News

St. Cloud’s Economic Development website, www. centerplaceforbusiness. com, has received the 2024 Innovation in Marketing award from the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC). This marks the first FEDC award the City has received, the city said.

At 12 years old, Willow Stine still hadn’t spoken. Her mother, Kristi, wasn’t sure if she could. It was no surprise, given what Willow had been through in the first decade of her life: being abandoned on the streets of China at two and a half years old, spending the next six and a half years being abused, drugged, and confined to a bed in an orphanage, and facing the inevitability of returning to the streets in a few years, since the orphanages only keep children until they turn 14.

The Senior Smiles Osceola denture program, funded in 2023 and kicked off earlier this year, is expanding throughout Osceola County. County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb announced Tuesday that $50,000 in remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars will be used to treat around 45 senior patients in need of dentures, partials and extractions.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference Sunday at its training driving pad in Harmony to unveil Operation Ride SMART (Safe Motorcycle and Rider Techniques) to promote motorcycle safety, welcome law enforcement participating in a 600-mile ride, and to kick off National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

May is Share the Road Month. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) is partnering with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida Sheriff’s Association (FSA), Florida Police Chief’s Association (FPCA), the Florida Trucking Association (FTA), and AAAThe Auto Club Group to increase awareness among Florida road users that sharing the road is not only a shared responsibility, it is essential for ensuring safe travel for everyone.

The Kissimmee Woman’s Club, whose clubhouse can be seen at 1616 West Oak Street adjacent to the Oak Street Park Sports Complex, is marking its 115th anniversary as a service organization in the City. The historic club is dedicated to community service, personal growth, and fellowship among women.

The Osceola Council on Aging now offers an opportunity for collaboration with various colleges and universities hosting both bachelor’ and master’s level social work internships as a synergistic approach to support the mental health and wellness of Osceola seniors.