The Apopka Chief

10/17/2025

Paradise Jamaican Restaurant and Pizza officially opened Friday at 452 N. Park Ave.

“I want to have [a] relationship, like a community relationship with people that come in here,” co-owner Alison “Laurie” Williamson said in an interview with The Apopka Chief. “We bond together. We show that there is no — there’s no black, there’s no white.”

Family-owned restaurant offers jerk chicken and more next to Maters and Taters

10/17/2025

Incumbent Mayor Bryan Nelson out-raised challenger Christine Moore in contributions for the third quarter, but the Orange County District 2 commissioner collected more contributions than Nelson throughout their respective mayoral campaigns. https://theapopkachief.com/nelson-edges-moore-in-q3-cash-dash-aungst-sticks-to-self-funding-pledge/

10/17/2025

The Apopka City Council took up commissioner pay on Wednesday, reviewing factors such as per capita rate, health care costs, and a clear definition of the commissioners’ role and responsibilities. https://theapopkachief.com/per-capita-health-care-considered-as-factors-for-apopka-commissioners-pay/

10/16/2025

The Best of Apopka certificates have arrived! Community businesses like Cafe Verona Apopka and St.Germain Chiropractic know the value of 🥇. Winning businesses, please arrange to pick up your certificate with your Apopka Chief media advisor.

10/16/2025

The Apopka City Council took a step Wednesday toward bringing potential sweeping changes to City Hall, voting unanimously to put eight city charter amendments before voters in a referendum.

The Apopka City Council took a step Wednesday toward bringing potential sweeping changes to City Hall, voting unanimously to put eight city charter amendments before voters in a referendum. The […]

10/16/2025

“In July, President Trump issued an executive order titled ‘Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets,’” Commissioner Christine Moore said in her latest op-ed. “This order ends support for ‘housing first’ policies. It prefers programs which exclusively house women and children and encampment removal efforts. The impacts to local governmental funding and existing programs are unknown at this time.”

In July, President Trump issued an executive order titled “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets.” This order ends support for “housing first” policies. It prefers programs which exclusively house women and children and encampment removal efforts. The impacts to local governmental...

10/15/2025

The Planning Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday to grant a special exception for the construction of a 6,436-square-foot downtown Apopka mosque. https://theapopkachief.com/planning-commission-okays-downtown-apopka-mosque-construction/

10/15/2025

Piedmont Lakes Middle School will host a time capsule opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 23 in the school gymnasium.

Principal James Montgomery said the capsule was developed by the class of 2000 as a celebration of the Millennium. Montgomery will introduce the ceremony and lead a presentation of alumni athletes.

Capsule developed by class of 2000

10/15/2025

“The city’s Residential Renovation Assistance Program continues to make a meaningful difference for homeowners across the community,” Bryan Nelson said in his recent op-ed. “Since launching, the program has received 118 inquiries, reflecting strong local interest in improving neighborhood housing conditions and enhancing overall curb appeal.”

The city’s Residential Renovation Assistance Program continues to make a meaningful difference for homeowners across the community. Since launching, the program has received 118 inquiries, reflecting strong local interest in improving neighborhood housing conditions and enhancing overall curb appe...

10/15/2025

The votes for the newly resurrected Best of Apopka Reader’s Choice Awards have arrived — and through them, the year’s official ranking of Apopka’s finest burgers.

Culver’s won the best burger category, followed by Rock Springs Bar and Grill, and Chili’s. Two runners-up, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and The Backroom Steakhouse, also made the list of the top five spots to find a great burger.

The Apopka Chief also used Yelp, Google reviews and staff knowledge to compile this list of perfect patties. Thank you for supporting your community with your votes!

Culver's wins first for burgers in Best of Apopka contest

10/14/2025

From garden tours and gardening classes to tips to learn as a first-time homebuyer, the UF/IFAS Extension Orange County is offering an assortment of programs during November.

10/13/2025

Trans-Siberian Orchestra string master Mark Wood partnered with over 200 local middle school and high school students to perform a rock orchestra concert Saturday at Wekiva High School.

“I am so grateful to be invited to work with this talent,” Wood said. “It’s so important for everybody to be involved in empowering the future.”

Wood, the Julliard-trained inventor of the Viper electric violin, has previously partnered with OCPS four times as part of his Electrify Your Symphony program. The program’s tour, Rhythm Rising, stops at grade schools across the country to perform with local orchestra students. This year’s stop at Wekiva High School also featured students from Windermere High School, Cypress Creek High School, and Hunter’s Creek Middle School.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra string master Mark Wood joined over 200 students onstage