W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
FRIDAY SIGHTS NIGHT
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland THE OBSERV
ER’S GUIDE TO
THE 2023 HIG
H SCHOOL FO
OTBALL SEAS
ON
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 90, NO. 34
FREE • THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023
GAME TIME Get ready for the season with our new Friday Night Sights section!
Observer
Cleared for takeoff
YOUR TOWN WEST ORANGE COUNTY 4H CLUB NOW FORMING An interest meeting for a new agricultural club for ages 5 to 18 will take place Thursday, Aug. 24, at Panera, 3131 Daniels Road, Winter Garden. Folks can drop in between 6 and 8 p.m. to learn more about West Orange County 4H and its livestock programs, officer selections, sponsorships, club dates and goals. Kristy Lightbody and Marissa Romeu will be leading the club, which is geared toward students who don’t have the option of joining FFA. For information, call (407) 790-0022.
Rezone sparks concern in Hamlin A developer is seeking a rezone to allow 100 multifamily residential dwelling units, 169,705 square feet of non-residential uses and 26 hotel rooms. SEE PAGE 2A.
Annabelle Sikes
Seventeen-year-old Elias Lopez is the second youngest to graduate from the Air Force JROTC Flight Academy. This summer, he earned his private pilot’s certification. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Hearts and soul Two West Orange volleyball players share a bond: Both have had open-heart surgeries. SEE PAGE 1B
WINDERMERE LEADERS: Town Hall project won’t affect historic designation Proposed improvements include foundation repairs, roof enhancements and accessibility features. 6A.
FAMILIAR
FACES
Andy Jones serves as chaplain for local police and fire agencies 3A.