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YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

Ocoee High School’s Kylie Holden commits to University of Florida. 9A.

FREE • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2026

VOLUME 93, NO. 41

Leaders discuss Amendment 3 ramifications The West Orange Chamber of Commerce hosted local leaders for a community conversation Wednesday, Sept. 30, regarding Amendment 3 and what it could mean for local services, communities and quality of life. SEE PAGE 7A.

Daring to dream

YOUR TOWN WINDERMERE RUN CELEBRATES 25 YEARS SATURDAY

When the runners take to the streets Saturday, they will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Windermere Run Among the Lakes. Festivities for this year’s run begin at 7 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St., Windermere. The 10K will begin at 7:10 a.m., followed by the 5K at 7:35 a.m. An awards ceremony will take place at 8:15 a.m., followed by a Kids Run at 8:45 a.m. Run Among the Lakes was founded in 2001 to bring the Windermere community together during a time of reflection and healing following 9/11. In the past 25 years, it has grown into a cherished tradition — one that embodies the spirit of community, resilience and connection. To register, visit town.windermere.fl.us/page/5k10k-runamong-the-lakes.

HORIZON WEST LIBRARY OPENS THIS WEEKEND Jericho Todman couldn’t help but smile as he met Minnie Mouse.

Photo by Leticia Silva

Walt Disney World is partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to bring its Disney Dreamers Academy to 200 middle-schoolers from Orlando, Miami, Atlanta and Houston. STORY ON PAGE 4A.

MEET THE CANDIDATES

Voters will choose between Chris Messina and Tiffany Moore Russell for county mayor. 3A.

TRASH TALK: Winter Garden increases solid waste rates The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved rate increases to meet projected funding requirements over the next five years. SEE PAGE 6A.

Oakland throws fall Block Party Town of Oakland residents enjoyed an evening of fun, food and fellowship at the town’s 2026 Block Party, held Sept. 18. SEE PAGE 14A.

The long-anticipated Horizon West Library finally will welcome its first guests this weekend. Orange County Library Services will celebrate the grand opening of its newest branch at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at 4657 Hamlin Groves Trail, Winter Garden. The library will offer 45,000 books, two classrooms, free study rooms and a media lab with a green screen, lighting, and recording and editing software to work on audio, video and photo projects. The library also will offer a variety of classes and events, including story times and family programs.

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2026

FAST

Division is actively investigating the case. Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or might have information that could assist with the investigation to contact the Ocoee Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at (407) 905-3161. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crimeline at 1-800-4238477.

Windermere Brewing Co. to host Backup Beer Fest An inaugural beer fest will take place at Windermere Brewing Company after Windermere Craft Beer Fest was canceled. “We were so sorry to hear this year’s beer fest was canceled,” Windermere Brewing Co. officials said. “So we decided to keep the beer flowing.” From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at 111 W. Fifth Ave., Windermere, the brewery will host a Backup Beer Fest to keep the party going. Tickets are priced at $50 and will include an official Backup Beer Fest T-shirt, a souvenir tasting cup, samples from all participating

breweries and 15% off draft beers. The Lee’s Famous Cheesesteaks, Tao Te Cheese and Bien Fuego food trucks will be on site for attendees to enjoy. “We’re excited to bring breweries, beer lovers, and our community together for an afternoon of great beer and good times,” Windermere Brewing Co. officials said. Visit bit.ly/4yuShhx to purchase tickets.

Two injured in Lake Buena Vista vehicle crash Two people were hospitalized following a vehicle crash in Lake Buena Vista.

Penelope’s Coffee to open in Windermere Downtown Windermere will have a new coffee

shop. Penelope’s Coffee almost has finished renovations at 507 Main St. and is expected to open this fall. An exact opening date has not been announced yet. The café will offer craft coffee, baked goods and more. Owners Leti Freitas and Joe Harris are Windermere residents and passionate coffee lovers. “We are thrilled to bring a warm and welcoming neighborhood café where we will proudly be serving Orlando’s own Lineage Coffee along with freshly baked goods and more,” Freitas and Harris posted on Instagram. “Our hope is that Penelope’s becomes your goto cozy space where you can unwind, take a quick lunch break or catch up with an old friend — all while sipping on a great cup of coffee.”

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Williams Holiday House opens for Halloween scares Halloween haunts are back at the Williams Holiday House. The annual Halloween house uses countless animatronics, spooky decorations and more for people to walk around the front yard and view in October. The Williams Holiday House opened at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at 15304 E. Oakland Ave. The hours of operation are from noon to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays as well as Sundays and noon to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The hours are subject to change due to inclement weather.

File photo

The Halloween tradition at the Williams Holiday House begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at 15304 E. Oakland Ave.

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Juvenile shot at Ocoee High School The victim of a shooting outside the football game at Ocoee High School last Friday was released from the hospital. The shooting occurred after Ocoee High’s football game against Jones High School. At about 9:24 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, a teenager was shot in the lower extremities. The school’s stadium was placed on lockdown while law enforcement responded to the incident. The victim, who is not affiliated with Ocoee High, was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The Ocoee Police Department and OCPS District Police continued their investigation through the evening and have one suspect in custody. Law enforcement told Ocoee High officials no known individuals involved in the incident attend Ocoee or Jones high schools. “Please know that the safety and security of our students, staff, families and community members is always our highest priority,” Ocoee Principal Dr. Frederick Ray told parents in a prepared statement. “We are grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and event personnel, whose actions helped ensure everyone’s safety.” Ocoee’s Criminal Investigations

According to Orange County Fire Rescue Department, two people were hospitalized Friday, Sept. 25, after the car they were in crashed into a tree at about 8:04 a.m. When firefighters arrived to the crash site near the intersection of Palm Parkway and South ApopkaVineland Road, the vehicle was in flames. The fire was extinguished and one rider was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center with burns, while the other person in the vehicle was transported to Dr. P. Phillips Hospital with minor injuries. No other information was released.

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MEET THE CANDIDATES

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2026

Orange County Mayor Before the Nov. 3 general election, the Observer will be publishing Q&As featuring candidates in key races that will appear on ballots in West Orange and Southwest Orange. This week, we introduce the candidates for Orange County mayor. Two candidates — Chris Messina and Tiffany Moore Russell — are in a runoff after no candidate earned 50% plus one vote in the August primary. Some responses have been edited for grammar and space. Unedited responses are available at OrangeObserver.com. CHRIS MESSINA

Age: 68 Residence: Winter Park Family: Married 25 years to wife, Julie; three children, all in Florida schools Education: MBA (Dean’s Award), Harvard; master’s degree in city planning (Rotary Fellow), Rutgers Qualifications: Founded and helped lead multiple tech-based businesses, trade associations and foundations; runner-up for Orange County mayor in 2022; vice chair for Orange County Watch; volunteer as Orange County high school football coach

Outline three major differences between you and your opponent. I’m a businessman with decades of business experience. My opponent’s a career politician, with decades of political experience. I believe most issues the county faces can be addressed with creativity and technology. My opponent believes solving these problems requires additional funding sources and taxes. I support raising the homestead exemption via Amendment 3. It will reduce the annual average cost of homeownership in Orange County by $1,000 in year one, and by $2,000 in year two and subsequent years, without jeopardizing essential services. Discuss how your prior experiences have prepared you to be Orange County’s next mayor. I have unique job-creating experience: Thirty-plus years of visionary, executive leadership using technology to solve problems, build businesses and grow high-tech trade associations. These are relationships which I will tap to bring new businesses to Orange County while expanding existing ones. I also have directly relevant education to the challenges of Orange County: a master’s (degree in) city and regional planning and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Finally I have had a variety of life experiences that have shaped me in understanding the challenges our residents experience — among them affordability (I lived on pasta while working my first job as a mason’s helper); homelessness (I was on the street for a brief period of time as a teenager); fatherlessness (I became a Big Brother to a fatherless inner-city boy); and disability (my son has a genetic condition). What are the three most important issues in Orange County, and what are your solutions to those issues? 1. Ending economic insecurity. Median wages here are at the very bottom of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). We’ll diversify the economy with additional, high-tech jobs, especially in simulation, SpaceTech and Medtech. We’ll reduce the cost burden of government on our hard-working residents by supporting tax cuts. 2. Keeping our kids safe. Our children are under siege. We will fight against both external and internal threats. One way we’ll do this is by giving hope for a great job after school, through our Orange County subsidized trades education for everyone who wants one. 3. Eliminating local government waste and bureaucracy. We’ll tackle this through zero-based budgeting, forensic audits and fiscal discipline. This will allow us to fully fund essential services while accommodating property tax cuts. Discuss your familiarity with the unique challenges Horizon West residents face. How will Horizon West residents benefit from your presence as Orange County mayor? I’ve spent considerable time in Horizon West. It has many of the same development, infrastructure and environmental challenges as the community near UCF in which I live. Housing has grown faster than infrastructure. Roads especially are frequently clogged. Try getting on the (State Road) 429 from Florida’s Turnpike or traveling up Avalon Road during rush hour! A related issue is the tension between rural/environmental preservation vs. development. This is a particularly acute issue in the Avalon Rural Settlement.

TIFFANY MOORE RUSSELL

Community participation, balancing of interests and good long-term planning are essential to effectively manage this tension. The recent community-led process which led to the negotiated approval of the permit to construct Discovery Church’s new Winter Garden campus is an example of the collaborative effort that is important to Horizon West specifically and West Orange in general. How will you work with the individual municipalities and their leaders to ensure an effective relationship with the county? By collaborative relationships, which start with understanding the unique issues each community faces. Then it requires an understanding of where the county can help, via providing services, addressing problems, finding appropriate solutions and negotiating fair interlocal agreements as warranted. Discuss Amendment 3 and the potential ramifications on Orange County. If passed, how do you suggest Orange County respond with budget cuts? I support Amendment 3, and I ask that all Orange County voters do likewise. A3 means that our homeowners will be able to afford to put more gas in their cars and more groceries in their refrigerators. For some seniors, it means being able to keep the house where they raised their family. For young couples, it may mean the difference between buying their first house or continuing to rent. Amendment 3 also includes a provision that helps renters, by capping tax increases on rental properties. It also protects school funding and prioritizes public-safety spending. Opponents of A3 are now fearmongering, claiming that public safety (police and fire services) will be hurt. This is not true, unless nonessential programs are prioritized by politicians. I commit that Orange County’s $9 billion in annual spending gets spent first on essential services (police, fire, EMS, corrections, infrastructure and TDT which is about $2 billion). Then, what’s left over will be distributed to worthy programs in other areas. We will use forensic audits and zero-based budgeting to cut discretionary programs — whether or not A3 passes — that have excessive costs, provide limited benefits to our residents or are better outsourced. How will your time as Orange County mayor differ from Mayor Jerry Demings’ terms? 1. We will focus on creatively solving problems, without reflexively seeking new “dedicated funding sources”/ taxes. 2. We will establish a collaborative — instead of contentious — relationship with the Florida state government. 3. We will seek to improve both public and environmental health while eschewing unconstitutional mandates in the event of another global health crisis. 4. We will proactively call developers and builders together with local municipality leadership to prioritize redeveloping our blighted strip malls on Colonial, OBT, Orange Avenue and other major thoroughfares to turn them into vibrant, mixed use (mixedincome residential, commercial and experience retail) centers. We will follow the same process to start redeveloping Church Street into a sports and entertainment district and the backbone of a revitalized downtown Orlando. 5. I will lead the team marketing all of Greater Orlando’s great attributes to new potential businesses particularly in the area of HighTech, SpaceTech and on-shoring.

