Positively Osceola News Today, Osceola County's Leading and Trusted Source For Local News

Seaworld Orlando Summer Spectacular Concert series kicks off this weekend with Englsih Beat and Little River Band

Osceola County Weather: Get ready for another hot one, widespread afternoon showers are back in the forecast all week

Powerball Jackpot grows to $590 million for Saturday after no big winner in Wednesday’s drawing

Joey Chestnut slams 62 hot dogs at 2023 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog contests

Beat the heat with Fresh Florida Watermelon pops, they’re Positively Delicious

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

IN & AROUND OSCEOLA

LIVE with Osceola County for a ribbon cutting for the expansion of Bill Beck Boulevard

LIVE at SeaWorld Orlando for the official grand opening ceremony of its new SeaWorld Coral Rescue Center

LIVE with Marylin Cortez-Lovato, Director of Visual Arts with Osceola Arts, about the newest mural at ScooterVille of Central Florida

LIVE with KUA’s Director of Corporate Communications Tiffany Henderson on their Osceola Hurricane Handbook!

LIVE with St. Cloud Police Department Chief Douglas talking safety on the roads

Osceola,

ON DEMAND LIVESTREAMS

LIVE with Michelle Incandela of Draper

Law Office

June 21st, 2023

LIVE with Charlie Draper of Draper

Law Office

April 19th, 2023

LIVE with Michelle Incandela of Draper Law Office

March 30th, 2023

LIVE with Dr. Christ Burns, from SDOC Fine and Performing Arts

March 23rd, 2023

LIVE with State Representative Kristen Arrington for District 46

February 20th, 2023

VIDEOS ON DEMAND

The Mayor’s Minute with St. Cloud Mayor Nathan Blackwell

Our hot summer months are here, and that means the City of St. Cloud, Florida is hard at work creating impacting experiences and opportunities for the community!

Mecum Auto Auction Kissimmee

Mecum Auto Auction Kissimmee returns to OSceola Heritage Park July 6th through the 9th with thousands of cars up for auction.

City of St. Cloud Junior Lifeguard Training Program

Junior Lifeguard Training Program for ages 10 thru 15 begins June 9th. Each session is held over 3 days ending on July 30th. Classes are filling up! City of St. Cloud, Florida

City of St. Cloud’s Future Leaders Camp

Parents, there’s still time to get your kids ages 13 to 14 into the Future Leaders Campe thru August 4th from 7am to 6pm.

Ring-Tailed Lemurs at Wild Florida

Wild Florida is without a question one of Central Florida’s most precious gems. Take a look at their Ring-Tailed Lemurs up close and personal with Positively Osceola’s Krissi Marie Hardy and Wild Florida’s educator Desiree! To learn more about Wild Florida, visit WildFL.com

Seaworld Orlando Summer Spectacular

Concert series kicks off this weekend with Englsih Beat and Little River Band

SeaWorld Orlando’s Summer Spectacular Concert Series will rock the park’s Nautilus Theatre stage beginning this Saturday and Sunday featuring English Beat on Saturday and Little River Band on Sunday. All concert series shows begin at 6pm and are included with park admission, but space will be limited. To reserve a seat, or seat closer to the stage, go to SeaWorld’s website.

Top artists ranging from Pop to Classic Rock and Roll will take the stage every Saturday and Sunday through August 6.

SeaWorld guests can experience ten family-friendly musical acts including:

• English Beat on Saturday July 8th

• Little River Band on Sunday July 9th

• Pop Evil on Saturday July 15th

• Foghat on Sunday July 16th

• Don Felder on Saturday July 22nd

• Rodney Atkins on Sunday July 23rd

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

County

Happy Thursday Osceola! The same story continues, hot, hotter, and hottest. It won’t take long to warm up today with temps maxing out later in the day at 96 degrees. Rain chances are back to 60% with storms making their way in around 2pm. Some storms will be severe with dangerous lightening and strong winds. If you’re working outside, heading to the beach, visiting our awesome theme parks, or just relaxing around the pool, make sure to use plenty of sunscreen and stay hydrated. Here’s the Positively Osceola day-by-day and week-ahead weather forecast:

Today

Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. High near 93. Heat index values as high as 106. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

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

Powerball Jackpot grows to $590 million for Saturday after no big winner in Wednesday’s drawing

Here’s some bad news, you didn’t win Wednesday night’s nearly $560 million Powerball jackpot, but here’s the good news, you’ll have another chance Saturday night for the big bucks because no one else won the big cash either!

