News

Undersheriff Ron Roberts of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office welcomes members of the Seeds of Hope Osceola coalition to the Sheriff’s complex Thursday. (Photo/Terry Lloyd)

Undersheriff Ron Roberts of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office welcomes members of the Seeds of Hope Osceola coalition to the Sheriff’s complex Thursday. (Photo/Terry Lloyd)

Planting the Seeds of Hope

Terry Lloyd
Thursday, July 2, 2026
The Seeds of Hope Osceola is a collaborative network of churches, nonprofits, businesses, and local agencies working together to better serve individuals and families across our community.On Thursday, June 25, the group, started by the St.
Local children enjoyed book readings, giveaways, games, and meeting an alligator at Early Learning Coalition’s launch of their new “Read to Rise” program at Hart Memorial Library on Friday. (Photos/Debbie Daniel)

Local children enjoyed book readings, giveaways, games, and meeting an alligator at Early Learning Coalition’s launch of their new “Read to Rise” program at Hart Memorial Library on Friday. (Photos/Debbie Daniel)

New ‘Read to Rise’ program aims to boost Osceola kindergarten readiness

Debbie Daniel
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Osceola families have a new tool to help prepare their young children for school. The Early Learning Coalition of Osceola County launched its “Read to Rise” family literacy program Friday at Hart Memorial Library, offering free learning kits packed with activities in English and Spanish.
Osceola News-Gazette

Osceola News-Gazette

Felon named person of interest in Kissimmee homicide

Kristin Hurst
Thursday, July 2, 2026
A 32-year-old Kissimmee man who previously was on probation for a felony battery conviction has been identified as a person of interest in the homicide of a 71-year-old man.Nicolas Alexander Lopez is currently being held in the Seminole County Jail on unrelated charges.
Earlier this week, SDOC touted district-wide academic gains in Language Arts in all grades 3-10 and mathematics gains in 3-8, many of them double-digit gains since 2023.

Earlier this week, SDOC touted district-wide academic gains in Language Arts in all grades 3-10 and mathematics gains in 3-8, many of them double-digit gains since 2023.

Osceola County Schools: Still a ‘B’ district — but really close to the honor roll

Ken Jackson
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
The School District of Osceola County maintained its district grade of ‘B’ according to the Florida Department of Education school grade release, operationally called the Florida School Accountability Report, released Wednesday morning.You can probably call it a B+ … or maybe even an A-.
Kissimmee Utility Authority Chairman Manuel Ortega received the Spence Vanderlinden Public Official Award, which recognizes elected or appointed local officials who have contributed to APPA’s goals. (Photo/KUA)

Kissimmee Utility Authority Chairman Manuel Ortega received the Spence Vanderlinden Public Official Award, which recognizes elected or appointed local officials who have contributed to APPA’s goals. (Photo/KUA)

KUA chairman Manuel Ortega becomes 2nd local winner of national APPA award

Ken Jackson
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
A second local public utility official has been honored by the American Public Power Association (APPA) with a national award for their contributions and service to their communities and customers.
A Kissimmee man is dead and another is in serious condition at a local hospital following a head-on collision on Orange Avenue north of Kissimmee just into Orange County, the Florida Highway Patrol reports.

A Kissimmee man is dead and another is in serious condition at a local hospital following a head-on collision on Orange Avenue north of Kissimmee just into Orange County, the Florida Highway Patrol reports.

One from Kissimmee killed, another injured in Wednesday morning south Orange crash

Ken Jackson
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
A Kissimmee man is dead and another is in serious condition at a local hospital following a head-on collision on Orange Avenue north of Kissimmee just into Orange County, the Florida Highway Patrol reports.
American warship frigate U.S.S. Alliance defeated the Royal Navy frigate HMS Sybil off Cape Canaveral in 1783 that served as the last naval battle of the Revolutionary War. (Photo/Mariners Museum and Park)

American warship frigate U.S.S. Alliance defeated the Royal Navy frigate HMS Sybil off Cape Canaveral in 1783 that served as the last naval battle of the Revolutionary War. (Photo/Mariners Museum and Park)

America 250: What was happening in Florida during the Revolutionary War?

Terry Lloyd
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
As America prepares to celebrate its 250th “birthday” this weekend, celebrations will be taking place in all the familiar sites associated with the Revolutionary War, including New England, Philadelphia, and Charleston, South Carolina.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday he will vote for ballot item "Amendment 3" regarding homestead property taxes, but “what the Legislature did wasn't my proposal.”(Photo/Joe Raedle, Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday he will vote for ballot item "Amendment 3" regarding homestead property taxes, but “what the Legislature did wasn't my proposal.”(Photo/Joe Raedle, Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

DeSantis: Property Tax on ballot ‘Wasn’t my proposal’

Jim Turner
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
News Service of Florida — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis continues to put some distance between himself and a property tax measure he pushed for that is going before voters in November.
Osceola County SWAT members execute a search warrant at a home on Gillingham Court in Kissimmee June 17 as part of an investigation into a string of unlicensed, understaffed assistance living facilities in Osceola and Polk counties. (Photo/Osceola County Sheriff’s Office)

Osceola County SWAT members execute a search warrant at a home on Gillingham Court in Kissimmee June 17 as part of an investigation into a string of unlicensed, understaffed assistance living facilities in Osceola and Polk counties. (Photo/Osceola County Sheriff’s Office)

Update on Bellalago couple arrested in assisted living facility fraud scheme

Ken Jackson
Monday, June 29, 2026
After a year's worth of detective work, a husband and wife running several assisted living facilities without the proper licensing or staffing were arrested last week, culminating the investigation into their illegal operation.
Gov. Ron DeSantis releases a nearly $114.8 billion budget proposal on Wednesday. (Photo/Tom Urban, News Service of Florida)

Gov. Ron DeSantis releases a nearly $114.8 billion budget proposal on Wednesday. (Photo/Tom Urban, News Service of Florida)

DeSantis signs bills to tamp down local taxes

Gray Rohrer
Monday, June 29, 2026
News Service of Florida — Governor Ron DeSantis has made a large property tax cut ballot measure central to his message in his last year in office, and Wednesday signed two bills in line with that priority.
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