Positively Osceola Weekly, Your Leading Source of 24/7 Osceola News!

Wild Florida to Host Gator Week May 23-28 Click Here to Read More: https://bit.ly/GatorWeek2022 Osceola County Association of REALTORS® Awards Scholarships to Local High School Students

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Hope Partnership to host ribbon cutting at new “Hope Commons” June 2nd Page 42

The 149th Silver Spurs Rodeo is bucking its way back to Kissimmee July 3-4 Page 17

The City of St. Cloud Citizen’s Guide to City Council Meetings Available in English & Spanish Page 57

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149TH SILVER SPURS RODEO The 149th Silver Spurs Rodeo rides into Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee June 3rd – 4th The Silver Spurs Riding Club will host their 149th Silver Spurs Rodeo Friday, June 3 & Saturday, June 4 at 7:30 pm in the Silver Spurs Arena at Osceola Heritage Park.

Fans will be treated to seven of rodeo’s traditional events: bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, women’s barrel racing, steer wrestling and team roping.

For the second year now, breakaway roping will be added to the event schedule. In addition to this great tradition, the June rodeo will present junior barrel racing, junior bull riding and the junior quadrille (square dancing on horseback). These events feature our youth who are starting their rodeo careers in the Silver Spurs Arena! The 149th Silver Spurs Rodeo will also feature everyone’s favorite event before the performance, ‘mutton bustin’ (also known as sheep racing)!

“We are looking forward to this summer’s rodeo, since this is how the Silver Spurs Rodeo and our community kicks off the summer break from school, highlighting our local youth in bull riding, barrel racing, and quadrille,” said Dustin Bronson, Big Boss of the Silver Spurs Riding Club. “This has been a tradition since 1944 in Osceola County, so come out to the Rodeo in June for one of the longest-running traditions east of the Mississippi.”

Single night tickets are just $20 per adult and kids 10 and under are FREE with a new “Joint Performance” ticket that includes two performances for $30.

All active and retired military receive FREE admission at the June 3, 4. Please bring proof of military service to the Silver Spurs Arena box office.

A portion of the ticket sales from the Friday and Saturday June Rodeo performances will be donated to a local charity.

For more information, to purchase tickets and to read the Rodeo Guidelines for a safe rodeo go to www.silverspursrodeo.com.

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149TH SILVER SPURS RODEO 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

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3l5q110

The 149th Silver Spurs Rodeo returns to Kissimmee June 3-4, so does Mutton Bustin’ for the kiddos!

June kicks off in a big way with the 149th Silver Spurs Rodeo riding back into the Silver Spurs Arena on Friday June 3, and Saturday June 4 – both rodeos kickoff at 7:30pm. Of course, it wouldn’t be a June Silver Spurs Rodeo without the crowd favorite Mutton Bustin’.

Serving as an additional rodeo event just for the little cowboys and cowgirls, Mutton Bustin’ is a family-friendly event that fun and entertaining for participants and spectators. During Mutton Bustin’, a sheep is held still by a few of the rodeo handlers and a child is placed on top of the sheep in a riding position.

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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 Daybreak LIVE with Guest: Dr. Simi George, Hematologist and Oncologist with Orlando Health May 18th, 2022

In the Loop LIVE with Guest: Bill Litton, Director of Osceola County Office of Emergency Management

May 17th, 2022

Positively Osceola’s Sports Talk LIVE with Nolan Bottomley May 17th, 2022

Women’s Empowerment Circle at Hopkins Park in St. Cloud on May 21st at 11am In the Loop LIVE with Guest: Osceola County Commissioner Brandon Arrington District 3 May 5th, 2022 For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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IN & AROUND OSCEOLA Military Father surprises his two boys during lunch at Lakeview Elementary

St. Cloud Police Officer Recognized for “apprehending” rogue gator at Michigan Elementary

LIVE with the Osceola Library System’s Professional Social Worker

Positively Osceola LIVE at Hensel, Baley, & Harris, P. A. Attorneys at Law’s Ribbon Cutting

LIVE with St. Cloud’s Public Information Coordinator Maryemma Bachelder discussing the Downtown Revitalization Project

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VIDEOS ON DEMAND The 149th Silver Spurs Rodeo on June 3rd & 4th

The hottest professional rodeo action in the United States is heading back to the Silver Spurs Arena on June 3rd & 4th! The Silver Spurs Rodeo has been an Osceola County tradition since 1944, and in June, fans will be treated to seven traditional rodeo events including bull riding, bareback riding, team roping, and more! For more information, visit SilverSpursRodeo.com.

