W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 91, NO. 19
Meet Vincent Ogburn, Ocoee’s newest police chief. SEE PAGE 3A.
FREE • THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2024
Turning back time Ahead of its big move in the fall to Ocoee, Orange Technical College — West Campus opened its time capsule with items dating as far back as 50 years. SEE STORY ON PAGE 6A.
YOUR TOWN SEEKING FORMER CHORAL SINGERS FOR REUNION
Longtime award-winning choral director Dr. Jeffery Redding is putting together a reunion of his current and former choral singers for a performance to be held Saturday, May 18. Orlando Choral Society is presenting “The West Orange High School and Garden Community Choirs ‘Reunion’ Block Party and Concert.” A reunion rehearsal will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, May 17, at First United Methodist Church of Orlando. A reunion block party will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at West Orange High School. That evening, the concert, featuring beloved songs and surprises, begins at 7 at FUMC Downtown Orlando. To sign up to participate, visit orlandochoralsociety.org. Tickets are available at orlandochoralsociety.org/tickets. Redding became WOHS choral director in 1997 and directed the Garden Community Choir starting in 2007.
PICKING UP THE PIECES Amy Quesinberry
Soot mars the front door and porch of Patricia Oliver’s home. Oliver’s home in Winter Garden was destroyed by a fire that started in the kitchen.
CELEBRATE ASIAN CULTURE AT OCOEE FEST
The Asian American Heritage Council of Central Florida is celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with an Asian Cultural Festival in Ocoee. It will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center and Bill Breeze Park, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive. Guests can enjoy live music, dance performances, delicious food, cultural vendors and more representing the Asia culture. Parking and admission are free.
A March 1 house fire destroyed the Winter Garden home occupied by Patricia Oliver and her son, Darryl Merchant. She is living in a rental home until her house can be repaired, and the work is taking much longer than expected. STORY ON PAGE 4A. Courtesy photo
We are ready for football! Yes, spring is for blooming flowers and gorgeous weather. But for West Orange-area sports fans, it means one thing: The return of high school football. SEE PAGE 1B.
COUNTY LEVEL
Tax proposal failure leads county action The Orange County Board of County Commissioners in April made several decisions that impact West Orange and Southwest Orange. SEE PAGE 5A.