WINDERMERE

Justin and Karie Hein said they were surprised when they saw how many organizations are in need of food donations after they posted on a Facebook group page that they were looking to donate 216 cans of food to a Central Florida charity.

Check out this week's Sonic Prep Player of the Week featuring the Baez brothers from the Windermere High School.

The so-called House of Versailles in Windermere, Florida, appears to have taken a hit from Hurricane Ian.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Windermere resident Geoff Goetz isn’t a meteorologist, but lately he’s been keeping eye on the forecast. DeSantis suspends tolls in Tampa Bay, urges Floridians to prepare, not panic for Hurricane Ian“The roof is still good, but I can’t find coverage,” says Geoff. For people like Geoff, the approaching hurricane only highlights the precarious position Florida is currently in with its property insurance market. READ: NASA to move Artemis 1 rocket to VAB over Hurricane Ian concernsSince the first of the year six private carriers have gone into liquidation, with the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance seeing its ranks swell to more than one million policies. “We are defiantly in a hard market which is characterized by a lack of coverage and lack of availability,” says property insurance attorney Gina Clausen Lozier.

Residents from the Ashlin Park community in Windermere said the school traffic near there homes is a safety hazard and they are fed up.

The town of Windermere has passed an ordinance that prohibits smoking and vaping in public parks owned by the town

Loud screeching from speeding cars is upsetting Windermere residents.

An Orange County high school is reminding parents and students about pedestrian safety after a student was hit by a vehicle on school property Wednesday.

Several hundred people came together on the football field at Foundation Academy in Winter Garden on Tuesday evening to honor the life of Evan Fitzgibbon, 23, who died in Georgia last week during a training exercise.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office launched a death investigation after two people were found dead in a Winter Garden home in August.

Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer convicted in 2021 of murdering George Floyd, has put up his Orange County townhouse for sale.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. A proposed penny sales tax hike in Orange County may fund a path for cyclists, pedestrians and golf cart drivers throughout the town of Windermere. The top three bike/pedestrian projects prioritized by Windermere all are focused on the creation of the Windermere Ward Trail. This program could help youThe trail entails creating sections of multimodal paths that connect with existing sidewalks and crosswalks. Pedestrian fatalities are at an all-time high in Central Florida Pedestrian fatalities are at an all-time high in Central Florida (WFTV)©2022 Cox Media Group

This alligator wanted to take a cool dip on Memorial Day.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law new regulations surrounding protests outside of private homes in Florida.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. Windermere-based developer NGI Investments has plans for a new, estimated $50 million-plus hotel and retail complex near Walt Disney World’s (NYSE: DIS) Flamingo Crossings. Plans, which show a project name of Flamingo Village Shops, reveal the project will be built on 6.68 acres at 13324 Flamingo Crossings Blvd. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website. Read: Cinco de Mayo 2022: 5 places to get food, drink deals©2022 Cox Media Group

Residents told News 6 there is no security on the property and they hope that with the uptick in cases, the property manager will find a solution.

Check out this week's Sonic Prep Player of the Week featuring Sean Stewart of Windermere High School.

WINDERMERE, Fla. — NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, who started his professional basketball career with the Orlando Magic, sold his Orlando-area mansion for $11 million on Friday. The 35,000 square foot home, at 9927 Giffin Court in Windermere, first went on the market in the spring of 2018 for $28 million. “The new owners love the exclusiveness and privacy of Isleworth and unmatched amenities offered within the gates of this renowned golf and country club community. Quite simply, Isleworth sets the standard for excellence and is the perfect setting to complement a magnificent mansion of this caliber,” said Rob Rahter with Stockworth Realty Group. WATCH: Orlando-area job growth stands out in DEO unemployment reportOfficials said O’Neal purchased the home for less than $4 million in 1993 after signing his first NBA contract with the Orlando Magic.

Windermere Elementary School students learned the ins and outs of cyber safety Wednesday.