The winning numbers drawn Wednesday night were 68-17-24-62-48 with a red Powerball number of 23. The Power Play multiplier was 2X.

The new Powerball jackpot is now estimated to be a cool $590 million, making it tied for the 10th largest jackpot in Powerball history. No one has won the jackpot since mid-April, 33 drawings ago.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/43eBjTW

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

Osceola

Weather: Get ready for another hot one, widespread afternoon showers are back in the forecast all week

Joey Chestnut slams 62 hot dogs at 2023

Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog contests

Joey Chestnut slammed 62 Nathan’s hot dogs in 10 minutes on July 4th and took home his 16th Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest win, devouring past James Webb, who slammed 47 dogs and buns, and Geoffrey Esper, who packed in 49 in the the men’s competition.

It only took 30 seconds for Chestnut to eat his first five hot dogs and buns, but that was merely a weiner warm-up as the defending champ was ingesting about 7 hot dogs per minute for much of the competition. Chesnut finished strong, pounding about 40 hot dogs and buns during the final 5 minutes.

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

Beat the heat with Fresh Florida Watermelon pops, they’re Positively Delicious

The summer heat is here in a big way, and that calls for action to stay cool whenever possible. Here’s a way to beat the heat that won’t just cool you down, fresh Florida watermelon pops! They’ll get you saying… mmm they’re positively delicious.

INGREDIENTS

• 4-6 cups Florida watermelon (seedless), cubed

• 4 tablespoons Florida Key lime juice

• ¼ cup Florida sugar

• 1 lime, zest only

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/44BWiBz

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

Osceola County Schools to hold back-to-school open houses for 2023-2024 school year

The Osceola County School District is encouraging students and parents to attend their school’s upcoming Back-To-School Open House in order to prepare for the 20232024 school year. Osceola County public schools will hold Open Houses on the following dates and times:

• Monday, August 7 – All high schools will have Open House from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (including The Osceola County School for the Arts Grades 6-12)

• Tuesday, August 8 – All middle schools and K-8 schools will have Open House from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, August 9 – All elementary schools will have Open House from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Students in Osceola County will begin classes on Thursday, August 10, 2023. Parents can find the 2023-2024 school year academic calendar at bit.ly/SDOC2324Calendar.

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

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Leading the Charge: Dylan Murphy takes the helm as head coach of Osceola Magic

The Osceola Magic, NBA G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic, have named Dylan Murphy head coach, Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.

Murphy will also serve as head coach of the Orlando Magic’s NBA 2K24 Summer League team in Las Vegas.

“Dylan (Murphy) has done a tremendous job in regard to player development in his role as an assistant coach with the Magic,” said Weltman. “He also brings past G League experience and we look forward to his continued leadership and seamless connectivity between the Osceola and Orlando Magic.”

Murphy has spent the last five seasons with the Orlando Magic, including three seasons as an assistant coach (2020-23). From 2018-20, he served as basketball operations analyst, providing analytics support to the coaching staff.

Murphy joined Orlando after serving as a graduate assistant with the men’s basketball team at Ball State University in 2018. Before his time with Ball State, he spent one season (2016-17) as an NBA G League scout for the Atlanta Hawks. In that role, he was responsible for identifying potential call-up candidates for the Hawks NBA roster.

Prior to Atlanta, Murphy spent three seasons (2013-16) as assistant coach of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League. In 2013-14, the Mad Ants won the NBA G League championship, posting a league-best record of 34-16 during the regular season and going a perfect 6-0 during their playoff run. In the following season (2014-15), the Mad Ants earned a second-straight trip to the G League Finals.

Murphy earned a bachelor’s degree in classics from Columbia University in 2012. He is married to his wife, Sarah.

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

Valencia, UCF receive $1.3M from Helios Education Foundation to increase number of graduates through students stipends and support

Valencia College and the University of Central Florida are embarking on a new strategic partnership to boost transfer student success, funded by a $1.3 million grant from Helios Education Foundation.

Led by the UCF/Valencia Improving Student Success Task Force, the new pilot program will provide additional support to students before and after their transfer from Valencia to UCF.

“The Helios grant presents a real opportunity for us to improve students’ readiness to transfer to UCF and shorten the amount of time needed to graduate with a bachelor’s degree,” said Valencia College President Kathleen Plinske.

