A snapshot of the Toho Water Authority’s Interactive Project Map shows the utility’s ongoing and upcoming infrastructure improvements.
Kissimmee Women’s Club working to fund historical marker
Author Minnie Moore Willson, an author who helped secure land protections for the Seminole Tribe of Florida but more important locally was the first president of the Kissimmee Women’s Club, will receive a Florida Historical Marker in her name and honor at the club.
This marker will be permanently installed in front of the Kissimmee Woman’s Club, and now the club is working to raise the $3,200 to cover the cost of fabricating and installing the marker. At its ‘Wine Bingo’ fundraiser last week, the club received $1,000 in donations from the Mason Carson Post 10 of the American Legion, Sons of the American Legion, Jim Fisher and Bill and Karen Johnson toward the marker project. Donations are still being accepted at zeffy.com/ fundraising/kwc-historicalmarker.
According to the Orange County Regional History Center, Willson died in 1937 in Kissimmee after advocating for the Seminoles through here book “The Seminoles of Florida.” Moore-Willson believed the Everglades was the Seminoles’ rightful home and dedicated her life to supporting their traditional culture. Along with her husband, James Mallory Willson, was active in the Audubon Society of Florida.
Toho Water launches Interactive Project Map
Toho Water Authority has officially launched its new Interactive Project Map, an online tool designed to provide customers and community members with full visibility into the organization’s ongoing and upcoming infrastructure improvements.
“Toho continually invests in the community by upgrading vital infrastructure, delivering safe, reliable water services every day,” said Greg Kolb, Toho Chief Engineering and Construction Officer. “The new interactive map offers an accessible way for the public to track high-impact projects currently under construction or scheduled to begin within the next six months.”
The interactive map (tohowater.com/projectmap) features seamless navigation across both desktop computers and mobile devices, full descriptions of projects including timelines and costs, links to additional detailed project pages and updates on how projects will directly affect the community.
“We want our customers to stay informed about how we are actively working to strengthen their water utility infrastructure,” said Todd Swingle, Toho’s CEO. “This interactive map brings greater transparency to our capital projects, making it easy for residents to see where investments are being made in their neighborhoods.”
KUA again named a Top Central Florida Workplace
Kissimmee Utility Authority received a Top Workplaces award by the 2026 Top Workplaces program. The utility reports it’s the fourth year in a row for the honor.
KUA was ranked 13th in the midsize employer category out of 24 companies. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The survey measures factors that are critical to the success of any organization like engagement, leadership, appreciation, respect and support.
“Being named a Top Workplace for the fourth consecutive year reflects the culture our employees help build every day,” said KUA President and General Manager Brian Horton. “Their dedication, ideas and commitment to one another make KUA a stronger organization. We’re proud to support our employees with opportunities to grow, succeed and make a meaningful impact.”
OHS students experience the college Life at Rollins
Approximately 100 students from Osceola High School made a Sept. 29 Rollins College visit for College Readiness Day, gaining firsthand insight into higher education through an immersive campus experience.
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors explored Rollins, a higher education partner of Heart of Florida United Way, through guided tours and met with representatives from key campus departments, including admissions and financial aid. Current Rollins students held an interactive panel discussion, sharing their college experiences and answering questions about academic and campus life.
The program is part of the Osceola High School Community School, a collaborative partnership between Heart of Florida United Way and the School District of Osceola County. The goal is to empower students to succeed in both school and life. The concept centralizes community resources and services by creating a “one stop shop” where students and their families can get support to overcome challenges that interfere with learning and overall wellbeing.
“For many high school students, higher education can feel out of reach or something to think about far down the line. It’s important for students to know that going to college is possible and thinking about their future starts today,” said Kelly Astro, senior vice president of Community Impact at Heart of Florida United Way. “By giving these high schoolers a hands-on look at campus life, financial aid opportunities, and a look at real student experiences, we hope to spark their confidence and help them see a successful future.”
The Community School Model focuses on three core areas: Wellness Support, in providing students and families access to on-campus medical, dental, and vision care, mental health counseling, and assistance with food, clothing, and school supplies; Family and Community Engagement to offer parents and families connections to tax assistance, resources to learn English as a second language and support for GED completion; and Collaborative Leadership to provide necessary program support and technology for data tracking and outcome reporting.
Florida Farm to School Essay and Art Contests
In recognition of National Farm to School Month, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson invites Florida students to participate in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ annual Florida Farm to School Essay Contest and the inaugural Florida Farm to School Art Contest.
Open through Nov. 16, the contests invite middle and high school students to explore how agriculture connects to their schools, communities, and everyday lives. Florida high school students can compete for up to $3,000 toward college through the Farm to School Essay Contest, while middle school students can earn statewide recognition and the opportunity to have their artwork featured on official 2027 Farm to School Month campaign material through the new Farm to The Essay Contest is open to students in grades 9-12. This year’s theme invites students to imagine themselves as a farmer in their own community, exploring what they would grow, how their farm would connect to their neighbors, and how it would support local schools and students. Prizes include Florida Investment 529 Plans: ($3,000 for first place, $2,000 for second and $1,000 for third), publication of the first-place essay in a Florida agricultural publication and recognition at the 2027 Florida Farm to School Conference, plus a travel stipend.
The Farm to School Art Contest is open to Florida students in grades 6-8 who create an original piece of 2D artwork celebrating Florida agriculture and its connection to their schools and communities. Artwork may draw inspiration from Florida-grown foods, local farmers and ranchers, school meals, school gardens, agricultural education programs and other Farm to School experiences. Prizes include first-place artwork featured on official 2027 Florida Farm to School Month campaign materials; recognition at the 2027 Florida Farm to School Conference, plus a travel stipend and honorable mention artwork featured across digital channels, including the Farm to School website and the FDACS Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness social media channels.
For both contests, students may submit one entry through FarmToSchoolFL.com/Contests.
