WEATHER ALERT
Osceola County sheriff to pay $250 fine for posting photo of missing girl’s body on social media
Read full article: Osceola County sheriff to pay $250 fine for posting photo of missing girl’s body on social mediaIn a plea agreement with the state attorney’s office, Osceola County’s sheriff will pay a civil fine and plead no contest for posting the body of a missing girl on social media.
Man accused of shooting at Osceola home nabbed after high-speed pursuit. Here’s what we know
Read full article: Man accused of shooting at Osceola home nabbed after high-speed pursuit. Here’s what we knowOsceola County deputies said the man who fired several rounds outside a home in a Kissimmee area neighborhood Tuesday was captured in Southwest Florida on Tuesday evening.
Osceola County woman indicted on murder charge in daughter’s bathtub drowning death
Read full article: Osceola County woman indicted on murder charge in daughter’s bathtub drowning deathAn Osceola County woman accused of holding her daughter’s head underwater in a bathtub has been formally charged by a grand jury.
Osceola mom arrested after daughter’s death, accused of holding her head in bathtub
Read full article: Osceola mom arrested after daughter’s death, accused of holding her head in bathtubA mother arrested on Wednesday after her 14-year-old daughter was found dead is now facing first-degree murder charges, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
Marcos Lopez to keep his position after winning Osceola County Sheriff race
Read full article: Marcos Lopez to keep his position after winning Osceola County Sheriff raceOsceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez will retain his position after winning his race against challenger Donnie Martinez on Election Day.
Sheriff Marcos Lopez beats crowded primary field, advances to November
Read full article: Sheriff Marcos Lopez beats crowded primary field, advances to NovemberIncumbent Sheriff Marcos Lopez will advance to the general election in November after defeating four challengers in the Democratic primary Tuesday in Osceola County.
Man faces charges in shootout that killed 2 at Osceola County apartment complex
Read full article: Man faces charges in shootout that killed 2 at Osceola County apartment complexA 26-year-old man faces charges in the shooting deaths of two men at an apartment complex near Kissimmee on July 9, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
2 killed in shootout at apartment complex near Kissimmee; person of interest in custody
Read full article: 2 killed in shootout at apartment complex near Kissimmee; person of interest in custodyTwo people were killed in a shooting at an apartment complex near Kissimmee, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
Children wash cars to pay for St. Cloud father’s funeral after shooting
Read full article: Children wash cars to pay for St. Cloud father’s funeral after shootingThis Father’s Day weekend, Kingston, Conner and Irelynn are washing cars and selling baked goods to raise money for their father’s funeral.
4 Central Florida sheriffs reelected without opposition, while 4 others face opponents
Read full article: 4 Central Florida sheriffs reelected without opposition, while 4 others face opponentsFour Central Florida sheriffs will continue to lead their respective law enforcement agencies after getting no opponents for their reelection races this week.
‘Where’s my pool pump!?:’ Osceola sheriff explains what led to deadly shooting, arrest
Read full article: ‘Where’s my pool pump!?:’ Osceola sheriff explains what led to deadly shooting, arrestA man accused of shooting and killing another man at a home outside of St. Cloud has confessed to the crime, according to the Osceola County sheriff.
Florida investigates sheriff’s office that might have posted crime scene photo of Madeline Soto’s body
Read full article: Florida investigates sheriff’s office that might have posted crime scene photo of Madeline Soto’s bodyFormer Osceola County Sheriff Russ Gibson, who is running against Lopez in the 2024 election, said that the photograph depicted the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, who was found dead Friday afternoon in a wooded area near St. Cloud.
Osceola sheriff ‘accidentally’ posts possible crime scene photo in Madeline Soto case on Instagram
Read full article: Osceola sheriff ‘accidentally’ posts possible crime scene photo in Madeline Soto case on InstagramThe Instagram account for Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez posted a confidential crime scene photograph on Saturday morning, which the agency later said had been inadvertently shared with the public.
‘Nobody knew:’ Osceola Sheriff brings services to seniors at nursing homes
Read full article: ‘Nobody knew:’ Osceola Sheriff brings services to seniors at nursing homesMonday morning, for the first time, the Osceola County Sheriff brought his senior specialists, his fraud unit and his life-saving tools to an assisted living facility in Kissimmee - Sonata Hunter’s Creek.
