W E ST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. FREE
VOLUME 86, NO. 51
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019
Emerging from its cocoon Artist Don Reynolds will create a 10-foot-tall copper butterfly for Winter Garden. PAGE 3.
YOUR TOWN WITNESS THE MENORAH LIGHTING
The Winter Garden Hebrew School and Chabad of South Orlando are sponsoring a lighting of the menorah in downtown Winter Garden at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23. It will take place in front of the Winter Garden Police Department, 251 W. Plant St., and include the lighting, music and latkes. For information, visit jewishorlando.com.
PACK BOXES FOR FOOD PROGRAM
Want to own a piece of history? The 1900s Oakland Manor House’s owner is selling the property and hopes it will remain a center for wellness. STORY ON PAGE 4.
PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81
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Postal Customer
County leaders receive input on transportation tax proposal
NOW OPEN
The community is invited to help sort and pack about 2,000 boxes of food for needy families in West Orange County. The event is from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at Ocoee High School, 1925 Ocoee Crown Point Parkway. Drivers are needed beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, to deliver the food boxes to families in need. For information, (407) 6547777 or visit southeastern foodbank.com.
Photos by Amy Quesinberry
Mayor Jerry Demings hosted a town hall meeting to discuss the proposed one-cent sales tax increase to fund transportation initiatives. ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER
SWEET DREAMS Diandra Culver recently opened Sweet Dee’s Cupcakery and Custom Cakes in W.G. SEE 3.
Between tourism and rapid growth, it’s no secret that infrastructure and transportation issues plague Orange County — particularly on the west side, where much of the
residential growth occurs. To address these growing pains related to transportation within the county, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has proposed placing a one-cent sales tax increase SEE MAYOR PAGE 6