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Hundreds gathered Wednesday at the Council on Aging – “the place Bev built” – to honor the life of former CEO Beverly Hougland, who passed away Sept. 25. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Hundreds gathered Wednesday at the Council on Aging – “the place Bev built” – to honor the life of former CEO Beverly Hougland, who passed away Sept. 25. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Beverly’s legacy: lead with your heart, and you can change things

Ken Jackson
Friday, October 3, 2025
Beverly Hougland was remembered not just as the leader of the Osceola Council on Aging, but a dreamer, a visionary and a builder.
The owner of the Wizard of Oz Museum is selling land it planned for the attraction’s move from Cape Canaveral to Kissimmee. Plans are now to move to Cocoa Beach. (Illustration/The Wizard of Oz Museum)

The owner of the Wizard of Oz Museum is selling land it planned for the attraction’s move from Cape Canaveral to Kissimmee. Plans are now to move to Cocoa Beach. (Illustration/The Wizard of Oz Museum)

Wizard of Oz Museum makes a change; where’s it going?

Emely Albelo
Friday, October 3, 2025
The Wizard of Oz Museum’s iconic yellow brick road is stretching from West U.S. Highway 192 to the sandy shores of Cocoa Beach.
A Kissimmee Fire Department member of Station 11 shows off one of its Phoenix G2 screens. This one’s in the dining room. (Photos/ Christine Pike)

A Kissimmee Fire Department member of Station 11 shows off one of its Phoenix G2 screens. This one’s in the dining room. (Photos/ Christine Pike)

Automated system helps KPD firefighters lower turn-out time

Ken Jackson
Thursday, October 2, 2025
When you’re in fire service or a first responder, the earlier you can respond, the better.Thanks to a new fire station alerting system, there are no surprises for Kissimmee firefighters and paramedics, from the time they even walk out of the station.
Beverly Hougland, 1942-2025. She led the Osceola Council on Aging from the 1980s to 2019.

Beverly Hougland, 1942-2025. She led the Osceola Council on Aging from the 1980s to 2019.

Beverly Hougland — Osceola’s patron saint

Ken Jackson
Thursday, October 2, 2025
If you’ve lived in Osceola County for any length of time, and you didn’t get to meet Beverly Hougland, it means you may not have needed the help she gave to tens of thousands over the years.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s communications team introduces its newest co-worker, therapy dog Echo. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

The Osceola County Sheriff’s communications team introduces its newest co-worker, therapy dog Echo. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Sounding off with ‘Echo’—a dispatcher’s best friend

Ken Jackson
Thursday, October 2, 2025
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office has a new member of the communications team. She will basically live in the center and bring support to the rest of the department.
Researchers Drs. Davide Marotta, Rose Hernandez, and Siobhan Malany discuss space-based medical research using “biochips” that combine tissue with microchips for both space and terrestrial applications. (Photo/Terry Lloyd).

Researchers Drs. Davide Marotta, Rose Hernandez, and Siobhan Malany discuss space-based medical research using “biochips” that combine tissue with microchips for both space and terrestrial applications. (Photo/Terry Lloyd).

NeoCity hosts national MedTech+Microchips seminar

Terry Lloyd
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Dozens of industry experts and medical technology entrepreneurs met last week at Osceola County’s NeoCity campus to learn about the broad future of technology in the medical industry.
Teachers and business leaders met in small break out sessions to discuss curriculum development at last week's Career and Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Council meeting. (Photo/David Chivers)

Teachers and business leaders met in small break out sessions to discuss curriculum development at last week's Career and Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Council meeting. (Photo/David Chivers)

School District works to link CTE teachers, industry partners

David Chivers
Thursday, October 2, 2025
The School District of Osceola County held a district wide Career and Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Council meeting last week, bringing together all the district’s professional tech-ed teachers for a day of professional development and, more importantly, meetings with 40 to 50 of their...
This week is observed as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), focusing on educating the public on mental illness to better promote the understanding of mental health issues, while reducing the stigma and discrimination.

This week is observed as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), focusing on educating the public on mental illness to better promote the understanding of mental health issues, while reducing the stigma and discrimination.

COUNCIL'S CORNER: Observing Mental Illness Awareness Week

Wendy Coschignano Ford
Thursday, October 2, 2025
According to Wikipedia, there are nearly 100 monthlong observances celebrated in the United States each year.
The Salvation Army of Osceola County has helped the Quiceno family into homeownership through its Pathway to Housing program, an extension of the nationwide Pathway of Hope initiative. (Photo/Salvation Army of Orange and Osceola County)

The Salvation Army of Osceola County has helped the Quiceno family into homeownership through its Pathway to Housing program, an extension of the nationwide Pathway of Hope initiative. (Photo/Salvation Army of Orange and Osceola County)

NEWS BRIEFS — Salvation Army helps another Osceola family; Kissimmee named a top golf destination; HCA Hospital honored for care

News Staff
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Salvation Army’s Pathway to Housing assists another Osceola familyThe Salvation Army of Osceola County has helped another family into homeownership through its Pathway to Housing program, an extension of the nationwide Pathway of Hope initiative.
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