The Osceola County Business and Taxpayers Association has extended an invitation for supporters to join them at the Board of County Commissioners meeting tonight, November 17, 2008 at 7 PM.

The meeting is held at:

Administration Bldg.
1 Courthouse Square
4th Floor
Kissimmee, FL

The issues of importance are:

THE TRANSITION HOUSE AND THE FOUNDATION

We hope that you can find time to attend!

- KSIB

John Vidal and Nick Rosen
guardian.co.uk, Sunday November 9 2008 00.01 GMT
The Observer, Sunday November 9 2008

Nuclear power plants smaller than a garden shed and able to power 20,000 homes will be on sale within five years, say scientists at Los Alamos, the US government laboratory which developed the first atomic bomb.

The miniature reactors will be factory-sealed, contain no weapons-grade material, have no moving parts and will be nearly impossible to steal because they will be encased in concrete and buried underground.

The US government has licensed the technology to Hyperion, a New Mexico-based company which said last week that it has taken its first firm orders and plans to start mass production within five years. ‘Our goal is to generate electricity for 10 cents a watt anywhere in the world,’ said John Deal, chief executive of Hyperion. ‘They will cost approximately $25m [£13m] each. For a community with 10,000 households, that is a very affordable $2,500 per home.’

Deal claims to have more than 100 firm orders, largely from the oil and electricity industries, but says the company is also targeting developing countries and isolated communities. ‘It’s leapfrog technology,’ he said.

The company plans to set up three factories to produce 4,000 plants between 2013 and 2023. ‘We already have a pipeline for 100 reactors, and we are taking our time to tool up to mass-produce this reactor.’
Read The Full Story >>

We have also heard mention of a mini reactor in the works by Toshiba.
Read That Story Too >>

From what looks to be a 349 to 162 electoral vote, Barrack Hussein Obama has won the White House.

“If there is anyone out there who doubts that America is a place where anything is possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,” Obama said.

“Young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled, Americans have sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of red states and blue states,” he said. “We have been and always will be the United States of America.

“It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America,” he stated.

The Democrats won strong majorities in both the House and the Senate as well.

Thank you to all of you who voted!

By Marcus Tilghman
November 1st, 2008

Urgent issues are facing the nation, and while both candidates appear to have very different strengths and weaknesses, after carefully considering both, our choice for President of the United States is John McCain.

• We believe that John McCain will provide a far superior foreign policy that will stand strong against our enemies.
• We believe that John McCain will give new life and energy to our economy.
• We believe that John McCain will prevent Congress from further taxing away our savings, retirement plans, and investments.
• We believe that John McCain is ready to be President today.

For these reasons, and many more, we endorse Sen. JOHN McCAIN for President.

John McCain’s relentless battle against budget earmarks – really a form of legislative palm-greasing for congressional colleagues and a huge source of corruption – offer the measure and integrity of a man who will fight for what is right regardless of how it dissapoints his friends or foes. We like this about John McCain.

John McCain is tough-minded on national security, but proposed a bill that would both secure borders and offer illegal immigrants a path to citizenship. We agree with this idea.

On foreign policy, John McCain complained loudly against the prosecution of the Iraq war under President Bush and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. He advocated a new strategy and more troops long before those ideas were incorporated in the White House. His thoughts and criticisms were precisely on point proving his understanding and knowledge on how to remain victorious.

John McCain recognizes, despite the “drill, baby, drill” slogan of his campaign, the need for a multi-faceted approach to energy. More nuclear power and investment in alternative fuels remain part of his plan. Drilling here, and drilling now is something John McCain wants and we agree with him.

In all these endeavors John McCain has been willing to cross party lines and team with liberal Democrats such as Sen. Ted Kennedy to achieve common goals when necessary.

On the economy, he would limit spending, control taxes and use the considerable powers of the government where necessary. Whoever becomes president will face a roller-coaster stock market and credit crunch problems that have no easy solutions and we believe that John McCain will work for the people, rather than work for his friends.

