GOTHA

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” which runs during select times from Nov. 18-20, explores the story based on Victor Hugo’s novel and Disney’s animated feature adaption.

A crash on Florida’s Turnpike near Gotha was causing a backup Friday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

click to enlarge photo via Munchie's Live BBQ | InstagramChef Alfred L. Mann is relaunching his famed BBQ stand, Munchies Live BBQ, as an immersive, interactive experience in Gotha, Florida.Chef Mann says, "It all started an idea, tent, table, wood and a grill ... We’ve come a long way since then. Looking forward to seeing our regular guests, neighbors, friends and family. "Munchies is now booking reservations at 407-879-6761 for Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to noon and 3-5 p.m. for the week of Jan. 4, 2021. The new rustic, lakefront spot is at 2037 Hempel Ave., Gotha, FL, 34734, and customers will enjoy a two-hour seating on Lake Fischer with Memphis- and North Carolina-style barbecue, plus kayaking, canoeing, fishing and more.Drive-through and takeout meals will still be available during the Live BBQ Experience.Visit facebook.com/munchieslivebbq for more information.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Several Gotha homeowners filed a lawsuit again Orange County this week following years of area flooding threatening and even forcing them to abandon their homes. News 6 has previously detailed the record flooding in the Gotha area, specifically at Lake Fischer, Lake Nally, Lake Hugh, Mills Pond and Gotha Pond, as neighbors searched for answers as to what was causing the sustained flooding. In September, engineers detailed the findings of a $200,000 study commissioned by Orange County into the cause of flooding concerns in Gotha. For months, neighbors blamed the flooding on nearby housing development and expansion on the Florida Turnpike. In September, homeowners impacted by the flooding told News 6 they disagreed with the findings from the county report.

GOTHA, Fla. – During Orange County’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, engineers detailed the findings of their $200,000 study into the cause of flooding concerns in Gotha. Last year, News 6 detailed the record flooding in the Gotha area, specifically at Lake Fischer, Lake Nally, Lake Hugh, Mills Pond and Gotha Pond, as neighbors searched for answers as to what was causing the sustained flooding. “The Gotha Lakes Watershed has experienced flooding as a result of elevated lake levels primarily in Lake Nally, Mills Pond and Gotha Pond generally during consecutive years of above normal rainfall,” the report concluded. “Landlocked lakes like the five we have in the Gotha lakes study tend to react delayed and as a result of above average rainfall for multiple years,” he said. [Previous stories: New report provides clues to origin of Gotha flooding problems | Above-average rainfall to blame for Gotha flooding problems, report says]“That report was basically a manipulation of the truth, that’s how I see it,” Mery Fernandez said.

GOTHA, Fla. Engineers commissioned by Orange County leaders recently completed a $200,000 study looking into the cause of flooding concerns in the West Orange County community of Gotha. The Gotha Lakes Watershed has experienced flooding as a result of elevated lake levels primarily in Lake Nally, Mills Pond and Gotha Pond generally during consecutive years of above normal rainfall," the report concluded. Last year, News 6 detailed the record flooding in the Gotha area, specifically at Lake Fischer, Lake Nally, Lake Hugh, Mills Pond and Gotha Pond, as neighbors searched for answers about what was causing the sustained flooding. [PREVIOUS STORY: New report provides clues to origin of Gotha flooding problems]For months, neighbors blamed housing development and the nearby Florida Turnpike for the flooding. News 6 reached out to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and outgoing County Commissioner Betsy VanderLey, who ordered the study.

GOTHA, Fla. – A new engineering report may have uncovered clues in the chaos surrounding flooding issues with land-locked lakes in one West Orange County community. Last year, News 6 detailed the record flooding in the Gotha area, specifically at Lake Fischer, Lake Nally, Lake Hugh, Mills Pond and Gotha Pond, as neighbors searched for answers as to what was causing the flooding. As a result, Orange County leaders commissioned a $200,000 study into matter in November. David Hamstra with Pegasus Engineering co-authored the report, entitled Gotha Lakes Watershed Management Plan Update. “There are other lakes in West Orange County that have the same problem, which leads us to believe this is primarily rainfall driven.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - A loud noise and strange odor reported by Gotha and Windermere residents Thursday was caused by a large natural gas release, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Sunoco gas. The Florida DEP issued a public notice of pollution Friday for the event saying more than 3 million cubic feet of natural gas was released from a compressor station at Steer Lake Road near Apopka Vineland Road. The smelly release was enough to power the average American home for more than 38 years, according to 2004 American Gas Association data. For comparison, the U.S. consumed about 30.08 trillion cubic feet of natural gas last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The smell that followed came from the mainline gas stream, which has an odor, according to Sunoco.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - New paperwork shows plans for a consultant, hired by the Orange County Public Works Department, to collect data and investigate causes for repeated flooding problems in the Gotha neighborhood. It will also prepare a Watershed Management Plan Update for the Gotha Lakes Watershed Study area, which includes Lake Nally, Lake Fischer, Mills Pond, Lake Hugh and Gotha Pond. News 6 first detailed the problem nearly two months ago, as residents blame the flooding on new nearby housing developments and even interstate expansion. "We obviously have a long term problem, but we need short term solutions." The study should be completed by August 2020, and will include monthly updates to the county until then.

New paperwork shows plans for a consultant, hired by the Orange County Public Works Department, to collect data and investigate causes for repeated flooding problems in the Gotha neighborhood. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - Driveways in Gotha were flooded after rainfall from Tropical Storm Nestor. News 6 has followed the situation in Gotha for more than a month, as residents blame new nearby housing developments and interstate expansion for rising water levels that have forced people out of homes. "The water had gone down just a little bit, and just came right back instantly with the rain we got," resident Paul DeHart said. They've been staying with their daughter and stopped by during the rain to grab some clothes. "It's coming up and tomorrow it will be worse because the day after the storm is when it rises," she said.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - Homeowners who live along Lake Nally Woods Drive in Gotha have a new problem on their hands. After talking to some neighbors DeHart decided to call Duke Energy. "They came out immediately and just took ahold of everything and said it's a highly hazardous situation and we have electricity in water," DeHart said. The Gotha mother said the transformer in question has been buried behind brush and submerged underwater for roughly a year. On Oct. 14 Duke Energy issued this statement to News 6:Right now the transformer has been moved to a safe height above the water.

Homeowners who live along Lake Nally Woods Drive in Gotha have a new problem on their hands. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - Homeowners in one Gotha neighborhood are still underwater and begging Orange County officials to do something about it. Paul and Stacey DeHart said they are fed up and want an immediate fix. "We feel a lot of pain for our neighbors who have watched their dream home go under," Stacey DeHart said. The Gotha mother said for some, rain is a blessing but for her and her neighbors, it's been a curse. The blame, according to neighbors, rests with Orange County officials who have not offered any short term or long term fixes.

Homeowners in one Gotha neighborhood are still underwater and begging Orange County officials to do something about it. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.