SUNDAY, JUNE 26 2022
High Heat Brings All-Time Peak Electric Demand in OUC’s St. Cloud Service Area The rockets' red glare returns to St. Cloud’s Lakefront July 4th as the city hosts its Independence Day Celebration Brian Wetzel named President of Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital
Governor Ron DeSantis signs Alzheimer’s education and care bill into law
$5 Million Medical Economic Development Project Coming to City of Kissimmee
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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 LIVE with City of St. Cloud, Florida City Manager Bill Sturgeon, announcing his retirement effective September 2, 2022
June 17th, 2022
Daybreak LIVE featuring Marilyn Cortes-Lovato of Osceola Arts discussing “reVision” - Seeing by Hand
June 1st, 2022
LIVE with Park Ranger Demetrius Chappell, a man who has worn many hats in the St. Cloud community
June 17th, 2022
Good Morning Osceola LIVE with Krissi Hardy! June 17th, 2022
In the Loop LIVE with Krissi Hardy! June 11th, 2022
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IN & AROUND OSCEOLA LIVE for the start of the Team Kareem Memorial Foundation walk at Kissimmee Lakefront Park
LIVE talking with Andrew Sullivan of Osceola County Fire Rescue and EMS about the prevention of child drownings
LIVE Kayla Rogers of The Osceola Chamber, talking about Experience Osceola - Presented by Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital
LIVE with Isabella and friends delivering the supplies she’s been collecting for Osceola County Animal Services
LIVE with Vianca McCluskey and Jeremy Thomas Lanier from the Florida Department of Health in Osceola County For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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VIDEOS ON DEMAND 13th Annual World’s Largest Swimming Lesson 2022
Join with aquatic centers, waterparks, and pools all around the globe for the 13th Annual World’s Largest Swimming Lesson 2022 on Thursday, June 23rd from 9am – 12pm at the Chris Lyle Aquatic Center. Members of the community will learn important water competency and safety skills to combat childhood drowning. Register now at webtrac.stcloud.org.
St. Cloud’s Paint, Plant, and Pave Program The City of St. Cloud, Florida Community Redevelopment Agency - (CRA) - has launched its Paint, Plant, and Pave Program, a home improvement grant to assist single-family and multi-family 2-unit properties within the residential neighborhoods of the St. Cloud CRA Downtown area. Proposed improvements may include pressure cleaning, painting, minor façade repairs, landscaping, awnings, sidewalks, driveways and more.
The St. Cloud Young Entrepreneur Market on June 29th
The Saint Cloud Downtown Monthly Market is looking for entrepreneurs 21 and younger to be vendors on June 29th and July 27th as part of its upcoming Young Entrepreneur Market. Just go to bit.ly/summermarket2022 now, and apply to be a part of the next St. Cloud Young Entrepreneur Market. Come browse, shop & support local businesses!
Old Town Vette Fest on October 1st On October 1st, from 10am to 3pm, in honor of the epic Corvette, Old Town is inviting Corvette owners to bring their amazing vettes - both classic and new, to come spend the day showing off their muscle power and shine. Registration begins at 10:00am with a Corvette-only cruise down Old Town’s main street at 3:00pm. We’ll see you at VetteFest at Old Town!
District 3 - Drive-Thru Summer Food Distribution
On Saturday, June 25th, from 10am - 12pm, Chairman of the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners, District 3 Commissioner, Brandon Arrington will host a free, District 3 - Drive-Thru Summer Food Distribution. The event will be at St. Rose of Lima Church, located at 3880 Pleasant Hill Road, Kissimmee.
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MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE
Casey DeSantis’ Hope Florida – A Pathway to Prosperity has helped more than 30,000 Floridians The Hope Florida – A Pathway to Prosperity program, spearheaded by First Lady Casey DeSantis and implemented by the Florida Department of Children and Families , has helped more than 30,000 Floridians on their road to economic self-sufficiency, Florida’s First Lady announced on Friday. “I am extremely proud of the work that has been done to help Floridians find hope for a better life and realize their potential,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “It is heartening to see needs across the state being met by Floridians for Floridians with the expansion of Hope Florida – A Pathway to Prosperity. In the months ahead, we will be looking at ways to build off this momentum and continue to grow the program to connect individuals across the state with entities that seek to serve others in their community.” A recent program participant praised her Care Navigator, Lynda Anglade, for the referrals she received after losing her job and facing post-pandemic health issues. “Her kind heart and professional assistance kept me sane and helped me gather all the information needed for these services,” said Shari G. “I am forever grateful and pray these services continue so they are able to help those in need.” Hope Florida – A Pathway to Prosperity began as a pilot in August 2020 and was expanded under the leadership of the First Lady in September 2021. The program assists individuals and families with resolving immediate needs or long-term goals, including Floridians receiving public benefits, current and former foster youth, and pregnant mothers contending with substance misuse. Through the Care Navigators, in partnership with non-profit organizations, faith-based institutions, and private sector businesses, Floridians in need of assistance are overcoming barriers and achieving lifechanging goals in the areas of education and employment.