The next administration will be called to ask for patience and sacrifice, and to adjust government programs to these new fiscal realities. John McCain’s call for an across-the-board spending freeze strikes the right note of urgency to us.

We hope you will join us in our support for John McCain.

The 2008 Annual Trick or Treat Night hosted by the St. Cloud Downtown Business Group is tonight, October 31st, 2008 from 5:00 - 7:30 PM.

Some events for the evening include a costume contest at 5:30 for all ages, treats from the local businesses downtown, and Halloween photography by Wermuth Photography at 1118 New York Avenue.

Following the event, there will be additional entertainment at The First United Methodist Church on 10th Street and Ohio Avenue.

More Information >>

On a side note, we are told that someone has made off with the banner used to advertise this event and we would like to see it returned as would the downtown businesses group.

This banner was made three years ago and carefully stored each year so that it could continue to be used to promote your local businesses. If you have this banner, please drop it off at any of the local downtown merchants - no questions asked!

KSIB

We are awaiting confirmation, but we believe that the Osceola County Business and Tax Payer Association will host a gathering at the Kissimmee Arena tomorrow, at 5:00PM and you are all cordially invited. We will update this article as soon as we have confirmed.

Bring your family, and enjoy some “all you care to eat barbeque” for $10*. While you are there you can mingle with and support your local businesses and tax payers and let them know that you too are concerned about these uncertain times.

The event will be held at:

Kissimmee Sports Arena & Rodeo
958 South Hoagland Blvd.
Kissimmee, FL 34741
407*846-3330
http://www.ksarodeo.com
Maps and Driving Directions

* Prices for the barbeque may vary

Six states — Florida, California, Arizona, Ohio, Michigan and Nevada — accounted for more than 60 percent of all foreclosure activity in the quarter, with California alone making up more than a quarter of all U.S. foreclosure filings.

Nationwide, nearly 766,000 homes received at least one foreclosure-related notice from July through September, up 71 percent from a year earlier, said foreclosure listing service RealtyTrac Inc.

RealtyTrac monitors default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions. More than 250,000 properties were repossessed by lenders nationwide in the third quarter, 81,000 of which were taken back last month.

Around 1,228 properties at this time are in foreclosure in Osceola County alone. That’s bad news for anyone who lives nearby and wants to sell their home. That’s bad news for local builders as there are too many homes available right now reducing the need to build new homes. While foreclosure sales are booming in many areas, those properties are commanding deep discounts and pulling down neighboring property values. “It has a pretty significant impact in terms of pricing,” said Rick Sharga, RealtyTrac’s vice president for marketing.

In other words, home owners that want to remain in the area are suffering because their property values are dropping from loans going bad. Local Government claims to suffer from the de-valued homes as they are unable to collect property taxes. Of course this inspires government management to generate revenue through other means, perhaps hitting home builders with higher fees, taxing other markets, or throwing good money after bad into development programs and bid approvals that have historically rewarded outside companies that have no desire to bolster the local economy.

Just as most companies pass their tax burden onto their consumers, most of the local politicians seem to make sure that the citizens shoulder the weight of trying economic times instead of correcting these bad habits.

How can you help?

There are many variables and conditions that form the basis of our economic outlook, and we can’t all be expected to become experts in economics. What we can do though is pay attention to what our financial institutions, local and national governments, local chamber of commerce, and local businesses are doing to combat these negative financial times.

One thing that keeps striking hot for us is the notion that local government and local businesses turn to outside contractors for work that can be completed by our local businesses for less cost and at a higher quality. When the decisions to spend the local citizen’s funds are being made, no thought into the repercussions upon the local economy seem to be considered. This is baffling and makes absolutely no sense at all to us.

As a citizen, it is important to be aware of these types of things and speak out against them. Research the politicians and management out there and find out who is here to serve the county and city residents, and who is here to serve themselves. It is a voting year and one really must determine where and how their hard earned tax dollars are being spent and vote accordingly.

