Kathryn Brudzinski

Oviedo Community News • December 27 2024

Community reminisces about shuttered Canterbury Retreat

Former Oviedo City Council member and longtime resident Judith Dolores Smith has always held a special appreciation for what she’s long considered to be a jewel in the city’s urban landscape: the Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center.

VoxPopuli • December 21 2024

7 ways to make your town more bike friendly

As if we hadn’t gotten the memo with Hurricanes Helene and Milton, wildfires in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and the 32 tornados that hit Chicago on a single day in July, the Copernicus Climate Change Service announced in November that it is “virtually certain” that 2024 will go down as the warmest year on record as well as the first year the average global temperature climbed 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels.

Oviedo Community News • October 9 2024

Winter Springs residents come together at sandbag site ahead of Hurricane Milton

Winter Springs residents lined up early Tuesday morning to stock up on sandbags at the city’s self-serve station in Central Winds Park in the face of Hurricane Milton.

Oviedo Community News • August 7 2024

Finally, a smooth road for Boston Hill Cemetery

Longtime Oviedo resident Ida Boston sat on a plastic folding chair facing toward Boston Hill Cemetery the morning of July 27, greeted by a hint of blue sky and sun from behind the clouds in the early morning.

VoxPopuli • September 26 2023

No room at the memorial park

Benjamin Franklin once observed that “nothing is certain except death and taxes.” So what happens when a city cemetery reaches capacity? It expands.

The Charge • April 2 2023

Female professionals discuss entertainment industry with students

On the stage of the UCF theater sat not a group of students performing their latest play but a row of women ready to share their experiences in the entertainment industry.

The Charge • March 27 2023

UCF football alumnus Shaquem Griffin returns for speaking engagement

UCF football alumnus and retired NFL player Shaquem Griffin returned to campus to deliver a keynote speech focusing on the idea to "Never Doubt Yourself" on Tuesday.

The Charge • March 26 2023

Students celebrate start of spring with Rosen Bloom Fest

Students entered the Rosen Courtyard on Wednesday to the sounds of modern-pop classical covers, gardening activities and decorative flowers covering the spring-themed space.

The Charge • March 22 2023

Techniques of Food Preparation class offers student-created tastings

As a team of students emerged from a back kitchen, they held aloft a tray filled with what they'd dubbed "mini brunch burgers" for hungry guests — a dish featuring warm, handmade donuts in lieu of typical burger buns.

The Charge • March 12 2023

UCF alumni gather for National Networking Knight events

UCF alumni across the nation met in multiple cities for the second annual National Networking Knight Thursday evening.

Oviedo Community News • February 15 2023

Fencing academy displaced after Riverside flooding

When Carlos Ablanedo of the D’Alerta Fencing Academy learned that the community center his team used for practice at Oviedo’s Riverside Park had been flooded by stormwater from Hurricane Ian in September, he thought their equipment would be fine.

Oviedo Community News • November 2 2022

Parrot rescue seeks aid after flooding

A cacophony of chirps, squawks, and whistles greet Ellen Sherman as she approaches the barn that once housed a large portion of her rescue parrots. Now, it’s filled with ankle-deep, murky brown stormwater.

Oviedo Community News • December 5 2024

New Winter Springs city manager faces daunting challenge

In the aftermath of its elections, Winter Springs has seen a variety of changes to key city administration posts beyond just its newest commissioners.

VoxPopuli • October 1 2024

Candidate Profile: Carolina Amesty

Incumbent Republican State Rep. Carolina Amesty, 29,  faces Democrat and Amazon executive Leonard Spencer, 53,  in the House District 45 race on Nov. 5. The district includes Oakland, Winter Garden, Windermere, Horizon West and parts of Osceola County. State representatives serve two-year terms and earn $29,697 annually.

VoxPopuli • August 12 2024

Candidate Profile: Judge Tanya Davis Wilson

Judge Tanya Davis Wilson’s legal career began in 1997 as an assistant public defender with the Public Defender’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, in a work area so small she had to turn to the side to walk between her bookcase and desk.

VoxPopuli • August 12 2024

Candidate Profile: Chris Mack

Native Floridian Chris Mack is a seasoned traveler.  He's made his way through Europe, Asia and Central America. But it was a trip to China, nearly 20 years ago, that left an indelible impression. He described censorship in internet cafes where he would go to check his email. He witnessed discrimination against the Falun Gong and Uygher groups for their religious beliefs. He described the society as “remarkably oppressive, shocking.”

VoxPopuli • August 12 2024

Candidate Profile: LaShawnda K. Jackson

LaShawnda K. Jackson, 48, never doubted what she wanted to be when she grew up.

VoxPopuli • August 12 2024

Candidate Profile: Joy Goodyear

Joy Goodyear, 50, has spent nearly 25 years working as an attorney in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office for Orange and Osceola Counties. Now, she’s looking to transition to a new role within the justice system she’s admired since high school — as a judge.

VoxPopuli • August 12 2024

Candidate Profile: Jeff Ashton

Circuit Judge Jeff Ashton, elected to the bench in 2018, is fending off challenges in the Aug. 20 election from Orlando attorney Alicia Peyton and Chris Mack, general counsel and director of legal administration in the Osceola County Clerk & Comptroller's Office, as he seeks a second term on the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Group 15.

VoxPopuli • August 12 2024

Candidate Profile: Jason Willis

Dockworker is not the typical launching pad for a career in the legal profession. But it was during the decade spent working for Southeastern Freight Lines, first on the docks and eventually as dispatch supervisor, that St. Cloud attorney Jason Willis, 44, was able to complete his education and go on to earn his law degree.

VoxPopuli • March 1 2024

Candidate Profile: Ron Mueller

Ron Mueller, 59, has spent the last three years as District 2 Commissioner of Winter Garden. Now, he’s looking to spend the next four continuing to serve, as he states on his campaign website, “a voice of the people” of the city he loves.

Oviedo Community News • October 20 2022

2022 OCN Voter Guide

Co-contributor of candidate profile information.

The Charge • November 15 2021

Subreddit to sweethearts: UCF couple gets engaged after meeting on Reddit

When Isabella Mendoza asked the UCF subreddit for a motorcycle ride in June, she didn’t expect many responses.

The Charge • April 7 2021

UCF legal studies major dedicates herself to social justice

Yiitsodirah Final was twelve-years-old when the shooting of Trayvon Martin left her with a desire for change.