News

It was a long-running, unified effort by the Hope Partnership staff to receive its Sanctuary Certified Organization designation from the Sanctuary Institute. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

It was a long-running, unified effort by the Hope Partnership staff to receive its Sanctuary Certified Organization designation from the Sanctuary Institute. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Osceola’s Hope Partnership now trauma-certified

Ken Jackson
Thursday, July 3, 2025
It’s one thing for the Osceola County community to recognize Hope Partnership for its ongoing efforts to provide support for those experiencing homelessness and poverty.Now other groups, like the Sanctuary Institute, recognize the effort.
New mothers gathered resources and supplies at the stations during the 2025 Heart of Florida United Way Community Baby Showers last week. (Photo/HFUW)

New mothers gathered resources and supplies at the stations during the 2025 Heart of Florida United Way Community Baby Showers last week. (Photo/HFUW)

Heart of Florida United Way holds Community Baby Showers

Ming Henry
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW) hosted its annual Community Baby Shower last week at three locations, including the Kissimmee Civic Center. The event provided one month of newborn essentials including diapers and wipes to expectant and new parents.
Jorge Luis Gandia-Oquendo, 36, charged with multiple counts of child molestation following a report made to a local domestic abuse support center.

Jorge Luis Gandia-Oquendo, 36, charged with multiple counts of child molestation following a report made to a local domestic abuse support center.

POLICE NEWS — Trials for 2 accused pushed back; child porn and molestation charges

Kristin Hurst
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Father of teen driver who killed 4 in Poinciana crash has trial delayedThe trial for Richard Ferguson, who allowed his unlicensed teen to drive his vehicle and cause a fatal September 2023 crash, is now scheduled for trial July 28. The case had been set to begin July 15.
The Black Empowerment and Community Council will be able to outfit a mobile resource van with online capabilities thanks to a $15,000 AARP grant. (Photo/AARP/BECC)

The Black Empowerment and Community Council will be able to outfit a mobile resource van with online capabilities thanks to a $15,000 AARP grant. (Photo/AARP/BECC)

AARP award helps Black Empowerment Community Council’s vehicle

Ken Jackson
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Thanks to a grant from AARP Florida, the Black Empowerment Community Council will be able to expand services to seniors going forward.The BECC Empowerment Express, a van previous donated to the organization, will be transformed into a “mobile resource hub” thanks to the $15,000 grant.
Stephan Sterns is now expected to stand trial for the sexual battery of Madeline Soto on July 25, with jury selection beginning earlier that week.

Stephan Sterns is now expected to stand trial for the sexual battery of Madeline Soto on July 25, with jury selection beginning earlier that week.

Trial date delayed, but set, in Stephan Sterns' sexual battery trial

Ken Jackson
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
The trial for Stephen Sterns, the man accused of sexually abusing and killing Kissimmee teen Madeline Soto, will now stand trial beginning July 25.During a status hearing Wednesday, Judge Keith Carsten set the dates of the trial, originally scheduled to begin July 15, back about a week.
Bars and restaurants that sell alcohol, like these along Dakin Avenue in downtown Kissimmee, would require a special permit to sell after midnight if a new city ordinance gets a final approval at the July 15 City Commission meeting. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Bars and restaurants that sell alcohol, like these along Dakin Avenue in downtown Kissimmee, would require a special permit to sell after midnight if a new city ordinance gets a final approval at the July 15 City Commission meeting. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Kissimmee approves first reading of downtown alcohol sales change

Ken Jackson
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
At a standing-room only meeting that had an overflow crowd into the City Hall foyer, the Kissimmee City Commission took up three contentious topics Tuesday during a nearly five-hour meeting.
In trimming the budget, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $567 million in line-item vetoes, which nixed money for dozens of projects and programs across the state.

In trimming the budget, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $567 million in line-item vetoes, which nixed money for dozens of projects and programs across the state.

DeSantis vetoes $567 million, then signs new state budget

Jim Turner
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
News Service of Florida — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed what he said was a $117.4 billion budget for the fiscal year that will start Tuesday and issued $567 million in line-item vetoes, while saying the plan better prepares the state for potential economic downturns.
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