POSITIVELY OSCEOLA WEEKLY
Making a Positive Difference in and around Osceola County!
Kissimmee Main Street to Host 2021 Kissimmee 5K Saturday February 12, for the heart! Page 36
Inside this issue 2022, a New Year, a New Hope – Hector Lizasuain, CEO at Magic Development, LLC Page 6
Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber to host 2022 Three Kings Day celebration at Old Town Jan. 9th
Page 37
Be on the lookout for potential COVID-19 Testing Scams, FDOH in Osceola says Page 14
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NEWS
Florida Governor DeSantis awards $9.7 million to Osceola County’s NeoCity, Valencia College
Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis had Osceola County on his schedule Wednesday morning, and it was highly profitable for both the county and Valencia College as together they received $9.7 million dollars, intended to bolster the county’s growing semiconductor industry. “Manufacturing is something that we need to do a better job of, and we worked really hard in Florida to have more opportunities with vocational education,” DeSantis said. “If you look at how the supply chain works, we are overly dependent on foreign nations, including Taiwan, which is a good ally of ours but which is one that is under really serious pressure from the Communist Party of China, and so we have an opportunity to do more here in the United States.” $6 million of the $9.7 million that will come from the Governor’s Job Growth Fund will go to connecting the emerging NeoCity district via NeoVation Way to Neptune Road and Southern Osceola County. “We are grateful to Governor Ron DeSantis and the Department of Economic Opportunity for believing in and actively supporting Osceola County’s vision for the future. Because the infrastructure investments we made, and awards like today’s Job Growth Grant, uniquely position NeoCity to lead our nation’s semiconductor renaissance,” said Osceola County Manager Don Fisher. “As we have proven with the on-time and on-budget construction of NeoCity Way, we will not disappoint with NeoVation Way, which will pave the way for an untold number of innovative, high-paying jobs and educational opportunities in NeoCity.” Valencia College was also awarded $3.7 million to create technical workforce training for their students who are looking to work in the computer chip and sensor industry. State Representative from District 42 Fred Hawkins stood beside the governor during the news conference and said, “My appropriations bill was part of the $6 million for the road project to connect Neptune Road to NeoCity or the South Road Connector. Working County Manager Don Fisher and staff we put this in appropriations for last session. When it wasn’t funded we continued to push through the Governor’s programs to make what happened today a reality.”
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NEWS
Osceola School District To Host 2022 Winter Choice Extravaganza Event For Students And Parents In celebration of National School Choice Week, the Osceola School District will host a Winter Choice Extravaganza on January 25, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Exhibition Center at Osceola Heritage Park to showcase the high-quality options available to students and their families in kindergarten through Grade 12. All Osceola district schools are scheduled to have displays at the Extravaganza, and will have staff on hand to answer questions about their academic programs, extracurricular activities, student and parent services, and program admission requirements for the 2022-2023 school year. This event will help families make sense of the district’s school choice process, and give them the tools they need to make the right choice for their children for the upcoming school year. A section of the free Extravaganza event will be geared to the district’s little learners who will be incoming kindergarten students for the 2022-2023 school year. Parents are strongly encouraged to register their incoming kindergartners for next school year at the event. Students will be able to enjoy free circus fun at the event, including balloons, a juggler, a unicyclist, a stilt man, a photo booth, cotton candy, popcorn, and more. School district staff members will be on-hand to assist parents/guardians in completing the school registration process, as well as the online choice application for next school year. All students who register at the event for kindergarten will receive a yard sign celebrating the Class of 2035. The event, sponsored in part by Learning Partners for Success, Advent Health, and Kissimmee Utility Authority, will have free admission, free parking, giveaways, and student performances. The district’s online Choice application window for the 2022-2023 school year is currently open and will run from through January 28, 2022. Osceola School District’s online Choice application can be found at https://www.myosceolachoice. school/. For more information, visit osceolaschools.net/choice or call the district’s Educational Choices and Innovation Department at 407-870-4847. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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NEWS How about some shrimp and beef tacos Florida style! It’s Positively Delicious Living in Florida has many advantages… from the sunshine and warm winter months to the beautiful beaches and amazing theme parks. But, you can’t talk Florida without talking about delicious food! Florida is known for its fresh seafood and amazing beef just for starters. So, let’s start out our Positively Delicious series with a recipe for Florida Shrimp and Beef Tacos from the FWC. Florida Shrimp and Beef Tacos • 24 ounces Florida beef (tenderloin, sirloin or your favorite cut of beef), cut into 1-inch cubes • 1 pound large Florida shrimp, peeled and deveined with tail on • 4 large Florida bell peppers (your favorite color), cut into 1-inch squares • 4 large onions, cut into 1-inch squares • 16 bamboo skewers (soaked in water for 1 hour) or metal skewers • Cooking oil spray for grilling • Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste Skewer Marinade and Sauce • ½ cup olive oil • 2 tablespoons fresh garlic, minced • 1 teaspoon cumin • 1 teaspoon chili powder • 2 tablespoons lime juice • ¼ cup fresh cilantro • Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
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Free Huntington Webinar: Tips to Create SMART Goals for Your Child The new year is here, and once again it’s an opportunity for students to start fresh and set new goals. Using the SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) goals framework, your child can get motivated and excited to make 2022 a great year. During the next FREE Huntington How-to webinar, you’ll learn how to help your child come up with SMART goals and use them to make the rest of the school year productive and successful. To register for the free webinar, visit huntingtonhelps.com, go to Resources on the top menu, then drop down to webinar and click. The webinar is free and simple to register for. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 4
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2022, a New Year, a New Hope 2022, a New Year, a New Hope- Jeremy Lanier, Public Information Officer, FDOH Osceola County 2021 was a year of many challenges for Osceola County. As our community continued to experience tremendous growth, we worked together to fight a common enemy – COVID-19. Residents listened to the guidance provided by our community’s health professionals and came out to get vaccinated against this virus. The response was so resounding that our county became one of the leaders in the state for the percentage of eligible population vaccinated. As a lifelong Osceola County resident, I was so proud of my fellow community members. The pride in my neighbors continues as we move into 2022. I have the privilege of living in Historic Downtown Kissimmee, a microcosm of our broader community. As our local small businesses continue to grow and visitors from around the world visit to enjoy our area’s amenities, we are again faced with challenges. But every day I see our residents coming together – business owners helping business owners and neighbors helping neighbors – and it reminds me of how lucky we are. Our community has survived hurricanes, challenging economic times and now we face a foe like no other. But in the end, I know our community will come out stronger and more vibrant than ever before – if we all stick together. 2022 will be the best year yet for Osceola County, of that I am sure. Jeremy Lanier Public Information Officer, proud Osceola County resident, Florida Department of Health in Osceola County
2022, a New Year, a New Hope, Viviana Janer, Osceola County Commissioner District 2 Maybe it is the sign of the times, but the start of 2022 has begun with hopeful signs that Osceola County and its residents will be able to move forward after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic trying to stop our progress. I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and I hope that everyone has the drive and opportunity to be successful in the pursuit of their goals. I hope for the recovery of our health and our economy as I continue to work hard supporting our residents and businesses with millions of federal relief dollars, as well as fighting for our fair share of vaccinations and testing sites. A focus on education, career training, rental, housing, and business assistance, as well as programs to help our seniors will remain a focal point for me. All the while working on our quality of life by making the largest ever county investment on transportation projects and supporting new and improved parks and libraries. As a County Commissioner, it is all a part of my drive to make our community a better place for everyone. As 2022 gears up, I wish you all good health and the ability to pursue and achieve your personal goals. Viviana Janer County Commissioner, Vice Chair, Osceola County Board of County Commissioners For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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2022, a New Year, a New Hope 2022, a New Year, a New Hope – Hector Lizasuain, CEO at Magic Development, LLC
Though 2021 brought its challenges and its fair share of ups and downs, I walk away from it with lessons learned, and a healthy respect for how fragile life truly is. I witnessed firsthand a booming housing market, a high unemployment rate, a tourism industry thriving and struggling at the same time, friends and family taken from us far too soon, schools closing and then opening, and friends and family torn by Covid and politics.
