News

Senate Appropriations Chairman Ed Hooper said work continued through the weekend on a new state budget. (Photo/Colin Hackley)

Senate Appropriations Chairman Ed Hooper said work continued through the weekend on a new state budget. (Photo/Colin Hackley)

Florida House, Senate continue hammering out budget

Jim Turner
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
News Service of Florida: House and Senate budget leaders Monday rushed to finalize a new state spending plan, while Governor Ron DeSantis continued calling for giving property-tax rebates.
Five Kissimmee residents have pled guilty as part of a local cocaine ring. (Photo/Dept. of Justice)

Five Kissimmee residents have pled guilty as part of a local cocaine ring. (Photo/Dept. of Justice)

5 from Kissimmee plead guilty on cocaine charges

News Staff
Monday, June 9, 2025
Luis Ruben Martinez Calderon, 26, became the fifth Kissimmee suspect to plead guilty in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
The Florida Highway Patrol is asking the public for information into a deadly hit-and-run crash that occurred around midnight Saturday night into Sunday morning near the entrance to Cypress Cove along Pleasant Hill Road.

The Florida Highway Patrol is asking the public for information into a deadly hit-and-run crash that occurred around midnight Saturday night into Sunday morning near the entrance to Cypress Cove along Pleasant Hill Road.

FHP seeks information into late Saturday night fatal hit-and-run outside of Cypress Cove

News Staff
Sunday, June 8, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol is asking the public for information into a deadly hit-and-run crash that occurred around midnight Saturday night into Sunday morning near the entrance to Cypress Cove along Pleasant Hill Road.
Ousted Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez faced a judge for the first time Friday morning following his Thursday arrest on racketeering charges. (Photo/Lake County Corrections)

Ousted Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez faced a judge for the first time Friday morning following his Thursday arrest on racketeering charges. (Photo/Lake County Corrections)

Marcos Lopez issued bond, conditions for any release — see the update

Ken Jackson
Friday, June 6, 2025
After spending a night in the Lake County Jail and appearing before a judge for the first time Friday morning, suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was granted $1 million bond total on his charges of racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering — $500,000 per charge.
Under the plan, KFD would be the first outfit in Central Florida to offer a 24-hour on, 72-hour off schedule.

Under the plan, KFD would be the first outfit in Central Florida to offer a 24-hour on, 72-hour off schedule.

Tax increase to fund more firefighters passes

Larry Griffin
Friday, June 6, 2025
Kissimmee city commissioners have voted 4-1 to pass a new fire assessment, to raise revenue that will help fund the city’s fire department to hire more personnel and hopefully improve their morale and retention.
The House and Senate returned to Tallahassee this week and are expected to have a spending plan finalized in time for June 16 votes.

The House and Senate returned to Tallahassee this week and are expected to have a spending plan finalized in time for June 16 votes.

Lawmakers agree on Everglades, citrus money

Jim Turner
Friday, June 6, 2025
Florida lawmakers Wednesday continued slowly trying to bridge differences on a new state budget, with the House agreeing to a Senate stance on money for the Everglades and $104.5 million for citrus research.
Subscribe to