Wild Florida’s Gator Week Wild Florida will host Gator Week May 23 – 28, and offer free Gator Park admission to guests who donate any amount toward their Wild Florida Scholarship Fund for Osceola County students.

Additionally, as the founders of National Alligator Day on May 29th, Wild Florida will also celebrate this special day at the end of Gator Week.

Megacon Orlando 2022 MEGACON Orlando 2022 is one of North America’s largest largest comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event that attracts hundreds of thousands of people across four MEGA days of fandom: May 19-22, 2022! For tickets and information go to megaconorlando.com.

Huntington Learning Center’s Webinar on May 19th

During Huntington Learning Center’s next free “How-To” Webinar on May 19th, they will share tips for parents to encourage their children to embrace leadership skills from a young age. These skills will help them mature as students and prepare for college. Register online for the Webinar at HuntingtonHelps.com/webinars.

St. Cloud’s Hurricane Expo on June 4th

On Saturday, June 4th from 11am to 1pm at the St. Cloud Civic Center on 17th Street, St. Cloud will share tips from the experts, as well as provide an abundance of other helpful information designed to ensure that you and your family are prepared for the soon coming Hurricane season.

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MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE

Governor DeSantis Approves Historic $100 Million for Cancer Care and Research at NCI Facilities Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis have announced the approval of $100 million for cancer research and care in the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget, a $37 million increase over the current budget. Last year, the First Lady held a roundtable to announce the Governor’s proposal of this historic funding for Florida’s top cancer centers to continue providing world-class care to cancer patients.

“Cancer remains a leading cause of death in Florida, and we will continue to support those fighting this deadly disease,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “With this funding, cancer centers will continue their cutting-edge research and provide high quality care to patients. Our family is grateful for the care that the First Lady received during her cancer treatment this past year, and we want to make quality care available for all Floridians.”

“I am incredibly proud to see this record funding secured for cancer patients, their families, and the facilities that serve them,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “Early detection is a game changer in the cancer fight. I encourage anyone reading this to be proactive about your health — it might just save your life.”

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MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE

Commissioner Cheryl Grieb presents $15,000 check to Neptune Elementary to support “Leader in Me Program” Osceola County Commissioner for District 4 Cheryl Grieb presented a $15,000 check to Neptune Elementary School on Tuesday to help support its “Leader in Me Program.”

“Leader in Me” is a framework that helps schools achieve results by influencing behaviors. It is an evidence-based, comprehensive model that builds leadership and life skills in students, creates a high-trust school culture, and lays the foundation for sustained academic achievement. There are over 5,000 Leader in Me schools in all 50 states and in over 50 countries with a mission to unleash the greatness in students, educators, and school communities everywhere.

Leader in Me is based on a theory of change known as the See-Do-Get Cycle. When you change the way you See things, it influences what you Do and the results you Get.

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149TH SILVER SPURS RODEO Coca-Cola Cowboy and Women’s Lifetime Achievement recipients Tom and Martha Booth For over eight decades, members of the Silver Spurs Riding Club have worked yearround to coordinate rodeos and other events, making an impact in the community alongside several generations of their family. The Clubs’ foundation is built on good values and morals, charitable contributions, and volunteerism. As a thank you for years of service, the Silver Spurs Riding Club Board of Directors celebrates long-time volunteers with the Coca-Cola Cowboy award and Women’s Lifetime Achievement award each year.

Continuing generational legacies are 2021 Coca-Cola Cowboy and Women’s Lifetime Achievement honorees Tom and Martha Booth.

Born into a founding family of the Silver Spurs Riding Club, Martha Booth upholds a long-standing tradition of ranching and rodeo in Osceola County. Growing up as a Silver Spurs kid, she served the community through rodeo events each year. Wooden floors, vegetable bins along the wall, and barrels of Gladiolus grouped by rubber bands welcomed the concession stand ladies to Rollie Rolls in downtown Kissimmee before each performance. While her service to the club started by eating grapes on the countertops while the ladies of the Silver Spurs concession stand hand-pattied hamburgers for rodeo performances, she eventually carried on a family tradition riding in the Silver Spurs Quadrille team, getting initiated at 21 years old, and serving as the concession stand committee chairperson.