But then I saw the love by many who rolled up their sleeves and tackled every challenge thrown at our ever-growing community with a special optimism that magically appears when the need arises. Even with the ups and downs of this unusual year, I take comfort in knowing that I am blessed with good health, the love of family, beautiful friendships, and our amazing community. Here’s a quote for this upcoming year and a possible goal, “A good life is when you assume nothing, do more, need less, smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, and realize how blessed you are.” – Author Unknown. So, for 2022, I wish you all a year filled with good health, blessings, opportunities, peace, and happiness. Be safe and Happy New Year! Hector Lizasuain Chief Executive Officer, Magic Development, LLC
2022, a New Year, a New Hope – Terry Castillo, Chairwoman Osceola County School Board The New Year is a time of reflection and planning. It is wise to use this time to propel you into your goals, and if there is anything we learned from the past two years of crisis, planning is not enough. Staying focused on a plan is part of the success equation. The other equally important factor is employing flexibility. On our journey through 2022, we will face challenges and obstacles that can deviate us from our goals. Detours are expected, detours can be our allies, but I urge you to stay single-mindedly focused on where you are going this year. My goal this year is to be a fierce advocate for our students. And while I do not know what obstacles lie ahead, I know one thing, I will stay focused on that goal above anything else. So my hope for you is that you stay focused, lean into your obstacles to make them your allies, and above all, I hope that you are victorious! Happy New Year. Terry Castillo Chairwoman, School District of Osceola County For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 6
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2022, a New Year, a New Hope 2022, a New Year, a New Hope – Reverend Mary Lee Downey, CEO at Hope Partnership, Inc As we close 2021 and look forward to 2022, it may feel like it’s a little hard to find hope. If your holiday was like mine, you saw friends and family get sick, saw health care workers feel unsupported, and may have wondered how we are still stuck in this never-ending pandemic. As the CEO and founder of The Hope Partnership, we saw the added fear of those who were unable to find suitable housing or struggled with food insecurity during a time that should be filled with happiness and joy. It was and remains a very hard time. And yet. We still have hope. One of my favorite quotes states, “And sometimes, against all odds, against all logic, we still hope.” I’ve tried to figure out online who said that, and it might have been the main character of Grey’s Anatomy, and if it was, that still very much works. Every episode of that show is constant drama, and well, these days feel that way too.
As we step into 2022, it might feel hopeless, but we can, against all that we know, still look for the hope. I truly believe that we can end our housing crisis in this community. Will that be easy? No. But, I hope that with the right mix of folks around the table by the end of 2022 we will see even more housing options available to those who are the backbone of our workforce in hospitality and tourism. I believe this, because, even though 2021 was a hard year at Hope Partnership, we still saw over 200 of our neighbors move into housing that were previously experiencing homelessness. Of that 200, 25 were people who had been living on the streets for more than two years. Even in our hardest times as an organization, people still found hope and housing. And I believe that can continue. It’s one thing to simply hope for things to get better, it’s another to continue to be a part of an organization that wants to bring that hope to fruition. In 2022, it may not make sense, and it may feel like all the odds are stacked against us, and yet: we will still hope. Happy New Year Friends! Rev. Mary Lee Downey Chief Executive Officer, Hope Partnership, Inc.
2022, a New Year, a New Hope – Kathy Pierson of Kathy Pierson Communications As we move into 2022, I feel that we will see more peace, a better understanding of respect and global knowledge of working together on this wonderful place we call EARTH! We will see a more positive environment as we understand the importance of keeping our planet and our communities clean and green! We all need to look forward and be more understanding of one another and give a smile and share the love of our community and ourselves! Respect, Understanding and Laughter is my motto for 2022 and I hope it will be for you and your families! Here is to a good, healthy, and prosperous new year – Happy New 2022! Kathy Pierson President, Kathy Pierson Communications For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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2022, a New Year, a New Hope 2022, a New Year, a New Hope – Bill Sturgeon, City Manager City of St. Cloud
Remember a year ago when we were all so excited to leave 2020 in the rearview, and charge headlong into 2021 leaving COVID-19 behind us? Yet here we are at the dawn of 2022 with a new variant spreading throughout our communities, bringing back masks, wreaking havoc on the nation’s airports over the holidays, causing businesses to close temporarily for staffing issues, and spawning lines stretching for blocks at testing sites. It can all look pretty dour and bleak. I choose to focus on the positive. Life tends to be a series of two steps forward and one step back. Sometimes it seems to be one step forward and two steps back. We tend to romanticize the past and fondly remember “the good ol’ days.” But if we’re honest, every year has both good and bad. Acknowledge the bad, but focus on the good. There will always be challenges to face, regardless of what stage of life you’re in. We need to practice embracing change instead of resisting it. Understand that change is a part of life, and it’s not going away. Just as water that’s not moving stagnates, so it is with us as people and also our communities. The 1998 New York Times bestselling allegory book Who Moved My Cheese features four characters looking for cheese (happiness). It’s a short story, an easy read, and has a powerful message that is just as applicable today as when it was written. Learning to adapt to a changing environment will greatly improve your mental health and your level of happiness. Rather than pine for the “good ol’ days,” embrace the change around you, see the good that it brings, and look forward to the new opportunities for growth, new experiences, and new knowledge. As the character Haw notes in Who Moved My Cheese, “the quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you can enjoy new cheese.” Bill Sturgeon City Manager, City of St. Cloud Florida
2022, a New Year, a New Hope – Michael R. Flippo, Musician/Arranger/Producer
2021 is history. One thing I’ve learned in the last three years is that I cannot change history, especially its pain and loss If I were to gather all of the photos, writings, videos, books, keepsakes. and symbols of a person once in my life but no longer on this earth, and hide them away in a lockbox, would it erase that person? Certainly not. It may remove a reminder . . . but I need reminding so that I can honestly and progressively move forward and grow as a person. Growing as a person does not stop at a certain age, either. 2021 is filled with many “reminders,” from which we can learn and grow. As I step into 2022, I have a renewed hope and expectation of better days ahead, but I can only take one day, one 24 hours, at a time, and so can you.
History is being written as I write this. And so we all begin to write our story, entitled, “2022.” Let’s make it a best seller. Michael R. Flippo Musician/Arranger/Producer For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 8
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2022, a New Year, a New Hope 2022, a New Year, a New Hope – Kelly Trace, CEO of Reach, Headquarters Coworking Becoming a new version of yourself every year is exhausting. Before you post about who the new you will be in 2022, I want to remind you that there isn’t anything wrong with the 2021 version of yourself. Or you in 2020, or 2019. You got you here – and you’re doing pretty darn great. But here comes that high achiever mindset again – she always be after something more and better and better.