Are the funds being spent in the county resulting in local workers keeping their jobs and getting paid so they can purchase goods and services and make those mortgage payments; or to some other county or state effectively funneling money away from our citizens into the hands of areas that did not make the top 6 foreclosure states in the country?

On a personal note, I would hope that our tax money is spent within our county whenever possible, and so should you! I know I look to purchase from local businesses before ever entertaining the idea of buying from non local entities. It just makes sense to keep the money flowing locally so that we all benefit from lower unemployment rates, adequate funding for our government processes, increased property values (less foreclosures dragging them down) and more businesses willing to operate in our county because of increased opportunity.

Thanks for reading, and please leave a comment if you would like to voice your opinion on this matter.

———————————-

Marcus Tilghman
GuardianHost Networks, L.L.C.
http://GuardianHost.com

Osceola Arts for a Complete Education presents….

Public Forum

Because you are concerned with the education of students in Osceola County. Because you are interested in forming bridges between arts education and our community for the benefit of our students. Please attend this public forum.

Forum Panelists include:

• Brandon Arrington; Osceola Center for the Arts
• Dr. Michael Grego; Superintendent of Schools
• Cindy Lou Hartig; School Board Member
• Fred Hawkins; Foundation of Education
• Mike Horner; Chamber of Commerce
• Julius Melendez; Incoming School Board Member
• Ed Moore; Osceola Center for the Arts

Moderator: Lawrie Platt Hall - Florida Alliance for Arts Education

Hosted by Osceola Center for the Arts

1/2 Mile East of the Turnpike Exit at 192 in Kissimmee

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 7:00 pm
Gallery & Lobby open at 6:30 pm

Onsite babysitting services will be provided

For more information:
Contact Debbie Fahmie
Fine and Performing Arts Resource Teacher
Osceola District Schools
fahmied@osceola.k12.fl.us

We hope you will make time to attend this public forum!

Ross Charles Cannella
Age: 86 DOB: 7/29/1922
Sex: Male
Race: White
Hair: Grey Eyes: Brown
Height: 5′04″
Weight: 130

If you have any information that can help, please contact the Kissimmee Police Department right away!

Kissimmee Police Department
407-847-3333

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office posts tips we can all use to help keep our families safe and educate them.

Here is an example of one of their latest posts which you can find on the Osceola County Sheriff’s Website.

Talking with Kids About Drugs

Don’t put off talking to your children about alcohol and other drugs. As early as fourth grade, kids worry about pressures to try drugs.

School programs alone aren’t enough. Parents must become involved, but most parents aren’t sure how to tell their children about drugs. Open communication is one of the most effective tools you can use in helping your child avoid drugs use.

Talking freely and really listening shows children that they mean a great deal to you.

What do you say?

Tell them that you love them and you want them to be healthy and happy. Say you do not find alcohol and other illegal drugs acceptable.

Many parents never state this simple principle and this could make all of the difference: Explain how drug use hurts people.

• Physical harm - for example, AIDS, slowed growth, impaired coordination, accidents.
• Emotional harm - sense of not belonging, isolation, paranoia.
• Educational harm - difficulties remembering and paying attention.

Also, discuss the legal issues and consequences. A conviction for a drug offense can lead to time in prison or cost someone a job, driver’s license, or college loan.

Talk about positive, drug-free alternatives, and how you can explore them together. Some ideas include sports, reading, movies, bike rides, hikes, camping, cooking, games, and concerts. Involve your kids’ friends.

How can I tell if a child is using drugs?

Identifying illegal drug use may help prevent further abuse. Possible signs include:

• Change in moods - more irritable, secretive, withdrawn, overly sensitive, inappropriately angry, euphoric.
• Less responsible - late coming home, late for school or class, dishonest.
• Changing friends or changing lifestyles - new interests, unexplained cash.
• Physical deterioration - difficulty in concentration, loss of coordination, loss of weight, unhealthy appearance.