Tom Booth was born in a small town in Alabama to a hardworking, Christian family.

He was committed to three sports in high school: football, track, and wrestling before graduating and attending the University of Alabama on an athletic scholarship. Moving back to his hometown to coach, he met the student-teacher, Martha. After realizing she liked football and the woods, Tom proposed, and the two married. Alabama residents for the first four years of their marriage, Tom flew to Kissimmee on Labor Day weekend, in between games and practice schedules, to be initiated into the club at 25 years old.

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149TH SILVER SPURS RODEO The 149th Silver Spurs Rodeo is bucking its way back to Kissimmee July 3-4 Silver Spurs bucking bulls, they’re mean, they’re fierce, they’re strong, and they’re ready to do what they do on Friday June 3rd and Saturday June 4th in Kissimmee… BUCK! Bull riding is rodeo’s most dangerous and exciting event where competitors must ride a bucking bull for eight agonizing seconds with no more than a bull rope as a handhold.

Like bareback and saddle bronc riders, the contestants in bull riding must ride on the back of a 2,000-pound animal and stay on for an eight-second ride. Grasping onto a flat braided rope tied around the chest of the bull with one hand, his other hand will need to stay above his head. If at any point his free hand touches the bull or himself, he will receive no score.

One end of the bull rope, called the “tail,” is threaded through a loop on the other end and is tightened around the bull. Unlike the other rough stock contestants, bull riders are not required to mark out or spur the animals (have their spurs touching the bull).

While spurring a bull can add to the cowboy’s score, riders are commonly judged solely on their ability to stay on the bull.

Like bareback and saddle bronc riding, the judges not only look at the cowboy’s performance during a ride, they also look at the roughstock. Both bull rider and bull can receive a max of 50 points each during a ride, meaning they can potentially score a total of 100 points.

For the contestant, they are scored on elements such as their ability to stay balanced on the bull, display quick reflexes, and ability to coordinate with the bull’s movements.

For the bull, a judge will be looking at their unique bucking style to help come up with a total, final score for the ride as no two bulls have the same type of style. For example, while one bull may prefer to make tight spins in a continuous circle, there are other bulls that will jump high in the air or buck.

For tickets and more information visit SilverSpursRodeo.com.

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NEWS

Keeping Babies Safe in Midst of Formula Shortages There are few things that worry a parent more than their children’s health and safety.

The ongoing infant formula shortage due to supply chain issues, which worsened due to a major formula recall in February, has left many caregivers feeling concerned and anxious about their options for safely feeding their infants.

Families receiving formula through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC, are among the many affected by the recall. The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service are taking many actions to help ensure WIC participants can get safe formula to nourish their babies.

Some steps you can take to ensure the safety of your infant’s formula include: • Learn more about choosing an infant formula that’s safe for your baby.

• Do not feed your baby cow’s milk or other non-dairy milks until 1 year old, unless you’ve talked to your child’s pediatrician.

• Don’t make homemade infant formula or water down formula; there are serious health and safetyconcerns.

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NEWS

Gov. DeSantis announces $125 Million in funding to help students get nursing degrees Governor Ron DeSantis has approved over $125 million for nursing education for the 2022 – 2023 Fiscal Year. Additional funding for nurses in this year’s budget will include student loan reimbursement and scholarships for nurses, expanding infrastructure at colleges and universities that provide nursing education, and salary and recruitment incentives for nurses within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“We are investing in quality nursing education to increase the number of programs and jobs that prepare students for careers in nursing,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.

“Florida’s nurses stand ready to serve their communities every day, and we will always recognize the importance of this vocation. There has long been a need for nurses in Florida, especially as our state is growing, and we want to continue to support these front-line heroes.”

“At Orlando Health we are finding patient sitters and nursing assistants who want to move forward to become a nurse but are facing barriers to take that step,” said Shawn Molsberger, President, Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital.