Age: 52 Residence: Horizon West Family: Married, two sons Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science, University of South Florida; juris doctorate, FSU College of Law Occupation: Current Clerk of Courts Qualifications: Two terms as Orange County commissioner, District 6; currently managing one of the largest constitutional offices for the past 12 years as clerk of court; served as budget chair for the clerk statewide budget organization managing a half-billiondollar budget for 67 clerks

Outline three major differences between you and your opponent. Three things distinguish my candidacy: executive experience, a record of public service and a proven ability to deliver results. I have had the opportunity to serve Orange County from both sides of government. I spent eight years on the County Commission, where I worked directly with residents and helped secure investments in neighborhoods including Pine Hills, Holden Heights and Little Egypt. I then spent more than a decade leading the Clerk of Courts, managing a complex public organization and navigating significant budget challenges. Discuss how your prior experiences have prepared you to be Orange County’s next mayor. My experience has given me two very different perspectives I believe are valuable for a county mayor: I understand how policy is made, and I understand what it takes to manage an organization and implement it. As a county commissioner, I worked directly with neighborhoods. I helped secure funding for infrastructure in Little Egypt, the Holden Heights Community Center, the early planning of the Pine Hills Neighborhood Improvement District, drainage and traffic-safety projects, and microloans for small businesses. As clerk of courts, my responsibilities became executive. We created the Self Help Center, expanded Saturday access, launched programs such as Operation Green Light, invested in technology and expanded employee compensation while managing within our available resources. Those experiences showed me that good government requires both vision and execution. What are the three most important issues in Orange County, and what are your solutions to those issues? Affordability, transportation and economic opportunity. On affordability, we need more housing at a range of price points, but supply alone is not enough. Orange County should preserve existing attainable housing, reduce unnecessary barriers to development and improve permitting so delays don’t keep adding costs. On transportation, we need a truly multimodal approach. That means improving LYNX reliability and frequency, expanding the usefulness of SunRail, exploring rapid-transit, improving first- and last-mile connections and continuing to invest in roads, sidewalks and other infrastructure. And we need to create more pathways to higher-wage careers. That means supporting the small businesses already here, attracting sustainable industries, and strengthening partnerships with UCF, Valencia College, technical schools and workforce organizations. Discuss your familiarity with the unique challenges Horizon West residents face. How will Horizon West residents benefit from your presence as Orange County mayor? I live in Horizon West, so I understand both why so many people are attracted to the community and the challenges that have accompanied its growth. Residents see the traffic. They experience pressure on roads and infrastructure. They see development occurring quickly and understandably want confidence that transportation, parks, public safety and other services will keep pace. I believe Horizon West can continue

to grow while protecting the quality of life that attracted families there in the first place. That requires us to align development decisions with infrastructure planning better and have a more serious conversation about mobility in West Orange County. Transportation there may not look exactly like downtown Orlando. That discussion should include smaller circulators, improved connections to major corridors and other mobility options. How will you work with the individual municipalities and their leaders to ensure an effective relationship with the county? I have already been meeting with municipal mayors and other leaders because I believe strong partnerships should begin before taking office. The county and our municipalities share residents, an economy, roads, transportation systems and many of the same challenges. A resident traveling from Horizon West through Winter Garden and Ocoee should not have to understand which government is responsible for each piece of infrastructure. They expect their governments to work together. As mayor, I want regular, candid communication with our municipal leaders and earlier coordination on issues such as transportation, infrastructure, housing, public safety and economic development. Discuss Amendment 3 and the potential ramifications on Orange County. If passed, how do you suggest Orange County respond with budget cuts? I plan to vote no on Amendment 3 because I am concerned about the impact a significant reduction in property-tax revenue could have on services residents rely on, including public safety, parks, transportation and infrastructure. I am also mindful that renters rely on those same services without receiving the amendment’s direct homestead benefit. At the same time, I understand why homeowners are concerned about affordability. That makes it even more important for government to demonstrate it is using every dollar responsibly. If Amendment 3 passes, my first response would not be across-theboard cuts. I would begin with zerobased budgeting and a departmentby-department review. We should identify duplication, review vacancies and contracts, use technology to improve efficiency, and determine which programs produce measurable results. As clerk, I have managed budget reductions. In one fiscal year, my office faced three budget cuts, and we still modernized services without furloughs or layoffs. How will your time as Orange County mayor differ from Mayor Jerry Demings’ terms? Mayor Demings has devoted many years to public service, and I commend him for his leadership and the work his administration has done for Orange County. Every administration also inherits a different set of circumstances. The next mayor will work with a new commission and confront challenges around affordability, transportation, infrastructure, growth and potential changes to county revenue. My administration will bring its own visions. During the transition and my first 100 days, I want to conduct a comprehensive assessment of county departments, operations and technology; fill critical leadership vacancies; and establish clear expectations for performance and accountability. From there, I will focus on expanding attainable housing, improving transportation and infrastructure, strengthening economic opportunities, and ensuring older legacy neighborhoods benefit from Orange County’s growth.

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2026

Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Managing Editor / Liz Ramos, lramos@OrangeObserver.com Historian / Amy Quesinberry Price, amyqhistory@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Megan Bruinsma, mbruinsma@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Leticia Silva, lsilva@OrangeObserver.com

Above: Jericho Todman, second from right, and his friends are ready to dream big and grow as individuals and future leaders. Right: Walt Disney World’s Director of External Affairs Tajiana Ancora-Brown and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida President and CEO Jamie Merrill joyfully celebrated the launch of the partnership.

Multimedia Sales Manager / Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Multimedia Advertising Executive / Iggy Collazo, iggy@OrangeObserver.com Graphic Designer / Sarah Santiago, ssantiago@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com

The West Orange Times, West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer are published once weekly, on Thursdays. The papers can be found in many commercial locations throughout West Orange and Southwest Orange.

Photos by Leticia Silva

Fifty Dreamers from Orlando and surrounding municipalities commemorated the partnership, program and selections Oct. 1 at the Walt Disney World Clubhouse.

Walt Disney World partnership focuses on middle-schoolers LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER

o dream beyond imagination now is a possibility for some West Orange middle-schoolers. Lakeview Middle School’s Jericho Todman, 12, was one of 50 Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida members to be selected to Walt Disney World’s Disney Dreamers Academy as part of a pioneering program just for middle-schoolers. He is excited to be able to connect with new mentors who will guide him along his journey at the Disney Dreamers Academy. “It’s like having multiple parents at once,” he said. His spirit already is one of a Dreamer. As a member of the Boys & Girls Club, Jericho said he has learned to never forget he is capable of anything he sets his mind to do. He’s learned to be more confident and believe in himself. Through the Disney Dreamers Program, he hopes not only to strengthen that confidence and belief but also learn new lessons. For nearly 20 years, the Disney Dreamers Academy served 100 highschoolers each year to shape participants’ educational and professional journeys while inspiring them to dream bigger than they ever thought imaginable. Today, through the Walt Disney World and Boys & Girls Club’s partnership, the program is being reimagined to serve as a multiyear program while reaching students at a younger age. As Walt Disney World inspires Dreamers to dream the unimaginable, staff took on that inspiration to upgrade its program and better serve the youth. Like Jericho, 199 more middleschoolers from Florida, Texas and Georgia will have an opportunity to grow both educationally, professionally and personally through yearround workshops, mentorship opportunities, career education and a whole lot of magic. As the academy’s legacy continues to grow, middle-schoolers’ needs also continue to grow, making it the perfect time to reshape the program. “It was really easy to think about (partnering with) the Boys & Girls

Clubs; they are where the students are,” Walt Disney World Director of External Affairs Tajiana AncoraBrown said. “They are driven by a mission to make a difference in the lives of these students. … This is a time in (middle-schoolers’) development, where these students could really use the extra support. The things that we’ve learned from research and from the Boys & Girls Clubs, is they’re looking for ways to build confidence, have inspiration. They’re looking for career exploration, so that they can think about a future in which they can strive for.” Starting January 2027, Dreamers will begin building those life skills necessary for a successful future as Disney Dreamers. THE DREAM

Since 2008, Walt Disney World has selected 100 high-schoolers from across the country annually to participate in the Disney Dreamers Academy. Through hands-on, interactive activities and mentorship opportunities, Dreamers learn from various professionals in a plethora of job classifications, such as engineers, legal team members, accountants and hospitality professionals. Today, the goal is to reinvent the program to better suit its participants, which will include middle-school students. “Because … we see so many middleschool students, we know that middle school slide absolutely happens,” Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida President and CEO Jamie Merrill said. “And it happens based on the fact that they don’t have enough people investing in them. We’re constantly giving back to middle-school students at a time in their life where they are perfectly primed to be curious and excited, without having identified the dream that maybe they didn’t even know was possible or a path forward yet. So, this time in their lives gives them that opportunity, and we’re teaching them how to dream. Often, these children don’t even know what to dream or how to dream, and this opportunity helps them to learn just that.” With the goal of reaching students earlier and staying connected to the program over time, Walt Disney World and the Boys & Girls Club decided the best way to do that was to make the program a year-round, multiyear

DISNEY DREAMERS ACADEMY What: 200 middle-school Boys & Girls Club students were selected to participate in the academy When: Year-round, beginning January 2027 Why: Walt Disney World and Boys & Girls Club wanted to reach youth at a younger age More info: disneyexperiences. com/disney-dreamers-academy

experience. The programming will help students develop their leadership skills and confidence, while also allowing them to create meaningful connections with mentors and peers. Disney Dreamers Academy also will offer virtual experiences and workshops to be able to meet students wherever they are, further strengthening the connection and trust students have with Disney and Boys & Girls Club mentors. Beyond connections to Walt Disney World, Ancora-Brown said she hopes students are able to connect with local businesses and companies that align with their newly found interests. As a creative child, Jericho enjoys making objects out of cardboard. While in the program, he hopes to fortify that creativity. He also is looking forward to hearing from engineers, architects and other hands-on professionals who work at Disney, as he dreams of becoming an architect or welder. “I just want to learn something that would help me in future situations,” he said. But what he truly is the most excited for, he said, is to visit Disney. He’s never had the opportunity to go and is a big Star Wars fan. Through the Boys & Girls Club partnership with Walt Disney World, he’s hopeful he’ll meet his favorite Star Wars characters and visit Hollywood Studios, as he said the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror reminds him of the Disney movie “Wreck-It Ralph.” While he still is learning about the Disney Dreamers Academy, he already is grateful for being selected to such a special program, which will open several doors for him in the future as he makes history. “I was like, ‘Oh God, I’m lucky, lucky, huh?’” he said.

