Osceola County joblessness drops

Osceola County’s unemployment rate for May (not seasonally adjusted) was 10.7 percent, down from April’s 10.9 percent and down more than 1 percent from 11.8 in May 2010, according to the latest report from the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation. This represents 15,074 unemployed workers out of a labor force of 140,768.

Osceola County is now ranked the 18th highest in the state for its unemployment rate, dropping down from 12th place last month; Flagler County has the highest unemployment rate in Florida, holding steady at 13.8 percent since April.

The jobless rate for the Orlando metropolitan area, which includes Lake, Osceola, Orange and Seminole counties, was 9.9 percent, down slightly from 10 percent in April.

Orange County’s jobless rate was 9.9 percent; Lake County’s was 10.2 percent and Seminole County’s was 9.4 percent. Polk County, Osceola County’s other neighbor that is not in the metro-area, had a 10.8 percent jobless rate.

Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in May was 10.6 percent, down 0.2 percentage point from April’s 10.8 percent and down from 11.3 percent in May 2010. The new state unemployment rate represents 980,000 jobless residents out of a labor force of 9,245,000 Floridians.

The nationwide jobless rate for May was 8.7 percent, holding steady from April, and down  from 9.3 percent in May 2010.

Fertic files to run for clerk of court

Jarom Fertic, who currently holds seat 5 on the St. Cloud City Council, has filed to run as a Republican for Osceola County Clerk of Court in the 2012 election, according to the Supervisor of Elections website.

The incumbent is Democrat Malcom W. Thompson, of Kissimmee, who is in his first term of office and who has already filed to run for re-election. It is Fertic’s first run at countywide office; he first won his St. Cloud seat in March 2007 and again in March of 2009.

Thompson in 2008 beat incumbent Larry Whaley, a Republican, to become clerk of court. The term for the office is four years.

Hartig to hold town hall meeting in Poinciana

Osceola County School Board Chairman Cindy Hartig will participate in a town hall all meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 30, hosted by Osceola County Commissioner Brandon Arrington for residents of district 3.

The meeting will be in the Poinciana Community Center, 395 S. Marigold Ave., in Poinciana.

Parents and community residents are invited to attend to hear updates on educational issues as they relate to Poinciana-area schools, learn about services and programs for students, and ask questions regarding the upcoming school year.

Arrington will address such topics as road project updates, parks, transportation updates, the county budget, housing and incorporation among others.

Prior to the town hall meeting from 5 to 6:30 p.m., the public is invited to attend a “one-on-one” session with Arrington and Hartig at the same location. Residents will have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss issues and meet individually with their elected officials and staff.

Translation services in Spanish will be provided.

For more information, contact the Osceola County Community Outreach/Public Information Office at 407-742-0100 or the Osceola County School District’s Community Relations Department at 407-870-4007.

Annual Amateur Radio Field Day

Osceola County Office of Emergency Management is hosting this year’s annual Amateur Radio Field Day event Saturday and Sunday.

The weekend event is free and open to the public. Times are Saturday from 2 p.m. to Sunday at 2 p.m. The event will be at the Osceola County Emergency Operations Center, 2586 Partin Settlement Road, in Kissimmee (behind the Osceola County Government Center on U.S. Highway 192 at Partin Settlement Road).

Osceola County Emergency Management sponsors a group of dedicated operators known as the Emergency Management Communication Assistance Team comprised of several organizations, such as the American Radio Relay League and Military Amateur Radio Service, a federally sponsored group.

“This year, for the first time, we are happy to announce that the University of Central Florida Amateur Radio Club will participate as well in this joint endeavor,” Osceola County Emergency Management Director Dave Casto stated in a press release.

The purpose of the field day is to allow amateur radio groups to compete in an effort to establish communications with other amateur radio operators worldwide, and to sharpen skills in communication capabilities in various modes. This year, Osceola County, Orange County and the UCF amateurs team up as partners to establish coordination and support in this worthwhile effort. Emergency Management officials will also be on hand to answer questions about hazards that threaten our community, as well as hurricane preparedness.

“At the end of the operations period, the teams will compile the number of contacts made and discuss operations as a whole,” explained Osceola County Emergency Management Coordinator Richard Halquist. “It’s all about teamwork. We believe that partnerships are a major key to success in working together to develop relationships before disaster strikes.”

For more information on Amateur Radio Field Day, contact the Osceola County Office of Emergency Management at 407-742-9000.

Lane Closures on Polynesian Isles Boulevard

Road Crews will need to temporarily close lanes on Polynesian Isles Boulevard between State Road 535 going southwest to U.S. Highway 192, as part of the Polynesian Isles Boulevard milling and resurfacing project.

The lane closures will run Wednesday through Friday, July 1, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Message boards are in place to advise drivers of the upcoming project.

Motorists are urged to use caution when approaching this area, as there will be temporary lane closures, but no road closures, and possibly reduced speed limits in certain areas. Traffic delays can be expected. Schedules could vary according to weather and equipment-related issues.

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

Hurricane Expo will highlight preparedness

Osceola County officials invite residents to join them at the fifth annual Hurricane Expo Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cagan Crossings Community Library, 16729 Cagan Oaks, in Clermont (on U.S. Highway 27 about one-half mile north of the U.S. 192 intersection on the left).

Held in conjunction with the Emergency Management Offices of Lake, Orange and Polk counties, this free hurricane expo will feature informational stations and booths from a variety of agencies including local fire departments and disaster volunteer organizations. The expo will include hands-on activities and presentations from emergency responders on topics ranging from NOAA weather radios, food safety, children coping with disasters and creating a disaster supply kit.

From Kissimmee, residents should travel west on U.S. Highway 192 to U.S. Highway 27, turn right onto 27 North; travel about one-half mile and turn left onto Cagan Crossings Boulevard, take the first right onto Avenida Tercera and then go right onto Cagan Oaks to the library.

For more information contact Osceola County Emergency Management at 407-742-9000.

Sheriff’s Office applies for re-accreditation

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is applying for re-accreditation with the state.

A team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) will arrive July 19 to examine all aspects of the agency’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services. The Sheriff’s Office has to comply with approximately 261 standards to be re-accredited. Many of the 261 standards are critical to life, health and safety issues.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency members and the general public are invited to offer comments to the assessment team. Comments must be in writing and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CFA standards. A copy of the standards is available for review at the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, 2601 E. U.S. Highway 192 in Kissimmee, during normal business hours.

For more information regarding CFA or for persons wishing to offer written comments about the Sheriff’s Office’s ability to meet the standards of accreditation, write to: CFA, 3504 Lake Lynda Drive, Suite 380, Orlando, FL, 32817.

The accreditation program manager for the Sheriff’s Office is Sgt. Scott Glazier.

The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals and visit offices and other places where compliance can be witnessed. Once the commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full commission, which will then decide if the agency is to receive re-accredited status.

The accreditation would be for three years. The Sheriff’s Office was originally accredited in 1999 and has successfully earned re-accreditation every three years since then.