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MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE
Kissimmee Fire Department launches innovative Tele911 program The Kissimmee Fire Department launched telemedicine and patient navigation into its Emergency Medical Services system with the new Tele911 program on Tuesday, June 7. So far, the program has been used on two calls it has responded to. KFD partnered with Tele911, Inc. to reduce ambulance transports to the Emergency Room for residents who call 911 with non-emergency medical issues. KFD is one of the first fire departments in Florida to use this service. Patients will be evaluated by KFD paramedics, who will determine if they are stable and can participate in a live telehealth visit. The Tele911 emergency physician will make an appropriate disposition and treatment plan that meets the patient’s needs. The patient will also receive a next-day follow-up with a physician. Patients who are not transported will also receive a follow-up by a Tele911 social worker to provide them with linkage to primary care and social services. KFD and Tele911 will provide emergency medicine telehealth services and social worker follow-ups, allowing KFD paramedics to offer an even higher level of patient care, address social determinants of health, and reduce response times for actual emergencies. For more information about Tele-911, visit www.tele911.com. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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NEWS
CFAR welcomes its newest “Royal Resident,” Prince Raja, a 7-year-old Serval cat The Central Florida Animal Reserve recently welcomed some “royalty” to its reserve. Joining CFAR’s sister tigresses, Aurora and Tiana, is Prince Raja, a 7-year old serval! Prince Raja came to CFAR the big cat reserve in Osceola County received an early morning call from a Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC) inspector with information about an impending big cat confiscation. According to the FWC inspector, the serval was a personal pet who had been “kept” in order to breed to make Savannah cats. Savannah cats are considered the largest of the cat breeds created as a cross between a serval and a domestic cat. This cross-breed has significant value depending on how close they are to the wild serval side. An “F1” (or first generation) Savannah cat can cost tens of thousands of dollars. However, in the state of Florida, Servals are considered Class II animals, requiring licensure. Without that license, and without the ability to obtain one, the owners had to surrender him to FWC. Servals have an amazing conformation, lithe and slim, and made for high jumping. They have been known to catch birds out of the air, and survive in the wild on anything smaller than it including rats, insects, frogs, and reptiles.
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NEWS
St. Cloud Main Street Executive Director Paula Stark files to run for new Florida House District 47 Paula Stark, Executive Director with St. Cloud Main Street, has filed to run for the Republican nomination for the new Florida House District 47. Stark, who lives in St. Cloud, shared this in a recent news release after filing earlier in June “I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve my community locally for over 40 years, and I look forward to continuing to serve my community in Tallahassee.” Stark is a graduate of Osceola High School (where she was voted as Miss Osceola her Senior year) and attended Florida Technological University now known as UCF. She went on to work as Sales Director and then Publisher with the Osceola News Gazette. After retiring from the Gazette in 2012, Stark set out to follow a long-time dream and began concentrating on her children’s book series. This proved to be short-lived when the position of director of St. Cloud Main Street became unexpectedly available, Stark stepped in “temporarily” and has been there ever since.
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NEWS
Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital named one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare in 2022 For the first time ever, Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare in 2022. The recent recognition of the 84-bed, acute care hospital comes from Modern Healthcare, a leading healthcare publication. Their award program identifies and recognizes outstanding employers in the healthcare industry nationwide. “We are very grateful to be selected as one of the best places to work in healthcare,” said Ohme Entin, president of Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital. “Given the challenges we’ve experienced in healthcare over the last few years, this award is a testament to the support we’ve given to our team members and clinicians, and their hard work and commitment to our patients. I would like to congratulate our staff on this great achievement.” Orlando Health St. Cloud was selected after a thorough assessment that was designed to gather detailed information about the hospital. Modern Healthcare partnered with the Best Companies Group on the assessment process, which includes an extensive employee survey that gathers feedback and evaluates the organization across a range of different areas, including culture, leadership, benefits, and overall satisfaction. The complete list of winners is available at ModernHealthcare.com/bestplaceslist, and the rankings will be announced September 29, 2022, at the Hilton Downtown in Nashville, Tenn. Modern Healthcare will publish a special supplement featuring the ranked list of winners along with its October 3 issue.