A NEW CHAPTER

To Walt Disney World and the Boys & Girls Club, this means building on their legacies. As the Disney Dreamers Academy reaches its 20th anniversary, the thought of renovating and bettering the program began to linger. The Boys & Girls Club’s mission is to enable young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens by providing experiences that assure success is within their reach. That includes graduating high school, plans for the future, living a healthy lifestyle and demonstrating good character and citizenship. At Walt Disney World, the mission is to entertain, inform and inspire people across the globe through the power of storytelling. As both organizations partner to reinvent the Disney Dreamers Academy, their missions align perfectly. Not only do they complement each other but they strengthen each other’s missions to inspire and share meaningful knowledge. Now, more students will be met where they are with more consistency, resources and magic. “The most exciting thing for me is not only just the fact that we get to do this with middle-school students but (also) that we’re witnessing magic happen with these children day in and day out,” Merrill said. “I’m foreseeing so many great futures coming out of this, future Imagineers, future artists and students that are going to go out and change the world. … I’m excited to see the legacy continue to live on but also take a new shape. That these children are going to go out and be able to change the world and find a dream and find a path that they never thought possible.” As the excitement awakens, children, staff and family members all are eager to see where this program will lead Dreamers. “Programs can evolve and change, and when community comes together for the betterment of each other, finding ways to lock arms and be excited to strengthen our youth who are going to be our future leaders, magic happens,” Merrill said. “That’s what we are so fortunate to do with Disney: is lock arms in new, innovative ways and traditional ways also, but all with our youth in mind.”

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The West Orange Times meets the legal requirements to publish legal and public notices in Orange County per F.S. 50.011 USPS Periodicals Permit (USPS# 687-120)

WEST ORANGE TIMES

The West Orange Times (USPS 687120) is published weekly for $60 per year and $110 per two years by the Observer Media Group, 210 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida, 34787. Periodical postage paid at Winter Garden, Florida. POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to the (name of pub; i.e., West Orange Times, West Orange Times & Observer or Southwest Orange Observer), Observer Media Group, 11970 Main Street, Floor 3, Sarasota, FL 34236

Observer Media Group Inc. is locally owned. Publisher of the Longboat Observer, East County Observer, Sarasota Observer, Siesta Key Observer, West Orange Times & Observer, Southwest Orange Observer, Business Observer, LWR Life Magazine, Key Life Magazine, Baldwin Park Living Magazine and Season Magazine

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1970 Main St. Third Floor Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-3468

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2026

West Orange County’s

Church DIRECTORY

Courtesy image

A special exception is being requested to construct a 9,795-square-foot church at 4512 S. Hiawassee Road.

Church proposal moves to County Commission The Board of Zoning Adjustment recommended denial of a proposal for a special exception to construct a church on South Hiawassee Road.

First Baptist Church

First United Methodist

Pastor Jeremy Woods 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352 Sundays: 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM Traditional 11:00 AM Contemporary

www.fumcwg.org 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: 9 AM Traditional 10:45 AM Contemporary Also viewable on YouTube

Starke Lake Baptist Church

Pastor Jeff Pritchard PO Box 520 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351 www.StarkeLakeBaptist.org Victory Baptist Church & Christian Academy

1601 A.D. Mims Rd, Ocoee FL 34761 (407) 656-3097 www.VBCOCOEE.com Sunday: 11AM & 6 PM Wednesday: 7 PM

Matthew’s Hope is looking for prepared breakfast food, breakfast sandwiches and side dishes to be delivered Monday through Thursday mornings 7AM to 9AM.

ABOUT THE PROPOSAL WHAT: Special exception to construct a 9,795-square-foot religious institution with 240 seats and 91 parking spaces LOCATION: 4.28 acres at 4512 S. Hiawassee Road PURPOSE: Community church for St. Mary of Egypt Coptic Orthodox Church APPLICANT: Amgad Estafan BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT RECOMMENDATION: Deny proposal

611 Business Park Blvd. #101, Winter Garden, FL 34787 (407) 905-9500 | MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

XNSP22181

The Orange County Board of Zoning Adjustment voted 4-1 Thursday, Oct. 1, to deny a proposal for a special exception to allow a religious institution in a restricted R-1A zoning district. The proposal is to construct a 9,795-square-foot religious institution with 240 seats for patron use and an associated surface parking lot with 91 parking spaces in a restricted R-1A zoning district, which primarily allows single-family homes and associated structures and requires a minimum lot area of 7,500 square feet and certain uses. The church would be built at 4512 S. Hiawassee Road. The proposal is for a Coptic church, St. Mary of Egypt Coptic Orthodox Church, to construct its own church. St. Mary of Egypt Coptic Orthodox Church has been worshipping at the Holy Resurrection Armenian Church of Orlando for more than five years and has grown enough to need its own community church. Father Daoud Tawardrous, the priest of St. Anthony Orthodox Church in Maitland, said during a community meeting Tuesday, Sept. 22, that the congregation only can practice its faith on Saturdays, which is not custom, due to renting the Armenian church for services. He said liturgies would take place Sundays. If constructed, church services would be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturdays and between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sundays. The property currently is developed with an uninhabited singlefamily residence proposed for demolition. He said 50 to 80 people will gather for services Saturdays and Sundays at the newly constructed church, if approved. McGregor Love, an attorney with Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed representing the applicant, Amgad Estafan, said the proposal would have minimal noise impact to the area. All activities would take place strictly indoors and generate no low-frequency noise or vibrations. The proposal includes wide setbacks from property lines that exceed the required setbacks to maximize separation from nearby homes. On the front of the property, the proposed setback is 499 feet compared to the required 25 feet, while the north side setback is proposed to be 53 feet and the south side is 25 feet, which is greater than the required setback of 7.5 feet. A setback of 50 feet is required in the rear, but there is a proposed setback of 75 feet. There also would be full landscape buffers along northern and southern boundaries that provide visual privacy and acoustic dampening. The existing oak trees would be

preserved across the parcel and the retention pond is custom-designed around mature tree root zones to protect natural resources. Floridafriendly landscaping also would be planted. Love said there are 37 families living within 5 miles of the proposed church. “There’s a great deal of pride and ownership associated with this church, and they take this project very seriously for their future,” Love said. “The applicant will be worshipping there, developing it and maintaining it.” Dozens of residents attended the community meeting Tuesday, Sept. 22, and appeared before the Board of Zoning Adjustment meeting Thursday, Oct. 1. Many opposed the proposal because of traffic and safety concerns. “We don’t have a problem per se with the church, but we have a problem with what the church is going to create for us from a traffic and safety standpoint and people coming into the neighborhood,” Woodlands of Windermere resident Wayne Scantling said. Residents questioned why if similar proposals have come before the Board of Zoning Adjustment and the Orange County Board of County Commissioners in years past and were denied, this proposal is being considered. At the community meeting, District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson said the property laws are strong, and everyone has a right to request a special exception so the county must go through the process each time a request is made. The BZA voted 4-1 to deny the request for the special exception. Commissioner Juan Velez was the dissenting vote. Commissioner Roberta Walton Johnson said the proposal does not meet two of the criteria needed for approval. She said the project is not compatible with the surrounding area and the facility will serve as an intrusion to the community in its current form and the way it’s currently presented. The proposal is tentatively scheduled to go before the Orange County Board of County Commissioners Tuesday, Oct. 27.

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LIZ RAMOS

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2026

Winter Garden outlines accomplishments, plans in east Winter Garden Winter Garden’s Community Redevelopment Agency is making progress on accomplishing goals the community set forth for the Historic East Winter Garden Neighborhood. LIZ RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR

Since the creation of the city of Winter Garden’s Community Redevelopment Agency in 1992, the agency has been working to revitalize the Historic East Winter Garden Neighborhood. Marc Hutchinson, the city’s economic development director, provided an update Thursday, Oct. 1, on the progress the CRA has made in accomplishing the goals the community helped establish for east Winter Garden. In 2017, community members participated in charrettes to share their priorities for the neighborhood and help formulate a development plan that the city later adopted in 2018 and updated in 2022. Those priorities included creating a variety of new housing types to provide more opportunities for home ownership, Dyson’s Plaza being reopened as a restaurant, potentially establishing a daycare center at the intersection of Bay and 11th streets to serve as a resource for parents in the community and provide jobs, and creating a community park. The plan focused on increasing the connection between Winter Garden’s Historic Downtown District and east Winter Garden; increasing homeownership and housing options; improving health, recreation, safety and security; ensuring safe, comfortable and interesting streets; adding new destinations within walking and biking distance that still remain authentic and unique to the community; continuing to support existing programs that bring the community together; and considering making the former Orange County Technical College campus a community asset. “A byproduct of that plan were the big ideas, and so the big ideas became the marching order for how we go about making decisions and aligning resources for how we execute the vision of the plan,” Hutchinson said. The Historic East Winter Garden Neighborhood is anticipated to receive 75% of the CRA’s funding over the next 10 years, which will total about $20 million. During a community meeting with the One Winter Garden board, city officials and residents Thursday, Oct. 1, Hutchinson presented some of the city’s accomplishments in reaching the plan’s goals. Dyson’s Plaza was considered a “pioneer ground-zero type project to revitalize Center Street,” Hutchinson said. It once was a commercial, vibrant district, he said, so the CRA

invested at least $700,000 to complete the revitalization of Dyson’s Plaza. The project was completed in May 2026, with outlets with outdoor dining capacity and parking in the back. The stormwater infrastructure improvements on East Bay, Trumbo, Saba and Christopher streets started in February 2025 and was completed in September 2026. The project included $1.5 million from the city and $5.5 million from the county, and the improvements were made to ponds, water main pipes, street resurfacing, sidewalks, curbing, service lines driveways and hydrants. Most recently, the city celebrated the opening of the June Family Branch of the Boys & Girls Club. The project was completed in July and will serve as a place to impact hundreds of children and their families. The city and community also will have dedicated space inside the branch to utilize. The CRA has been working with West Orange Habitat for Humanity to create more housing opportunities. In 2025, West Orange Habitat dedicated four new homes on Center Street, and the nonprofit began constructing seven new Habitat homes on Edgeway Drive that were dedicated in September 2026. Hutchinson said according to West Orange Habitat for Humanity, the nonprofit has built and revitalized about 140 homes in the community and has invested about $70,000. As the CRA moves forward in 2026 and 2027, the agency’s immediate priorities include the full launch of the Legacy Home Rehabilitation Program, the conversion of JJ Groceries to a child daycare at 95 Center St., a phased approach to streetscape improvements, property acquisitions for affordable/workforce/senior housing, continuing to support and partner with nonprofits, improvements to Zanders Park and the creation of a community garden. The Legacy Home Rehabilitation Program launched in 2025 in partnership with Rebuilding Together with a pilot program that consisted of four homes. The program was established to support multi-generational residents, address critical home repairs, restore housing market values and build generational wealth. Each home will receive no more than $50,000 in renovation work and repairs, and the program is targeting 15 to 20 homes annually.

