W E ST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Celebrating 110 years in West Orange
Goalie Alec Holland anchors Warrior squad.
PAGE 23
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 83, NO. 2
FREE
•
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2016
A (Warrior) nation divided
District officials unveiled four rezoning maps for West Orange High and its relief school. Page 3.
Leading Ladies
In his first meeting as District 3 commissioner, Angel de la Portilla addressed the decrepit property at Maguire Road and State Road 50. ZAK KERR STAFF WRITER OCOEE With possibly as few as
five Ocoee City Commission meetings to make an impact, there was one particular concern newly appointed District 3 Commissioner Angel de la Portilla wished to raise most during his first meeting as commissioner Jan. 5. “One of the big concerns
Outstanding teens from throughout Florida took center stage for the 2016 Distinguished Young Women of Florida state program, held Jan. 9 at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden. PAGE 10
SEE OCOEE PAGE 6
YOUR TOWN Hospital needs help
Jennifer Nesslar
Madison Taylor, of Okaloosa, won the title of Distinguished Young Woman of Florida during the organization’s state program, held Jan. 9 at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden. For more photos, see page 10 and visit OrangeObserver.com.
Support system The community came together at the Winter Garden Elks Club to raise money for a new kidney for Ocoee native Donald Wise. HOW TO HELP Donald can take any kidney that matches up to his blood type (A positive). If you think you’re a match and want to donate a kidney contact Florida Hospital Transplant Center, 2415 N. Orange Ave., Suite 700, Orlando, Florida 32804. For more information, call (407) 303-2474 or (866) 913-7851. To donate to Donald’s kidney fund, send a check to Donald Wise Kidney Fund, P.O. Box 1026, Ocoee, Florida 34761.
De la Portilla wants Ocoee intersection cleared
DANIELLE HENDRIX
Senior support
STAFF WRITER WINTER GARDEN A smile spread on
Donald Wise’s face as he walked into the Winter Garden Elks Lodge and was immediately greeted by dear friends and family members, who got up from their tables to hug and converse with him. Some people hadn’t seen him in years but came to the fundraiser Jan. 9 to support him anyway. Friends from high-school days laughed and reminisced about the rivalry between Lakeview and Ocoee high schools. Five of SEE WISE PAGE 4
Orlando Health is asking for the public’s help in identifying an unknown patient who has been unable to provide the information himself. The patient appears to be an Asian or Hispanic man, likely in his mid- to late-20s. He is 5-foot-6 and weighs 144 pounds. He has a short spiked haircut and a goatee. He has no physical identifying marks or tattoos. The unidentified man was struck by an automobile near the intersection of Kirkman Road and Colonial Drive the week after Christmas. He was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center by ambulance and was admitted Dec. 27. Anyone with information should call (321) 841-7505.
Danielle Hendrix
Donald Wise, second from left, loves to spend time with his wife, Candy, and sons Brent, left, and Heath.
Margaret Palaigas of the West Orange Seniors in Ocoee delivered a check to Matthew’s Hope that had been left at the senior center for the homeless ministry. The seniors have supported Matthew’s Hope for several years; the $1,000 check that was left at the center was from someone who discovered the seniors support the ministry. To donate, visit Matthews HopeMinistries.org/Give.