Federal lawsuit filed against Osceola County sheriff, deputies in 2022 Target shooting
Read full article: Federal lawsuit filed against Osceola County sheriff, deputies in 2022 Target shootingAttorneys have officially filed a federal lawsuit against Osceola County’s sheriff and two deputies for the 2022 encounter and shooting outside a Target store in Kissimmee where one person was killed and two others were hurt.
Stop signs installed at Poinciana intersection 11 days after crash killed woman, 3 grandchildren
Read full article: Stop signs installed at Poinciana intersection 11 days after crash killed woman, 3 grandchildrenCrews will install news stop signs at an Osceola County intersection where a woman and her three grandchildren were killed in a crash less than two weeks ago.
4-way stop coming to Poinciana intersection where crash killed 4
Read full article: 4-way stop coming to Poinciana intersection where crash killed 4Electronic signs have been posted at the intersection where four people were killed in a crash Sunday. Message boards seen in the area Friday warn drivers the intersection of San Miguel Road and Laurel Avenue will become a four-way stop in the next two weeks.
Osceola mom who admitted to strangling 13-year-old now faces murder charge, deputies say
Read full article: Osceola mom who admitted to strangling 13-year-old now faces murder charge, deputies sayThe Osceola County mother who admitted to strangling her 13-year-old son now faces a charge of first-degree premeditated murder, according to a release from the sheriff's office.
Man accused of traveling for sex with teen girls in Osceola County, sheriff says
Read full article: Man accused of traveling for sex with teen girls in Osceola County, sheriff saysA 24-year-old man was arrested Wednesday in Osceola County, accused of traveling from Davenport to a resort in Four Corners to have sex with two minors who he had been talking with on social media, according to the sheriff’s office.
Drills, new tech show how Osceola officials plan to keep students safe
Read full article: Drills, new tech show how Osceola officials plan to keep students safeThe Osceola County Sheriff and Osceola Superintendent held a news conference on Wednesday to show parents how they plan to keep students, faculty and staff safe this school year.
Osceola County sheriff to begin Start Women on Watch Initiative
Read full article: Osceola County sheriff to begin Start Women on Watch InitiativeThe Women on Watch Initiative is a free program that acts as a precursor to the police academy that gives women interested in a career in law enforcement a preview of the expectations of the academy and the sheriff’s office in an environment created by women, for women.
Is anti-bullying campaign in Osceola elementary schools working? Here’s what we know
Read full article: Is anti-bullying campaign in Osceola elementary schools working? Here’s what we knowAt the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez took his anti-bullying message to all elementary schools in the area for the first time ever.
Osceola County deputy fired, arrested after warning child sex suspect of warrant, sheriff says
Read full article: Osceola County deputy fired, arrested after warning child sex suspect of warrant, sheriff saysAn Osceola County deputy accused of helping a child sex suspect has been fired and arrested, according to the sheriff’s office.
Osceola deputy charged more than a year after suspect burnt in Taser-sparked fire during arrest
Read full article: Osceola deputy charged more than a year after suspect burnt in Taser-sparked fire during arrestOsceola County Deputy David Crawford is now formally charged stemming from a 2022 arrest in which the deputy is accused of starting a fire with a Taser which left a suspect badly burned across most of his body.
More body cameras coming for Osceola County deputies, sheriff’s office says
Read full article: More body cameras coming for Osceola County deputies, sheriff’s office sayshe Osceola County Sheriff’s Office says they plan to issue more body-worn cameras to their deputies this year. A spokesperson for Sheriff Marcos Lopez says that since taking office, he has ensured all members on patrol have body cameras, but there are other scenarios where sworn personnel are on the job without this equipment.
Security guard accused of sex misconduct with teen at Osceola juvenile detention facility
Read full article: Security guard accused of sex misconduct with teen at Osceola juvenile detention facilityA security guard at an Osceola County juvenile detention facility is accusing of having sex with one of the detainees, according to Sheriff Marcos Lopez
Osceola County deputies shoot, kill 83-year-old man after he points gun at them, sheriff says
Read full article: Osceola County deputies shoot, kill 83-year-old man after he points gun at them, sheriff saysOsceola County deputies shot and killed a man in a neighborhood in the Kissimmee area Thursday after he pointed a gun at them, according to the sheriff.
St. Cloud police officer accused of stealing, using dead person’s credit card information
Read full article: St. Cloud police officer accused of stealing, using dead person’s credit card informationA St. Cloud police officer is accused of stealing and using a dead person’s credit card information, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
Video captures parent sucker-punching umpire at Florida baseball game, deputies say
Read full article: Video captures parent sucker-punching umpire at Florida baseball game, deputies sayA parent is accused of punching an umpire in the head during a high school baseball game near Kissimmee, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
Celebration High School coach accused of sexual misconduct with students facing more charges
Read full article: Celebration High School coach accused of sexual misconduct with students facing more chargesA former Celebration High School coach arrested earlier this month, accused of sexual misconduct with students, is facing more charges, records show.
