W E ST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Celebrating more than 110 years in West Orange
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
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VOLUME 84, NO. 47
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Matthew’s Hope throws 2017 Garden Party. SEE 9.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017
Blessings counted Winter Garden preschoolers recreate first Thanksgiving. SEE PAGE 3.
YOUR TOWN FFA STUDENTS EARN ACCOLADES Orange County Public Schools’ FFA students from multiple schools brought back national awards from the 90th National FFA Convention, held in Indianapolis, Indiana. More than 67,000 attendees from across the country attended leadership workshops, presentations, business sessions, career expo and awards ceremony. At the convention, Ocoee High School’s FFA earned the national three-star rating, and SunRidge Middle School’s FFA earned the national two-star rating.
Heroic effort
Investigation clears officer of wrongdoing in dog shooting The findings concluded Ocoee police officer Steven Bertrand did not violate department policy. GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR
Danielle Hendrix
Seniors Delaney Dugger, left, and Abby Boeneman got the idea for the capes from a student-council conference hosted by Ocoee High.
West Orange High’s Student Government Association created about 200 superhero capes out of T-shirts for the kids at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. SEE PAGE 4.
The Ocoee Police Department’s report into the officer-involved shooting that led to the death of a family’s dog — an 11-year-old Catahoula named Duke — has been completed. The investigative report, prepared by Ocoee Police Sgt. James Berish, of the Internal SEE OCOEE PAGE 4
ARTS & CULTURE
Dr. Phillips High School students exhibit ukecan-do-it attitude with new club. PAGE 17.
‘Tis the season for giving
PERFECTION ACHIEVED
With the holiday season in full swing, here are some ways you and your family can help your West Orange neighbors. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR
The holidays are a great time to help others in the community. There are several opportunities to help in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Here are some ways you can serve others.
DONATION DRIVES WGPD HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR KIDS
The Winter Garden Police Department is preparing for
its Holiday Gifts For Kids program, which provides Christmas gifts to children in need of assistance in Winter Garden. Monetary or toy donations can be dropped off at the police department, 251 W. Plant St. New toys must be unwrapped and should be appropriate for children 12 and younger. Because of the increasing population and limited funds, a screening process has been put in place to specifically reach the SEE HELP PAGE 8
West Orange High School’s undefeated season culminated with a state championship. PAGE 21.