Tuesday August 25, 2026
Bulldog Jaden Taylor-Irons Named Positively Osceola’s ‘Osceola Air Player of the Week’
ST. CLOUD, Fla. - In St. Cloud’s biggest rivalry win in nearly two decades, Jaden Taylor-Irons was at the center of the Bulldogs’ biggest plays, helping power St. Cloud past Osceola and earning honors as Positively Osceola’s Osceola Air Player of the Week. LATEST STORIES
AROUND OSCEOLA
Main Street’s ‘Breakfast with the Pros’ Returns with Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital’s Brian Wetzel
Boots, Bulls and Barrels Returns to Silver Spurs Arena for One-Night Western Showdown
KUA’s 33rd Annual Calendar Art Contest Opens August
Toho Water Seeks High School Senior Artists
St. Cloud Bulldogs Take Down Osceola Kowboys
Fandom Kissimmee Returns to Ruby Plaza September 12
Osceola Clerk Kelvin Soto’s New Poinciana Branch
Wild Florida Offers Groups a Different Way to Go WIld
NEWS
St. Cloud Main Street’s ‘Breakfast with the Pros’ Returns Sept. 8 with Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital’s Brian Wetzel ST. CLOUD, Fla. — St. Cloud Main Street will kick off a new season of its popular Breakfast with the Pros series on Tuesday, Sept. 8, with Brian Wetzel of Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital serving as the featured guest and sharing updates on the hospital’s St. Cloud campus and its future plans. The season-opening event will begin at 8 a.m. at VFW Hall Post 3227, 915 New York Ave. in St. Cloud, bringing residents, business leaders and community members together for breakfast, conversation and an opportunity to hear firsthand what’s ahead for Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital as it continues serving the growing St. Cloud and Osceola County community. Wetzel will share updates on the Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital campus, including current developments and future plans as the hospital continues serving St. Cloud and the surrounding Osceola County community. Breakfast with the Pros provides residents, business owners and community leaders an opportunity to hear directly from professionals and decision-makers whose organizations play an important role in the community. The morning also offers attendees a chance to network and connect with others from throughout the St. Cloud area. Admission to the event is free, and a complimentary breakfast will be provided by Chick-fil-A
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NEWS
Wild Florida Launches New ‘Wild Florida Explorers’ Homeschool Program KENANSVILLE, Fla. — Wild Florida Adventure Park is giving homeschool students a new way to take learning beyond the classroom with the launch of Wild Florida Explorers, a hands-on educational program that combines wildlife, science and up-close learning experiences. The new homeschool program will take place twice each month at Wild Florida’s Alligator Park, offering separate sessions for elementary-age students and middle and high school students. Each session will feature a live educational activity, takehome craft and Keeper Chat with members of Wild Florida’s Animal Care Team. During the Keeper Chats, students will have an opportunity to learn more about the animals at Wild Florida and hear directly from the professionals who care for them. For August, Wild Florida Explorers will focus on Colors, Patterns and Animal Partnerships, giving students a closer look at how animals use colors to communicate or camouflage themselves, how patterns appear throughout nature, and how different species work together to survive within their ecosystems. The August elementary session, designed for children ages 5 to 11, will take place Monday, Aug. 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The middle and high school session for students ages 12 to 18 is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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NEWS
Boots, Bulls and Barrels Returns to Silver Spurs Arena for One-Night Western Showdown
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Dust will fly, the chutes will swing open, and some of the toughest cowboys and fastest cowgirls in the sport will ride into Kissimmee this fall as the Silver Spurs Club brings Boots, Bulls and Barrels back to the Silver Spurs Arena for one unforgettable night of rodeo action. The high-energy event is set for Saturday, October 3, at 7:30 p.m. at the Silver Spurs Arena inside Osceola Heritage Park, featuring an evening packed with heartpounding bull riding and lightning-fast barrel racing. As a Positively Osceola Approved event, Boots, Bulls and Barrels represents the kind of family-friendly entertainment and community tradition that has become a hallmark of Osceola County. Fans can expect the kind of edge-of-your-seat excitement that has become a Silver Spurs tradition. Bull riders will climb aboard powerful bucking bulls in one of rodeo’s most dangerous events, while talented barrel racers will race against the clock, navigating tight turns at full speed in pursuit of the fastest time. Whether you’re a lifelong rodeo fan or looking to experience your first taste of the Western lifestyle, Boots, Bulls and Barrels promises a family-friendly evening filled with rodeo tradition, cowboy grit, and nonstop action under the arena lights.
