Downtown Winter Garden businesses forced out after a building sale — and residents are pushing back. Boys & Girls Club new branch nearly done. Drug Take Back Day tonight. Spring Fever is two days away.
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Good Morning Winter Garden
Thursday, April 9, 2026
West Orange County, FL
⛈ 74° · 70% Storms

Your daily dispatch from the heart of West Orange County.
Close-up of a spring flower in bloom
Photo: David Valentine / Unsplash
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Top Story
Residents Rally as Downtown Winter Garden Businesses Lose Their Homes to a Building Sale
A building sale on Plant Street has forced several longtime downtown Winter Garden businesses to close or find new locations — and the community is making its frustration heard.
The sale of a downtown building has triggered a wave of closures and forced relocations among the small businesses that have given Plant Street much of its character. Residents have taken to the streets to protest the losses, expressing concern that the commercial heart of downtown is shifting away from the locally owned shops and eateries that define its identity. Fox 35 reports both on the displacement itself and on residents' organized pushback — a sign of how personally the community takes its downtown. No details on replacements or future uses of the affected building were immediately available.
Community
Boys & Girls Club's New June Family Branch Nears Completion
The new June Family Branch of the Boys & Girls Club is nearly ready to open, bringing expanded after-school and youth programming capacity to the West Orange community.
Orange Observer →
Disney
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Reopens with New Magic at Disney World
The beloved roller coaster at Magic Kingdom is back, reopening after a refurbishment with updated effects and new story elements — welcome news for the many West Orange families who count it among the classics.
WFTV →
📣 This Week in Winter Garden
Last storm day. Spring Fever is two days away.
Today's showers should be the last of the week — the forecast clears to full sun for Friday and a near-perfect 80° Saturday, just in time for Spring Fever in the Garden. Downtown roads close this weekend for the festival; arrive early and plan for shuttle parking. The Farmers Market runs Saturday morning as usual alongside it all.
Tonight: Drug Take Back 6:30 PM 💊Fri: Sunny ☀️ 79°Apr 11–12: Spring Fever 🌸
⛈ → ☀️ This Week's Weather
Winter Garden, FL · Apr 9 – 12 · NWS Melbourne
Today (Thu) 74° / 62°
Friday ☀️ 79° / 61°
Saturday 🌸 🌤 80° / 61°
Sunday ☀️ 81° / 62°
70% storms today, gusts to 35 mph · Clearing tonight · Perfect Spring Fever weekend ahead · NWS Melbourne
Around Town
Nonprofits
Matthew's Hope Seeks Volunteer Hairstylists and Barbers
Matthew's Hope, the local ministry serving the unhoused in West Orange County, is searching for licensed hairstylists and barbers willing to volunteer their skills for clients. No experience with homeless ministry is required — just a heart to serve.
Orange Observer →
Education
Orlando Student Advances to Scripps National Spelling Bee
A Central Florida student has earned a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, one of the country's most prestigious academic competitions. The young scholar will represent the Orlando area on the national stage later this spring.
WFTV →
Heads Up
Orlando Health to Run Mass Casualty Exercise — Don't Be Alarmed
Orlando Health will be conducting a planned mass casualty training exercise. Officials want residents to be aware in advance so any visible emergency response activity doesn't cause undue alarm. These drills are a standard part of hospital preparedness protocols.
Orange Observer →
Community
Orange County Library Seeks Public Input for Future Planning
The Orange County Library System is inviting residents to share feedback that will shape the system's long-term strategic plan. West Orange County branches serve thousands of residents weekly — now's the time to weigh in on what you want from your library.
WFTV →
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Calendar of Events
Apr 9
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day 💊
6:30 PM · City Hall Chambers, Winter Garden · Safe, anonymous disposal of unused medications · cwgdn.com →
Apr 10
Fridays on the Plaza 🎪 · Wine Walk 🍷 · 2nd Fridays at Flamingo Crossings 🦩
Plaza: 8 AM–1 PM downtown · Wine Walk at Southern Hill Farms: 5:30 PM · Flamingo block party: 6 PM · horizonwesthappenings.com →
Apr 11
Spring Fever in the Garden 🌸 · Farmers Market 🌿
Apr 11–12 · Downtown Winter Garden · Roads closed · Market: 8 AM–1 PM · cwgdn.com →
Apr 14
City Commission Meeting 🏛️ · Oakland Appearance Review Board 🏛️
City Commission: 6 PM · City Hall · Oakland ARB: 7 PM · Oakland Meeting Hall · cwgdn.com →
Apr 16
Best Fest: A Taste of West Orange 🍽️ · Chicago Teen Edition at Horizon High 🎭
Best Fest: 5 PM · Horizon West · Chicago Teen Musical: 7 PM · Horizon High · horizonwesthappenings.com →
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Fox 35 · Orange Observer · WFTV Channel 9 · Horizon West Happenings · City of Winter Garden · NWS Melbourne · Apr 9, 2026
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