Watch today's top stories and most popular videos which provide you with features like past/future radar and customizable layers Trust us to help you plan the best day possible with the most accurate weather forecast available We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good We may use or share your data with our data vendors The Weather Channel is the world's most accurate forecaster according to ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview KISSIMMEE – A 42-year-old Kissimmee man was killed early Friday in a hit-and-run crash in Osceola County on Buenaventura Boulevard at Osceola Parkway near Kissimmee possibly a white Acura MDX with front-end damage was northbound on Buenaventura Boulevard when the Kissimmee man attempted to cross the street and entered the path of the vehicle The pedestrian was struck by the front of the vehicle which “fled the scene northbound,” according to an FHP crash report The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene the FHP said it acted on a tip about the hit-and-run vehicle’s location and had found it Investigators have since taken possession of the vehicle Anyone with information about the crash or the suspect vehicle’s driver is asked to call the FHP at 407-737-2213 or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS [ASK TROOPER STEVE: Watch video below to see the answer to this viewer traffic question] Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009 When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us / Follow on Social Media Careers at WKMG Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications EEO Report Disability Assistance Copyright © 2025 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group All week long “Live in the D” has been featuring luxurious places to stay and amazing adventures that are all part of a vacation package viewers can win Reporter April Morton was lucky enough to receive the assignment to head to Central Florida and visit Kissimmee which is right in the middle of all the action Morton stopped by Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament a place that’s been around for more than 40 years we’re entertained by the best Knights of the Realm and some of the most beautiful horses you’ve ever seen,” said David Graham with Medieval Times-Kissimmee He said they guarantee by the end of the roughly 1 hour and 40 minute show guest will be hoarse from all the cheering and full from the four-course meal which includes beverages and a dessert You can see what Medieval Times has to offer by clicking the video player above. You can also click here to learn more about the themed restaurant Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us Careers at WDIV Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy FCC Applications Copyright © 2025 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group – Crews in Kissimmee is battling a fire at a CVS store on Thursday as crews arrived to battle a fire there Thick black smoke was seen coming from the CVS pharmacy in the area of Pleasant Hill Road and John Young Parkway A News 6 staff member saw the fire and reported it to us A spokesperson for the Kissimmee Fire Department says they are close to knocking the fire down and the state fire marshal is on site to determine the cause Three people received medical attention — one person was taken to an area hospital Christie joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021 Andrew Baseggio entered a guilty plea on a count of felony battery [EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos] Watch the video below of Andrew Baseggio in court for a plea hearing prosecutors have declined to prosecute Bassegio on a count of solicitation for perjury and a count of battery Baseggio was accused of entering a home in April 2023 without a warrant and used force “not consistent with (the) Kissimmee Police Department’s use of force policy” to take a man into custody causing the man to suffer serious bodily injuries In the months that followed, the Orange-Osceola State Attorney’s Office addressed concerns about truthfulness and conduct among nearly a dozen officers “The grand jury found that the Kissimmee Police Department fosters a culture of silence where officer misconduct is not only not reported but accepted,” Assistant State Attorney Ryan Williams said in October “Evidence and testimony presented to the grand jury showed officers failed to report (Andrew) Baseggio’s excessive use of force which went on for several minutes without intervention from two other officers who were on the scene.” several officers resigned from the department including Chief Betty Holland and Deputy Chief Camille Alicea Bassegio was facing up to 40 years in prison the maximum sentence he could receive is 24 months Sentencing for Bassegio is expected to happen in late June Mark Lehman became a News 6 reporter in July 2014 but he's been a Central Florida journalist and part of the News 6 team for much longer While most people are fast asleep in their bed Mark starts his day overnight by searching for news on the streets of Central Florida The City of Kissimmee is throwing its biggest birthday bash yet with the annual Kowtown Festival celebrating the city’s 142nd anniversary This family-friendly event will take place this Saturday March 22 from 12 PM to 4 PM at Lakefront Park’s Festival Lawn and will feature a variety of exciting activities for all ages Attendees can enjoy live music from Lanco and other local artists delicious food from vendors and food trucks no birthday celebration is complete without free birthday cake making this a must-attend event for Kissimmee residents and visitors alike With Kissimmee being one of Florida’s fastest-growing cities the Kowtown Festival is a way to honor its rich history and vibrant community spirit Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the area and a true taste of Kissimmee’s heritage The Kowtown Festival is sponsored by Experience Kissimmee Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More — It’s one of the busiest intersections in Kissimmee and now construction is underway to reduce crashes The city of Kissimmee is making changes to John Young Parkway and Oak Street Accident reports from the Kissimmee Police Department show more than 180 crashes at this intersection since 2020 That’s why the city of Kissimmee just started the more than $3 million intersection