Kissimmee Utility Authority Earns National Recognition for Reliable Electric Operations

Kissimmee Utility Authority has received national recognition for achieving exceptional electric reliability in 2022. The recognition comes from the American Public Power Association (APPA), a trade group that represents more than 2,000 not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities.

APPA helps electric utilities track power outage and restoration data through its subscription-based eReliability Tracker service. Once per year, APPA’s Reliability Team compares this data to national statistics tracked by the U.S. Energy Information Administration for all types of electric utilities.

“We are honored to receive this recognition. It is a testament to the hard work of all our staff to ensure that we keep Kissimmee powered.” -Brian Horton, President and General Manager, Kissimmee Utility Authority

On average, KUA customers were out of service for 34 minutes in 2022, compared to all U.S. electric utilities, who were out for 140 minutes. Our Cane Island Power Plant’s Units 3 and 4 combined availabilities again exceeded the national average with an availability factor of 89.63%.

“It’s encouraging to see year after year that public power’s track record for providing highly reliable service is backed up by data,” said APPA Director of Research and Development Paul Zummo. “These utilities are the best of the best when it comes to keeping the lights on. And these communities should be proud of their local power providers and appreciate the hard work that goes into earning this recognition.”

Founded in 1901, KUA is Florida’s sixth largest community-owned utility powering 90,000 customers in Osceola County, Florida. For more information, visit www.kua.com.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3MwW7BA

For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com

Osceola school district names 2023 outstanding school volunteers of the year

The Osceola School District has named the three individuals as its 2023 Outstanding School Volunteers of the Year in recognition of their exceptional commitment to student learning and success.

Youth Volunteer of the Year: Riley Wigand- Student at Harmony High who volunteers at Harmony Community School

Riley volunteers at least six hours each week at Harmony Community School, donating over 150 hours this school year alone. She has had a direct impact with the foundation of learning for 23 first-grade students who rely on her help at least one day a week on a variety of projects during Drawing Club. With Riley’s extra set of hands, these students have created over 170 different pieces of art. As a Senior at Harmony High School, Riley teaches the students the importance of setting goals and working hard by sharing her future college plans, which is an important part of the school’s AVID program. Riley works tirelessly to assist wherever she can help, and she is always willing to work on the next classroom project.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3UimRrn

For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com

By J. Daniel Pearson For Positively Osceola

OBC Championships to be contested in Track, Softball, and Boys Volleyball this week

Three more Orange Belt Conference Championships will be contested this week in the sports of Softball, Boys’ Volleyball, and Track

On Wednesday, St. Cloud High hosts the annual Track and Field Championships. Harmony is the defending champion in the event, winning last year’s girls’ championship (191 points) over St. Cloud (112.50) and Celebration (111); while the Longhorns boys’ team (176.5) edged Tohopekaliga (155) and Celebration (88). Both Longhorn teams will most likely be favored to repeat as OBC champs.

The OBC Softball Tournament is scheduled for this week, with St. Cloud serving as the host school for the third place and championship games on Friday evening. First round games are on Monday; with championship and consolation rounds on Wednesday. In addition to Friday’s championship game, the fifth and seventh place games will be held on the campus of the highest seeds among the consolation bracket schools.

Celebration is the top seed in the boys OBC Championship this week and will receive a first round bye. The Storm is also the host and will hold the third place and championship games on Thursday.

Here is a look around the high school sports world:

BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING

Osceola County will be well represented when the FHSAA State Championship meet is held in Lakeland next Friday and Saturday. In the Traditional Meet, consisting of the Clean-and-Jerk and Bench Press, our county will be represented by regional champions from St. Cloud High in Michael Ziss (119-lb. weight class), and Noah Carr (219); Harmony regional champs Brayden Adams (183), Anthony Rodriguez (199), and Joshua Moss (238); and Osceola High regional champ Brandon Rosa (Unlimited). A week after finishing second to St. Cloud in the district championship, Harmony upended the Bulldogs (3938) to win the Region 4 team championship.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3nTCDN7

For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com

Florida Troopers searching for car involved in hit & run in St. Cloud

A 24-year-old man was seriously hurt after after being struck by a vehicle last month in St. Cloud. The Florida Highway Patrol is now asking for help from the public to track down the car involved in the hit and run crash that sent the man to the hospital.

Florida Troopers said the crash took place shortly after 4:30am on March 18 near Narcoossee Road and Constance Boulevard in Saint Cloud.

According to FHP, the man was walking south on the sidewalk parallel to Narcoossee Road past the intersection of Constance Boulevard before being hit.

A car driving south along Narcoossee Road drove over the curb and onto the sidewalk, hitting and injuring the man before heading back onto the road and driving away, the news release says.

According to FHP, the man was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. No witnesses have come forward about seeing the incident.

Investigators said they found a hubcap at the scene that belonged to a dark-colored Tesla Model 3, believed to be the vehicle that struck the man. FHP says the vehicle in question should be missing a hubcap, have damage to the front right and possibly right sideswipe damage.

Any mechanics or auto body shops that may have repaired a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle is urged to contact FHP.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to contact FHP at 407-737-2213. If they would like to remain anonymous then they can contact CRIMELINE at 1-800-423TIPS. The crash remains under investigation.

Dunkin’ Celebrates Orlando Health Staff During Child Life Specialist and Social Work Month

Dunkin’ of Orlando kicked off Child Life Specialist and Social Work Month at Orlando Health by gifting the Child Life Specialist, Social Work and Music Therapy units with Dunkin’ Gift Cards and limited-edition branded socks.

This is Dunkin’s small way of saying thank you to the amazing staff at Orlando Health for all they do to help the community. Dunkin’ is excited to be able to recognize this team that works so hard to bring joy and comfort to so many children and their families.

Dunkin’ encourages guests to celebrate the Child Life Specialists and Social Workers in their lives this month that make such a meaningful impact on our communities.

For more information about Orlando Health, visit OrlandoHealth.com.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: http://bit.ly/3KA0tq1

For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com