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Sunday, April 5, 2026 West Orange County, FL ☀️ 85° · Mostly sunny

Your daily dispatch from the heart of West Orange County.

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Top Story

NASA's Artemis II Crew Is on Its Way to the Moon

Launched from Kennedy Space Center, the Artemis II crew has left Earth orbit and is now deep in space — the first humans to travel beyond low Earth orbit in more than 50 years.

The Artemis II crew woke Easter morning aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft, performing routine operations as the mission settled into its deep-space phase. The crew is preparing for historic observations of the Moon's far side in the coming days. It's the first crewed lunar-distance mission since Apollo 17 in 1972, and it launched from Florida's Kennedy Space Center — a milestone that belongs in part to this state. The mission marks a new chapter in human spaceflight as NASA builds toward a sustained lunar presence.

Justice WG ATV Shooter Ralph Hensel Indicted on First-Degree Murder Charges Ralph Hensel, accused of fatally shooting an ATV rider in Winter Garden, has been indicted on first-degree murder charges, moving the case toward trial. Fox 35 →

Education Orange County Schools to Cut $8M in Mental Health Services OCPS is cutting $8 million from mental health programs amid declining enrollment, a reduction that will be felt across schools serving West Orange County families. WFTV →

📣 This Week in Winter Garden

Happy Easter, Winter Garden. Enjoy the quiet morning.

It's a warm, sunny Easter morning — make the most of it before afternoon storms roll through. A wet week is ahead, so Spring Fever in the Garden next weekend (Apr 11–12) is the thing to look forward to. The Earth Day tote giveaway runs all month at City Hall; grab one while supplies last.

🌦 This Week's Weather

Winter Garden, FL · Apr 5 – 9 · NWS Melbourne

Today (Sun)	🌦	85° / 66°
Monday	🌧	83° / 64°
Tuesday	⛈	71° / 64°
Wednesday	🌧	71° / 64°
Thursday	🌧	74° / —

Sunny now, storms by afternoon · Wet week ahead · NWS Melbourne

Around Town

Local Color Winter Garden Family's Holiday Decorations in Jeopardy After County Order A Winter Garden family's elaborate holiday display may be coming down after Orange County issued an order putting their decorations in jeopardy. The family is pushing back. Fox 35 →		Community Run a Real Runway: ORL 5K Returns to Orlando Executive Airport The ORL 5K on the Runway is back, giving Central Florida runners a chance to race across the tarmac at Orlando Executive Airport. A unique local event worth putting on the calendar. WFTV →
Heads Up Earth Day Tote Giveaway Runs All April at City Hall The City of Winter Garden is giving away free reusable tote bags through April 30 as part of its Earth Day initiative. Stop by City Hall while supplies last. cwgdn.com →		Downtown Downtown Roads Closing for Spring Fever — Plan Ahead for Apr 11–12 The City of Winter Garden has announced road closures in the downtown corridor for Spring Fever in the Garden, April 11–12. Plan alternate routes if you're not heading to the festival. cwgdn.com →

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Calendar of Events

Apr 6	National Prescription Drug Take Back Day 💊 6:30 PM · City Hall Chambers · Safely dispose of unused medications · cwgdn.com →
Apr 7	Planning & Zoning Board Meeting 🏛️ 6:15 PM · City Hall Chambers · Open to the public · cwgdn.com →
Apr 9	Development Review Committee 🏗️ 6:30 PM · City Hall Chambers · City of Winter Garden · cwgdn.com →
Apr 10	Fridays on the Plaza & Easter Kids' Craft 🎪🐣 Plaza: 8 AM–1 PM · Kids' Craft: 7–9 PM · Downtown Pavilion · cwgdn.com →
Apr 11	Spring Fever in the Garden 🌸 Apr 11–12 · Downtown Winter Garden · Roads closed · springfeverinthegarden.org →

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WFTV Channel 9 · Fox 35 Orlando · City of Winter Garden · NWS Melbourne · Apr 5, 2026

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