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Police lead away Alejandro Campuzano-Moreno (black shirt) and Jose Pena-Silva (red shirt) following their arrest in a recent “jugging” scheme. PHOTO/OSCEOLA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Police lead away Alejandro Campuzano-Moreno (black shirt) and Jose Pena-Silva (red shirt) following their arrest in a recent “jugging” scheme. PHOTO/OSCEOLA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Police warn of ‘jugging’ after recent arrest

Ken Jackson
Thursday, April 3, 2025
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a burglary scam involving people who take noticeably large cash deposits from a bank.It’s calling “jugging” or “bank jugging”, and deputies made an arrest in a recent case of it.
Hurricane Milton struck the Florida west coast and caused some damage in Osceola County. The Colorado State tropical weather research team said 2025 could see above-average storm activity in its first prediction package of the year. FILE PHOTO

Hurricane Milton struck the Florida west coast and caused some damage in Osceola County. The Colorado State tropical weather research team said 2025 could see above-average storm activity in its first prediction package of the year. FILE PHOTO

Tropical experts: above-average ’25 hurricane season predicted

Ken Jackson
Thursday, April 3, 2025
With the fatigue of recent storms still firmly in many of our brains, here’s a reminder that hurricane season starts in just under two months.The experts at Colorado State University are predicting an ‘above average’ season for 2025—pretty par for the course of late.
City of Kissimmee officials cut the ceremonial ribbon on Lancaster Ranch Park Tuesday, which includes a new location for longtime area attraction Green Meadows Petting Farm. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON

City of Kissimmee officials cut the ceremonial ribbon on Lancaster Ranch Park Tuesday, which includes a new location for longtime area attraction Green Meadows Petting Farm. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON

Kissimmee’s $150M ‘grand park’

Ken Jackson
Thursday, April 3, 2025
If you grew up in Kissimmee from Generation Y on back, your school probably visited Green Meadows Petting Farm on Poinciana Boulevard, and it became a part of your childhood.
AAA High School, under construction on Nova Road and soon to get an official name, is a project that a half-penny sales tax referendum pays for in Osceola County. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON

AAA High School, under construction on Nova Road and soon to get an official name, is a project that a half-penny sales tax referendum pays for in Osceola County. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON

School district: Half-penny sales tax isn’t keeping up

Debbie Daniel
Thursday, April 3, 2025
The half-penny sales tax, approved by voters in 2016 and earmarked specifically for school facility improvements, isn’t keeping up with skyrocketing prices of materials, Osceola School District officials said last week at a School Board workshop session.
Osceola County transportation designers exhibit the Michigan Avenue safety enhancement project plans to the public at a town hall March 25 at the Kissimmee Civic Center. PHOTO/OSCEOLA COUNTY

Osceola County transportation designers exhibit the Michigan Avenue safety enhancement project plans to the public at a town hall March 25 at the Kissimmee Civic Center. PHOTO/OSCEOLA COUNTY

County unveils plans to make Michigan Avenue safer

Ken Jackson
Thursday, April 3, 2025
While Michigan Avenue provides Kissimmee drivers direct access to Osceola Parkway and in turn Florida’s Turnpike and access to roads like State Road 417 and 528 and Interstate 4, it comes at a compromise to the safety of those who walk or bike it and have to eventually cross it.
At the Osceola County war memorial, collocated with American Legion Post 10, “Taps” was performed by the Osceola County Veterans Council Honor Guard after firing a 21-gun salute. PHOTOS/TERRY LLOYD

At the Osceola County war memorial, collocated with American Legion Post 10, “Taps” was performed by the Osceola County Veterans Council Honor Guard after firing a 21-gun salute. PHOTOS/TERRY LLOYD

Kissimmee veterans observe 8th annual Vietnam War Veterans Day

Terry Lloyd
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Kissimmee’s Makinson-Carson American Legion Post 10 hosted a Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony on Saturday at the Post’s Lakefront site. The ceremony was well attended and over half a dozen vendors were on hand as well.Proclamations for this year’s Vietnam War Veterans Day observance by Florida Gov.
After what it said were supply chain and permitting delays, Hope Partnership has begun construction on a hotel conversion project into 32 affordable housing units. PHOTO/HOPE PARTNERSHIP

After what it said were supply chain and permitting delays, Hope Partnership has begun construction on a hotel conversion project into 32 affordable housing units. PHOTO/HOPE PARTNERSHIP

A time to Thrive—affordable housing project under way

Staff Report
Thursday, April 3, 2025
After over a year of working through the business and construction processes of a building project, Hope Partnership announced last week that construction has officially begun on Thrive Studios, an affordable housing project at U.S.
With President Donald Trump’s executive order inching closer and closer, worries of its nationwide TikTok ban continue to spread.

With President Donald Trump’s executive order inching closer and closer, worries of its nationwide TikTok ban continue to spread.

TikTok deadline just around the corner

Emely Albelo
Thursday, April 3, 2025
TikTok must sell to a U.S. company by Saturday to avoid facing a government ban.With President Donald Trump’s executive order inching closer and closer, worries of its nationwide ban continue to spread.
St. Cloud Police Sgt. C. Bowman delivers Meals on Wheels to Osceola County seniors during Community Champions Week on March 19. PHOTO/OSCEOLA COUNCIL ON AGING

St. Cloud Police Sgt. C. Bowman delivers Meals on Wheels to Osceola County seniors during Community Champions Week on March 19. PHOTO/OSCEOLA COUNCIL ON AGING

Council’s Corner: Council hosts multiple Meals on Wheels events

Wendy Coschignano Ford
Thursday, April 3, 2025
One of my favorite events each year is our March for Meals, St. Patrick’s 5K Run/ Walk to benefit our community Meals on Wheels program.The annual fundraiser held on March 15at Kissimmee Lakefront Park, had nearly 700 participants—our largest event ever!
Back to School shopping sales tax holiday? Not in 2025, if one Florida House of Representatives member has his way. PHOTO/FLA. DEPT. OF REVENUE

Back to School shopping sales tax holiday? Not in 2025, if one Florida House of Representatives member has his way. PHOTO/FLA. DEPT. OF REVENUE

House of Representative plan scuttles sales tax ‘holidays’

Jim Turner
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
News Service of Florida — For the first time in 16 years, the state wouldn’t offer sales-tax “holidays” under a Legislative proposal that calls for an overall cut in sales taxes.The House Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved a $5.
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