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The independent voice for West Orange County news

Community: Ocoee

COVID-19

Ocoee HR department lacked 'direction' to reimburse time off with negative Covid test, director says

City manager said quarantined employees awaiting Covid-19 test results would be reimbursed regardless of test outcome. But internal emails and memos show that those required to quarantine this summer were reimbursed only if they tested positive for the virus.

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ANIMAL ADVOCACY

Gov't docs show Ocoee store buys from "Horrible Hundred"puppy mills exposed by animal advocacy group

Rogues gallery includes Chews A Puppy’s featured breeder and the first USDA-licensed breeder to be shut down by the feds

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COVID-19

Is Ocoee shortchanging firefighters who don't get Covid-19?

They were told to quarantine while they waited for their Covid-19 test results. When the tests came back negative, the city of Ocoee didn't always reimburse firefighters the way it said it would.

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FIRE DEPARTMENT

Contract talks between Ocoee and union firefighters flame out

After months of haggling, the city refused to sign off on its own proposal unless the union caved on wages. Now it's up to a special magistrate from the Public Employees Relations Commission.

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RETAIL POLITICS

"This is our city, our town, our government. You're in our hierarchy now. You’re in the city of Ocoee.”

In a rebuke to Orange County, Ocoee votes to revise its own controversial pet retailer ordinance to include oversight and regulation.

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REMEMBRANCE

With talk of heroes and calls for unity and remembrance, Ocoee marked the 20th anniversary of 9/11

Local officials and residents gathered at the Withers-Maguire House where 2,977 miniature American flags dotted the lawn — one for each life lost in the terrorist attacks.

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FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Ex-Files

VoxPopuli made a public records request and obtained a former Ocoee firefighter’s disciplinary files from a previous job. Was that an accident … or retaliation?

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CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

Who pays for Ocoee’s paramedic training?

That’s one of the big issues as Ocoee’s firefighters meet with city negotiators for round five of contract talks.

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PERSONNEL MATTERS

Ocoee commissioner wants citizens to “chime in” on police chief candidates

Debate was lively at Ocoee's city commission meeting on Tuesday as commissioners sparred over how much input residents get into the hiring process for the next chief of police. (In truth, not much.)

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