Resolutions always seem to be dramatic life changes, don’t they? Some things we know aren’t even really possible but we write them down because maybe we will actually do them (gym – I’m talking to you! or maybe you want to personally change some feelings on the inside – and trust me – doing big inner mindset work is so important, but speaking from experience, enter this space with some caution. So many of us see things (or someone’s life actually) on the internet we think we want, we convince ourselves that’s the natural next step for us, and the harm here is that sometimes you don’t realize that you’re changing your core values to get where you think you’re supposed to be. The same core values that made you the success that you are. And it’s reeeeeally hard to snap back into the you that you were after dipping your toe in that murky water. The TLDR is — Make sure when you’re setting resolutions this year that you don’t compromise your core values to become a new version of yourself because, to be honest people really love you just as you are. Kelly Trace CEO, Reach, Headquarters Coworking
2022, A New Year, a New Hope – Heather Kahoun, Owner/Creative Director, Heyyy Heather As we head into this new year, I know many, like myself, focus on the metaphorical “clean slate” ahead of us. After the challenges we’ve faced as a collective whole over the last two years, it’s all too exciting to think about the new opportunities for fresh starts, healthier lifestyles, ambitious goals, and unknown journeys we may set our sights on in 2022. As a still-very-new small business owner in our community, I’ve realized it can be very easy to find yourself so busy just accomplishing the tasks you need to finish each day that you pigeonhole yourself into moments of isolation. There are many solo responsibilities that fall on your shoulders. Over the last six months, I’ve worked to be more intentional with my time. I’ve worked in more lunch meetings where I build moments getting to know a fellow business owner or potential client just a little bit better. I’ve said yes to more opportunities that allow me time to network with my peers in our community and work together to help strengthen and build Osceola up. I’ve dropped in on clients from time to time to just see how they’re doing so that the other times we see each other aren’t just focused on “work.” So… the hope I have for others like myself this new year is placing a gentle reminder on deepening connections and building relationships. Cheers to you and 2022! Heather Kahoun Owner/Creative Director, Heyyy Heather For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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NEWS
St. Cloud Approves Downtown Entertainment District Outside Alcohol Consumption
The City of St. Cloud Council approved the entertainment district amendment allowing the use of outside alcohol consumption for the downtown. The city has shared with the community what’s next and what to expect: For District visitors: • Stay within the Entertainment District Boundaries: (North) 9th Street; (East) Florida Avenue; (South)13th Street; (West) Massachusetts Avenue • Hours of outdoor consumption are from Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. • For outdoor consumption, no more than 1 drink per valid I.D per transaction • Outdoor consumption is only permitted in a clear plastic cup, with registered district logo, not to exceed 16 fl. ounces • Alcoholic drinks are defined as beer, wine, and liquors • No alcoholic drinks are to be brought in from outside of the District • Be courteous of your surroundings and dispose of your waste in one of the many available trash bins within the District For Outdoor Alcoholic Beverages Dispensing Establishments: • Your establishment must register with the City to be able to dispense alcoholic beverages for outdoor consumption. Click here to contact the Community Development Department’s Zoning Division for information on how to register your business. • Your establishment is allowed to dispense only one (1) drink per valid I.D. for outdoor consumption, per transaction at a time. • Dispense alcoholic beverages for outside consumption only between 11 a.m. Wednesday to Saturday 12 a.m. • Alcoholic beverages dispended for outdoor consumption must be in a clear cup, no larger than 16 fl. ounces, that contains the District’s registered logo. Please email Mainstreet for information on how to obtain the approved logo to place on your plastic cups. • Do not allow drinks to enter into your establishment from outside sources For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 10
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NEWS Osceola County Names Fire Rescue and EMS Staff as Employees of the Month Congratulations to Osceola County Fire Rescue and EMS Administrative Lt. Robert Botkin and Financial Compliance Manager Christie DyerKilcoyne for earning Osceola County’s Employee of the Month awards for the month of January. The two were recognized for their roles in securing more than $5 million dollars in FEMA S.A.F.E.R. grants, which will add additional firefighters to the new Station 67 near AustinTindall Park on Boggy Creek Road. Board of County Commissioner Chairman Brandon Arrington and County Manager Don Fisher presented the awards during Monday’s County Commission meeting.
St. Cloud Cites 2020 Census Showing Growth in Hispanic Businesses In St. Cloud’s most recent newsletter the city shared that St. Cloud has grown exponentially in the past decade, with more than 67% increase in overall population growth. The largest increase in St. Cloud has been within the Hispanic/Latino demographic. According to the United States Census Bureau, Hispanic/Latinos of any race make up 41.3% of the population, a 71% increase from 2010. With the increase in population comes an increase in job opportunities, especially entrepreneurship. In St. Cloud, Latinos represent all major industry sectors, owning businesses in education, manufacturing, education, construction, finance, health services–to name a few. Latino – Owned Business (LOBs) owners tend to be younger than their non-Latino counterparts, according to the census. For the City of St. Cloud, this could mean a greater diversity of the types of companies doing business in the City, an increase in jobs, an increase in profitable businesses in the market. In fact, the Hispanic/Latinos of any race make up 41.3% of the population, an impressive 71% increase from 2010 data at 29%. Shop local and help support our Hispanic-owned St. Cloud businesses like ABBAleta’s Popsicle Shop or Old Fashion Cigar Shop! Article Source: City of St. Cloud Newsletter and Communications Dept. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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NEWS
Osceola Commission Approves Developers Improvement at Reeves and Pleasant Hill Roads Osceola County Commissioners approved an agreement during their Monday meeting to ensure that developers pay to increase road capacity equal to the impact their projects create on local transportation infrastructure. With this Agreement, the Mater Academy Foundation and KRK OC Kissimmee, LLC have dedicated the needed right of way and will pay for improvements to a portion of the intersection of Reaves and Pleasant Hill roads. The result will be a turn lane and related improvements along the north side of Reaves Road on the western portion of the intersection. The Total cost of the improvements is estimated at more than is $136,350. “It’s important to ensure developers are making transportation improvements that are needed as a result of their projects,” said Osceola Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington. “The work at this intersection sets the stage for more improvements on Reeves Road that will eventually lead to a new connection with Poinciana Parkway, greatly improving the lives of residents in District 3.” The K-8 Mater Brighton Lakes Academy and the Mater Academy Preparatory High School are sited on approximately 22 acres near the intersection. The improvements require additional right-of-way along the existing north right-of-way line of Reaves Road in order to facilitate the development of the property in conjunction with the site development plan. The County is working with the developer to obtain the additional ROW, with the Developer paying all out-of-pocket costs of such acquisition. Additionally, the developer shall be responsible for the design, permitting and construction of the roadway Improvements in accordance with the approved plans and other local and state regulations. Construction shall be completed within 180 calendar days from the recording of a deed or other evidence of transfer to the County of the additional ROW. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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NEWS Be on the lookout for potential COVID-19 Testing Scams, FDOH in Osceola says We would all hope that with individuals, families, businesses, and organizations struggling to get through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, sources of information for access to COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and monoclonal antibody treatment locations in Osceola County would be trustworthy and safe, but sadly, as demand for testing increases, so does the risk for potential scams. The Florida Department of Health is urging residents to be on the lookout for fraudulent COVID-19 products and practices, especially as it pertains to testing. Also, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seen unauthorized fraudulent test kits for COVID-19 being sold online. Helpful tips for residents: •Rely on trusted sources of information for COVID-19 testing and locations. •Check to make sure a COVID-19 testing location is legitimate. Residents are encouraged to be cautious of: •Unexpected phone calls or visitors offering COVID-19 tests or supplies.Offers or advertisements for COVID-19 testing on social media sites. •Purchasing at-home testing kits from street vendors. •Individuals going door-to-door selling at-home testing kits. •Links that seem questionable or are from unverified sources offering COVID-19 testing options. Resources for reporting fraud and scams: Complaints about fraudulent activity related to COVID-19 testing can be reported to the State of Florida Attorney General at MyFloridaLegal.com or call 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226). Complaints regarding laboratories associated with COVID-19 testing sites can be reported to the Agency for Health Care Administration by emailing CAU@AHCA.MyFlorida.com. If you suspect COVID-19 health care fraud, report it immediately to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General at TIPS.HHS.GOV or call 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). If you suspect illegal activity relating to FDA-regulated products, including fraudulent COVID-19 treatments, vaccines, and tests, report it to the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations at AccessData.FDA.gov/Scripts/Email/ OC/OCI/Contact.cfm. Resources for COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and monoclonal antibody treatment site information in Osceola County: Florida Department of Health in Osceola County at Osceola.FloridaHealth.gov. Osceola County COVID-19 testing information at Osceola.org/COVID19Testing. Osceola County COVID-19 vaccination information at Osceola.org/COVID19Vaccinations. Osceola County COVID-19 monoclonal antibody information at Osceola.org/COVID19Therapy. Florida COVID-19 Response website at FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 14
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NEWS FWC Shares update about game wildlife research projects The restoration of game wildlife, such as white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and wood ducks, is one of the most celebrated accomplishments of modern wildlife management. The comeback of these iconic species was the result of several factors – hunter/conservationist support, dedicated funding, creation of wildlife agencies, habitat conservation, and introduction of game laws. Wildlife research also played a pivotal role in these conservation success stories. And research continues to be the underpinning of sciencebased wildlife management today. Through research, biologists have improved their understanding of wildlife ecology. However, it’s critical we continue to collect and analyze data due to changing landscapes, hunter preferences, and wildlife populations. Another reason to continue investing in research is the opportunity to incorporate improvements in technology, such as the advent of satellite GPS transmitters, that can yield new and important insights beyond what was available when older technologies were used. Ensuring we have the best available information – versus observations not supported by measurable data – is vital for wildlife managers when making decisions about season lengths, bag limits, and more.
