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Votes for the winners raised funds for Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels The Rotary Club of Kissimmee West just completed the Virtual Art Contest, and has named its winners.

Votes for the winners raised funds for Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels The Rotary Club of Kissimmee West just completed the Virtual Art Contest, and has named its winners.

NEWS BRIEFS — Osceola non-profits to be featured on LYNX Public Service Bus; Rotary Club Student Art Winners; good news at St. Cloud Hospital

News Staff
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Osceola non-profits to be featured on LYNX Public Service BusFirst Nature Foundation of St. Cloud and Victoria Helping Veterans of Kissimmee were among the eight non-profit agencies that will be featured on the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX) 2026–27 Public Service Bus.
The Senior Smiles Osceola state-of-the-art dental unit is 45 feet-long with the ability for clinicians to perform exams, x-rays, and basic dentistry to complex dental procedures. (Photo/Osceola Council on Aging)

The Senior Smiles Osceola state-of-the-art dental unit is 45 feet-long with the ability for clinicians to perform exams, x-rays, and basic dentistry to complex dental procedures. (Photo/Osceola Council on Aging)

COUNCIL'S CORNER — Bringing Senior Smiles to the Osceola Community

Wendy Coschignano Ford
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Older Americans Month is observed each May to recognize the contributions and achievements of older adults, particularly those 60 years of age and older.
That foundation, the Guy Harvey Foundation, has recognized the School District of Osceola County as a Guy Harvey Conservation District for what the foundation called a “Commitment to environmental education through teacher professional development, experiential learning, and environmental leadership.”

That foundation, the Guy Harvey Foundation, has recognized the School District of Osceola County as a Guy Harvey Conservation District for what the foundation called a “Commitment to environmental education through teacher professional development, experiential learning, and environmental leadership.”

Osceola School District honored by Guy Harvey Foundation

Staff Report
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Boaters, fishermen and other outdoors-y types are familiar with Guy Harvey and his conservation efforts and foundation.
While Osceola County's overall KBDI value Wednesday was at 491, under the 500 threshold, about 42% of the county is between 501-600 and 9% is over 600, according to the Florida Fire Service. (Graphic/Florida Fire Service)

While Osceola County's overall KBDI value Wednesday was at 491, under the 500 threshold, about 42% of the county is between 501-600 and 9% is over 600, according to the Florida Fire Service. (Graphic/Florida Fire Service)

UPDATE -- Osceola burn ban re-instituted Thursday

News Staff
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
THURSDAY: A day after Osceola County fire officials lifted a burn ban for Osceola County, Osceola's Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) went back over 500 in Thursday's report from the Florida Fire Service.
The I-4 East ramp closure to Osceola Parkway is one of a number of detours drivers will need to know as FDOT puts its "Moving I-4 Forward" expansion plans into construction mode. (Graphic/FDOT)

The I-4 East ramp closure to Osceola Parkway is one of a number of detours drivers will need to know as FDOT puts its "Moving I-4 Forward" expansion plans into construction mode. (Graphic/FDOT)

Scheduled ramp closures along I-4 in Osceola County through the end of May

Staff Report
Monday, May 18, 2026
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has scheduled a number of ramp closures during upcoming overnight hours as part of construction for the Moving I-4 Forward expansion program. Nightly closures will occur at interchanges in Osceola County.
A record 23 Tohopekaliga High student athletes signed college scholarships on a “sweet day” last week in the school’s auditorium — only because the gym couldn’t hold the crowd. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

A record 23 Tohopekaliga High student athletes signed college scholarships on a “sweet day” last week in the school’s auditorium — only because the gym couldn’t hold the crowd. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Movin’ On — Osceola student athletes sign record number of scholarships

Ken Jackson
Sunday, May 17, 2026
When people in the academic community ask about the special contribution sports make in school … athletes across Osceola County have provided the answer.High. School. Sports. Matter.
Florida Democrats are again calling for Gov. Ron DeSantis to suspend the state’s gas tax to ease elevated fuel prices caused by ongoing war with Iran.

Florida Democrats are again calling for Gov. Ron DeSantis to suspend the state’s gas tax to ease elevated fuel prices caused by ongoing war with Iran.

Pump pricing — leaders call for suspending state gas tax

Jim Turner
Thursday, May 14, 2026
News Service of Florida — Florida Democrats are again calling for Gov. Ron DeSantis to suspend the state’s gas tax to ease elevated fuel prices caused by ongoing war with Iran.
The Osceola County School for the Arts’ Jazz A Band shows off the latest hardware earned at the International Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Festival last week at the Lincoln Center in New York. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

The Osceola County School for the Arts’ Jazz A Band shows off the latest hardware earned at the International Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Festival last week at the Lincoln Center in New York. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Essentially and Presidentially the Best — OCSA’s Jazz, Wind Ensembles victorious in elite competitions

Ken Jackson
Thursday, May 14, 2026
If this story was about anything but jazz and big-band music played by high schoolers, we could say the Osceola County School for the Arts already-accomplished Jazz A and Wind Ensembles closed out the school year with a bang.
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