improvement project The work will widen Oak Street for continuous through lanes while maintaining turn lanes at John Young Parkway A right-turn-only lane will be converted into a through lane to help traffic flow better improved traffic signals and lighting and new landscaping Primarily funded through the Local Agency Program the city of Kissimmee is contributing less than 5% of the total cost Construction will happen weekdays between 7 a.m The project is expected to be completed in the spring of next year “That was a cow pasture across the street,” remembers Danny Sexton His family moved the flower shop to the corner of John Young Parkway and Oak Street 43 years ago it will back up well beyond down to the post office down there and it'll back up almost to the hospital in that direction which is a good quarter of a mile,” Sexton said Sexton says crashes occur when driving through John Young Parkway on Oak Street “The lanes don't match up as you cross the road The go-ahead lane is the turn lane over there and vice versa,” he explained.  How is Walt Disney World close to the hearts of the Brighton & Hove Albion players The answer lies in their unusual shirt-sleeve sponsorship deal with Experience Kissimmee the tourism board of Osceola County in Florida Overseeing an area including some of Disney’s famous theme parks as well as the city of Kissimmee the board signed a three-year deal with Brighton last summer meaning its logo features on the left arm of the men’s Kissimmee took over from Snickers UK — a workwear manufacturer not the chocolate bar of the same name — which had been Brighton’s sleeve partner since 2019 having itself succeeded retailer JD Sports But why was a county in Florida so keen to have its name on the kit of an English football team Kissimmee is located just south of Orlando and is the largest city in Osceola County with a population of just over 80,000 — around a third of Brighton’s It is a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to theme parks including Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort and golf courses The Experience Kissimmee website boasts of “sunny blue skies and sparkling lakes alongside world-famous theme parks and larger-than-life attractions.” tells The Athletic: “When you look at the global audience Kissimmee are ultimately trying to drive (hotel) room nights — visitors who will stay to experience everything The Premier League and Brighton give them a platform to advertise to people in key markets who will travel from places such as Brazil the UK and other parts of the United States “They previously partnered with West Ham at a lower level (than sleeve sponsorship) to see about 10 Premier League clubs with the intention of partnering with a club We really aligned from the perspective of our values They felt our proposition was compelling and would work for them “The conversation was actually about partnerships Anything on the (matchday) shirt is the highest value with the highest impact It drives significant media value and visibility around the world Brighton aren’t the only English club to be sponsored by a tourist board Arsenal have Visit Rwanda on the sleeves of their players’ shirts while Bournemouth have a slightly less controversial training-kit deal with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and Championship club Burnley signed a partnership last season with Visit Detroit Kissimmee sponsors away-coach travel for Brighton supporters to WSL (Super League) matches for the women’s team Sleeve sponsorship is a growing market and is increasingly lucrative for Premier League clubs Brighton’s first season back in the top flight of English football after a gap of 34 years and there was no data evidence to establish its worth That has changed appreciably over the seven years since as it has become the third-ranking revenue driver relating to the matchday shirt after the more visible chest area and a club’s overall kit partner sleeve sponsorship deals were not in place for every Premier League club A study by respected website Sporting Intelligence reports these are worth £111.25million ($144.1m) in total That figure is dwarfed by a combined £422.5m for front-of-shirt sponsors but individual sleeve deals still contribute between £1m and £20m to a club’s revenue streams Manchester United’s front-of-shirt deal with U.S technology company Snapdragon and sleeve sponsorship with American IT and consulting provider DXC are worth a combined £80million per season Brighton rank mid-table at a combined £12million per season for their shirt-front deal with American Express and Kissimmee sleeve partnership — £10m from the former and £2m via the latter These two deals run in tandem with the club’s continued efforts to grow their brand in the States Brighton have an association with Sea Coast United, an amalgamation of community clubs in the north-eastern states of New Hampshire They were also one of the clubs who took part in the Premier League’s first ‘Summer Series’ pre-season tournament in the U.S while a go-it-alone pre-season tour has been mooted to the country that will co-host next year’s men’s World Cup with neighbours Canada and Mexico Supporters groups have been established in New York while fan group Stateside Seagulls has grown to over 1,000 members from all over the country since it was founded in 2016 Brighton’s deal with Kissimmee also consolidates the club’s trans-Atlantic links the New York-based financial services giant has been the club’s main sponsor since 2010 That long-standing partnership includes naming rights to the stadium The arrangement was extended by a further 12 years in 2019 American Express is also sponsoring a clubhouse for cardholders and guests in a new fan zone outside the stadium which opens for the FA Cup quarter-final against Nottingham Forest this Saturday Andy Naylor worked for 32.5 years on the sports desk of The Argus, Brighton’s daily newspaper. For the last 25 of those years he was chief sports reporter, primarily responsible for coverage of Brighton and Hove Albion FC. Follow Andy on Twitter @AndyNaylorBHAFC — Numerous changes have been announced at the Kissimmee Police Department after a letter from State Attorney Andrew Bain's office questioned the truthfulness and fitness for duty of 11 officers Kissimmee City Manager Mike Steigerwald said in a statement Monday that Police Chief Betty Holland and Deputy Chief Camille