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149TH SILVER SPURS RODEO Rodeo Fans Get Ready for Barrel Racing in June’s Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee Barrel racing is one of four timed events in rodeo and will be one of the featured rodeo events in the upcoming 149th Silver Spurs Rodeo which returns to Kissimmee June 3rd and 4th at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee. While both women and men compete at the youth and amateur level, this sport is primarily a rodeo event for women.

Originally developed as an event for women, the pattern that contestants were required to run alternated between a figure-eight and a cloverleaf pattern until the cloverleaf pattern was favored over the figure-eight because of its difficulty in the early 50s.

Combining the barrel racer’s horsemanship skills and the horse’s athletic ability, barrel racing is a fast-paced event that requires the rider to successfully maneuver a horse in a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels placed in a triangle formation in the center of the arena. Like the other three timed rodeo events, the purpose of barrel racing is to make a run as fast as possible. The time is measured by an electric eye, a device using a laser system to record times, or by a judge who drops a flag to let the timer know when to start and stop the clock.

As a contestant enters the arena at full speed on her horse, the timer begins when the horse and rider cross the start line. With one barrel on the left and one barrel on the right side of the arena, contestants are allowed to run around either the left or right barrel first. However, if the horse deviates in any other way, the rider is disqualified. After making it around the first barrel, the rider will run across to the barrel on the opposite side of the arena, before sprinting toward the third and final barrel. After making it around the third barrel, the contestant will run as fast as they can toward the finish line where the clock will stop once they cross the line. Barrel racers are allowed to touch the barrel, often to keep it from falling during their ride. But if at any point they knock down a barrel, they’ll receive a time penalty of five seconds per barrel they knock down.

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149TH SILVER SPURS RODEO Bareback bronc riding to hit the dirt in Kissimmee June 3-4 for the 149th Silver Spurs Rodeo!

Bareback bronc riding is perhaps rodeo’s original and oldest sport and June 3-4 you can catch one of professional rodeo’s most exciting and popular events at the 149th Silver Spurs Rodeo.

Dating back to the early days of the Wild West, ranchers would need horses to help with their ranch chores along with providing transportation from their home to town or wherever they needed to go. Because of this need, cowboys would find wild horses and “break,” or tame them for their personal use. With nothing more than a riggin’ and his arm, bareback riding is one of the most physically demanding sports in and out of the rodeo sports industry. A riggin’ is a suitcase-style handhold that is customized to a rider’s grip and attached to a molded piece of leather that is wrapped around the bronc’s girth.

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

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How can Goodwin Realty & Associates help you?

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NEWS

Sixth Annual Gator Week® Celebration Returns to Wild Florida® Wild Florida will host Gator Week May 23 – 28, and offer free Gator Park admission to guests who donate any amount toward their Wild Florida Scholarship Fund for Osceola County students. Additionally, as the founders of National Alligator Day on May 29th, Wild Florida will also celebrate this special day at the end of Gator Week.

Years ago Wild Florida noticed how alligators are often characterized as monstrous swamp killers and fear of these animals has driven many myths and nightmares about their behavior. Gator Week at Wild Florida is dedicated to educating guests about alligators, debunking common myths and developing a more positive reputation for these reptiles.

Sam Haught, co-owner of Wild Florida, announced, “Gator Week is back at full strength this year. We’re excited to feature family-friendly activities but with a few new twists. Our goal is to shine a different light on these incredible animals and hope our guests walk away with a greater appreciation for them.”

Wild Florida’s reptile handling team, deemed “the Croc Squad®”, has been dreaming up educational ideas and myth-busting activities all year in preparation for this week.

Gator jump-a-thons, eating contests and of course, who has the best Crocs (shoes), are among the activities planned.

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NEWS Osceola County Launches New GIS Portal, improving mapping functionality Osceola County recently launched an updated Osceola County GIS Portal, which officials with the county say provides significant improvements in functionality.

The GIS Section of Community Development can create purpose-built interactive web maps, giving staff and residents easy-to-use solutions for their mapping needs and goals. Beyond offering viewable maps, the GIS Portal is now the County’s GIS data repository where data is available for download directly through the site.

GIS (geographic information system) is a spatial system that creates, manages, analyzes, and maps data. GIS connects data to a map, integrating where things are with all types of descriptive information. To experience the new Osceola County GIS Portal, visit Maps.osceola.org.