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In the Cloud Quarterly Newsletter for the Residents of St. Cloud
Quarter 1, 2022
RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH NEW PROJECTS CITY HALL ATRIUM – City Hall will be getting a new 10,000-square-foot atrium this year. The three-story addition will be built on the front of City Hall in the current courtyard. The first floor will be a secure central entry point to both Building A and Building B. The 2nd and 3rd floors will house offices, conference rooms and related spaces. Construction started in January and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PHASE II – Scheduled to begin work in February, this project involves the reconstruction of Pennsylvania Avenue from 13th Street (US 192) to 9th Street, and 10th Street from Massachusetts Avenue to Florida Avenue. Improvements include: • Reconstruction of the roadway to provide 10-foot-wide travel lanes; removal and re-installation of historic bricks and brick pavers; reconstruction and widening of existing concrete sidewalks; curb and gutter reconstruction; on-street parking; utility relocation; removal and installation of street lighting, signing and pavement markings; and, landscaping and irrigation. • Drainage improvements include reconstructing curb inlets, reconstructing piping and adjusting existing DBI’s. • Utility improvements will include replacing all existing water pipes with new 8-inch water pipes. FRIARS COVE/CANOE CREEK TRAFFIC SIGNAL – Fire Station #33 on Friars Cove Lane will be getting a new emergency traffic signal at Canoe Creek Road to help safely reduce the response time to emergencies. This signal will be able to preempt traffic on Canoe Creek, allowing emergency vehicles to exit Friars Cover Lane more quickly on emergency calls. As part of this project, a pedestrian crosswalk will be added to the intersection. Construction of these improvements is expected to begin this Summer. ILLINOIS AVENUE PIPE LINING – The metal stormwater pipe on Illinois Avenue has developed rust from the acidic groundwater in the area and has become eroded in some areas. This has compromised the pipe’s ability to carry stormwater efficiently through the system. As a result, the city will be installing a liner in the pipe from US 192 to Lakeshore Boulevard. The liner, which has a life span of between 50 and 75 years, will allow the pipe to function as designed. By lining the pipe rather than replacing it, the city is able to restore functionality while minimizing disruption to the residents who live along the corridor. Installation of the pipe liner is expected to begin this Summer.
1300 9th Street, St. Cloud, Florida 34769 | 407-957-7300 | s StCloudFL.gov @CityofStCloudFL
Tell Us What You Think About the Transportation Proposals for 10th Street
City Hall: 407-957-7300
Video and survey now available The 10th Street Study examines the possibilities for making the street safer and healthier, while benefiting the local economy and bringing the community together. A video is now available showing proposals for different stretches of 10th Street, from the Medical Arts area to the Historic Core and Downtown pieces, then through a suburban transition toward Narcoossee Road. It also shows how intersections might be improved. View the 5-minute video on the study page here: MetroPlanOrlando.org/10thStreetStudy After you watch the video, we want your feedback on these ideas. By answering the 10-question survey, you can help shape 10th Street for the whole community. The survey will be available through February 2022 at this link: bit.ly/10thStreetSurvey2
City Manager/City Council: 407-957-7301 Building: 407-957-7224 City Clerk: 407-957-7320 Code Enforcement: 407-957-7238 Jobline: 407-957-7272 Parks & Recreation: 407-957-7243 PIO/Communications: 407-957-7303 Planning /Zoning: 407-957-8427 Public Works: 407-957-7344 Purchasing: 407-957-7212 Solid Waste: 407-957-7289 Utilities: 407-957-7344
City Council
Contact Information City Council: 407-957-7301
If you would like to speak with the study team in person, come see us at the Downtown St. Cloud Monthly Market on January 26, 2022, from 5-9 p.m. Contact the project manager for more information: Alex Trauger, MetroPlan Orlando, (407) 481-5672 Ext. 313, atrauger@metroplanorlando.org. The 10th Street Study is a partnership of MetroPlan Orlando, the City of St. Cloud and Osceola County.
Mayor Nathan Blackwell, Seat 1 407-957-8401 | nathan.blackwell@stcloud.org Deputy Mayor Linette Matheny, Seat 2 407-957-8402 | linette.matheny@stcloud.org Council Member Kolby Urban, Seat 3 407-957-8403 | Kolby.Urban@stcloud.org Council Member Dave Askew, Seat 4 407-957-8404 | dave.askew@stcloud.org Council Member Keith Trace, Seat 5 407-957-8405 | keith.trace@stcloud.org
13001300 9th Street, St. St. Cloud, Florida StCloudFL.gov 9th Street, Cloud, Florida 34769 34769 ||407-957-7300 407-957-7300 || stcloud.com @CityofStCloudFL @CityofStCloudFL
Quarter 1, 2022
New St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke, Patrol Division Commander for the Orlando Police Department, has been hired as the new St. Cloud police chief. Goerke replaces Chief Peter Gauntlett, who is retiring at the end of the year after serving as the city’s public safety director and police chief for the past 11 years. “Chief Gauntlett served our community well in his 11 years here,” City Manager Bill Sturgeon said. “After a law enforcement career that spanned more than 40 years, he has certainly earned his retirement, and we wish him well.”
New Light at Nolte Road and Budinger Avenue In 2021, the City installed a traffic signal at Nolte Road and Budinger Avenue. The intersection had been the subject of numerous requests for a signal as increased traffic in the area caused delays for drivers trying to turn at the intersection. We are pleased to be able to get this project completed to help ease traffic issues. Nolte Road is a major east-west corridor that many motorists use as an alternative to US 192.
Goerke has been with OPD for 20 years, starting as an officer and working his way through the ranks. Before recently being assigned as Patrol Division commander, Goerke served for a year as the Director of Airport Police Services for OPD. He also was a deputy chief of police for a year. “Chief Goerke has the experience, the training, the formal education, and the vision to guide our police department into strategic growth as the city grows,” Sturgeon said. “He will be able to help make sure that our officers are well-trained and well-equipped to ensure the safety of our citizens, and that they are treated with the utmost professionalism and respect.” Goerke holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Liberty University and a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds numerous certifications in specialized law enforcement training. Chief Goerke will start his new role in January.
New St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke, left, is congratulated by retiring Police Chief Pete Gauntlett
Soccer Field Concession Stand Gets an Update The City recently completed renovations to the concession stand at the soccer field at Stephanie Leigh Rothstein Memorial Park, located at 2701 Missouri Ave. The building houses public restrooms, storage and the concession stand for the Soccer Club of St. Cloud. The City has a user agreement with the soccer club wherein the soccer club provides the soccer program and the City takes care of the turf and irrigation maintenance, building maintenance, custodial services and general maintenance of the facility. The new, color-coordinated metal roof replaces a failing shingle roof. We know the improvements to the building will be a benefit to the hundreds of players and spectators who use the facility each year.
Seaplane Base Update The effort to develop a seaplane base for the City of St. Cloud is well underway. At the end of 2021, the City submitted a feasibility study to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Aviation Office. This is a required step to establish a new public airport in the state. Since seaplanes use water as a runway and taxiways, there is a greatly reduced cost of airport infrastructure than a conventional airport.
Aviation Office to repair, replace or add infrastructure in the future. At the same time, we will be working with our consulting aviation engineering and planning firm, AVCON, Inc. of Orlando, to design the seaplane docks and fueling system and put that work out for bid. Ongoing throughout this process, we will be meeting with seaplane owners and operators to ensure the facilities we construct will meet the needs of those stakeholders. Of which, more than a dozen have reached out to us. Additionally, the FAA master plan process will include at least one public hearing, and often there is a presentation made to the public several weeks before the public hearing. Our goal is to integrate the seaplane shore facilities into the ongoing Lakefront Park master planning process to be compatible with all of the uses at the Lakefront. We hope that within a year or less, residents will see some tangible action happening at the lakefront associated with the seaplane base.
