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The new St. Cloud Hospital MRI suite offers updated technology, color-changing ambient lighting and a soothing water landscape mural. (Photo/Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital)

The new St. Cloud Hospital MRI suite offers updated technology, color-changing ambient lighting and a soothing water landscape mural. (Photo/Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital)

St. Cloud Hospital opens new MRI suite

Staff Report
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital has opened a state-of-the-art Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) suite in order to, as the hospital states, elevate patient comfort and expand access to diagnostic imaging services.
Longtime Osceola High Schol dean, coach and influence Charlene Lackey was remembered by hundreds of family and friends Wednesday night at the school. Lackey passed away April 10 at age 70. (Photo/The Lackey Family)

Longtime Osceola High Schol dean, coach and influence Charlene Lackey was remembered by hundreds of family and friends Wednesday night at the school. Lackey passed away April 10 at age 70. (Photo/The Lackey Family)

‘Mrs. Lackey’ remembered as a true ‘Kowboy with a K’

Ken Jackson
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Most of the people who've made Osceola High School what it has been over the last few decades were in attendance at the OHS auditorium Wednesday night.All except for one, although Charlene Lackey was definitely there in spirit.
To detour, take Exit 62 (Disney World/Celebration) and exit to World Drive northbound. It will end at U.S. Highway 192; turn right, then take the I-4 East ramp in the left lane to return to the interstate. (Graphic/FDOT)

To detour, take Exit 62 (Disney World/Celebration) and exit to World Drive northbound. It will end at U.S. Highway 192; turn right, then take the I-4 East ramp in the left lane to return to the interstate. (Graphic/FDOT)

I-4 East in Osceola County to close overnights this week; see where

Staff Report
Sunday, May 3, 2026
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is scheduled to temporarily close all lanes of eastbound Interstate 4 between the World Drive and U.S. 192 interchanges in Osceola County overnight from 12-5 a.m. through Friday, May 8.
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index is highly in Osceola County in the southern areas as well as northeast of the city of St. Cloud, which re-issued its local burn ban Friday. (Graphic/Florida Forest Service)

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index is highly in Osceola County in the southern areas as well as northeast of the city of St. Cloud, which re-issued its local burn ban Friday. (Graphic/Florida Forest Service)

UPDATE: Osceola County, St, Cloud re-issue local burn bans as Drought Index continues rising

Staff Report
Friday, May 1, 2026
A message to all Osceola County residents: don't burn anything other than the midnight oil -- and even then, be careful.Despite the forecast of potential rain over the weekend, Osceola County and the City of St.
2026 Golden Eagle Award recipient Brian Wetzel, president of Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital, with present Hans Steinbrenner of the Osceola Magic and Eagle Scouts Alex Heppermann, Delaney Townes and Caroline Krywonos. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

2026 Golden Eagle Award recipient Brian Wetzel, president of Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital, with present Hans Steinbrenner of the Osceola Magic and Eagle Scouts Alex Heppermann, Delaney Townes and Caroline Krywonos. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

St. Cloud Hospital’s Brian Wetzel honored with Scouting America’s Golden Eagle Award

Ken Jackson
Friday, May 1, 2026
Annually, the Central Florida Council of Scouting America (formally called the Boy Scouts of America) gathers to honor someone in Osceola County who embodies and applies Scouting’s principles in their everyday and professional life.The 2026 honoree is Orlando Health St.
Local BMX riders Jameson Hilbush 8, Norah Gonzalez 9, Martin Giraldo 13, Elijah Taylor 9, have recently qualified for the 2026 UCI World BMX Championship in Brisbane, Australia this July out of the St. Cloud track. (Submitted photo)

Local BMX riders Jameson Hilbush 8, Norah Gonzalez 9, Martin Giraldo 13, Elijah Taylor 9, have recently qualified for the 2026 UCI World BMX Championship in Brisbane, Australia this July out of the St. Cloud track. (Submitted photo)

St. Cloud BMX faces questions about its future

Debbie Daniel
Thursday, April 30, 2026
At the St. Cloud BMX track on Peghorn Way, the starting gate is open for everyone—from 2-year-olds wobbling on balance bikes to riders in their 70s chasing one more lap with their kids and grandkids.That welcoming, all-ages atmosphere is exactly what keeps families coming back to St.
Several hundred local high school seniors were part of the annual Education Foundation Osceola County Annual Scholarship Awards ceremony April 22. Some $860,000 was awarded to the members of the Class of 2026. (Photos/Ken Jackson)

Several hundred local high school seniors were part of the annual Education Foundation Osceola County Annual Scholarship Awards ceremony April 22. Some $860,000 was awarded to the members of the Class of 2026. (Photos/Ken Jackson)

In 41st year, Education Foundation nears $13M in scholarship awards

Ken Jackson
Thursday, April 30, 2026
The Education Foundation Osceola County started its fifth decade of helping county graduates get off to the right start in college by doling out another bevy of award money at its annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony on April 22 at Osceola Heritage Park.
CFX is recommending Alignment “G” for the SR 515 project due to limited impact on existing and future planned residences (Graphic/CFX).

CFX is recommending Alignment “G” for the SR 515 project due to limited impact on existing and future planned residences (Graphic/CFX).

CFX presents preferred path for 192-to-Turnpike connection

Terry Lloyd
Thursday, April 30, 2026
The Central Florida Expressway Authority made updated presentations on the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study for the State Road (SR) 515 Northeast Extension Phase 2 project during two meetings last week.The project will connect the Florida Turnpike to U.S. 192 east of St.
These handguns, rifles and AR-style receivers were recovered from the residence and storage facility of Jincheng Shi of St. Cloud. (Photo/Department of Justice)

These handguns, rifles and AR-style receivers were recovered from the residence and storage facility of Jincheng Shi of St. Cloud. (Photo/Department of Justice)

Osceola County residents sentenced in Central Florida gun trafficking scheme; Kissimmee man sentenced for receiving CSAM

Staff Report
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Seven members of a gun trafficking scheme have been sentenced in a gun trafficking ring that went back as far as September 23.While Jincheng Shi, 28, of St. Cloud was convicted by a jury and sentenced to seven years, the other six pleaded guilty.
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