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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.
Osceola County will hold public meetings regarding the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for the extension of Sunbridge Parkway on Feb. 3-4. (Graphic/Osceola County)

Osceola County will hold public meetings regarding the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for the extension of Sunbridge Parkway on Feb. 3-4. (Graphic/Osceola County)

Public hearings for Sunbridge Parkway expansion next week

Staff Report
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Osceola County will hold a Public Hearing regarding the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for the extension of Sunbridge Parkway next week.A virtual meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 3, and an in-person event on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. at the St. Cloud Community Center.
Orlando Health interventional cardiologist Dr. Prakrut Patel demonstrates the advanced technology used in the new cardiac catheterization lab opening at St. Cloud Hospital (Photo/Terry Lloyd)

Orlando Health interventional cardiologist Dr. Prakrut Patel demonstrates the advanced technology used in the new cardiac catheterization lab opening at St. Cloud Hospital (Photo/Terry Lloyd)

Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital completes $32 million expansion

Terry Lloyd
Thursday, January 29, 2026
The addition of a 20,000-square-foot, twostory expansion gives the St. Cloud Hospital vital increased capacity to care for cardiac emergency patients and adds a new 10-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Some of the over 300 Corvettes on consignment with Mecum for auction at Osceola Heritage Park, many of them from the Bachman Collection which gaveled for millions to help the 13-day auction set another record with $441 million in sales. (Photo/Terry Lloyd).

Some of the over 300 Corvettes on consignment with Mecum for auction at Osceola Heritage Park, many of them from the Bachman Collection which gaveled for millions to help the 13-day auction set another record with $441 million in sales. (Photo/Terry Lloyd).

Mecum Kissimmee 2026 breaks multiple records

Terry Lloyd
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Thanks to a number of eight-digit auction sales, a record $441 million in total sales were generated over the 13-day Mecum auto auction at Osceola Heritage Park. The show closed with 4,500 vehicles consigned for auction and over 140,000 attendees passing through the gates.
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