Once the study is accepted, we will begin a master plan process. State law allows seaplane operations on any body of water in Florida that is not otherwise protected or prohibited from that use. This fact allowed the City to previously establish the seaplane lane (runway) on East Lake Toho and receive a mandatory airport license from the State. This ensures that both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control function and other area airports must factor in the existence and airspace needs of our seaplane base in all of their future planning. The base is officially designated as 3FL and is currently depicted on all aeronautical charts and documents. Some seaplane pilots use the lane now for “touch and go” practice landing, and since the lane is a mile from shore, many people are not aware this has been occurring for a year or more. Unlike other types of master plans, the seaplane base master plan process is an FAA format process, exactly the same as periodically conducted at Orlando International, Kissimmee, or any other public airport. Receiving state approval of an airport master plan will allow the City to request grant funds from FDOT
Kolby Urban was sworn in on Thursday, Nov. 18, for City Council Seat #3, to fill the unexpired term of Chuck Cooper, who passed away earlier this year. Urban was elected on Nov. 9 in a special general election. A lifelong St. Cloud resident and Harmony High School graduate, Urban holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Central Florida. He is a contractor with Distinctive Homes, Inc. He and his wife have one daughter, who was born in May.
In the Cloud Boletín Trimestral para Residentes de St. Cloud
Trimestre 1, 2022
LLEGA EL AÑO NUEVO CON NUEVOS PROYECTOS ATRIO DE LA ALCALDÍA – La alcaldía tendrá un nuevo atrio de 10,000 pies cuadrados este año. Se construirá una adición de tres pisos al frente de la alcaldía en lo que es actual el patio. El primer piso será un punto de entrada central seguro tanto al Edificio A como al Edificio B. El segundo y tercer piso albergarán oficinas, salas de conferencias y espacios relacionados. La construcción comenzó en enero y se espera que esté terminada a finales de año. REVITALIZACIÓN DEL CENTRO DE LA CIUDAD FASE II – Programado para comenzar a trabajar en febrero, este proyecto implica la reconstrucción de Pennsylvania Avenue desde 13th Street (US 192) hasta 9th Street, y 10th Street desde Massachusetts Avenue hasta Florida Avenue. Las mejoras incluyen: • Reconstrucción de la carretera para proporcionar carriles de circulación de 10 pies de ancho; remoción y reinstalación de ladrillos históricos y adoquines de ladrillos; reconstrucción y ampliación de las aceras de hormigón existentes; reconstrucción de los bordes de las aceras y cunetas; estacionamiento en la calle; reubicación de servicios públicos; remoción e instalación de alumbrado público, letreros y señalización en el pavimento; y jardinería y riego. • Las mejoras de drenaje incluyen la reconstrucción de entradas de acera, la reconstrucción de tuberías y el ajuste de las zanjas de entrada inferior existentes. • Las mejoras de los servicios públicos incluirán el reemplazo de todas las tuberías de agua existentes por nuevas tuberías de agua de 8 pulgadas. SEMÁFORO DE FRIARS COVE/CANOE CREEK – La Estación de Bomberos #33 en Friars Cove Lane tendrá un nuevo semáforo para tránsito de emergencia en Canoe Creek Road para ayudar a reducir de manera segura el tiempo de respuesta a las emergencias. Este semáforo podrá adelantarse al tráfico en Canoe Creek, permitiendo que los vehículos de emergencia salgan de Friars Cover Lane más rápidamente cuando haya llamadas de emergencia. Como parte de este proyecto, se agregará un paso de peatones a la intersección. Se espera que la construcción de estas.
REVESTIMIENTO DE TUBERÍAS EN ILLINOIS AVENUE – La tubería de metal para aguas pluviales en Illinois Avenue se ha oxidado debido al agua subterránea ácida en el área y se ha erosionado en algunas zonas. Esto ha comprometido la capacidad de la tubería para transportar las aguas pluviales de manera eficiente a través del sistema. Como resultado, la Ciudad instalará un revestimiento en la tubería desde la US 192 hasta Lakeshore Boulevard. El revestimiento, que tiene una vida útil de entre 50 y 75 años, permitirá que la tubería funcione según lo diseñado. Al revestir la tubería en lugar de reemplazarla, la Ciudad puede restaurar la funcionalidad al tiempo que minimiza las interrupciones para los residentes que 1300 comience 9th Street, St.este Cloud, Florida 34769 | 407-957-7300 | s viven a lo largo del corredor. Se espera que la instalación del revestimiento de tubería verano. StCloudFL.gov @CityofStCloudFL
Díganos qué Piensa sobre la Propuesta de Transportación para la 10th Street Vídeo y encuesta ahora disponible El Estudio de la 10th Street 10 Street examina las posibilidades Estudio Completo de Carretera de hacer que la calle sea más segura y floreciente, al mismo tiempo que se beneficia la economía local y une a la comunidad. Ya está disponible un SU OPINIÓN CUENTA vídeo mostrando distintas propuestas para diferentes tramos de la 10th Street, desde el área del Medical Arts hasta el Centro Histórico y el centro la Ciudad, luego a través de una transición suburbana hacia Narcoossee Road. También muestra cómo se pueden mejorar las intersecciones. Vea el vídeo de 5 minutos en la página del estudio aquí: MetroPlanOrlando.org/10thStreetStudy Después de ver el video, deseamos sus comentarios sobre estas ideas. Al responder la encuesta de 10 preguntas, puede ayudar a dar forma a la 10th Street para toda la comunidad. La encuesta estará disponible hasta febrero de 2022 en este enlace: bit. ly/10thStreetSurvey2
10 Street Estudio Completo de Carretera
¿Necesita Ayuda? Alcaldía: 407-957-7300 Gerente/Consejo de la Ciudad: 407-957-7301 Permisos de Construcción: 407-957-7224 Secretario de la Ciudad: 407-957-7320 Aplicación de Código: 407-957-7238 Línea de Empleo: 407-957-7272 Parques y Recreación: 407-957-7243 Comunicaciones: 407-957-7303 Planificación/Zonificación: 407-957-8427 Trabajos Públicos: 407-957-7344 Compras: 407-957-7212 Desperdicios Sólidos: 407-957-7289 Empresas Servicios Públicos: 407-957-7344
Información de Contacto para el Consejo de la Ciudad Consejo de la Ciudad: 407-957-7301
Hablemos sobre
Alcalde Nathan Blackwell, Silla 1 407-957-8401 | nathan.blackwell@stcloud.org
10th Street
Si desea hablar con el equipo de estudio en persona, venga a vernos al mercado mensual del centro de la Ciudad de St. Cloud el 26 de enero de 2022, de 5 a 9 pm. Comuníquese con el gerente del proyecto para obtener más información: Alex Trauger, MetroPlan Orlando, (407) 481-5672 Ext. 313, atrauger@metroplanorlando.org. El Estudio de la 10th Street es una asociación de MetroPlan Orlando, la Ciudad de St. Cloud y el Condado Osceola.
Vice-alcaldesa Linette Matheny, Silla 2 407-957-8402 | linette.matheny@stcloud.org Miembro del Consejo Kolby Urban, Silla 3 407-957-8403 | Kolby.Urban@stcloud.org Miembro del Consejo Dave Askew, Silla 4 407-957-8404 | dave.askew@stcloud.org Miembro del Consejo Keith Trace, Silla 5 407-957-8405 | keith.trace@stcloud.org
13001300 9th Street, St. St. Cloud, Florida StCloudFL.gov 9th Street, Cloud, Florida 34769 34769 ||407-957-7300 407-957-7300 || stcloud.com @CityofStCloudFL @CityofStCloudFL
Trimestre 1, 2022
Nuevo Jefe de Policٕía en St. Cloud Douglas Goerke, comandante de la División de Patrulla del Departamento de Policía de Orlando, ha sido contratado como el nuevo jefe de Policía de St. Cloud. Goerke reemplaza al jefe Peter Gauntlett, quien se jubiló a fines de año después de haber sido director de seguridad pública y jefe de policía de la Ciudad durante los últimos 11 años. “El jefe Gauntlett sirvió bien a nuestra comunidad en sus 11 años aquí”, dijo el administrador municipal Bill Sturgeon. “Después de una carrera policial que se extendió por más de 40 años, ciertamente se ha ganado su jubilación y le deseamos lo mejor”.