For more of these great tips, check out the Osceola County Sheriff’s - Crime Tip of the Week. They add a new topic every week!

We have once again enabled anonymous commenting subject to the following conditions:

If a person violates our terms of use - in particular by:

• posting adult content
• posting slanderous or libelous material
• posting “hate speak”

The following actions will be taken:

1.) That person will be banned from our network of websites.
2.) That person’s IP address, email address, and other personally identifiable information will be turned over to law enforcement - “or worse lawyers” - when appropriate.
3.) We may edit that person’s comment and insert that person’s real identification in some instances such as the inappropriate comment that caused us to disable anonymous posting to begin with.

For those of you who feel like you can’t post comments without violating these conditions allow us to suggest that you find something else to do with your time - like perhaps growing up and acting like an adult. Not one of the people involved have attempted to post anything since we disabled anonymous comments, so obviously they lack the personal integrity and strength to face the consequences for their actions, and frankly, we don’t need or want them on our networks.

To those of you who support our site by reading, contributing, and passing along our articles in a responsible manner, we certainly appreciate you!

Hope this strikes a happy medium and keeps the information flowing smoothly, while still preventing the problems.

If you would like to provide feedback on these decisions, please leave a comment below, anonymous or public.

Best Regards,

Marcus Tilghman
GuardianHost Networks, L.L.C.
http://guardianhost.com

Because of recent inappropriate comments and posts in our public blog The Voice that clearly violate our acceptable use policy, we are now requiring that anyone leaving comments must login first.

In short, when you leave a comment now, you own it, so please think about your choice in words before posting.

Thank you in advance to all of our readers and contributors for your understanding!

- KSIB

Residents watch a bridge that collapsed due to heavy rains caused by Tropical Storm Gustav in Kingston, Friday, Aug. 29, 2008. Gustav ripped off roofs, downed power lines and pounded rain into Jamaica, triggering landslides and flooding but no reported deaths. The death toll rose to 67 in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, where Gustav left dangerous floods.

Photo By: Collin Reid / AP

MSNBC News Services Report

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Deadly Gustav drenched Jamaica and menaced the Cayman Islands on Friday, while on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall on the U.S. gulf coast forecasters said for the first time there’s a better-than-even chance that New Orleans will get slammed by at least tropical storm-force winds.

Gustav ripped off roofs, downed power lines and pounded rain onto Jamaica, triggering landslides and flooding and four deaths. That raised Gustav’s overall death toll to 71 after earlier deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The storm was set to strengthen over deep, warm waters and was expected to plow into the Gulf Coast after roaring through the heavy concentration of U.S. oil and natural gas platforms off Louisiana.

Read More ->>

According to the projected track, this storm might be headed to Louisiana as early as Tuesday.

For now, we can expect more damage to the Cayman Islands, Cuba and Jamaica, forcasters say. We hope everyone will take this storm and all of the other storms out there seriously. Heed any warnings to evacuate or otherwise prepare for these tropical cyclones and remember that the paths of these storms can change dramatically over a short period of time.

The Osceola County 2008 Primary Elections had a less then impressive turnout, and one can only hope that the November elections inspire a better community involvement.

Here are the un-offical results of the Primary Elections held on August 26th, 2008. Adobe Reader is required to view this document.

View The 2008 Osceola County Primary Election Summary

Thank you to all of the community members that got out there and voted! Let’s all bring a friend or two with us next time.

- KSIB

Primary Elections Are Today!

Get out there and vote in your primary elections today and let the political parties know that it is time for them to straighten up of fill out resumes! Osceola County can be better, but we need your help.

Spread the word and call on your friends, family members, and associates to make an appearance at the precincts and make their voices heard.

Get out there and vote and do something people!

