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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.
"Alma" remembers details shared by the user, adapts to their moods and preferences, and provides practical support such as medication and appointment reminders, assistance with bills and daily tasks, hydration and exercise prompts, and even an SOS feature to alert family or caregivers.

"Alma" remembers details shared by the user, adapts to their moods and preferences, and provides practical support such as medication and appointment reminders, assistance with bills and daily tasks, hydration and exercise prompts, and even an SOS feature to alert family or caregivers.

91-year-old Solivita man develops AI app for seniors

Debbie Daniel
Thursday, April 30, 2026
At 91 years old, Michael Forrest says he has lived the kind of life many dream of—traveling the world, owning a plane, and living on a boat in the Bahamas and Florida Keys.“I never thought I’d get this far,” he said. “I’ve done everything I’ve wanted. I’m not afraid of life.
Angelina Angervil of New Dimensions, Lorenzo Mag-aso of Osceola County School for the Arts, Eman Fatima of Celebration High School, Jade Sewram of Poinciana High School, and Melina Delgado of oTECH were awarded four $1,000 scholarships by the Poinciana Council of The Osceola Chamber last week. (Photo/The Osceola Chamber)

Angelina Angervil of New Dimensions, Lorenzo Mag-aso of Osceola County School for the Arts, Eman Fatima of Celebration High School, Jade Sewram of Poinciana High School, and Melina Delgado of oTECH were awarded four $1,000 scholarships by the Poinciana Council of The Osceola Chamber last week. (Photo/The Osceola Chamber)

Poinciana Council celebrates 2026 Scholarship winners

Staff Report
Thursday, April 30, 2026
For the 15th year, the Poinciana Council of The Osceola Chamber has offered an annual scholarship to graduating high school seniors who live in the Poinciana area, and this year thanks to proceeds from the Poinciana Council Scholarship Fund and Poinciana Council Board of Directors and Osceola...
The 1967 graduating class of Kissimmee High School, Osceola County’s African-American school until Osceola High was integrated in the mid-1960s, gathered March 27-29 in Kissimmee for its annual reunion. (Photo/Diane Tisdale)

The 1967 graduating class of Kissimmee High School, Osceola County’s African-American school until Osceola High was integrated in the mid-1960s, gathered March 27-29 in Kissimmee for its annual reunion. (Photo/Diane Tisdale)

Kissimmee High School Class of 1967 gathers for annual reunion

Diane Tisdale
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Kissimmee High School Class of 1967 had its 59th annual class reunion March 27-29. The theme was “A Spring Celebration.
A map of the major redrawing of the state’s 28 congressional districts, approved Wednesday in a special session of the Florida Legislature. (Photo/Florida Senate, Office of Sen. Kristen Arrington)

A map of the major redrawing of the state’s 28 congressional districts, approved Wednesday in a special session of the Florida Legislature. (Photo/Florida Senate, Office of Sen. Kristen Arrington)

Legislature approves DeSantis’ Congressional districts

News Service Of Florida
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
By Gray Rohrer — Florida lawmakers approved a major redrawing of the state’s 28 congressional districts Wednesday, a move that could help Republicans retain control of the U.S. House in the midterm elections.The outcome was anticipated but still held much drama. The U.S.
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