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Efren Berumen, 42, was taken into custody on Feb. 7 in Osceola County for charges of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and fentanyl. (Photo/Osceola County Jail)

Efren Berumen, 42, was taken into custody on Feb. 7 in Osceola County for charges of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and fentanyl. (Photo/Osceola County Jail)

FDLE arrests Kissimmee man, final fugitive in drug trafficking case

Staff Report
Friday, February 13, 2026
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has arrested a Kissimmee man, the final outstanding suspect in Operation 13 Tiers, a multi‑year drug‑trafficking investigation targeting members of the SUR 13 criminal gang.Efren Berumen, 42, was taken into custody on Feb.
House Appropriations Chairman Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Ed Hooper, R-Trinity, speak to reporters after finalizing budget talks on Friday. (Photo/Jim Turner, News Service of Florida)

House Appropriations Chairman Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Ed Hooper, R-Trinity, speak to reporters after finalizing budget talks on Friday. (Photo/Jim Turner, News Service of Florida)

State Senate delays budget while House releases theirs

News Service Of Florida
Friday, February 13, 2026
By Gray RohrerNews Service of FloridaLet the budget battle begin. Hours after the State Senate announced it would delay the release of its budget to align its timing with the House, the House unveiled its spending plan. The $113.
Since 2026 is not a leap year and the months both start on a Sunday, February and March 2026 each have a Friday the 13th. (Graphic/Freepik)

Since 2026 is not a leap year and the months both start on a Sunday, February and March 2026 each have a Friday the 13th. (Graphic/Freepik)

Friday the 13th: Love’s final hurdle, or superstition?

Emely Albelo
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Across the globe on Friday, millions will be treading a little more carefully, checking their mirrors twice, and perhaps holding their breath.This isn’t just any Friday the 13th; it is the first of a rare triple threat, and it arrives with a uniquely romantic—or rather, ominous—twist.
The Osceola Chamber passed its gavel to Rebekah Hurd and honored Adrianna Sekula with the Linda Goodwin-Nichols Service Award and Danny Ruiz Manrique the Bill Hansen Unity Award at its 101st Annual Meeting. (Photos/Osceola Chamber)

The Osceola Chamber passed its gavel to Rebekah Hurd and honored Adrianna Sekula with the Linda Goodwin-Nichols Service Award and Danny Ruiz Manrique the Bill Hansen Unity Award at its 101st Annual Meeting. (Photos/Osceola Chamber)

Osceola Chamber issues annual awards entering new ‘Era’

Jennifer Chalifoux
Thursday, February 12, 2026
The Osceola Chamber honored those in service to the community Saturday, awarding Adrianna Sekula the Linda Goodwin-Nichols Service Award and Danny Ruiz Manrique the Bill Hansen Unity Award.
Pennsylvania’s Ryan Matylewicz won the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series on the Kissimmee Chain last weekend. (Photo Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.)

Pennsylvania’s Ryan Matylewicz won the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series on the Kissimmee Chain last weekend. (Photo Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.)

NEWS BRIEFS — Pennsylvania’s Matylewicz wins Bassmaster Kayak Series on Kissimmee Chain; AdventHealth News

News Staff
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Pennsylvania’s Matylewicz wins Bassmaster Kayak Series on Kissimmee ChainRyan Matylewicz didn’t come close to catching the biggest bag of bass in the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Kissimmee Chain presented by Native Watercraft. But he caught a 98.
Current Silver Spurs Rodeo Big Boss Kaye Whaley, just like past bosses George Kempfer (right) and Scott Ramsey (bottom), have a hand in putting on the rodeo all throughout the year. (Photos/Silver Spurs Riding Club)

Current Silver Spurs Rodeo Big Boss Kaye Whaley, just like past bosses George Kempfer (right) and Scott Ramsey (bottom), have a hand in putting on the rodeo all throughout the year. (Photos/Silver Spurs Riding Club)

This year’s rodeo? The work started last year

Ken Jackson
Thursday, February 12, 2026
If you count the two annual Silver Spurs Rodeos as one event, fans attend about four events if you see every annual rodeo at the Silver Spurs Arena.Mostly the patrons come, enjoy the show, buy some fries and a drink, maybe a hat and a belt buckle … and we’ll see you in six months.
The city will vote Tuesday whether to strengthen its ban on smoking in public spaces like Lakefront Park to the point of allowing staff to eject those who refuse to comply. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

The city will vote Tuesday whether to strengthen its ban on smoking in public spaces like Lakefront Park to the point of allowing staff to eject those who refuse to comply. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Kissimmee commissioners to vote on tougher smoking ban in parks, election changes

Ken Jackson
Thursday, February 12, 2026
The Kissimmee City Commission will vote Tuesday on the final approval for a pair of charter amendments that would be passed on to voters in August regarding commissioner term limits and making background checks part of the election process, as well as a measure that would add strength to the city’s...
Kissimmee resident and New York native Gloria Vasquez has run marathons in all 50 states and is approaching 100 total races run—and has the medals to prove it. (Photos/Gloria DeLuca, Edwin Barrera)

Kissimmee resident and New York native Gloria Vasquez has run marathons in all 50 states and is approaching 100 total races run—and has the medals to prove it. (Photos/Gloria DeLuca, Edwin Barrera)

For Kissimmee grandmother, life’s not a sprint but a marathon—nearly 100 of them

David Chivers
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Gloria Vasquez is not your everyday 74-yearold Kissimmee grandmother.Unless your grandmother is nearing the mark of running 100 full marathons.Vazquen has already run marathons in all 50 states; a goal she completed by the time she was 60. She had run about 65 marathons at the time.“That’s me.
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