Myliah and Ashley Ward received the keys to their home and a $500 gift card from Publix.

Photos by Leticia Silva

‘It’s peace of mind’ West Orange Habitat for Humanity celebrated the completion of seven homes at the Habitat Edgeway community. LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER

For 14 years, Ashley Ward has been trying to work her way toward homeownership. Her dream always was to be able to give her daughter a forever home, stability and generational wealth. Her dream finally has come true after receiving the keys to her first home from West Orange Habitat for Humanity Thursday, Sept. 24, at Habitat Edgeway in Winter Garden. “Today is a day I’ll never forget,” Ward said. “This journey was not easy and challenged me in ways I never expected. As a single mom, there were moments when I wondered how I would keep going, but God gave me the strength and courage to continue. Today, I am standing before my first home and I know this blessing wouldn’t have been possible without Him.” After 14 years of trying to attain homeownership through other non-

BY THE NUMBERS

Number of homes and families

2,234

Number of volunteers who worked on the project

15,440

Number of labor hours

$800 to $1,000 Mortgage cost per family

profits and living with family members due to the inability to pay high rent prices, Ward finally can breathe. Her daughter, Myliah Ward, can’t wait to finally have her own bluepainted room and a puppy that will provide her companionship, love and happiness. Alongside the Ward family, six other families are experiencing new beginnings after 2,234 volunteers and Habitat for Humanity families put in more than 15,440 hours to make Habitat Edgeway a reality and realize families’ dreams of owning their own homes. “Everything starts with a home,” West Orange Habitat Board President Austin Arthur said. “Healthy communities start with a home. Economic impact starts with a home. Innovation starts with a home. Generational wealth starts with a home, and dignity for shelter in moments of rain and other calamities starts with a home. We like to say that we build homes for families and families for homes.” While the affordable-housing crisis continues to worsen, one in six families in Florida now spend more than 30% of their income on housing. “You can see the tremendous need for housing right here in our own community, and our shared vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live, because you (and) me, we are all human and every single one of us deserves the opportunity for a better future,” West Orange Habitat for Humanity CEO and Executive Director Marilyn Hattaway said. Sherry and Alivia Easley also received the keys to their new home at Habitat Edgeway. Following a divorce after 30 years of marriage, Easley and her two children experienced homelessness. Soon, Sherry Easley joined Matthew’s Hope’s transitional housing program. When she graduated from the program, she moved to a low-income apartment in Clermont, where she lived with her children for 10 years. However, her goal was to own a

Alivia Easley now has a pink room, which is something she always dreamed of having.

home, to bring security and stability to her now-30-year-old daughter with Down syndrome, Alivia Easley. More than one year ago, Sherry Easley met Habitat for Humanity’s requirements to join the nonprofit’s housing program. Her journey to homeownership began soon after. In June, she moved into her new home. “It’s changed my family’s legacy,” Sherry Easley said. “It’s given me stability, it’s given me a confidence that I didn’t know I needed because everything that I do here is mine.” Walking in her new home, the first thing she did was pray, thanking God for giving her family stability. “It’s peace of mind for me,” she said. Families living at Habitat Edgeway will be paying a mortgage of $800 to $1,000 with zero interest. “We understand that we can achieve more together than we do alone,” Hattaway said. “We know that we can make a real impact on the housing shortage and transform people’s lives because we do it every single day. … We are answering that call one home and one family at a time.”

Winter Garden residents: Your trash rate is rising IN OTHER NEWS n The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance amending the city’s code of ordinances regarding artificial turf requirements, providing requirements for installation and maintenance of impervious and pervious artificial turf. n Small Business Saturday was unanimously approved for Saturday, Nov. 28. n Light Up Winter Garden was unanimously approved for Friday, Dec. 4. n Winter Garden’s annual Christmas parade was unanimously approved for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 5. n The Golf Cart Parade was unanimously approved for 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in downtown Winter Garden. n The Orlando Choral Society’s annual Wine Walk Downtown Winter Garden was unanimously approved for 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10.

LIZ RAMOS MANAGING EDITOR

The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved Tuesday, Sept. 29, a resolution to increase the city’s solid waste rates. The increases are to meet the projected funding requirements over the next five years as well as to create a reserve fund for post-storm debris removal, which was a recommendation from Rafelis Financial Consultants. The projected revenue for 2027 is $7.9 million with about a .25% increase per year based on a conservative growth assumption of about 30 accounts per year. Based on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, there is expected to be $7.4 million in total operating expenses, increasing to about $8.4 million by 2031. Based on the current rates, the solid waste fund already would have a $500,000 deficit in 2027. As a result, the City Commission approved an increase equal to 6.5% for Fiscal Year 2027 followed by an increase of 3.5% each year until 2031, when it will increase by 2%. Under the approved rate increases, the monthly cost for 95-gallon carts for single-family and multi-family residential service will be $26.61.

The city will encourage people to trade in their 95-gallon carts for 65-gallon carts, and to entice the change, the city is maintaining the existing rate of $24.87 monthly through Fiscal Year 2028. Commercial poly-carts will cost between $37.69 and $113.27 per week depending on the number of pickup times. The rate for multi-family residential with 175 units or more will be $17.96 for Fiscal Year 2027. For Fiscal Year 2027, rates for roll-off compactors multi-family complexes own will be $16.58, and multi-family residential with fewer than 175 units will be $20.71. For frontend loader service for multi-family residential, the rate will be $22.10. BUDGET APPROVED

The city of Winter Garden has an approved final budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27. The City Commission unanimously approved the second reading of ordinances to adopt the city’s budgets and millage rate. The budget consists of $181.3 million and a $265.6 million citywide fund balance. One ordinance maintains the city’s current millage rate of 4.8565. Another ordinance sets the General

Fund operating budget for the city. Ad valorem revenue is expected to total $32,606,994 and other revenue to total $42,637,077. Total revenue is expected to be $75,244,071. A third ordinance addresses funds for the Community Redevelopment Agency. It is expected there will be $1,924,430 in ad valorem revenue and $1,884,203 in other revenue sources for expenditures totaling $3,808,633. A final ordinance is for the authorization of appropriations of city funds for Fiscal Year 2026-27. A resident questioned whether the signs that have been put up around downtown Winter Garden regarding property taxes were included in the current budget. City Manager Jon C. Williams said the signs were an additional expenditure not included in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget. The signs were made to raise awareness regarding what property taxes have funded in the city, he said. All items listed on the signs already were included in the budget. NEW CONSTRUCTION APPROVED

The City Commission unanimously approved three ordinances to allow for the construction of three new single-story, multi-tenant commercial buildings.

One ordinance allows for the annexation of about 1.3 acres located at 1221, 1233 and 1281 Beulah Road on the northeast corner of Beulah Road and Gillard Avenue into Winter Garden. The second ordinance amends the Future Land Use Map of the city’s Comprehensive Plan for those parcels, as well as 921 Palm Ave. from Orange County Low Density Residential and City Low Density Residential to City Commercial. The final ordinance rezones these properties as well as 882 Magnolia St. from Arterial Commercial District, City Single-Family Residential District and Orange County Single-Family Dwelling District to all be Planned Commercial Development. The Planned Commercial Development designation would permit the development of the 2.11-acre site with three new single-story, multi-tenant commercial buildings with about 17,997 square feet of combined retail and office space. The project would include associated site improvements such as sidewalks, buffer wall, landscaping and stormwater ponds. The commission also unanimously approved a lot combination agreement for the properties as well as a segment of vacated Palm Avenue right-of-way.

10 OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2026

pressing questions about Amendment 3

LETICIA SILVA STAFF WRITER

he West Orange Chamber of Commerce held an

Amendment 3 Community Conversation Wednesday, Sept. 30, with local leaders from Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland, Windermere and Apopka. Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta, Winter Garden City Manager Jon C. Williams, Ocoee City Manager Craig Shadrix, Oakland Town Manager Elise Hui and Windermere Town Manager Robert Smith, answered community members’ questions about the property tax reform. Here, we have compiled some of the answers and insights the leaders shared.

Besides the tax reduction, what other impacts would Amendment 3 have on local government? Robert Smith: Tallahassee has continued — for the last five years — infringing upon your home rule. You live in a community; you want to make rules for your community. You want to live in the community and make sure that it’s the way that you want. Unfortunately, Tallahassee keeps taking away those decisions from your local elected officials. The more they do that, the more that it takes away from us trying to provide you the quality of life and the level of service that you’re used to. We all moved to West Orange County for a good reason: We wanted to move here because we like the parks, we like downtown Winter Garden, we like Oakland, we like Ocoee, we like Windermere and we like Apopka. You moved to these locations for a certain reason, and the reason was you liked the quality of life not only for you but (also) your friends, your family, your kids.

If this amendment were to pass, you’d have to lower your expectations when it comes to that quality of life and that level of service you’re used to. Craig Shadrix: It’s a dangerous place to be when the Legislature is telling us what we can spend funds on and what we can’t and designating core services. Parks and recreation is no longer a core service, but parks have become a way of life in this community. No matter which city you’re in, parks are an integral part. Aside from the things that are not core services, it allows us to cap public safety budgets, which is something that nobody really wants to do. Now that you’ve seen the ballot language, you’ve seen public safety organizations, police unions and fire unions have come out against Amendment 3, but it works together in one big system to create a quality community. Does that mean Ocoee or any of those other communities are going to just abandon parks when things get tough? No, hopefully not, but those are going to be some of the first things to have cuts to them. Right now, we’re looking at our budgets to look at capital projects that would have to receive some funding from ad valorem and we’re going to probably have to bump them out on a later schedule, so it’s going to force us all to continue to look at a lot of qualityof-life projects that are no longer going to be considered a core service.

2 3

Is there a scenario where this does not become a tax shift?

All city and town managers: No. If Amendment 3 had already been in effect this year, what would you have done differently? What specifically might you have reduced, delayed or funded differently? Jon C. Williams: For Winter Garden, we kind of (have) been looking at it for quite some time, and we wouldn’t take the exact same approach if it passes, if it had already passed. We are preparing ourselves to walk in if it passes, or if it had passed, and present three different options: 5%, 10% or 15% across-the-board reductions and be able to demonstrate what programs or services are going to be impacted by that. On the other side of that equation, we will be looking at a variety of different revenue sources that we can bring forward as additional recommendations, whether that is a fire assessment, a streetlight assessment, adding parking fees downtown. We’ll be looking at increasing all of our program and user fees across the board, rental for facilities (and) fields as options to consider.

The reality is, if it had passed or does pass, we’re looking at across the board 50% cuts. That’s really not practical. If the idea is to keep public safety whole without any negative impacts, that rises to about a 29% reduction in our General Fund expenditures. Under the 15% and the 29% (reduction), you’re realistically looking at entire departments being eliminated, and then that gets compounded as you get into some of the general core government services such as finance, IT (and) HR, because those services not only provide services to the police and fire department, they provide services to your water, sewer funds and other funds that are still critically needed. Therefore, I think that presents some additional challenges for us to take into consideration with acrossthe-board cuts.