Alicea both resigned their positions Detective Jonathan Fernandez and officer Milagros Sanchez have been placed on administrative duty Justin Lunsford has been removed from his role in Internal Affairs The letter stems from an investigation Bain's office conducted concerning officer Andrew Baseggio who is accused of assaulting Sean David Kastner on April 22 Baseggio is currently facing numerous charges in the case In the letter to the city about its investigation Bain's office said Baseggio "admitted in his sworn proffer interview that he falsified information in his initial report documenting his involvement in the April 2023 use of force on Sean Kastner." "Officer Baseggio further admitted that he solicited a fellow officer to commit perjury," the letter continued Fernandez is accused of lying in his initial interview with Bain's office about the Kastner case "admitted to providing untruthful testimony during his first interview." He is also accused of telling a fellow officer — Sgt Sanchez was accused in the State Attorney's letter of being untruthful in a July 3 interview and then admitting in a second interview that "she had intentionally provided false misleading or incomplete answers during her July interview." The letter went on to note that: "Text messages recovered from Officer Sanchez's phone contain statements that may constitute criminal conduct text messages found in Officer Sanchez's phone contain language and references to citizens that demonstrate a bias that calls into question her fitness to conduct criminal investigations." Holland and Alicea were both accused of making statements to investigators that were inconsistent with other information the office received which caused them to question the "accuracy or veracity" of their testimony Lunsford allegedly "acknowledged that he took actions in his role in Internal Affairs that demonstrated poor judgment considering the sensitive matters he is charged with handling," the State Attorney's letter said "He also omitted important facts in his first interview that he only provided upon specific questioning in his second interview in September." The letter did not include specific details about the information Lunsford was accused of omitting Other officers mentioned in the State Attorney's letter — who were not specifically addressed in Steigerwald's statement — included: According to Steigerwald's statement Monday the Orange County Sheriff's Office has been asked to investigate the officers mentioned in the State Attorney's letter Robert Anzueto — who has more than 30 years experience in law enforcement including at the Orlando Police Department and Orange County Sheriff's Office — was named interim police chief effective Wednesday “We fully support the dedicated officers who serve our community with integrity,” Steigerwald said in his statement for those who do not meet our high standards independent review of all allegations is performed and will make the necessary changes within the department to maintain trust.”  He asked that residents not judge the entire police department on the actions of those listed in the State Attorney's letter “We recognize the issues posed by the actions of a few individuals,” Steigerwald said we are equally aware of the many dedicated officers who embody the values of service and integrity that should not go unnoticed we will work to restore trust and ensure that every officer is held to the highest standards of conduct.”  The Kissimmee Police Department’s Counter Crimes Unit removed three suspected criminals from the streets following the execution of a search warrant at 17 N marking another significant step in the department’s ongoing fight against drug-related crimes is that two of the individuals arrested were charged with selling cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school an offense that carries enhanced penalties under Florida law “This operation reflects our department’s continued commitment to aggressively tackling drug-related crimes and protecting our community—especially areas near our schools,” said the department in a statement shared on social media The names of the suspects and further details about the investigation have not yet been released The case remains under active investigation Kissimmee Police encourage residents to report suspicious activity and remain engaged as they continue working to keep neighborhoods safe For updates on this and other public safety efforts follow the Kissimmee Police Department on social media or visit their official website This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page What you can expectSunset Walk spring break fair runs March 14-23Leah Sudhir The carnival’s dates line up with the county’s spring break Sunset Walk will have rides including a Ferris Wheel Live music will also be playing starting at 6 p.m Fair-exclusive discounts can be redeemed at select Sunset Walk venues with a paid wristband or single-ride Sunset Fair tickets The Promenade at Sunset Walk is home to over 30 restaurants It is located on 3251 Margaritaville Blvd. KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Kissimmee is one step closer to choosing a new permanent chief of police, a position that’s been empty since some high-ranking resignations last year The city has narrowed its search to two candidates — Clermont police Chief Charles “Chuck” Broadway and retired Orlando police Chief Orlando Rolón — who are now invited to take part in a second round of interviews The final choice lies with Kissimmee City Manager Mike Steigerwald A decision is expected in the next few weeks with Wilson Munoz serving as acting chief of police in the meantime “This search is about more than finding a leader; it’s about ensuring the next chief will continue the work that Interim Chief Anzueto has begun,” Steigerwald said in a statement “We are looking for someone who will lead with transparency build on the momentum of reform and ensure that KPD remains a department that the community continues to trust and respect.” [EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos] Broadway relocated to Florida in 2002 to be closer to his family working with the Gainesville Police Department until taking a job with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in 2004 Rolón stepped down as Orlando’s police chief in 2022 one week before his 30th anniversary since starting as an officer with the