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At Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital, team members packed school supply kits in backpacks benefiting the Education Foundation Osceola County as part of ‘407 Day’. (Photo/Orlando Health)

At Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital, team members packed school supply kits in backpacks benefiting the Education Foundation Osceola County as part of ‘407 Day’. (Photo/Orlando Health)

NEWS BRIEFS — Valencia academic scholar; St. Cloud Hospital on '407 Day'; more from LYNX, City of St. Cloud, Osceola Chamber

News Staff
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Valencia College’s Cesar Parra named 2026 Coca-Cola Academic Team ScholarFor his selection as a 2026 Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholar, Valencia College student and Kissimmee resident Cesar Parra will receive a $1,300 scholarship in recognition of his outstanding academic achievement, leadership and...
Osceola County School for the Arts’ Wind Ensemble rehearses Monday ahead of next week’s trip to suburban Washington, D.C. for the President’s Cup National High School Concert Band Invitational. The band will appear with the U.S. Army Band. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Osceola County School for the Arts’ Wind Ensemble rehearses Monday ahead of next week’s trip to suburban Washington, D.C. for the President’s Cup National High School Concert Band Invitational. The band will appear with the U.S. Army Band. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

OCSA Ensemble bands headed for national competitions

Ken Jackson
Thursday, April 9, 2026
April and May are the last two full months of the school year, so a lot goes into them for Osceola County students—things like prom, prepping for graduation for the seniors, planning the next year’s classes for the rest, getting ready for trips to Washington D.C.
The Central Florida Expressway Authority is evaluating a “hybrid” compromise of the Southport Connector atop bridges east of Marigold Avenue and walls from Poinciana Parkway to Marigold. (Graphic/CFX)

The Central Florida Expressway Authority is evaluating a “hybrid” compromise of the Southport Connector atop bridges east of Marigold Avenue and walls from Poinciana Parkway to Marigold. (Graphic/CFX)

CFX’s Southport Connector study: what it means for Cypress Parkway

Ken Jackson
Thursday, April 9, 2026
The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) has completed the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for the Southport Connector Expressway, and released documents on the planned thoroughfare.
Kissimmee Police Officer Astrid Cruz pilots one of the agency’s new drones that officials say will assist in missing persons investigations and other law enforcement matters best seen from above. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Kissimmee Police Officer Astrid Cruz pilots one of the agency’s new drones that officials say will assist in missing persons investigations and other law enforcement matters best seen from above. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Up, up and away with Kissimmee Police’s new drone fleet

Ken Jackson
Thursday, April 9, 2026
The Kissimmee Police Department is working to keep up with technology just as hard as it’s keeping up with criminals and the people who need their help.Welcome to the new age.It’s launched a drone program that allows for aerial views of scenes and search areas since it came online last month.
Will we see more post-Hurricane Milton scenes like this ... or will it really be an El Niño pattern that suppresses Atlantic storms? (File photo)

Will we see more post-Hurricane Milton scenes like this ... or will it really be an El Niño pattern that suppresses Atlantic storms? (File photo)

Hurricane season looms — what do the experts think?

Ken Jackson
Thursday, April 9, 2026
A quarter of 2026 is already behind us, meaning it will soon be June — and the start of the hurricane season.While that is generally unwelcome news to us in Osceola County, the word from the tropical forecast experts may be … slightly good?!?
Collars adorn the Rainbow Bridge at Peghorn Park in St. Cloud in memory of beloved and past pets. The sign at the Rainbow Bridge. (Photos/Rob Gorski)

Collars adorn the Rainbow Bridge at Peghorn Park in St. Cloud in memory of beloved and past pets. The sign at the Rainbow Bridge. (Photos/Rob Gorski)

Remembrance of ‘more than pets’ at Peghorn Park’s Rainbow Bridge

Staff Report
Thursday, April 9, 2026
On March 20, a small but deeply connected group gathered at Peghorn Park for a heartfelt Rainbow Bridge Day of Remembrance.Hosted by St. Cloud resident Rob Gorski, the event brought together pet owners to honor and remember the animals who changed their lives.
Expected to open by September, the Alaska Avenue facility will feature two fueling lanes designed to help the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority scale its fleet efficiently. (Photos/Nopetro)

Expected to open by September, the Alaska Avenue facility will feature two fueling lanes designed to help the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority scale its fleet efficiently. (Photos/Nopetro)

New Kissimmee CNG station to power LYNX buses with renewable energy

Emely Albelo
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Nopetro Energy and LYNX are extending their decade-long partnership to construct a new bus fueling station at 100 N. Alaska Ave., powered entirely by renewable natural gas (RNG).
With little fanfare, Salix on Vine has opened up, offering 252 affordable housing units in Kissimmee. (Photo/Christine Pike)

With little fanfare, Salix on Vine has opened up, offering 252 affordable housing units in Kissimmee. (Photo/Christine Pike)

Salix On Vine offers more affordable housing

Ken Jackson
Thursday, April 9, 2026
While Osceola County has been working very hard to make housing affordable for the working class available, the story is much the same.
Shot from a boat on the Indian River Lagoon. Photo by Katie Robinson

Shot from a boat on the Indian River Lagoon. Photo by Katie Robinson

To the moon, Artemis! — and back; see the photos

News Staff
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
The Artemis II mission crew is scheduled to return to Earth on Friday with a landing in the Pacific Ocean after an exciting and much-anticipated launch on April 1. On its 10-day journey around the Moon, the Orion capsule has traveled the farthest of any space flight.
Preliminary information is that the child was separated from his family and drowned in the community pool,

Preliminary information is that the child was separated from his family and drowned in the community pool,

4-year-old boy from Georgia dies of drowning in community pool, Sheriff's detectives say

Staff Report
Monday, April 6, 2026
Eaater Sunday took a tragic turn as Osceola County Sheriff's deputies report a child visiting from Georgia drowned in a community pool.According to police, deputies responded just before 5 p.m. to Cove East at Story Lakes in Kissimmee to reports of a child that had drown.
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