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Osceola County has joined its neighboring counties in issuing a burn ban for all types of outside burning, including open fire pits, campfires, and yard debris.

Osceola County has joined its neighboring counties in issuing a burn ban for all types of outside burning, including open fire pits, campfires, and yard debris.

Osceola joins other area counties in issuing burn ban

News Staff
Sunday, April 27, 2025
With Osceola County's Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) figure reaching 504, the county has joined its neighboring counties in issuing a burn ban for all types of outside burning, including open fire pits, campfires, and yard debris. The ban goes into effect whenever the drought index exceeds 500.
The Rotary Club of Kissimmee West's Best of Show winners. (Photo/Rotary Club West Kissimmee)

The Rotary Club of Kissimmee West's Best of Show winners. (Photo/Rotary Club West Kissimmee)

Rotary Club of Kissimmee West announces Student Art Contest winners

Submitted By Rotary Club Of Kissimmee West
Sunday, April 27, 2025
The Rotary Club of Kissimmee West just completed the Virtual Art Contest, and has named its winners.Each spring the Rotary Club partners with the Osceola County School District and the Osceola Council on Aging (OCOA) to recognize the importance of the creative arts in a student’s life.
The Osceola County Historical Society Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Dawn Snell as Interim Executive Director of the 66-year-old Osceola History. PHOTO/OSCEOLA HISTORY

The Osceola County Historical Society Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Dawn Snell as Interim Executive Director of the 66-year-old Osceola History. PHOTO/OSCEOLA HISTORY

Dawn Snell named new Osceola History Executive Director

Staff Report
Sunday, April 27, 2025
The Osceola County Historical Society Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Dawn Snell as Interim Executive Director of the 66-year-old Osceola History.
Florida Highway Patrol is reporting five people were killed in a single-car crash on northbound Florida's Turnpike about 20 miles north of Yeehaw Junction.

Florida Highway Patrol is reporting five people were killed in a single-car crash on northbound Florida's Turnpike about 20 miles north of Yeehaw Junction.

5 killed, 7 more injured in Florida's Turnpike van crash, FHP reports

News Staff
Sunday, April 27, 2025
MONDAY UPDATE: Florida Highway Patrol investigators have released the information on a deadly crash that occurred on the northbound side of Florida's Turnpike Sunday evening that closed the road into Monday morning.
Here’s a list of achievements by Osceola County students at out-of-area colleges and universities, as reported by Merit Pages News.

Here’s a list of achievements by Osceola County students at out-of-area colleges and universities, as reported by Merit Pages News.

College honors for local scholars

News Staff
Friday, April 25, 2025
Here’s a list of achievements by Osceola County students at out-of-area colleges and universities, as reported by Merit Pages News: Malgorzata Villanueva of Harmony was recently elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline...
Senate President Ben Albritton said lawmakers will not finish the budget in time to finish the legislative session May 2. (Colin Hackley/File)

Senate President Ben Albritton said lawmakers will not finish the budget in time to finish the legislative session May 2. (Colin Hackley/File)

Florida lawmakers heading to overtime

News Service Of Florida
Thursday, April 24, 2025
TALLAHASSEE -- With the Senate and House unable to reach agreement on tax cuts and spending, lawmakers will not finish negotiations on a new state budget in time to end the legislative session as scheduled next week.
Like he has three times since October 2024, Stephan Sterns was in court Thursday as his defense team filed motions to suppress evidence prosecutors plan to bring against him; he is charged with the sexual abuse of 13-year-old Kissimmee teen Madeline Soto. (File Photo)

Like he has three times since October 2024, Stephan Sterns was in court Thursday as his defense team filed motions to suppress evidence prosecutors plan to bring against him; he is charged with the sexual abuse of 13-year-old Kissimmee teen Madeline Soto. (File Photo)

Judge hears motions to suppress evidence against Stephan Sterns

Ken Jackson
Thursday, April 24, 2025
The May trial for Stephan Sterns, the man accused of sexually abusing Kissimmee teen Madeline Soto, has been delayed now to July after a judge heard defense motions Wednesday to suppress evidence in the case they say police acquired through an illegal search.
This is the first in a News-Gazette investigation into illicit massage businesses, human trafficking and law enforcement tactics in Osceola County.

This is the first in a News-Gazette investigation into illicit massage businesses, human trafficking and law enforcement tactics in Osceola County.

Sheriff’s massage sting raises questions

Kristin Hurst
Thursday, April 24, 2025
A recent undercover sting at four Osceola County massage businesses led to the arrest of four women on prostitution charges — but experts say details surrounding the operation raise troubling questions about how agents conducted the investigation and whether the suspects were victims of human...
Supporters dedicated a St. Cloud Lakefront Park bench, overlooking a peaceful spot on East Lake Toho, to the memory of slain 13-year-old Madeline Soto. (Photos/Ken Jackson)

Supporters dedicated a St. Cloud Lakefront Park bench, overlooking a peaceful spot on East Lake Toho, to the memory of slain 13-year-old Madeline Soto. (Photos/Ken Jackson)

Madeline Soto remains a ‘Beacon of Hope’

Ken Jackson
Thursday, April 24, 2025
While the case of Stephan Sterns, the man accused of sexually abusing and killing Madeline Soto slowly works its way through the court system, advocates for the Kissimmee teen who tragically died 14 months ago are still working to assure her legacy remains alive.Friday, Soto’s advocates, St.
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