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

Nayer Canton Vafabakhsh, MD Orlando Health

Orlando Health: How soon should my child start swimming lessons?

Swimming can be a fun activity for kids, and with Florida’s warm weather, it can be a great way to cool down. But with drowning listed as the top cause of death for children between ages 1 and 4, swimming lessons are key to reducing the risk of tragedy.

So, at what age should you start considering swim lessons for your kids? This may be surprising, but getting them started by the age of 1 can reduce the risk of accidental drowning by 88 percent, according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine. Your child won’t be swimming laps as a toddler, but those early lessons can help them overcome a natural fear of water, while teaching critical survival tactics such as keeping their head above water.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3phAjk8

Looking

Do you find planning vacations difficult?. Well if you do, you’re not alone. Start planning your dream Orlando getaway with the help of Visit Orlando’s complimentary Vacation Planning Services, which includes insider advice and special offers on the best Orlando experiences.

Visit Orlando’s Vacation Planning Services are staffed by friendly, knowledgeable Vacation Planners who are available via telephone, email and live chat. They offer trusted resources and unbiased destination information like tripplanning advice, dining and entertainment options, and more.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: http://bit.ly/3KQxbE8

Preserving Coastal Wildlife: How to help shorebirds and sea turtles on your next trip to the beach

If your July 4th holiday includes a trip to the beach The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is reminding the public that as we enjoy our beaches this weekend and beyond, everyone can do their part to help sea turtles and shorebirds have a successful nesting season.

FWC is encouraging everyone to give sea turtles and shorebirds space and to remove beach furniture and trash before leaving for the day, keeping beaches clean and dark, and never disturbing their nests.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3r7f999

St. Cloud Police to host “One Blood”

donation event to help save lives

The St. Cloud Police Department will partner with One Blood on Tuesday, August 15th from 11am to 4pm at the St. Cloud Police Department, offering citizens a convenient location for donating blood, and helping to save lives.

The St. Cloud PD donation site is for everyone 16 years and older. Donors who are 16 years old will need parental permission, and everyone planning to donate will need to present a valid ID to donate.

To schedule an appointment, visit oneblood.org/donate-now and use sponsor code #23834.

Orlando Magic announce NBA summer league schedule in Las Vegas

The Orlando Magic announced Friday their schedule for next month’s NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Orlando kicks off Summer League play on Saturday, July 8 vs. Detroit (5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN). The Magic’s complete schedule is below. The 18th NBA 2K24 Summer League will feature all 30 NBA teams playing at least five games each. Each team will play four games from July 7-14. After each team plays four games, the top four teams will advance to the playoffs and participate in the semifinals on Sunday, July 16 (4 p.m. ET on ESPN and 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2). The two winning teams from the semifinal games will meet in the championship game on Monday, July 17 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3NM0Hfs

INJURY LAW

Draper Law: Which vehicles are more likely to be involved in serious or fatal accidents?

Sadly, serious and fatal accidents take place on a daily basis in Central Florida. These crashes can happen in a number of ways and can be caused by not following traffic laws, inexperience, intoxication, distracted driving, fatigue, and medical issues.

Statistics show that fatal car accidents can often occur based on the type of vehicle. You may think that sports cars are most likely to be in crashes due to their speed and performance. However, according to the NHTSA, it’s the everyday cars, trucks, and SUVs on the roadways that are involved more frequently in serious or even deadly accidents, with sedans and pickup trucks accounting for more than three-quarters of fatal accidents. If you drive out on the roadways, here’s what you need to know about which vehicles have been involved in many of the crashes.

Beware of online scams when searching for home weatherization assistance programs

The Osceola Council on Aging is warning the community to beware of fraudulent websites while searching for home weatherization programs. These websites ask people to fill out online forms, which are then used to steal the applicant’s personal information. Unfortunately, when a victim of this malicious fraud attempts to contact the company, they receive no response or support.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/44DSoZo

FAMILY LAW

Draper Law: Showing positive parenting

When parents of minor children divorce, it can be several years before their involvement with the court will end. Ideally, both parties will abide by their thoughtfully created parenting agreement and make changes which support their children’s wellbeing. However, as time passes and circumstances change, it is not uncommon for parents to disagree about what is in the best interest of their kids. A parent may also claim the other does not have good parenting abilities and seek to make legal changes to the parenting plan. In this situation, the other parent may have to provide evidence of their positive parenting skills.

