Positively Osceola Weekly, 24/7 Osceola News

POSITIVELY OSCEOLA WEEKLY

Making a Positive Difference in and around Osceola County!

Reps. Darren Soto and Tony Gonzales tour Osceola County with Congressional Bipartisan Exchange Program Click Here to Read More: https://bit.ly/3Lms0ti

Inside this issue Orlando Health opens new 24/7 free-standing emergency room at Reunion Village near Four Corners area Page 10

Osceola Commissioner Peggy Choudhry, daughter Athena, recognized at Salvation Army Gathering of Angels Event Page 16

Osceola County Chairman Brandon Arrington to host drive-thru Springtime food distribution Saturday April 30 Page 17

Upcoming Miss Silver Spurs Pageant to select next “ambassadors” for Silver Spurs Rodeo

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District 3 Commissioner Brandon Arrington invites you to a free, drive-thru Springtime Meal Distribution.

Meal Boxes will be distributed to the first 600 families. This is a drive-thru event. Food boxes will be distributed one per car. First come, first served.

While supplies last.

WEEKLY LIVESTREAMS Good Morning Osceola Mon, Wed, Fri at 7:30AM

In the Loop LIVE Tue at 6:00PM

Daybreak LIVE Wed at 9:00AM

Osceola Matters Thu at 6:00PM

In the Loop LIVE Sat at 8:00AM For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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ON DEMAND LIVESTREAMS Positively Osceola’s Daybreak LIVE with Guest: Bri Stefek April 27th, 2022

Positively Osceola’s Good Morning Osceola LIVE With Krissi Hardy April 27th, 2022

Positively Osceola’s Daybreak LIVE with Guest: Michelle Incandela April 20th, 2022

Positively Osceola’s Keith Ronan LIVE with Osceola County Sheriff Marco Lopez April 23rd, 2022

Positively Osceola’s Nolan LIVE at The Opportunity Center, Inc. in Kissimmee with Osceola Arts April 25th, 2022

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IN & AROUND OSCEOLA LIVE at Osceola Arts with Donald Rupe and Bri Stefek

LIVE with Dr. Belinda Reyes at Caribbean Fusion

LIVE with Osceola History and KUA for “Walk Away May”

LIVE at the Kissimmee Lakefront Park with Florida Department of Health (DOH) Osceola PIO Jeremy Lanier

LIVE with District 4 Commissioner Cheryl Grieb and Kissimmee Mayor Olga Gonzalez at Tidy up Toho For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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VIDEOS ON DEMAND Draper Law Office - Lesiones por accidentes automovilísticos Si resultó lesionado en un accidente automovilístico, los abogados con experiencia en accidentes automovilísticos de Draper Law Office están listos para representarlo y luchar para obtener la compensación que se merece. Recuerde, en momentos de necesidad, llame a Draper Law Office al 407.846.0075 para programar una consulta, o visite DraperLawOffice.com.

Positively Osceola got the chance to talk to Osceola’s own Athena Choudhry and her recent award from the Salvation Army #positiveimpact #salvationarmy #givingback

District 3 - Drive-Thru Springtime Food Distribution

Osceola County Commissioner Brandon Arrington invites you to a free, District 3 - Drive-Thru Springtime Food Distribution on Saturday, April 30th, at St. Rose of Lima Church. Meal Boxes will be distributed to the first 600 families.

Positively Osceola congratulates Sheriff Bobby Hansell at the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office’s new training facility, now officially named the Sheriff Robert E. Hansell training facility. #OsceolaNews #PositiveImpact

Help Now of Osceola’s 4th Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Event On Wednesday, April 27th at 6pm during the Downtown St. Cloud Monthly Market, Help Now of Osceola, Inc will hold it’s 4th Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event. This unique, fun walk in women’s shoes is designed to raise awareness and understanding of the terrible violence that still takes place against women in our community and around the world.

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MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE

Rotary Club of Kissimmee West, Council On Aging: Helping Hometown Heroes, Together On Saturday, the Rotary Club of Kissimmee West did what they do best, care about others in the community, and they did it with the help of the Osceola Council On Aging. The volunteers from both organizations came together to help and encourage homebound here Vinnie, who is retired Army!

