News-Gazette Photo/Andrew Sullivan

Recent Helping Others Make the Effort, or HOME, program graduate Layka Perez stands in her daughters' bedroom at the family's new home. Ariangely, 7, foreground, and Michelle, 9, are both happy to finally be able to sleep in separate beds.

By Juliana A. Torres
Staff Writer

Three years ago, Layka Perez was homeless.

She had escaped an abusive relationship and just moved from Puerto Rico to find better medical care for her youngest daughter, who for unexplained reasons was losing her hair. She couldn’t speak English and her housekeeping job at Walt Disney World wasn’t making her enough money so that she could pay a deposit to rent an apartment.

Osceola County tourism officials are seeking a clearer direction on how – and which – groups should benefit from tourist tax dollars.

LeMieux

LeMieux is Crist's closest political adviser and will hold the Senate seat Crist hopes to win in the November 2010 election.

News-Gazette Photos/Andrew Sullivan

Osceola County Fire Rescue Chief Rich Collins, left, and county firefighters, who all dressed in yellow during the meeting Monday to show they were unified against the county manager's proposal to close a fire station east of St. Cloud.

By Jessica Solis
Staff Writer

Feeling pressure from firefighters facing possible layoffs and residents opposing new fees, Osceola County officials admitted this week that “something has got to give.”

Commissioners delayed a vote Monday to shut down Fire Rescue Station 52 east of St. Cloud, saying they wanted more information and more resident input before making any decision.