If passed, how will Amendment 3 affect the municipality’s ability to maintain current levels of police, fire and emergency services? Elise Hui: For Oakland, it’s a little tricky, because we have a very small police department, and we only have two officers on the streets at any given time, so we already have not grown to keep up with our population growth because of funding restrictions. We really can’t cut much there. We did freeze their retirement contribution this year, we didn’t increase it by 2%, which we told them we were going to. We weren’t going to do anything this year we couldn’t sustain for future years, and they understood that — or said they understood that. It’s a tough conversation to have. With fire rescue, we contract with Orange County Fire, so our costs over the past six years have gone up from $900,000 to $2.4 million, with the same level of service that’s based on assessed values. We’ve been working with Orange County to say we need a better way of calculating this because as soon as we get money in, it’s going right back out, so we continue to have those conversations. We’re not having much wiggle room there, but we’ll continue to see what our other options are for fire rescue. Craig Shadrix: Our residents rated public safety as their No. 1 service. They want good public safety, and in a small town, you have benefits for having your own police and fire that you couldn’t associate with having the county take it over necessarily, if you’re able to do that. We also take great pride in maintaining accreditation, and that guaranteed level of service that we provide is higher than some of the alternatives. But the cost factor is what’s killing everybody. The costs for police have gone up between 22% and 28%. The same fire truck on the same chassis with the same engine from that same company 10 years ago was about $600,000, and today that same fire

truck is $1.7 million, and there’s a 30-month lead time, so that messes with your capital planning and makes it very difficult. Ocoee doesn’t have the commercial non-residential tax base that some of the other people in the state have, so we hit a point where we weren’t making enough money on ad valorem to cover our public safety costs years ago. We’ve had a fire assessment in place since 2013. We’ve changed methodologies this year and in the long term, we believe it’s going to benefit everyone more than it would under the old methodology. We’re going to be OK this year, but it’s going to force us to continue to look at it if Amendment 3 passes, because the revenue may not be enough to cover the deficit.

How would Amendment 3 affect the business climate?

Elise Hui: If we lose $1.6 million in two years, we have to pick up that gap somewhere. We cannot absorb it. We have to find that money somewhere. If we raise our millage at all, who does that hit? That hits our rental community, and that hits our business community. If we implement a non-ad valorem assessment — which we don’t have any currently in Oakland — that hits everyone, but it also then hits the business community and the rental community, on top of them not getting a reduction off of what they’re paying in property tax.

How did we get here?

Robert Smith: This was taken up as an initiative from Gov. Ron DeSantis, and it was taken up by the House. It went through committee, went through debate, and the House passed it. For the Senate portion, it did not go through committee, it did not go through debate. It did not go through a vote, so Gov. DeSantis decided to hold a special session to go ahead and have the House and the Senate make a decision on Amendment 3 within less than 72 hours. I’ve spent more time talking about this than they probably debated it. They passed what was originally on the ballot. Again, it went through litigation. They had changed the wording because it said, ‘Hey, if you like blue skies and butterflies, you’ll vote for this,’ and that’s not what a vote actually is so they had to amend the actual verbiage of the ballot itself. There was a financial scoring that was part of the budget for the last fiscal year, so it would tell not only the legislators, but (also) it would tell us what the financial impacts would be this were to pass. And guess what happened? Vetoed. We’re having to deal with this thing that was rushed, which it should not have been rushed. We know what the financial impacts are going to be, the economic impacts are going to be, and what the trickle

down effects are going to be, but that was not done. It was just rushed, and that’s a problem that we’re facing right now.

How has inflation affected your budgets in the past five years?

Craig Shadrix: Huge. You can look at our budgets that are published online and see the personnel costs are our biggest expense, and insurances are going up left and right. Public safety pensions went up dramatically this year, and that’s a high-risk profession, and we’ve seen a lot of costs go up there. All of our costs are going up on everything: parts, oil and lubricants. We all maintain a vehicle fleet — going through the roof. We’re in a conflict in the Middle East and those things are real and they happen quickly. The fire truck example is just one of many. The cost to outfit a police unit goes up every year. The cost never stays the same for anything.

What might residents misunderstand about their property-tax bill?

Nick Nesta: You do have the opportunity to advocate to lower your value that you’re being taxed on with the county. You can advocate to get your adjusted base down. You just got to go through a process for that. There’s a lot of opportunities that are there for you to make sure that you are being taxed on truly what the true value of your property is. The county property appraiser is there to do that.

Do you have a Community Redevelopment Area, and if so, how would Amendment 3 affect it? Jon C. Williams: We do, and I think the best response I can offer you is TBD. We obviously know that the cap on non-homestead property is going to have an impact in terms of what’s remaining in the life of the CRA. We haven’t really run the analysis on the amount of homestead properties that do exist within the CRA, but there is probably going to be less revenue over time.

Who are the winners and losers if Amendment 3 passes?

Robert Smith: I think the losers would be the actual taxpayers that moved over here, because again, you moved here for a quality of life and a level of service that is going to be diminished because of Amendment 3 — something that was rushed through the state. Elise Hui: I don’t see any local winners out of this, honestly, besides the politicians that put their name on it.

Photo by Leticia Silva

Windermere Town Manager Robert Smith, Ocoee City Manager Craig Shadrix, Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta, Oakland Town Manager Elise Hui, Winter Garden City Manager Jon C. Williams, Observer Media Group Editor and Publisher Michael Eng, and West Orange Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Stephen Lewis were proud of the Amendment 3 Community Conversation.

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2026

The Zagaryuk family has been collecting donations to Ukraine from Florida since 2021.

Photo by Leticia Silva

Windermere teen continues family tradition helping orphans in Ukraine Windermere’s Adrian Zagaryuk collected more than 200 backpacks filled with essential and non-essential items to be sent to orphanages in Ukraine. A long-lasting family tradition started more than 30 years ago still is making waves in orphanages across Ukraine today. After moving in 1991 to the United States from Ukraine, 15-year-old Adrian Zagaryuk’s grandfather saw the various opportunities available to him and others in the foreign country. There weren’t orphanages and orphans in the streets like there were in Ukraine.

A burning desire to help orphanages and families in need back in Ukraine arose in him. For years, he connected with friends, family members and ministries in Ukraine to find ways to bless those in need each and every year. His initiative was passed down to his daughter, Larisa Zagaryuk, who began collecting her own donations alongside her family 13 years ago. It began as shoebox donations, but soon, Larisa Zagaryuk and her family realized shoeboxes wouldn’t be sustainable.

So they switched to backpacks. It was an opportunity to not only provide essential items inside a box but a sustainable bag children could use in their daily lives as well. Windermere’s Adrian Zagaryuk always has been involved in the collection and donation process. “I grew up around this mission environment, and I just find a lot of joy in helping the people in need that don’t have what we have,” he said. With that, he started a GoFundMe to raise money to purchase donation items for orphans in Ukraine.

celebrity cipher

crossword

By Luis Campos

ODD JOBS by Jared Goudsmit, edited by Jared Goudsmit 123 ___ off (repels) 124 Podcast installments, for short 125 JFK or FDR, informally

DOWN

ACROSS

36 Sway, or a jazz style 1 Gumbo recipe verb 38 Place to purchase a pint 5 Greek X 40 Glass fragment 8 Ease, like fears 13 ___ the day (prevents a 43 Frame job? 48 Song such as “A Little disaster) Priest” 18 “Goodness gracious!” 49 Cargo-hauling vehicle 19 “Wicked cool!” 20 “Love Sex Magic” singer 52 Reimbursement promises 21 Make great efforts 53 Theater section 22 Hit job? 54 “Don’t be so idealistic!” 25 Miles Caton’s role in 56 Nickname for Isaac “Sinners” 26 “I’m blown away!” feeling 57 “Industry Baby” rapper Lil ___ X 27 “I have a lot to ___” 58 Ouija ___ 28 Rush job? 59 Playfully bashful 30 Payment to a landlord 60 “Aw, drat!” 32 “Silly me!” 62 Apt name for a nimble 34 “This too shall ___” ballet dancer 35 “Army” crawlers

63 Stick (out) 64 Palindromic time of day 65 Temp job? 71 Mean, selfish person 72 “Blonde” brew 73 Record-breaking stuntwoman Kitty 74 Conviction 76 Bird on the Australian 50-cent coin 77 Operatic solos 78 Corn holder 81 Red camcorder button 82 Stun with fright 85 “Give it a ___!” (“Hush!”) 86 Erin or Aaron 87 Frat guy 88 Mystical glow 89 Spin job? 92 Like dirt roads after a

rainstorm 94 Doug the ___ (famous pet with a rhyming name) 95 “It ___ hit me yet” 96 Social signals 98 Adored figure 102 Cocoa cup 104 Prefix meaning “all” 105 Cushy job? 109 “Scram!” 111 Psychoactive ingredient in cannabis tea 114 Drop by the house 115 Steady job? 118 Grapefruit relative 119 Make things right 120 Put on 121 List with starters and sides 122 Absolutely wiped

1 Buckwheat noodle 2 Opposite of freeze 3 “Not kidding!” 4 Reuben bread 5 Stonemasonry or glassblowing 6 Two quarters 7 Sat at a red light 8 Often-torn knee part, for short 9 “You peddle falsehoods!” 10 Basic basketball shot 11 Basketball venue 12 Tall tales 13 Go ___ (attend without a date) 14 Limb-restraining judo hold 15 Enthusiastic energy 16 Boot out, like a tenant 17 Tries to find 21 ID that the DMV might request 23 Son cubano drum 24 ___ up (physically supported) 29 Debate topic 31 Laryngitis docs 33 “Wait, what?” 36 Turn like a dreidel 37 “I’m blown away!” 39 Say “Please? Please? Please?,” say 41 Toupee’s place 42 Lost city in a 2001 Disney film 44 Rub it in after a win 45 Insect targeted by Raid 46 Feel the same 47 Happen again 48 Word before “land” or “martini” 50 Related (to) 51 Pickleball barrier

55 Eco-friendly bag 58 Rotor-slowing car part 61 Yuletide carol 62 Actress Jewell 63 “Morning” brew 65 “Happy you’re back with the family!” 66 “Oppenheimer” actor Malek 67 Pillow Pet filling 68 Device that removes an apple’s center 69 Star ___ (five-spice powder ingredient) 70 Chairs 71 Taunt 74 “gimme 1 moment” 75 “Family ___” (“Survey says ...” game show) 76 Time period 77 Leafy green aka rocket 78 Person caring for a calico 79 Foreboding sign 80 Ernie’s pal 83 “Have a sip!” 84 Puppy’s sharp sound 86 Bread served with dal makhani 90 Chew on this! 91 Cambodia’s official language 93 NYC tennis tournament 96 Astrological borders 97 “High five!” 99 Buzz-free coffee 100 Give a speech 101 Citrus fruit in kabkabou 103 Crystal-filled rock 104 Bakery appliances

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“RE WBVSQIF SIBBRJ DUWAIF JWAJ JVYISQRBT BITWSRMI, R JWA, ‘SQWS TRFU CRUU BIMIF LIWS YI.’ CI EIIG VEE SQI HFRSRHRJY.”