Celebration High School coach arrested, accused of sexual misconduct with students, sheriff says
Read full article: Celebration High School coach arrested, accused of sexual misconduct with students, sheriff saysOsceola County deputies and Sheriff Marcos Lopez on Thursday escorted a Celebration High School baseball coach to a patrol car for his arrest, accused of sexual misconduct with at least two students.
‘Facts matter:’ Monique Worrell provides update on Osceola County drug trafficking cases
Read full article: ‘Facts matter:’ Monique Worrell provides update on Osceola County drug trafficking casesOrange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell spoke about drug trafficking Monday after Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez called out the state for its lack of prosecution of these cases last week.
Florida State Attorney Worrell defends prosecutions amid public criticisms
Read full article: Florida State Attorney Worrell defends prosecutions amid public criticismsFollowing a shooting rampage that left three people dead in Pine Hills in February, Gov. Ron DeSantis, Orange County Sheriff John Mina and Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez have spoken out against Worrell.
‘This is what’s poisoning us:’ Osceola sheriff gives update on drug trafficking arrests, deaths
Read full article: ‘This is what’s poisoning us:’ Osceola sheriff gives update on drug trafficking arrests, deathsOsceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez on Thursday provided an update on the number of drug overdoses and deaths within the community in 2022.
Deputies ID man, woman found dead in murder-suicide outside Osceola home
Read full article: Deputies ID man, woman found dead in murder-suicide outside Osceola homeOsceola County deputies have identified the man and woman found dead Tuesday outside a St. Cloud home in what they are now calling a murder-suicide, according to the sheriff’s office.
Man arrested, accused of raping 12-year-old girl several times, Osceola sheriff says
Read full article: Man arrested, accused of raping 12-year-old girl several times, Osceola sheriff saysA man was arrested and accused of raping a 12-year-old girl several times within the past year after approaching her at a neighborhood block party, Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez said at a news briefing Friday.
3 dead in apparent murder-suicide at Osceola mobile home involving man, his mother and her boyfriend
Read full article: 3 dead in apparent murder-suicide at Osceola mobile home involving man, his mother and her boyfriendDeputies identified two men and a woman found dead following an apparent murder-suicide near the Floridian Sandalwood mobile home park, the sheriff’s office said.
Woman accused of stabbing 2 children, their father in Osceola County, sheriff’s office says
Read full article: Woman accused of stabbing 2 children, their father in Osceola County, sheriff’s office saysA woman is accused of stabbing two children and their father Tuesday in Osceola County, according to the sheriff’s office.
Killer’s fingerprint leads to 5 arrests in Osceola shooting, sheriff says
Read full article: Killer’s fingerprint leads to 5 arrests in Osceola shooting, sheriff saysOsceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez announced the arrests of five people Wednesday months after a man was shot and killed in a violent home invasion near St. Cloud.
Possible human remains found near Osceola County high school, deputies say
Read full article: Possible human remains found near Osceola County high school, deputies sayThe Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation Wednesday after possible human remains were found in Kissimmee.
Body found believed to be man missing in Osceola County since Thanksgiving, sheriff says
Read full article: Body found believed to be man missing in Osceola County since Thanksgiving, sheriff saysA body found in a swampy area in Osceola County is believed to be a missing 73-year-old man who was last seen on Thanksgiving Day, Sheriff Marcos Lopez said in an update Thursday.
Teen, man face charges after deadly Osceola road rage shooting, sheriff says
Read full article: Teen, man face charges after deadly Osceola road rage shooting, sheriff saysA man was shot in the head while driving on the southwest side of a business parking lot near Buenaventura Boulevard and Simpson Road in Osceola County on Sunday evening, according to the Osceola County Fire Rescue.
‘I would do it again:’ Man admits to stabbing his mother, sister, Osceola deputies say
Read full article: ‘I would do it again:’ Man admits to stabbing his mother, sister, Osceola deputies sayA man admits to stabbing and killing his own mother and hurting his sister during an attack at a home near Kissimmee, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
Man arrested after 1 woman found dead, another injured in Kissimmee stabbing, sheriff says
Read full article: Man arrested after 1 woman found dead, another injured in Kissimmee stabbing, sheriff saysA man was arrested after one woman was found dead and another injured at a Kissimmee home, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies search for missing man last seen visiting family in Kissimmee on Thanksgiving
Read full article: Deputies search for missing man last seen visiting family in Kissimmee on ThanksgivingDeputies are searching for a 73-year-old missing man who was last seen visiting relatives in Kissimmee on Thanksgiving.