police department Rolón took credit for reestablishing the Neighborhood Patrol Unit developing a youth outreach program and creating a Real Time Crime Center to give officers access to cameras across the community for help with investigations who was indicted by an Osceola County grand jury of felony battery witness tampering and more in connection to a 2023 use of force case The city’s news release includes a letter from Anzueto which discusses “significant steps taken” to save face in the months since at the police department Referencing a grand jury’s recommendations for Kissimmee police in the investigation’s wake the list of of these “key steps” includes the evaluation of command staff and review of the vacant deputy chief position updates to training and policy such as a new mental-health-focused crisis management training program new procedures to discipline officers “who fail to comply with orders not to discuss pending investigations,” the appointment of three — a “seasoned Civilian Internal Affairs Manager” and two sergeants — to the formally single-staffed Internal Affairs Section and work underway to ensure all future investigations meet state reporting requirements “We have made great strides moving in a positive direction and learning from mistakes in the past I feel morale of our employees is high and they appreciate our staff’s transparency and changes made from an operational and administrative standpoint,” Anzueto said in the letter “(...) Please know the Kissimmee Police Department has taken this Grand Jury Presentment seriously and we will continue our efforts and provide our city a safe and secure environment for all.” joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021 The City of Kissimmee officially celebrated the grand opening of Lancaster Ranch Park – Phase 1A on Tuesday morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at 1881 Jack Calhoun Drive The event was highlighted by the exciting return of an iconic local treasure—Green Meadows Petting Farm—at its new home I want to express how proud we are to deliver on our promise to the community: more green space and reasons to love living and visiting Kissimmee,” said City Mayor Jackie Espinosa and community members gathered to commemorate the unveiling of the new park and petting farm a family-friendly attraction that offers interactive animal experiences for visitors of all ages Operated in partnership with the City of Kissimmee the petting farm is a key highlight of the park’s Phase 1A development “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved with Lancaster Ranch Park,” said Parks and Recreation Director Steve Lackey “This park was built with everyone in mind We are looking forward to more phases that will further enhance this incredible space and our park system.” Do you remember Green Meadows Petting Farm Originally opened in 1988 by Coni and Bob Keyes under the shady live oaks in Kissimmee the farm quickly became a go-to destination where children experienced their first encounters with animals like cattle and bunnies—or simply enjoyed the timeless joy of a classic hayride rabbits—mules and ponies too,” said Dan Keyes “The reopening of our wonderful farm has been seven years in the making It’s surreal… it’s just hard to believe this is really happening here at Lancaster Ranch Park We are so thankful to the City of Kissimmee and we’re so grateful for everyone who came out this morning to celebrate with us.” the farm has made a heartwarming comeback at Lancaster Ranch Park Visitors can once again take a scenic hayride through “Old Florida,” see cattle grazing in the distance and enjoy a day surrounded by nature and animals Green Meadows is kicking off spring with their First Annual Easter Egg Hunt on: This fun-filled family event is perfect for kids and includes egg hunts and all the charm of the petting farm experience 🎟️ Order your tickets today at greenmeadowsevents.com or visit the Green Meadows Petting Farm in person at Lancaster Ranch Park to join in the fun “The opening of Lancaster Ranch Park is a tremendous milestone for the City of Kissimmee as it is set to become one of the largest parks in the City’s history,” says City Manager Mike Steigerwald “This is part of the City’s ongoing $150+ Million Capital Improvement Campaign Future phases will bring even more to the community and preserved green space—further cementing Lancaster Ranch Park as one of Kissimmee’s premier outdoor destinations The City of Kissimmee will officially welcome Charles “Chuck” Broadway as the 35th Police Chief of the Kissimmee Police Department during a special swearing-in ceremony this evening at 6:00 p.m Chief Broadway brings nearly three decades of law enforcement experience having served with the New York City Police Department and most recently as Chief of Police for the Clermont Police Department a media opportunity will take place at 4:30 p.m in the Kissimmee Police Department Training Room where members of the press will have a chance to meet Chief Broadway and learn about his vision for the department the city will host a community reception at the Kissimmee Civic Center (201 E and local leaders an opportunity to meet the new chief before he is officially sworn in “Chief Broadway brings extensive experience in law enforcement leadership His background and expertise equip him to lead the Kissimmee Police Department with excellence,” said City Manager Mike Steigerwald and we are confident that under his leadership the department will continue its strong commitment to professionalism Broadway began his career as a detective with the NYPD where he also played a key role in the 9/11 search and recovery efforts He went on to serve as a Special Agent Supervisor with FDLE overseeing violent crime investigations and police-involved shooting reviews Broadway holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from St John’s University and has served in numerous leadership roles including the executive board of the Florida Police Chief Association and the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute “I am honored to serve as the Chief of Police for the Kissimmee Police Department KPD is a strong agency with dedicated officers and civilians with a deep commitment to public safety,” said Police Chief Charles Broadway “The department has taken important steps to strengthen its culture and I am eager to build on that foundation My focus will be on supporting our officers and ensuring we continue to provide the highest level of service to the residents and visitors of Kissimmee” The public is invited to attend the community meet-and-greet at 5:00 p.m which will take place during the Kissimmee City Commission meeting Media seating is available on a first-come For more information about the City of Kissimmee and the Kissimmee Police Department, visit kissimmee.gov — The city of Kissimmee held a press conference Thursday to present what it called a "roadmap" to address "significant shortcomings" at the city police department The move came on the heels of a grand jury investigation — and an investigation by State Attorney Andrew Bain's office — into an officer's use of force that found the department "exhibits a culture of silence — or a culture of cover up."  