MIBKJ CRUURWYJ

“H MXS’J JRHSI CSLXSD DFDP ISXTB TRCJ’B ZXHSZ JX GD ZXXM JDNDFHBHXS ... H MX TRCJ H MX GDKCQBD HJ HSJDPDBJB YD.” KRPHBJXARDP ZQDBJ

“OY T GLPABD CTUXA OD VKL CBBIA TDI UOAVLDA NTPLYJUUZ, KL NTD ULTPD WBPL VKTD CKTV OA OD QBBXA.” RLBPRL CTAKODRVBD NTPMLP Puzzle Three Clue: O equals I

STAFF WRITER

Puzzle Two Clue: C equals A

LETICIA SILVA

This year, he raised more than $7,000 — enough to send 326 backpacks to orphanages in Ukraine. Every year, he eagerly awaits for this time of year to roll around, so he can bless as many orphans in Ukraine as possible. However, tragedy struck on a Saturday afternoon as Adrian rode an e-bike with his friend in Lake Mary. While he doesn’t remember the accident at all, Adrian was said to have hit a tree stump, leading his e-bike to death wobble. In that moment, Adrian was thrown off his bike head-first into a tree. He had a broken his jaw, wrist and eight teeth. He also suffered a concussion and has no recollection of the accident. After having his jaw wired shut for six weeks for healing purposes, Adrian was on a strict liquid diet. It was brutal, he said. He loves to eat and couldn’t imagine being unable to have solid food for six weeks. Yet, in that time, Adrian was able to

meditate and become closer to God. It was then he said he never would take eating for granted again. He never would take his life for granted again. In his mind, the backpack donations lingered. He felt a strong desire to serve the Lord’s kingdom. He believed he was being called to do something bigger and decided he would collect the most donations his family ever had raised to serve as many orphanages as possible. The family’s goal is to not only bless orphans with essential items but quality items, as well. Each backpack, designated for a specific child, includes a Champion hoodie, a pair of socks, gloves, hats, water bottles, candy, arts and crafts, hygiene essentials, pencil pouches and toys such as Hot Wheels, Barbies and fidget toys. With the help of the community, Adrian was able to accomplish his goal of donating the most backpacks yet. “It’s amazing,” he said. “I think we’re going to do even more next year.” To his parents and family, it’s pure joy and all glory to God. When Adrian’s father, Ilya Zagaryuk, visited orphanages and homes in Ukraine to drop off donations, he was deeply saddened to see the state of the children. One of his most memorable experiences was giving a young boy a backpack — his first backpack. He was overjoyed with the thought of receiving a backpack filled with goodies. When Ilya Zagaryuk thinks back to that memory, he feels an immense sense of pride in knowing he is raising his children to give back to those in need. To them, a backpack is just a backpack. To children in Ukraine, a backpack holds much more meaning. It means hope, faith and strength to continue in a fallen world. It means living to see another day. Together, through Adrian’s persistence and care, the Zagaryuks are changing children’s lives, one backpack at a time. And with a new perspective in life after his e-bike accident, Adrian is more motivated than ever to continue to touch the lives of those he can, while serving the Lord’s kingdom.

Puzzle Two Clue: U equals L

sudoku Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

106 Pleasant vocal inflection 107 ___-Caps (movie theater candy) 108 Tear to shreds 110 Per person 112 Sharpen, like a skill 113 Singer Celia known as the “Queen of Salsa” 116 Hi-___ monitor 117 Electric cello’s volume booster ©2026 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

10-8-26

OCTOBER 8, 2026

SPORTS HIGH

GAME OF THE WEEK

Windermere Preparatory School has found its next boys lacrosse head coach. The school named Donovan Cleffi as the head coach of the team Thursday, Oct. 1. Cleffi was a four-year player for the High Point University’s club lacrosse and served as a team captain for three of those years. He also played in high school and club lacrosse in New Jersey. At High Point University, Cleffi earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management in 2023 before going back to complete his master’s degree in communications and business leadership in 2024. He currently serves as an intern with the Lakers’ strength and conditioning program. The school hosted a meet and greet with Cleffi Wednesday, Oct. 7, as an opportunity for Lakers interested in lacrosse to introduce themselves.

The Windermere High girls volleyball team pulled away with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-10) victory over the visiting Ocoee Knights Thursday, Oct. 1. Ocoee fell to 3-8 and No. 6 in Class 6A, District 6, while Windermere advanced to 12-7 and No. 5 in 6A, District 6. The Wolverines were celebrating senior night and recognized its five seniors: Adelyn Derogatis, Layla Ruffner, Luiza Cabral, Nina Williams and Mia Russo. Windermere played its next game against Lake Buena Vista at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at home. Ocoee also played a game against Oak Ridge at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at home. Results weren’t available at time of publication.

The Horizon High School girls volleyball team competed in the Bishop Moore High School Swing for the Cure Invitational Friday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3. The team finished the tournament in third. Horizon defeated Montverde Academy, DME Academy and Venice but fell to Lake Brantley and Calvary Christian. Horizon now holds a 18-3 record, adding to the team’s No. 26 ranking in Florida.

407Baseball’s 12U team won the 12U Gold Championship at the GOB James Arnett Rave Invitational Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4. The team went 4-0 over the whole weekend to clinch the title. It was the team’s first championship title since its tournament over the Labor Day weekend Monday, Sept. 7.

Sophia Wadsworth, a junior libero for Windermere Preparatory School’s volleyball team, is heating up. Wadsworth set a new school record in single season digs by accomplishing 305 after the team’s 3-0 win over Orlando Christian Prep Tuesday, Sept. 22, and its 3-1 win over Real Life Christian Academy Thursday, Sept. 24. The Lakers are 13-9 this year. They played their last regular season game against Cornerstone Charter Academy Tuesday, Oct. 6.

West Orange High sophomore swimmer Mia Gordon recorded a PB in the 100-yard backstroke. Page 10A.

DR. PHILLIPS (4-2) VS. WEST ORANGE (5-1)

A perfect Tien Dr. Phillips High School’s 4-2 year has come through the hands of QB Tien Williams, who has remained consistent, has controlled what he can and now is thriving.

MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER

“I

got it, coach.” It’s what Dr. Phillips High quarterback Tien Williams told his coaches during one of the team’s practices this year. Head coach Caleb Walls said the coaches were telling Williams his reads, something they’ve done many times over his three years. He waved them off. He knew what he had to do. Williams proceeded to throw a touchdown. He looked back at his coaches with an “I know what I’m doing” look. Since then, the moment has become a joke within the team, Walls said. It provided a glimpse of the confidence and playing ability Williams, a junior, has steadily been growing over his career at DP. Williams, now in his first full year as QB1, is ready and has embarked

on the journey with grace. He’s come a long way from when he first started as a freshman. STEADY RISE

Walls remembered seeing Williams walk onto the Panthers’ field as a 5-foot-8 freshman who still was growing. Although he was smaller, the coaches already could see his potential. He just had to unlock it. Williams wasn’t the most vocal leader in the locker room or the biggest on the field. His coaches noticed other traits. “He’s always poised, doesn’t say much, but he’s a leader,” Walls said. “He works hard. He’s always the first one in the weight room, last one out, and he really takes pride in his craft. He’s a leader in his own way.” They noticed how Williams always showed up when he’s supposed to, SEE YOUNG PAGE 10A

Tien Williams, quarterback for Dr. Phillips High, has trained as a starter for the last two years. As a junior, now is his time and he’s carrying the team as its 2026 year progresses. Photos by Megan Bruinsma

Knights five-star recruit sets sights on UF Ocoee High School’s Kylie Holden, Class of 2028 and the No. 2 in the nation softball player, has committed to the University of Florida. MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER

Before Ocoee High School softball player Kylie Holden’s No. 2 National ranking in the Class of 2028 players, she was an 8-year-old reluctant to go into her first softball season at the West Orange Girls Club. For years, she had been brushing off her mom’s requests to try the sport. She didn’t want to. Finally Holden said, “OK Ma, I’ll try it out.” She never looked back. “I fell in love with it,” she said. Holden’s love for the sport grew

over the years as she trained alongside her mom, who is in Bethune Cookman’s Hall of Fame for softball, and coaches. She took her game to the travel softball world. And as she grew, her rankings climbed. She rose to the No. 2 player as a five-star recruit and tallying interest from more than 20 schools. After visiting four — Louisiana State University, the University of Texas, the University of Florida and the University of Mississippi — her mind was set. Holden announced her SEE HOLDEN PAGE 11A

Courtesy photo

Kylie Holden, Ocoee’s five-star softball recruit, announced her committment to the University of Florida Friday, Oct. 2.

10A

OrangeObserver.com

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2026

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS

SPONSORED BY MARK’S FLOORING AND SHANNON TILL/STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Mia Gordon West Orange High School sophomore swimmer Mia Gordon has been on a steady career progression since she first began swimming five years ago. She recently recorded a personal best in the 100-yard backstroke finals with her time of 1:00.25, good enough for a fifth-place finish. To close her freshman year as a Warrior, Gordon was a twotime finalist at the FHSAA Class 4A District 4 Championship. She completed districts in fifth place at the 100-yard freestyle by swimming it in 56.41 and eighth place in the 100-yard backstroke with her time of 1:04.45. “She’s the athlete every coach wants,” West Orange swim head coach Jennifer Dailer said. “She’s respectful. She’s motivated. She’s ambitious. She’s kind. She looks out for her teammates. She communicates well with her coaches and she always has a smile on her face, she’s literally a joy and definitely such a gift to this Warrior team.”

What do you love about swimming? I love swimming, because it’s just such a fun environment where I get to go in and use all my hard work and all my effort. I have fun with all my best friends, and I get to go and just race. It’s like I leave everything

Freshman receiver Gio Thomas had the second-most receiving yards in the Lions’ win over Windermere Prep. He recorded 52 yards on four receptions.

THE BASICS

Age: 15 Grade: Sophomore School: West Orange High Sport: Swim

HORIZON HAWKS (2-5), 0 BOONE BRAVES (3-3), 20 The Hawks suffered their third consecutive loss and fourth shutout of the season at the hands of the Braves. It was another offensive struggle for the Hawks. Horizon tallied only 84 yards during the game, with one fumble and one interception. UP NEXT: Horizon travels to East Ridge. OCOEE KNIGHTS (3-3), 6 JONES TIGERS (4-1), 15 The Knights suffered their third loss in a non-district contest against the visiting Tigers. Ocoee sits at No. 15 in Florida, while Jones sits at No. 7. The Knights’ defense limited Jones to its second-lowest scoring game of the year.

else (out). I feel powerful. I feel ready, and it’s just fun. At the Lake Brantley High School Patriot Invitational, you had a personal best. How did that feel? It was really good. The week before, I had a meet for my club, too, and it didn’t go great. It didn’t feel great, so going into that meet it was a new mindset, and then I went in and I won my best time, which I was really happy coming from where I was (a week ago).

