W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Westbrooke goes incognito for annual daddy-daughter dance. SEE PAGE 6B.
FREE • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024
VOLUME 91, NO. 8
Chili festival brings the heat Despite the rain, the Central Florida Chili Cook Off was the weekend’s hottest event. SEE 3A.
Disney’s project clears P&Z The company seeks to build a 1,400-unit affordable-housing project in Horizon West. SEE PAGE 6A.
11-HOUR JAM SESSION
YOUR TOWN WINDERMERE TO UNLEASH PETFEST The Windermere PetFest returns for a seventh year from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, and folks are invited to take their pets along. The event is held at the town square and hosted by the town of Windermere’s Parks and Recreation Committee. The day will include petfriendly activities, entertainment and a number of vendors selling pet-related merchandise. Admission is free.
WIN $2,500 FOR YOUR SCHOOL! Courtesy photos
Michelle Jones and her Violectric band will take the stage at 8 p.m. Right: The Spazmatics perform at 6 p.m.
More than 30 acts will share their musical talents from six stages during the Winter Garden Music Festival Saturday, Feb. 24. STORY ON PAGE 4A. ARE YOU READY TO TAKE OVER THE TRAILS?
Join Healthy West Orange Trails Connection for Take Over the Trails Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, when community partners will have activities, giveaways and safety information along the trail starting at the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland. As you walk, run, or roll down the West Orange Trail, stop by and learn more about the Healthy West Orange Trails Connection and its work to maintain and improve trails in the community. Oakland’s new farmers market also will be taking place at that time.
LOVE WAS IN THE AIR! The city of Winter Garden hosted the Little Cupid’s Carnival for local children. SEE PAGE 5B.
Details emerge on wastewater facility expansion The expansion at the Winter Garden facility would increase the capacity of the Crest Avenue Wastewater Treatment Facility from 4.75 to 7.5 million gallons per day. SEE PAGE 2A.