The Draper Law Office has attorneys who are experienced with helping clients with child custody and parenting time issues and can help. Call 407.846.0075 today or go to DraperLawOffice.com to set up your free, no-obligation consultation in one of their three locations: St. Cloud, Kissimmee, and Orlando.

HEALTH

Ashlee Wright, MDA, RD, LD/N Outpatient Registered Dietitian Orlando Health

Overhauling your diet sounds daunting, right? But small tweaks can make a lasting difference in your health and nutrition. These five changes — plus tips on how to achieve them — can help you score quick improvements in how you feel and give you the confidence to try for even bigger changes over time.

Eat More Fiber

If you’re only going to try one thing on this list, make it adding more fiber — it’s easier than you think. Look at a list of high-fiber foods — odds are, you’ll find things there that you already love (for example raspberries and blackberries, which each pack 8 grams of fiber per cup). Increasing fruits and veggies you already like is as simple as adding them to your grocery list more frequently.

Why does fiber matter? It’s often associated with improved digestion — a big plus for anybody who has issues there — but it also helps with blood-sugar control and weight management. A lot of fiber-rich food is also rich in prebiotics, which helps to feed the “good” bacteria in our gut. A word of caution: Go slowly. The goal is 25 grams of fiber a day — most Americans don’t get anywhere near that, and if you add that much in a hurry you may feel bloated and uncomfortable while your body adjusts. Instead aim to add about 5 grams a week until you reach the recommended amount.

Easy ways to start: Switch from white bread or pasta to whole wheat. For picky eaters, try the middle ground of breads and pastas with fiber added that don’t taste quite so wheaty.

Drink More Water

We know, we know — many people don’t like the taste of water. But being wellhydrated improves brain and digestive function, maintains your skin’s elasticity and keeps blood sugar better controlled (because it makes your blood more dilute and the sugars less concentrated than if you are dehydrated). You don’t have to guzzle from a jug — refilling a small cup multiple times a day can seem more doable at first. Try a bottle with a built-in infuser where you can add fresh fruit to flavor the water.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/442Me49

Erika Booth announces candidacy for Florida House District 35

Erika Booth, Osceola County School Board Member for District 5, has announced that she will run in the special election to fill former Representative Fred Hawkins’ District 35 seat in the Florida House. Hawkins recently resigned after accepting the position of President of South Florida State College.

“I’ve dedicated the last 20 years of my life to educating our children. Most importantly as a parent and also as a classroom teacher,” Booth said. “As I began my service on the school board, I have realized the issues facing educators, parents and our students cannot simply be solved locally and so, today, I have decided to run for State Representative.”

Claim the ‘Best Seat in the House’ at Island H20 in Kissimmee

Island H2O Water Park is making waves with an electrifying announcement! Brace yourself for the exhilarating “Best Seat in the House” contest, where you could snag the grand prize and claim the crown as the VIP ruler of Island H2O Water Park!

Through July 6 guests can have a golden opportunity to enter the contest by heading over to www. IslandH2OWaterPark.com for a chance to secure the ultimate seat at the Live! Lagoon Wave Pool. The winner will be contacted via email on July 6, after the contest ends at 12 p.m.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3r7RXr0

Three extra months free deal is back at Universal Orlando Resort when purchasing or renewing annual passes

Universal Orlando Resort invites Florida residents to take advantage of an incredible offer – three extra months free when purchasing or renewing any 2-Park or 3-Park Annual or Seasonal Pass.

Available for purchase now at www. UniversalOrlando.com, the “3 Months Free on Any Pass” offer allows guests to save significantly on an extraordinary year of theme park perks that includes 15 months of admission to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, as well as Universal Volcano Bay for select Passes – three theme parks that boast some of the most innovative, immersive and popular theme park experiences ever created. Blockout dates apply on select Passes.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3NRDh8y

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

Walt Disney World Resort announces 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy application opening date

Walt Disney World Resort was centerstage Sunday at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture to announce the opening of applications and nominations for the 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy.