You don't have to venture all the way out Windermere or somesuch to nab a luxury property, as this College Park manse more than aptly demonstrates. The gorgeous “Chateau Les Grands Chenes,” or “Castle of the Big Oak Trees” at 1027 Edgewater Drive is up for sale, and it's a unique historical property. Built in 1924 and renovated in 1998, this lakefront mansion offers pristine views of Lake Adair from the front of the property and Lake Concord and the downtown skyline from the back. The sellers are asking for $3.3 million. Photos via Realtor.

The Windermere and Ocoee police officers who responded to a domestic violence call in 2019 resulting in the death of a 33-year-old man will not face any charges, State Attorney Monique Worrell announced Thursday.

Read: Windermere officer, former Apopka officer arrested on charges stemming from Capitol riotHe told investigative reporter Karla Ray that he would like to speak with her on the record but was waiting on clearance from his attorney to do so. Tuck is facing a list of charges related to the insurrection after investigators said he entered the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. “Pastor Kevin here, the patriot pastor, coming to you,” Tuck said in the YouTube video. You’ve got to be kidding me.”Tuck and his son, Nathaniel Tuck, a former Apopka police officer, are both facing similar charges. In the almost 25-minute-long video, Tuck called for conservatives to “rise up,” raging against Republicans and what he considers “alternative lifestyles.”“The Republican Party is weak,” Kevin Tuck said.

Two Orange County volleyball games have been canceled after a COVID-19 test came back positive and five people had to quarantine due to this result, according to the district.

Former Orlando Magic player and current Windermere homeowner Shaquille O'Neal endorsed Aramis Ayala in her campaign to take over Val Demings' congressional seat. Demings has...

Photo by Minnesota Department of Corrections via Getty ImagesJust days before killer cop Derek Chauvin was to be sentenced to prison for murdering George Floyd, a proposed protest crackdown in the Florida community he once called a vacation home went up in smoke.After accusing the county mayor and sheriff of attempting to strongarm through an ordinance banning protests at peoples’ homes, commissioners in central Florida’s Orange County met late Tuesday to give actual residents a chance to commen

UCF basketball player CJ Walker is recovering following a jet ski accident during which his cousin died.

Orange County deputies have identified the body of a teenager who fell off a jet ski Thursday night in Lake Down in Windermere.

Crews have found the body of a teenager who fell off a jet ski Thursday night in Lake Down in Windermere, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Police Handout via GettyConvicted murderer Derek Chauvin is nowhere in sight, and yet he’s still making chaos in a tiny town in Florida.The disgraced Minneapolis cop who murdered George Floyd on camera owns a vacation spot in the town of Windermere, Florida, population approximately 3,000. But even as he flails in last-ditch attempts to soften his sentence, this community has become consumed with drama over BLM protests, the First Amendment, and residents officials say are thirsty for quiet.On T

A Florida county is considering limits on demonstrating in neighborhoods.

The family of Jean Samuel Celestin is suing the cities of Ocoee, Windermere and their police departments,

WINDERMERE, Fla. – A Windermere home owned by former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson was destroyed Tuesday morning in a fire. Orange County Fire Rescue tweeted, “All occupants are reported out safely and no injuries have been noted.”Massive fire destroys Alan Grayson’s home in WindermereGrayson’s wife, Dr. Dena Grayson, later tweeted, “Thank you for your support, friends. Grayson, a Democrat, held Florida’s District 9 congressional seat from 2009 to 2011 and 2013 to 2017. https://t.co/lryzTHbNMr — Dena Grayson, MD, PhD (@DrDenaGrayson) March 16, 2021ACTIVE FIRE: Multiple units are battling a house fire in Windermere on Oak Park. Orange County Fire Rescue reported the cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

The initial officer focused his attention on getting Damon secured while a second officer arrived and took Mangon-Damon into custody. Damon repeatedly insisted that he and wife don’t want any problems. We are good people, I’m telling you... we’re good people,” Damon said. “Hey bro, I’m a good (expletive) guy and I know people are trying to target me because I’m a Trump supporter,” he said. Ad“Yeah, I’m good bro,” Damon said repeatedly.