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NEWS St. Cloud Police Officer/Air Force Reservist Awarded Air Force Commendation Medal Patrol Officer Rodney Turner not only serves the citizens of St. Cloud, but also serves the citizens of the United States as a Staff Sergeant with the Air National Guard. Officer Turner was recently awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for his actions while deployed with the 202nd Red Horse Squadron, which had been activated for Hurricane Irma recovery efforts. The Air Force Commendation Medal is an award for prolonged acts of heroism or meritorious service. On 11 June 2022, Air Force Leaders presented Officer Turner with his Commendation Medal with his wife and children standing by his side. On the morning of 11 September 2017, while en route to their first mission, the group came upon a vehicle attempting to cross a flooded stretch of roadway. Halfway across, the vehicle stalled and began to fill with water. The vehicle and driver were at risk of being swept away by rapidly rising flood waters. Without hesitation, the team jumped into action to rescue the stranded motorist.
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The Florida Department of Health in Osceola County Encourages Residents to Join Fight Against HIV Monday, June 27, 2022, is National HIV Testing Day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care, and more often if they participate in activities that may increase their risk of getting HIV. To help raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing and getting an early diagnosis, the Florida Department of Health in Osceola County (FDOH-Osceola) will host a free HIV testing event at our main campus in Kissimmee.
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NEWS Association of Poinciana Villages to Host Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular this Saturday June 25th Join the Association of Poinciana Villages for their 2022 Fireworks Spectacular this Saturday, June 25 from 6 pm until 10 pm at Vance Harmon Park Amphitheater, located at 625 Country Club Drive in Poinciana. Event admission is Free and not to be missed! “Our annual Fireworks Spectacular has become a can’t miss event in Poinciana,” said Mark Maldonado, APV General Manager. “We invite everyone to join us for this incredible evening as we celebrate Independence Day – and our community’s 50th birthday – with our friends and neighbors! A special thank you to Spectrum, the event’s Premiere Sponsor, and our wonderful community sponsors, local businesses and volunteers—this event would not be possible without you.”
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NEWS Calling all snake hunters. Governor Ron DeSantis Announces 2022 Florida Python Challenge Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that registration for the 2022 Florida Python Challenge® has opened, with the annual 10-day event being held August 5-14, 2022. Members of the public are now able to take the required online training and register to compete to win thousands of dollars in prizes while removing invasive Burmese pythons from the wild. The competition is open to both professional and novice participants. “The Everglades is one of the world’s most prized natural resources, and we have invested record funding for Everglades restoration projects, including record funding for removal of invasive Burmese pythons which wreak havoc on the ecosystem,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Because of this focus, we have removed record numbers of invasive pythons from the Everglades.”
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INJURY LAW Do You Know the #1 Cause of Injuries in the United States?
You may or may not be surprised to learn that injuries caused by car accidents are the #1 cause of injury in the United States. There are millions of car accidents in this country annually, resulting in over 3 million injuries. In fact, 90 people die every single day due to car accidents. If you or a loved one have been injured or even killed in a car accident, read on to learn about legal options that you may have to receive compensation. When Can I Sue for a Car Accident? If you or a loved one have been involved in a Florida car accident, you may be wondering how to move forward. In order to have standing to bring a personal injury lawsuit for a car accident, you must be able to show that another party or driver was negligent in causing the crash.
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FAMILY LAW Common Myths About Florida Divorces
Whether you are thinking about leaving your marriage or have just been served with divorce papers, when you have the wrong information about what to expect, this already tense situation becomes more difficult. However, by knowing some of the common myths about Florida divorce, you can avoid unnecessary stress and confusion. Committing Adultery Means Losing Everything Florida is a “no-fault” divorce state which means that neither party’s role in causing the marriage to end will be a basis for filing for divorce. This does not mean, however, that adultery is irrelevant during a Florida divorce. If the unfaithful party has used marital resources in connection with their affair, the court can consider this fact when deciding how to divide the couple’s property and debts. Additionally, the court can look at the financial harm which the unfaithful spouse caused the other when determining whether or not to award alimony.