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NEWS
Moving Into a New Home? KUA Makes Starting Electric Service Easy Online
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Moving into a new home comes with a long list of things to do, and for residents moving within Kissimmee Utility Authority’s service territory, getting the electricity turned on can be handled online. KUA is reminding new residential customers that requests to establish electric service are processed through the utility’s online Customer Portal, allowing customers to begin the process without having to visit KUA in person. Before starting an application, customers should have the necessary documentation ready, including valid identification and a lease or proof of ownership, along with any other required documents. As part of the application process, KUA also conducts a credit review. Depending on the results of that review, a deposit may be required before electric service can be established. The online option is designed to make connecting service more convenient for families and individuals moving into a new home within KUA’s service area. New customers can begin the process and find additional information by visiting my.kua.com.
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NEWS
Toho Water Seeks High School Senior Artists to Design a Permanent Community Mural High school seniors with a passion for art have an opportunity to leave a lasting mark on the community through Toho Water Authority’s new Creativity Flows Here Mural Program. The selected student artist will design and paint a permanent mural inside Toho Water’s Administration Building, inspired by the theme “History of Toho & Water Operations.” The winning artist will receive a $250 art supply stipend, a $750 scholarship upon completion of the project, a permanent recognition plaque, and recognition across Toho Water’s social media channels. Applications are open through August 31. Students interested in applying or learning more about the program can visit: https://ow.ly/rXzi50ZtUtx. Know a talented student artist? Share this opportunity and help them turn their creativity into a lasting piece of Osceola County history.
Toho Water Busca a Estudiantes de Último Año de Escuela Secundaria para Diseñar un Mural Comunitario Permanente Los estudiantes de último año de escuela secundaria con pasión por el arte tienen la oportunidad de dejar una huella duradera en la comunidad a través del nuevo programa de murales Creativity Flows Here de Toho Water Authority. El estudiante seleccionado diseñará y pintará un mural permanente dentro del edificio administrativo de Toho Water, inspirado en el tema “La Historia de Toho y
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NEWS
New Poinciana Clerk’s Office Location Now Open to Serve Community POINCIANA, Fla. — Residents in the Poinciana area now have a more convenient way to access Clerk of Court services following the opening of a new branch of the Office of Kelvin Soto, Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller. The new Poinciana office, located at 4547 Pleasant Hill Road, officially began conducting traffic services on Aug. 10, with additional services expected to be offered at the location in the future. The expansion brings Clerk services closer to residents in Poinciana and surrounding communities, reducing the need for many customers to travel to downtown Kissimmee to conduct business with the Clerk’s Office. The new location is part of the Clerk’s Office’s ongoing effort to improve accessibility and provide residents with more convenient options for completing court- and county-related business. The Poinciana branch is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments can be made for available services through the Clerk’s Office. The addition of the Poinciana location expands the Clerk’s presence in one of Osceola County’s growing communities and is intended to make essential government services easier to access for residents in the area. For additional information about services offered at the Poinciana branch or to schedule an appointment, visit OsceolaClerk.com.
