PAGE 1B.
City of Ocoee takes control of golf club
WINDERMERE ELEMENTARY HOSTING TOY DRIVE Windermere Elementary School is hosting a toy drive. The school is collecting new, unwrapped toys for children at Orange Center Elementary, a school serving families in need in the Parramore community. The school will be accepting donations until Friday, Dec. 5. The toys then will be part of a Holiday Shopping Day, where parents can choose what gifts to get for their kids, something the school says brings dignity, choice and cheer this season to families in need. The school said every toy makes a difference and helps spread the magic of the holiday. There also is an Amazon wish list that will ship items directly to the school. Visit amazon.com/hz/ wishlist/ls/21BZLBEXEV3SO to see the wishlist and make a difference this holiday season.
The commission elected to move forward with city maintenance and operation of Forest Lake Golf Club. SEE PAGE 5A.
SCOUT’S HONOR Courtesy photos
Winter Garden Fire Chief Jose Gainza loves helping Santa bring joy to the neighborhoods every year during the Santa Run.
Local scout embarks on mission to create a database to find every veteran buried at Woodlawn. PAGE 3A.
County greenlights park plan additions
Winter Garden and Ocoee fire departments invite St. Nick to ride through their communities for six nights, spreading holiday cheer for all to hear. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Ocoee residents donate toys to the Ocoee Police Department’s Holiday Toys for Kids in Need during Operation Santa.
HI-LITE CELEBRATES FIFTH ANNIVERSARY Congratulations to Jessica Villegas and Hi-Lite Coaching and Consulting, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary. Hi-Lite’s mission is to equip youth with a sense of clarity, direction that inspires a lifetime of confidence, resilience and continuous improvement. Because of this milestone, Hi-Lite offered a free, 1-hour private coaching session throughout the month of November. Teens were matched with a personalized coach based on their needs and goals. For more information, visit hilitecoaching.com.