Positively Osceola News Today, Osceola County's Leading and Trusted Source for News!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3 2022

Valencia College Graphic Design Student, Toho High School Grad Salma Sanchez Wins International Competition

Inside this issue

KUA to host free Movie in the Park featuring ‘Sing 2’ this Friday, November 4 at Kissimme’s Lakefront Park The Holiday Season Has Officially Begun at Walt Disney World Resort

Osceola Lady Kowboys Two Matches Away From First Volleyball State Championship

Final four days of early voting in Osceola County: Here’s what you need to know!

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Chamber Business Academy “If You Fail to Plan, You Are Planning to Fail” — Benjamin Franklin

This year’s Chamber Business Academy is focusing on the elements of a Business Plan. Attendees will build a plan specific to their business with assistance from the Small Business Development Center while learning from professional presenters in the fields of Finance, Legal, Marketing and more. Two-hour sessions over five weeks AND lunch is included!

WEDNESDAYS October 26th – November 30th, 2022 11:30 - 1:30 TUITION

$100—Chamber Members • $150—Non-Members Tuition includes course materials, lunch each session, and graduation certificate.

Sponsored By:

Kenney Consulting

SouthState CONTACT

Christina Pilkington—407-847-4145 or cpilkington@theosceolachamber.com Or register at www.theosceolachamber.com

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 Dr. Christopher Burns and Dr. Joseph D’Ambrosi from SDOC Arts October 13th, 2022

Daybreak LIVE with Bri Stefek from Osceola Arts October 6th, 2022

Osceola Matters LIVE with Brandon Arrington, Commissioner for District 3 October 12th, 2022

Daybreak LIVE with Silver Spurs Big Boss Clifton Chapman October 12th, 2022

Daybreak LIVE with Charlie Draper of Draper Law Office September 21st, 2022

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IN & AROUND OSCEOLA LIVE for the German Witches Dance in Downtown City of St. Cloud

LIVE in downtown City of St. Cloud, Florida for their trick or treat event!

Help Now of Osceola’s 13th Annual DV Rally, Awareness Walk & Candlelight Vigil

LIVE at Hopkins park for the opening of another Fire PALS box!

LIVE at the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections Office in Kissimmee where early voting is taking place For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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VIDEOS ON DEMAND KUA Movie in the Park: Sing 2 November 4th Kissimmee Utility Authority will begin its 2022-2023 Movie in the Park series on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at Kissimmee Lakefront Park. The event will feature free admission, free popcorn, prize giveaways, and the showing of Sing 2 on a 50-foot screen! Activities begin at 5:30pm and the movie at 7:00pm.

Orlando Health’s exciting volunteer opportunities!

Orlando Health has some exciting volunteer opportunities that are sure to make a positive difference in the lives of those who volunteer at one of its facilities. Orlando Health is asking community members to consider choosing one or more of its facilities to #volunteer at. For more information, visit www.OrlandoHealth.com/Volunteer-Services

Misery - Osceola Arts Next up on the Osceola Arts Main Stage is William Goldman’s Misery at Osceola Arts directed by Jeremy Seghers! This must-see show will run from Friday, October 28th through Sunday, November 6th. Showtimes are Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. On Saturday, November 5th at 2pm there will be a special American Sign Language interpreted performance.

Good Samaritan Society Kissimmee Village Hurricane Ian floodwaters have receded, but the residents of Good Samaritan Society Kissimmee Village are still looking for answers from the community owners.

2022 State of Osceola County The Osceola Chamber will host its annual 2022 State of Osceola County, presented by the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners and Chairman Brandon Arrington, on Wednesday, December 7th from 12:00PM to 1:30PM at the Osceola Heritage Park Events Center, Hall B. The 2022 State of Osceola County is hosted by Osceola County in partnership with Osceola Heritage Park.

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NEWS

Valencia College Graphic Design Student, Toho High School Grad Salma Sanchez Wins International Competition Tohopekaliga High School graduate, and current Valencia College graphic design student, Salma Sanchez, is well on her way in becoming a successful graphic designer, and that journey has huge roots in Osceola County.

When Salma Sanchez arrived in the U.S. at age 15, she had never taken an art class.

Sure, she’d been drawing and doodling and even created a cover for a book she made up. But Salma never had any formal art training, which wasn’t offered in her school in the Dominican Republic. Instead, she watched YouTube videos to learn different techniques.

So when she arrived at Tohopekaliga High School and saw Jenny Mohess’s classroom, she immediately asked if she could study graphic design. Mohess had a long career in graphic design, working for Apple and Microsoft before she shifted gears to teach at Toho High School in Osceola County.

There, Mohess is part of a team that helps Toho High students earn college credits at Valencia in arts-related fields.

