SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Windermere Rotary returns with Lobster and Laughs. OrangeObserver.com
FREE • THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025
VOLUME 10, NO. 14
ANNE DOUGLAS: 11A
YOUR TOWN WINDERMERE TO HONOR FALLEN SOLDIER
2025
SHANE TAYLOR: 4A The town of Windermere will host a memorial dedication in honor of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Evan Fitzgibbon at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at the town of Windermere office, 614 Main St. The town also will welcome back “Old Glory” — the famed American flag-inspired horse statue — at the event. Fitzgibbon, who graduated from Foundation Academy in 2017, was one of two soldiers killed during a Ranger School training incident Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Fitzgibbon was an infantry officer assigned to the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course, 199th Infantry “Leader Brigade” at Fort Benning, officials said. He was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and commissioned in May 2021.
OAKLAND SEEKS NEW LEADER After 13 years of service, Rick Polland resigned as Seat 1 commissioner to pursue future endeavors. The town of Oakland is accepting applications for the vacant commission seat; the term will end March 10, 2026. The Town Commission will establish the process for reviewing and selecting applications at the Jan. 14 Town Commission meeting. Visit bit.ly/4gAlv5D to apply for the position. Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17. Completed applications must be signed and submitted to the Town Clerk’s Office, 230 N. Tubb St./P.O. Box 98, Oakland, FL 34760 or emailed to ehui@oaklandfl.gov. For questions, call Elise Hui, Town Clerk, at (407) 656-1117, Ext. 2110.
FORECAST From new developments and local leaders to a centennial celebration and an always-interesting realestate market, here are 10 of the top news-makers in 2025 in West Orange and Southwest Orange.
THE DYNASTY | OCOEE: 15A
OLYMPIA SOCCER TO HOST NEW 5K If your New Year’s resolution for 2025 is to improve your fitness, then the Olympia girls soccer program has an event this weekend that will help you reach that goal. The soccer team will host its Titan Trot 5K fun run/walk at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake, 3401 S. Hiawassee Road, Orlando. And unlike many 5Ks, canines are invited to join their twolegged owners in the fun. “The event will feature professional timing and live tracking in our custom app (we will even have a Dog Leaderboard), and the post-race party will have a deejay, a ‘Canine Lounge’ and treats provided by many local businesses,” girls soccer coach Dan Vincent said. To register and download the app, visit rtrt.me/app/TTA.
NEW ORLANDO HEALTH LEADERS: 5A
CENTURY MARK: 2-3A
KRISTA CARTER: 7A
REAL ESTATE: 6A
INSIDE: Labor shortages, 8-9A; Bernard Hendricks, 12-14A; Athletes to watch, 16-17A