Monday, April 6, 2026

Old Packing House approved. Lake Apopka fish kill. Windermere Prep eyes new Hamlin campus. Cold front brings storms — Spring Fever is five days away.

Good Morning Winter Garden

Monday, April 6, 2026

West Orange County, FL

⛈ 81° · Storms likely

Your daily dispatch from the heart of West Orange County.

Photo: Mick Haupt / Unsplash

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Winter Garden Approves Old Packing House Redevelopment

The historic citrus packing plant near downtown has been approved for redevelopment into a mixed-use project — a long-awaited move that signals continued investment in Winter Garden's urban core.

The Winter Garden City Commission voted to approve the redevelopment of the Old Packing House, a landmark citrus processing facility that has sat largely underutilized on the edge of the downtown corridor. The approved plan calls for a mixed-use development that would add retail and other uses while preserving the building's historic industrial character. The project has been in discussion for some time, and approval marks a concrete step forward as the city works to manage growth pressure along Plant Street and the surrounding blocks. The redevelopment is expected to add vitality to a portion of downtown that has long been seen as underperforming relative to its location.

1 Dead, 1 Injured in Winter Garden Townhome Shooting

Winter Garden police responded to a shooting at a local townhome that left one person dead and a second injured. The incident remains under active investigation. Fox 35 →

Hundreds of Dead Fish Wash Up Along Lake Apopka Shoreline

Hundreds of dead fish were discovered along Lake Apopka's shoreline, raising fresh concerns about water quality in the lake that borders our county. State environmental officials are investigating. Fox 35 →

📣 This Week in Winter Garden

A soggy week — then Spring Fever arrives Saturday.

A cold front is sweeping through today with an 80% chance of storms and up to half an inch of rain possible. The unsettled pattern holds through most of the week. But clear your calendar for April 11–12 — Spring Fever in the Garden brings arts, plants, and music back to downtown. Tonight is also National Drug Take Back Day at City Hall if you have unused medications to safely dispose of.

Tonight: Drug Take Back 💊 Storms Mon–Thu ⛈ Apr 11–12: Spring Fever 🌸

⛈ This Week's Weather

Winter Garden, FL · Apr 6 – 10 · NWS Melbourne

Cold front today · Stormy through Thursday · NWS Melbourne

WG Weighs Proposal for 70-Acre Mega-Sports Complex

Winter Garden is considering a proposal for a 70-acre sports complex that could attract regional tournaments and reshape the city's recreational footprint. Fox 35 →

Windermere Prep Eyes New Elementary Campus in Hamlin

Windermere Preparatory School is exploring plans for a new elementary campus in the Hamlin area, signaling continued educational investment in the fast-growing Horizon West corridor. Horizon West Happenings →

Tucker Ranch Park Closes Temporarily April 13–17

Tucker Ranch Park will be temporarily closed April 13–17. Check cwgdn.com for updates before heading out during that stretch. cwgdn.com →

Driver Attacked After Stopping to Help Crash Victim Near WG

A motorist was attacked near Winter Garden after stopping to help at a crash scene. Authorities described the assailant's behavior as erratic; a suspect was taken into custody. Fox 35 →

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National Prescription Drug Take Back Day 💊

6:30 PM · City Hall Chambers · Safely dispose of unused medications · cwgdn.com →

Planning & Zoning Board Meeting 🏛️

6:15 PM · City Hall Chambers · Open to the public · cwgdn.com →

Fridays on the Plaza 🎪 · Wine Walk at Southern Hill Farms 🍷 · 2nd Fridays at Flamingo Crossings 🦩

Plaza: 8 AM–1 PM downtown · Wine Walk: 5:30 PM · Flamingo Crossings block party: 6 PM · horizonwesthappenings.com →

Spring Fever in the Garden 🌸 · Farmers Market 🌿

Apr 11–12 · Downtown WG · Roads closed during festival · Market: 8 AM–1 PM · springfeverinthegarden.org →

Best Fest: A Taste of West Orange 🍽️

5:00–8:00 PM · Horizon West · Local food, drink & community · horizonwesthappenings.com →

Horizon West Home Expo 🏡

10:00 AM–2:00 PM · Horizon West · horizonwesthappenings.com →

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Fox 35 Orlando · Orange Observer · Horizon West Happenings · City of Winter Garden · NWS Melbourne · Apr 6, 2026

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