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NEWS

KUA to host free Movie in the Park featuring ‘Sing 2’ this Friday, November 4 at Kissimme’s Lakefront Park Kissimmee Utility Authority, in partnership with the City of Kissimmee, will host a free Movie in the Park event this Friday, Nov. 4 at the Veterans Lawn of Kissimmee Lakefront Park. The movie event is part of KUA’s annual 6-month Movie in the Park series held on the first Friday of every month, beginning October through March.

The event will feature “Sing 2,” shown on a giant 50-foot screen. Activities begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the movie at 7 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. The movie will also feature closed captioning for the hearing impaired.

Attendees will enjoy KUA’s inflatable Kids Power Zone, craft station, photo booth, free popcorn, and prize giveaways. Onsite concessions will be available. Children participating in inflatable activities must be accompanied by an adult to sign a waiver.

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

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NEWS Final four days of early voting in Osceola County: Here’s what you need to know!

Early voting in Osceola County will continue from 9am-7pm through Sunday November 6. During Early Voting, voters may visit any of Osceola County’s nine early voting locations to cast their vote. To vote early, eligible voters must present a current and valid signature and photo identification at any designated early voting site.

Here are the county’s Early Voting locations: Supervisor of Elections Office

Kissimmee Civic Center

2509 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway

201 E. Dakin Avenue

Kissimmee, Florida 34744

Kissimmee, FL 34741

West Osceola Branch Library (Celebration)

The Gym & Aquatic Center

305 Campus Street

625 Country Club Drive

Celebration, FL 34747

Poinciana, FL 34759

Robert Guevara Community Center

Narcoossee Community Center

501 Florida Parkway

5354 Rambling Road

Kissimmee, FL 34743

St. Cloud, Florida 34771

St. Cloud Civic Center

Tax Collector (Campbell City Branch)

3001 17th Street

4730 S. Orange Blossom Trail

St. Cloud, FL 34769

Kissimmee, FL 34746

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NEWS

Orlando Health acquires Sabanera Health Dorado in Puerto Rico to create Doctors’ Center Hospital | Orlando Health Dorado Orlando Health is joining forces with Doctors’ Center Hospital in Puerto Rico to create Doctors’ Center Hospital |Orlando Health Dorado. The new brand replaces Sabanera Health Dorado, the former name of Puerto Rico’s most advanced acute care hospital.

Orlando Health, a non-profit healthcare organization that serves the southeastern United States, announced recently that it has acquired PRISA Group’s and Triple-S Management’s participation in Sabanera Health Dorado, an agreement that both parties identified as a huge step on taking the new facility to its next level of excellence and benefiting all residents of Puerto Rico’s northern region while solidifying the efforts to promote medical tourism on the island.

The Orlando-based healthcare system and Doctors’ Center Hospital have also forged an agreement to team up on four additional hospitals on the island: Doctors’ Center Hospital San Juan, Doctors’ Center Hospital Bayamón, Doctors’ Center Hospital Manatí and Doctors’ Center Hospital San Fernando De La Carolina.

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NEWS

FEMA is hiring workers to help recover from Hurricane Ian FEMA is hiring for more than 300 jobs in Kissimmee, Orlando, Brandon, Fort Myers and Sarasota as the it continues to assist in recovery after Hurricane Ian ravaged areas of Florida.

The agency said that it is seeking people with experience in logistics, environmental protection, engineering, emergency management, customer service and other job categories. The positions are four month “appointments that may be extended depending on operational needs,” according to FEMA. FEMA said that local hire employees will be eligible for the following benefits: • Health insurance for individual or family coverage • Flexible spending accounts • Federal long term care insurance • Ability to earn four hours of paid sick leave per pay period • Holiday pay • Worker’s compensation

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NEWS Florida KidCare covering monthly premium payments for families in Florida counties impacted by Hurricane Ian Florida KidCare member families who live in one of the 26 counties impacted by Hurricane Ian can get a break on their premium payments through the end of the year.

The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation Board of Directors have approved Hurricane Ian premium relief for Florida KidCare member families. This premium relief applies to all 26 Florida counties designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as eligible for individual assistance. To help families following this storm, Florida Healthy Kids has agreed to cover 100% of eligible family monthly premium payments for October. Monthly premium payment relief will also be made available for November and December coverage to those who contact us with a need.

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20-year-old man killed in rear end crash with semi on Florida Turnpike in Osceola County, troopers say A 20-year-old man from South Florida was killed in a rear end crash with a semi truck on the Florida Turnpike in Osceola County early Monday, according to FHP. Troopers said the crash took place around 7 am in the southbound lane near mile marker 232 in St. Cloud between the Three Lakes Toll Plaza and Canoe Creek Service Plaza.

The 20-year-old Coral Springs man was in a Toyota Corolla traveling south when he failed to stop for traffic that was stopped ahead and tried to swerve to the right to avoid crashing, instead he impacted the back of a stopped semi.

The driver of the Toyota was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver of the semi was uninjured. The crash remains under investigation.