The Osceola Council Aging has overseen the “Helping Homebound Heroes” program for years, which focuses on caring for local Veterans who need help in maintaining safe living arrangements. According to the U.S. Census, there are 18,385 veterans residing in Osceola, many who need help to eat in healthy ways, live in a safe and healthy environment, and interact with others on a consistent basis.

The Osceola Council Aging has overseen the “Helping Homebound Heroes” program for years, which focuses on caring for local Veterans who need help in maintaining safe living arrangements. The Rotary Club of Kissimmee West’s motto “service above self” was one again exemplified with their selfless actions to help Army Veteran Vinnie and his wife Marilyn.

Positively Osceola would like to thank the Rotary Club Kissimmee West, the Osceola Council On Aging, and all that contributed in making a Positive Difference in and around Osceola County!

SOURCE; Rotary Club of Kissimmee West. Osceola Council On Aging

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MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE

Orlando Health Donates Medical Supplies to War-torn Ukraine The Russian and Ukrainian war began on February 24, and devastated Ukraine on a scale hardly imaginable. Orlando Health in an effort to help the Ukrainian people donated 20 pallets of medical supplies, valued at nearly $80,000, to be used in the war-torn nation of Ukraine.

Included in the shipment of more than 4,500 individual items are materials to address numerous medical needs including orthopedic and other wounds; supplies to assist in surgeries and emergency situations; even pediatric materials to care for children and obstetric supplies to assist women and infants.

Sone of the donated items include: • Sutures • Tourniquets • Burn supplies • Chest tubes • Emergency bandages • Hypothermia blankets • Dialysis catheters • Surgical gowns and gloves • Medications “When you see the images of the catastrophic destruction this brutal war has caused, the magnitude of medical needs associated with it is hard to comprehend,” said Timothy Bullard, MD, retired emergency physician, Orlando Health who spearheaded the donation effort.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3xVUUwh For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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NEWS

Positively Osceola’s “Mayor’s Minute” with Kissimmee Mayor Olga Gonzalez Hello, I’m Mayor Olga Gonzalez from the City of Kissimmee. In partnership with Toho Water Authority, the City of Kissimmee and the City of St. Cloud have teamed up again for the annual, nationwide Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation to be most “waterwise” during Water Conservation Month.

This competition requires residents to pledge to make sure the City of Kissimmee is counted for. The annual challenge is a non-profit, national community service campaign that encourages leaders to inspire their residents to create a series of simple pledges at mywaterpledge.com or www.kissimmee.gov/mywaterpledge. You have until the end of the month to take the pledge.

I also want to remind everyone that the City’s Parks & Recreation Department will offer summer camps from June 6 through July 22, with no camp on June 20 and July 4.

Those interested in Camp Discovery for grades K through 5th can call 407.518.2360, or for Teen Extreme for grades 6th through 8th can call 407.518.2599.

We have our City Commission meetings on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. at the Kissimmee Commission Chambers. If you have any questions or want to learn more, call our Communications and Public Affairs Office at 407-518-2314 or email news@kissimmee.gov. Thank you, and see you next time in the Mayor’s Minute!

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NEWS

Positively Osceola’s Mayor’s Minute with St. Cloud Mayor, Nathan Blackwell I’m Nathan Blackwell, Mayor of the City of St. Cloud, and this is the Mayor’s Minute.

The City has created a tool to help our residents better understand how city government works. The Citizens Guide provides useful information on the various kinds of meetings held by City Council, gives definitions of terms you might hear at Council meetings or see on an agenda. You’ll find tips for public speakers, types of Council actions, and lots of other useful information.

The Citizens Guide is available at City Hall or on our Web site. Just scan the QR code on your screen to view it online. The Citizens Guide is available in English and in Spanish.

Our 2nd Quarter community newsletter is also available now. In it, you can read more about our decision to merge the operations of the city’s water utilities with Toho Water Authority. You’ll also find a profile story on our new Police Chief Doug Goerke, and lots of other great information. Pick up a copy at City Hall, view it online, or find a copy in your favorite Osceola County news publication. The newsletter is available in both English and Spanish.

