General Election Sample Ballots Now Available on the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Website The Orange County Supervisor of Elections has uploaded November General Election sample ballots to the Supervisor of Elections website. The sample ballots can be accessed from the “What’s on my Ballot”, “Check My Info”, or “Find my Polling Place” menu items under the “Voters” main menu. Additionally, there is a combined “Sample Ballots PDF” with all the ballot styles. This can b

The Pine Hills community has a long, evolving story, and with a new online tool, residents can now explore it from the comfort of home in a new way. Orange County’s Neighborhood Services Division has launched a new interactive Pine Hills Story Map, giving residents an engaging way to learn about Pine Hills' history, explore projects shaping the community today, and see what’s on the horizon for one of Orange County’s oldest and largest communities. The Story Map highlights th

PHCC President's Corner Since January, the Pine Hills Community Council (PHCC) has experienced a period of historic growth, renewed community engagement, and expanded service as the organization continues "Setting the P.A.C.E. for a Better Pine Hills" through Participation, Accessibility, Collaboration, and Excellence. Perhaps the clearest measure of that momentum is the people who have chosen to become part of the organization. PHCC began 2026 with a goal of reaching 100 mem

Finding the path to reach your housing goals can feel overwhelming, but Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County is here to help. Our new Housing Path Finder makes it easier to find the services that fit your goals. All you have to do is answer a few quick questions to get matched with resources for housing readiness, financial security, and home repair. We have found that many people who might be good candidates for our services disqualify themselves, assuming H

When was the last time you visited your local library? The Orange County Library System has locations throughout the county, including four branches in the Midtown Press service area: Hiawassee Branch at 7391 W. Colonial Dr., Fairview Shores Branch at 902 Lee Road in the Walmart Neighborhood Market plaza, West Oaks Branch at 1821 E. Silver Star Road in Ocoee, and Winter Garden Branch at 805 E. Plant St. Junior scientists can explore STEAM concepts with Fossil Finders and Dino

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and, of course, delicious food. However, it can also be a time when healthy eating habits go out the window. With so many tempting di shes and desserts, it's easy to overindulge. Don't worry; there are ways to enjoy the holiday without sabotaging your health goals. Firstly, don't skip meals leading up to Thanksgiving dinner. Many people make the mistake of "saving" their calories for the big meal, but this can lead to overeating and

Residents from across Pine Hills and Greater Orlando gathered at the Central Florida Fairgrounds on Wednesday, July 8, for the Pine Hills Community Council's annual People's Hob Nob & Straw Poll, an evening dedicated to civic engagement, community connections, and informed voting. The event gave residents a unique opportunity to meet candidates seeking federal, state, county, judicial, and municipal offices while learning more about the issues affecting Pine Hills and the Cen

Orange County residents have two exciting new spaces to learn, connect and grow! County leaders recently celebrated the grand opening of the new Innovation Center and Multicultural Senior Center, welcoming nearly 700 residents to a ribbon-cutting celebration featuring tours, interactive demonstrations and family-friendly activities. Located on the campus of the Orange County Multicultural Center, the two new facilities are designed to serve residents of all ages by expanding

Residents, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to search the Orange County Clerk's Unclaimed Checks List to see if they are owed money. The current list contains more than 9,100 uncashed checks, with amounts ranging from 1 cent to $10,000. These checks include vendor payments, refunds, restitution, and cash bonds. Many were never cashed because recipients moved without leaving a forwarding address or simply forgot about them. Those who find their name on the list hav

Sometimes the most important improvements in a community are the ones you can't see! After nearly two years of construction, Orange County has officially completed its septic-to-sewer conversion project along North Pine Hills Road, marking another important investment in the future of Pine Hills. To celebrate the milestone, the Orange County Mayor's Office, District 6 Commissioner Mike Scott, and Orange County Utilities recently hosted a community celebration recognizing ever

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) provides free breakfast and lunch to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. Most schools do not require an application; however, newly opened schools or specific non-CEP sites may require families to submit a Meal Benefits Application. How Free Meals Work Eligibility: Nearly all enrolled OCPS students receive breakfast and lunch at no charge without needing to fill out paperwork. New or Non-CEP Schools: Fa

The Pine Hills Community Council (PHCC) welcomed residents, community partners, and local organizations to its August General Meeting for an evening focused on both the future of Pine Hills and preparing local students for the upcoming school year. The meeting featured a community presentation by Tamara Johnson, Executive Director of the Pine Hills Neighborhood Improvement District (PHNID), titled Envisioning the Future of Pine Hills. Residents had the opportunity to review c

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