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NEWS
Fandom Kissimmee Returns to Ruby Plaza September 12 for Free Day of Comics, Anime, Cosplay and More KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Comics, anime, film, television and pop culture will take center stage at Ruby Plaza at Kissimmee Lakefront Park when the City of Kissimmee hosts Fandom Kissimmee, a free open-air festival on Saturday, September 12, from 2 to 7 p.m. The event will bring fandom enthusiasts of all ages together for an afternoon filled with entertainment, creativity and activities celebrating some of the characters, stories and worlds fans love. Festivalgoers can explore exhibitions featuring comic books, anime, collectibles, games and original artwork, along with opportunities to enjoy live entertainment and shop for merchandise. Cosplay will also be a major part of the celebration, with attendees encouraged to come dressed as a favorite character or showcase an original creation. The festival will feature cosplay competitions, fandom trivia contests and immersive photo opportunities, along with giveaways and other activities throughout the afternoon. Local vendors and food trucks will also be on hand, giving visitors plenty of options to grab something to eat while enjoying the festival. Whether someone is a lifelong comic, anime, film or television fan or is discovering the world of fandom for the first time, Fandom Kissimmee is designed to bring fans together for an afternoon celebrating creativity, characters and pop culture.
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NEWS
Wild Florida Offers Groups a Different Way to Experience the Wild Side of Osceola County KENANSVILLE, Fla. — Groups looking to get away from the traditional meeting room, classroom or party venue can experience a much wilder side of Osceola County at Wild Florida, where airboat rides, alligators, exotic animals and a drivethru safari can all become part of the day’s itinerary. Located along Lake Cypress in Kenansville, Wild Florida Adventure Park offers special experiences and discounted rates for groups of 10 or more, providing an option for corporate outings, school field trips, family reunions, church groups, youth organizations and other gatherings. At the center of the experience are Wild Florida’s airboat tours, which take guests across the waters and wetlands of the Headwaters of the Florida Everglades. Along the way, passengers can experience Central Florida’s natural landscape while watching for alligators, birds and other native wildlife. Groups can also visit Wild Florida’s Alligator Park, home to more than 200 native and exotic animals. Among the park’s biggest attractions is its Gator Pond, which features more than 150 alligators and crocodiles, including some measuring more than 13 feet long. For those wanting to take their adventure even farther, Wild Florida’s 170-acre Drive-thru Safari Park gives visitors an opportunity to travel a four-mile route surrounded by animals including giraffes, zebras, and more,
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SPORTS
The Streak Is Over: St. Cloud Bulldogs Take Down Osceola Kowboys in 103rd Edition of “The Game” For 15 straight meetings, St. Cloud had been searching for a way to get past its longtime rival. On Friday night, the Bulldogs finally broke through, ending years of frustration with a gritty 18-15 victory over Osceola in the 103rd edition of “The Game.” There were too many heroes to count as St. Cloud ended the frustration of 15 straight losses to Osceola with an 18-15 win in the 103rd edition of “The Game.” Those heroes include junior Khalil Davis, who returned a second half interception 58 yards for a touchdown. Wide Receiver Mathew Blenman, who made a sensational grab in the corner of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown and defensive back Jayden Taylor, who send the St. Cloud home crowd in a frenzy with an electrifying 95-yard kickoff return for touchdown on the game’s very first play. But more than anything, it was the St. Cloud defense that made the biggest difference after limiting Osceola to just 135 yards of total offense and forcing three turnovers. The defense allowed just one offensive touchdown—that coming on a short field after a fumble. “Our kids were very competitive, and our coaches did a great job preparing them,” Paradiso said. “It’s what you want a preseason game to be.” “It was a total team effort, we scored on offense, defense and special teams, but our defense was really special tonight,” St. Cloud head coach Mike Short said. “A lot has been said about our offense the last two years, but I said all along, you shouldn’t sleep on this defense. They made play after play tonight.”
