Jorge Miranda now in Kissimmee seat 4 race

Jorge Miranda has filed to run against incumbent Cheryl Grieb in the Kissimmee City Commission seat 4 race.

Miranda ran unsuccessfully for seat 5 (mayor) in 2004, 2006 and 2008. Grieb was elected to her first four-year term in 2006.

The commission race is nonpartisan.

Long running for School Board

Tom Long, of St. Cloud, announced Monday he was running for Osceola County School Board, district 5.

“I offer fresh leadership ready to tackle the responsibility of providing our children with a world-class education. As a long time advocate for Osceola taxpayers, I understand that we must become better stewards of your tax dollars. By seeking greater efficiencies, we can provide an overdue raise for our teachers,” Long stated in a press release.

Long, making his first bid for public office, faces incumbent John McKay, the current board chairman, as well as challengers Wade Davis, a former St. Cloud City Council member, and Stacy Anderson McCland.

“We can better serve the community by increasing focus on core classes and life skills. I believe we can produce the best schools in the country that will eventually bring valuable economic development and diversity,” Long stated.

Dockery out of governor’s race

State Sen. Paula Dockery dropped out of the governor's race Monday, according to a statement she released citing the financial challenges of running for office.

“At this point in the election cycle, I see no financial path to victory. And so today, with both resignation that the resources are not there and appreciation for the journey we shared, I am ending my campaign to be governor of the great state of Florida,” she stated.

While she described herself as “a tenacious fighter unafraid of long odds,” she also said she was a realist and understood the costs of effectively competing statewide, according to the statement.

Attorney General Bill McCollum and political newcomer Rick Scott are still competing on the Republican ticket, while Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink is the leading Democratic candidate.

Dockery represents a portion of Osceola County.

Kissimmee Walmart to have grandre-opening Friday

The Walmart at 4444 W. Vine St. in Kissimmee will celebrate a grand re-opening Friday, giving local shoppers a glimpse of the company’s next generation of store design and customer experience.

The results of a three-month remodeling project will be unveiled at 8 a.m. Among the many improvements are a new layout, wider aisles, low-profile shelving, a bright interior paint scheme, enhanced lighting and easy-to-read signage to make the shopping experience more convenient for customers than ever before, store officials stated in a press release.

“We listened to our customers and redesigned the store to make shopping at Walmart even easier,” store manager Pete Schultz stated.

Walmart also aligned the departments that customers shop most frequently, making it quicker to purchase everyday items.

“The new layout is easier to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for necessities,” Schultz stated.

As part of the remodel, Walmart added a new and improved Disney shop at the front of the store so customers can find their favorite Disney toys, apparel and souvenirs.

The remodel also brings Walmart customers an expanded electronics department, featuring a wide selection of the latest consumer electronics and home entertainment. The new design includes a more hands-on experience for customers with interactive displays for hi-definition Blu-ray, video gaming and portable electronics. The interactive experience enables shoppers to test new technology.

A new department called Celebration Station features party supplies, balloons and helium tanks, cake supplies and giftwrap. The greeting card selection is doubled in size.

The re-opening celebration will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8 a.m. During the ceremony, store associates will present $7,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to local organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida-Osceola Branch, Kissimmee Fire Department, Kissimmee Police Department and The Black Stallion Literacy Foundation.