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NEWS

Florida Supervisors of Elections, National Association of Secretaries of State partner on #TrustedInfo2022 Initiative Osceola County Supervisor of Elections, Mary Jane Arrington along with the Florida Supervisors of Elections (FSE) have joined with the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) in support of the #TrustedInfo2022 initiative.

The 2022 election cycle has already begun. We all know there is a lot of misinformation threatening our democracy. This initiative aims to promote the public trust in the appropriate sources like the Supervisors of Elections. The goal is to ensure the integrity of Florida’s elections and to support fair, honest, and accurate elections in the State of Florida.

Here, at the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections Office, our mission is: To provide the citizens of Osceola County with quality election services and maintain the integrity of the electoral process. As election professionals, we are the gatekeepers of democracy. “We take our mission very seriously and we are committed to conducting elections with the highest levels of integrity and transparency,” said Supervisor Arrington.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/38qbjhI For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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NEWS KPD launches autism-awareness decal, registration program to alert responders The Kissimmee Police Department has put in place a new autism-awareness program that would notify first responders when a person with autism is in a vehicle or home by placing a decal that says, “Occupant with Autism.”

Participants who voluntarily sign up for the program will be given a decal to alert officers, who could then know to utilize specialized training and experience to assist the autistic person.

The decal is available free of charge for residents that live within City limits.

Participants will also fill out a form with any information they would like the officer to know about the person with Autism to assist them further. The form is available on the City’s website at Kissimmee.gov/autismdecal. Officers will also have access to the form and decals if anyone in the Kissimmee community is interested in signing up.

Florida’s Stone Crab Season to End May 2 Florida’s recreational and commercial stone crab season in state and federal waters will end on May 2, with the last day of harvest being May 1.

Commercially harvested stone crab claws may be possessed and sold during the closed season but only if they have been placed in inventory prior to May 2 by a licensed wholesale or retail dealer.

Stone crab traps must be removed from the water within five days after the close of the stone crab season. Stone crab claws may not be harvested from traps pulled after the season closes. For more information on harvesting stone crabs for recreation, trap specifications, commercial stone crab regulations and licensing information, go online to MyFWC.com/Marine. Keep up to date with saltwater and freshwater fishing regulations on your phone by downloading the Fish Rules app in the App Store or Google Play. Learn more at FishRulesApp.com.

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NEWS

Osceola Commissioner Peggy Choudhry, daughter Athena, recognized at Salvation Army Gathering of Angels Event

The Salvation Army Orlando Area Command’s Fourth Annual Gathering of Angels event took place on the beautiful shores of Lake Jessamine at the Cypress Grove Estate House on Friday April 22nd and recognized Osceola County Commissioner Peggy Choudhry and her daughter Athena, along with numerous other individuals who have made a positive impact on the community and the Salvation Army’s mission.

Proceeds from the event will go towards the purchase of a new deluxe emergency service/food vehicle that will enable The Salvation Army to serve the hurting populations of Orange and Osceola counties in a more efficient manner.

The Gathering of Angels provides the Area Commanders, Captains Ken and Jessie Chapman, an opportunity to thank those individuals and organizations who made considerable contributions of time and treasure to the Salvation army’s mission over the last year.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3rSksH2

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NEWS Reps. Darren Soto and Tony Gonzales tour Osceola County with Congressional Bipartisan Exchange Program Last Thursday, Congressman Darren Soto and Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales visited Florida’s 9th congressional district in Osceola County as part of a bipartisan policy trip, engaging in tours and discussions with a number local leaders, transportation hubs and projects in Poinciana and Kissimmee, education and workforce development programs, Lake Nona’s V. A. Hospital, and students from Valencia College’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in Kissimmee.

The congressmen also traveled to NeoCity and met with representatives from Osceola County, SkyWater, BRIDG, imec, and NeoCity Academy who provided insight on the strategy to combine manufacturing, economic development, job creation, education and training.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3Lms0ti

Osceola County Chairman Brandon Arrington to host drive-thru Springtime food distribution With families and individuals in our community still experiencing food insecurity, non-profit organizations and local governments are continuing to come together to organize food distribution events to assist those who are in need.