Nuevo Semáforo en Nolte Road y Budinger Avenue En 2021, la Ciudad instaló un semáforo en Nolte Road y Budinger Avenue. Se habían hecho numerosas peticiones para ubicar un semáforo en la intersección debido al aumento en tráfico que causaba retrasos a los conductores intentando girar en la intersección. Estamos felices de haber podido completar este proyecto para aliviar problemas con el tráfico. Nolte Road es un importante corredor vial este-oeste que muchos conductores usan como alternativa a la US 192.
Goerke ha estado con OPD (por sus siglas en inglés) durante 20 años, comenzando como oficial y abriéndose camino en la Policía de Orlando. Antes de ser asignado recientemente como comandante de la División de Patrulla, Goerke se desempeñó durante un año como director de Servicios de Policía Aeroportuaria para OPD. También fue subjefe de policía durante un año. “El jefe Goerke tiene la experiencia, la capacitación, la educación formal y la visión para guiar a nuestro departamento de policía hacia un crecimiento estratégico a medida que crece la Ciudad”, dijo Sturgeon. “Él podrá ayudar a garantizar que nuestros oficiales estén bien capacitados y equipados para garantizar la seguridad de nuestros ciudadanos, y que sean tratados con el mayor profesionalismo y respeto”. Goerke tiene una maestría en Administración Pública de Liberty University y una licenciatura en Administración de Justicia Criminal de Columbia Southern University. Se graduó de la Academia Nacional del FBI y posee numerosas certificaciones en entrenamiento especializado en el cumplimiento de la ley. El jefe Goerke comenzó su nuevo cargo en enero.
Izq. nuevo jefe de Policía de St. Cloud Douglas Goerke, es felicitado por el saliente jefe de Policía, Pete Gauntlett, quien se retiró.
Remodelan Concesión en Campo de Soccer La Ciudad recientemente completó las remodelación del puesto de concesión en el campo de soccer en Stephanie Leigh Rothstein Memorial Park, ubicado en 2701 Missouri Ave. El edificio alberga baños públicos, almacenamiento y el puesto de concesión del Soccer Club of St. Cloud. La Ciudad tiene un acuerdo de uso con el club de soccer en el que el club proporciona el programa de soccer y la Ciudad se encarga del mantenimiento del césped y el riego, el mantenimiento de los edificios, los servicios de conserjería y el mantenimiento general de las instalaciones. El nuevo techo de metal de colores coordinados reemplaza un techo de tejas defectuoso. Sabemos que las mejoras al edificio beneficiarán a los cientos de jugadores y espectadores que utilizan las instalaciones cada año.
Actualización de la Base para Hidroaviones El esfuerzo por desarrollar una base para hidroaviones en la Ciudad de St. Cloud está en marcha. A fines de 2021, la Ciudad presentó un estudio de viabilidad a la Oficina de Aviación del Departamento de Transporte de Florida (FDOT). Este es un paso necesario para establecer un nuevo aeropuerto público en el estado. Dado que los hidroaviones utilizan el agua como pista de aterrizaje y de rodaje, el costo de la infraestructura aeroportuaria es mucho menor que el de un aeropuerto convencional. Una vez aceptado el estudio, comenzaremos un proceso de plan maestro.
estaremos trabajando con nuestro consultor en ingeniería y planificación aeronáutica, la empresa, AVCON, Inc. de Orlando, con el fin de diseñar los muelles (base) para hidro-aviones y el sistema de abastecimiento de combustible y poner ese trabajo a licitación. A lo largo de este proceso, nos reuniremos con los propietarios y operadores de hidroaviones para asegurarnos de que las instalaciones que construimos satisfagan las necesidades de esas partes interesadas, de los cuales, más de una docena se han comunicado con nosotros. Además, el proceso del plan maestro de la FAA incluirá al menos una audiencia pública y, a menudo, se realizará una presentación al público varias semanas antes de la audiencia pública. Nuestro objetivo es integrar las instalaciones costeras del hidroavión en el proceso de planificación maestra en curso del Lakefront Park para que sea compatible con todos los usos a la orilla del lago. Esperamos que dentro de un año o menos, los residentes vean alguna acción tangible en la orilla del lago asociada con la base del hidroavión.
La ley estatal permite las operaciones de hidroaviones en cualquier cuerpo de agua en Florida que no esté protegido o prohibido de otro modo para ese uso. Este hecho permitió a la Ciudad establecer previamente el carril (pista) para hidroaviones en East Lake Toho y recibir una licencia obligatoria para aeropuertos del Estado. Esto asegura que tanto la Administración Federal de Aviación (FAA por sus siglas en inglés) la función de control del tráfico aéreo y los aeropuertos de otras áreas deben tener en cuenta la existencia y las necesidades de espacio aéreo de nuestra base de hidroaviones en toda su planificación futura. La base está oficialmente designada como 3FL y actualmente se muestra en todas las cartas y documentos aeronáuticos. Algunos pilotos de hidroaviones usan la pista ahora para el aterrizaje de práctica “touch and go”, y dado que la pista está a una milla de la costa, muchas personas no saben que esto ha estado ocurriendo durante un año o más. A diferencia de otros tipos de planes maestros, el proceso del plan maestro de la base del hidroavión es un proceso de formato FAA, exactamente lo mismo que se realiza periódicamente en Aeropuerto International de Orlando, Kissimmee o cualquier otro aeropuerto público. Recibir la aprobación estatal de un plan maestro para aeropuerto permitirá a la Ciudad solicitar fondos de subvención a la Oficina de Aviación del FDOT para reparar, reemplazar o agregar infraestructura en el futuro. Al mismo tiempo,
Kolby Urban fue juramentado el jueves 18 de nov. para la Silla 3 del Consejo de la Ciudad para ocupar la silla vigente de Chuck Cooper, quien falleció a mediados de año. Urban fue elegido el 9 de nov. en una elección general especial. Ha vivido toda su vida en St. Cloud y se graduó de Harmony High School, Urban posee una licenciatura en negocios de la Universidad de Florida Central. Es contratista en Distinctive Homes, Inc. Él y su esposa tienen una hija que nació en mayo.