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REAL ESTATE Goodwin Realty: Is the Housing Market Correcting?
If you’re following the news, all of the headlines about conditions in the current housing market may leave you with more questions than answers. Is the boom over? Is the market crashing or correcting? Here’s what you need to know. The housing market is moderating compared to the last two years, but what everyone needs to remember is that the past two years were record-breaking in nearly every way. Record-low mortgage rates and millennials reaching peak homebuying years led to an influx of buyer demand. At the same time, there weren’t enough homes available to purchase thanks to many years of underbuilding and sellers who held off on listing their homes due to the health crisis. This combination led to record-high demand and record-low supply, and that wasn’t going to be sustainable for the long term. The latest data shows early signs of a shift back to the market pace seen in the years leading up to the pandemic – not a crash nor a correction. As realtor.com says: “The housing market is at a turning point. . . . We’re starting to see signs of a new direction, . . .” Home Showings Then and Now The ShowingTime Showing Index tracks the traffic of home showings according to agents and brokers. It’s a good indication of buyer demand. Here’s a look at that data going back to 2019 (see graph): The 2019 numbers give a good baseline of pre-pandemic demand (shown in gray). As the graph indicates, home showings skyrocketed during the pandemic (shown in blue). And while current buyer demand has begun to moderate slightly based on the latest data (shown in green), showings are still above 2019 levels.
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SPORTS UCF Knights to compete in AAC for one more athletic year UCF will compete in the American Athletic Conference for one more athletic season, then transition to membership in the Big 12 Conference beginning in 2023-24. That became official today with the announcement by AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco that The American and UCF have reached an agreement regarding UCF’s departure from The American and its subsequent move to the Big 12. Under the terms of the agreement, The American’s member institutions voted, in accordance with conference bylaws, to end UCF’s membership, effective July 1, 2023. Joining UCF in the move from the AAC will be the University of Cincinnati and the University of Houston. “First, I would like to thank Mike Aresco and the leadership of the American Athletic Conference for its cooperation as all three schools worked through this matter over recent months,” said Terry Mohajir, UCF vice president and director of athletics. “UCF teams in the American have produced many championships and other memorable moments. The 2022-23 athletics seasons will conclude a full decade for UCF in the AAC, and we are proud of the contributions we’ve made to grow and enhance the stature of the conference. We’re proud to participate and compete in this very competitive league for one more year. “We are pleased that we were able to conclude these negotiations and now confirm our transition to Big 12 Conference membership for 2023-24.” Added Aresco, “I would like to thank UCF President Alexander Cartwright, Cincinnati President Neville Pinto and Houston President Renu Khatour—as well as Tulane President Michael Fitts, who is chair of our Board of Directors–for their efforts and leadership to arrive at a sensible resolution to the three schools’ departure from the conference. All three institutions enjoyed tremendous success under the American Athletic Conference banner, and all three were instrumental in taking the conference to great heights, both athletically and academically.
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COMMUNITY Osceola School District’s Superintendent Dr. Debra Pace Hosting FREE Summer Learning Series, Podcasts
Register today for the School District of Osceola County’s Power-Up for Success Summer Learning Series and receive free, weekly updates designed to keep your child learning while having summer fun.
Each week, you will get an email packed with ideas to foster learning around different topics along with a new episode of “Everyday Pace” podcast from Superintendent Pace along with FREE printable resources to use with your children. The School District’s Weekly themes include: • Keeping Summer Learning Fun and Creative • Vacation Learning (Learning on the Road and Exploring Locally) • Building a Better Reader All Summer Long • Everyday Ways to Build Math Skills • Avoid the Summer Brain Drain – (and have an answer when you hear “I’m Bored”) • Xello – Not Just for School Anymore • STEMTASTIC – Hands-on Summer Fun • Back to School Confidence Builders • AVID to the Max – Tune-up Your Study Skills • Building Family-School Relationships – How to Have Your Best Year Yet Register today for the School District of Osceola County’s Power-Up for Success Summer Learning Series. The school district is providing the summer learning opportunities to help you gear up for a summer full of fun and learning! Register and enjoy a new podcast episode every week to help you plan engaging, hands-on activities to help your kiddos make brain gains and avoid the “summer slide” while school is out. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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COMMUNITY St. Cloud Chamber to host Politics in the Barn event July 13th
The St. Cloud Greater Osceola County Chamber of Commerce will present Politics in the Barn on July 13, 2022 from 5:30pm – 8:30 pm. The event will take place at the St. Cloud Community Center located at 3101 17th Street in St. Cloud.
According to the St. Cloud Chamber, “Politics in the Barn” will provide an opportunity for constituents to meet and greet with candidates whom have qualified for the 2022 election in Osceola County. Attendees will have a chance to vote at the Straw Poll hosted by the Supervisor or Elections Office, and enjoy diner provided by Jimmy Bears BBQ. Tickets are available for $20 before July 1st and $30 beginning July 1st on the Chamber website at www.stcloudflchamber.com or by calling the Chamber at (407) 892-3671.
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COMMUNITY
Rotary Club of Kissimmee West Announces 7th Annual Student Art Contest Winners The Rotary Club of Kissimmee West has announced the winners in its recent 7th Annual Student Art Contest which received over 300 art entries from kindergarten to 12th grade throughout Osceola County. The artwork was judged, based on grade and prizes and ribbons were given to the Best of Show ($100 per student winner and $100 to their teacher) to each grade level and People’s Choice Award (Awarded $250), who received the most votes. The winners were: Best in Show K-2 – Amnerys Ramos Torres 2nd Grade KOA ELementary Joining Amnerys in the photo were Erica Sanders, Kathy Wandel from Rotary Club West Kissimmee, Michelle Perez, Principal Schwartz, and Dr. Chris Burns Best in Show Grade 3-5 – Kathleen Teal, East Lake Elementary 5th grade Joining Kathleen in the photo were Dr. Chris Burns, Principal William Hennessy, Kathy Wandel from Rotary Club West Kissimmee, and East Lake Elementary Art Teacher Teresa Stevens. The student artwork was displayed on the OsceolaGenerations.org website during the contest.
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COMMUNITY KUA earns national honors for quality of service, commitment to the local community Kissimmee Utility Authority earned national honors on Tuesday for their contributions and service to local customers by the American Public Power Association. KUA received the Sue Kelly Community Service Award, which recognizes utilities for their “good neighbor” activities that demonstrate commitment to the local community. KUA has supported local nonprofit organizations and activities through its Community Sponsorship Program for 26 years. The creation of its Good Neighbor Round Up Program in 2013 has provided emergency utility bill payment assistance to customers in need. The utility also provides free home energy audits. In 2021, despite the pandemic, KUA participated in more than 17 community events, including the city’s Fourth of July celebration, free movies in the park, blood drives, children’s art contests and more.
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COMMUNITY Osceola School District Announces 2022-2023 Back-To-School Open House Dates All Osceola students and parents are encouraged to attend their school’s Back-ToSchool Open House in order to prepare for the 2022-2023 school year. Osceola public schools will hold Open Houses according to the following schedule: • Friday, August 5 – 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) • Monday, August 8 – All middle schools and K-8 schools will have Open House from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. • Tuesday, 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 Wednesday, August 10, 2022. Parents can find the 2022-2023 school year academic calendar at www.osceolaschools.net/Academic-Calendar_2022-2023.
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COMMUNITY
Osceola Virtual School Currently Accepting Students for 2022-2023 School Year, Deadline June 29
Osceola Virtual School Currently Accepting Students for 2022-2023 School Year, Deadline June 29. Osceola Virtual School, a free online K-12 instructional program for students who reside in the Osceola County School District, is currently accepting applications through June 29, 2022. Applications for full-time or part-time enrollment can be found on the school’s website at osceolaschools.net/OVSS. Parents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible so that their child’s application can be reviewed for eligibility and open availability prior to the start of the school year in August. Students who are enrolled in Osceola Virtual School have the flexibility to access their lessons 24/7. Full-time students with OVS take six courses, while part-time students can enroll in one or more courses. Full-time students are eligible to receive a high school diploma through Osceola Virtual School. Full-time students enter at the beginning of each semester only. Source: Osceola County School District For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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COMMUNITY Osceola Council On Aging Seniors Fishing Day
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COMMUNITY Osceola County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb Presents $150,000 to YMCA for Community Pool Restoration
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COMMUNITY 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Disney’s Wide World of Sports
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COMMUNITY 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Disney’s Wide World of Sports
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NOW HIRING
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POINT OF SALE IN OSCEOLA COUNTY
WHAT IS POINT OF SALE? When we say “Point of Sale,” we’re referring to marketing and promoting tobacco products in retail environments – like gas stations, convenience stores, and other retail outlets.
SOME TACTICS THEY USE ARE: Discounting products, appealing to children and young adults.
POINT OF SALE IS THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY’S MAIN MARKETING METHOD.
Paying retailers for prime product location and advertising. Targeting lower-income communities.
WHY IS POINT OF SALE IMPORTANT?
Studies show that tobacco use is associated with exposure to retail advertising and relatively easy access to tobacco products.
Schools with a higher number of tobacco retailers nearby tend to have higher smoking rates.
More cigarettes are sold in convenience stores than in any other type of store.
WHAT IS OSCEOLA COUNTY DOING?
We are implementing tobacco education and prevention to create awareness within our community. This includes educating local decision makers about the local tobacco retail environment which includes information about product placement and the amount of tobacco retailers near schools.
YOU CAN GET INVOLVED!
CONTACT JEANNE@CIVCOM.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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HEALTH
Howard G. Smith, MD General Surgery Orlando Health
8 Grilling Safety Tips for Father’s Day and Summer Cookouts from Orlando Health Nothing says summer, or Father’s Day, like a backyard barbecue, but the party can quickly turn from festive to frightening if something goes awry when you’re grilling those steaks, chicken, burgers, sausages, vegetables, or hot dogs. Nearly 20,000 people a year went to hospital emergency departments because of injuries associated with grilling between 2014 and 2018. Most of these injuries were burns caused by grill fires. Knowing how to grill safely, and what to do if you get hurt, will ensure your next backyard party is a success. Common Grilling Hazards Burns caused by fire or contact with a hot surface are the most common grilling injuries. Children under 5, who may bump into, accidentally touch or fall onto the grill, account for about a third of those injuries. Smoke inhalation is another hazard when grilling. This happens when you grill with the hood down, because smoke accumulates that you then breathe in when lifting the hood. Signs you may have inhaled too much smoke include coughing, shortness of breath, hoarseness and headache. Grilling Safety Tips To prevent fire and injury, keep these tips in mind before you light the grill: • Don’t drink and grill. You don’t want to be impaired while grilling, so save your alcoholic beverages for when you’re done. • Position your grill at least 10 feet away from any structures and overhangs like roof lines. If the grill fire flares, the structure won’t catch flame.
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HEALTH
Rachael Prete, DO Pediatrics Orlando Health
Orlando Health: Parents Urged To Keep Following SIDS Guidelines Pediatricians are urging parents to continue following CDC guidelines to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome after a recent study grabbed headlines that incorrectly suggested the cause of SIDS had been discovered. Each year in the United States, about 3,400 babies die unexpectedly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These deaths of infants under a year old include SIDS as well as accidental suffocation while sleeping and other unknown causes.
Australian researchers identified a potential link between low levels of the enzyme butyrylcholinesterase and the likelihood of SIDS. However, at this early stage, it’s too soon to make recommendations based on one study with a sample size of 722 babies. Many babies in the Australian study who died from SIDS did have low levels of the identified enzyme, but many others who also had low levels of the enzyme are still alive and healthy.
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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS
Marvel’s Newest Hero, Ms. Marvel, to join the “Avengers: Quantum Encounter” dining experience aboard Disney Wish With less than two weeks until the christening of Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Wish, Disney has released new details about one of its dining experiences on board, “Avengers: Quantum Encounter.” Actress Iman Vellani — who stars as Ms. Marvel, the newest Super Hero to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in a new series on Disney+ — is joining the star-studded line-up in “Avengers: Quantum Encounter,” an all-new interactive show premiering exclusively at Worlds of Marvel restaurant on board the Disney Wish! She joins other world-renowned Marvel actors in this first-of-its-kind cinematic dining adventure, including Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Evangeline Lilly as The Wasp, Anthony Mackie as Captain America, and Brie Larson as Captain Marvel. Throughout the “Avengers: Quantum Encounter” dining experience, guests take part in a hands-on demonstration of the latest and greatest Pym Tech, the Quantum Core, hosted by Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne (Ant-Man and The Wasp). Joining in the action will be Ultron, voiced by actor Ross Marquand, eager to get his hands on the powerful “quantum technology.”
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Free Beer is Back All Summer Long at SeaWorld Orlando It’s looking like it’s going to be a hot summer, so SeaWorld has welcomed back free beer to help those who are fans of a cold one, as they make their way around Central Florida’s favorite theme park! Now through Aug. 4th, celebrate the summer with a FREE beer at Waterway Grill from 10:30 am until one hour prior to park close. Guests 21 years and older can enjoy one complimentary 7-ounce beer. The 7-ounce ice-cold draft will be available at the park daily and pairs perfectly with Electric Ocean at SeaWorld Orlando. Cool down with world-class shows, water rides and coasters, including SeaWorld’s NEW Ice Breaker or the always breathtaking Mako! Looking for the perfect place to view fireworks this July 4th, check out SeaWorld Orlando with four nights of fireworks from Friday, July 1st to Monday, July 4th, weather permitting. For more information, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.
SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens offering Flash Sale on tickets thru Sunday SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens are offering a limited-time FLASH SALE on park tickets this weekend, according to SeaWorld’s website. The sale is running through Sunday, June 19. SeaWorld guests have the option to purchase daily tickets for $55, regularly $124.99. Guests can also upgrade their single day ticket and get a two-park ticket for only $99, which can include ea World Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa and Adventure Island, according to SeaWorld. For more information, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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Halloween’s Relentless Slasher Michael Myers to Make His Vengeful Return to Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights John Carpenter’s classic 1978 slasher film Halloween returns to stalk Halloween Horror Nights in terrifying haunted houses where guests come face-to-face with the merciless Michael Myers, beginning September 2 at Universal Orlando Resort. Halloween is one of the most popular horror films of all time and to many fans, spawned the most-feared antagonist in horror movie history – Michael Myers. As the franchise’s latest trilogy concludes with Universal Pictures’ release of Halloween Ends on October 14, guests will venture back to where it all began in “Halloween” – eerily authentic haunted houses that depict the most chilling moments from the criticallyacclaimed original film. On both coasts, this year’s harrowing experiences will transport guests to the infamous town of Haddonfield, Ill. on Halloween night, when Michael Myers first donned his notorious mask to embark on his brutal rampage. As guests make their way through his dilapidated home and iconic scenes from the movie, they’ll narrowly dodge attacks from the knife-wielding Myers as he stalks their every move.
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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS
Disney’s Minnie Van Service returns to Walt Disney World Resort June 29 Disney Minnie Van Service Connected by Lyft will make its returns June 29, 2022, to Walt Disney World Resort. The service has been on pause since Disney World shuttered its parks in response to the COVID pandemic in March of 2020. Each Minnie Van vehicle, is driven by a Disney employee and can hold up to six people and come equipped and has two child safety seats. Minnie Van Service is a convenient and personalized transportation option with quick, point-to-point mobility around Walt Disney World, at prices that vary by route. Disney guests can book the Disney Minnie Van Service by opening the Lyft mobile app and selecting a Minnie Van vehicle. Guests can also use the app to request an Accessible Minnie Van, as needed, and again, each Minnie Van comes equipped with two complimentary car seats for little travelers. According to Disney, more than 75 of the former Minnie Van drivers, who were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown, have now returned. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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POSITIVELY DELICIOUS Florida Chicken, Mushroom and Bacon Melt, It’s Positively Delicious! Did you say bacon? Well, if you didn’t we did! And we said it like this… fried chicken, mushroom, and BACON melt. Yes, a bacon melt. If you’ve never had one… this is the one to try, because we think you’ll agree. It’s Positively Delicious! INGREDIENTS • 3-4 Florida chicken breasts • 1 (8-ounce) container Florida mushrooms, thinly sliced • 6 strips thick-cut bacon • 4 slices Havarti cheese • 1-2 tablespoons all-purpose seasoning (your favorite) • 1-2 tablespoons unsalted butter • 4-6 sprigs fresh thyme • Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste PREPARATION Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Season chicken breasts with all-purpose seasoning on both sides and set aside. Preheat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and cook bacon until crisp. Remove from heat and set aside. Using same pan and rendered bacon grease, sear chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove from pan and place into casserole dish or sheet pan. Place a slice of cheese over each, place in oven and continue to cook for about 10 minutes or until internal thermometer reads 165 degrees. While chicken is in the oven, sauté the mushrooms in the same pan with any leftover pan drippings and butter. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, salt and pepper. Add in the crumbled bacon and mix to combine. Assemble dish by garnishing each piece of chicken with a spoonful of the mushroom and bacon mixture over top. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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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
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