Oscole County urgers preparation as 2023 Hurricane Season draws nearer

The Atlantic Hurricane season continues to grow closer and on June 1st it becomes official. Hurricane Ian is an example of the tremendous impact that one tropical cyclone can have on Central Florida residents, so preparation is key to safety each year.

Osceola County residents are urged to prepare for the 2023 hurricane season now. One opportunity is the Hurricane Expo today, Saturday, May 20 from 10am to 1pm at the Kissimmee Civic Center hosted by the County’s Office of Emergency Management.

Osceola County residents should also be mindful of the state’s sales tax holiday, which begins May 27 and runs through June 9. The State of Florida will host a second sales tax holiday, August 26 – September 8, 2023, just prior to the peak of hurricane season.

“Our team was tested last year and I’m grateful for their continued dedication and preparation. Their vigilance and planning help keep our community safe when hurricanes and other emergencies arise,” Osceola Commission Chairwoman Viviana Janer said. “Residents should create an emergency plan and gather supplies for themselves and their families in case a storm comes our way.”

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Osceola Clerk & Comptroller Kelvin Soto hosts grand opening of Nest Gallery at John B. Morgan Courthouse

Osceola Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller Kelvin Soto, Esq. recently opened The NEST Gallery, Neighborhood Exhibit for Student Talent—on the second floor of the Judge Jon B. Morgan Courthouse.

The opening, attended by local elected officials, dignitaries, and student artists, was held to celebrate both the gallery’s launch as well as the first installment of 25 pieces of art from Tohopekaliga High School students.

In 2022, Clerk & Comptroller Soto tasked the office’s Communications Specialist, Maggie Rosenbaum, with identifying ways that the administration could update the public-facing interactions our office had with constituents. With hundreds of square feet of available wall space in the Clerk & Comptroller’s second floor Customer Care lobbies, Maggie partnered with colleagues at the Osceola County School District to launch The NEST.

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Governor Ron Desantis signs Representative Kristen Arrington’s guidance services bill into law

Representative Kristen Arrington passed SB 196 on the floor of the Florida House of Representatives with unanimous support during the 2023 Legislative Session. On Wednesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law.

The law, which will go in effect on July 1, 2023 for the 202324 school year, will require guidance counselors to advise public middle and high school students of all educational opportunities available to them to gain skills that are in demand in the labor market, including technical and trade education programs and how to prepare to obtain post secondary degrees in those areas.

“This legislation will help our children prepare for a better future by letting them know of all the opportunities available to plan and prepare them for a more diversified economy and workforce,” said Representative Arrington.

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Osceola Chamber’s Christina Pilkington named 2023 Chamber Professional of the Year

At the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals’ annual conference, which recently took place at Cocoa Beach, Christina Pilkington, Director of Administration at The Osceola Chamber, was named the 2022 Florida Chamber Professional of the Year.

Pilkington, who has been with the Osceola Chamber since 2015, was chosen by a group of her fellow Chamber professionals from around Florida, and played a significant role in the chamber receiving US Chamber of Commerce’s Five Star Accreditation.

“The mission statement of The Osceola Chamber is ‘Champions for Business and The Osceola Community.’ Christina’s effort both exemplifies our mission and enables all our members to be champions in their own right. She deserves this award for consistently going above and beyond,” 2023 Chairman of the Board Allison Beeman shared.

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The 2023 Osceola County Law Enforcement memorial ceremony honors fallen officers

The Osceola County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony held on Monday, May 17, was a solemn and heartfelt event that paid tribute to the fallen officers who dedicated and sacrificed their lives while serving and protecting the community. This annual ceremony, which took place in Osceola County Courthouse Square, served as a powerful reminder of the commitment and bravery exhibited by law enforcement officers.

The ceremony, which began with a beautifully reverent version of our National Anthem sung by Alieah Hemans, included St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke, Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland, Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez, and the event’s keynote speaker Deputy Chief Yuberky Almonte from the Osceola County Corrections Department.

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Caps off to success: Osceola County High School Graduation dates for Class of 2023

The Osceola County School District will hold its 2023 high school graduations from Monday, May 22nd to Friday, May 26th at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee and at the Osceola County School for the Arts.

This is a special time to celebrate with friends and family so make sure to have your camera ready to capture these lifelong memories. All graduation ceremonies will be live streamed on the School District’s YouTube channel to ensure that family and friends can celebrate the great accomplishments of these graduates, even if unable to attend in person.

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