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

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NEWS USPS to increase stamp prices in July, more price hikes to come at “an uncomfortable rate” Looks like the next price increase you’ll be seeing will be in postage stamps. The U.S. Postal Service will be increasing stamps prices July 10, increasing the cost of a Forever stamp from 58 cents to 60 cents, and it’s likely that it won’t be the only price hike in the near future. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced in May that he expected the Postal Service to continue to raise prices until the at an “uncomfortable rate” until the agency becomes financially self-sufficient.

On April 6, President Biden signed the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, legislation designed to strengthen the financial health of the USPS.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3leO7GF

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NEWS Commercial fishing captain pays $22,300 to settle federal fisheries case with NOAA The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today announced a settlement agreement with a commercial fishing captain.

Darrell York of the commercial fishing vessel, Watch Out, agreed to pay $22,300 restitution for resourcerelated crimes dating back to 2015.

“This case is a great example of our commitment to working with our state and federal partners in bringing those who show complete disregard for Florida’s natural resources and are actively evading officers to justice,” said Col. Roger Young, FWC Division of Law Enforcement.

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

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INJURY LAW Twenty-five percent of all vehicle crashes in Florida are hit-and-run

Nearly 25 percent of all crashes in Florida involve a hit-and-run. Most hit-and-run crashes only result in property damage, but tragically, hit-and-run crashes can also be deadly. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has initiated a “Stay at the Scene” campaign which aims to reduce the number of hit-and-run crashes in Florida by educating drivers on their responsibilities if involved in a crash and the serious consequences they face if they choose not to Stay at the Scene.

On July 1, 2014, the penalties for hit-and-run drivers changed when the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act was signed into Florida law. The statute is named after Aaron Cohen, a 31-year-old cyclist, and father of two that was fatally struck by an alcohol-impaired driver that fled the crash scene in February 2012 in central Florida. The hit-and-run driver was sentenced to two years in prison, a lesser sentence than what the motorist would have served had he been sentenced on a DUI manslaughter charge.

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FAMILY LAW Starting Over After Experiencing Divorce Divorce can be one of the most emotionally and financially devastating experiences a person can have. After the process is complete, the newly divorced person is left to recover from the pain of losing their marriage and rebuild their lives. While staring over after divorce may seem daunting, there are steps you can take to get back on your feet.

Financial Adjustments Going from sharing a home and finances with your former spouse to being on your own can be a difficult change. While you may not have control over the difference to your financial situation, you can control your budgeting and spending. Sit down and create a realistic budget which includes some savings. Even putting a small amount aside each month is a positive habit and can help you be prepared should you have unexpected expenses. If you feel your money is too tight identify any costs which you believe are unnecessary and ways you can streamline your spending.

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SPORTS Spring High School Football Games on Tap in Osceola County This Week The spring sports season comes to the end for all Osceola public schools this week with the spring football games being held on Thursday and Friday of this week. Here’s a look around the county: FOOTBALL Perhaps the biggest news came off the field last week when Celebration Athletics Director Rick Tribit announced that after an exhaustive search, former long-time Storm assistant Jeremy Palmer would become the new head coach. “We had an initial pool of 40 applicants and we narrowed it down to seven outstanding candidates and then selected three to bring in for final interviews,” Tribit said. “Coach Palmer’s vision for the future of and familiarity of the program, the school’s culture and knowledge of the kids definitely shined throughout the process. We are excited to have him take over our program and look forward to continued success under his tutelage.”

Palmer joined the CHS staff in 2013 under Dennis Thomas as a Defensive Line coach, and was elevated to Defensive Coordinator under Jay Sobke for 4 years. He became the Co-Defensive Coordinator at Horizon last year during their inaugural campaign. He is a 2011 graduate of Louisiana Tech, after starting his career playing defensive line at Mississippi College. He replaces Rich Pringle, who guided the Storm to its best season in school history (7-4) but resigned after one season to become head coach at Lake Gibson.

Palmer joins Anthony Paradiso (Tohopekaliga) and Michael Short (St. Cloud) as new head football coaches in the County.

On the field, seven teams will conclude their spring drills with games. The schedule includes East Ridge at Harmony on Thursday; and Friday games of Poinciana at Gateway, Liberty at Lake Region, Edgewater at Osceola and Celebration at George Jenkins. St. Cloud will compete with Orlando Christian Prep and Freedom in a Jamboree Style game (1/2 half against each team). That contest will be held at Freedom and all games start at 7 p.m.

