On May 6, the Pine Hills Neighborhood Improvement District (NID) hosted two important community engagement sessions aimed at shaping the future of Pine Hills. The events, titled "Our Wall Street: Envisioning the Future of Pine Hills," were held at two locations to maximize participation and ensure residents had multiple opportunities to share their ideas and vision for the community. The first session took place at the Orange County Multicultural Center from 10 a.m. to noon,

The Pine Hills Community Council's May 2026 General Meeting, held on May 5 at the Orange County Multicultural Center, offered residents a unique opportunity to engage directly with candidates vying to become Orange County's next mayor. The evening's featured event was an Orange County Mayoral Candidate Forum, bringing together candidates Randy Fust, Chris Messina, former Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell, and Orange County Com

Orange County residents will once again have the opportunity to take a closer look at how their local government operates. County officials announced that the Mayor’s Citizen Academy will return for a Fall 2026 session, scheduled to run from August 5 through October 7, 2026. The 10‑week program, held on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., offers participants an inside look at the functions, services, and daily operations of Orange County Government. Sessions will

June 1st marks the official start of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, and whether you're new to Florida or a longtime resident, emergency officials say now is the time to prepare. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with activity typically increasing throughout the summer before reaching its peak during August, September, and October. Historically, the season experiences two periods of heightened activity, one in mid-September and another in

Orange County has officially opened a new state-of-the-art Mosquito Control Facility at 6330 Silver Star Road (near Powers Rd.) here in the Pine Hills community, replacing the previous location on Conroy Road. The new facility is designed to strengthen the County's efforts to protect residents from mosquito-borne illnesses through enhanced surveillance, research, and response capabilities. Key Features 360-kilowatt rooftop solar array to reduce energy costs and save taxpayer

As temperatures rise and families head to pools, lakes, beaches, and water parks across Central Florida, water safety experts are reminding residents that swimming is more than a recreational activity, it is a life-saving skill. Drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death for children, while adults account for the majority of drowning fatalities in Florida each year. “Swimming lessons are for everybody,” said John Lewis, Aquatics Director with the YMCA of C

Last month, a simple yet elegant ceremony was hosted by the National Montford Point Marine Association, Inc. Chapter 29 to posthumously recognize two native Floridian heroes for their distinguished military service. The Montford Point Marines Bronze Medal is a replica of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded collectively to the Montford Point Marines. This honor recognizes the first African American men to enlist in the United States Marine Corps after President Franklin D.

The Orange County Clerk of Courts is expanding its efforts to help residents get back on the road. If your driver’s license is suspended because of overdue traffic tickets or criminal fines, you can now get support year round and assistance through an upcoming event makes the process even easier. On April 15th , the Clerk’s Office will host Operation Green Light at the Orange County Courthouse, with extended hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m . This one day event gives customers

Orange County Clerk of Courts, Tiffany Moore Russell , invites you to attend a series of free, in-person legal forums titled Legal Matters Live: Leaving a Legacy – Probate: Wills, Trusts, & Estate Planning . At some point in life, we all face the loss of a loved one. Along with grief comes the responsibility of managing end-of-life affairs. Whether due to natural causes or unexpected circumstances, navigating the probate process can be overwhelming, especially when advance di

On Saturday, March 28, 2026 , the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando opened the doors to its brand‑new, state‑of‑the‑art animal shelter, a milestone years in the making. The celebration comes after a devastating chapter in the organization’s history. In September 2021, a fire tore through the former Conroy Road shelter, killing more than a dozen animals and destroying the building. In the days that followed, the community rallied with extraordinary compassion: more than 13,000

An Orlando Science Charter School (OSS) seventh grader is about to compete in one of the most prestigious youth events in the country. Hardit Tayal qualified for the Scripps National Spelling Bee after shining at the regional-level tournament. He’ll test his knowledge against more than 200 people in Washington, D.C. in May. Hardit is following in the footsteps of another OSS student and spelling bee participant who earned a ninth‐place finish in 2015 and tied for 23rd plac

On March 26, 2026 , Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings welcomed the community to the fourth annual Women’s History Month Forum , an inspiring event dedicated to celebrating and uplifting women across Central Florida. Observed each March, Women’s History Month recognizes the powerful contributions women have made throughout history. This year’s forum took that celebration a step further by focusing on a holistic vision of success, supporting women not only in their careers

Julien Serrano-O’Neil, a name now synonymous with a new era in Pine Hills, has made history as the y oungest and first Gen Z president of the Pine Hills Community Council in its 54- year history . O’Neil's journey from a young man "counted out" by society to a community leader is a powerful narrative of resilience, higher education , and a deep commitment to his hometown . In my recent interview, O’Neil, who proudly calls himself a "homegrown kid" from Pine Hills, spoke easil

Orange County has appointed Kunal Patel, a well-known technologist and innovator, as Innovation Manager for the new Orange County Innovation Center, a 17,000- to 20,000-square-foot facility expected to open at the end of April. The Innovation Center will open alongside the County’s Multicultural Center and Senior Center, which opened its doors in 2023. The new initiative is designed to promote creativity, workforce readiness, and cross-industry collaboration by providing a sh

As February arrives, communities across the country, and right here in Florida, pause to honor Black History Month, a time to celebrate the strength, brilliance, and enduring impact of Black Americans. In a state as diverse as Florida, where African American history is deeply rooted, this month invites us to reflect, learn, and honor the legacy that continues to shape our shared future. Some may ask, why is it important to celebrate Black History Month? Because Black history

A Nashville-based affordable housing developer has proposed a 138-unit multifamily residential complex in unincorporated Orange County under Florida’s Live Local Act, according to a pre-application recently submitted to county officials. The project, known as Flats on Powers, is being proposed by an entity tied to the Elmington family of companies on a 6+ acre site at 6301 La Jolla St., near the northwest corner of State Road 408 and North Powers Drive. The property is locall

By Ollie Damm In quarter one of 2026, Clarcona-Ocoee Road has become a flurry of activity. Local residents have a lot to look forward to, including sidewalk improvements in and around the Long Lake Hills community, a new Personal Storage Facility coming soon to Powers Drive, and a Wing Stop opening at the intersection of Clarcona-Ocoee and Powers Rd. The sidewalk improvements are well underway, with brand new, dramatically wider concrete footpaths already lining much of Clarc

On a cold but beautiful January Monday, the City of Ocoee hosted its 18th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Parade & Celebration. The parade never disappoints, leaving attendees lining Clark Road inspired and motivated. Festivities continued at the West Oaks Mall with a moving program hosted by Master of Ceremonies Allie Braswell of Braswell Management, LLC, featuring remarks from Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson and Ocoee Commissioner George Oliver III. Congratulations to ev

On Tuesday, October 24, 2025 , Orange County Commissioners selected a new map that will shape the future of representation for county residents. Last November, voters approved adding two new commission seats, expanding the board from six to eight districts . After months of review and public input, commissioners voted to adopt Map 7B as the county’s new district layout. The final decision came after narrowing down 31 initial proposals to just two. Following an extended discus

Two new apartment complexes are nearing key construction milestones, soon adding nearly 500 affordable apartment options to the community. These developments will play a vital role in expanding the housing options available to Pine Hills residents. Whispering Oaks Discover affordable, family-friendly living at Whispering Oaks Apartments, coming soon to Pine Hills! Scheduled to open in Spring 2026, Whispering Oaks is a new community developed under the Low-Income Housing Tax C