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SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 8, NO. 49
Local communities host ceremonies to remember those lost on 9/11. SEE 3A.
FREE • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
A shock to the system Duke Energy customers are feeling the pain. The Observer takes a look at the numbers. PAGE 7A.
YOUR TOWN OAKLAND MARKET OPENS THURSDAY
The town of Oakland is holding its first farmers market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, in front of the Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland, 126 W. Petris Ave. Additional markets will be held on the second and fourth Thursdays. The town is partnering with Orange Blossom Market Co. to secure quality vendors offering fresh produce, specialty items, homemade food, and arts and crafts. Live music will be featured on the porch on select dates. Two Acoustic Roosters, a rock, folk, pop, country and blues band, will perform Thursday. Vendors selling handmade items can apply by emailing specialevents@oaklandfl. gov. For more information, visit bit.ly/3RfhOIC.
Where there’s life, there’s hope
LARGEST HEART 5K IS SATURDAY
Courtesy photo
Edgewood Children Ranch’s Hope Farm is a place where students can learn the values of patience and persistence. STORY ON 4A.
Be a Largest Heart is hosting its fifth annual 5K and pet-friendly fun run starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, on the West Orange Trail. The event raises funds for the Largest Heart organization and its efforts to bring awareness to the societal impacts of drug overdose and suicide. The event takes place at Chapin Station, 501 Crown Point Cross Road, Winter Garden, and supporters can join in person or remotely. The cost is $25. For details, call (407) 900-8254.
Church helps food pantry after hurricane Pastor Fred Bekemeyer and his congregation at Fellowship Bible Church sent aid to the small island community of Cedar Key after Hurricane Idalia. SEE PAGE 2A.
Horizon West residents oppose mouse housing Disney’s affordable-housing project includes building up to 1,410 apartments on Hartzog Road. SEE PAGE 6A.
A GRAND OL’ TIME Sunset Park Elementary School students made memories with their grandparents at a special game night last week. SEE 7B.