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SPORTS St. Cloud Girls Under 19 Soccer Club Heads to Texas for Regionals Some of the top high school soccer talent in Osceola County is headed to regionals in Texas after capturing the Florida President’s Cup in May. The St. Cloud Soccer Club Girls Under 19 Team captured the championship in Tampa last month with a 4-3 win over Clay Soccer (Jacksonville). The win qualifies the team for the Southern President’s Cup in Frisco, Texas, June 15-19.

“Winning the Florida President’s Cup was a huge accomplishment and honor for our team,” Head Coach Scott Marlega – who is also the Harmony girls’ soccer coach – said. “First of all, we are a small town team competing against a lot of teams from big cities that sometimes have three, four or five teams in different age groups.

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REAL ESTATE If You’re a Homeowner, You Have Incredible Leverage When You Sell Today In today’s housing market, homeowners have a great opportunity to sell their house and receive the best terms for their personal situation.

That’s because there’s a limited number of homes for sale, which is creating competition among buyers. Right now, homebuyers want three things: • To be the winning bid on their dream home • To buy before mortgage rates rise more • To buy before home prices go even higher These buyer needs give you an amazing advantage – also known as leverage – when you sell.

What Does This Mean for Sellers Today?

You might already realize this enables you to sell at a good price, but you’re also in a great position to get the best terms to suit your needs.

According to the latest Realtors Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average home sold is receiving 4.8 offers. That’s why there’s a good chance you’ll get offers from multiple buyers who are willing to compete for your house.

When you do, you should look closely at the terms of each offer to find out which one has the best options for you. And if you have questions at any point in the process, remember your trusted real estate advisor can help. They’re experts who understand the fine print, know how to compare the terms of various offers, and will help you select the best one for your situation.

Bottom Line If you’re thinking of selling your home, know buyer demand in today’s market gives you a great opportunity to get the best terms and price when you sell your house. Let’s connect today to discuss how much leverage you have as a seller in today’s market.

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COMMUNITY Hope Partnership to host ribbon cutting at new “Hope Commons” June 2nd

Hope Partnership, Inc. will host a ribbon cutting of its new facility “Hope Commons” in downtown Kissimmee on Thursday June 2 at 10 am. “Hope Commons” will be a centralized location for all Hope Partnership programs as well as a co-location for other not-for-profit organizations.

Hope Commons is located on the campus of First United Methodist Church of Kissimmee at 122 West Sproul Ave., bringing together Hope Partnership’s goal of partnering with churches and community organizations. Along with the Hope Partnership programs (Hope Center, Hope Works, and IDignity Osceola), three other nonprofits, Habitat for Humanity, iBuild, and Helping Hands Community Counseling will have offices in the shared space — with room for more tenants in the future.

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

Corrections PREA Coordinator James Kenney receives Outstanding Community Member of the Year Award Osceola County Corrections PREA Coordinator James Kenney recently received the Outstanding Community Member of the Year Award from the Central Florida Victim Services Network, whose mission is to provide individualized services and resources to victims of sexual assault, violent crime, and traumatic circumstances.

In his role with Corrections, Mr Kenney maintains the facility’s compliance with the PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) Standards, a set of guidelines designed to keep the inmate population safe from sexual assault.

“The work I do with the human trafficking task force is for the safety of our citizens, including the youth in our community. I am not doing this for accolades, but it is an honor to be recognized by others that do the same work,” said PREA Coordinator James Kenney. He is also passionate about the fight against human trafficking and works diligently for the safety of those that are victimized by traffickers.

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COMMUNITY Osceola County Association of REALTORS® Awards Scholarships to Local High School Students The Osceola County Association of REALTORS recently awarded five $1,000 scholarships to local high school students who plan on continuing their education at a college, university, technical school, or other institution of higher learning.

The 2022 OSCAR scholarship winners are: Benjamin Izaguirre of Osceola High School, Corey Conzett of Conzett Home School, Emma Hair of Harmony High School, Emmy Lin of NeoCity Academy, and Leidy Laura Hurtado Martinez of Professional and Technical High School. Their excellent essays, grades, and commitment to our community made a strong impression on the committee.