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NEWS

Sheriff Marcos Lopez and Governor Pedro Pierluisi of Puerto Rico Sign Agreement to Share Police Intelligence The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office and the Puerto Rican State Police have signed an agreement to share police intelligence regarding suspects of crime.

Sheriff Marcos Lopez and Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ to share police intelligence on Friday, a first for the Sheriff’s Office and Puerto Rican State Police.

Since taking office, Sheriff Lopez has seen a pattern of individuals who commit crime in Osceola County and then flee to Puerto Rico. He is also seen individuals who commit crime in Puerto Rico and flee to Osceola County. Creating this intelligence sharing system will help.

According to the Osceola Sheriff’s Office, agencies in Osceola County and in Puerto Rico will be better suited to apprehend those who attempt to flee from justice.

“Today is important day for victims of crime. Working together signals a combined commitment to keep past and present citizens of Puerto Rico and Osceola County safe,” said Sheriff Lopez. This is the first time the Puerto Rican State Police, and any law enforcement agency in Florida have signed an agreement to share police intelligence regarding suspects of crime.

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NEWS Ivy De La Cruz, Claudia Klockars to Lead City of St. Cloud Clerk’s Office The City of St. Cloud has announced the appointment of Ivy De La Cruz to City Clerk, and Claudia Klockars to Deputy City Clerk.

De La Cruz, the first Hispanic City Clerk in the city’s history, has worked for the city since 2006 as deputy city clerk. She has more than 25 years of government experience, having previously worked in Miami-Dade before coming to St. Cloud. De La Cruz is a Certified Municipal Clerk and is pursuing her Master Municipal Clerk certification through the Florida Association of City Clerks.

Klockars has worked for the city since 2017, serving as an executive administrative assistant for the City Clerk and Code Enforcement Special Magistrate. She holds an Associate of Arts degree from Valencia College, where she also is close to completing a degree in Criminal Justice.

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Osceola School District To Host 2022 ​Choice Fair For Parents And Students November 17 The Osceola School District will host a Choice Fair on November 17, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Events Center at Osceola Heritage Park to showcase the highquality options available to students and their families in kindergarten through Grade 12.

Parents are encouraged to visit the Fair at the best time for their family’s schedule. Staff members in the district’s Educational Choices and Innovation Department will be available to assist parents in completing the choice application onsite at the designated electronic application center.

This free event will help families make sense of the district’s school choice process and give them the tools they need to make the right choice for their children.

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NEWS

Osceola County creates action plan as Good Samaritan Village evacuation order continues, future for residents still uncertain After almost three weeks since Hurricane Ian, Good Samaritan residents still can’t return to their homes, where floodwaters from Shingle Creek once again triggered a mandatory evacuation.

During Monday night’s Osceola County Commission meeting Osceola County leaders said an evacuation order is still in effect and will continue because Good Samaritan Village in Kissimmee is still not safe for the senior residents.

Osceola County leaders extended the order until this weekend and said they can’t let residents back in because the sewer system is still down.

“You just can’t have people moving back into residential units whether they were low or high, in an unsanitary and unsafe condition like that,” said county manager Don Fisher. We’ve been working with residents to get them in touch with FEMA in the recovery center for shelter assistance and a variety of things to get them in a better spot, and of course Good Samaritan Village does have another location located in Demand that hopefully some of those residents can be housed there as well.

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NEWS

Osceola County Commissioner Viviana Janer Kicks Off ‘The HotSpot’ at BVL Library The BVL Library, part of the Osceola Library System, officially opened a new 190-square-foot covered patio known as “the HotSpot” on Thursday offering Internet access to the public in a more social setting, thanks to the efforts of Viviana Janer, County Commissioner for District 2.

“This is a great new feature that will allow people to interact in a much more social environment without disrupting patrons inside the library. I thought this was a unique way to expand the library’s footprint – as well as its impact on the community,” said Janer. “I envision residents working on projects or surfing the internet on their own personal devices while sipping on a cup of coffee and enjoying a pastry from their favorite bakery, which is something you can’t do inside the library.”

The HotSpot is fully ADA accessible and offers seating for 7 and a convenient countertop workspace. In addition to wi-fi access to the Internet, there are electrical power outlets for phone and computer charging/power, as well as a high-volume fan for ventilation and comfort of patrons. The new area was designed and constructed to match and complement the architecture of the existing library building with an open plan for increased visibility and security.

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NEWS

Abbott Issues Recall of Certain Ready-to-Feed Baby Formulas Abbott has issued a press release voluntarily recalling certain lots of 2 fluid ounce/59 milliliter bottles of Ready-to-Feed (RTF) liquid formula products. For a list of products and lot numbers included in the recall, click here or call 1-800-986-8540. According to Abbott, “These products are being recalled because a small percentage of bottles (less than 1%) in the recalled lots have bottle caps that may not have sealed completely, which could result in spoilage.”

