A heated exchange between Mayor Nick Nesta and Commissioner Nadia Anderson preceded a unanimous vote to suspend commissioner discretionary spending Wednesday. The decision followed competing proposals to tighten event spending rules or redirect attention toward infrastructure and the financial implications of Amendment 3.
Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta says Apopka must stop accepting delayed projects and postponed repairs as normal. In this op/ed, he outlines a commitment to clear priorities, fair treatment of employees, and honest reporting on his administration’s progress.
Byron Donalds will enter the governor’s office facing consequential decisions about local government funding, school vaccination requirements and education spending. This analysis examines how his campaign promises could shape Florida policy and where a changed Legislature could complicate his plans.
Kamia Brown unseated Mike Crabb on the Orange County Commission District 2, while Jarod Fox defeated Doug Bankson to claim the District 39 Florida House seat. Voters also elected Tiffany Moore Russell as county mayor, Roberta Walton Johnson as clerk of courts, and Joe Strada to Congress.
The Apopka City Commission will review its discretionary funds policy and consider reimbursing the Recreation Department for $8,344.32 in Heart & Soul Fest expenses. The Nov. 4 meeting also includes traffic safety grants, Christmas parade street closures and a proposed firefighter retirement plan amendment.
Apopka’s Development Review Committee will consider a K-8 charter school plat, proposed Ridgebrooke subdivision changes and an amenity park at Crossroads at Kelly Park on Nov. 4. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the City Hall Commission Chambers.
The Foundation for OCPS has received a $400,000 grant from the Florida Blue Foundation to strengthen school-based food pantries and expand access to nutritious food. The funding will support students and families facing food insecurity throughout Orange County Public Schools.
A job can provide purpose, structure, and independence, but people with developmental disabilities often face barriers to employment. In this guest opinion, Quest Inc. President and CEO John Gill outlines how businesses, families, and community members can help create opportunities.
Three development applications need additional work after the Apopka Development Review Committee recommended denial during its Oct. 28 meeting. A fourth application, a future land use amendment for recently annexed property on Clark Connelly Road, received a recommendation for approval.
Apopka is accepting applications for a vacant Planning Commission seat following former Chairman William Gusler’s June resignation amid disagreements over the board’s role in managing growth. City residents interested in helping review development proposals and guide land-use policy have until November 6 to apply.
The Farmworker Association of Florida invites the community to a family-style dinner featuring harvests from its gardens on Friday at the Apopka Community Center. The evening will also include live entertainment, a raffle, an auction, and a market of local makers. Tickets are still available.
Floridians shopping for 2027 health insurance face higher premiums and difficult decisions about what coverage they can afford. Twelve insurers offer plans through HealthCare.gov, where eligible consumers can receive subsidies to lower monthly premiums.
Florida health officials are considering removing four vaccination requirements for school and childcare entry. Epidemiologist Katrine L. Wallace explains the diseases these vaccines prevent and why declining vaccination rates could put more children at risk.
Orange County Mosquito Control plans aerial mosquito spraying over parts of Apopka and Pine Hills beginning around 7 pm Friday, October 30. Residents may see low-flying aircraft and should monitor official county communications for weather-related schedule changes.
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Floridians comparing health coverage for 2027 should confirm that their doctors are in-network and their prescriptions are covered. Experts also recommend starting early and weighing deductibles, copays, and coinsurance alongside monthly premiums.
The Mammolink Mammography bus will visit Apopka on October 29 to provide free or low-cost breast cancer screenings for eligible women. The mobile unit will be at the Community Health Center, 225 E. Seventh St., from 8 am to 4 pm.
The annual Peanut Butter Challenge is collecting donations to stock local food pantries, and Orange County hopes to expand its impact after winning last year’s competition. Residents can donate sealed, unexpired peanut butter at participating Extension offices during October, with collections continuing into November in some counties.
Country music star Tyler Hubbard will headline K92.3’s fifth annual Jingle Jam at the Apopka Amphitheater on Sunday, Dec. 6. Presented by Attorney Dan Newlin, the holiday concert features six acts, with general admission tickets starting at $25 plus a ticketing fee.
Orange County voters had cast 324,443 early and mail ballots as of late Monday morning, including 19,542 early in-person ballots at two Apopka-area locations. Registered Democrats accounted for the largest share countywide, but participation by party registration does not reveal which candidates voters supported.
The Apopka Police Department has earned its third state reaccreditation, marking its first renewal under Chief Lovetta Quinn-Henry. Vice Mayor Diane Velazquez and Commissioner Sam Ruth praised the achievement and emphasized the importance of professional policing and public trust.
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Apopka police reported fraud, burglary, weapons, battery and drug arrests during the week of Oct. 18–24. The department also logged 1,624 calls for service, 44 crashes and 74 citations.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has designated John Anderson’s “Seminole Wind” as Florida’s official anthem, honoring the Apopka native who died Oct. 21 at age 71. His executive order also directs state officials to establish historic markers in Apopka and rename Lake Apopka’s wildlife drive and trail system in Anderson’s memory.
Orange County School Board members reviewed initial student assessment results and campus micromobility enforcement during their Oct. 27 work session. Approximately 1,150 devices are registered at district high schools, with repeated violations potentially leading to confiscation and loss of campus privileges.
Maribel Brinkle welcomes the vision presented in Building Downtown Apopka but argues that the city cannot afford to spend another seven years planning its future. She calls for immediate economic-development leadership and consideration of a proposed downtown museum complex designed to generate activity and revenue.
Apopka should use the CRA’s proposed seven-year extension to plan and pursue a transformative civic complex without placing it ahead of urgent public-safety projects. A modern library, events center, history center, and civic plaza could become the defining destination, connecting downtown’s existing investments and encouraging private development.
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Cities near Apopka’s size have transformed their downtowns by concentrating public resources around distinctive parks, cultural facilities, and civic destinations. Their experiences show that Apopka must move beyond disconnected improvements and decide what kind of downtown it intends to create.
Quizlet reports that research shows self-testing improves memory retention more than rereading materials, despite students feeling more confident when rereading.
Intuit TurboTax reports energy-saving tips for winter after Daylight Saving Time, including bundling up, using space heaters, and sealing drafts.
(BPT) - Fall is arguably one of the best seasons for running. The crisp, cool air brings runners a much-needed reprieve after a summer of sweaty miles and serves as a reminder to make the most of the …
Houzz reports on four retro-inspired room designs blending past styles with modern touches, showcasing 1920s Art Deco, 1950s charm, 1960s Space Age, and vibrant 1990s aesthetics.