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

Osceola School for the Arts Jazz Band A recognized at school board meeting after big competition win in NY The Osceola County School for the Arts Jazz Band A was honored at Tuesday’s Osceola School Board meeting in Kissimmee.

Members of the jazz band along with their director Jason Anderson, were celebrated for representing Osceola by taking home first place on their recent trip to New York’s Lincoln Center where they competed and in the the Essentially Ellington Competition and Festival which took place May 5-7. Essentially Ellington is the nation’s premier jazz education event and competition and as said by school board member Julius Melendez, “OCSA’s Jazz Band A is basically the best high school jazz band in the nation,” after coming in first over 15 other high school jazz bands in the competition.

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COMMUNITY Osceola Arts Presenting John Logan’s “RED” in the Main Theatre Select Dates in May Osceola Arts is certain to wow the community with its production of John Logan’s Red, under the direction of Osceola County’s own, Donald Rupe.

John Logan’s Red is an intense and exciting look at abstract expressionist Mark Rothko After landing the biggest commission in the history of Modern Art, he and his assistant unveil a portrait of an artist’s motivation and vulnerability, all while creating his ultimate work.

RED is recommended for a mature audience due to some explicit language and will run from through May 22nd with show times on Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. There will be an additional matinee on Saturday, May 21st at 2pm which will be an American Sign Language Interpreted performance. Tickets are $28 each, with student, senior citizen, and group rates available.

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

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COMMUNITY What students can do this Summer to boost their leadership skills – Huntington Learning Center Free Webinar Leadership skills aren’t just valuable for adults. Children who learn leadership early and cultivate this skill are more independent, more responsible, and more prepared for higher grade levels. But how can parents nurture the development of leadership skills? Huntington Learning Center can help.

During Huntington Learning Center’s next free “How-To” Webinar, they will share tips for parents to encourage their children to embrace leadership skills from a young age. These skills will help them mature as students and prepare for college.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3l15BGn

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HEALTH

Sumyra Kachru, MD Gastroenterology Orlando Health

Family History of Colon Polyps?

Make Colonoscopy a Priority

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. Nearly 1 in 3 people who develop colorectal cancer have a family history of the disease. The risk is even higher if you have someone in your immediate family — a parent or sibling — who has had CRC or colon polyps. Colorectal cancer usually develops from precancerous polyps in the colon or rectum.

The first line of defense against CRC is a colonoscopy, which is recommended for everyone starting at age 45. Colonoscopies are used detect polyps and other colorectal issues such as ulcers. If you have a family history of colon polyps, getting regular colonoscopies is your best defense against developing colorectal cancer, as potentially cancerous polyps can be treated or removed following a colonoscopy.

What Are Colon Polyps?

A colon polyp is a small growth of excess tissue on the inner lining of the large intestine, also called the colon. Polyps may appear flat or as raised bumps (sessile) or may grow on short stalks like a mushroom (pedunculated).

There are five different types of colon polyps: • Adenomatous (tubular adenoma). The most common type of polyp, this type can become cancerous. If you have a personal or family history of these polyps, you will need periodic colonoscopies to find and remove them.

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HEALTH Orlando Health Cancer Institute Expands Services, Adds New Cancer Specialist for Osceola County Patients Orlando Health Cancer Institute – Osceola reached two important milestones earlier this year with the addition of infusion therapy and a new medical oncologist to serve patients in Osceola County.

The expansion of service means Osceola cancer patients will now be able to access chemotherapy treatments close to home and much more conveniently than ever.

“We’re very excited to continue to open up more services to our Osceola County patients,” says Margo Shoup, MD, president of Orlando Health Cancer Institute. “We listen to our patients and know they really appreciate and benefit from the convenience of having their treatments nearby, in their communities.”

Treatments will be administered in three newly-built chemotherapy infusion bays in the 5,500-square-foot clinic located inside Orlando Health Emergency Room and Medical Pavilion – Osceola (1001 E. Osceola Pkwy., Suite 250, Kissimmee, Florida 34744).

Construction on a fourth infusion bay is expected to begin soon. The space also features 12 exam rooms where patients are able to meet with Orlando Health Cancer Institute specialists for medical oncology and surgical oncology consultations.