On Saturday, April 30th, Chairman of the Osceola County Board 0f County Commissioners and District 3 Commissioner, Brandon Arrington will host a free, drive-thru Springtime food distribution. The event will begin at 10 am at St. Rose of Lima Church, located at 3880 Pleasant Hill Road, Kissimmee. One meal pack will be given to each vehicle, and the food distribution will be first come, first served while supplies last. Food distribution event supported by State Representative Kristen Arrington for District 43.

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INJURY LAW What to do after a pedestrian crash in Central Florida

When a pedestrian collision happens, it usually makes the news. That’s because pedestrian crashes are simply terrifying, and happen far too often. If you or a loved one are unfortunately involved in a pedestrian crash, here are a few tips worth taking a quick look at.

Get Medical Care ASAP Obviously, if you are hit by a motor vehicle, you will want to make sure you get emergency medical care. For those who are still capable of communicating and requesting help, some people tend to think they can ‘tough it out’ and get help later on.

This is the wrong answer. Many injuries are latent, meaning you cannot see them easily, and these injuries may show up weeks later. By then, you have given an insurance company all the ammunition they need to deny your claim.

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

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FAMILY LAW Your Retirement Plan and Divorce A couple that has been married for decades, has usually accumulated some retirement savings with the idea that they would be together during their retirement years. When faced with divorce, each person in the relationship will have to re-evaluate their future plans and consider the amount and availability of their retirement assets.

Your Accounts In Florida, the law allows the division of marital assets which typically means income and items acquired during the marriage. In some cases, retirement accounts may have been partially funded before the couple married and in others, all of a person’s retirement will have been acquired during the marriage. Florida law allows for an equitable distribution of marital assets during divorce which will include retirement account funds which were contributed during the marriage.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3OBQL6R

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SPORTS

County Sports Wrapup: Gateway Takes District Track Title Baseball, Softball Postseason on Horizon

It was an impressive weekend on the track for Osceola County athletes, as the eight public schools participated in district track meets that saw the Gateway boys’ win a team title and county athletes capturing 30 individual and relay district championships Flag football and boys’ volleyball post-season tournaments start this week. In other sports, the seasons ended for Osceola County teams in weightlifting, tennis and lacrosse; while baseball and softball continue to battle for playoff seeding as their seasons enter the final week of regular season play. A look around the county: TRACK

The Gateway boys’ team came away with a championship as they won the Class 3A, District 8 meet at George Jenkins High School in Lakeland with 174 points to outdistance second place Lakeland. Liberty was seventh with 34. The Lady Panthers (95) finished third in the girls meet, Liberty was fifth.

In the Class 4A, District 10 meet in Stuart, Fla., OBC champion Harmony did well as the Longhorn girls placed second and the boys grabbed third in that highly competitive meet that featured state power Vero Beach. Osceola and St. Cloud finished in the middle of the pack in both meets; while the Tohopekliga boys hosted and finished fourth in the Class 4A, District 9 meet. Celebration girls (2nd) and boys (3rd) had solid finishes in the Class 4A, District 5 Championships, which Poinciana also competed in.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3LeFMxX For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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SPORTS St. Cloud’s Weightlifter Sykes Blows Away Competition at FHSAA State Championship For the 2021-22 season, St. Cloud weightlifter Julian Sykes absolutely dominated all competition in the 154-lb. weight class. His starting attempts were often so far heavier than opponents were reaching on their third and final attempts that he basically had to just hit his first lift to win.

That trend continued Thursday at the FHSAA Class 3A State Weightlifting Championships, as the senior blew away the competition to capture gold medals in both the traditional (bench press and clean-and-jerk) and snatch competitions to complete an undefeated season, where he won Orange Belt Conference, District, Regional and State titles in both disciplines.

In the snatch, Syke hoisted 225 pounds to win the competition by 30 pounds over his closest competitor – Lyman’s David Izquierdo. In the traditional meet, Sykes once again dominated. His total combined lifts of 615 total pounds were 70 pounds more than silver medalist Isaiah Rivers of Flagler (545).

“He came back bigger, stronger and better for his senior season,” Head Coach Cory Aun said of his lifter who finished third last year in the same weight class. “We worked so hard in the off-season to improve and that work certainly paid off with a pair of state titles.”