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SPORTS
Friday Night Lights: 10 Must-See Osceola County High School Football Games of 2026 For the Osceola Kowboys, Friday night’s 27-9 Kickoff Classic loss to Daytona Beach Mainland was less about the final score and more about an early wake-up call as they prepare for the start of the 2026 regular season. It didn’t take very long for Osceola coach Eric Pinellas to discuss the positives of Friday night’s Kickoff Classic with Daytona Beach Mainland. “The good? The game didn’t count on our record and our punter was really good,” Pinellas deadpanned after the Kowboys 27-9 loss. “What we saw tonight was an old-fashioned butt whipping. We didn’t play very well on offense or defense. Now we are a young team and we were short on some personnel tonight, but I told our players after the game that cannot be an excuse and that no one on our schedule was going to feel sorry for us.” It was a comedy of errors in the first half for both teams. After Javontay Barnett broke off a 30-yard run on the first play of the game, Osceola’s offense sputtered and they were forced to punt. On Mainland’s first possession, two center snaps went over quarterback Patrick Miller’s head – the second rolling through the end zone for a safety and a 2-0 Osceola lead. But Osceola would return the favor on their next possession, fumbling the ball away at midfield.
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SPORTS
St. Cloud QB Lattier Leads the Charge: Bulldogs Ready to Build on Championship Season Coming off an 8-3 season, a district championship and a trip to the FHSAA Regional Playoffs, the St. Cloud Bulldogs enter 2026 looking to build on that momentum — with standout junior quarterback Jeremiah Lattier back under center to lead the way. Lattier, who transferred from Lake Minneola after his freshman year, won the starting job and helped lead St. Cloud to its first district championship since 2016. Last year, the 6-3, 220-lb. quarterback completed almost 60% of his passes – throwing for 2800 yards and 25 touchdowns; while accounting for five more on the ground. “Whenever you can return a starter at quarterback, it’s a huge plus,” head coach Mike Short said. “Jeremiah stepped in as a sophomore and had a big year and has had a great offseason. We expect another big year as he builds his resume for colleges.” Although he lost several weapons to graduation, including two-way star Bryce Williams (804 receiving yards, 9 TDs), Lattier will have several playmakers returning. They include wide receiver Stacy Taylor (50 receptions, 656 yards, 9 TDs) and running back Mike Cuyler (273 yards rushing, 2 TDs). The equivalent of a sixth man in basketball, Cuyler has patiently waited his turn to shine in the Bulldogs offense. “Those two guys have the potential for outstanding years,” Short said. “Stacy started in the defensive backfield for two years before we moved him to offense last season. He could become what Bryce was for us last year. Cuyler has worked his tail off this year and has already started to turn the heads of college recruiters.”
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SPORTS
Gateway on the Prowl: Panthers Look to Make Their Mark In and Around Osceola in 2026
In 2025, Gateway experienced its best season in almost a decade – winning five games and qualifying for a bowl game. The Panthers hope to build on that momentum this year, as they return to district play.
Gateway, who played the last two seasons as an independent, was originally scheduled to play in the same district as state powers Lakeland and Osceola. Upon appeal, they were placed in Class 6A with county rivals Tohopekaliga, St. Cloud and Harmony. “It’s not going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination, but our original placement would have made it incredibly difficult for us to have any chance to be competitive,” Roberts said. “This new district is not only a lot more representative of our level but also is much better in terms of travel.” What was probably most impressive about last year is that Roberts – the Dean of Osceola County Head Coaches entering his 18th season — and the Panthers won five games with an extremely young team and most of those players are returning for the upcoming campaign. The big gun is junior running back Nydrell Thigpen, who amassed 1600 allpurpose yards and scored 16 touchdowns– despite playing injured for part of the season.