Deputies arrest man behind at least 9 Osceola vacation rental break-ins, sheriff says
Read full article: Deputies arrest man behind at least 9 Osceola vacation rental break-ins, sheriff saysThe Osceola County Sheriff's Office will hold a news briefing on an arrest made after homes in the county were broken into while people were asleep inside.
‘Anything we can do to help:’ Osceola deputies head to Lee County to offer help after Hurricane Ian
Read full article: ‘Anything we can do to help:’ Osceola deputies head to Lee County to offer help after Hurricane IanDeputies with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office are set to deploy Wednesday to Lee County, which is still struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, the sheriff’s office said in a release.
Osceola County sheriff assesses flood damage in Good Samaritan Village in Kissimmee
Read full article: Osceola County sheriff assesses flood damage in Good Samaritan Village in KissimmeeOsceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez and Attorney General Ashley Moody will be visiting Good Samaritan Village in Kissimmee to assess flood damage in the area caused by Hurricane Ian.
After another police suicide, Osceola sheriff’s office hires in-house counselor
Read full article: After another police suicide, Osceola sheriff’s office hires in-house counselorAfter yet another police suicide in Central Florida, deputies have come up with a solution: the Osceola County Sheriff's Office has finally hired a full-time in-house mental health expert.
Osceola County Sheriff’s Office hosts Florida Sheriffs Association cold case conference
Read full article: Osceola County Sheriff’s Office hosts Florida Sheriffs Association cold case conferenceThe Osceola County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday it had been chosen to host a meeting of the Florida Sheriffs Association Cold Case Advisory Commission.
‘I’ve never seen anything like this:’ Parents beat, kill 6-year old son, Osceola sheriff says
Read full article: ‘I’ve never seen anything like this:’ Parents beat, kill 6-year old son, Osceola sheriff saysTwo parents are facing murder charges as of Wednesday in connection with the death of their 6-year-old child and the abuse of their five other children in Osceola County.
Osceola school resource officers receive most extensive active-shooter training ever
Read full article: Osceola school resource officers receive most extensive active-shooter training everAnnual retraining this summer for Osceola County Sheriff’s Office SROs was longer and more intensive than ever before, according to Sheriff Marcos Lopez.
A 1st for Osceola County: Anti-bullying campaign comes to elementary schools
Read full article: A 1st for Osceola County: Anti-bullying campaign comes to elementary schoolsAs Osceola County heads back-to-school, for the first time ever, the youngest students will be getting life lessons on how to deal with bullying directly from deputies.
Deadly deputy shooting at Osceola Target leads to push for transparency; questions remain
Read full article: Deadly deputy shooting at Osceola Target leads to push for transparency; questions remainIn April, Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez held a brief news conference to announce his deputies had been involved in a deadly shooting in the parking lot of a Target, offering almost no details about what had happened or what led to the shooting.
Osceola County ordinance sets limits on hookah bar hours of operation
Read full article: Osceola County ordinance sets limits on hookah bar hours of operationAn ordinance was passed in Osceola County on Monday evening that is aimed to prevent crimes at hookah establishments in the early morning hours.
Osceola Sheriff’s Office upgrades Real-Time Crime Center to protect schools
Read full article: Osceola Sheriff’s Office upgrades Real-Time Crime Center to protect schoolsSheriff Marcos Lopez said the Real-Time Crime Center and the ongoing effort to add additional school camera feeds means better protection.
Osceola deputy to face charge in attempted arrest that ended in gas station inferno
Read full article: Osceola deputy to face charge in attempted arrest that ended in gas station infernoThe Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is set to provide an update Thursday afternoon on the incident during which three deputies and a suspect caught fire in an attempted arrest at a gas station months ago.
Black Lives Matter addresses deadly Osceola deputy shooting at Target
Read full article: Black Lives Matter addresses deadly Osceola deputy shooting at TargetBlack Lives Matter Restoration Polk Inc. held a news briefing Tuesday afternoon on the deadly deputy shooting that occurred outside an Osceola Target last month.