Sykes was not the only champion from Osceola County. Harmony’s Isaac Balado also won a pair of state championships for the Longhorns at 119-lbs. He won the two competitions with lifts of 170 in the snatch and 495-lbs. in the traditional—winning that event by 50 pounds. He becomes the second athlete in Harmony school history to win a weightlifting state championship, joining Nick Sardoni from 2008.

“This was really a redemption meet for Isaac,” Harmony coach Nick Lippert said.

“He was poised to win a state championship last year but he ended up bombing out in regionals in the clean-and-jerk and did not post a qualifying lift. For him to come back and win double gold this year was a great moment.”

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SPORTS

Knights to host NCAA Women’s Golf Tournament Selection Show Watch Party at Burger U Wednesday April 27 After a successful regular season that saw the UCF women’s golf team achieve its highest ranking in program history, the Knights will host an NCAA Tournament Selection Show watch party at Burger U this Wednesday, April 27, at 4 p.m.

Fans are encouraged to join the Knights for the watch party in a celebration of the regular season and to look forward to the postseason.

After finishing third at the conference championship, the Knights secured their seventh top-five finish of the season. The Knights have won two tournaments to this point in the year in the Evie Odom Invitational (Oct. 3-5) and the Brickyard Collegiate (April 4-5). If the Black and Gold earn a spot in an NCAA regional on Wednesday, it will mark the third straight time the Knights have done so (excluding the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season).

Last season, head coach Emily Marron’s squad made it to the NCAA regional championship in Louisville, Kentucky, where the Knights finished tied for eighth place out of 18 teams. In 10 years as UCF’s head coach, Marron has led the Knights to six NCAA Tournament appearances, two conference championships, and has twice been named AAC Coach of the Year.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3LeGNGh For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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SPORTS Osceola Kowboys “Home Run Club” to host Osceola Baseball Golf Tournament May 7 The Osceola Kowboys Home Run Club is hosting their annual Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 7 with an 8 am Shotgun start at Royal St. Cloud Golf Links.

The 18-hole scramble format supports the Osceola Kowboys baseball team.Cost for a four-member team is $300 and it includes golf, cart, range balls and awards lunch following play. Sponsorship and door prize opportunities are also available. For additional information or to register a team, contact Ronnie at 407-340-9550.

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

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REAL ESTATE Why Pre-Approval Is an Important Step for Today’s Homebuyers Being intentional and competitive are musts when buying a home this season. That’s why pre-approval is so important today. Pre-approval from a lender is the only way to know your true price range and how much money you can borrow for your loan. Peter Warden, Editor of The Mortgage Reports, explains: “The lender will check out your personal finances and issue you a letter confirming the amount you’re eligible to borrow. This not only gives you a firm budget for house hunting, but also lets sellers know you’re qualified to make an offer.”

Why does that matter so much today? There are many more buyers looking for homes today than there are homes available for sale, and that’s creating some serious competition. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average home is getting 4.8 offers per sale. As a result, bidding wars are still common.

Your pre-approval gives you a leg up in these situations. That’s because you know exactly what you’re approved to borrow before you write your offer, and it lets the seller know you’re qualified to buy their home. This helps both you and the seller feel confident in what you’re bringing to the table. And that puts you in a better position to potentially win a bidding war. As Warden puts it: “There’s another important reason to get preapproved, too. And that’s because there are way more buyers than homes in today’s market — which means you need to be ultra-prepared if you want to win a bidding war. Most sellers are getting multiple offers right now. And most won’t even entertain an offer without a preapproval letter included.”

Every advantage you can gain as a buyer is crucial in a market that’s constantly changing. Mortgage rates are rising, home prices are going up, and lending institutions are regularly updating their standards.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3MvUSzi For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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HEALTH

Orlando Health opens new 24/7 freestanding emergency room at Reunion Village near Four Corners area Orlando Health made it official on Tuesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony for its newest 12,000 sq. ft. free-standing Orlando Health Emergency Room – Reunion Village, located at the Four Corners area near the I-4 corridor at 8011 Osceola – Polk Line Road in Davenport near Reunion and ChampionsGate.

It’s Orlando Health’s seventh free-standing ER Central Florida since 2018 and has 11 treatment rooms, X-ray and CT scanning and is staffed with board-certified emergency room physicians, registered nurses and other clinicians.