Megan Bruinsma

FRIDAY, OCT. 2 CENTRAL FLORIDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY EAGLES (4-2), 54 BRONSON EAGLES (2-6), 0 The CFCA Eagles have been back in full force through its last string of games, walloping the Bronson Eagles on the road. CFCA had eight touchdowns, four sacks and two caused fumbles in the win. Receiver Melvin Mack had a huge night, with 122 yards with one touchdown on six receptions.

What have you changed that has allowed you to have PBs? I’ve stopped overthinking it, because I overthink it. So, it’s just (focusing on) getting in the water, knowing my training is ready and just racing.

UP NEXT: CFCA heads back home to host Cornerstone Charter Academy.

How has your club, Southwest Stars, helped you — especially coming to a varsity team as a freshman? It’s given me everything. I was afraid of water until I was 9 years old. I would not put my head into the water, and then I went to Southwest Stars, and the coaches there believed in me even when I ignored myself. I injured myself, I hurt my neck for a while, and I didn’t know if I was going to come back from that. Then, I got even faster afterward. They really provided me with such a good environment with my friends, and my coaches and I think that’s what’s helped me come into high school ready.

DR. PHILLIPS PANTHERS (4-2), 13 OSCEOLA KOWBOYS (2-5), 0 The Panthers tallied their fourth consecutive win and second shutout win over the visiting Kowboys. The two programs — former district foes — last met in 2021, with Osceola getting the best of DP. Dr. Phillips has steadily turned around its year following its 0-2 start, building its momentum as the latter half of the regular season begins.

UP NEXT: Dr. Phillips remains at home to host the West Orange Warriors for a district test. FOUNDATION ACADEMY LIONS (3-2), 37 WINDERMERE PREP LAKERS (2-4), 0 Foundation Academy’s Lions were ready to attack on their home field against their visiting neighbors Windermere Prep. The Lions continued to pound away from the air and ground, tallying six touchdowns — three coming from rushes and three receptions. Running back Jeremiah Woods had 109 yards with two touchdowns on nine carries. Eighth-grade quarterback Dylan Cormier also added his first passing touchdown of his career. It was the Lakers’ third consecutive loss. UP NEXT: Foundation Academy hits the road to play Providence School. Windermere Prep takes a week off to rest.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9A

doing exactly what’s asked of him and what he needs to do, while also taking care of his responsibilities off the field. Even when a play doesn’t go completely according to plan, he doesn’t lose his composure. “He never gets frustrated, never gets flustered,” Walls said. “He trusts the plays that are being If you could have dincalled. … We (coaches) believe in ner with a famous perhim and he knows that we believe son, who would it be? in him.” Olivia Rodrigo. I just The poise present within Wilthink that would be liams wasn’t something his coachfun. We could talk about es had to teach him how to bring to anything. the field, rather a trait he’s grown up with at home. What meal could you eat Williams’ father, Mike, has a every day? military background and played Sushi — the Florida roll — quarterback in college. His mom, it’s like the California roll but it Sharon, played college soccer. has fish eggs, so I like it more. I They’ve always been supportive of don’t know why, but it’s really him and taught him to follow his good. passions within athletics. — MEGAN BRUINSMA At 4 years old, Williams picked up a football — a small one with an Ohio State logo — with his dad. Williams grew up inspired by figures such as his father, Carolina Panthers’ star Cam Newton and the Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson. Williams looked up to the three men when he entered flag football at 6. By third grade, he was wearing pads and ready for tackle football. That’s when he learned Shannon Till, Agent We’re all in this together. to apply the life lessons his father Fowler’s Grove 3279 Daniels Rd State Farm has a long traditiontaught him from a young age. Winter Garden, FL 34787 Toll Free: 855-742-1591 of being there. That’s one reason “I wasn’t the biggest or the www.shannontill.com why I’m proud to support Weststrongest or the fastest,” Williams Orange county.. said. “(My dad) always told me, Get to a better State . ‘What if you don’t grow? What are

Family. Friends. Community.

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OLYMPIA TITANS (3-4), 41 OAK RIDGE PIONEERS (2-4), 13 The Olympia Titans’ squad surged back to end its losing streak in its home contest against Oak Ridge. The Titans dominated the visiting Pioneers to close the school’s Homecoming week. Quarterback Nobel Davis threw three touchdowns on his .789 completion percentage. UP NEXT: The Titans prepare for a district contest against Edgewater. THE FIRST ACADEMY ROYALS (5-1), 49 COCOA TIGERS (1-4), 3 The Royals were a spectacle to see coming off their bye-week. TFA returned to its high-scoring capabilities against the visiting Cocoa Tigers. Freshman running back Hyquez Russell had a breakout night, recording 152 yards on 10 carries with three touchdowns. UP NEXT: TFA remains at home to host Archbishop McCarthy.

Young QB anchors Panther offense

What is your spirit animal? A flamingo. I love pink, and I feel like they’re so bright and they’re just so prominent. When you think of a flamingo, you know exactly what it is.

UP NEXT: Ocoee remains at home to host Celebration.

the things that you can control? Control what you can control.’ That was the biggest mindset shift that allowed me to become who I am today.” That belief, along with his strong faith, guided him in his early years. When he sat on Dr. Phillips’ sidelines as a sophomore behind QB1 Camren West after thinking he’d be the starter, Williams didn’t hang his head down. Rather, he stood ready. “They say in the NFL, the hardest position is a backup,” Williams said. “You have to practice like a starter, and when you get thrown into a game, you’re able to play like a starter. Always be ready and always know my time is coming and just make the most of it — even if it was just one play.” It paid off when his moment came. West had gone down mid-game against Ocoee Friday, Sept. 22. Williams was needed. He stepped in thinking, “Win the ball game. Got to win.” He made the necessary plays and led DP to its 29-22 win. He said everyone — coaches and players — trusting him assisted with his confidence when it was go-time. It reinforced his belief: Preparation matters the most when you don’t know if you’ll need it. “(I) play like it’s the last time I’ll ever play,” Williams said. “Preparing like it’s the last time I ever played. Just knowing the mental game, making smart reads, not forcing anything, watching the clock and controlling the game. I don’t have to be a superhero because of the team that I have around me.”

SCHEDULE All games kickoff at 7 p.m. FRIDAY, OCT. 9 n Central Florida Christian Academy (4-2) vs. Cornerstone Charter Academy (3-3) n Dr. Phillips (4-2) vs. West Orange (5-1)* n Lake Buena Vista (0-6) at Freedom (2-4)* n Legacy Charter (0-7) vs. Master’s Academy (1-6) n Ocoee (3-3) vs. Celebration (1-5)* n Olympia (3-4) at Edgewater (3-2)* n The First Academy (5-1) vs. Archbishop McCarthy (3-3) n Windermere (4-2) at St. Cloud n Foundation Academy (3-2) at Providence School (2-5) n Horizon (2-5) at East Ridge (5-2) * District game

For most of his career he was quiet. He is the same on and off the field, finding peace in the quiet moments such as sitting near the field alone and taking in the scene. He’s grown into his now 6-foot frame and is finding his voice. “We always said this is (Williams’) team — it’s his time,” Walls said. “He waited his turn but when he got the opportunity the last couple years, he made the most of it and now that he’s running lead on the ship, he’s doing really (well).”

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OrangeObserver.com

Horizon boys, Windermere girls take Metro West Championship MEGAN BRUINSMA STAFF WRITER

Courtesy photo

Windermere High girls cross-country team celebrated a first-place finish at the Metro West Championship.

West Orange County high school cross-country teams competed in the Metro West Championship Saturday, Oct. 3, at West Orange High School. On the girls’ side, Windermere finished first, Horizon second, West Orange fourth, Olympia fifth, Lake Buena Vista seventh and Ocoee eighth. Individually, Windermere’s Annabella Ekebergh took first overall, 18:52.62; Horizon’s Abigayle White took second, 18:58.30; and Windermere’s

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11A

PATRICIA HAWLEY DIED SEPT. 30, 2026.

Patricia Ann Hawley passed away on Sept. 30, 2026, at the age of 87, at Serenades Memory Care Assisted Living in Winter Garden. Patricia was born Feb. 15, 1939, in the Bronx, New York City, to Donald Parsons and Mildred DePalma Parsons. She was the loving wife of James Hawley. Patricia enjoyed meeting new people; she had a winning smile and positive attitude and so many friends. Patricia was a Registered Nurse and loved working at Princeton New Jersey Hospital in labor-and-delivery with the newborns. Another love was caring for stray puppy dogs. Besides her loving husband, Patricia is survived by three children, Joan Starkovich (Winter Garden), Scott Hawley (Winter Park) and Michael Hawley (Winter Park); her sister, Angela Sklenarik (Indian Lake, New York); two grandchildren, Bella and Max Hawley (Winter Park); and many loving nieces and nephews. Patricia’s funeral will be held on Oct. 10, 2026, at Winter Oak Funeral Home in Winter Garden. Visits with family members will take place between 10 and 10:30 a.m. and will be followed by the service. Eric Allyn Jylha, 76, died Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. Winter Oak Funeral Home, Winter Garden. Dennis James (Joseph) Sepanik, 73, of Winter Garden, died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. Winter Oak Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

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After her start with the WOGC, where her mom was her coach, Holden decided it was time to take the sport more seriously — she joined travel ball. “The Little League really helped me because I wasn’t the best-ofthe-best to start,” Holden said. “It really helped me to push myself to be better than the girls that I’m playing against.” Seeing she wasn’t the best on the field fueled her competitive nature. “My competitive nature is one of none,” she said. “I feel like no matter what, I feel like I can do anything I put my mind to.” Holden said it’s essential to have the mentality of “nobody can beat you.” Struggling initially with softball taught Holden her competitiveness when she was 8. She continued to hold it when she went off to her travel teams. On the first travel team, Holden was cut for being too young. She tried again. She was cut again. She became determined to show everyone her capabilities. Holden joined Central Florida Gold’s travel ball team. In one game, she was simply playing to her abilities and hit three home runs against Unity, a national team. The coach of the team saw her and recruited her. In November 2022, She joined Unity as an eighth-grader, and soon, college recruiters took notice.

