Orange County ends ICE agreement. UCF's Lawrence goes to Cowboys. Sloth World gets stop-work order. New coffee shop at Windermere's The Grove. Farmers Market tomorrow.
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Good Morning Winter Garden
Friday, April 24, 2026
West Orange County, FL
☀️ 84° · Sunny, PM storm chance

Your daily dispatch from the heart of West Orange County.
Orange County government and community scene
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Top Story · City Hall
Orange County Terminates Its Agreement with ICE
Orange County has ended its cooperation agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a significant policy shift that will affect how the county handles federal immigration detainer requests.
Orange County officials voted to terminate the county's agreement with ICE, the Orange Observer reports. The move ends a formal arrangement under which the county's jail would honor detainer requests to hold individuals for federal immigration agents. The decision places Orange County among a growing number of Florida counties reconsidering or severing such agreements. The practical impact on county residents and law enforcement operations is expected to be significant and is likely to draw continued attention from local officials on all sides of the debate.
Sports
Cowboys Select UCF Edge Rusher Lawrence in NFL Draft's First Round
UCF defensive standout Lawrence was taken in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys, WFTV reports — a proud moment for Central Florida football and a new chapter for a homegrown Knight headed to America's Team.
WFTV →
Public Safety
Sloth World Warehouse Had No Animal Permits — County Issues Stop Work Order
Following the discovery of 31 dead sloths, Fox 35 reports the I-Drive facility lacked proper county permits for housing animals. A stop work order has been issued as the FWC investigation continues.
Fox 35 →
📣 This Week in Winter Garden
Happy Friday. Farmers Market is tomorrow morning.
Today is Fridays on the Plaza (8 AM–1 PM at the Downtown Pavilion) and the Family Friday Street Party at The Mark kicks off at 5 PM in Horizon West. Tomorrow, the Farmers Market returns to Plant Street (8 AM–1 PM), and Winter Garden Police are hosting National Drug Take Back Day plus a free beginner Pickleball Clinic at Veterans Memorial Park. Don't forget the city's free tote bag giveaway runs through April 30 at City Hall.
Today: Plaza & Street Party 🎪 Sat: Farmers Market 🌿 Sat: Drug Take Back 💊
☀️ Hot Weekend Ahead — Afternoon Storm Chances Building
Winter Garden, FL · Apr 24 – 29 · NWS Melbourne
Today (Fri) ☀️ ☀️ 84° / 63°
Saturday 88° / 65°
Sunday 89° / 66°
Monday 🌤️ 87° / 66°
Tuesday ☀️ 89° / —
Chance PM storms Sat–Sun (30–40%) · SE/S winds light · NWS Melbourne
Around Town
Development
New Coffee Shop Coming to Windermere's The Grove
A new coffee shop is set to open at The Grove in Windermere, the Orange Observer reports. The addition continues to fill out one of West Orange County's newer mixed-use gathering spots.
Orange Observer →
Arts & Culture
Winter Garden Seeks Artists for Dog-Inspired Juried Exhibition
The City of Winter Garden is inviting artists to submit work for a dog-themed juried exhibition, the Orange Observer reports. Details on submission requirements and deadlines are available through the city's arts programs.
Orange Observer →
Outdoors
Florida Manatees Are Among the Most Vulnerable to Plastic Pollution
A new study ranks Florida manatees as among the marine mammals most at risk from plastic pollution, WFTV reports. The findings underscore the importance of protecting the waterways that flow through and around West Orange County.
WFTV →
Space Coast
White House Proposes Cuts to NASA Budget for Fiscal Year 2027
The president has proposed a trimmed NASA budget for fiscal year 2027, WFTV reports — a concern for Kennedy Space Center's workforce and the broader Space Coast economy that drives jobs across Central Florida.
WFTV →
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Calendar of Events
Apr 24
Fridays on the Plaza 🎪 · Family Friday Street Party at The Mark — Today
Plaza: 8 AM–1 PM · Downtown Pavilion · Street Party: 5 PM · The Mark, Horizon West · cwgdn.com →
Apr 25
Farmers Market 🌿 · Drug Take Back Day 💊 · Free Pickleball Clinic 🏓
Market: 8 AM–1 PM · Plant Street · Drug Take Back: WG Police & Windermere PD · Pickleball: Veterans Memorial Park · cwgdn.com →
Apr 28
Oakland Planning & Zoning Board Meeting 🏛️
7 PM · Oakland Meeting Hall · oaklandfl.gov →
Apr 30
Earth Day Tote Giveaway Ends 🌎
Last day to pick up a free reusable tote · City Hall · cwgdn.com →
May 3
Shop, Dine & Stroll — Raffle MAY-nia & Live Music 🎶
Downtown Winter Garden · Homegrown Market at Hamlin & Cars and Coffee in Horizon West · cwgdn.com →
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Orange Observer · WFTV · Fox 35 · City of Winter Garden · Horizon West Happenings · NWS Melbourne · Apr 24, 2026
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