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The Black Empowerment and Community Council will be able to outfit a mobile resource van with online capabilities thanks to a $15,000 AARP grant. (Photo/AARP/BECC)

The Black Empowerment and Community Council will be able to outfit a mobile resource van with online capabilities thanks to a $15,000 AARP grant. (Photo/AARP/BECC)

AARP award helps Black Empowerment Community Council’s vehicle

Ken Jackson
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Thanks to a grant from AARP Florida, the Black Empowerment Community Council will be able to expand services to seniors going forward.The BECC Empowerment Express, a van previous donated to the organization, will be transformed into a “mobile resource hub” thanks to the $15,000 grant.
Stephan Sterns is now expected to stand trial for the sexual battery of Madeline Soto on July 25, with jury selection beginning earlier that week.

Stephan Sterns is now expected to stand trial for the sexual battery of Madeline Soto on July 25, with jury selection beginning earlier that week.

Trial date delayed, but set, in Stephan Sterns' sexual battery trial

Ken Jackson
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
The trial for Stephen Sterns, the man accused of sexually abusing and killing Kissimmee teen Madeline Soto, will now stand trial beginning July 25.During a status hearing Wednesday, Judge Keith Carsten set the dates of the trial, originally scheduled to begin July 15, back about a week.
Bars and restaurants that sell alcohol, like these along Dakin Avenue in downtown Kissimmee, would require a special permit to sell after midnight if a new city ordinance gets a final approval at the July 15 City Commission meeting. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Bars and restaurants that sell alcohol, like these along Dakin Avenue in downtown Kissimmee, would require a special permit to sell after midnight if a new city ordinance gets a final approval at the July 15 City Commission meeting. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Kissimmee approves first reading of downtown alcohol sales change

Ken Jackson
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
At a standing-room only meeting that had an overflow crowd into the City Hall foyer, the Kissimmee City Commission took up three contentious topics Tuesday during a nearly five-hour meeting.
In trimming the budget, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $567 million in line-item vetoes, which nixed money for dozens of projects and programs across the state.

In trimming the budget, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $567 million in line-item vetoes, which nixed money for dozens of projects and programs across the state.

DeSantis vetoes $567 million, then signs new state budget

Jim Turner
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
News Service of Florida — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed what he said was a $117.4 billion budget for the fiscal year that will start Tuesday and issued $567 million in line-item vetoes, while saying the plan better prepares the state for potential economic downturns.
Current and future Station 32 staff participate in the groundbreaking for the newest fire department facility Friday. (Photo/Terry Lloyd)

Current and future Station 32 staff participate in the groundbreaking for the newest fire department facility Friday. (Photo/Terry Lloyd)

St. Cloud breaks ground on the first of three new fire stations

Terry Lloyd
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Friday’s groundbreaking for the “new” Station 32, at the same location as the “old” station, on Old Canoe Creed Road near the current Turnpike interchange, is the first of three new stations planned within the next three years, City of St. Cloud officials say.
The National Hurricane Center has noted the potential of some tropical development in the northeast Gulf of Meximerica toward the end of the upcoming week. (Graphic/NHC)

The National Hurricane Center has noted the potential of some tropical development in the northeast Gulf of Meximerica toward the end of the upcoming week. (Graphic/NHC)

Tropical Trouble? NHC includes Florida in chance of late-week development

Ken Jackson
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Hurricane Season 2025 has awakened; at the end of the week where two weak, brief tropical storms Andrea and Barry formed in the Atlantic and Gulf, and the Pacific basin reached its 'F' storm, the National Hurricane Center has noted the potential of some tropical development in the northeast Gulf of...
College honors for local scholars

College honors for local scholars

College honors for local scholars

News Staff
Friday, June 27, 2025
Here’s a list, achievements by Osceola County students at out-of-area colleges and universities, as reported by Merit Pages News Dwayne McGee of Kissimmee received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mercer University (Macon. Ga.
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