The brands included in this recall are: • Similac® Pro-Total Comfort® • Similac® 360 Total Care® • Similac® 360 Total Care® Sensitive • Similac® Special Care® 24 • Similac® Stage 1 • Similac® Water (Sterilized) • Similac® NeoSure®

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NEWS One-Stop-Shop Disaster Recovery Center in Kissimmee Continues to Serve Those Impacted by Hurricane Ian The Disaster Recovery Center at the Hart Memorial Library in downtown Kissimmee, a “one-stop-shop” continues to assist individuals and businesses recovering from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ian. In partnership with FEMA, state and Osceola County agencies, the DRC, located at 211 E Dakin Ave., is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.

Some of the services that the DRC provides include: • Guidance regarding disaster recovery assistance and programs for survivors • Clarification of any written correspondence received from FEMA • Housing assistance and rental resource information

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NEWS KUA’s Cane Island Power Park Named Top Power Plant by POWER Magazine Cane Island Power Park received a Top Plant Award from POWER Magazine for its continued success in providing affordable, reliable and clean power. The power generating facility is one of five natural gas-fired power plants in the world to be recognized and the only one located in Florida.

The award recognizes top performing power plants that have distinguished themselves as industry leaders through equipment enhancements, innovative design and successful operations.

The plant received the award for its excellent operating record in 2021, which plays an essential role in providing customers with affordable, reliable power. This was especially true when Hurricane Ian hit Central Florida as a Category 4 storm on Sept. 28. Cane Island operated throughout the storm and supplied electricity to customers who were able to take power.

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NEWS Toho Water Authority begins management of utility in St. Cloud As of Saturday, Oct. 1, Toho Water Authority (Toho), the largest provider of water, wastewater and reclaimed water services in Osceola County, and the City of St. Cloud Environmental Utilities Department united and began operations as one utility serving customers throughout the region, including Osceola County, the Cities of St. Cloud and Kissimmee and portions of Polk and Orange counties.

Since the St. Cloud City Council approval in February for Toho to manage the St. Cloud utility, the teams have been working hand-in-hand to ensure a smooth transition.

“Toho is committed to providing all of our customers dependable, quality water services,” said Toho Executive Director Todd Swingle.

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NEWS First Lady Casey DeSantis Announces Florida Cancer Connect Spanish Translations First Lady Casey DeSantis has announced updates to Florida Cancer Connect, Florida’s centralized website providing tools for individuals and families battling cancer. Updates include a fully translated Spanish website and testimonials from Hispanic cancer survivors, recorded and produced in both Spanish and English, premiering over the next month. Existing English survivor testimonials will have Spanish subtitles available.

“Florida Cancer Connect is an extension of our longstanding commitment to all Floridians impacted by cancer,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “Our goal is to make cancer resources user friendly, which is why I’m excited to announce the addition of readily available Spanish resources to increase the accessibility of support to those in the cancer fight looking for help and hope.”

Launched last month, Florida Cancer Connect is a First Lady DeSantis initiative that provides information on cancer treatment, caregiver tools and stories from brave Floridians who have fought this disease on one centralized website. The Florida Cancer Connect website updates include: • Full Spanish translation of the website • Hispanic survivor stories in both English and Spanish • Spanish subtitles on existing survivor videosFlorida is second in the nation for newly diagnosed cancer cases.

The addition of full Spanish translation and Spanish testimonials will allow the webpage to reach more Floridians and spread awareness on the resources available across the state.

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NEWS KUA Seeks Student Art Entries for 2023 Calendar of Electrical Safety Kissimmee Utility Authority invites Osceola County students to showcase their artistic expression to promote electrical safety in the utility’s 29th Annual Calendar Art Contest.

The annual contest is open to Osceola County students enrolled in Kindergarten through fifth grade, including public, charter, private, and homeschooled students.

Students are asked to use crayons, markers or paints to depict an electrical safety topic specified by grade level in the entry form. A panel of local judges will select the 12 best entries to be used for each calendar month, which will be featured in the utility’s 2023 calendar. The 12 winning students will have their artwork featured in the calendar and receive a $150 cash prize. A grand prize winner, selected from the 12 winning students, will have artwork featured on the calendar cover along with the student’s name and affixed to one of KUA’s fleet vehicles for one year.

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NEWS Margaritaville at Sea offering free 3-day cruises for military, first responders and teachers The Margaritaville at Sea cruise line is offering a 3-day, 2-night cruise to Grand Bahama Island to all active and veteran military, first responders, law enforcement, and educators for their dedication to serving our communities at home and abroad. The cruise will sail from the Port of Palm Beach in Florida to Freeport in the Bahamas.

The Heroes Sail Free offer applies only to the registered member(s) sailing in your party. You will see the Heroes Sail Free fare discount applied during checkout after entering in all guests’ information and clicking “View pricing by Guests.” Please visit the GovX site for more details on GovX membership eligibility. The Margaritaville at Sea cruise line says they are currently experiencing significant call volume into their reservations center due to a high level of excitement for this program.

