County celebrating Hispanic month

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Osceola County commissioners will host a reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, in the first floor lobby of the Osceola County Administration Building.

The public is invited to join in the celebration and enjoy artwork exhibited by local artists associated with the Osceola Center for the Arts.

As part of the celebration, live performances by the Puerto Rican Folklore Academy, directed by Manny Fuentes, and a special presentation by students of the Osceola County School for the Arts, will add a folkloric touch to this event.

Also, commissioners will welcome special guest Wilfredo Vázquez Jr., the celebrity Puerto Rican professional boxer and son of former world champion Wilfredo Vázquez.

Authentic light hors d’ oeuvres will be served, catered by Chef Joel Rodríguez of BJoely Catering. Rodriguez is an acclaimed chef who was born in the Dominican Republic and now lives in Central Florida.

For more information, contact Brenda Rivera at 407-742-2006.

Six nominees for judge appointment

The Ninth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission has recommended six individuals for Gov. Charlie Crist’s consideration and appointment to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Circuit Court Judge R. James Stroker.

The nominees include: Mark Blechman, Heather L. Higbee, Wilfedo Martinez, Jamie Billotte Moses, Mike Patrick Murphy and Keith White.

The Ninth Circuit covers both Osceola and Orange counties.

Kissimmee police launch BikeTrack

The Kissimmee Police Department has launched a new program, BikeTrack, on the department’s website.

BikeTrack is a program that allows bicycle owners to register their bike with the department. When an officer finds an abandoned bike, it will be run through this database to determine the owner. The owner will be contacted that the bicycle has been found.

“Many times, a bike is stolen from a residence and used for a short period of time and then discarded. This program will help the officer return the stolen merchandise to the owner,” Chief Fran Iwanski said.

The database can be accessed through the Kissimmee Police Department’s website at police.kissimmee.org. On the welcome page there is a link to register your bike with KPD’s BikeTrack.

“We are hoping that all residents within the city of Kissimmee will take the extra step to register their bike with the Kissimmee Police Department. Helping protect your property is a vital step in lessening the chances of becoming a victim,” Iwanski said.

Road Runner Lightning being launched

Bright House Networks customers in Osceola County now have the opportunity to be among the first consumers in the nation to experience a next-generation cable modem technology known as wideband.