WINDERMERE, Fla. – Johnny Damon, a retired Major League Baseball player and Orlando native, bonded out of jail Friday afternoon after he and his wife were accused of struggling with an officer during a DUI traffic stop in Windermere. As the former pro-athlete was released, an unidentified man encouraged Damon to not talk with the media; however, he did speak briefly. So, I apologize and hopefully, I can answer more questions later on.”When asked about his wife’s arrest, Damon was more evasive. His wife, 45-year-old Michelle Mangan-Damon, is facing charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence. Damon and Mangan-Damon both got out of the SUV as the officer approached, despite his commands to stay in the vehicle, according to the affidavit.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Teachers at Lake Whitney Elementary School in Windermere weren’t going to let the pandemic get in the way of giving their students a special Valentine’s Day. “So, they shared Valentine’s Day wishes with everybody in the class. Some of them did like breaking news, you know ,‘It’s Valentine’s Day, happy Valentine’s Day’ and jokes--telling jokes; I can’t give you Valentine’s, but I can give you jokes. Teachers at Lake Whitney Elementary School found creative ways to celebrate Valentine's Day. (Courtesy)“When the district said to think of some alternative ways of celebrating Valentine’s Day, I have to give my hats off to our teachers,” Prince said.

For the past six months, he’s been holding on to hope to find his mother’s wedding ring. “My mother and I were extremely close, especially in the last few years.”Nichols is heartbroken after his beloved mother’s wedding ring got lost while on its way to Colorado. “He bought the ring in 1949 and he would literally get $30 a week and he said it took him a long time to pay for that ring, but he was so proud of that ring,” Nichols said. Nichols said his mother also hoped for her wedding ring to be given to her first grandchild. A 4-inch octagon box.’”Nichols’ latest attempt to locate his mother’s ring was last week through a Facebook post that has now gone viral.

WINDERMERE, Fla. – In a year that changed our boundaries, Jay Johnson moved to mobile. Six weeks ago, the barber based in West Orange County launched “Barber Luxe Mobile Barbershop.”News 6 met with Johnson along a quiet cul-de-sac where one of his clients lived. Johnson gained prominence for a client list that includes PGA golfer Ricky Fowler and Tiger Woods at the Bay Hill Invitational. “People don’t want the in-and-out fast cut.”The mobile barbershop comes decked out with a refrigerator, television, and an array of COVID-19 precautions. I went from 16 services to 8 services a day.

ORLANDO, Fla. – For the second time in two months, an Orlando sports legend’s sprawling home has become a little more affordable. Shaquille O’Neal’s Isleworth mansion can now be had for a reduced price. Full Screen 1 / 65 NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has listed his Isleworth estate at 9927 Giffin Court for $28 million. (Photo: Uneek)Shaq first put the 31,000-square-foot home on the market in 2018 for $28 million. The mansion features 12 bedrooms, a theater, 6,000-square-foot indoor basketball court and a massive 95-foot-long pool overlooking Lake Butler.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Former Windermere police chief Daniel Saylor was released from prison Monday after serving an eight-year sentence on perjury and corruption charges. Records show Saylor, now 54, spent some of his sentence at a work release center in Kissimmee. His friend, Scott Bush, was charged with capital sexual battery of a person younger than 12. Other accusations surfaced detailing how Saylor accepted a bribe for hiring a reserve officer and sold photos of a crash involving Tiger Woods in November 2009. Documents from the Department of Corrections reveal Saylor was to be released to a home in Sanford.

WINDERMERE, Fla. – Orange County deputies arrested two men who they say were involved in an armed carjacking incident. On Saturday, deputies arrested Victor Senatore, 24, and GianPiero Gasparin, 17 according to a tweet from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to a neighborhood after 10 p.m. after getting the call from a carjacking victim. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office released security footage of the incident, showing the two men approach the victim as he pulled up to his home. The victim told deputies one of the thieves drove his car southbound on Remsen Cay Lane.