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NEWS Mecum, World’s Largest Collector Car Auction Returns to Kissimmee January 4-15 with 4,000 Cars With a projected 4,000 vehicle consignments to be offered at the annual live auction event at Osceola Heritage Park in Florida, Mecum Kissimmee 2023, the world’s largest collector car auction, will feature a broad selection of American muscle cars, classics, Corvettes, exotics, trucks, Hot Rods, customs and more to cross the auction block Jan. 4-15.

The 2023 auction lineup is building momentum right out of the gates with The Chuck Cocoma Judge & GTO Ram Air IV Collection joining the roster to kick things off with serious muscle power. The collection is led by an exceedingly rare Orbit Orange 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV Convertible and includes a total of six Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IVs from the 1969 and 1970 model years among the nine lots that make up the rare muscle-car collection.

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NEWS Osceola Library System’s social worker, Matthew Jarmon, helps individuals and families in the community The Osceola Library System is now offering a professional social worker to better connect Osceola County citizens with important community resources, programs, and services critical to improving lives and fostering greater well-being.

Their new social worker, Matthew Jarmon, will offer individual or family assistance and referral in many important areas, including: • Mental Health and Counseling • Substance Abuse • Housing Assistance and Houselessness • Health Care

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NEWS Creative Inspiration Journey School sees continued student growth amid school facility expansion From the first day that Creative Inspiration Journey School opened its doors in the Fall of 2019, it was easy to see that it wasn’t going to be just another tuition free public charter school, it was focused on creating an environment of learning for its students unlike any other school in the St. Cloud and Osceola communities.

CIJS uses the Reggio Emilia approach to learning, which allows children to direct their own learning process according to their needs, and in a less-structured environment. This gives the students a apportunity to grow at their own pace, both as individuals – and community members.

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INJURY LAW Draper Law: Tips for Safe Bicycle Riding in Central Florida

Few things are better in the Sunshine State than taking your bicycle out for a spin.

Unfortunately, Florida leads the nation for bicycle fatalities. Here are some tips for bicyclists and drivers to keep the roads safe.

How bicyclists can stay safe on the roads Bikers should make sure their vehicles meet Florida safety guidelines. Specifically, bicyclists should use a headlight while the sun is set, which lets other vehicles see them at night. Additionally, all bikes should have reflective lights and working breaks.

Although Florida doesn’t require cyclists over 16 years old to wear helmets, wearing one can minimize injury and can even save your life if you’re hit by a car.

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NEWS Osceola Arts to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with “The Tie That Binds/ El Lazo Que Une: works by Alberto Gomez” Osceola Arts celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with a new visual arts exhibit “The Tie That Binds/ El Lazo Que Une: works by Alberto Gomez” from September 1 through November 6.

Florida-based artist Alberto Gomez is a humble observer with an artistic vision that is rooted in his native Colombia. “I consider my work to be categorized as magical realism in the visual sense similar to the writings of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Isabel Allende. This style is a tradition in my Latin American homeland. My work depicts the combination of daily life and fantasy together in the story. I consider my technique to mirror that of the poet using symbols, and a sense of place with the people presented in my art. My inspiration comes from my love of people.

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OSCEOLA BUSINESS REFERRAL SERVICE

Making Business better, together

OBRS.net

FAMILY LAW Draper Law: Starting Over After 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.

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NEWS Osceola County Clerk of the Court & Comptroller Kelvin Soto Publishes “Osceola On the Rise” County Financial Report In January, the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office underwent some changes, as set forth by Amendment 10 in the Florida Constitution, and was reestablished as the Osceola County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Office in order to provide a checks and balances system for Osceola County government’s finances.

To help citizens better understand the county’s finances, Osceola County Clerk of the Court & County Comptroller, Kelvin Soto, Esq. has published the inaugural edition of the Osceola On The Rise Popular Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year ended 2021.

“Osceola On The Rise” is a summary of the financial information provided in the Osceola County Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) which was jointly prepared by the Comptroller’s office and the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners.

“I am proud to share with you this first ever Popular Annual Financial Report in Osceola County. As the County Comptroller, I am committed to fulfilling our constitutional duty of transparency in government and responsible stewardship of our citizen’s finances,” said Honorable Kelvin Soto, Esq. . “It is my hope that you will find Osceola On The Rise valuable, enjoyable and informative.”

Osceola On The Rise provides information about the Osceola County community like statistics and demographic information, directories of parks, recreation facilities, libraries, emergency services, public services and annual events, Clerk and County accomplishments, and an overview of the County’s financial well-being.

To view or download the “Osceola On The Rise” publication just click here. Print copies are available by request. Contact communications@osceolaclerk.org.

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SPORTS Osceola Lady Kowboys Two Matches Away From First Volleyball State Championship Osceola volleyball is now one game away from competing for its first state championship ever.

