By Tiffanie Reynolds
Staff Writer

Florida Hospital Kissimmee is growing with the community through the construction of a new emergency room wing, bringing 29 new beds, new technology and patient comforts.

The ground-breaking ceremony  to start construction occurred on Wednesday, with hospital administration, physicians and community leaders unearthing the first shovelfuls of dirt.

The Silver Spurs Rodeo is opening the doors to all military personnel for two nights of entertainment during the 131st Silver Spurs Rodeo of Champions in Kissimmee.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement today released its 2012 Annual Uniform Crime Report, and locally, the news for Osceola County was almost all positive.

Manning

By Brian McBride

Editor

A Kissimmee Fire Department lieutenant driving a motorcycle was killed in a crash on Osceola Parkway Thursday, after a St. Cloud woman in an SUV failed to stop for a red light and hit him, witnesses said.

Lt. William Manning, a 12-year department employee, was pronounced dead at Celebration Health after the occurred at about 7:50 a.m.

“This is a very tragic day for the Kissimmee Fire Department and the Manning family,” said Acting Fire Chief Jeremy Donovan. “Lieutenant Manning’s pride and ownership in the fire service was second to none.  His dedication to the department and the safety of the citizens of Kissimmee will greatly be missed.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and family.”

By Tiffanie Reynolds
Staff Writer

A Saturday morning’s work of yard cleaning and a fresh coat of paint meant more to Tim Culpepper than just a better looking house. It was a small step to a more stable life for his family.

By Ken Jackson
Staff Writer

If the local construction industry continues to recover at its current pace, a highly-skilled workforce will be necessary to build out all those upcoming jobs.