“If you come to this free-standing emergency department with a situation that requires a hospital stay, to best meet your needs we will admit you to the new Orlando Health Horizon West Hospital which is a short 15-minute drive up the 429 from us,” said Brian Wetzl, vice president of Orlando Health.

In attendance at the ribbon cutting were Orlando Health CEO David Strong, Horizon West Hospital President Brian Wetzel, and Osceola County Commissioner Peggy Choudhry.

The free-standing ER at Reunion Village will officially open to patients on May 2.

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HEALTH TikTok ‘Challenges’ Dangerous, Orlando Health Doctor Warns TikTok, a social media platform where users share short videos, is being blamed for a dangerous trend: health “challenges.”

“We’ve seen it over the past couple of years. It kind of comes in waves with different challenges and things that bring kids to the hospital,” says Dr. Jenna Wheeler, a fellowship-trained pediatric critical care physician with Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

From the “Benadryl challenge,” which encourages kids to take the medication to get high, to the “blackout challenge,” where users hold their breath until they pass out, the unsafe pranks are sending teens and young adults to the hospital.

“They are looking for affirmation – sometimes they are bored, sometimes they want recognition,” Dr. Wheeler says. “They are so caught up in the [number of] likes. ‘You’re so cool. How many likes do you have?’”

Originally a way for “creators” to share music and dance moves, TikTok has grown in popularity over the past few years. As the number of users on the site has grown, so have the risky challenges.

As a critical-care physician, Dr. Wheeler sees the consequences of worst-case scenarios. Urgent-care and orthopedic doctors are the ones treating many of the kids whose challenges went awry.

Dr. Wheeler cites sprains and broken bones from the “milk crate challenge” as one example. But physical injury isn’t the only consequence of these challenges.

For the “sexy silhouette challenge,” kids — mostly younger girls — snap a posed selfie and then apply a filter to make the image a silhouette and then share it on TikTok and other social media platforms.

“But what they don’t realize is, as easy as it is for you and I to take a picture and put a filter on it, it’s just as easy for someone else to take that filter off,” Dr. Wheeler says.

“Then there are nude or immodest pictures of them. And they are horrified to know they are out there on the internet for everybody to see. They thought it was safe because they put a filter on it.”

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COMMUNITY Upcoming Miss Silver Spurs Pageant to select next “ambassadors” for Silver Spurs Rodeo Every June, young girls and women from all over Florida compete in one of three age divisions of the Miss Silver Spurs Pageant: Miss Silver Spurs, Junior Miss Silver Spurs, or Little Miss Silver Spurs. The winners become the next court of ambassadors for the Silver Spurs Rodeo.

This year’s pageant will take place on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 6 PM. The 2022 slate of Miss, Jr. Miss, & Little Miss Silver Spurs Pageant Contestants are: Miss Silver Spurs: Delia Benitez, Lacee Church, Jennifer Faraoni, Rae Lynne Kempfer, and Savannah Thomas Jr. Miss: Ryleigh Boro, Gianna Butler, LillyAnn Daugherty, Riley DeRosa, Haidyn Dykes, Teagan Frey, Grace Herb, Bella Kibler, Lindsey Yma Little Miss: Josie Cain, Hadley Ellis, Giana Fitzgerald, Hayden Kessler, Kylie Kimmel, Tessa McCommon, Anita Pifer, Marlee Shirah Similar to beauty pageants, all the divisions go through an appearance, interview, and speech portion during the pageant, with the appearance portion including posture, suitability of their Western clothing, photogenic quality and more. The Miss & Jr. contestants will also be competing in horsemanship skills! Miss Silver Spurs royalty represents the Silver Spurs Rodeo and the Silver Spurs Riding Club, therefore contestants must be well educated on the history of the Club, knowledgeable about rodeo events, and aware of current events in general.

The next Miss Silver Spurs pageant will take place Thursday, June 2nd at 6pm and will be held in the Silver Spurs Arena. Until then , each contestant will be attending pageant clinics and practices, in order to prepare for the upcoming pageant. For more information about Miss Silver Spurs, Junior Miss Silver Spurs, and Little Miss Silver Spurs, please contact Tihler Franey, Chairperson, at 321-624-9251 or check us out on Instagram and Facebook.