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COMPETITIVE NATURE

have an outstanding season and become the first Lady Knights team to make it to the State Final Four in 2025. The team then went to states again and the crowd and level is an environment in which she’s always wanted to be involved. Playing for Ocoee also introduced her to head girls basketball coach Marcus Spencer, who has been one of her biggest supporters and even helped her organize the announcement ceremony before Ocoee’s game. Volleyball is an outlet to let out her anger. As an all-around outside hitter, she’s able to channel her strength into her hits and digs. But nothing compares to softball. “(Softball) makes me feel like I’m on an island,” she said. “It’s my getaway from the world basically. That’s

how it makes me feel. That’s the only thing that really calms me other than music.” In the batting cages, she completely feels in the zone. It’s her place where she finds excitement, repetition, becoming more than just a field — the main place she thrives. The emotions softball provokes within Holden is why she knew she wanted to play in college and eventually for the U.S. National Team in the Olympics after her career at the University of Florida. Holden already is setting goals for herself to earn freshman accolades when she becomes a Gator in two years, and she knows attending will help her along her journey to the long-term softball career she craves. “Iron sharpens iron,” Holden said. “I’m going to be pushed by the people around me (at UF) — not just my coaches but (also) the girls around me. They’re going to push me to be better.”

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commitment to UF Friday, Oct. 2, before Ocoee’s home football game.

Softball isn’t Holden’s only sport. She also tackles flag football, volleyball and basketball for Ocoee. It’s a rare sight to see someone so talented in one niche branch out to others, but for Holden, it’s simple: She’s an athlete, so she’ll play as one. Playing multiple sports also allowed her to easily stay in shape while softball’s out of season. Holden has a unique love for each sport. Flag football brings out her excitement. She plays as the team’s quarterback, and she said the feeling of throwing a touchdown pass to one of her teammates is an incomparable level of excitement. Basketball brings the crowd. When she walked onto the court as a freshman, she didn’t know the team would

@Observerorange

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9A

Ryann Lange took third, 19:14.61. On the boys’ side, Horizon finished first, Windermere second, West Orange third, Lake Buena Vista fourth, Olympia sixth, Ocoee seventh and Dr. Phillips eighth. Individually, Horizon’s Maleik Lewis took overall first, 15:45.34; West Orange’s Venkata Anantha took second, 16:35.75; and Windermere’s Ethan Tasior took third, 16:36.27. The meet launched the final stretch of cross-country teams’ regular season runs, with it ending Saturday, Oct. 31.

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PATRICIA L’ASTORINA MARTINHO CASTLEVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Patricia L’Astorina Martinho is a Portuguese/ESOL paraprofessional at Castleview Elementary School. She is responsible for supporting students in various ways throughout the day, especially helping children who are learning English and/ or “need extra support to feel safe, confident and successful at school,” she said. She recently was named Castleview Elementary School’s Support Person of the Year. “Ms. Patricia brings so much heart to our school,” Principal Rebecca Young said. “In addition to helping our newcomer English Language Learners build confidence and grow in their English language skills, she is always willing to lend a helping hand wherever it is needed. Whether she is supporting a student, assisting a colleague or simply offering an encouraging smile, Ms. Patricia leads with kindness, patience and love. Our entire school community is better because of her.” What brought you to your school? I first came to Castleview as a parent when my son started kindergarten. I began volunteering at the school, and what started as a way to be involved in my son’s school became something I truly loved. Eventually, I became part of the Castleview staff, and today, the school feels like a second home to me. What do you love most about your school? The people and the sense of family. I love our students, and I am grateful to work with people who truly care about children. Seeing the kids every day and knowing that I can make even a small difference in their lives makes Castleview very special to me.

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What is the most rewarding part of your job? Seeing a child go from being scared or crying to feeling safe, confident and happy at school. Sometimes, all a child needs is someone to get down to their level, listen, give them a hug and show them they are not alone. Seeing those same children later running to me with a smile and a hug means everything to me. What would you be if you weren’t in this profession? I would probably work at Disney or somewhere that allows me to bring joy to people, especially children. No matter what I did, I would want to make a difference by helping others feel happy, loved and special. Who influences you? My son is my biggest influence. He makes me want to be a better person every day and has taught me so much about love, patience and seeing the world through a child’s eyes. Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? My favorite teacher was my fourthgrade teacher. She always encouraged me, made me feel special and somehow knew how to bring out the best in me. I still remember how she

REPORT CARD YEARS IN SCHOOL: Three YEARS IN OCPS: Three

made me feel, and I try to give my students that same feeling today. What is your favorite children’s book and why? “The Little Prince.” It has stayed with me because it reminds us to see beyond appearances and to value love, friendship and the little things that truly matter in life. What do you like to do in your spare time? I love spending my free time with my family. We love going to Disney and Universal, traveling and simply enjoying time together. Those are the moments that make me the happiest. If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why? I would choose Walt Disney. I would love to hear about his imagination, his dreams and how he turned his ideas into something that has brought so much happiness to generations of families. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? My superpower would be the ability to take away fear and sadness — especially from children. I would love to help every child feel safe, loved and happy. If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be and why? I would choose U2, Tears for Fears and Elton John. Their music brings back memories and includes so many songs that I never get tired of listening to. What was your go-to lunch and favorite snack as an elementary student? I loved grapes and strawberries, and one of my favorite snacks was a sandwich with cream cheese, ham and cheese. Those are some of the foods I remember enjoying the most as a child. What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors? I loved dancing and participated in several dance performances. I also took volleyball and basketball classes. I received some recognition for my activities, and performing was always something I really enjoyed. What would people be surprised to learn about you? People might be surprised to learn that I am extremely shy. Speaking in public is very difficult for me, and being the center of attention definitely takes me out of my comfort zone. — LIZ RAMOS

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Empowered to Create with Boldness ORLANDO’S PREMIERE PRIVATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

FINE ARTS Creativity Inspired by The Creator Photo courtesy of Brandon Berry

The school began offering sensory kits at its “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” performance.

Inclusive arts for all Windermere Preparatory School’s fine arts department staff has earned a sensory inclusive certification, making the arts more accessible to those with sensory disabilities. STAFF WRITER

For those with post-traumatic stress syndrome, anxiety, autism, dementia and other similar conditions, attending public events can be difficult; sometimes, impossible. The noise, the crowds, the bright lights all are contributors to anxiety, sensory overload and mental breakdowns. After hosting a fundraiser at Windermere Preparatory School for KultureCity, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting inclusivity and accessibility for individuals with sensory needs, WPS’ fine arts staff members saw a lack in accessibility in its department. They saw the lack in their programming and what they were able to provide for those with different needs. “It became just part of what we wanted to ensure we could also provide as a venue moving forward, regardless if we were hosting an event from them or not,” Fine Arts Director Rosemarie Redman said. From December 2025 through September 2026, all WPS fine arts staff worked toward acquiring KultureCity Sensory Inclusive Certification, learning how to navigate a situation where a person might have sensory issues, tools to help those with special needs, and how to implement inclusivity at all events and performances. “(The certification process) went beyond just watching a video and answering questions,” Redman said. “It really did educate us on how those that suffer with sensory disorders navigate the world and what that looks like for them. It also validated why it’s important for us as a performing arts center and as an educational institution to offer this for those that have sensory disorders.” Finally, all 19 staff members of the fine arts department received their certifications. Through the KultureCity Sensory Inclusive Certification, those with sensory disabilities and impairments now can enter the performing arts center with certainty their needs will be met.

The school now will offer sensory kits to visitors, which include weighted lap pads, fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones and verbal cue cards. But it doesn’t end there, Redman said. The school also will have a safe area for visitors who feel overwhelmed within its theater space, where they can regroup, reground and make a decision to re-enter the theater space. The goal is to create an environment where everyone feels safe, supported and included. To kickstart the 2026-27 theatrical season at WPS, the theme remains about inclusivity. From Thursday, Oct. 1, through Saturday, Oct. 3, the theater department performed “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” following quirky middle-schoolers through their school’s annual spelling bee competition. The characters were outlandish, over-the-top, Redman said, all competing to win the school’s annual spelling bee. As an interactive musical, some WPS community members had the opportunity to join the actors on stage to participate in the comedic, quirky and lighthearted musical. In the musical, students in the spelling bee learned about their classmates’ life struggles and pressures, creating a sense of community where they learn to accept one another for who they are. “The students are aware there are others out there (who) may be struggling in areas that they don’t, and they (wanted) to provide this opportunity that anyone can come and participate in the productions or the events that we host here at WPS,” Redman said. “‘Especially for me, being the director of fine arts, I wanted to provide a space where anyone can experience a live theater, music or dance event, or even an art event. … We put our heart and soul into any event that we open our theater doors to, and to ensure that anybody could walk through and feel supported and accepted was very important to myself but also the entire fine arts team and to WPS as a whole.”

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HOOK, LINE & SINKER: Windermere reels in the fun at Cops & Bobbers

Sophia Rosas caught the first fish of the day. She went on to catch at least one more.

Kodi Meredith, Myles Benson and Leyla Benson were the first to go out on the water with Capt. Ray Brunetti.

emi Au-Yeung, who is 4, had the biggest smile on his face as he held up the first fish he caught with the help of Sgt. CJ Burrell with the Windermere Police Department. He was with dozens of children who joined members of the Windermere Police Department for the sixth annual Windermere Police Department Foundation’s Cops & Bobbers Saturday, Sept. 19.

Before going to the lake to fish, everyone enjoyed minnow races and playing cornhole. Each child also was able to pick out a fishing pole to take home. Members of the police department, led by Chief Dave Ogden, escorted everyone to Fernwood Park where children 8 years old and up were able to go on boats to fish, and the other children cast off from the dock and boat ramp.

Remi Au-Yeung, who is 4, showed off the first fish he caught. He’s only been fishing once before Cops & Bobbers.

— LIZ RAMOS

Above: JP Sherlock, who is 6, was patient as he put his line in the water for the first time. Left: Luca Biondi, who is 8, watched as the minnow he dropped in the water swam away. Right: Windermere Police Chief Dave Ogden, Officer Sarah Hoffmann, Officer Jerrell Ogletree, Sgt. CJ Burrell and Chaplain Andy Jones were thrilled to spend the morning at the sixth annual Cops & Bobbers.

Luciane and Natalie Leal played Connect 4 together.

Oakland Nature Preserve Managing Director Nicole O’Brien brought an animal ambassador for attendees to pet, alongside educational and additional informational about ONP and the snake.

The Toudjarov-Hanna family took the opportunity to spend the evening together at the block party.

GAME TIME: Oakland enjoys outdoors at annual Block Party

akland residents enjoyed a sunny evening at the town’s annual Block Party Friday, Sept. 18. Children participated in several activities conducted by the DJ, such as hula-hooping contests, dance parties and interactive games. Cornhole, Connect 4 and inflatables were available as entertainment, as well. Attendees also visited the Oakland Arts & Heritage Center to admire Jon Burket’s “Wild & Wonder: The Photography of Jon Burket” exhibit. A variety of food trucks were on site to provide delicious meals to residents at the Block Party. — LETICIA SILVA Debbie Goncalvez was excited to attend the event and socialize with others alongside Cookie.

Right: Christina Yacavone and Matt Simpson brought Roux, their dog, to socialize at the Block Party.

Above: Oakland Deputy Chief Michael Bryant, Chief of Police Darron Esan and Town Commissioner Yumeko Motley were excited to be at the town’s event. Left: Bri and Ben Codiroli attend the event every year with their two children.

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