Saturday, April 25, 2026

Sloth World files bankruptcy after 31 animals died. WG City Hall goes LED. Farmers Market, Pickleball Clinic & Drug Take Back — all today. Storms possible after 3 PM.

Good Morning Winter Garden

Saturday, April 25, 2026

West Orange County, FL

☀️ 88° · Sunny, Storms After 3 PM

Your daily dispatch from the heart of West Orange County.

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Top Story · Local News

Sloth World Orlando Closes and Files for Bankruptcy After 31 Animals Died

A state report found that 31 sloths died while the Orlando attraction awaited its opening. Sloth World has now filed for bankruptcy and will never open its doors — while 13 surviving animals were donated to the Central Florida Zoo.

Sloth World Orlando, which had been building toward a much-anticipated opening in the region, will never welcome guests. A state investigation revealed that 31 sloths died in the facility's care, and the organization has now filed for bankruptcy with no plans to open. Officials say there are "no other options." Thirteen sloths that survived have been donated to the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford, where they will be cared for and eventually introduced to the public. Fox 35 and WFTV both have full coverage of the investigation and the facility's collapse.

Winter Garden City Hall Swaps Out All Fluorescent Lights

City Hall has completed a lighting upgrade, replacing its fluorescent fixtures with energy-efficient LEDs throughout the building. A small but meaningful move that cuts energy costs and signals continued investment in the city's infrastructure. Orange Observer →

$800 Utility Bill Leaves Orange County Homeowner Stunned

"I don't have a water park," said one Orange County resident after receiving a shocking $800 utility bill. Fox 35 investigated the billing anomaly — and found it isn't an isolated case across the county. Fox 35 →

📣 This Week in Winter Garden

Farmers Market morning. Three things to do before noon today.

The Winter Garden Farmers Market is on Plant Street from 8 AM–1 PM — and today's a busy one. Also this morning: a free beginner Pickleball Clinic at Veterans Memorial Park, and National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at Winter Garden Police and Windermere PD — drop off unused medications, no questions asked. Plan around afternoon storms arriving around 3 PM.

Today: Farmers Market 🌿 Today: Pickleball Clinic 🏓 Today: Drug Take Back 💊

☀️ Hot Saturday, Storms Arrive Late Afternoon

Winter Garden, FL · Apr 25 – 30 · NWS Melbourne

Storms possible 3–5 PM today · 30% chance Sunday PM · warming to 91° by Wed · NWS Melbourne

Polished by Omairis Opens New Location in Oakland

The nail and beauty salon Polished by Omairis is celebrating the opening of its new location in the Town of Oakland — a welcome addition to the small downtown corridor just east of Winter Garden. Orange Observer →

Man Arrested After Impersonating an Ocoee Firefighter

A man was arrested after pretending to be a City of Ocoee firefighter, the Orange Observer reports. Impersonating emergency personnel is a felony in Florida — and investigators moved quickly after the incident was reported. Orange Observer →

'Super Clams' Released into Indian River Lagoon to Clean Water

Researchers have released specially bred "super clams" into the Indian River Lagoon in a bid to improve water quality, WFTV reports. The clams filter algae and contaminants at an accelerated rate — a creative solution for the lagoon's long-running health challenges. WFTV →

4 Arrested in Fake Immigration Law Office Scheme in Orlando

Four people face charges after investigators say they ran a fraudulent immigration law office in Orlando, collecting fees for legal services they were not licensed to provide. The Orange County Sheriff's Office shut the operation down, Fox 35 reports. Fox 35 →

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Farmers Market 🌿 · Pickleball Clinic 🏓 · Drug Take Back Day 💊 — Today

Market: 8 AM–1 PM, Plant St · Pickleball: Veterans Memorial Park · Drug Take Back: WG PD & Windermere PD · cwgdn.com →

Oakland Planning & Zoning Board Meeting 🏛️

7 PM · Oakland Meeting Hall · oaklandfl.gov →

Earth Day Tote Giveaway Ends 🌎

Last day to claim free reusable tote at WG City Hall · cwgdn.com →

Fridays on the Plaza 🎪

8 AM–1 PM · Downtown Interactive Fountain & Pavilion · cwgdn.com →

Farmers Market 🌿 · SHOP DINE & STROLL with Live Music · Homegrown Market at Hamlin ☕

Market: 8 AM–1 PM, Plant St · MAY-nia Raffle & live music downtown · Homegrown 3rd Anniversary: Hamlin · cwgdn.com →

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Orange Observer · WFTV · Fox 35 · City of Winter Garden · Horizon West Happenings · NWS Melbourne · Apr 25, 2026

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