The Apopka Chief

09/12/2025

“Our hope is that through the acts of darkness and evil that were perpetrated that day, the people would be drawn to the light of Your love,” John Fisher said. “We know that You desire to redeem all Your creation, and we trust that beauty will continue to come from the ashes of our nation’s darkest day.”

At a ceremony commemorating Sept. 11, Fisher, head pastor of First Methodist Church Apopka, spoke to a crowd gathered near a 9/11 memorial in front of Apopka City Hall. Fisher prayed for “our nation’s first responders who still stand ready to serve and protect,” asking God to “give them the urge to answer the call of duty each and every day.”

Ceremony commemorated 24 years since the Twin Tower attack

09/11/2025

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive to temporarily close Sept. 12-14 for construction.

To finish slope-stabilization work along sections of the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) will temporarily shut down the drive […]

09/11/2025

UPDATE, Sept. 11: "On September 11, 2025, Savannah Singer was located safe in Winter Garden. Thank you for sharing with the community and helping us locate Savannah," Apopka police said in a statement.

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Police have put out an alert for an Apopka teen who left the area Wednesday night on foot and is considered “missing and endangered.”

Savannah Singer, a 14-year-old white female, was previously seen at 9:25 p.m. in the area of Emerald Springs Drive and Sabastian Springs Lane in Apopka. The area described is in the San Sebastian Reserve subdivision along Rock Springs Road.

Police have put out an alert for an Apopka teen who left the area Wednesday night on foot and is considered “missing and endangered.”   Savannah Singer, […]

09/11/2025

Though no formal vote took place, the Apopka City Council agreed at a Sept. 9 special meeting to increase the water, wastewater, and reclaimed services rates by the proposed 15.5% in 2026. https://theapopkachief.com/apopka-city-council-water-rate-increase-2026/

09/11/2025

The city of Apopka announced this week the relaunch of its Community Redevelopment Agency initiative the Residential Renovation Assistance Program with a total of $900,000 in funding.

The city of Apopka announced this week the relaunch of its Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) initiative the Residential Renovation Assistance Program (RRAP) with a total of […]

09/11/2025

“I believe in learning from those doing things well,” Commissioner Christine Moore said in her latest op-ed. “It is aspirational to visit another successful city.”

I believe in learning from those doing things well. It is aspirational to visit another successful city. For towns the size of Apopka, it is relatively easy to get vision from nearby cities such as DeLand, Mt. Dora, Winter Garden, Winter Park, St. Cloud, Sanford, and Kissimmee.

09/10/2025

“As we finalize our budgets, I am happy to report that the city of Apopka is the only municipality to reduce its ad valorem (property tax) in the Central Florida area,” Mayor Bryan Nelson said in his latest op-ed. “If you live in the city, you have six lines on your property tax bill, including State School, Local School, General County, Apopka (City), Library, St. Johns River Water Management District and Stormwater. You might also have an MSBU, which pays for your neighborhood’s street lights and retention pond maintenance.”

As we finalize our budgets, I am happy to report that the city of Apopka is the only municipality to reduce its ad valorem (property tax) in the Central Florida area.

09/10/2025

Apopka Murals has announced plans to complete three new murals by the end of the month.

“Apopka Murals is continuing its mission to transform blank walls into vibrant reflections of our community, culture, and creativity,” Apopka Murals said in an Instagram post. “Through our ongoing Downtown Art Walk project we keep Painting It Forward, in collaboration with the Creative Hub of Apopka and Central Florida Tang Soo Doo, we’re turning public spaces into public pride.”

Murals will decorate the side of local karate center

09/09/2025

An audit of the city’s pension plans has revealed both overpayments and underpayments to retirees due to misalignment with plan documents and legal requirements. https://theapopkachief.com/audit-citys-pension-plans-find-miscalculations/

09/09/2025

“From the cradle to college, OCPS is on a roll of great results,” Melissa Byrd said in her most recent op-ed. “With all the choices parents are offered in education today, it’s easy to overlook the tremendous opportunities that are offered locally in our free public education system.”

From the cradle to college, OCPS is on a roll of great results. With all the choices parents are offered in education today, it’s easy to overlook the tremendous opportunities that are offered locally in our free public education system.

09/09/2025

Sonny’s BBQ Apopka recently celebrated Soldiers’ Angels and the 34th anniversary of VetFran with a luncheon.

“It was inspiring to see how many of the volunteers are veterans themselves—or connected through family—and to feel that shared bond in the room,” VetFran said in a LinkedIn post.

Restaurant surprises volunteer with a Random Act of BBQ

09/08/2025

Winn-Dixie Apopka celebrated the supermarket chain’s 100th anniversary with a giveaway- and cake-filled birthday bash Friday at its new location on Main Street.

“For generations, we’ve been a trusted part of family dinners, holiday gatherings and everyday moments that matter most,” said Anthony Hucker, chairman and CEO for Winn-Dixie parent company Southeastern Grocers, in a Sept. 3 press release. “As we celebrate our centennial, we honor our lasting legacy of serving our neighbors with quality and value and look ahead with a renewed commitment to empowering people to feed and enrich our communities as we carry Winn-Dixie into the next century.”

Birthday celebration continues this week