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County Commissioners, Osceola County Fire Rescue & EMS, community leaders and project partners gathered Thursday to officially bring the newly-built Fire Station 43 into service with a traditional “uncoupling” ceremony. (Photo/Osceola County)

County Commissioners, Osceola County Fire Rescue & EMS, community leaders and project partners gathered Thursday to officially bring the newly-built Fire Station 43 into service with a traditional “uncoupling” ceremony. (Photo/Osceola County)

New County Fire Station 43 expands longtime Campbell City rescue operations

Staff Report
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Osceola County Fire Rescue Station 43 has been a mainstay near Campbell City for decades. Now it has a brand-new station at the corner of Whispering Pines Boulevard South Orange Blossom Trail to house a rescue unit that helps keep the area’s growing population safe.
St. Cloud Elementary School paraprofessional Jessica Mintz (left, with flowers) was named the Osceola County School District School-Related Employee of the Year, and Harmony Middle School’s Kyndall Brown (right) was named its Teacher of the Year at the 2026 Education Awards Friday at Osceola Heritage Park (Photo/Katie Williams)

St. Cloud Elementary School paraprofessional Jessica Mintz (left, with flowers) was named the Osceola County School District School-Related Employee of the Year, and Harmony Middle School’s Kyndall Brown (right) was named its Teacher of the Year at the 2026 Education Awards Friday at Osceola Heritage Park (Photo/Katie Williams)

Education Award winners noted for making work ‘personal over professional’

Ken Jackson
Saturday, January 31, 2026
When they were introduced to an Osceola Heritage Park events center crowd of hundreds — their peers in education — Friday, the nominees for the Osceola County School District Education Awards called their students, schools and their co-workers things like “my second home”, “a family” and “the...
Kissimmee native and Chief Petty Officer Franklin Mateo recently took part in a New York trip to honor the legacy of Cpl. Jason Dunham, his ship’s namesake. (Photo/ Navy Office of Community Outreach)

Kissimmee native and Chief Petty Officer Franklin Mateo recently took part in a New York trip to honor the legacy of Cpl. Jason Dunham, his ship’s namesake. (Photo/ Navy Office of Community Outreach)

Poinciana High grad Naval officer honors namesake of his ship

Ensign Han Fiori-puyu
Friday, January 30, 2026
Chief Petty Officer Franklin Mateo, a native of Kissimmee, serving aboard USS Jason Dunham, completed a visit to Scio, New York, Jan. 16-19, to honor the legacy of Medal of Honor recipient Cpl. Jason Dunham, the ship’s namesake.
Setting your home thermostat to 68 degrees during this cold snap can conserve energy and keep your power bill for the month a bit lower. (Graphic/OUC)

Setting your home thermostat to 68 degrees during this cold snap can conserve energy and keep your power bill for the month a bit lower. (Graphic/OUC)

How power companies suggest to cope with weekend's frigid weather — and SNOW?!?

Ken Jackson
Friday, January 30, 2026
Highs in the 40s, lows in the 20s, wind chills approaching the single-digits.We don't do this all the time in Osceola County and Central Florida. But a polar vortex is primed to send temperatures to lows we haven't seen since 2010, and before that, 1989.
NEWS BRIEFS — Library Valentine program; annual KUA Calendar now available; New service to curb false alarms

NEWS BRIEFS — Library Valentine program; annual KUA Calendar now available; New service to curb false alarms

NEWS BRIEFS — Library Valentine program; annual KUA Calendar now available; New service to curb false alarms

News Staff
Thursday, January 29, 2026
“Crafting Kindness” Library Valentine ProgramThis Valentine’s season, the Osceola Library System is inviting community members to turn creativity into compassion through Crafting Kindness, a heartfelt program designed to spread joy to local seniors.
Osceola County's Supervisor of Elections says requests for vote-by-mail ballots made prior to 2025 have expired.

Osceola County's Supervisor of Elections says requests for vote-by-mail ballots made prior to 2025 have expired.

Voting by mail in ’26? Make sure your request is valid

Ken Jackson
Thursday, January 29, 2026
This story is part of a collaborative initiative of independent local news outlets working towards a more informed and engaged Central Florida.The 2026 election is less than seven months away.
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