St. Cloud Master PIO Maryemma Bachelder
Kissimmee seeks 2025 Lakefront festival promoters
Kissimmee’s Parks and Recreation Department is actively seeking promoters and proposals to host cultural, educational, music, and art festivals at Kissimmee Lakefront Park in May, August or September 2025.
Proposals will be evaluated based on specific criteria, with detailed scoring information available at kissimmee.gov/eventsRFI. e final decision the promoters, companies, or organizations will receive the special event license agreement will be made by Parks and Recreation Director next year. Selected promoters and organizations will be featured in the 2025 Lakefront Park Events & Festivals Annual Calendar.
Proposals need to be submitted to Parks & Recreation Assistant Director Matt Libby by 5 p.m. p.m. on Oct. 18, 2024. Proposals can be emailed to matt.libby@kissimmee.gov or emailed to 101 Church St., Suite 330, Kissimmee, FL 34741.
KUA receives Department of Commerce infrastructure grant
U.S. Department of Commerce has announced that is Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing in the state of Florida to boost workforce development efforts and make infrastructure improvements to bolster economic opportunity in the region.
Locally, the Kissimmee Utility Authority in Kissimmee will receive a $6.2 million grant for utilities infrastructure improvements to support the semiconductor manufacturing industry. is EDA investment will be matched with $7.5 million in local funds.
“We’re thrilled to see the Economic Development Administration invest $6.2 million in infrastructure for utilities here in Kissimmee, with an additional $7.5 million slated in local funds,” said Representative Darren Soto (FL9). “This investment is a game-changer for our community, as it supports the expansion of the semiconductor manufacturing industry. It strengthens our infrastructure and positions Kissimmee as a hub for innovation, job creation, and economic growth for the region.”
These projects are funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act as a result of, among other disasters, Hurricane Ian.
St. Cloud Citizens Academy info meeting
The City will hold an information session at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, in the lobby of City Hall to provide information to and answer questions from residents interested in applying for the 2025 Citizens Academy class, ahead of the November application period. The class will be selected no later than Friday, Dec. 13. And will run weekly from Jan. 7 to April 1, 2025.
Citizens Academy is an interactive, immersive experience designed to give residents a behind-the-scenes look at how their City government works to create more informed residents and foster interest in citizen involvement on City boards, committees, or elected office. For more details, visit https://www.stcloudfl.gov/2156/Citizens-Academy
St. Cloud adds 2nd Master PIO
St. Cloud Communications Director Maryemma Bachelder has earned the Master Public Information Officer (MPIO) certification through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. She joins city Senior Public Information Manager Andrew Sullivan as two of only 179 certified FEMA MPIOs worldwide.
“Having our Communications efforts led by two people with a master-level certification means our residents benefit from having highly trained, knowledgeable professionals working to provide information, not just day-to-day, but also in times of crises, such as during hurricanes,” said City Manager Veronica Miller. “The City is fortunate to have this level of experience and professionalism. Maryemma and Andrew both have deployed to other areas of Florida to assist with public information efforts following major hurricanes.”
The Master PIO program is a year-long course of study that is o red through FEMA’s National Disaster & Emergency Management University in Emmitsburg, Md.
Bachelder has served the city as Communications Director since 2020. The Communications Department is responsible for media relations, internal and external communications, social media, videography, podcasts, and audio-visual technology for meetings and events.
St. Cloud man charged in Turnpike shooting at 417 interchange
A St. Cloud man has been arrested in connection with a road rage shooting incident on Florida’s Turnpike just north of Osceola Parkway.
Florida Highway Patrol reports Jorge Luis De Jesus Carrasquillo, 35, has been arrested and charged with attempted felony murder, direct discharge of firearm from vehicle and shooting into an occupied vehicle.
Around 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 26, FHP was alerted by a man driving a Tesla, who said he and his car were shot at on northbound Florida’s Turnpike near the State Road 417 interchange leaving Osceola County. Troopers are asking for the public’s help with information into the shooting.
The 33-year-old male victim discovered his blue Tesla Model Y had been struck by gunfire — then realized he had been shot in the right leg. Two bullet holes were discovered on the driver side door of the victim’s vehicle. The victim was transported to an area hospital for his injuries. Later that day, Carrasquillo was arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail.