The Lady Kowboys got there with a convincing 25-18, 25-15, 25-18 win on Wednesday night in the FHSAA Class 7A Region 2 Championship win against Dr. Phillips. Osceola’s win – the school’s first in a regional final after coming up short in 2015 and 2020 – keeps them at home on Saturday night against Hagerty, who claimed a Region 1 championship with a four-set win over Lake Brantley.

“While we are excited about our first regional championship, I can tell you this team is not about to rest on their laurels. This is a hungry team that wants to keep taking that next step,” Osceola coach Carrie Palmi said.

After being stretched to five sets in the regional semifinal against Jupiter last week, Osceola (26-4) would not face the same fate against the Panthers — putting their foot to gas against the Panthers (18-11) and never letting up. The Kowboys would control the first two sets, building a comfortable lead in both and cruising to seven and 10 point wins.

After falling behind 10-11 in the first set, Osceola went on an 8-2 run to take an 1813 lead. From there they built the lead to 20-15 and used three straight kills at the end of the game for a 25-18 win. It was more of the same in Game 2. Osceola build leads of 4-1, 15-8 and 21-11 and were never challenged as they cruised to a 10-point win in the second set. Palmi had seven kills and an ace in that game.

Dr. Phillips would rally in the third set. After falling behind 4-0 in the set, the Panthers took advantage of some sloppy ball handling by Osceola and back-to-back net violations, to even the score 16-16. A few minutes later they had their first game lead of the set and just second of the match when a third net violation gave them a 18-17 lead.

But the momentum was short-lived.

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SPORTS Soldier City Classic Highlights Final Week of Season The Solider City Classic, the annual rivalry game between Harmony and St. Cloud, highlights the final week of the high school football season. Scheduled for “The Ranch” on the Harmony campus, the 18th edition of the Classic will kick at 7 p.m.

“The phrase you can throw the record books out the window may be a tired cliché but it absolutely holds true for this game,” Bulldogs coach Mike Short said. “It doesn’t matter what the won-lost records are or who is favored, these teams always get at each other and anything can happen.”

When Harmony opened in 2004, almost half of their new students were previously zoned for St. Cloud – which created a natural rivalry. Over the years, kids zoned for Harmony grew up completing in Little League and other youth sports in St. Cloud. “The players have known each other forever and while they are friends, it’s just not true this week,” Short said. “The same can be really said for the coaches too.”

St. Cloud, 6-3, comes into the game with a three-game winning streak in the series – which includes last year’s 31-30 thriller. Overall, they lead the all-time series 9-8. The Bulldogs also come into the game the hotter of the two teams as they have won four of their last five – including a 32-6 win over Celebration where Logan King threw for one touchdown and ran for another and Terrance Griffin rushed for two more scores.

Harmony is 5-4 on the season after a disappointing Friday night loss to Heritage, 353, which most likely knocked them out of contention for an at-large playoff spot. “We did not play very well in any phase of the game,” Longhorn coach Don Simon said. “It was especially disappointing given what the game could have meant to us.” Still the veteran coach has little doubt his team will rebound and be ready to go on Friday. He also believes that avoiding mistakes will be the key to breaking St. Cloud’s three-year strangle hold on the Brass Bugle trophy.

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HEALTH

Thomas R. Kelley, MD Family Medicine Orlando Health

Orlando Health: Being a Grandparent Can Add Years to Your Life Ask any grandparent about their grandkids, and you’ll likely hear all about the joy they bring. But as it turns out, your adorable grandchild can add more than just a smile to your face – they can add years to your life.

Studies show that active grandparenting reduces stress, increases mental engagement, encourages better physical health and boosts longevity. Even in older adults without grandchildren, research shows that spending time with young children and caring for them extends life span.

Grandchildren Keep You Active If you’ve ever babysat for a toddler, you know they don’t sit still, which means you don’t, either. Whether playing catch, making meals or just picking up their toys, one big benefit of helping care for your grandchildren is that it gets you up and moving.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults should get 2.5 hours of moderate exercise each week to help to maintain their strength and stamina, as well as reduce health risks such as high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis.

The added motivation of wanting to stay healthy and present for your grandkid’s milestones prompts, many seniors to keep those preventative doctor visits and make healthier food choices.

Grandkids Keep You Mentally Alert In addition to moving your body, taking care of grandchildren exercises your brain.

Spending time with them requires memory, analysis and multi-tasking, not to mention quick reflexes. This boost to your mental activity strengthens nerve cell connections, helping to slow cognitive decline and potentially ward off Alzheimer’s disease. To keep engaged with older grandchildren, stay involved in their interests, music or technology.

Many seniors find themselves learning to play video games or attending sporting events that might not have been a part of their daily life before grandkids.

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HEALTH Orlando Health: Study evaluates college football players’ positions for risk of concussions

A new research study looks inside the brains of college football athletes to measure levels of traumatic brain injury (TBI) biomarkers by player position. This study, conducted in collaboration with researchers at Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC) and Penn State University, and published in the Journal of Neurotrauma, sheds light on which positions are at the greatest risk for elevations in brain injury biomarkers. The biomarkers are proteins and other substances released from the brain after it has been damaged.

