By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer

Armed with the knowledge that nearly 1,400 Osceola County juveniles were arrested in 2009, government officials and law enforcement officers rallied community leaders Thursday in an effort to shed light on the plight of local youth.

More than 250 people filled Osceola Heritage Park's Exhibition Hall to brainstorm how to prevent youngsters from turning to crime, how to help those who have offended re-enter society and what programs are needed for homeless and abused youth.

“We have forgotten where we've come from and what we are about,” Osceola County Commissioner Ken Smith said. “Youth crime and violence has become almost as commonplace as college football on a Saturday afternoon.”

According to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, just over 1,700 youths were arrested in 2008 and 1,377 in 2009.

“Is there success there? Yes, there is. Is it still a problem? Absolutely, there is,” Sheriff Bob Hansell said. “It's a challenge everyday to face these numbers.”

By Marvin G. Cortner
Editor

The Osceola County Commission Tuesday evening voted 3-2 to reject the proposed new fire assessment rates, opting instead to revisit the issue Wednesday afternoon to possibly include up to $4 million more in fire fee buy-downs.

By Marvin G. Cortner
Editor

Osceola County officials are still reviewing three proposals to build eight amateur playing fields as a way to promote overnight tourist visits to the county, with $7.5 million of lodging tax money on the table for the project.

School District plots course for federal funds

By Fallan Patterson  
Staff Writer
Committees began meeting Monday to plan the Osceola County School District's proposal for its share of the $700 million allocated to the state by the federal Race to the Top grant competition.
State school districts that signed the Race to the Top application – 65 of 67 – have 90 days to complete their draft plans with their teacher unions.

Steigerwald officially takes over as Kissimmee’s city manager

By Brian McBride
Associate Editor

At times being brought to tears by the celebration of his service with the city of Kissimmee, former City Manager Mark Durbin Tuesday said goodbye to a packed room of city residents, municipal leaders and political dignitaries during a special meeting at the Kissimmee Civic Center to recognize his retirement.

Durbin, working 23 years for the city, the longest tenured city manager Kissimmee had ever seen, was described as many things besides an effective city manager, according to a proclamation read by new City Manager Mike Steigerwald. He was the Wayne Gretzky on rollerblades. He made a mean chocolate chip cookie. And he was always quick with a joke.

By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer

St. Cloud Main Street is revamping its program, cutting events and adding others, in an effort to spruce up the downtown area and draw in the public.

The Friday Night Live! Series and the weekly Farmer's Market have been cut this year due to a lack of volunteers and time.

The Farmer's Market, scheduled every Saturday, would have reopened from summer break Sept. 11, but with low vendor and customer turnout, Main Street closed the event.