Find your precinct –>>

The 2008 Osceola Candidates –>>

If you have any questions about these elections, please contact the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections office:

Osceola County Government Complex
2509 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee FL, 34744
Phone: 407-742-6000

Absentee Information
Phone: 407-742-6105

Pollworker Information
Phone: 407-742-6107

Voter Education and Awareness Information
Phone: 407-742-6100

Voter Registration Information
Phone: 407-742-6000

- KSIB

The Primary Elections will be commencing Tuesday, August 26th, 2008. Please take a moment or two and head down to your local polling precinct.

Remember, if you don’t vote, you don’t get to complain!

The registration books for Tuesday’s primary elections closed last month, on July 28th, 2008 so if you have not yet registered, you will not be able to vote in the Primary Election.

If this is the case for you, it is still a perfect time to get yourself registered to vote for the General Elections in November. You must be registered before October 6th, 2008 to participate in the General Election so don’t wait as time is running out.

Find your precinct –>>

The 2008 Osceola Candidates –>>

If you have any questions about these elections, please contact the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections office:

Osceola County Government Complex
2509 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee FL, 34744
Phone: 407-742-6000

Absentee Information
Phone: 407-742-6105

Pollworker Information
Phone: 407-742-6107

Voter Education and Awareness Information
Phone: 407-742-6100

Voter Registration Information
Phone: 407-742-6000

Get out there and vote and do something!

- KSIB

Tropical Storm Fay remains in the area, and below is the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center - NOAA. The damage so far is in the tens of millions (mostly in flood damage) so lets hope this storm finds it way out of the area soon.

Tropical Storm Fay Advisory #25A

TROPICAL STORM FAY INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 25A
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL062008
800 PM EDT THU AUG 21 2008

…FAY DRIFTING WESTWARD NEAR THE NORTHEASTERN FLORIDA COAST…

AT 8 PM EDT…0000 UTC…THE TROPICAL STORM WARNING ALONG THE
FLORIDA EAST COAST SOUTH OF SEBASTIAN INLET HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SEBASTIAN INLET
FLORIDA NORTHWARD TO THE SAVANNAH RIVER AT THE BORDER BETWEEN
GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT ALONG THE FLORIDA GULF
COAST FROM THE SUWANNEE RIVER TO INDIAN PASS.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA…INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS…PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 800 PM EDT…0000Z…THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM FAY WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 29.3 NORTH…LONGITUDE 81.2 WEST…JUST WEST OF
FLAGLER BEACH FLORIDA.

FAY IS DRIFTING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 2 MPH…4 KM/HR. FAY IS
FORECAST TO MOVE WESTWARD OR WEST-NORTHWESTWARD WITH SOME INCREASE
IN FORWARD SPEED DURING THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. ON THIS
TRACK…THE CENTER OF FAY IS EXPECTED TO MOVE SLOWLY ACROSS THE
NORTHERN FLORIDA PENINSULA TONIGHT AND EARLY FRIDAY…AND BE VERY
NEAR THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE COAST BY LATE FRIDAY OR EARLY SATURDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 60 MPH…95 KM/HR…WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. SOME WEAKENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS…WITH
LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH EXPECTED FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 150 MILES…240 KM
MAINLY TO THE EAST OF THE CENTER.

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 993 MB…29.32 INCHES.

FAY IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 10 INCHES
ACROSS THE CENTRAL TO NORTHERN PORTION OF THE FLORIDA
PENINSULA…INCLUDING THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE…SOUTHERN
GEORGIA…AND SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA…WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS
OF 15 INCHES POSSIBLE. RAINFALL TOTALS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES ARE
POSSIBLE ACROSS THE COASTAL AREAS OF SOUTHERN SOUTH CAROLINA.
ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE OVER
SOUTHWEST AND SOUTHERN FLORIDA. ISOLATED STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS
OF 20 TO 30 INCHES HAVE BEEN OBSERVED WITH THIS SYSTEM OVER THE EAST
CENTRAL COASTAL AREAS OF FLORIDA.

STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 1 TO 3 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDES IS POSSIBLE
ALONG THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA AND GEORGIA TO THE NORTH OF THE
CENTER OF FAY.

ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE TONIGHT OVER PORTIONS OF
NORTHEASTERN FLORIDA AND SOUTHEASTERN GEORGIA.

REPEATING THE 800 PM EDT POSITION…29.3 N…81.2 W. MOVEMENT
TOWARD…WEST NEAR 2 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…60 MPH.
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…993 MB.

THE NEXT ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER AT
1100 PM EDT.

FORECASTER BROWN/KNABB

Advisory 8AM EST

Tropical Storm Fay is about 80 miles E of Havana and 180 miles S SE of the Florida Keys as of 8 AM. Please take the necessary precautions and double check your storm supplies.

Forecast: Courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tonight: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. East southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Tuesday: Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. East wind 20 to 25 mph increasing to between 30 and 40 mph. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Tuesday Night: Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South southeast wind 30 to 40 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Wednesday: Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. East southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. East northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

The Osceola County School District officially starts their calendar year next Monday. While we are all eager to have a great school year, some of you might be waiting until the last minute to get your students properly clothed and ready for their first day.

The uniform requirements are somewhat simple, however finding clothes that are within those simple guidelines is quite another story.

Of the 3 department stores and shops we visited yesterday, we were only able to come away with 2 outfits for elementary age students, and 1 combination of khaki pants and white polo shirts for middle and high school size students. The elemtary ourfits consisted of two “skorts” at $26.88 a piece and a polo shirt at $10.00 - well over $60.00 total. This can’t possibly be a great situation for all of those parents out there that are relying on local merchants to stock school clothes that fit and abide by the school policies.

As parents, students and tax payers should agree, the implementation of a county wide uniform requirement should have included the schools contacting local merchants and notifying them of such requirements so that they could adequately prepare. The cafeteria sales of uniform shirts and “school spirit” shirts is simply not enough to relieve the school system of this duty. The uniform shirts available at the schools seemed way over priced, and poor quality, with the white shirts being nearly see through when worn. One must wonder if the decision makers responsibile have school aged children in this county.

Head to Wal-Mart in St. Cloud Now!

As of this writing, the Wal-Mart in St. Cloud has just stocked a “School Uniform” rack (three days before school starts) and the clothes are being snatched up and bought extremely rapidly. The middle and high school wear is already bare, and the elementary school clothes are dwindling fast as well, but you might luck out and find something for your student.

Help Out Parents

If you find a local merchant that seems to have a good supply of acceptable school uniform clothes, please comment below and let some of the other parents know!

Osceola County School District Calendars

The Osceola County School District will begin the new school year on August 18th, 2008. The various district calendars are available here.

Boggy Creek Elementary Burglary

It seems that some possible students decided to return to Boggy Creek Elementary a bit early, and Osceola County Sheriff’s detectives would love to have a few words with them.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Department released this statement asking for help in identifying and locating suspects involved in a burglary at Boggy Creek Elementary on July 29th, 2008.

Osceola County – Osceola County Sheriff’s detectives are looking for at least
three suspects, possibly juveniles involved in a burglary at Boggy Creek Elementary
School. Deputies responded to the school on July 29 when the maintenance worker
reported the incident. Bags containing breakfast food were crushed and lined the
hallways and a canopy was destroyed. The damage is estimated at $15,000 dollars.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at
(407) 348-2222 or Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS (8477). Calls made to Crimeline remain
anonymous and, tips that lead to the felony arrest of suspects and/or the recovery of stolen property and drugs are eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000 dollars.

Surveillance cameras appear to have captured 3 burglars on film:

   

Again, if you have any information, please call the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at
(407) 348-2222 or Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS (8477).

Osceola County School District Uniforms

In case you haven’t heard the children crying themselves to sleep in their pillows, once again the school district has decided to require uniforms for the upcoming school year. Here is a short list of what they require, along with some photos courtesy of the Osceola County School District Website.