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SPORTS
New Look Osceola Kowboys Reload for 2026, Eye 20th Consecutive Playoff Appearance If Osceola is to make a 20th consecutive appearance in the FHSAA State High School Football Playoffs, they are going to have run through a gauntlet of a schedule to get there. The Kowboys, coming off a 7-5 season where they captured a district championship and made it to the regional semifinals, will face eight playoff teams this season, including 7A state champion Lake Mary and 6A state runner-up Lakeland. Its new district (5A, D6), includes Lakeland and state playoff qualifiers Auburndale and Sebring. Even Osceola’s Kickoff Classic will be tough, as it will face Daytona Beach-Mainland – 9-3 team that reached the regional finals a year ago. “It’s sort of a double-edged sword. Because of the long-time success of the program, a lot of teams worried about wins and losses simply do not want to play us,” Coach Eric Pinellas said. “On the other hand, we want to play the best schedule, as it is the best way to get ready for the post-season.” For the past two years, the Kowboys have had a wealth of talent on both sides of the ball – but graduation depleted the ranks considerably. It is now time for the next generation of Osceola stars to step up. With the graduation of Amaree Rutland, Osceola will turn its quarterback duties over Jabari Coombs, a transfer from Timber Creek who saw action for the Wolves last season. He participated in spring drills for the Kowboys and continues to improve as he learns the system. Pinellas said.
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SPORTS
Back Where It Began: Tyler Anderson Returns to Coach Harmony Football
When Harmony opened in 2004, Tyler Anderson was named its first head coach. Three seasons later, Anderson led the Longhorns to a 10-win season and a spot in the regional finals. Two decades later he has “come home” — looking to repeat that success. Anderson, who would go on to coach at both the high school (Utah) and college levels, knows he will face new challenges in his second stint. “When you have been away that long, it really is like starting over,” said Anderson, who went 17-6 in his final two seasons during his first stop with the Longhorns. “Our coaches need to learn about the players and the players have to understand what the expectation of the coaches will be. The most important thing is to get the players to buy into the culture we want to create.” In his first season back, Anderson has some talent –especially on defense — to build around from last year’s 5-5 team. Senior leadership will come from Eliza Harris (WR), Saylor Urban (S), Cam Baker (DE), Gerald Pifer (DT), Jackson Munns (LB) and Rylan Rogers (LB). Munns and Rogers combined for 106 tackles and 16 tackles-for-loss last season. Pifer had 48 total tackles, including 6 quarterback sacks and an additional 25 for loss; while Urban has three picks and nine pass defenses.
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NEWS
KUA’s 33rd Annual Calendar Art Contest Opens August 24 for Osceola County Students KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Young artists across Osceola County will soon have an opportunity to put their creativity to work while helping spread an important message about electrical safety. Kissimmee Utility Authority will open entries for its 33rd Annual Calendar Art Contest on Monday, August 24, inviting students in kindergarten through fifth grade to create original artwork illustrating what electrical safety means to them. The annual contest is open to Osceola County students attending public, charter and private schools, as well as homeschooled students. This year’s contest will select 12 winning students, with each winner receiving $150 and having their artwork featured in KUA’s 2027 Calendar of Electrical Safety. For more than three decades, KUA’s Calendar Art Contest has encouraged local elementary school students to use their artistic talents to promote electrical safety and help educate families throughout the community. Students are encouraged to use their imagination to illustrate ways people can stay safe around electricity, electrical equipment and other potential hazards. Entries officially open Monday, August 24. Parents, students and educators can find additional contest information, rules and entry details at KUA.com/Calendar.
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NEWS
St. Cloud Bulldog Jaden Taylor-Irons Named Positively Osceola’s ‘Osceola Air Player of the Week’ In St. Cloud’s biggest rivalry win in nearly two decades, Jaden Taylor-Irons was at the center of the Bulldogs’ biggest plays, helping power St. Cloud past Osceola and earning honors as Positively Osceola’s Osceola Air Player of the Week. Taylor-Irons opened the game with an electrifying 95-yard touchdown return on the opening kickoff to seize momentum and stake the Bulldogs to a 6-0 lead, sending the large home crowd into a frenzy. With Osceola driving in the third quarter, Taylor-Irons was “Johnny on the Spot” when he recovered a fumble after a Kowboys running back dropped the ball after colliding with the back judge. Later, with Osceola driving toward a potential go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, Taylor-Irons made a sensational interception and returned it 45 yards to thwart the drive and flip the field. Finally, he helped St. Cloud continue a time-consuming fourth-quarter drive when he took a pitch from quarterback Jeremiah Lattier and raced 14 yards to inside the Osceola 10. That play helped the Bulldogs kill more than five minutes off the clock and pin the Kowboys deep in their own territory to help secure the win. For the game, Taylor-Irons rushed five times for 15 yards, registered four tackles and four assists, and recorded both an interception and a fumble recovery.
