Here are the five things you need to know in and around Osceola County for June 5, 2020!

1. After two days of Annual Passholder previews, Universal Orlando Resort’s Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay are all officially open to the general public today.

Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay will be the first of the area’s theme parks to open to the general public this morning.

Universal put its COVID-19 protocols to the test on Wednesday and Thursday. Those included parking half of each garage level at a time, temperature checks before reaching the parks, and strictly mandating masks.

Universal-logoed masks and hand sanitizer will be available for nominal prices. All rides are open, but with one party to a car instead of two or three. Most restaurants will be open, and there will be secluded areas away from possible set up as zones to … de-mask and breathe.

It’s all to ensure a pleasant guest experience when it opens to the general public today. For Sea World and Disney World, it will be their turns next week and next month.

2. St. Cloud has an assistance program for its small businesses and non-profits to come out the other side of the pandemic.

St. Cloud alone has 1,300 registered businesses. As best as it can, the city is working to help them all weather the economic storm that is the coronavirus.

Applications are being accepted for a city grant program with $250,000 to offer to small businesses and 501 (c) 3 non-profits. These are grants, not loans, and applications are being accepted. Just a handful have been received so far. St. Cloud is working on follow up parts that include fee waivers for core municipal services, and a post-recovery piece that will come in play when other funding programs end.

For details on the grant program and how to apply, email economic development at stcloud.org or call the St. Cloud Economic Development office at 407-957-7234.

3. The City of Kissimmee and its utilities are re-opening facilities Monday.

Since Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ announced that the state would start Phase II on its coronavirus response on Friday, the City of Kissimmee will make Phase II changes to its facilities begin Monday.

City Hall, the Kissimmee Police Department and Kissimmee Utility Authority lobbies, and playgrounds, skate parks and dog parks will reopen Monday. Toho Water Authority will re-open its customer lobby on June 15.

Customers visiting the indoor facilities will be required to wear face coverings and undergo a temperature check upon entering. Social distancing guidelines will be followed, limiting the number of customers in the lobby at a given time. Customers may be asked to wait in their vehicles until called.

4. St. Cloud Regional Medical Center will hold a clinical career fair on Monday, June 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Due to recent CDC recommendations on social gatherings, the Career Fair will be hosted as an appointment-only event. There will be available appointment time slots throughout the event time frame in order to reduce the number of people congregated in one area at one time. Please call the Human Resources Department directly to set up an appointment: 407-498-3786.
Enter at the main hospital entrance (2906 17th Street) and drive through our designated screening area in order to be screened by a medical professional for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
Preference will be given to licensed medical professional positions; non-clinical candidates should apply online to open positions. Human Resources will be conducting interviews and making offers on the spot to qualified Registered Nurses, certified nursing and medical assistants, medical technicians and more. Hiring will be for both St. Cloud Regional Medical Center and St. Cloud Medical Group.
For more information, to view open positions, or if you can’t attend the event, go online to   www.stcloudregional.com/career-opportunities.

5. Major League Fishing anglers to descend on Kissimmee Chain of Lakes starting Sunday.

Major League Fishing returns from being away for more than two months when the Heavy Hitters Presented by Venmo event starts Sunday on Lake Tohopekaliga and the Kissimmee Chain. Back on March 23, MLF paused the Bass Pro Tour due to the coronavirus pandemic.

While fan events and gatherings will not be held for the safety of fans and tour reps, 80 of the top pro anglers in the nation will be in town to fish for what they hope six days hoping to reel in the $100,000 first prize.

There’s a ton of pro fishing money on the line next week. In addition to the $745,000 purse, the biggest bass caught for each Group over the two-day Qualifying Rounds will pay a $25,000 big bass bonus. The Knockout Round on June 11 will feature a $50,000 big bass bonus, while the Championship Round June 12 will feature a $100,000 big bass bonus, on top of the first prize.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!