–Navy blue or khaki pants, walking shorts, slacks, skirts, skorts, jumpers, or similar clothing made of twill, corduroy, or denim fabric. (A small logo is acceptable)
–White or navy blue shirts with collars such as a polo, oxford, or dress shirt (A small logo is acceptable)

   

If you would like to share your thoughts on this article, please leave a comment!

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help locating a couple armed robbery suspects whom targeted the 7 - 11 on Narcossee Road this morning - July 9th, 2008 at approximately 3:05AM. If you have any information, please contact the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at (407) 348-2222 or Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS (8477).

Osceola County – On July 9 at approximately 3:05 a.m., Osceola County Sheriff’s deputies responded to 7-Eleven located at 3290 Narcoossee Road in St. Cloud, in reference to an armed robbery. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with a store employee who indicated two males entered the store at gunpoint and demanded money from the safe. The employees were unable to open the safe so the suspects went around the counter and demanded all of the money from the cash register. The suspects left the store with an undisclosed amount of money in a white four door vehicle with tinted windows.

Additional units responded including K-9 and Aviation but the suspects were not located. The suspects are described as: Suspect 1: light-skinned, male with a small beard in his mid-20’s, 5′10”, 200 lbs. and wearing a black stocking mask. Suspect 2: male, 5′9”, 185 lbs. wearing a black bandanna on his head.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at (407) 348-2222 or Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS (8477). Calls made to Crimeline remain anonymous and, tips that lead to the felony arrest of suspects and/or the recovery of stolen property and drugs are eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000 dollars.

Happy Independence Day! We hope you all have a great holiday weekend and stay safe. Here is a short tribute to Old Glory on Independence day we hope you enjoy.

I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America’s halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners,
My head is a little higher,
My colors a little truer.
I bow to no one!

I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped - I am saluted.
I am loved - I am revered.
I am respected - and I am feared.

I have fought in every battle of every war for more then 200 years. I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox.

I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy. Guam, Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me. I’m presently in the mountains of Afganistan and the hot and dusty deserts of Iraq and wherever freedom is needed.

I led my troops, I was dirty, battleworn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me and I was proud.

I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free.

It does not hurt for I am invincible.

I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled in the streets of my country.

And when it’s done by those Whom I’ve served in battle - it hurts.

But I shall overcome - for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.

I have borne silent witness to all of America’s finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.

When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent
at the grave of their fallen son or daughter, I am proud.

Please take a moment and thank a soldier for all of the sacrifices they have made and continue to make to keep us safe!

Now that school is out for the summer, we thought it might be nice to point out our “Movies” section where you can find reviews of some of the latest movies by Mr. Black. These aren’t the stuffy shirt (corporate paid for) type of reviews, but rather real fan reviews.

So far this month we have:

• Indian Jones 4 - The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
• The Incredible Hulk
• Wanted
• WALL E

There are tons of reviews, so if you are planning on heading out to the movies and want to check out a review first, chances are you can find it here.

Have a great summer!

Here is Mr. Black’s WALL E Movie review:

UPDATE:
Jermaine Jones is currently in custody and is being questioned by Kissimmee Detectives. Jones turned himself in to the Kissimmee Police Department this morning.
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In case you missed Carl Cricket’s bulletin about the homicide suspect Jermaine Jones, we have moved this to the front page.

The Kissimmee Police Department is seeking any and all information leading to the arrest of Jermaine Jones in connection to the homicide of Mario Small on June 12th, 2008 at approximately 8:00PM.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Mario Small.

Kissimmee Police are asking anyone with information about the vehicle or the crime to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 407-846-3333, by email at seeitsayit@kissimmee.org or CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS.

The Kissimmee Police have released this bulletin:

Kissimmee, Fla. (June 23, 2008) – The Kissimmee Police Department has identified and obtained an arrest warrant for the suspect involved in the shooting death of 15-year-old Mario Small Jr.

Jermaine Jones (D.O.B. 9/12/1979) is wanted for the shooting death of Mario Small Jr. While committing an armed robbery, Jones shot and killed 15-year-old Mario Small J