The investigation stemmed from an incident involving former officer Andrew Baseggio who is accused of attacking and assaulting Sean Kastner during a call for service received just after midnight on April 22 He is accused of "spiking" Kastner in the face with his knee twice and hitting him with seven Taser stuns and then lying to cover up his actions afterward The grand jury investigation determined that other officers and leadership at the Kissimmee Police Department aided in the cover up and ultimately punished Bassegio with a single day off without pay.  The former officer has since been charged with multiple crimes in connection with the incident official misconduct and solicitation of perjury Following the grand jury and State Attorney investigations police Chief Betty Holland and Deputy Chief Camille Alicea both resigned their positions the 35-page grand jury report breaks down its conclusions into six sections interim police Chief Robert Anzueto said department and city leadership have taken the investigations to heart and are following their recommendations “Our message is: changes have been made,” Anzueto said Anzueto said he’s making immediate changes to ensure nothing like this happens again He’s tasked with performing a review of department leadership policies and methods to enforce accountability and transparency “The actions that we've taken are not just a response to past failures but a clear path forward towards restoring trust within our community,” said City Manager Mike Steigerwald during a press conference at KPD as he read from a prepared statement Evidence in the grand jury report accused Holland of ignoring evidence of misconduct and failing to conduct a criminal investigation into Baseggio's actions despite video from the incident clearly showing felony-level misconduct we were kind of being stonewalled for a while The grand jury also determined that when KPD leadership finally decided to cooperate with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement the investigation was compromised from the start The grand jury accused several officers of being dishonest and untruthful in their testimony “There’s no indication on why they all chose to make the decisions that they made through the course of this investigation,” said assistant State Attorney Sean Wiggins Anzueto said it was hard to watch and he was still processing it Let me digest everything and implement whatever changes are necessary." the grand jury reported that it lacks confidence in KPD command staff and that it found a pattern of excessive use of force “The grand jury found approximately ten instances where sustained policy violations went unreported to the commission and spanned multiple chiefs administrations,” said Wiggins Steigerwald called the issues identified in the grand jury report “significant shortcomings.”  absolutely shocked," he said of the allegations "It’s something we don’t expect to occur." According to information from the city of Kissimmee the Orange County Sheriff's Office has been tasked with leading the investigation into the 11 officers "whose truthfulness or conduct was found to be concerning by the State Attorney's Office during their inquiry." “We will allow the personnel assigned to the investigation to use their training and experience to follow the facts and evidence to uncover the truth,” Anzueto said in a statement from the city As part of the city's plan to prevent a similar situation in the future a new position with the KPD Internal Affairs Section will be created: a civilian internal affairs manager ensure that Internal Affairs personnel are property trained and monitor compliance with state laws regarding officer conduct the Kissimmee Police Department will also be focusing on the following five key areas: “The recent issues have highlighted the need for a renewed focus on accountability and integrity both within the department and in its relationship with the community," Steigerwald said in a statement Despite the alleged actions of the officers cited in the two investigations Steigerwald asked the community to “continue to have faith in the overwhelming majority of the officers at the Kissimmee Police Department who work each day with honor The City of Kissimmee is set to kick off its annual Black History Month Reception today This vibrant community celebration will honor the rich cultural heritage and contributions of African Americans in Kissimmee and beyond and community members will gather for an evening of artistic expression Attendees can enjoy an art exhibit presented by Osceola Arts The event will also highlight the contributions of local artists and performers who will be recognized with certificates of appreciation a special Black History Month proclamation will be presented reinforcing the city’s commitment to honoring and celebrating African American history and achievements This annual event serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of African American culture and history in Kissimmee and provides a space for the community to come together in celebration For more information, visit the City of Kissimmee’s website or follow their official social media pages The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office has apprehended three suspects in connection with a gang-related shooting that occurred on February 19 in the area of Black Lake Road in Kissimmee According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office the victim— a former gang member—was confronted at his workplace earlier in the evening by the suspects regarding his