News

Michael Diaz, 27, of St. Cloud, was arrested early Saturday morning after allegedly responding to a decoy post created by the Orlando Police Department. (Mugshot/Osceola County Jail)

Michael Diaz, 27, of St. Cloud, was arrested early Saturday morning after allegedly responding to a decoy post created by the Orlando Police Department. (Mugshot/Osceola County Jail)

Police News — arrests in underage sex stings, exposure case

Two men arrested in separate undercover child predator stingsThe Osceola County Sheriff’s Office last week arrested two men as part of an undercover sting conducted by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Orlando Police Department.
NeoCity, thanks in part to its 100% participation rate for Advanced Placement subjects and innovative STEM classes that make students career-ready for 21st Century necessary jobs, was ranked second in Florida.

NeoCity, thanks in part to its 100% participation rate for Advanced Placement subjects and innovative STEM classes that make students career-ready for 21st Century necessary jobs, was ranked second in Florida.

SCHOOL NEWS — Osceola represented in U.S. News' Best High School Rankings; teachers and district reach a contract deal

3 from Osceola among Best High School rankingsNeoCity Academy, Osceola County School for the Arts and Professional and Technical High School (PATHS) earned recognition among the top schools in Florida and the nation in this year’s edition of the annual U.S.
Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital CEO Brian Wetzel (right) was named the St. Cloud Main Street Board Member of the Year at the Aug. 18 annual Awards Dinner. (Photo/St. Cloud Main Street)

Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital CEO Brian Wetzel (right) was named the St. Cloud Main Street Board Member of the Year at the Aug. 18 annual Awards Dinner. (Photo/St. Cloud Main Street)

St. Cloud Main Street awards dinner caps 25-year celebration

Monday Aug. 18’s St. Cloud Main Street annual Awards Dinner at Phyre Saloon and Steakhouse culminating a year-long celebration of the historical preservation organization’s 25th anniversary.
Former KPD Officer Dariel Javier Quiles-Davila has been found guilty of receiving child sexual abuse material by a federal jury. (File Photo)

Former KPD Officer Dariel Javier Quiles-Davila has been found guilty of receiving child sexual abuse material by a federal jury. (File Photo)

Federal jury convicts former KPD officer guilty of receiving child sexual abuse material

A former Kissimmee Police officer has been found guilty of receiving child sexual abuse material by a federal jury.Dariel Javier Quiles-Davila, 27, faces a minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison, the Department of Justice said Wednesday.
Meet Oscie, Osceola County's new AI assistant found at Osceola.org and on the county's MyOsceola mobile app. (Graphic/Osceola County)

Meet Oscie, Osceola County's new AI assistant found at Osceola.org and on the county's MyOsceola mobile app. (Graphic/Osceola County)

'Oscie' the chatbot ushers Osceola County into AI era

If Osceola County's tagline on the administrative side is going to be, "Be First to What's Next," then it makes sense that the county has jumped on the artificial intelligence (AI) bandwagon.Meet Oscie, Osceola.org's new AI Chatbot, designed to make traversing the county's website a bit easier.
The law (HB 3), which was one of the biggest issues of the 2024 legislative session, seeks to prevent children under age 16 from opening social-media accounts on certain platforms — though it would allow parents to give consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to have accounts. Children under 14 could not open accounts.

The law (HB 3), which was one of the biggest issues of the 2024 legislative session, seeks to prevent children under age 16 from opening social-media accounts on certain platforms — though it would allow parents to give consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to have accounts. Children under 14 could not open accounts.

Over two dozen states back Florida in social media fight

News Service of Florida — Pointing to a “significant interest in protecting children and youth from social media’s harms,” 27 states have backed Florida in an appeals-court battle about a law aimed at keeping kids off certain social-media platforms.
Florida gas prices have declined 20 cents in the past 10 days, and declined all through last week, unlike other recent weeks which featured at least one price spike.  (Photo/AAA)

Florida gas prices have declined 20 cents in the past 10 days, and declined all through last week, unlike other recent weeks which featured at least one price spike. (Photo/AAA)

Gas prices down over last 10 days; will the trend last through Labor Day?

It was a good week, if you bought gas once (or twice), but will the good times last through Labor Day?AAA The Auto Group reports Florida gas prices have declined 20 cents in the past 10 days, and declined all through last week, unlike other recent weeks which featured at least one price spike.
While dogs like Diesel are still available for adoption from Osceola County Animal Services, the shelter has paused intake of non-emergency cases. (Photo/Osceola Animal Services)

While dogs like Diesel are still available for adoption from Osceola County Animal Services, the shelter has paused intake of non-emergency cases. (Photo/Osceola Animal Services)

Osceola Animal Services pauses dog intakes

Osceola County Animal Services announced Sunday it has temporarily suspended non-emergency dog intakes, due to an increase in upper respiratory illness cases.The pause will protect the health and well-being of animals currently in the shelter's care, officials said.