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Thursday, April 2, 2026 West Orange County, FL 🌤 83° · Storm chance p.m.

Your daily dispatch from the heart of West Orange County.

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Top Story

ATV Shooter Ralph Hensel Indicted on First-Degree Murder Charges

A grand jury has indicted Winter Garden ATV shooter Ralph Hensel on first-degree murder charges, moving one of West Orange County's most closely watched criminal cases toward trial.

Hensel was accused of fatally shooting a victim during an ATV-related incident in Winter Garden. The first-degree murder indictment is the most serious charge possible under Florida law and signals prosecutors intend to pursue the case aggressively. The case drew widespread local attention and prompted community conversations about ATV use on public roads. Hensel will now face trial on the indictment.

City News New Public Parking Lot Opens in Downtown Winter Garden A new public parking lot has opened downtown, adding much-needed capacity for visitors, shoppers, and diners along the Plant Street corridor. City of Winter Garden →

City Hall Winter Garden Leaders Approve Rezone, Hear Legislative Update City commissioners approved a rezone and received a legislative briefing this week, covering ongoing issues affecting West Orange County at the state level. Orange Observer →

📣 This Week in Winter Garden

Good Friday is tomorrow. Spring Fever arrives in 9 days.

City Hall closes tomorrow for Good Friday — trash and recycling stay on their normal schedule. The new downtown parking lot is open, making Plant Street visits a little easier. Head to the Farmers Market Saturday morning, then start planning for Spring Fever in the Garden, now just over a week away on April 11–12. Tote bag giveaways continue at City Hall through Earth Day month.

🌤 This Week's Weather

Winter Garden, FL · Apr 2 – 6 · NWS Melbourne

Today (Thu)	⛈	83° / 67°
Friday	🌦	85° / 66°
Saturday	☀️	85° / 66°
Sunday	☀️	87° / 66°
Monday	⛅	85° / —

Storms possible today (50%) · Beautiful Farmers Market Saturday · NWS Melbourne

Around Town

Advocacy Winter Garden Resident Fights for Guardianship Reforms A Winter Garden resident is pushing for changes to Florida's guardianship laws, part of a growing movement to reform a system critics say leaves vulnerable people without adequate protections. Orange Observer →		Community Groups Unite for Tildenville Food Giveaway Multiple local organizations joined forces to host a food giveaway in Tildenville, bringing fresh groceries and household staples to families in the area. Orange Observer →
Oakland Oakland Nature Preserve Collecting Book Donations The Oakland Nature Preserve is calling on the community to donate books to support its educational programs. Residents can drop off donations at the preserve. Orange Observer →		Oakland Town of Oakland Swears In New Commissioners Oakland's newly elected town commissioners were officially sworn into office this week, beginning their terms representing West Orange County's lakeside community. Orange Observer →
Transportation New Traffic Signal to Ease West Orange County Congestion A new traffic signal has been installed at a key West Orange County intersection with the goal of reducing backups for drivers in the growing area. WFTV →		County Free E-Waste & Hazardous Waste Collection Coming to Orange County Orange County is hosting a free drop-off event for electronics and household hazardous waste, giving residents a safe way to dispose of old devices and chemicals. WFTV →

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Calendar of Events

Apr 3	Good Friday — City Hall Closed City offices closed · Trash & recycling on regular schedule · city alert →
Apr 4	Farmers Market & Fridays on the Plaza 🌿🎪 8 AM–1 PM · Downtown Interactive Fountain & Pavilion · Plant Street · Every Saturday
Apr 5	Easter Sunday 🐣 87° and sunny · Afternoon storm chance · Enjoy the morning outdoors
Apr 7	Planning & Zoning Board Meeting 🏛️ 6:15 PM · City Hall Chambers · Open to the public · cwgdn.com →
Apr 10	Easter Kids' Craft at the Farmers Market 🐣 7–9 PM · Downtown Pavilion · Special Friday evening market event
Apr 11	Spring Fever in the Garden 🌸 Apr 11–12 · Downtown Winter Garden · Roads closed · springfeverinthegarden.org →
Apr 14	City Commission Meeting 🏛️ 6 PM · City Hall Chambers · Regular monthly meeting · cwgdn.com →

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Fox 35 Orlando · WFTV Channel 9 · West Orange Observer · City of Winter Garden · NWS Melbourne · Apr 2, 2026

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