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SPORTS
By J. Daniel Pearson For Positively Osceola
It’s JD’s Weekly Musings, talking John Madden, College Football, Antonio Brown, Tom Brady, and more A couple of takeaways from last Friday’s playoff games. First, as predicted, the internet was full of comments from college football power five fans railing about how Cincinnati proved they never belonged after Alabama stifled them 27-6. Not quite sure how they could have watched the second game when Georgia (who lost to Alabama) absolutely hammered Michigan by an even bigger margin of 34-11 and still came to that conclusion (you’re fine with Michigan getting pounded but somehow Cincinnati’s loss proved they didn’t belong?) The fact remains we are now in the eighth year of this new system of selecting four teams and of those 16 semifinal games – 12 have been decided by three or more scores. Cincinnati certainly did not embarrass themselves against Alabama; in fact they were one of only five teams in the last four years and 54 games to hold the Crimson Tide to under 30 points in a game. My other comment is sort of related to how uncompetitive these semifinal games have become. Do we really need to add four or eight more teams to this tournament and create two more layers of games? The fact remains we have yet to have two close games in the semifinals in a single year so somehow we’re going to make it more interesting by adding a bunch of more lopsided games to the mix? If Alabama and Georgia are winning the semifinals games against Cincinnati and Michigan by 21 and 23, are you really all that excited to watch them do the same or worse to Ole Miss or Utah in the quarterfinals? Because of money, that eight or 12 team playoff is coming – I’m just not so sure it is going to add any excitement to the mix…. Antonio Brown stripping down to just his football pants and storming off the field was more than just a little bizarre and there has been the tons of speculation, theories, and excuses on why he did so. Claims of mental illness and brain injuries have been put forward, as has an explanation/excuse that Brown was closing in on contract incentives and he became incensed when the Bucs had sat him down in the third quarter to keep him from reaching those incentives. And then there is the Antonio is simply “a loose cannon” or the old “Manny being Manny Theory.” Not sure what to believe, the contract theory makes no sense. The Bucs were trailing in a “must-win game” to keep any hopes of a number one seed alive and no NFL coach is going to sit a player to save a few thousand bucks over a chance for a win… Speaking on the Bucs, Tom Brady’s closing drive was vintage “G.O.A.T.” material but I still have a hard time trying to understand what in the world head football coach Jets Robert Saleh was thinking when he called a quarterback sneak on a fourth and two play. With the Jets leading by four, a field goal gives them a 7-point lead in the final two minutes and most likely guarantees at least overtime. Instead, Salah elects to run a quarterback sneak. It was a long two yards and the Bucs have Vita Vea, a totally immovable mountain of a man at 6-4, 350lbs., in the middle of the defensive line. Just a weird decision…. The best sport clip from the week had to be in Washington, where Philadelphia fans were leaning over a railing trying to bump fists with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who had led a second-half comeback win. The railing broke – sending half a dozen fans tumbling on top and around Hurts. The second-year quarterback simply started helping fans to their feet and after realizing no one was injured, he stood there for a few seconds and posed for photos with the fans. Absolute class act…
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SPORTS
By J. Daniel Pearson For Positively Osceola
Kowboys Get Back On Track With Big Win Over Longhorns in Basketball Chris Combs and Ryan Rivera combined for 37 points as the Osceola Kowboys (9-3) got back on the winning track on Tuesday night with a 58-39 home win over Harmony in Boys Basketball. It was Osceola’s first win since going 1-2 during the holiday break. The Kowboys defeated Eau Gallie (79-66) but lost to both Wellington (70-33) and University (59-42). Rivera had 34 points in the win over Eau Gallie but Osceola played both the Wellington and University games without Sean and Chris Combs, who sat out with minor injuries. “Ryan Rivera is really starting to come on strong for us but he still isn’t at the level he knows he can play at,” Mason added. “Without Chris and Sean, we really didn’t have much of a chance in the other two games. Without question, this team will need to stay healthy.” But in getting on track Tuesday, Osceola jumped on top early as Combs hit a couple of three-pointers and Rivera dumped in seven points as the Kowboys grabbed a 19-9 lead after one period. Combs’ fourth bucket of the game extended the lead to 29-11 midway through the second period. Several key Osceola turnovers kept it relatively close at the half, however, at 28-17. Although the Kowboys created numerous turnovers in the first half, they failed to convert many of those into points and several times turned the ball right back over when trying to create fast breaks. “It has been sort of a theme for us this season and it’s something we talked about at halftime,” Osceola Head Coach Steve Mason said. “I told them we are working way too hard to create turnovers and get the ball to just turn around and throw it away on the other end.” A three-pointer by Caden Scarborough and a bucket by Noah Tribe cut the lead to 30-22 at the start of the third period, but Combs caught fire by hitting back-to-back 3s and scored 10 points in the period as Osceola began to pull away. “We played a lot better in the third period,” Mason said. “Our pressure created a lot of turnovers and this time we did a much better job of taking care of the ball. We were a lot more patient and drove the ball inside rather than just settling for threes.” Osceola opened the third quarter with a couple of three-pointers from Rivera, the second of which extended the lead to 20. With six minutes remaining in the game, both teams went to their bench as the Kowboys cruised to the 19-point win.
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SPORTS County Sports Roundup: District Dual Wrestling Tournaments, Harmony/Osceola to Meet in Hoops The winter sports scene gets back into full swing this week as the Holiday break ends. Here’s a look in and around Osceola: WRESTLING In order to create more of a team aspect to the sport, the FHSAA added a Dual Meet State Championship to its wrestling roster five years ago. The top 16 teams in each of three classes will meet at Osceola High School on Jan. 21-22 to determine state dual meet team champions for Classes A, AA, and AAA. Qualifications for the state tournament begin this week with District Championships being held from Wednesday through Saturday at various sites around the state. Harmony will be favored to advance to the regional competition when they participate in the Class 3A, District 9 meet at Tohopekaliga on Saturday. The Longhorns’ biggest challenge will most likely come from Freedom High. “We have some pretty solid depth this year,” Harmony head coach Vic Lorenzano said. “Freedom had a good program but our goal is to win districts and host regionals next week.” Osceola, which has made it to the state finals in all four previous years of the Dual Meet Championships, begins its journey on Wednesday at the Class 3A District 5 meet at Celebration; where Poinciana will also compete. While St. Cloud, Gateway, and Liberty will compete in Class 2A, Region 2, District 8 meet at Winter Springs. BOYS’ BASKETBALL Osceola, 8-3, participated in a Holiday Tournament where they defeated Eau Gallie, 79-66, in their first game but lost to both Wellington (70-33) and University (59-42). Harmony (6-5) finished second a Holiday tournament, defeating Lyman (49-42) before suffering a narrow 62-58 loss to host Mt. Dora in the championship game. The two teams are slated to meet at Osceola High School at 7 p.m. Tuesday night in the Positively Osceola Game of the Week. After losing a narrow 54-53 game to the Kowboys before Christmas vacation, Gateway has gone on a six-game winning streak. Although they were scheduled to play in two tournaments, Covid dropouts turned the events into neutral site round-robin games with no champion named. Still, the Panthers went undefeated in both events, defeating Eustis, Palm Bay, and Frostproof in one tournament and Bishop Kenny, Father Lopez and Nease in the other. “We’re healthy and really playing well together,” Travis James said about his team that is now 12-4. “We’ll know a lot more about our team when we play Apopka (11-2) on Saturday. Ja’marie Sibley and Jordan Ford were named to the all-tournament teams of both events. With a three-game winning streak before the break, Tohopekaliga enters January with a 5-4 record. The Tigers are bidding for their first winning season in school history. Celebration (3-7), Liberty (4-6), and Poinciana (4-6) entered January with sub .500 records.
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HEALTH What You Need to Know About Cervical Cancer The United States Congress designated January as Cervical Health Awareness Month. More than 14,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year, but the disease is preventable with vaccination and appropriate screening. Kelly Pozzoli was in her early 30s and in the process of moving from Chicago to Florida when she got the news that no young woman wants to hear: she had cancer. In December 2011, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Kelly is featured in the film, “Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic,” a new documentary that details the lives of five women with HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer. Unfortunately, thousands of women share Kelly’s story. According to the American Cancer Society, over 14,000 women will be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer this year. The Pap test, which screens for cervical cancer, has helped us reduce cervical cancer deaths by more than 50 percent over the last 30 years. However, we still lose too many women every year to this disease. This has to change, and that starts with educating women about cervical cancer symptoms and the importance of HPV screening and regular Pap tests. This cancer is curable when diagnosed early, but women often mistake its symptoms—including bloating, heavy menstrual periods, or pain during sex—for other conditions. Every woman should be aware of her risks for cervical cancer. Here’s what you should know. The Importance of Prevention & Early Detection Even if you received the HPV vaccine, HPV screening and regular Pap tests are critical for the prevention of cervical cancer. A Pap test looks for changes in the cervix that could indicate cancer. The test can do two things: identify pre-cancers before they develop into cervical cancer and find cancer in its early stages when it is easier to treat. If you are under age 65, getting a Pap test every 3-5 years is critical. If you’ve had abnormal test results in the past, talk to your doctor about whether you need to get a Pap test more often. Research shows that women who regularly get Pap tests are less likely to develop cervical cancer. An HPV test can be performed at the same time as a Pap test. If you plan to visit a gynecologist, it’s a good idea to do both tests if it’s been several years since your last check-up. HPV is responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases. Any woman who is sexually active is at risk of getting HPV, but getting this infection doesn’t necessarily mean she will get cervical cancer. However, women who have persistent HPV infections have a greater risk of getting this disease.
