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A judge has sentenced Jose David Figueroa Pachecoto six years in federal prison for trafficking over 40 grams of fentanyl.

A judge has sentenced Jose David Figueroa Pachecoto six years in federal prison for trafficking over 40 grams of fentanyl.

Davenport man receives federal fentanyl trafficking sentence

News Staff
Thursday, September 4, 2025
A judge has sentenced Jose David Figueroa Pacheco, 33, of Davenport to six years in federal prison for trafficking over 40 grams of fentanyl. Figueroa Pacheco was found guilty by a jury on June 11, 2025.His codefendant, Alberto Ismael Salinas Valencia, pleaded guilty on Jan.
State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on Wednesday vowed to end vaccine mandates in Florida, putting the state in the middle of a growing national debate. (Photo/Florida Department of Health)

State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on Wednesday vowed to end vaccine mandates in Florida, putting the state in the middle of a growing national debate. (Photo/Florida Department of Health)

State could end vaccine mandates — "All of them"

Jim Turner
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
News Service of Florida — State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on Wednesday vowed to end vaccine mandates in Florida, putting the state in the middle of a growing national debate.
Questions have swirled about whether newly appointed Lt. Gov. Jay Collins or Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis would also run for governor.

Questions have swirled about whether newly appointed Lt. Gov. Jay Collins or Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis would also run for governor.

Paul Renner enters race for Governor

Jim Turner
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Former state House Speaker Paul Renner on Wednesday launched a 2026 campaign for governor, becoming the first high-profile candidate to take on Congressman Byron Donalds — who has the backing of President Donald Trump — in the Republican primary.
Rep. Paula Stark’s “Build-a-Bill” program was the impetus for the St. Cloud Fire Rescue hands-only CPR training program. (Photo/Debbie Daniel)

Rep. Paula Stark’s “Build-a-Bill” program was the impetus for the St. Cloud Fire Rescue hands-only CPR training program. (Photo/Debbie Daniel)

St. Cloud Fire Rescue launches CPR program inspired by local students

Debbie Daniel
Sunday, August 31, 2025
St. Cloud Fire Rescue was on scene at St. Cloud Middle School Thursday – not to respond to an emergency, but to launch a new hands-only CPR training project.The project, which aims to train Osceola middle and high school staff in the lifesaving procedure, is a product of state Rep.
From left, Mary Downey, Hope Partnership, Michelle Vega Osceola Council on Aging, Rotary President Jean Cunningham, Poker Tournament Chair Marcy Theobald. Kyra Lynch, Home ,Lorraine Kennedy & Tammy Douglas, Help Now. (Photo/Kissimmee Rotary)

From left, Mary Downey, Hope Partnership, Michelle Vega Osceola Council on Aging, Rotary President Jean Cunningham, Poker Tournament Chair Marcy Theobald. Kyra Lynch, Home ,Lorraine Kennedy & Tammy Douglas, Help Now. (Photo/Kissimmee Rotary)

IN THE NEWS: Rotary raises 30K for local groups' ELC a Magic Youth Foundation winner; watch for new traffic signal

News Staff
Friday, August 29, 2025
Kissimmee Rotary Poker Tourneys Raise $30k For Local GroupsThe Kissimmee Rotary recently presented checks totally $30,000 from funds raised through its annual poker tournaments.
The Aug. 19 Planning Commission meeting drew a capacity crowd—and overflow attendees who had to watch from the large “Bridge” breakroom television (Photo/Terry Lloyd)

The Aug. 19 Planning Commission meeting drew a capacity crowd—and overflow attendees who had to watch from the large “Bridge” breakroom television (Photo/Terry Lloyd)

Zone and Grown—where growth and preferred land use collide

Terry Lloyd And Debbie Daniel
Thursday, August 28, 2025
For the first time in 25 years, the City of St. Cloud is updating its Future Land Use (FLU) map.It has been a contentious process.Over 200 residents packed a city Planning Commission meeting on Aug.
The Lillie offers sunset cruises with live music on Fridays and Saturdays. (Submitted photo)

The Lillie offers sunset cruises with live music on Fridays and Saturdays. (Submitted photo)

St. Cloud riverboat returns to East Lake Toho

Debbie Daniel
Thursday, August 28, 2025
St. Cloud’s riverboat took to the water last week for the first time in months with her new owners, husbandand- wife-team of Terry Torrens and John Weaver at the helm.
Jim Schnorf of the Orlando Dreamers, in a Q&A last week with St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce President Dirk Webb, spoke of how Major League Baseball in Orlando isn’t that far fetched of a dream. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Jim Schnorf of the Orlando Dreamers, in a Q&A last week with St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce President Dirk Webb, spoke of how Major League Baseball in Orlando isn’t that far fetched of a dream. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Is Major League Baseball in Orlando a ‘Dream’? Not to Jim Schnorf

Ken Jackson
Thursday, August 28, 2025
What if you were a fan of the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox … or even the hometown Major League team, and they played less than a half-hour away in Orlando, rather than nearly two hours from you in St. Petersburg, where the Tampa Bay Rays are currently located?
Michael Diaz, 27, of St. Cloud, was arrested early Saturday morning after allegedly responding to a decoy post created by the Orlando Police Department. (Mugshot/Osceola County Jail)

Michael Diaz, 27, of St. Cloud, was arrested early Saturday morning after allegedly responding to a decoy post created by the Orlando Police Department. (Mugshot/Osceola County Jail)

Police News — arrests in underage sex stings, exposure case

Kristin Hurst
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Two men arrested in separate undercover child predator stingsThe Osceola County Sheriff’s Office last week arrested two men as part of an undercover sting conducted by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Orlando Police Department.
NeoCity, thanks in part to its 100% participation rate for Advanced Placement subjects and innovative STEM classes that make students career-ready for 21st Century necessary jobs, was ranked second in Florida.

NeoCity, thanks in part to its 100% participation rate for Advanced Placement subjects and innovative STEM classes that make students career-ready for 21st Century necessary jobs, was ranked second in Florida.

SCHOOL NEWS — Osceola represented in U.S. News' Best High School Rankings; teachers and district reach a contract deal

News Staff
Thursday, August 28, 2025
3 from Osceola among Best High School rankingsNeoCity Academy, Osceola County School for the Arts and Professional and Technical High School (PATHS) earned recognition among the top schools in Florida and the nation in this year’s edition of the annual U.S.
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