In this edition
Farmers Market this morning 8 AM — get there before 2 PM storms · Unlicensed care homes stayed open despite inspections · SpaceX Starship Flight 13 preps · Howl-O-Scream returns to SeaWorld · Wally Funk, aviation pioneer, dies at 87
SATURDAY, JULY 11 · ⛅ 98° · STORMS AFTER 2 PM · FARMERS MARKET THIS MORNING · SUMMER BASH TONIGHT
SATURDAY, JULY 11, MMXXVI · WEST ORANGE CO., FL
Good Morning, Winter Garden
⛅ 98° · Heat Index 106° · Sunny AM · 40% Storms After 2 PM
Investigative Central Florida
Unlicensed assisted living homes in Central Florida stayed open despite repeated inspections.
A WFTV investigation has found that unlicensed assisted living facilities in Central Florida remained open even after repeated state inspections flagged problems. This follows last week’s arrests of five ALF operators after five patients died. The new reporting raises hard questions about why inspections didn’t trigger closures — and what more is needed to protect the region’s most vulnerable residents. WFTV’s full investigation is worth reading.
SpaceX Is Gearing Up for Starship Flight 13 and Ramping Up Florida Launches.
SpaceX is prepping Starship for Flight 13 as it pushes toward orbital operations, WFTV reports. Florida is central to those plans — if Friday’s space jellyfish got you looking up, there’s more coming. WFTV →
Howl-O-Scream Returns to SeaWorld Orlando with a New Haunted House and Night Rides.
SeaWorld Orlando has announced Howl-O-Scream returns this fall with a new haunted house and night rides, WFTV reports. Still months out, but worth putting on the radar if your family does Halloween season. WFTV →
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◆ Today in West Orange
Farmers Market this morning. Go early.
Farmers Market is 8 AM to 1 PM at the Downtown Pavilion on Plant Street. With storms possible after 2 PM, the morning is your sweet spot. Tonight: Summer Bash at The Learning Experience in Horizon West at 7 PM.
Farmers Market 8 AM–1 PM Summer Bash TLE 7 PM · Horizon West Storms Possible After 2 PM
⛅ 98° today, storms after 2 PM. Hit the market early.
5-DAY · NWS MELBOURNE · WINTER GARDEN, FL
Sunny this morning, 40% storm chance after 2 PM. Good Farmers Market weather early — get in and out before afternoon. Sunday 50% storms, Monday 40%, then drier Tuesday–Wednesday at 20%.
More from Central Florida and beyond.
Wally Funk, Aviation Pioneer and Trailblazing Astronaut, Dies at 87.
Wally Funk, one of the Mercury 13 — the women who passed all NASA astronaut qualifications in the 1960s but were passed over because of their gender — has died at 87, Fox 35 reports. She finally made it to space at 82 on Blue Origin’s New Shepard in 2021, becoming the oldest person to fly in space. A life well lived. Fox 35 →
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort Unveils a New Pool Area and Refreshed Reception.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort has debuted a renovated pool area and freshened-up reception building, WFTV reports. If you’ve been a fan of the resort’s more relaxed Disney vibe, the updates look worth a return visit. WFTV Channel 9 →
SeaWorld Orlando Celebrates the Third Birthday of Rare Smalltooth Sawfish Pups.
Three rare smalltooth sawfish pups born at SeaWorld Orlando are turning three, WFTV reports. The species is critically endangered in Florida waters, making SeaWorld’s breeding program an important conservation effort. WFTV Channel 9 →
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope Is Preparing for Launch.
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope — designed to survey the universe and study dark energy — is preparing for launch from Kennedy Space Center, WFTV reports. Another big one off the Space Coast. WFTV Channel 9 →
This weekend and the week ahead.
Farmers Market + Summer Bash at TLE
Market 8 AM–1 PM · Summer Bash 7 PM · Sat · Downtown & Horizon West
Water Wars at Crossline Park
6:00 PM · Sun · Horizon West
Summer Flix: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG)
2 PM & 7 PM · Tue · Winter Garden
Flamingos & Fuel Cruise Night
6:00 PM · Thu · Horizon West
Patriotism on Plant — Orlando Opera, America’s 250th
2:00 PM · Sun · Downtown Winter Garden
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WFTV · Fox 35 · NWS Melbourne · City of Winter Garden · Horizon West Happenings · July 11, 2026
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