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COMMUNITY Osceola Sheriff’s Office Dancing with the Cops Fundraiser Coming to OHP Thursday On Thursday, April 28th, the same heroes that protect and serve every day in Osceola County, will hit the dance floor to raise money for those in need.

The Dancing with the Cops Fundraiser, hosted by the Osceola County Sheriff Foundation, and will take place this Thursday from 7pm-9pm at the Osceola Heritage Park Events Center in Kissimmee.

Attendees will enjoy dinner and a live dance competition with professional dance instructors paired with some of Osceola’s County’s finest. Attendees will also have an opportunity to vote for their favorite dancers while raising money for a great cause. The event will help benefit the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office deputies, employees, and their families in times of need.

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COMMUNITY Huntington Learning Center’s FREE Webinar: How to Create a Fun Summer Learning Plan!

It is time to rebound from a difficult school year with a fun and educational summer that helps get your student ready for next year—whether they’re in elementary, middle or high school.

During the next FREE Huntington How-To-Webinar on Thursday April 28 at 1 pm, the educators with Huntington Learning Center will focus on how you can create a fun summer learning plan that restores your student’s motivation and excitement about school and helps them build a foundation of knowledge for their next school year.

The webinar will cover: • What the “summer slide” is and its impact on learning.

• The importance of creating a learning routine.

• How to bring back the FUN: Tips for elementary school, middle school and high school learning schedules.

• Fun activity ideas that can be used for children of all ages.

• Why summer tutoring is valuable and how Huntington can help.

Why does Huntington Learning Center work? For over 44 years, Huntington has treated students as individuals and tailored their tutoring programs to fit their unique needs, academic goals, and schedules. Trust Huntington to help your child succeed!

To register for the Thursday April 28 free webinar at 1 pm, visit huntingtonhelps.com.

The webinar is free and it’s simple to register.

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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Debuts May 27 at Walt Disney World Resort Saving the galaxy this time is gonna take more than a dance-off. Starting May 27, 2022, guests visiting EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort better get ready to crank up the mixtape and blast through an awesome intergalactic chase through time and space in Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind!

This thrilling new family-friendly coaster matches the “grandosity” and fun of the blockbuster “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, featuring those lovable cosmic misfits – Rocket, Groot, Drax, Gamora and Star-Lord. The attraction is another major milestone in the ongoing transformation of EPCOT and debuts as part of the Walt Disney World 50thAnniversary celebration.

Located in the park’s newly renamed World Discovery neighborhood, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be the first “other-world” showcase pavilion at EPCOT. Xandarians traveled from their homeworld in the Andromeda galaxy to Earth – or Terra, as they call it – to build this Wonders of Xandar pavilion, inviting EPCOT guests to learn more about their people and their advanced technologies. Until the Guardians arrive, anyway, and adventure ensues …

A New Kind of Family Thrill In addition to the Wonders of Xandar pavilion, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will offer several other “firsts,” including: • The first coaster attraction at EPCOT. • The first reverse launch for a Disney coaster.

• The first Walt Disney World attraction to feature the Guardians of the Galaxy.

• I am Groot.

• The Wonders of Xandar Pavilion

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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS

H2O Glow After Hours Brings ‘Light at Night’ to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Beginning Memorial Day Weekend Just in time to light-up everyone’s summer nights, Disney H20 Glow After Hours returns to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon during Memorial Day Weekend with new elements designed to “glow up’’ the summer season.

The nighttime event starts May 28, and runs every Saturday through August 27. This year’s version will offer unique, vibrant décor, complimentary food and beverages and high-energy DJ dance parties that will transform the storm-strewn water paradise into a ‘light’ night party that creates the perfect nightcap for families visiting Walt Disney World Resort.

And it will be even more magical since the nighttime event returns during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration”that began Oct. 1, honoring the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort.

Guests of Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels as well as Shades of Green at Walt Disney World Resort can purchase tickets to H2O Glow After Hours on the Walt Disney World Resort website beginning March 29, with tickets on sale for the general public April 1. It’s a limited-capacity and separately-ticketed event that does not require an additional day’s water park ticket or Disney Park Pass reservation, and provides guests with lower wait times for their favorite attractions.

