The Apopka Chief Newspaper

Friday, May 17, 2019
HEADLINE NEWS:

OUR POSITION:

We want APD to be the best
The Apopka Chief on having faith in local law enforcement
We hope that the members of the department can move on from this matter and continue to do a great job for this community under the direction of Chief Mike McKinley.

THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY: OPINION & ARTICLES OF INTEREST

HOAs vital tool for citizen safety
By Christine Moore, County Commissioner, District 2
As I drive through downtown Apopka, College Park, and other urban communities, I love seeing poll banners hung along the right-of-way. I also enjoy seeing notices of community events on homeowner message boards and I never miss community events like the Apopka Woman’s Club annual festival. All these things build a sense of place. Learn how Moore hopes to capitalize on this information on page 2A.

School start-time change is complex
By Melissa Byrd, Orange County School Board, District 7
Last week, our board held its first formal discussion on school start times. The research shows unequivocally our high school start times should be later than our current start time of 7:20 a.m., but the hardship this places on families is difficult to ignore. Discover what options are being explored to solve this issue on page 2A.

When presidential candidate’s initials are BS, you know what’s coming
By Richard Corbel, Corbeil’s Corner
Don’t be fooled by his promise of free college tuition. If anything has shot up annually in the last 65 years, it’s college tuitions. Read more on page 2A.

This is Insane
By Patti Bankson, The Way I See It
In March, Nancy Pelosi introduced The Equality Act, adding “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” (SOGI) as protected classes under federal civil rights law. Read more on page 2A.

Letters to the Editor:

Police Beat: STAY INFORMED. Get the details: who, when, and why arrests were made in our community by subscribing to The Apopka Chief today.

• Following an eight-month internal investigation, five officers from the Apopka Police Department who were accused of violating one or more of the department’s policies had at least one violation sustained against them. Read more on the investigation on page 1A.
• Department of Health gearing up to give free immunizations for students in summer. This free immunization event hosted by DOH-Orange has been planned so parents can vaccinate their children and obtain their DH680 form for school. Find out who, what and why on page 3A.
• Male mentoring group for teens meets Mondays. It’s a positive male mentoring group where members learn life and leadership skills while helping build the traits and attributes needed to be successful young men. Details on LYMUS Boys on page 3A.
• Planning Commission OK’s five agenda items. The Apopka Planning Commission recommended approval, 5-0, on all five agenda items at its Tuesday, May 14 meeting. Find out what was on the agenda on page 5A.
• University of Florida vets will help pets after hurricane strikes. Just in time for this year’s hurricane season, the University of Florida Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service, or UF VETS, has a new weapon in its arsenal for disaster response. Find out what support have been received from the Banfield Foundation and PetSmart Charities.
• Vintage singers will perform vocal ensemble at North Orange Library. See more library events including its 30th anniversary on page 1B.
• Visitors to Long and Scott Farm can enjoy a classic car show, outdoor activities and much more at Scott’s Spring Fling. See details on the Spring Fling on page 1B.
• The Avian Reconditioning Center is in need of volunteers for Saturdays. Read more on how you can become a volunteer on page 1B.
• The 2019 mass reunion for Phyllis Wheatley High School will be held June 13-16. Details on this event are on page 1B.
• The Apopka Pregnancy Care Center is holding a fundraiser between now and June 17 called the Baby Bottle Fundraiser. See details on donation information and how this fundraiser will impact the pregnancy center on page 2B.

• The Apopka High School boys basketball program is running its annual Blue Darter Basketball Camp for two weeks in June. See page 4C for information on the basketball camp’s two sessions, dates and details.