W E ST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Celebrating 110 years in West Orange
West Orange lacrosse takes crown. Page 15
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 83, NO. 15
YOUR TOWN Baby O. in 2016!
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THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016
Remembering Gail Kiehm
A potential new spot on the Orange County Commission isn’t the only big change coming to Bobby Olszewski. The Winter Garden commissioner and his wife, Allison, announced via social media that they are expecting. They’ve also adopted a hashtag, #BabyOin2016!, for their new bundle of joy.
When you’re here, you’re family
Olive Garden restaurants are supporting local high schools with a series of Spirit Nights through a partnership with NFHS Network. From 4 to 10 p.m. on select nights, a portion of all in-restaurant sales will be donated to the school, up to $1,000 per restaurant. Three West Orange schools will benefit from the Spirit Night. Dr. Phillips High’s designated day is Tuesday, April 12, at the restaurant at 12361 State Road 535, Orlando. West Orange High will benefit Tuesday, April 19, at the Olive Garden at 7300 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando. And Windermere Preparatory School’s Spirit Night is Tuesday, April 19, at the location at 8984 International Drive, Orlando.
Any old paint lying around? Orange County Utilities is collecting residents’ household hazardous waste and electronic waste from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Orange County Services Building, 475 W. Story Road, Ocoee.
FLOWER POWER
Those within the Frangus Elementary School community considered Gail Kiehm the ‘heart and soul’ of the school. The longtime registrar died April 1 of liver cancer. Page 3.
ARTS+CULTURE
Read the story behind HapCo’s Wine & Dine chef.
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Olszewski, VanderLey spar in first debate No love was lost between the two frontrunners for the District 1 Orange County commissioner seat. Photos by Danielle Hendrix and Amy Quesinberry Rhode
Merline Bingham toted her new flowers in style.
T
he community took advantage of the beautiful weather last weekend at The Bloom & Grow Garden Society’s annual Spring Fever in the Garden. The event took place April 9 and 10 along Plant Street, where vendors set up with products ranging from plants to gardening tools and outdoor furniture. Visitors were able to speak to garden experts and have their questions answered, and children got to enjoy a special Kids’ Zone. Additionally, patrons enjoyed a silent auction and raffle, food trucks and multiple educational programs. — DANIELLE HENDRIX AND AMY QUESINBERRY RHODE
Bright Gazanias were for sale.
SEE MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 12
ZAK KERR STAFF WRITER ORLANDO For the
afternoon of April 8, there were more questions and answers about Orange County governance than about paintings and sculptures at the Orlando Museum of Art. BusinessForce hosted the first debate between Winter Garden Commissioner Bobby Olszewski and Oakland businesswoman Betsy VanderLey, frontrunners in the race to replace outgoing District 1 Orange County Commissioner S. Scott Boyd. Tension flared when Olszewski repeatedly attacked VanderLey’s record on votes related to schools as a member of the county Planning & Zoning Commission — after each had given a closing statement. “We have to find ways to site our schools appropriately in West Orange County, in the SEE DEBATE PAGE 8