Researchers followed 52 college football athletes, pre-season and post-season, and measured four biomarkers (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 [UCH-L1], total Tau, and neurofilament light chain polypeptide [NF-L]).

The players were grouped by two established classification systems: speed versus nonspeed positions, and Profile 1, Profile 2, and Profile 3.

“We found the biomarkers were much higher in football players in speed positions such as quarterbacks, wide receivers, defensive backs, running backs, halfbacks, fullbacks, tight ends, defensive backs, safety, and linebackers who build up momentum prior to tackling or being tackled, compared to non-speed positions like offensive and defensive linemen who engage other players before significant momentum can be generated,” said Linda Papa, MD, lead author of the study and emergency medicine physician and director, Academic Clinical Research, Orlando Health ORMC. “Interestingly, biomarkers increased in all positions over the course of the season despite very few players being diagnosed with a concussion. This suggests that repetitive head impact exposures elevate TBI biomarkers without having a concussion.”

Furthermore, Papa and colleagues used a three-tier player position classification system developed by researchers using biomechanical measurements including head impact strain magnitude, head impact frequency and intervals.

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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS

The Holiday Season Has Officially Begun at Walt Disney World Resort Overnight, wondrous décor transformed Magic Kingdom Park into an enchanting holiday sight to be seen. It’s the beginning of a multi-day transformation that will bring holiday magic to the four theme parks, more than 30 hotels and other areas across the 40-square-mile resort.

Glistening with colorful lights, festive decorations and Christmas trees galore, Walt Disney World Resort is full of holiday magic, ringing in this festive season like nowhere else. The 65-foot-tall Magic Kingdom Park Christmas tree, adorned with dazzling lights and ornaments, welcomes guests to the park where they’ll discover favorite attractions featuring special holiday overlays, Disney characters dressed in the spirit of the season and seasonal entertainment.

Ornately decorated shop windows beckon those in search of gifts for family and friends. And every night a wintry snow falls as guests wander down Main Street, U.S.A. and are immersed in the joyous atmosphere.

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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando Magic Extend Community Sponsorship Agreement Walt Disney World Resort and the Orlando Magic have renewed their community sponsorship agreement, re-establishing their commitment to support the Central Florida community through ongoing charitable efforts.

Fans will also continue to see the relationship represented by the Disney logo on the players’ jerseys. Orlando Magic jerseys with the Disney logo will be available for purchase at the Amway Center. The Disney name will continue to appear on the front left of the jersey and measure about 2½ by 2½ inches.

As part of this multi-year agreement, fans will continue to see Disney’s presence throughout the Amway Center, including the Disney Atrium and a special seating and hospitality area during select Orlando Magic home games.

“The Orlando Magic and Disney have much in common, and it’s reflected in our hometown team’s name,” says Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World. “We are excited to extend this relationship and wish them a great season.”

Disney became a Champion of the Community sponsor with the Magic in 2010 and the official Magic jersey sponsor in 2017. Since the beginning of the relationship, Disney and the Magic have worked together on outreach initiatives that benefit the local community including the Orlando Magic Recreation Centers and sponsorship of the OMYF Open golf tournament. The relationship also allows the two brands to connect their fan bases and provide shared marketing opportunities while also reaffirming Central Florida’s reputation as a global sports destination.

“The Orlando Magic are thrilled to announce an extended agreement with our longtime friends, Walt Disney World Resort,” said Magic CEO Alex Martins. “The extension represents a continued shared commitment to both the local community and creating magic for fans and guests alike. As pillars in the Orlando community, we are proud to represent the City of Orlando and all those who call “The City Beautiful” home.”

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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS

Experience the wonder of the holidays with Seaworld’s Christmas Celebration November 11 -January 3 The holiday season is on the way, and no one does it better than SeaWorld Orlando, Positively Osceola’s favorite theme park to celebrate the holidays with. Gather your family and join all your festive friends at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, select dates, Nov. 11 – Jan. 3, 2023.

Watch as SeaWorld Orlando is transformed into a winter wonderland sparkling with over 3 million beautiful lights.

Create unforgettable holiday memories at SeaWorld’s wondrous Christmas celebration with Rudolph and his friends, SeaWorld’s award winning Celebration on Ice, SeaWorld’s Sesame Street Christmas Celebration, the “Sounds of the Season” Performance Series, and so much more. SeaWorld has it all for the holidays.

And of course, delicious holiday treats and shopping of every kind. It’s SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration!

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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS

Fantasmic! Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Nightly Beginning November 3 Forces of good and evil will once again battle it out in Mickey’s dream as the longawaited return of Fantasmic! debuts Nov. 3 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort.

The legendary nighttime spectacular invites guests into Mickey’s imagination for a larger-than-life show painted on a grand canvas of dancing water overflowing with silly and suspenseful surprises.

