W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Health Central nurse gets a second chance at life. SEE PAGE 3A.
FREE • THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
VOLUME 91, NO. 17
Reinventing TFA athletics The First Academy Athletic Director Jeff Conaway shares his vision for the Royals’ future. SEE PAGE 1B.
YOUR TOWN OCOEE FD TO HOST OPEN HOUSE The Ocoee Fire Department will host its annual open house event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Fire Station 25, 563 S. Bluford Ave., Ocoee. The event is a partnership between the Ocoee FD and the Citizens Advisory Council for the Ocoee Fire Department. Attendees will enjoy an afternoon filled with tours of the station, music, giveaways, blood pressure checks, face painting, a bounce house, and meet-and-greets with the firefighters. In addition, free food, including hot dogs, popcorn, pizza, chips, cotton candy and snow cones will be offered. For more information, call the Ocoee FD at (407) 905-3140, visit the department’s website, or follow the department on Facebook.
It’s a vibe Longtime Winter Garden resident Chris Chan, of Chris Chan Media, has launched his newest brand: Winter Garden Vibes.
SEE PAGE 4A.
GKTW VILLAGE CELEBRATES MILESTONE
Volunteers and wish families gathered Saturday, April 20, at the Park of Dreams Pool at Give Kids The World Village as the organization celebrated 5 million volunteer hours served. According to organization officials, volunteers have served 5 million hours and filled 1.6 million volunteer shifts at the village, an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides children with critical illnesses and their families from around the world with magical weeklong wish vacations at no cost. Festivities included largerthan-life games, live music, food trucks, visits by Village characters, a dunk tank and other fun family activities designed to thank Give Kids The World volunteers for everything they do to create happiness and hope for wish families. “Volunteers are the very heart of the Village,” President and CEO Pamela Landwirth said. “Our goal is to spread joy, inspire hope and create magical memories for our precious guests. We simply could not fulfill our mission without our amazing volunteers. We are grateful beyond words that they choose to share their time, talents and hearts with us.”
Annabelle Sikes
Chris Chan, 38, is sharing his love for the city of Winter Garden through his newest brand creation.
Ocoee commissioners appoint mayor pro tem, board liaisons Commissioner Scott Kennedy has been appointed mayor pro tem for the 2024-25 term. SEE PAGE 5A.
Summerlake Park now open! Orange County officials celebrated the long-awaited park in the Horizon West community. SEE PAGE 5A.
LBV Relay for Life returns Lake Buena Vista will raise money for the American Cancer Society April 27. SEE PAGE 7A.