WINDERMERE, Fla. – The House of Representatives passed a bill to rename the post office on Conroy Road in Windermere after Officer Robert German, a police officer who was killed in the line of duty. [Story: Deputies identify 2 people in Windermere officer death]Orange County deputies said 31-year-old German was shot and killed in March of 2014 when he was checking on two people walking down the road and called for officer backup. | Search ongoing for gunman who shot deputies]Goode and Hollinghurst were found dead across the street from the shooting scene. Rep. Val Demings said German was known for his commitment to his community. “He served Windermere honorably for five years, turning down other opportunities in order to stay in the community he loved.

On Friday, cities across Central Florida held ceremonies to remember the September 11 terror attacks, but there were several changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Windermere, all public events were canceled by local officials, but residents held an observance of their own through the Windermere Never Forgets 9/11 Preservation Committee. His brother John Crisei and his best friend’s son John Napolitano were part of a 19 member Hazmat group that didn’t survive the attack. Gone.”While some were able to gather in-person, other Central Florida cities held virtual ceremonies. Officials in cities who held virtual tributes said the measures were temporary and plan to return to in-person ceremonies in 2021.

Shaquille O’Neal's mansion on Giffin Court in Windermere, Florida is back on the market for $19.5 million. (Image: Levy Public Relations/The Atlas Team)Shaquille O’Neal’s 31,000-square-foot Isleworth mansion is back on the market for a lower price of $19.5 million after it didn’t sell last year for the original asking price of $28 million. But now the mega-mansion is back on the market, this time with a new real estate company, The Atlas Team under Compass Florida. The former NBA star’s home is located within Isleworth Golf & Country Club, one of central Florida’s top gated golf communities. The 6,000-square-foot indoor basketball court is a newer addition to the estate.

WINDERMERE, Fla. – One week after John and Jay Savey were killed at their Windermere home, the community continues to rally behind their family. A fundraiser organized by the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools has raised more than $18,000 already for the Savey family since it began on Sunday, August 2nd. There was a lot of laughter around the Savey family. They were really people of joy.”Several of the pastors have regularly visited with Lisa Savey, who continues to recover from the attack. Carter told News 6 the church called out for volunteers to help fund meals for the Savey family.

WINDERMERE, Fla. – Two men were beaten to death and a woman was seriously injured late Thursday during an attack at a home in a gated Windermere community while a 10-year-old boy called authorities while hiding in a bathroom, police said. Ezekiel Emanuel HopkinsThe mugshot above of Ezekiel Emanuel Hopkins is from 2012. Police said Hopkins attacked Savey and beat him to death with a baseball bat outside the home. Hopkins then went inside the home, where he beat Lisa Savey and her son, James Savey, who was killed, according to police. According to officials, Ocoee Police noticed Hopkins’ car early in the night and thought it was suspicious but later disregarded.

2 people killed in Windermere home invasion, police sayPublished: July 31, 2020, 9:56 amTwo men were beaten to death and a woman was seriously injured late Thursday during an attack at a home in a gated Windermere community while a 10-year-old boy called authorities while hiding in a bathroom, police said.

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.

