News

Ahead of the Bulldogs’ football game against Lake Minneola. Junior linebacker J.T. Wrona led the team on the field with the Stars and Stripes, something also done at a number of other Week 4 games Friday. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

9/11: A generation ago, but still close in minds and hearts

News Staff

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

The national tragedy of September 11 may have occurred 25 years ago, so an entire generation of residents may not have a point of reference, but it was on minds and in the hearts of many in Osceola County on Friday, the 25th anniversary of when terrorists hijacked planes and caused 2,977 innocent...

Gov. Ron DeSantis, shown releasing his proposed budget, wants a state “DOGE” to look for waste in government. (News Service of Florida Photo/Tom Urban)

DeSantis splits with state GOP on Reserve Fund Amendment

Gray Rohrer

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

News Service of Florida — Gov. Ron DeSantis eventually got the Legislature to put his property tax cut measure (now called Amendment 3) on the ballot, but he’s not on board with a different amendment backed by GOP leaders in his party.DeSantis on Monday evening came out against Amendment 1, which...

Need to register to vote? Head to Valencia College for National Voter Registration Day

Staff Report

Monday, September 14, 2026

If you want to vote in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election and join the nearly 235,000 registered voters among the over 400,000 Osceola County residents, you must be registered by Oct. 5.If registering is on your "To Do" list and you're near the Valencia College Osceola or Poinciana campuses Tuesday,...

Kissimmee Police Chief Chuck Broadway, a New York Police Department detective on Sept. 11, 2001, with reminders of 9/11: a photo of the World Trade Center “Twin Towers” and a 25th anniversary plate. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

25 years later, honoring 9/11 memories from his hometown

Ken Jackson

Friday, September 11, 2026

In the early hours of Sept. 11, 2001, Kissimmee Police Chief Chuck Broadway, then a New York Police Department detective, was in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he worked in the Street Crimes Unit until the wee hours of the morning.

By 9:03 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2001, both World Trade Center towers were ablaze after a second passenger plane, United Flight 175, crashed into the South Tower. (Photo/Metro Creative)

A 9/11 spent at Kissimmee’s Gateway Airport

Terry Lloyd

Friday, September 11, 2026

I was the director of Kissimmee’s Gateway Airport for nearly two decades, and was at work on Sept. 11, 2001 when a day marked by terrorism utilizing airplanes unfolded.

State Road 534—Phase 2, also known as Segments 4 & 5, will extend 3.5 miles from Narcoossee Road to Cyrils Drive. (Graphic/CFX)

Expressway Authority to hold public meetings for State Road 534 Phase 2

Terry Lloyd

Thursday, September 10, 2026

The Central Florida Expressway Authority is holding a public meeting for State Road 534 regarding Phase 2 of the project, which is currently in design from east of Narcoossee Road to Cyrils Drive.Phase 2 of SR 534 is a 3.5-mile section of the 14-mile expressway that is intended to support the...

The $5 million comes from Osceola County’s tourist development tax—that 6% “bed tax” visitors pay on hotel rooms and short-term rentals. It’s restricted money, meaning it can only be spent on things that boost tourism.

$5 million in tourist tax funds available for local arts and cultural venues

Debbie Daniel

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Osceola County is directing $5 million in tourist tax dollars toward capital improvements at local cultural facilities, giving museums, arts centers and similar venues a chance to expand, renovate and modernize.“Arts and culture are essential to a growing, thriving community,” said Osceola County...

New St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce interim Executive Director Dana Wells

Dana Wells tapped to lead St. Cloud Chamber

Ken Jackson

Thursday, September 10, 2026

As the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce prepares for its next chapter—entering its 100th anniversary year—it does so at the top of a new page.With Dirk Webb, its CEO/ President, retiring later this month, longtime local businesswoman Dana Wells has been named the organization’s new interim Executive...

NEWS BRIEFS — Your local National Merit Scholar semifinalists; a tasty Hope Partnership charitable partner; Hispanic Heritage Month Art and Essay Contests

News Staff

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Local National Merit Scholar semifinalists namedOfficials with National Merit Scholarship this week announced the names of more than 16,000 semifinalists in the 72nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program, including nine from Osceola County.Gustavo Costa, Kyoungbin Lee and Avery Wilson of...