decision to leave a local gang the suspects attempted to block his vehicle in the parking lot but the suspects pursued him in two separate vehicles one of the suspects pulled alongside the victim’s vehicle and opened fire the victim was not injured and was able to escape and contact law enforcement Osceola detectives identified the suspects and obtained arrest warrants Law enforcement confirmed that all three individuals have now been taken into custody Authorities are urging anyone with further information about this case—or gang activity in the area—to contact the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS This case underscores the dangers of gang involvement and the risks individuals face when trying to break free from gang life Law enforcement officials continue to stress the importance of community cooperation in bringing violent offenders to justice – A roof partially collapsed at a warehouse during a fire in Kissimmee on Saturday afternoon Officials said they responded to the fire on Michigan Avenue around 3:20 p.m they found heavy fire and smoke coming from the west side of the building “Due to the size and intensity of the fire and a second alarm was called,” the release said in part Officials said part of the warehouse’s roof collapsed during the fire crews were able to bring the fire under control and fully extinguish it No injuries were reported to firefighters or civilians Fire officials also stated that “during the course of the incident we were not made aware of any toxic or hazardous materials we proactively contacted the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.” mostly as a photojournalist and video journalist before joining Spectrum News 13 as a web editor and digital journalist in 2021 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250327702466/en/ Already have an account? Login OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A Kissimmee man accused of firing celebratory gunshots on New Year’s Day will remain in custody after a judge denied his request for bond during a hearing on Thursday faces a charge of manslaughter by culpable negligence in connection with the death of 56-year-old Carmen Ochoa The tragic incident occurred just minutes into the new year when Ochoa was struck by a stray bullet while standing in the screened pool area of her home across a retention pond from Tejada’s backyard Investigators said Tejada was firing multiple guns in celebration of the holiday when a stray bullet traveled over 100 yards who was enjoying fireworks with her daughters detectives testified that 77 shell casings were found in Tejada’s backyard Prosecutors also presented video evidence taken from Ochoa’s phone which captured the moments leading up to her death The video showed fireworks exploding in the night sky Tejada’s defense team argued there was no direct evidence tying him to the guns proposing that Tejada surrender his passport and agree to electronic monitoring prosecutors emphasized the severity of the charges and the risk posed by Tejada’s alleged actions ruling that Tejada would remain in custody pending trial The court also rejected a defense motion challenging the constitutionality of his detention The families of both the victim and the defendant were present in court Ochoa’s death has left a lasting impact on the community serving as a tragic reminder of the dangers of celebratory gunfire Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: — Efforts to keep downtown Kissimmee safe for residents visitors and late-night patrons are under way Kissimmee city leaders are considering making changes to the times bars and restaurants can serve alcohol establishments can serve drinks until 2 a.m. but some are considering bumping that time to 1 a.m For the popular Matador Tacos and Tapas bar located off of Broadway alcohol sales on a Friday night mean a great deal for their business “They represent a great amount in the sales in comparison to the food,” said Rafael Alcala But she wants to make sure businesses like Alcala’s continue to thrive “I had the opportunity to speak to several business owners some of them say that one-third of their alcohol sales come from after midnight,” said Martinez A small number of incidents have spread into the streets in past years One patron says shortening drinking times might be a good idea “But if people are still partying here until 3 or 4 in the morning and you have residents that live in the downtown Kissimmee area and can’t sleep because the music is too loud And a lot of people will move from the downtown area,” said Jordan Rivera Kissimmee Main Street a city revitalizing organization that services some 500 businesses in the area has surveyed residents about the idea of cutting serving times to 1 a.m “What we are seeing is an even amount of people who are like and we don’t want to become a club district.’” you are going to affect us,’” said Diana Marrero-Pinto Executive Director of Kissimmee Main Street 75% of those respondents said that if establishments are allowed to remain open until 2 a.m. bars should be responsible for their own extra security It has not been determined if this would be a downtown only or city-wide change.  An ordinance would have to be passed by commissioners There will be an open workshop at the Chamber of Commerce in Kissimmee Tuesday at 3 p.m commissioners meeting to discuss the issue The City of Kissimmee Commissioners voted 4-1 on Tuesday in favor of a no-camping ordinance joining other municipalities in complying with the State of Florida’s HB 1365 prohibits homeless individuals from camping on city streets instead requiring them to be placed in temporary shelters monitored by law enforcement agencies Kissimmee’s decision mirrors similar actions taken by Orange County earlier in the day Florida experienced a staggering rise in homelessness with a 9% statewide increase reported by the Florida Council on Homelessness and a devastating 28% surge in overall homelessness—alongside a 105% spike in unsheltered individuals—across Orange driven by soaring rental costs and economic pressures “This is in concert with the Senate bill that was passed earlier this year,” City Manager Mike Steigerwald stated “Because the state law doesn’t have any local penalties in place this establishes the penalties that allows for enforcement of this particular state statute It gives the tools to law enforcement to enforce that