News

College honors for local scholars

College honors for local scholars

College honors for local scholars

News Staff
Friday, April 24, 2026
Here’s a list of honors earned by Osceola County scholars at out-of-the-area universities or institutions, as reported by Merit Pages News:Jerilyn Frias of Kissimmee was among a group of outstanding students recognized with the Student Life Leadership Award at SUNY Delhi.
More than one month after ending the regular session without passing a budget, legislative leaders said Thursday they have a deal on top-line spending levels. (News Service of Florida)

More than one month after ending the regular session without passing a budget, legislative leaders said Thursday they have a deal on top-line spending levels. (News Service of Florida)

Initial state budget deal reached, special session set for May

News Service Of Florida
Thursday, April 23, 2026
By Gray Rohrer More than one month after ending the regular session without passing a budget, legislative leaders said Thursday they have a deal on top-line spending levels.
John Church hears a letter of congratulations from the U.S. Navy’s top admiral read by his grandson at his 100th birthday celebration Saturday. Church holds a boxed U.S. flag flown overthePentagoninhishonor.(Photo/TerryLloyd)

John Church hears a letter of congratulations from the U.S. Navy’s top admiral read by his grandson at his 100th birthday celebration Saturday. Church holds a boxed U.S. flag flown overthePentagoninhishonor.(Photo/TerryLloyd)

St. Cloud World War II Navy vet turns 100

Terry Lloyd
Thursday, April 23, 2026
On a warm, quiet Saturday afternoon, John Paul Church, one of a dwindling handful of World War II veterans still with us, celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends.He was born in April 1926 in New Castle, Pennsylvania. During the war Church served in the U.S.
As Osceola County Sheriff’s deputies continue to investigate a deadly early Saturday morning shooting at a gated vacation rental home community near ChampionsGate, investigators said they are ramping up enforcement of crimes committed at large house parties at rentals. (Google Maps)

As Osceola County Sheriff’s deputies continue to investigate a deadly early Saturday morning shooting at a gated vacation rental home community near ChampionsGate, investigators said they are ramping up enforcement of crimes committed at large house parties at rentals. (Google Maps)

Sheriff’s conducting operations to stop violent vacation rental home crimes

Ken Jackson
Thursday, April 23, 2026
As Osceola County Sheriff’s deputies continue to investigate a deadly early Saturday morning shooting at a vacation rental home near ChampionsGate, investigators said they are ramping up enforcement of an ongoing problem—crimes committed at large and loud parties at these rented homes— that...
he City of St. Cloud announced Wednesday that it is pushing back the planned start of construction on $10 million in improvements to Hopkins Park until the end of the summer, and its free Hopkins Park Summer Camp will continue this summer.

he City of St. Cloud announced Wednesday that it is pushing back the planned start of construction on $10 million in improvements to Hopkins Park until the end of the summer, and its free Hopkins Park Summer Camp will continue this summer.

Hopkins Park construction delayed as city, nonprofit resolve issues

Debbie Daniel
Thursday, April 23, 2026
UPDATE: The City of St. Cloud announced Wednesday that it is pushing back the planned start of construction on $10 million in improvements to Hopkins Park until the end of the summer, and its free Hopkins Park Summer Camp will continue this summer.
April 25 — National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

April 25 — National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

National Take Back Day for unused prescription drugs Saturday

Staff Report
Thursday, April 23, 2026
April 25 is annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, when law enforcement, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the medical community encourage people to turn in and dispose of expired, unwanted and unused prescription medications.
Kissimmee City Commissioners (from left) Noel Ortiz, Vice Mayor Angela Eady, Mayor Jackie Espinosa, Carlos Alvarez III and Janette Martinez listen in as City Manager Mike Steigerwald explains the process of determining if the city will send ethics complaints on to the Ninth Circuit Court at Tuesday's City Commission meeting. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Kissimmee City Commissioners (from left) Noel Ortiz, Vice Mayor Angela Eady, Mayor Jackie Espinosa, Carlos Alvarez III and Janette Martinez listen in as City Manager Mike Steigerwald explains the process of determining if the city will send ethics complaints on to the Ninth Circuit Court at Tuesday's City Commission meeting. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Kissimmee mayor Espinosa, commissioner Martinez face ethics investigations

Ken Jackson
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Saying they welcome the opportunity to have their names cleared by outside investigators, Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa and fellow Commissioner Janette Martinez will have ethics complaints filed against them submitted to a Ninth Circuit Court judge.
Ara Afolabi of Voyager K-8 School in St. Cloud (with Osceola Chamber President John Newstreet) finished in third place in Friday’s National Civics Bee regional competition at the Rosen Centre.

Ara Afolabi of Voyager K-8 School in St. Cloud (with Osceola Chamber President John Newstreet) finished in third place in Friday’s National Civics Bee regional competition at the Rosen Centre.

NEWS BRIEFS — State council nominees; HCA Florida awards; state school Civics Bee qualifiers

News Staff
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Sheriff Blackmon appointed to state councilOsceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon was appointed, and Ed Hudak and Carolyn Timmann reappointed, by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council. Hudak is chief of police for Coral Gables.
Subscribe to