W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Disney hosts world’s largest swim lesson. 3A.
FREE • THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024
VOLUME 91, NO. 26
Arts groups feel the crunch Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed about $900 million in projects as he signed the 2024-25 $116.5 billion state budget. West Orange-area arts organizations are among the affected. SEE PAGE 4A.
Current events OARS is offering its summer Learn to Row camps to area students. SEE PAGE 16A.
STUNTED GROWTH
YOUR TOWN LIBRARY HOSTING PREP PROGRAM The Orange County Library System is offering a six-week “Countdown to Kindergarten” preparedness program starting July 5. The series offers tools to help preschoolers strengthen early literacy skills and provides caregivers with tools and resources to continue learning at home. Adults and children ages 4 and 5 are invited to participate in all six events July 5, 12, 19 and 26 and Aug. 2 and 9. All will take place at Oakland Meeting Hall, 221 N. Arrington St., Oakland. Register at bit.ly/3VuYffR.
THEATER SOUTH TO HOST OPEN HOUSE Theater South Playhouse will host an open house of the Theatre South Playhouse Conservatory at 6 p.m. Friday, June 28, at 7601 Della Drive, Orlando. Attendees will have a chance to tour the facility, meet teachers and ask questions. The conservatory teaches students in grades four through 12. For more information or to RSVP for the open house, call (407) 601-4380.
Thomas Lightbody | TK Photography
Members of the Ocoee High School FFA program came out in full force to ask the Ocoee City Commission for help.
Parents and teachers from the Ocoee High School FFA program urged the Ocoee City Commission to help restore road access to land lab. STORY ON PAGE 2A. Sam Albuquerque
THE BOYS OF SUMMER Davis enters commission District 1 race The former Orange County battalion chief announced his candidacy. SEE PAGE 8A.
The Squeeze Squad started as bat boys for the Winter Garden team but has since grown to much more. PAGE 15A.
Nonprofit gives residents hope Hope Along the Way was created by Hope Massey to continue her father’s legacy in east Winter Garden. PAGE 6A.