W E ST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Celebrating more than 110 years in West Orange
Meet ‘Doc,’ batboy for the W.G. Squeeze. 13.
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE
HOUSE & HOME
Learn how to keep your home safe in the summer months.
PAGE 21.
4 Locos Tacos coming to Ocoee The city approved the preliminary site plan for a new Mexican restaurant that will be located at 101 W. Silver Star Road. GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR
OCOEE Ocoee residents with a
taste for Mexican cuisine and spicy food soon will have a new option. The new restaurant, named 4 Locos Tacos, will be located on a .6-acre parcel at 101 W. Silver Star Road across the street from the Quadro shopping plaza. Ocoee city leaders endorsed the restaurant’s preliminary site plan, and city staff is SEE TACO PAGE 4
ARTS & CULTURE
Tony Melendez learned to play guitar with his feet.
PAGE 7.
WE ALL SCREAM!
VOLUME 84, NO. 27
•
THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017
YOUR TOWN West Orange is home to some of the best — and most unique — ice cream options in Central Florida.
I
t’s summer. It’s hot. But luck-
ily for West Orange residents, there are plenty of options
OCOEE POLICE TO HOST TEEN ACADEMY The Ocoee Police Department is holding its Annual Teen Police Academy from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, July 10, through Friday, July 14, at HighPoint Church, 476 Ocoee Commerce Parkway. The program is open to students ages 13 to 18 with no felony convictions. Participants receive a T-shirt and lunch on their final day. To participate, complete a registration form at ocoee. org. For information, contact Officer Patera Scott at (407) 554-7204.
SUNSET AND SUNRISE
for a cool treat this summer. In addition to icecream staples such as Allen’s Creamery & Coffee House in Windermere and Twistee Treat in Ocoee, this summer, locals have new, unique
The Winter Garden Library is displaying the Sunset and Sunrise Exhibit through Sept. 16. The 56 photographs, captured by 17 photographers, all were taken on Lake Apopka; the North Shore Restoration Area; and Magnolia, Newton and Truskett parks.
options, including Snow City, which serves Thai rolled ice cream, and Winter Garden’s Frozen Cow, home of a new summer special called the Déjà Moo Split.
SEE PAGES 4-5
Is Matthew’s Hope closing its doors? The ministry is in danger of closing because of financial constraints coupled with an increase in those needing services. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR
DID YOU KNOW? It takes
3 gallons
of milk to make
1 gallon
of ice cream.
Matthew’s Hope is in dire financial straits, and it’s not because of a lack of monetary donations or misappropriation of funds. A 2016 IRS audit showed clean and healthy books, founder Scott Billue said. Contributions are steadily being made to help West Orange County’s homeless individuals and families get SEE HOPE PAGE 6