It’s Time to Light-up Summer The glowing guest-favorite party allows families to enjoy a luminous tropical oasis three hours after the water park closes to day guests, giving guests easier access to their favorite attractions.

For more information about Walt Disney World Resort Water Parks and “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” visit WDWNews.com.

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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS

Connections Café & Eatery at EPCOT to Open April 27 Get ready Disney fans… Connections Café & Eatery inside EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort is set to open April 27th. The new location features two distinct experiences all under one roof – an eatery on one side serving lunch and dinner menus, and a café and pastry shop on the other open all day.

Connections Café & Eatery will be a unique experience, embracing the cultures from around the world and bringing them to you in true EPCOT fashion.

According to Disney’s website, the purpose of Connections Eatery is to show how food has the power to bring us together if we open our minds (and our stomachs)! Once inside, you can get a glimpse of the chefs in action as you watch desserts get their finishing touches and witness pizza makers work their magic crafting pizza dough.

The restaurant’s large new dining location is the next step in the ongoing transformation of EPCOT and a highlight of the newly named World Celebration neighborhood, and if that’s not enough… there will be a very Disney-esque Starbacks inside the Connections Cafe.

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TechCentral is a brand new creative space providing access to tools and technologies that will help the community gain the necessary skills to make their dreams a reality!

Featuring: Recording Studio Sewing Studio iMac Computer Lab with Adobe Creative Suite Virtual Reality Equipment Robotics for Kids Photography Studio 3D Printing On Demand Located on the second floor of Hart Memorial Central Library 211 E Dakin Avenue | Kissimmee, FL | 34741

osceolalibrary.org/techcentral | 407.742.8888

Research from Home

with your Osceola Library Card!

Britannica Library

From the makers of Encyclopedia Britannica

Gale Business: Plan Builder Create a customized business plan

America’s News

Archives of newspapers from across America

Mango Languages Learn a new language

And so many more!

osceolalibrary.org/databases

osceolalibrary.org | 407.742.8888

POSITIVELY DELICIOUS

Florida Beef Sliders with Candied Bacon and Tomato Jam, Positively Delicious!

Florida beef, it’s some of the finest in the world and in the sunshine state, it’s fresh, local, healthy, and it can be prepared in seemingly endless ways! Just add some bacon and some fresh Florida tomatoes, and we think you’ll agree… it’s positively delicious!

INGREDIENTS • 1 pound Florida ground beef • 1 head of Florida lettuce • Florida candied bacon • Florida tomato jam • 1 tablespoon all-purpose seasoning (such as Everglades) • Slider condiments (mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup) • 8 mini buns or slider rolls • Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste PREPARATION Preheat grill to medium-high. Season ground beef with all-purpose seasoning and mix thoroughly. Form into 8 (2-ounce) patties and season with salt and pepper. Place onto grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, depending on the desired internal temperature.

Remove from heat and assemble burgers with Florida tomato jam and Florida candied bacon as desired. Serve immediately.

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POSITIVELY DELICIOUS

Florida Blueberry Cheesecake, Positively Delicious!

Who doesn’t love Florida blueberries? They are sweet and filled with just the right amount of acid. They are beautiful in color and robust in healthy nutrients. Now, add them to a cheesecake, and we think you’ll agree, they are positively delicious!

INGREDIENTS • 1 whole cheesecake (homemade or store bought) • 4 pints Florida blueberries, rinsed • 1 cup Florida sugar • ½ lemon, juiced • 1 cup water • Fresh mint sprigs for garnish PREPARATION In a small sauce pot combine 2 pints blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, and water. Place sauce pot over medium high heat. Stir contents of pot as it comes to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. Cook blueberry mixture for 20 minutes or until it coats the back of a spoon.

Strain blueberry sauce through a sieve if desired. Let blueberry sauce cool to room temperature, and store in the refrigerator until needed. Top the cheesecake with some of the cooled blueberry sauce, leaving extra for garnish.

Place fresh leftover blueberries on top of the cheesecake and garnish with fresh mint.

Serve the blueberry topped cheesecake with extra blueberry sauce.

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