WINDERMERE, Fla. – With Disney World coming to a halt due to COVID-19, an employee took it upon herself to help fellow cast members in need by creating a pantry. “To be able to give back to them and to help out our fellow cast is really special,” said Lartigue, who has been collecting food since March. Cast members who have been furloughed can go to the storage unit and choose the food items they need, including toiletries like toothpaste, soap and shampoo. But before visiting the Pantry, she requests that cast members make an appointment -- and to adhere to CDC guidelines. She said she wants her fellow cast members to know it’s OK to ask for help.

click to enlarge Image via Manuel Lombard/FacebookAs Florida continues to struggle with rising coronavirus cases and the business closures due to the pandemic, one Windermere restaurant said in a Facebook post that they plan to reopen their dining room on Friday, May 1. "33 & Melt will be reopening for dine in guests May 1," wrote the restaurant. That order closed restaurant dining rooms until April 30. Windermere is located in Orange County, which has had 1,235 cases and 27 deaths (as of Tuesday). Maybe we'll see this flag at one of this week's "Operation: Reopen Florida" protests We reached out to 33 & Melt and will update this post when they respond.

click to enlarge Photo via Florida Memory ProjectSheriff Willis McCall and an unidentified man with Charles Greenlee, Samuel Shepherd and Walter Irvin in the Lake County Jail, 1949Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and state Rep. Geraldine Thompson, D-Windermere, want exoneration for the Groveland Four, expanding on pardons granted in January by Gov. An exoneration would be an official statement that the four men didnt do the crime.Thomas was killed by a posse in Madison County after the rape accusation. Shepherd, Greenlee and Irvin were beaten to coerce confessions before they were convicted by an all-white jury.Greenlee, at 16, was given a life sentence. Shepherd and Irvin, both U.S. Army veterans, were sentenced to death. Greenlee, released from prison in the early 1960s, died in 2012.The pardons were supported by current Lake County officials.

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Rep. Geraldine Thompson, D-Windermere, are holding a news conference Tuesday in the Capitol to call for an exoneration. Florida would then be sending the message: They didnt do it.Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and state Rep. Geraldine Thompson, D-Windermere, are holding a news conference Tuesday in the Capitol to call for an exoneration. Exoneration of the Groveland Four will bring us closer to righting the wrong done to these men.On Wednedsay, Carol Greenlee. The County Commission issued a similar letter. Earlier this year, the County Commission approved funding and design for a Groveland Four monument, which will be displayed in front of the Old Lake County Courthouse in Tavares.

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. - An Orange County sheriff's deputy was struck by a vehicle and seriously injured Thursday morning near Windermere, officials said. The Florida Highway Patrol said one Orange County deputy cleared a sign from the road after responding to a reported crash when a second deputy arrived and got out of his patrol car. The deputy suffered a broken arm, a broken leg and a head injury, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said. pic.twitter.com/3s2mvL1LMt Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) August 29, 2019OCSO Deputy struck by a vehicle near S. Apopka Vineland & Conroy Windermere Rd. pic.twitter.com/sCXZP4YOBU Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) August 29, 2019Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for updates.

Tucked away in Windermere is a restaurant that’s changing the plant-based food game.

A fire destroyed a home near Windermere Thursday afternoon, sending smoke into the sky that could be seen for miles.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - A fire destroyed a home near Windermere Thursday afternoon, sending smoke into the sky that could be seen for miles. Fifteen fire crews from Orange County Fire Rescue and Winter Garden Fire Department responded to the fire in the 12000 block of Butler Bay Court at around 4:30 p.m. "The home is, at this point, a total loss," said Carrie Proudfit, spokesperson for Orange County Fire Rescue. Dyal and other neighbors said strong storms with lightning and hail moved through the Windermere Club subdivision right before the fire broke out. "When we walked out, the house was smoking, and then the roof caved in, and it engulfed in flames," she said.

WINDERMERE, Fla. – Orange County Public Schools conducted an active assailant response exercise at Windermere High School on Wednesday. [RELATED: What should you do if faced with an active shooter situation? | Students protect school, prepare classmates for active shooter situation]"This is all about a lot of improvements. The exercise began with a police officer who acted as an active shooter on campus making his way into a building. *TRAINING EXERCISE* Rescue workers are training to save victims in case of a mass shooting.

Tiger Woods set for first competitive play since July Tiger Wood's foundation released a video of Woods on the practice range working on his game. He expects to play on Thursday at the Hero World Challenge in Windermere, Florida. Charlie Rose reports.