law.” Before the motion to vote on the ordinance Commissioner Jeanette Martinez asked the City Manager or officers that are trained to help the homeless with the aid that they need at the moment?” but we have a protocol in place with our Police Department They have a community engagement team that knows where the camps (homeless) are throughout the community We have a partnership with Park Place Behavioral Care which is Osceola County’s designated mental health agency and in addition we have partnerships with various homeless organizations that will provide case management.” the Orange County Commission approved its own no-camping ordinance by a 5-2 vote County officials highlighted that the measure provides law enforcement with tools to enforce the law while protecting the county from potential legal challenges HB 1365 was introduced to standardize how homelessness is addressed statewide and provide a legal framework to protect communities from related safety and liability concerns The law also seeks to address public health risks and preserve the use of public spaces for the broader community As local governments implement these requirements the legislation is sparking debates about balancing public safety and the availability of adequate shelter resources to meet increased demand With below-average temperatures expected this week in and around Osceola County the issue of where homeless individuals can safely stay and sleep overnight has come to the forefront of public awareness The ordinances are designed to offer a structured approach ensuring that temporary shelters are available for those in need Local officials emphasize that the goal is not to penalize homeless individuals but to provide safe and legally compliant solutions Kissimmee and Orange County’s efforts to implement HB 1365 underscore the importance of balancing compassion with compliance The decisions made by Kissimmee and Orange County reflect a growing trend among municipalities in Florida as they work to address the complex issue of homelessness under the framework established by the state A powerful tribute to the heroes of the Vietnam War is coming to Kissimmee Gateway Airport as The Wall That Heals a three-quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington offers a meaningful opportunity for veterans The Wall That Heals has visited nearly 700 communities nationwide providing millions of visitors with a space to connect with their memories and experience the memorial’s powerful message of healing 24-hour public exhibit will open at Kissimmee Gateway Airport on March 13 the memorial will receive a special honorary escort into Kissimmee on March 11 followed by its assembly and setup in preparation for the display “This is a profound honor for our community,” said local organizers “Hosting The Wall That Heals gives us the opportunity to pay tribute to those who served and ensure that their legacy of bravery and service is never forgotten.” The Wall That Heals provides a deeply personal and interactive experience allowing visitors to search for names of fallen soldiers and gain insight into the history of the Vietnam War through the mobile Education Center The traveling memorial ensures that communities across America—especially those who may never have the opportunity to visit Washington D.C.—can experience the profound impact of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and residents to share in this unforgettable experience of remembrance For more information about The Wall That Heals and its visit to Kissimmee, visit the City of Kissimmee website A 66-year-old woman from Kissimmee died Wednesday evening after being hit by an SUV on Kings Highway in Osceola County according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) The fatal crash occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m FHP’s crash report states that the woman entered the southbound lane of Kings Highway directly into the path of a southbound 2018 Chevy Suburban driven by a 46-year-old man from Kindred with a 16-year-old girl as a passenger The woman was transported to HCA Florida Osceola Hospital Her identity has not been released pending family notification The driver and passenger of the SUV were unharmed and remained on the scene Both occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash The incident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol Robert Anzueto will lead internal investigation at left with City Manager Mike Steigerwald laid out his plans last week for fixing both Kissimmee Police Department’s internal problems and its reputation in the community Re-establishing your reputation in the community is difficult—especially when you’re described exhibiting “a culture of silence Knowing that the first steps in doing that are the most critical and in light of “deeply troubling” issues surfacing about the Kissimmee Police Department through the grand jury and the State Attorney’s Office the city is turning over the reigns of what may be a wholesale overhaul of policies procedures and departments to a veteran of the Orange County Sheriff ’s Office who comes from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department with three decades of large-agency policing experience The unrest at KPD stems from an incident in the city on April 22 based on body-worn camera evidence and testimony from other KPD members entered a resident’s home and used excessive force in apprehending him on a battery charge Bassegio is shown to administer multiple knee strikes to Sean Castner’s face It was downplayed—and based on the actions and testimony of 11 members of KPD portrayed as a “policy breach” rather than a potentially criminal act—and required a grand jury investigation and State Attorney’s report to come into the light “We think it is important for the stakeholders and decision makers within the City of Kissimmee’s government as well as residents and the community at large to be aware of this evidence so they can take the appropriate action,” the grand jury’s report read Takeya Close conducted the Response to Resistance (RTR) investigation into Bassegio’s encounter and found “the officer’s response to resistance was objectively reasonable and within department guidelines … I approve this response to resistance.” The grand jury noted the ding came a_er taking those involved at their word and no one within the department “ever addressed