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Veteran's Voice — March 20, 2026

Veteran's Voice — March 20, 2026

Veteran’s Voice — New VA Survivors’ Benefits Rule, and more

Terry Lloyd
Friday, March 20, 2026
Effective Feb. 23, 2026, the VA will pay a surviving spouse or child claimant whichever benefit is higher—either the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) or the Survivors Pension (the agency says the higher benefit is usually DIC)—without delaying payment to fully process the lesser benefit.
Deputies investigative deadly shooting of teen at Kissimmee AirBnb; St. Cloud man indicted for trafficking minor while in Antarctica

Deputies investigative deadly shooting of teen at Kissimmee AirBnb; St. Cloud man indicted for trafficking minor while in Antarctica

Deputies investigative deadly shooting of teen at Kissimmee AirBnb; St. Cloud man indicted for trafficking minor while in Antarctica

News Staff
Friday, March 20, 2026
The Osceola County Sheriff’s is investigating the deadly shooting of an Orlando teen at a Kissimmee Airbnb last weekend.According to police. Deputies responded to a shooting early Saturday morning at a residence in Veranda Palms off Princess Way, just north of U.S. Highway 192.
Kissimmee leaders gathered Wednesday for the ceremonial groundbreaking on Fire Station 2 in the Mill Slough community. (Photo/City of Kissimmee)

Kissimmee leaders gathered Wednesday for the ceremonial groundbreaking on Fire Station 2 in the Mill Slough community. (Photo/City of Kissimmee)

Kissimmee breaks ground on new Mill Slough fire station

Staff Report
Thursday, March 19, 2026
The City of Kissimmee held a ceremonial groundbreaking Wednesday on Fire Station 2 in the Mill Slough community.Combined with improvements to Mill Run Park, the $13 million project will replace Fire Station 12 on Denn John Lane, which was built in 1980.
NEWS BRIEFS — KUA Board applications; Osceola man hits Lottery scratch-off big; AdventHealth opens nearby ER

NEWS BRIEFS — KUA Board applications; Osceola man hits Lottery scratch-off big; AdventHealth opens nearby ER

NEWS BRIEFS — KUA Board applications; Osceola man hits Lottery scratch-off big; AdventHealth opens nearby ER

News Staff
Thursday, March 19, 2026
KUA seeks Board member applicationsKissimmee Utility Authority is seeking individuals interested in appointment to the utility’s board of directors. Board members are nonpaid officials who serve as policymakers for the utility. This is a five-year term beginning Oct. 1, 2026.
County leaders approved $10.4 million for them to enroll in one of the schools’ specialized programs.

County leaders approved $10.4 million for them to enroll in one of the schools’ specialized programs.

More Prosper-ity: assisting Osceola County grads for a fifth year

Ken Jackson
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Osceola Prosper will provide a fifth graduating class of county seniors the opportunity to attend Valencia College’s Osceola and Lake Nona campuses or earn technical certifications from Osceola Technical College free of charge.Osceola County Commissioners approved the plan at their Monday meeting.
Jolene Sheive was sworn in to fill the District 3 School Board seat to join an all-female Osceola County School Board. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Jolene Sheive was sworn in to fill the District 3 School Board seat to join an all-female Osceola County School Board. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Osceola school district turns to recruiter to address enrollment decline, budget concerns

Ken Jackson
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Raising, receiving and spending the money to provide effective education for nearly 73,000 students is extremely complex, but the main funding mechanism can be said simply and bluntly: Enrolled students equal money, as in state funding.
Gorman+York Principal Mike Goman speaks with the St. Cloud City Council at a special Monday meeting. The Council directed the city to contract with the firm to handle its economic development needs, privatizing that role. (Photo/City of St. Cloud)

Gorman+York Principal Mike Goman speaks with the St. Cloud City Council at a special Monday meeting. The Council directed the city to contract with the firm to handle its economic development needs, privatizing that role. (Photo/City of St. Cloud)

St. Cloud names firm to fill city’s economic development role

Ken Jackson
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Rather than replace outgoing Economic Development Director Antranette Forbes with a staffer, the City of St. Cloud is turning to an outside consulting agency to drive the city forward.
Two people are dead after the Florida Highway Patrol says their vehicles struck head on just west of U.S. Highway 441 on State Road 60 late Wednesday night.

Two people are dead after the Florida Highway Patrol says their vehicles struck head on just west of U.S. Highway 441 on State Road 60 late Wednesday night.

Two dead in head-on State Road 60 collision

Ken Jackson
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Two people are dead after the Florida Highway Patrol says their vehicles struck head on just west of U.S. Highway 441 on State Road 60 late Wednesday night.
Rosalyn Rodriguez inspires students and the school community at Chestnut Elementary in Poinciana through dance. (Photo/Rosalyn Rodriguez)

Rosalyn Rodriguez inspires students and the school community at Chestnut Elementary in Poinciana through dance. (Photo/Rosalyn Rodriguez)

Chestnut Elementary employee nominated for Changing Lives

Michelle Kostuch
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Educational professionals make a difference in the lives of students and that’s exactly why an Osceola County Public Schools employee is being honored. Rosalyn Rodriguez was nominated for the prestigious LifeChanger of the Year Award for 2025-26.
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