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NEWS
Osceola Clerk & Comptroller Kelvin Soto’s Office Offers Virtual Queue System to Improve Customer Service The Osceola Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller has officially entered a new era of customer service with the rollout of its virtual queue system, a modernization effort designed to reduce wait times and improve the overall courthouse experience for visitors. The system reflects Clerk & Comptroller Kelvin Soto’s continued commitment to efficiency, accessibility, and innovation across county services. With the virtual queue now fully operational, visitors can join the line digitally using their smartphones upon arrival. Guests simply scan a QR code located near the elevators on the second floor to enter the queue, eliminating the need to wait in traditional lines. Once checked in, visitors receive real-time notifications on their phones when a customer care representative is ready to assist them, allowing individuals to wait comfortably in their vehicles, a nearby coffee shop, or designated courthouse waiting areas. The system also streamlines check-in for residents with scheduled marriage or passport appointments, who are able to confirm their arrival through an email or text message upon entering the courthouse.
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NEWS
Osceola School District Announces 2027 High School Graduation Schedule OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The countdown to graduation has officially begun for the Class of 2027, as the School District of Osceola County has announced dates and times for high school commencement ceremonies across the county. Graduations will take place May 17 through May 21, 2027, with thousands of graduating seniors expected to cross the stage as family members, friends, teachers and school leaders celebrate their accomplishments. The week of ceremonies will begin Monday, May 17, with Osceola County School for the Arts, which will hold its graduation on its school campus. The remaining ceremonies will take place at Osceola Heritage Park. The 2027 graduation schedule is: Monday, May 17 — Osceola County School for the Arts Osceola County School for the Arts — 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 18 — Osceola Heritage Park Poinciana High School — 1:30 p.m. Tohopekaliga High School — 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 19 — Osceola Heritage Park Liberty High School — 9:30 a.m. Harmony High School — 1:30 p.m.
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NEWS
Osceola Clerk & Comptroller’s Office Offers Convenient Passport Services with On-Site Services and Appointments KISSIMMEE, Fla. — As more Osceola County residents plan international vacations, cruises, study-abroad opportunities, and mission trips, the Osceola County Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller is reminding the community that passport services are available locally at the Osceola County Courthouse in Downtown Kissimmee. The Clerk’s Office serves as a passport acceptance facility, allowing residents to apply for new passports, obtain passport photos, and receive assistance with the application process without traveling outside the county. Passport appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Osceola County Courthouse, located at 2 Courthouse Square in Kissimmee. WHO MUST APPLY IN PERSON? According to the U.S. Department of State, applicants must complete Form DS-11 and apply in person if any of the following apply: They have never had a U.S. passport. They are under age 16. Their most recent passport was issued more than 15 years ago. Their most recent passport was lost or stolen.
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HEALTH NEWS
Orlando Health Planning Expansion of Osceola Emergency Room into Acute Care Hospital KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Families across Osceola County now have access to a new early literacy program designed to help children build reading and language skills before they enter kindergarten. The Early Learning Coalition of Osceola County, in partnership with Experience Kissimmee, Wild Florida, Osceola Reads, and the Osceola Library System, has launched Read to Rise, a countywide family literacy initiative that provides free educational resources, hands-on activity kits, and learning opportunities for children from birth through age 6.
Orlando Health Trabaja en Planes para Expandir su Sala de Emergencias en Osceola y Convertirla en un Hospital de Cuidados Agudos KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Orlando Health confirmó que está trabajando en planes para expandir el Orlando Health Emergency Room and Medical Pavilion – Osceola y convertirlo en un hospital de cuidados agudos que atendería las crecientes necesidades de atención médica de los residentes del condado de Osceola. En una declaración proporcionada a Positively Osceola, Orlando Health señaló que la organización mantiene su compromiso de seguir brindando la atención médica compasiva y de alta calidad que sus equipos ofrecen a las comunidades a las que tiene el privilegio de servir.
