Here’s the 5 Things you need to know in and around Osceola County for June 10:

  1. Osceola County will start taking applications for its Coronavirus business assistance program today.

The Emergency Economic Relief Grant Program, will begin taking applications Wednesday online at www.weveopenedsafely.com. The application deadline is June 26, with funds distributed after July 20. The county has set aside $500,000 for the relief program.

Businesses in unincorporated Osceola County affected by COVID-19 will be eligible to receive up to $5,000 in emergency funding. The county noted that priority may be given to owners who have not received Federal and/or state assistance dollars and to owners who are also Osceola County residents.

The funding can be used for rent or mortgage payments, utilities, payroll, and costs for equipment needed to comply with CDC guidelines for re-opening and operating like personal protective equipment (PPE).

  1. The Osceola County Courthouse reopened this week, and the Osceola Clerk of Court has provided instructions for those who need to visit the Courthouse building from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A tent with tables will be located to the right of the Courthouse doors where County Administration, Court Administration, and Clerk’s staff will check in the public starting 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointments. There, they will receive a court pass to enter the building for service. That pass will enable them to get a health screening performed. Customers are encouraged to wait away from the check-in station.

The Clerk asks that Courthouse attendees aren’t accompanied by any family or friends that are not being serviced. An exception will be made for those who are filing for an injunction.

Customers will be required to wear a face mask that properly covers the nose and mouth while they are in all common/public areas, and follow floor markings to comply with social distancing guidelines.

  1. St. Cloud and Harmony High will hold Sports Physical nights for athletes playing high school sports in the 2020-21 school year tonight and tomorrow.

Physicals are available tonight at St. Cloud High and Thursday at Harmony High in the gym. Check-in times are 6:30 p.m. for students with last names A through M, and 7:30 for N through Z. Cost for the physical is $10, and ECG’s for those who have not had one in their Osceola County high school career are available for $20.

To attend you must pre-register at www.athleticclearance.com, print and bring the signed online clearance, and wear a face covering to the gym. Bring patience, as this process is different for all involved.

  1. Osceola Heritage Park will host a new summertime Mecum classic car auction August 27-29.

This “Kissimmee summer special” auction has been strategically planned to be a fraction of the size of the annual January Kissimmee auction in order to allow for and encourage social distancing and safety practices. Mecum Auctions Founder and President Dana Mecum anticipates hosting about 1,000 cars.

While Mecum and Osceola Heritage Park are excited to host the August auction as a live, in-person event, remote bidding options are available, and the focus on-site will be on the safety of everyone in attendance. For more details to consign a vehicle or to register as a bidder at the upcoming Kissimmee 2020 Summer Special auction, visit Mecum.com.

  1. And finally, Congratulations to Kissimmee Utility Authority board chairperson Kathleen Thacker, who has received the Spence Vanderlinden Public Official Award.

The award, given at Tuesday’s American Public Power Association annual conference and business meeting held virtually, recognizing personal service to the association by elected and appointed officials. Thacker was recognized for the great lengths she’s gone to to educate herself on the industry in order to be an effective leader and advocate for public power.

Thacker regularly participates in industry conferences, state and national legislative rallies, and quarterly meetings of the Florida Municipal Power Agency’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee, where she served as chair in 2019. She also helped guide KUA to expand its clean energy portfolio. Kissimmee will be the first Florida city to power its government facilities using 100 percent solar energy.

Thacker is a retired 30-year employee of Orange County Public Schools, and has resided in Kissimmee for nearly 19 years, and Positively Osceola congratulates her for the honor.

As for the weather … some areas got afternoon storms yesterday after a steamy start, and today will be much the same. We’ll start in the mid to upper 70s and reach 91 degrees before thunderstorms develop late in the afternoon. There’s an 80 percent chance of rain, with more of the same on Thursday before a drier Friday.