In this edition
Child near-drowned in Orange County — pool safety this summer · Saharan dust returns this week, boosting heat · Rocket Man Show at Garden Theatre · Water Wars at Crossline Park tonight 6 PM · Level99 extending hours
SUNDAY, JULY 12 · ⛅ 96° · STORMS AFTER NOON · WATER WARS TONIGHT 6 PM · SAHARAN DUST THIS WEEK
SUNDAY, JULY 12, MMXXVI · WEST ORANGE CO., FL
Good Morning, Winter Garden
⛅ 96° · Heat Index 103° · Sunny AM · 60% Storms After Noon
Community Alert Orange County
A child is in critical condition after a near-drowning incident in Orange County.
A child is in critical condition after a near-drowning in Orange County, WFTV reports. Details on the specific location were not immediately available, but the incident is a stark reminder of the risks this time of year. With pools and lakes drawing kids and families all summer, water safety deserves a fresh look — every swim needs adult supervision, every child benefits from swim lessons, and every pool area needs a gate that actually latches. If this is your family’s first summer with a pool or a young swimmer, now is the time to act.
Saharan Dust Returns This Week, Boosting Heat and Limiting Storms.
A plume of Saharan dust is heading back to Central Florida this week, WFTV reports. The silver lining: it tends to suppress afternoon thunderstorms. The tradeoff: hazier skies and even hotter conditions. If you or anyone in your home has respiratory sensitivities, keep an eye on air quality this week. WFTV →
The Rocket Man Show Is Coming to Garden Theatre — Tickets on Sale Now.
Garden Theatre has announced The Rocket Man Show — an Elton John tribute concert — with tickets on sale now, per the City of Winter Garden. If Elton’s catalog is your thing, our downtown theatre stage is a great place to catch it. Garden Theatre →
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◆ Tonight in Horizon West
Water Wars at Crossline Park. Tonight, 6 PM.
It’s an outdoor water fight at Crossline Park in Horizon West tonight at 6 PM — a great family Sunday evening activity. Also: America 250 T-shirts and hats are officially on sale at the City of Winter Garden. If you want to rep the 250th anniversary, now’s your chance to grab the official gear.
Water Wars 6 PM · Crossline Park America 250 Merch On Sale Now
⛅ 96° today, storms likely after noon. Drier week ahead.
5-DAY · NWS MELBOURNE · WINTER GARDEN, FL
Today’s 60% storm chance is the week’s high-water mark. Once Saharan dust settles in Monday, the storm chance drops to 20% and stays there — good news for outdoor plans but expect hazy skies and elevated heat through the week.
More from Central Florida.
Level99 at Disney Springs Is Extending Hours Due to High Demand.
Level99, the immersive entertainment venue at Disney Springs, is extending its hours after stronger-than-expected demand, Fox 35 reports. If your family has been eyeing it, the longer hours give you more windows to visit. Fox 35 →
New Details in Florida Alligator Attack That Killed a Woman.
Fox 35 reports new details in the alligator attack that killed a Florida woman, including that the gator performed a “death roll” during the attack. A grim reminder as summer brings more people to Florida’s lakes and waterways: stay out of freshwater at dawn and dusk, and never feed gators. Fox 35 →
Anheuser-Busch Donates 1.5 Million Cans of Emergency Water to Volunteer Fire Departments.
Anheuser-Busch has donated 1.5 million cans of emergency drinking water to volunteer fire departments across the US, WFTV reports — the kind of donation that matters most during heat waves and disaster response. A good-news headline on a Sunday morning. WFTV Channel 9 →
2-Alarm Fire in Orlando Displaces Residents and Condemns Apartments.
A 2-alarm fire in Orlando displaced residents and led to apartments being condemned, WFTV reports. No fatalities were reported. A reminder to check smoke detectors and know your exit plan — especially in older apartment buildings. WFTV Channel 9 →
Tonight and the week ahead.
Water Wars at Crossline Park — Tonight
6:00 PM · Sun · Horizon West
Summer Flix: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG)
2 PM & 7 PM · Tue · Garden Theatre
Horizon West Kids Expo
4:00 PM · Wed · Horizon West
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 12, 2026
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