Gospel singing star Pastor Mike Jr., joined Disney on stage during the announcement that was part of an informational session on the Essence stage in front of thousands of spectators. The transformational program, which includes a four-day annual event in March at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, is designed to broaden career and personal development for a select group of 100 teens from Black and underrepresented communities across America.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3D10tek

New culinary series adds tasty twist to Disney Springs “Flavors of Florida”

This year’s annual Disney Springs Flavors of Florida runs July 1 through August 13, and once again brings to life the tastes, techniques, ingredients and culture of the Sunshine State through deliciously curated menu items at many of the most popular restaurants at Disney Springs.

The newest twist to the popular summer event is a weekly culinary series headlined by internationally recognized chefs such as José Andrés and Art Smith. Each event held at Waterview Park at Disney Springs features a noted chef or prominent restaurant owner who will stage a culinary experience that spotlights some of their most popular dishes and drinks, including many that will be on the Disney Springs Flavors of Florida menu.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3CQ2QAm

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

Preserving the Past: St. cloud Historic District recognized by National Register of Historic places

The St. Cloud Historic District was officially recognized by the National Register of Historic Places this week, a goal St. Cloud Main Street has been focused on for a number of years. The National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program by the National Park Service to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic resources.

St. Cloud Main Street, led by Executive Director Paula Stark, obtained three grants which assisted in inventorying the downtown historic buildings along with the creation of the Historic Preservation Board, which assisted in obtaining its Certified Local Government designation in the summer of 2019.

First of two Florida disaster preparedness tax-free holidays

The first of two 14-day sales tax holidays to help residents save money on hurricane supplies is currently taking place and will continue through June, as the Atlantic Hurricane season rapidly approaches.

Florida House Bill 7063, which describes several sales tax holidays for Florida, was passed unanimously by the Legislature May 5 and sent to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis May 23, which he signed.

Here’a a list of what’s included in the 2023 list of tax-free items in Florida

• Self-powered lights of $40 or less.

• Portable self-powered radio, two-way radio or weather-band radio of $50 or less.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3WyNxp3

taking place now, here’s what’s on the list!

POSITIVELY DELICIOUS

Grilled Florida Chicken Sandwich, It’s Positively Delicious!

Fresh chicken with crisp Florida arugula on toasted bread, it’s Positively Delicious!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Florida chicken breasts, grilled

• 1 Florida tomato, sliced thin

• 2 cups Florida arugula

• 3 garlic cloves

• 1 lemon, zested and juiced

• 1/2 cup olive oil

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

• Sandwich bread (your favorite)

• Sea salt and fresh ground pepper

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/43XgVI3

Garlic Roasted Florida Shrimp and Blueberry BBQ Saurce, It’s Positively Delicious!

This recipe puts a sweet twist on Florida Shrimp…it’s Positively Delicious!

INGREDIENTS

• 12 jumbo Florida shrimp, peeled and deveined with the tail on

• 2 tablespoons Florida Blueberry BBQ Sauce

• 1 tablespoon Florida seafood seasoning blend, divided

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

• 1 lemon, half juiced, half sliced for garnish

• 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (parsley, oregano, thyme), chopped fine

• 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced

• Hot sauce, to taste

• Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3Cw24Z9

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

POSITIVELY DELICIOUS

Florida Vegetable and Chicken Pasta, It’s Positively Delicious!

Looking for a fun dish to bring to summer cook-outs? Try this chicken pasta with fresh Florida vegetables…it’s Positively Delicious!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups Florida Chicken, cooked and chopped

• 2 Florida tomatoes and Florida zucchini, diced

• 2 cups Florida spinach

• 4-5 garlic cloves, minced

• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

• 12 ounces whole wheat penne, cooked

• ½ cup vegetable broth

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 lemon, juiced

• Olive oil, for cooking

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3X6XRon

Florida Honey-Glazed Fried Chicken Wings, It’s Positively Delicious!

Honey-glazed fried chicken wings with the perfect mix of crunch and tang…it’s Positively Delicious!

INGREDIENTS

• 12 Florida chicken wings

• ⅓ cup Florida honey

• ¼ cup Florida orange juice

• 10 sprigs fresh thyme, finely chopped

• 3 eggs, beaten

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 cups bread crumbs

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose seasoning

• Vegetable oil for frying

• Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3CDS3sU

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

be confident.

We provide trusted, quality care in your community. At Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital, get access to care from an expert and compassionate clinical team for all of your healthcare needs — from emergency services to heart care, surgical services and more — all close to home. Giving you more reasons to choose well. OrlandoHealth.com/StCloud choose well.