To help guide the debut of the infusion treatment program in Osceola County, Orlando Health Cancer Institute has hired Dr. Simi George. Dr. George is a boardcertified medical oncologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of all cancer types with special expertise in gastrointestinal cancers. She received her medical degree from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine in Brooklyn, New York and completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. She performed a fellowship in hematology/oncology at Hofstra North Shore-Long Island Jewish School of Medicine in New Hyde Park, New York.

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Veterans Memorial St. Cloud Library 810 13th Street, St. Cloud

IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS

Electric Ocean Returns to SeaWorld beginning May 25 to Light up the night and more When the sun goes down, the night fires up at SeaWorld’s Electric Ocean beginning May 25. It’s a summer party like no other at the #1 theme park in North America!

Electric Ocean Stay late all summer to immerse yourself in exotic worlds of light and music and experience your favorite SeaWorld attractions in a whole new way. Join playful, glowing sea creatures and world-class DJs for a family-friendly dance party beneath the waves. Then end the night with Ignite, a fireworks and fountains spectacular that brings the brilliance of the sea to the sky above. Put a charge in your summer at SeaWorld’s vibrant Electric Ocean. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, May 27 – Sept. 5, including Memorial Day and Labor Day. Ignite Surf the wave to a whole new level with Ignite, a fireworks and fountains spectacular that brings the brilliant colors of the sea to the skies above the park. The fireworks can be seen from all around SeaWorld’s large central lake, including from Bayside Stadium, The Waterfront, and the Orca Encounter Pathway.

Club Sea Glow The party amps up after dark at Bayside Stadium, where a DJ will be mixing dance music all evening leading up to the start of our fireworks finale. Enjoy plenty of space to spread out and dance while enjoying the entertainment. That includes dancers and high-energy atmospheric acts to get the party going!

Electric Current Get the excitement started early with hot music as our DJ transforms The Waterfront into an all-ages dance party beneath the waves, only during Electric Ocean evenings.

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Age acl.gov/oam

my way!

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 Grouper Sandwich with New Potato Salad, It’s Positively Delicious!

Florida seafood, it’s so good, and there are so many different ways to prepare it. It’s one of the many blessings we get to enjoy as Floridians or for those who are visiting. There’s one thing for sure, and we think you’ll agree… it’s Positively Delicious.

INGREDIENTS Florida Grouper Sandwich • 8 (3-ounce) Florida grouper fillets, sliced thin • 2 Florida tomatoes, sliced • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning • 8 small rolls • 1 small head romaine lettuce, shredded • 1 red onion, sliced thin • 1 tablespoon oil for cooking • ⅓ cup mayonnaise • ½ lemon, juiced • 1 teaspoon paprika • Cayenne pepper to taste • Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste • Florida New Potato Salad • 6 cups Florida new potatoes, quartered, cooked and cooled • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

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POSITIVELY DELICIOUS Florida Tomato Stacker Salad, it’s Positively Delicious!

Florida tomatoes, fresh, sweet, loaded with anti-oxidants and just plain ol’ Positively Delicious. Take one bite and you can almost taste the sunshine that ripened them on the vine. Whether you toss them into a salad, on a pizza, or on a delicious sandwich, Florida tomatoes are Positively Delicious! Check out the recipe: INGREDIENTS 2 medium-sized ripe Florida tomatoes, sliced thick 4 ounces Florida arugula ⅔ cup plain yogurt 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese (plus more for garnish) 2 cloves fresh garlic, chopped fine ½ lemon, juiced 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar ½ red onion, sliced thin 6 strips thick-cut bacon, cooked crispy 1 teaspoon fresh chives, chopped fine (optional) Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste PREPARATION In a mixing bowl, combine the yogurt, blue cheese, garlic, lemon juice and vinegar.

Stir ingredients to combine. Taste dressing and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Keep dressing refrigerated until it’s time to use it. Place an even amount of the arugula on each plate. Season the sliced tomatoes with salt and pepper. Layer the tomato slice, red onion and bacon vertically until all the slices of tomato are used. Make sure to reserve one slice of bacon to crumble over the top of the salad. Add the preferred amount of dressing to each tomato stacker salad. Garnish the top with extra blue cheese crumbles, crispy bacon and chives.

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