The elaborate 29-minute nighttime spectacular takes place nightly – a kaleidoscope of entertainment featuring thrilling stunts, dazzling special effects and a rousing score based on classic Disney animated films. Fantasmic! is just one of many new and returning live-entertainment experiences guests can enjoy during the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration. “Fantasmic! is a show that will take you on a journey to see so many characters, so many villains and heroes,” says Melanie Gagne, entertainment proprietor for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS Universal Orlando to Celebrate the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Beginning Saturday November 12 Universal Orlando Resort guests will experience the merriment of the holidays this year when the Orlando theme park’s festive experiences kick off Saturday, November 12 and runs select dates through Sunday, January 1, 2023.

Universal Orlando’s Holidays celebration will feature an amazing collection of festivities that range from traditional merriments to irreverent twists on holiday classics – including Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Grinchmas, Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s and live concerts by Mannheim Steamroller (on select nights).

The popular dining experience, The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast, is back this year for Universal Orlando’s Holidays celebration at Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, allowing guests to start their day with a delicious breakfast and appearances by some of their favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including the Grinch.

The Holiday Festivities Continue at Universal’s Hotels The awesomest celebration of the season continues at all eight Universal Orlando Resort hotels, complete with festive décor that perfectly complements each hotel’s individual theme, holiday feasts and special activities filled with holiday cheer for the whole family. Universal hotel guests can enjoy special menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays, menorah lighting ceremonies, holiday crafts for kids and more. Plus, select hotels offer additional holiday entertainment that includes Christmas tree lightings, strolling carolers and more.

For more information about the Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort, visit www.universalorlando.com/holidays.

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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS

Race into Fall with the Disney Wine & Dine Half-Marathon Weekend The 2022-23 runDisney race season kicks off Nov. 3-6 with the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. The popular race weekend features a 5K, 10K and half marathon, as well as the Disney Two Course Challenge (10K and half marathon) and Post-Race Party.

Guests can experience the blend of music, stories, and culinary delights found during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival and the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary celebration.

The weekend features a Coco-themed 5K, a Raya and the Last Dragon-themed 10K and a half marathon celebrating the music and magic of Soul. Guests can also experience the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, including the opportunity to buy merchandise and gadgets for runners.

Olympic track and field champion and reality TV star Sanya Richards-Ross will be among the thousands of competitors at this year’s race weekend.

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POSITIVELY DELICIOUS Seared Florida Swordfish Steaks with Arugula and Peach Salsa, it’s Positively Delicious!

Here’s a recipe for Florida Swordfish that takes about 30 minutes from start to finish, and we think you’ll agree that it’s positively delicious!

INGREDIENTS • 4 (6-ounce) Florida swordfish steaks • 10 ounces Florida arugula • 2 large Florida peaches, pit removed and diced small • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped • 1 lime, juiced • ½ red onion, diced small • 1 lemon, juiced • 2 tablespoons olive oil • Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste PREPARATION In a small mixing bowl, combine diced peaches, lime juice, diced red onion, cilantro and 1 teaspoon olive oil. Stir ingredients to combine. Taste salsa and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Keep refrigerated until use.

Preheat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the sauté pan. Lightly season both sides of the swordfish steaks with salt and pepper.

Carefully add the seasoned swordfish steaks to the sauté pan and cook for about 3 minutes on each side or until swordfish is cooked throughout. Remove swordfish from pan and let drain on a paper towel.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the arugula, lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil.

Toss the arugula to coat and season lightly with salt and pepper. To serve, place an even amount of arugula on each of the 4 plates. Place a swordfish steak on top of the arugula on each plate. Top the swordfish steaks with an even amount of peach salsa. Serve immediately. SOURCE: Fresh from Florida For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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POSITIVELY DELICIOUS Florida Snapper and Shrimp Scampi, it’s Positively Delicious!

Florida seafood, fresh, abundant, healthy to eat, and without a question, positively delicious! Check out this simple recipe for Florida snapper and shrimp scampi!

INGREDIENTS • 4 (6-ounce) Florida snapper fillets • ½ pound medium Florida shrimp, peeled and deveined • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 3 shallots, minced • 1 tablespoon capers • 1 tablespoon pimentos, diced • ½ cup white wine • ½ cup bottled clam juice • ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper • ½ cup fresh parsley, minced • 12 ounces vermicelli or angel hair pasta, cooked • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 3 tablespoons butter Sea salt, to taste PREPARATION Heat the oil and butter in a large sauté pan. Add garlic and shallots and sauté for 2 minutes over low heat, stirring often. Raise heat to medium, add capers, pimentos, wine, clam juice and pepper; simmer for 2 minutes. Add fillets and simmer over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes. Add shrimp, spreading them evenly over the skillet; simmer for 3 minutes until fillets and shrimp are cooked through. Stir in parsley; add salt to taste.

Place fillets and shrimp on pasta on individual plates. Spoon scampi sauce over all and serve.

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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

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