Orange Observer

A shooting was reported at Ocoee High School Friday, Oct. 2. The shooting occurred after Ocoee High's football game against Jones High School. Police responded to multiple fights in the parking lot following the game. Around 9:24 p.m. a juvenile was shot in the lower extremities. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The investigation remains active by the Ocoee Police Department.

By Megan Bruinsma | 1:29 a.m. October 3, 2026 Sports High Schools Share Friday, Oct. 2 Ocoee (3-3), 6 Jones (4-1), 15 The First Academy (5-1), 49 Cocoa (1-4), 3 Central Florida Christian Academy (4-2), 54 Bronson (2-6), 0 Dr. Phillips (4-2), 13 Osceola (2-5), 0 Foundation Academy (3-2), 37 Windermere Prep (2-4), 0 Horizon (2-5), 0 Boone (3-3), 20 Olympia (2-4-1), 7 Oak Ridge (2-3-1), 7

The smiles across the faces of Foundation Academy's fans, students, football players and coaches only grew as the clock winded down in the football team's game against Windermere Preparatory School Friday, Oct. 2. With under 10 minutes on the clock and a 31-point lead, the Lions subbed out their starters for their eighth-grade backups. When eighth-grade quarterback Dylan Cormier completed a touchdown pass to ninth-grade receiver Wyatt McMillan, the cheers intensified.

A new driver license and identification card design now is available for Florida drivers. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the updated design introduces features that double fraud protection measures. Included on the back of the newly designed identification cards are the state's first unofficial flag motto "Let Us Alone" and an image of Florida's Space Coast's Space Shuttle Discovery.

A new restaurant is coming to Winter Garden's Plant Street corridor. The Willow, a sit-down restaurant, has signed a lease to operate at 46 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, where Driftwood Market previously was located. The restaurant will sit between AJ's Pizza Joint and Way Chocolate & Coffee, serving as an upscale establishment. Business owner and Chef Denis Ramos are teaming up to bring the concept to life.

The Kiwanis Club of Winter Garden is hosting a book drive to donate to Orange County Public School's Hospital Homebound Program. The goal is to gift OCPS students who are medically confined to their home or hospital with books, spreading the joy of reading. Books can be dropped off from 8 a.m. through 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at OCPS Hospital Homebound, at 12301 Warrior Road, Winter Garden. For more information, contact Melissa Hall at or Kim Smith at

An evening filled with culture was held at Maxey Elementary School. The school’s Parent-Teacher Association held its first International Night Out Wednesday, Sept. 30, bringing students and families together to celebrate culture. More than 10 countries were represented during the evening’s event, such as Mexico, China, Jamaica, Ireland, Vietnam, Guyana, Haiti and Italy. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about different countries' cultures, customs and popular dishes.

The Windermere High girls volleyball team pulled away with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-10) victory over the visiting Ocoee Knights Thursday, Oct. 1. Ocoee fell to 3-8 and No. 6 in Class 6A, District 6, while Windermere advanced to 12-7 and No. 5 in 6A, District 6. The Wolverines were celebrating senior night and recognized its five seniors: Adelyn Derogatis, Layla Ruffner, Luiza Cabral, Nina Williams and Mia Russo. Windermere's next game is against Lake Buena Vista at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at home.

Windermere Preparatory School has found its next boys lacrosse head coach. The school named Donovan Cleffi as the head coach of the team Thursday, Oct. 1, bringing years of playing and leadership experience with him. Cleffi was a four-year player for the High Point University's club lacrosse, serving as a team captain for three of those years. He also played in high school and club lacrosse in New Jersey.

Game of the Week: Foundation Academy (2-2) vs. Windermere Prep (2-3) The two West Orange County programs are gearing up for their rivalry contest to close out Foundation Academy's homecoming week. Both teams experienced a high-level of success last season, with Foundation tallying its first 10-win year and Windermere Prep claiming the championship, but the past is the past. Now they're both coming in with younger squads, who are looking to click as the season hits its mid-point. Friday, Oct.