Cortes switches election runs

John Cortes, of Kissimmee, late last week withdrew from the district 1 Osceola County School Board race and filed to run for seat 2 for the city of Kissimmee election.

Cortes previously ran for city commission in 2004 (seat 3), 2006 (seat 5) and 2008 (seat 5) but was unsuccessful. He will face incumbent Carlos Irizarry and newcomer Wanda Rentas in the nonpartisan race.

Remaining candidates in the School Board race are Nancy Gemskie and incumbent Jay Wheeler.

Buenaventura Lakes post office reopens

The Buenaventura Lakes post office branch has reopened inside the newly renovated Robert Guevara Community Center.

Temporary hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and a drop-off mailbox is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The facility has a separate entrance.

The post office is currently receiving applications for mailboxes. Information is available at 1-800-277-8775.

The U.S. Postal Service was considering closing the Buenaventura Lakes facility but through support by local residents, businesses, community organizations and Congressman Bill Posey, the Buenaventura Lakes Post Office Branch was removed from the list of possible site closures, county officials stated in a press release.

“I encourage everyone to consider this opportunity and make use of this valuable asset to the community, conveniently located in the community center,” County Commissioner John Quiñones said. “The federal government will monitor its activity for considering its operation in pursuing future planning strategies.”

For more information, contact the Osceola County Public Information Office at 407-742-0100.

Posey to host art competition

On Saturday, Congressman Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, will host the 2010 Congressional Art Competition, an annual contest among young artists held in congressional districts all across the country.

Titled “An Artistic Discovery,” entries into the competition will be displayed and judged during a reception from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Saturday at the Osceola Center for the Arts. The winning student will receive an invitation to attend a reception and exhibition opening in Washington, D.C., on June 17 where the student’s artwork will be displayed in the Capitol.

“I’m looking forward to viewing the entries of the talented young artists in our community and I wish them all good luck,” Posey said. “The winning artist will have the distinguished honor of having their work displayed in our nation’s Capitol.”

The art competition is open to all public, private and home-schooled students. Artwork must meet submission guidelines and all required forms must be completed and submitted with artwork for judging. Southwest Airlines will provide the winner and a guest two roundtrip tickets to attend the reception in Washington. The winning artwork will be displayed in the Capitol for the entire year and cannot be returned prior to the end of the exhibit.

The first and second runners-up will have their art displayed in Posey’s Washington and Florida offices, respectively.

Entries into the competition will be accepted from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by judging and the open exhibition from 10 to 11 a.m. A short program from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. will be held to announce the winners.

The center is at 2411 E. U.S. Highway 192, Kissimmee.

Lane closures in St. Cloud

The city of St. Cloud has lane closures planned for 13th Street today and Sunday to replace overhead signal heads.

There will be a closure at New York Avenue closing both eastbound and westbound center lanes from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today.

There will be another closure at Michigan Avenue closing both eastbound and westbound center lanes from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday.