St. Cloudโs 1st Black council member confronts cityโs painful past, helps turn the page
Read full article: St. Cloudโs 1st Black council member confronts cityโs painful past, helps turn the pageWhether it was trying to buy a home or simply walking down the street after dark, Black residents in St. Cloud carried the weight of a troubling reputation. Now, as St. Cloudโs first Black council member, Jennifer Paul is working to change that legacy, and it started with creating her own.
Judge denies Stand Your Ground defense after road-rage confrontation in St. Cloud
Read full article: Judge denies Stand Your Ground defense after road-rage confrontation in St. CloudA judge has denied a manโs claim of self-defense under Floridaโs Stand Your Ground law after prosecutors say he slashed an off-duty Orange County sheriffโs deputy during a road rage confrontation in St. Cloud.
PHOTOS: โSprawlingโ 4-alarm blaze sparked by brush fire rips through Osceola County business
Read full article: PHOTOS: โSprawlingโ 4-alarm blaze sparked by brush fire rips through Osceola County businessA โsprawlingโ four-alarm fire ripped through a St. Cloud business in an industrial area west of Kissimmee on Sunday, according to fire officials.
Property taxes have spiked the most in these Florida cities, report shows
Read full article: Property taxes have spiked the most in these Florida cities, report showsWith the discussion around property tax cuts hitting a fever pitch in Florida, a new report shows which counties have imposed the highest levies statewide.
K-8 school to be built inside new St. Cloud subdivision, raising traffic concerns
Read full article: K-8 school to be built inside new St. Cloud subdivision, raising traffic concernsAs some districts in Central Florida consider closing schools, Osceola County is set to build a new K-8 school in St. Cloud.
Celebratory gunfire prompts safety warnings ahead of New Yearโs Day in St. Cloud
Read full article: Celebratory gunfire prompts safety warnings ahead of New Yearโs Day in St. CloudAs Central Florida prepares to ring in the new year, law enforcement and fireworks vendors are urging residents to celebrate safely and avoid dangerous โ and illegal โ traditions involving firearms.
โConstantly knocking:โ Persistent internet sales pitches cause frustration among St. Cloud homeowners
Read full article: โConstantly knocking:โ Persistent internet sales pitches cause frustration among St. Cloud homeownersSome St. Cloud residents say Quantum Fiberโs persistent door-to-door sales tactics are intrusive and harassing, despite repeated refusals to switch services.
St. Cloud business owners become Secret Santas with holiday gift hunt
Read full article: St. Cloud business owners become Secret Santas with holiday gift huntA group of St. Cloud business owners has quietly transformed the city into a festive treasure hunt by hiding small gifts and gift cards around downtown, encouraging families to explore and share their finds as part of a growing holiday tradition.
Property taxes in this major Florida city spiked nearly 400%, report shows
Read full article: Property taxes in this major Florida city spiked nearly 400%, report showsWith the discussion around property tax cuts hitting a fever pitch in Florida, a new report shows which counties have imposed the highest levies statewide.
Man riding electric scooter in St. Cloud struck, killed by several vehicles, police say
Read full article: Man riding electric scooter in St. Cloud struck, killed by several vehicles, police sayPolice in St. Cloud are looking to identify the driver of a vehicle they say struck and killed a person on an electric scooter before leaving the scene.
St. Cloud police launch drone as first responder program to boost emergency response
Read full article: St. Cloud police launch drone as first responder program to boost emergency responseThe agency has used drones in the past, but these new drones can be flown remotely, allowing for quicker response times and increased capabilities.
St. Cloud raises residential trash pickup fees, plans annual 3% increase to support growth
Read full article: St. Cloud raises residential trash pickup fees, plans annual 3% increase to support growthConcerns have also been raised about maintenance issues, such as leaks from garbage trucks. The city has allocated $1.3 million for fleet maintenance and is expanding its trash truck fleet to improve service reliability.
โYour Trick, Our Treat:โ Nearly 40 sex offenders, predators nabbed in Osceola operation
Read full article: โYour Trick, Our Treat:โ Nearly 40 sex offenders, predators nabbed in Osceola operationThe Osceola County Sheriffโs Office has revealed the results of a month-long sex offender investigation in October.
Trooper Steve on Patrol talks with St. Cloud mayor about veteran community
Read full article: Trooper Steve on Patrol talks with St. Cloud mayor about veteran communityIโll be speaking live with St. Cloud Mayor Chris Robertson, who recently established the St. Cloud Veterans Council, a new organization focused on celebrating the cityโs deep military heritage while planning a look toward the future.
Narcoossee Road shut down near St. Cloud after fatal 4-vehicle crash, FHP says
Read full article: Narcoossee Road shut down near St. Cloud after fatal 4-vehicle crash, FHP saysA fatal crash involving four vehicles forced both directions of Narcoossee Road to shut down north of St. Cloud, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
๐ฏ Inside Central Florida Animal Reserve: A sanctuary for big cats
Read full article: ๐ฏ Inside Central Florida Animal Reserve: A sanctuary for big catsCentral Florida Animal Reserve is a nonprofit sanctuary dedicated to providing lifelong care for big cats who have nowhere else to go. Open on weekends with multiple tour options, the reserve combines daily hands-on animal care with education, volunteer opportunities, and community events to support the future of these animals.
Central Florida business warns of online bouncy house rental scams
Read full article: Central Florida business warns of online bouncy house rental scamsScams can ruin any festivity but what's worse is when it potentially ruins a little kid's party. ย A Central Florida rental business says they took to social media after one too many customers called off bounce house rental scams.
Former St. Cloud Fire employee accused of accessing cityโs camera system
Read full article: Former St. Cloud Fire employee accused of accessing cityโs camera systemA retired St. Cloud firefighter/paramedic who was recently arrested is accused of using the cityโs real-time crime center platform to access several camera feeds.
Florida sues textbook publishers over millions in alleged overcharges to school districts
Read full article: Florida sues textbook publishers over millions in alleged overcharges to school districtsFlorida is taking textbook publishers to court over allegations they overcharged school districts, including Osceola County, byย millions of dollars.
Man killed in crash with semi-truck near St. Cloud, FHP says; Nova Road shut down
Read full article: Man killed in crash with semi-truck near St. Cloud, FHP says; Nova Road shut downA 23-year-old West Palm Beach man was killed in a crash with a semi-truck near St. Cloud, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Power outages disrupt St. Cloud neighborhood despite clear weather
Read full article: Power outages disrupt St. Cloud neighborhood despite clear weatherSome residents in the Gramercy Farms neighborhood of St. Cloud report experiencing frequent power interruptions regardless of the weather conditions.
Water bill concerns rise in St. Cloud amid device failures
Read full article: Water bill concerns rise in St. Cloud amid device failuresResidents of St. Cloud have raised concerns over unusually high water bills, prompting responses from the Toho Water Authority acknowledging the issue but noting variability in individual cases.
Trooper Steve on Patrol checks out St. Cloud police water battle at youth camp
Read full article: Trooper Steve on Patrol checks out St. Cloud police water battle at youth campWhen it comes to community engagement, the St. Cloud Police Department continues to raise the bar and today, theyโre swapping badges for water blasters.
Oviedo will not launch fireworks on Fourth of July โ again
Read full article: Oviedo will not launch fireworks on Fourth of July โ againSeveral Central Florida cities are hosting fireworks shows on July 4thย - Sanford, Winter Springs, Celebration, St. Cloud, to name a few - but not Oviedo for a second year in a row.
St. Cloudโs โProud in the Cloudโ event faces scrutiny
Read full article: St. Cloudโs โProud in the Cloudโ event faces scrutinyThe recent โProud in the Cloudโ event held last Saturday has come under scrutiny after St. Cloudโs city council incurred additional last-minute staffing costs, exceeding the originally approved budget.
Osceola County hopes new higher mobility fees will pave the way to less congestion
Read full article: Osceola County hopes new higher mobility fees will pave the way to less congestionOsceola County officials say people can expect relief in a couple of years as the county plans to build more roads, funded by increased mobility fees paid by developers.
Full closures scheduled along Floridaโs Turnpike this week. Hereโs where, when
Read full article: Full closures scheduled along Floridaโs Turnpike this week. Hereโs where, whenA couple of large stretches of Floridaโs Turnpike are slated to be fully closed down amid construction efforts on the highway this week, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Over 1,500 attend โProud in the Cloudโ event amid Pride month controversy
Read full article: Over 1,500 attend โProud in the Cloudโ event amid Pride month controversyThe city of St. Cloud chose not to make a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month, a decision that sparked controversyโespecially after the city removed its first openly gay council member, Shawn Fletcher from his role as deputy mayor for opposing the move to stop issuing proclamations for the month of June.
St. Cloud pays for extra staff for LGBTQ event, anticipating higher attendance
Read full article: St. Cloud pays for extra staff for LGBTQ event, anticipating higher attendanceThe St. Cloud city council voted 4-1 on Wednesday in favor of providing and paying for 10 additional parks and recreation staff members to work the Proud in the Cloud event on Saturday.
Pride Month halt, deputy mayorโs removal prompts heated debate in St. Cloud
Read full article: Pride Month halt, deputy mayorโs removal prompts heated debate in St. CloudSt. Cloud's City Council is currently embroiled in controversy surrounding the recognition of Pride Month, particularly following the removal of the council's first openly gay member, former Deputy Mayor Shawn Fletcher.
โWe sold a lot:โ St. Cloud restaurant mocks former Sheriff Lopez with new menu item
Read full article: โWe sold a lot:โ St. Cloud restaurant mocks former Sheriff Lopez with new menu itemCharged with two felony counts of racketeering and facing a prolonged suspension from his position as Osceola County Sheriff, Marcos Lopez has more pressing challenges than having become the source of mockery on social media.
St. Cloud charter school offers summer learning programs for kids
Read full article: St. Cloud charter school offers summer learning programs for kidsThe Creative Inspiration Journey School is a tuition-free public charter school. They have a summer program and are offering special sessions for the public.
โGetting squeezed:โ St. Cloud annexation poses huge property tax hikes for some
Read full article: โGetting squeezed:โ St. Cloud annexation poses huge property tax hikes for someSome residents living under the jurisdiction of Osceola County are now being informed that they will soon become part of St. Cloud, raising concerns about potential property tax increases.
Elementary school employee accused of tampering with evidence in Osceola County homicide, deputies say
Read full article: Elementary school employee accused of tampering with evidence in Osceola County homicide, deputies sayJessica Rivera was taken into custody at Whispering Oak Elementary School in Winter Garden on charges of tampering with evidence during a capital felony proceeding.
Elementary school substitute teacher, 71, arrested for throwing student in classroom, St. Cloud police say
Read full article: Elementary school substitute teacher, 71, arrested for throwing student in classroom, St. Cloud police sayA 71-year-old substitute teacher was arrested after St. Cloud officers said he grabbed a student by the collar and threw him into a classroom wall as punishment, according to the police department.
Osceola County code enforcement officer caught on camera stealing $600 cellphone, deputies say
Read full article: Osceola County code enforcement officer caught on camera stealing $600 cellphone, deputies sayThe victim reported that a package containing a $600 cellphone had been delivered to her property and was stolen by an Osceola County code enforcement officer, the sheriff's office said.
Kangaroo captured, โchemically immobilizedโ in St. Cloud, sparking search for owner
Read full article: Kangaroo captured, โchemically immobilizedโ in St. Cloud, sparking search for ownerA loose kangaroo was found in Central Florida on Monday, sparking a response by wildlife investigators, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
72-year-old man arrested in 1991 St. Cloud cold case murder, police say
Read full article: 72-year-old man arrested in 1991 St. Cloud cold case murder, police sayMore than three decades after 27-year-old Julia Sue Wilbanks was found stabbed to death in St. Cloud, police said theyโve solved the cold case using DNA evidence and genetic genealogy.
Anna the Appalachian Doll: A Central Florida familyโs heartfelt mission to aid Hurricane Helene survivors
Read full article: Anna the Appalachian Doll: A Central Florida familyโs heartfelt mission to aid Hurricane Helene survivorsAfter seeing the devastation Hurricane Helene brought to the Appalachian region, a Central Florida mom and her two daughters felt compelled to give back.
โCannon went off:โ Man hurt when personal watercraft explodes at St. Cloud Lakefront Park
Read full article: โCannon went off:โ Man hurt when personal watercraft explodes at St. Cloud Lakefront ParkA man was seriously injured in a jet ski explosion at St. Cloud Lakefront Park's boat basin, according to city officials.
Bicyclist dies after being struck in Osceola County crosswalk, FHP says
Read full article: Bicyclist dies after being struck in Osceola County crosswalk, FHP saysA 63-year-old St. Cloud man riding a bike near Kissimmee was struck by a pickup truck and later died, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Vehicle crashes into transformer, bursts into flames in St. Cloud; no injuries reported
Read full article: Vehicle crashes into transformer, bursts into flames in St. Cloud; no injuries reportedNo injuries were reported after a vehicle smashed into a power transformer in St. Cloud before it erupted in flames on Saturday, according to a news release.
โMiss you so much.โ Community honors Madeline Soto nearly 1 year after her murder
Read full article: โMiss you so much.โ Community honors Madeline Soto nearly 1 year after her murderNearly a year after 13-year-old Madeline โMaddieโ Soto was murdered, family, friends, and community members gathered at Lakefront Park in St. Cloud to honor her on what would have been her 14th birthday.
Haines City couple falls victim to wire fraud during home purchase
Read full article: Haines City couple falls victim to wire fraud during home purchaseA Haines City couple found themselves in a financial nightmare after cybercriminals intercepted the money they were sending for a down payment on their new home.
15-year-old boy returns safely after being reported missing, endangered out of St. Cloud, police say
Read full article: 15-year-old boy returns safely after being reported missing, endangered out of St. Cloud, police sayUPDATE: Lindell LaVell Parker, 15, has returned safely, the St. Cloud Police Department said in a statement Wednesday morning.
John Irving's 'Queen Esther' returns readers to setting of 'The Cider House Rules'
Read full article: John Irving's 'Queen Esther' returns readers to setting of 'The Cider House Rules'In John Irvingโs next book, the author is returning to St_ Cloudโs, Maine, and to the orphanage made famous in his acclaimed โThe Cider House Rules.โ.
What a new high school means for a growing Osceola County school district
Read full article: What a new high school means for a growing Osceola County school districtWith a population boom happening in St. Cloud, the Osceola County School District is looking forward to a new high school that will serve thousands of students
Osceola County in line with Florida law against sleeping in public โ reluctantly
Read full article: Osceola County in line with Florida law against sleeping in public โ reluctantlyThis story is part of a collaborative initiative of independent local news outlets working towards a more informed and engaged Central Florida.
Man arrested on DUI charges in 2023 crash that killed 2 motorcyclists near Orange-Osceola county line
Read full article: Man arrested on DUI charges in 2023 crash that killed 2 motorcyclists near Orange-Osceola county lineAn arrest was made in an April 2023 rear-end crash that killed two motorcyclists near the Orange-Osceola county line.
Here are the people involved in the brazen Winter Springs carjacking, murder case
Read full article: Here are the people involved in the brazen Winter Springs carjacking, murder caseInvestigators have discovered that several other criminal cases are somehow tied to this carjacking, raising even more questions about why it happened.