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NEWS
Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital ENT Specialist Dr. Thuong Trinh Shares Allergy and Sinus Health Insights on Coffee Talk
ST. CLOUD, Fla. — Residents across Osceola County recently had the opportunity to learn more about seasonal allergies, sinus issues, and ear, nose, and throat health during a special edition of Positively Osceola's Coffee Talk LIVE featuring Dr. Thuong H. Trinh, an ear, nose, and throat specialist with Orlando Health Medical Group.
Joining Positively Osceola Vice President Keith Ronan in downtown St. Cloud, Dr. Trinh discussed one of Central Florida's most common health challenges: seasonal allergies and the impact they can have on daily life.
La Especialista en Otorrinolaringología del Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital, Dra. Thuong Trinh, Comparte Información Sobre Alergias y Salud Sinusal en Coffee Talk LIVE ST. CLOUD, Fla. — Los residentes de todo el condado de Osceola tuvieron recientemente la oportunidad de conocer más sobre las alergias estacionales, los problemas sinusales y la salud del oído, la nariz y la garganta durante una edición especial de Coffee Talk LIVE de Positively Osceola, que contó con la participación de la Dra. Thuong H. Trinh, especialista en otorrinolaringología de Orlando Health Medical Group. Acompañando al vicepresidente de Positively Osceola, Keith Ronan, en el centro de St. Cloud, la Dra.
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NEWS
Osceola Sheriff’s Office Reminds Families About Autism Initiative Designed to Enhance Emergency Response
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fl. — The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is reminding families of individuals with autism about its ongoing Autism Initiative, a voluntary program designed to provide deputies with critical information before responding to a home or vehicle, helping improve communication and enhance safety during emergency situations. Available to residents in unincorporated Osceola County, the program provides free autism awareness decals for homes and vehicles. The decals alert responding deputies that an individual with autism may be present, allowing first responders to apply specialized training and tailor their approach to the individual’s unique needs.
La Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Osceola Recuerda a las Familias la Disponibilidad de su Iniciativa para Personas con Autismo KISSIMMEE, Fla. — La Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Osceola recuerda a las familias de personas con autismo la disponibilidad de su Iniciativa para el Autismo, un programa voluntario diseñado para proporcionar a los agentes información importante antes de responder a una residencia o vehículo, con el propósito de mejorar la comunicación y reforzar la seguridad durante situaciones de emergencia.
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NEWS
Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital Among Three Orlando Health Facilities Named Best Places to Work ST. CLOUD, Fla. — Three hospitals within the Orlando Health system have been recognized nationally by Modern Healthcare as part of its 2026 Best Places to Work in Healthcare program. Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital, Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute, and Orlando Health Lake Mary Hospital, each earned the national distinction, which recognizes healthcare organizations that foster positive workplace environments and employee satisfaction. The recognition continues a strong streak for the healthcare system. Orlando Health officials said at least one Orlando Health hospital has been named to the Best Places to Work list for six consecutive years. Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital earned the honor for the fifth straight year, while Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute received the recognition for the third consecutive year. Orlando Health Lake Mary Hospital has now been recognized six times since 2020. “Our three selected hospitals are among only 150 healthcare companies and organizations nationwide recognized by Modern Healthcare as best places to work,” said Colleen Harper, vice president of Human Resources for Orlando Health. “This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering a culture where team members feel valued, supported and proud of the work they do.”
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NEWS
Kissimmee Utility Authority Releases 2026 Hurricane Preparedness Guide Ahead of Atlantic Hurricane Season KISSIMMEE — As the start of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season approaches, Kissimmee Utility Authority has released its annual 2026 Osceola Hurricane Guide, a free bilingual preparedness handbook designed to help residents across Osceola County prepare for potential tropical weather threats. The comprehensive guide is produced through a partnership involving KUA, Osceola County, the cities of Kissimmee and St. Cloud, Toho Water Authority, the Osceola County Property Appraiser’s Office, and UF IFAS Extension. According to KUA, the handbook includes important information on emergency shelters, evacuation routes, generator safety, disaster supply checklists, power outage restoration procedures, and key emergency contact numbers.