Close’s clearly erroneous conclusion.” involved reassigning or placing four other employees on administrative leave “The review of the facts and timelines show there were errors in former Chief Holland’s decision making,” City Manager Steigerwald said last week “It is my responsibility to provide (KPD) and our community with a seasoned leader to make the changes necessary to correct the de iencies and restore the department’s image.” Steigerwald touted Anzueto’s vast experience with Orange Sheriff ’s Office and Orlando Police and this marks a crucial step in that clear path forward,” he said resources with the Orange Sheriff ’s Office will lead an inquiry into the 11 officers named in the Bassegio-Kastner incident the Orange County Sheriff ’s Office will conduct an internal investigation into the 11 officers whose conduct and testimony were called into question The city has asked Anzueto to review KPD’s primary areas of leadership policies including resistance and reporting personnel and resource analysis and training “This is part of the City’s commitment to addressing the issues transparently and thoroughly,” Steigerwald said “_is is a crucial step in that process and a clear path forward toward restoring trust in our community.” Anzueto noted he made changes on his first day to revamp the department’s internal affairs division—one that the grand jury noted often had just one investigator and “often faced a tremendous backlog of cases.” “I am committed to moving forward with purpose and dedication to create a culture that meets and exceeds our community’s expectations “This means going beyond what is required.” He said changes will be centered around equipping officers with the resources and training needed to perform duties safely and effectively He tasked staff to implement refresher training for all sworn (ocers) on crisis management search and seizure and investigative procedures “It’s to foster a work environment where accountability isn’t simply viewed as a requirement but is embraced a shared value across the agency,” Anzueto said and Anzueto said he’s less concerned with KPD culture that predates him instead focusing on supporting the “outstanding” law enforcement officers of KPD “I’m going to meet with every single member of our agency and tell them what I expect and what they expect from me go out and do the job and serve the community and I support them 100 percent in doing the right things,” he said “I can only deal with how the culture is today I was presented with (the grand jury dings) just a few hours ago and some things mentioned in that troubling © 2025 Osceola News Gazette a real estate developer headquartered in Yucatán marked its entry into the Central Florida market last week with a groundbreaking ceremony for Princess Village The event underscored the company’s $250 million investment in Osceola County and its commitment to job creation “This is more than just a development—it’s our legacy and commitment to bringing world-class projects to Central Florida while creating jobs and opportunities for the local community,” said Miguel Barbosa Marín The ceremony brought together influential figures from government reflecting the project’s far-reaching impact Princess Village will feature 64 fully furnished short-term rental townhomes and is expected to generate approximately $32 million in new home sales and $225,000 annually in Tourist Development Tax revenue MB Signature Properties says it will donate a portion of each property sale to TECHO International a nonprofit dedicated to eradicating extreme poverty in Latin America the company will break ground on MB Resort Orlando an 18-story luxury resort tower near Disney Springs further strengthening its presence in the region “Osceola County is a place of incredible potential and we are honored to be part of its continued growth,” added Barbosa Marín “This is just the start of a journey that will bring world-class developments As one of the fastest-growing counties in the U.S Osceola County presents a unique opportunity for investment the demand for buildings and roadways rises but as this growth could come at the expense of the environment some cities and counties are working to expand tree cover 200 trees were recently planted at Pioneer Village to celebrate Earth Month This initiative is part of both the city’s and Osceola County’s sustainability efforts chair of the Osceola County Commission and District 2 commissioner emphasized the importance of these efforts “We’re very committed to sustainability,” she said “What we’re doing is planting trees from Osceola County’s tree farm.” Trees play a crucial role in the environment reduce pollution and expand wildlife habitats the need for trees is heightened due to development “We’ve got one of the highest growing counties That means a lot of construction and a lot of houses What we’re trying to do is reforest the county to give people that quality of life that you see in places that have had trees for a long time,” Osceola County Director of Parks and Public Lands Jason Hickson said chief of Destination Stewardship for Experience Kissimmee shared insights from research on the topic especially from international points of origin the destination takes the environment seriously which we have a strong track record of doing here in Osceola County,” he explained Osceola County adopted an Urban Forest Management Plan aimed at increasing tree supply expanding the county’s tree farm and ongoing tree maintenance The city collaborates with “Trees4Travel” to encourage people to visit the destination while also reducing their carbon footprint “Only 50 percent of the world’s forests remain and since the ‘60s we’ve actually lost 73 percent of our wildlife,” Trees4Travel CEO Nico Nicolas said The company calculates the carbon emissions generated by groups traveling to the area The company then plants the number of trees needed to offset that pollution while investing in renewable energy that is United Nations Certified the city of Kissimmee has planted over 100,000 trees they understand how important tree planting is it makes people wake up and recognize that we can’t keep just taking trees and chopping them down and not replacing them,” Nicolas said If you want to do your part to help increase the state’s tree canopy you are encouraged to visit your city or county website Stephanie joined News 6 as a reporter in October 2024