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HEALTH
Frederick E. Soliman DO – Sports Medicine Orlando Health
Cross Training Lets You Mix It Up for Your Muscles When we find a sport or workout routine we enjoy, it’s hard to think about switching it up. In adolescent athletes, intense training in only one sport is called sports specialization. For adults and weekend warriors, sticking to one preferred workout is often simply a habit. But only playing tennis, just jogging, or being a weight-lifting gym rat every day actually can be bad on your body. It increases the chance of injuries, muscle fatigue, and exercise boredom. If you are a solo sport enthusiast, it’s time to consider crosstraining. What Is Cross-Training? Cross-training refers to combining different types of exercise activities across the week. While tennis may address your cardiovascular fitness, for example, it’s not building much muscle strength. If you’re a weightlifter, you’re not really addressing your cardiovascular fitness. Golfing as your only endeavor provides plenty of walking, but not much stretching or cardio. The key to cross-training is mixing in a variety of different types of muscle movements. If you love to bike, you might consider adding swimming to your weekly workouts. Swimming works different muscles than cycling and improves overall aerobic ability and muscle strength. A tennis buff might pencil in some weekly Pilates or yoga classes for variety. A golfer might hop on the elliptical and lift some weights at the gym. By adding another activity or two to your sports cycle, you can prevent overuse injuries, muscle imbalances, and exercise burnout. The Downside of Repeat Performance Constant repetition of the same exercises focuses on building the same muscle groups. This can create muscle imbalance, throwing off posture and creating isolated strength in certain parts of the body rather than overall strength. Repeating the same motion over and over also can cause repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and damage muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves. This results in painful situations like stress fractures, irritation of the tendon called tendonitis and bursitis, the inflammation of the small, jelly-like sacs that cushion joints and reduce friction. RSI injuries also have names more recognizable on the sports court. Think tennis elbow, runner’s knee and good old shin splints, that searing pain along the inner edge of the shinbone (tibia). These are all examples of sports-initiated RSIs.
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REAL ESTATE Goodwin Realty: How Much Do You Need for a Down Payment on a House? As you set out on your home buying journey, you likely have a plan in place, and you’re working on saving for your purchase. But do you know how much you actually need for your down payment? If you think you have to put 20% down, you may have set your goal based on a common misconception. Freddie Mac says: “The most damaging down payment myth—since it stops the homebuying process before it can start— is the belief that 20% is necessary.” Unless specified by your loan type or lender, it’s typically not required to put 20% down. According to the Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median down payment hasn’t been over 20% since 2005. It may sound surprising, but today, that number is only 13%. And it’s even lower for first-time homebuyers, whose median down payment is only 7% (see graph below): What Does This Mean for You? While a down payment of 20% or more does have benefits, the typical buyer is putting far less down. That’s good news for you because it means you could be closer to your homebuying dream than you realize. If you’re interested in learning more about low down payment options, there are several places to go. There are programs for qualified buyers with down payments as low as 3.5%. There are also options like VA loans and USDA loans with no down payment requirements for qualified applicants. To understand your options, you need to do your homework. If you’re interested in learning more about down payment assistance programs, information is available through sites like downpaymentresource.com. Be sure to also work with a real estate advisor from the start to learn what you may qualify for in the homebuying process. Bottom Line Remember: a 20% down payment isn’t always required. If you want to purchase a home this year, let’s connect to start the conversation and explore your down payment options. Just call us at (407) 846-2787. We’d love to sit down and help you through the home buying process.
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COMMUNITY The Osceola County Fair to Return to Osceola Heritage Park February 11-20, 2022 The Osceola County Fair, one of the leading county fairs in Florida, and the largest annual event in Osceola County will open its gates to the community on February 11-20, 2022. As always the fair will feature fun for everyone, with amazing rides, remarkable exhibits, the best in livestock shows, agriculture, LIVE entertainment, and of course positively delicious fair food! Save the date for the 2022 Osceola County Fair! For more information, including sponsorship and vendor opportunities visit OsceolaCountyFair.com.
Hopkins Park in St. Cloud to Close for Two Days for Maintenance Hopkins Park, located at 620 E. 17th Street in St. Cloud, will be closed January 7-9 for repairs and maintenance. The after-school program is canceled for Friday, Jan. 7. For more information, call St. Cloud Parks and Recreation at 407-957-7243.
Have you considered being a vendor at the St. Cloud Monthly Market? Here’s How! The St. Cloud Monthly Market was a huge success in 2021, allowing artists, businesses, organizations, crafters, entrepreneurs of all ages, and of course food vendors and restaurants to get out and do business in Downtown St. Cloud. If you’re interested in being a vendor at one of the upcoming Monthly Markets that occurs on the last Wednesday of each month just click here. The St. Cloud Monthly Market is an outdoor venue that takes place RAIN OR SHINE. June and July are the Young Entrepreneur Markets only for vendors ages 21 and younger, and August is a break month. Wednesdays that fall near national major holidays, specifically Thanksgiving and Christmas, are adjusted for the season. The next monthly market is Wednesday, Jan. 26, from 5-9 p.m. Come be part of it! Click here to register as a vendor for Spring 2022. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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COMMUNITY Kissimmee Main Street to Host 2021 Kissimmee 5K Saturday February 12, for the heart!
Kissimmee Main Street’s Kissimmee 5K is a Valentine’s week tradition in downtown Kissimmee, and once again, it’s all about the heart! The annual event, which will take place on Saturday, February 12th at 7:30 am and will make its way along the beautiful Kissimmee lakefront and through historic downtown Kissimmee streets. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers, but runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome. Strollers are welcome, so feel free to bring the entire family to the event! Come dressed in your favorite Valentine attire and be a part of the costume contests for Cutest Cupid, Prettiest Pair, and Care Club for large groups. The event, which promotes heart health, and will donate a portion of the proceeds to the American Heart Association. Sign up at Kissimmee5K.com to participate or call 407-846-4643 if you are interested in vendor or volunteer opportunities! Come show your heart with Kissimmee Main Street on February 12 at 7:30 am and experience the annual Kissimmee 5K!
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COMMUNITY Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber to host 2022 Three Kings Day celebration at Old Town Jan. 9th
For many Christians around the world the holiday season officially comes to an end in January on the Feast of the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes). This year, the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber’s Three King’s Day celebration will take place on Sunday, January 9, 2022, from 10 am to 2 pm. at Old Town (5770 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746). The Feast of the Three Kings is an intricate part of Latin Folklore. Traditionally, this day is very important, especially for children, for it is on this eve that they will receive their gifts. The celebration will include a visit from the Three Kings, FREE Gatorade, and a toy for children under 11. Bikes will be given away by random lottery throughout the event. The celebration will include a brand-new free photo booth experience with the 3 Kings sponsored by Kissimmee Utility Authority. Children will be able to meet the 3 Kings and get a printed photo strip keepsake to take home. The Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with Help Now Osceola, for Three Kings Day Osceola 2022! Help Now of Osceola, Inc. is the certified domestic violence center serving Osceola County since 1983. Help Now provides safety, empowerment, and healing for survivors and is a social change agent in preventing domestic violence in our community.
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ENTERTAINMENT SeaWorld to Host a Party Just for Kids January 22-23, Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend
Everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends at SeaWorld Orlando are hosting a party just for kids Jan. 22 – 23. Join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Rosita, and all your favorite furry friends for a fun-filled weekend with hands-on activities, dance parties, character photo opportunities, and more. They’ll also be celebrating Everyday Heroes during the event, so bring your kindness and caring along (no cape required!). Storytime with Big Bird Gather around Big Bird’s Nest for Storytime with Big Bird who will be sharing some of his favorite stories at select times throughout the day. Sesame Street Party Parade
Move to the beat during the coolest party on wheels and celebrate with your favorite friends at the awardwinning Sesame Street Party Parade. Everyday Hero Badges You don’t have to wear a cape to be an Everyday Hero. You’ll have a chance to earn special badges for things like Bravery, Helping, Manners, and more all weekend, so get ready to join the Everyday Heroes Club! Oscar’s Trash Art Activity Oscar would be proud! In this activity, kids get to turn everyday materials that may seem like trash into beautiful works of art, which is sure to make any grouch happy! This family-friendly celebration is located in Sesame Street Land and is included with park admission.
KUA’s Movie in the Park Series on Friday, January 7th to Feature Spirit Untamed Kissimmee Utility Authority will kick off the new year in a big way as it continues its Movie in the Park series on Friday, January 7th, at beautiful Kissimmee Lakefront Park. The event will feature free admission, free popcorn, contests, prize giveaways, and the showing of Dreamworks’ Spirit Untamed on its 50-foot screen! Activities begin at 5:30 pm and the movie will start at 7 p.m. Bring your blankets or lawn chairs and a picnicstyle dinner – it’s the KUA Movie in the Park Series and Spirit Untamed! The movie series is a partnership between KUA and the City of Kissimmee. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 42
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