KUA Publica la Guía de Preparación para Huracanes 2026 Antes del Inicio de la Temporada KISSIMMEE — Ante el inicio de la temporada de huracanes del Atlántico 2026, Kissimmee Utility Authority publicó su Guía de Huracanes de Osceola 2026, un manual gratuito y bilingüe diseñado para ayudar a los residentes del condado de Osceola a prepararse para posibles amenazas tropicales. La guía integral fue desarrollada en colaboración con KUA, el condado de Osceola, las ciudades de Kissimmee y St. Cloud, Toho Water Authority, la Oficina del Tasador de Propiedades del Condado de Osceola y UF IFAS Extension.
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Entertainment
The Polar Express Returns to Gaylord Palms as ICE! Theme for 2026 Holiday Season KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Gaylord Palms Resort will bring The Polar Express back to Central Florida this holiday season as the theme of its signature ICE! attraction, part of the resort’s annual Christmas celebration running Nov. 13, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027. The 20,000-square-foot immersive attraction will feature 11 larger-than-life scenes inspired by the animated holiday film, all hand-carved from ice and displayed inside an environment kept at a chilly 9 degrees.
The Polar Express Regresa a Gaylord Palms como Tema de ICE! para la Navidad 2026 KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Polar Express regresará a Gaylord Palms Resort esta temporada navideña como tema de ICE!, la popular atracción de hielo que formará parte de la celebración navideña del resort del 13 de noviembre de 2026 al 3 de enero de 2027. La experiencia de 20,000 pies cuadrados contará con 11 escenas inspiradas en la película animada, creadas a mano por un equipo de 40 maestros artesanos del hielo de Harbin, China. La atracción se mantiene a una temperatura de 9 grados Fahrenheit y los visitantes recibirán las tradicionales parkas azules para mantenerse abrigados.
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Entertainment
Stranger Things Final Season Coming to Life at Halloween Horror Nights 2026 ORLANDO, Fla. — Fans of Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things will once again step into the terrifying world of the Upside Down as Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights unveils an all-new haunted house inspired by the fifth and final season of the acclaimed series. Developed in partnership with Netflix, the new attraction will debut at both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood as part of the 2026 Halloween Horror Nights season. The experience is designed to immerse guests in the climactic battle to save Hawkins, bringing some of the final season’s most memorable scenes, characters, and supernatural threats to life.
La Temporada Final de Stranger Things Cobra Vida en Halloween Horror Nights 2026 ORLANDO, Fla. — Los fanáticos de la exitosa serie de Netflix Stranger Things volverán a adentrarse en el aterrador mundo del Upside Down cuando Halloween Horror Nights de Universal presente una nueva casa embrujada inspirada en la quinta y última temporada de la aclamada producción. Desarrollada en colaboración con Netflix, la nueva atracción debutará tanto en Universal Orlando Resort como en Universal Studios Hollywood como parte de la temporada 2026 de Halloween Horror Nights.
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LEGAL NEWS Draper Law: Which vehicles are more likely to be involved in serious or fatal accidents?
Sadly, serious and fatal accidents take place on a daily basis in Central Florida. These crashes can happen in a number of ways and can be caused by not following traffic laws, inexperience, intoxication, distracted driving, fatigue, and medical issues.
Statistics show that fatal car accidents can often occur based on the type of vehicle. You may think that sports cars are most likely to be in crashes due to their speed and performance. However, according to the NHTSA, it’s the everyday cars, trucks, and SUVs on the roadways that are involved more frequently in serious or even deadly accidents, with sedans and pickup trucks accounting for more than three-quarters of fatal accidents.
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