3-year-old killed, child injured when Poinciana mother made them drink bleach, sheriff says
Read full article: 3-year-old killed, child injured when Poinciana mother made them drink bleach, sheriff saysA 3-year-old died and an 8-year-old was injured after their mother forced them to drink bleach before trying to kill herself outside a Poinciana church Sunday, Osceola Sheriff Marcos Lopez said in a news briefing Tuesday.
Video shows car ramming into Osceola sheriff’s office cruisers prior to fatal Target shooting
Read full article: Video shows car ramming into Osceola sheriff’s office cruisers prior to fatal Target shootingFour Osceola sheriff’s office vehicles were rammed into prior to the fatal deputy-involved shooting of a 20-year-old in a Target parking lot last week, new documents released Monday revealed.
Lawyer for family of man shot, killed by Osceola deputies questions why bodycams were not worn
Read full article: Lawyer for family of man shot, killed by Osceola deputies questions why bodycams were not wornThe lawyer representing the family of the man who was killed when two Osceola County deputies opened fire in the parking lot of Target is questioning why none of the responding members of law enforcement were wearing body cameras.
These are the bodycam policies for Central Florida’s largest law enforcement agencies
Read full article: These are the bodycam policies for Central Florida’s largest law enforcement agenciesIn the wake of the recent deadly shooting by two Osceola County deputies at a Target on April 27, questions have loomed about the policies at the sheriff’s office.
Body cameras not worn during deadly deputy shooting at Osceola Target, sheriff says
Read full article: Body cameras not worn during deadly deputy shooting at Osceola Target, sheriff saysDeputies involved in Target shooting were not wearing body cameras, according to Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez.
Osceola sheriff, promising transparency, remains largely silent on fatal Target shooting
Read full article: Osceola sheriff, promising transparency, remains largely silent on fatal Target shootingOsceola County's sheriff is continuing to not answer direct questions about why his deputies opened fire on four men outside a Target store on April 27.
‘I put my hands up:’ Victim discusses Osceola deputy-involved fatal shooting outside Target
Read full article: ‘I put my hands up:’ Victim discusses Osceola deputy-involved fatal shooting outside TargetAttorneys representing the family of a 20-year-old man shot and killed by Osceola County deputies in a Target parking lot are revealing new details in what led up to the shooting.
Florida lawmaker pushes Osceola sheriff for evidence in deadly deputy shooting at Target
Read full article: Florida lawmaker pushes Osceola sheriff for evidence in deadly deputy shooting at TargetA Florida lawmaker is now pressing the Osceola County Sheriff's Office to release more information about a deadly deputy shooting in the parking lot of a Target store five days ago.
Questions remain unanswered about deadly deputy shooting at Target in Osceola County
Read full article: Questions remain unanswered about deadly deputy shooting at Target in Osceola CountyIt’s been two days since the deputy-involved shooting at a Target store in Osceola County, and the sheriff’s office has released very few details. A lot of questions remain unanswered.
Stolen pizza, Pokémon cards lead to deadly deputy shooting in Osceola County, records show
Read full article: Stolen pizza, Pokémon cards lead to deadly deputy shooting in Osceola County, records showTwo men stealing a pizza and several packs of Pokémon cards from a Target lead to a deadly deputy shooting Wednesday night, records released Thursday revealed.
Deputies shoot, kill man outside Target store near Kissimmee, sheriff says
Read full article: Deputies shoot, kill man outside Target store near Kissimmee, sheriff saysA man was killed and three other people were injured after two Osceola County deputies opened fire Wednesday night outside a Target store near Kissimmee, authorities said.
‘Intentional poisoning:’ Mother arrested in 4-year-old girl’s death at Osceola resort, sheriff says
Read full article: ‘Intentional poisoning:’ Mother arrested in 4-year-old girl’s death at Osceola resort, sheriff saysA mother is facing charges in the death of her 4-year-old daughter who was found at a resort near Celebration in January, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
‘This is a sick man:’ Apartment complex worker rapes elderly tenant, Osceola sheriff says
Read full article: ‘This is a sick man:’ Apartment complex worker rapes elderly tenant, Osceola sheriff saysAn employee of an Osceola County apartment complex was booked Thursday, accused of raping a 70-year-old tenant in her own unit the day prior, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
4-year-old found dead, mom hospitalized after well-being check at Osceola resort, deputies say
Read full article: 4-year-old found dead, mom hospitalized after well-being check at Osceola resort, deputies sayA 4-year-old girl was found dead and her mother was taken to the hospital after deputies performed a well-being check at a resort, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.