News

Figures for the Orlando area, which includes Osceola County, shows local prices up 4 cents per gallon over the last week, and up 34 cents over the last month.

Figures for the Orlando area, which includes Osceola County, shows local prices up 4 cents per gallon over the last week, and up 34 cents over the last month.

Gas prices falling ... but could they face U-Turn?

Gas prices have retreated a bit since the end of last week, falling from the $4.50s range to the $4.40s.It's a trend, right?Nnnnnnope.The decline isn’t expected to continue as oil prices surged early Monday after President Donald Trump called Iran’s response to a U.S.
 The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is scheduled to close ChampionsGate Boulevard (County Road 532) in both directions under Interstate 4 nightly from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. this week (Graphic/FDOT)

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is scheduled to close ChampionsGate Boulevard (County Road 532) in both directions under Interstate 4 nightly from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. this week (Graphic/FDOT)

Night work — see what Osceola County road will close for construction nightly this week

As part of a continuing construction project near ChampionsGate, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is scheduled to close ChampionsGate Boulevard (County Road 532) in both directions under Interstate 4 nightly from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
The News-Gazette has joined a collaboration of local news outlets to extend outreach of issues leading up to the 2026 primary and general elections on Aug. 18 and Nov. 3.

The News-Gazette has joined a collaboration of local news outlets to extend outreach of issues leading up to the 2026 primary and general elections on Aug. 18 and Nov. 3.

News Collaborative of Central Florida announces next reporting initiative — Election 2026

A list of collaboration stories published:Jan. 29: Voting by mail in ’26? Make sure your request is valid (Osceola News-Gazette)Feb 12: Kissimmee commissioners to vote on tougher smoking ban in parks, election changes (Osceola News-Gazette)Feb.
The Osceola County School for the Arts' Jazz A Band shows off the latest hardware earned at the International Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Festival last week at the Lincoln Center in New York. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

The Osceola County School for the Arts' Jazz A Band shows off the latest hardware earned at the International Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Festival last week at the Lincoln Center in New York. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Essentially and Presidentially the Best — OCSA’s Jazz, Wind Ensembles victorious again in elite competitions

If this story was about anything but jazz and big-band music played by high schoolers, we could say the Osceola County School for the Arts already-accomplished Jazz A and Wind Ensembles closed out the school year with a bang.
Amelia Blanca Martinez and her daughters at her 100th birthday celebration. (Photo/Debbie Daniel)

Amelia Blanca Martinez and her daughters at her 100th birthday celebration. (Photo/Debbie Daniel)

At 100, ‘Grandma Blanca’ leaves legacy of service, family and faith

Step by step, Amelia Blanca Martinez has built a life of servanthood, empathy, kindness, and faith. On Sunday, her family celebrated her 100th birthday with a Bridgerton-themed ball in her honor.Born May 3, 1926, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, “Grandma Blanca” was always a hard worker.
Members of the Kissimmee and St. Cloud Police Department tactical teams descend on a home on New Nolte Road Thursday morning. Eleven arrests were made and more than 60 pieces of evidence were seized. (Photo/St. Cloud Police Department)

Members of the Kissimmee and St. Cloud Police Department tactical teams descend on a home on New Nolte Road Thursday morning. Eleven arrests were made and more than 60 pieces of evidence were seized. (Photo/St. Cloud Police Department)

St. Cloud, Kissimmee Police arrest 11, seize drugs at 'nuisance property' Thursday

A joint investigation of the Kissimmee and St. Cloud police departments of what they called a "nuisance property" led to the arrest of 11 suspects and the seizure of more than 60 pieces of evidence during a raid Thursday morning.
Four people have been arrested as part of a crackdown on these illegal parties at vacation rental homes, mostly on the far western end of the county. (Photo/Osceola County Sheriff’s Office)

Four people have been arrested as part of a crackdown on these illegal parties at vacation rental homes, mostly on the far western end of the county. (Photo/Osceola County Sheriff’s Office)

Sheriff Blackmon: ‘We’re gonna hammer these house parties’

Osceola County Sheriff Chris Blackmon has had enough of the large-scale promoted house parties taking place in the county’s abundant rental properties, where teens have been served alcohol and illegal drugs — and in three cases within the last two months, gotten shot.
The 14-member graduating class of the St. Cloud Citizens Academy, with city officials. (Submitted photo)

The 14-member graduating class of the St. Cloud Citizens Academy, with city officials. (Submitted photo)

It’s Graduation Day for St. Cloud Citizen’s Academy

The city of St. Cloud graduated its 2026 Citizens Academy class April 21 at the Marina Banquet Hall.Citizen’s Academy is what the city calls, “An interactive, immersive experience designed to give our city residents an up-close look at their city government in action.