The Apopka Chief Newspaper

Friday, October 18, 2019
HEADLINE NEWS:

OUR POSITION:

It’s possible Democrats could nominate a socialist as candidate
By Dr. Mark W. Hendrickson, Center for Vision & Values
And for what great and noble cause would Dudley want to tank the economy and inflict economic harm on millions of American citizens? His goal, in his words, would be to “affect the political outcome in 2020.”

THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY: OPINION & ARTICLES OF INTEREST

3 concurrent projects take time
Christine Moore, County Commissioner District 2
Now that is not to say my office doesn’t daily prioritize constituent calls, but I have always preferred a project approach to getting things accomplished for my communities.

Many local schools qualify for grants
By Melissa Byrd, Orange County School Board, District 7
I was contacted by the program director for Friends of Children and Families in Orlando. She told me that they have been awarded three grants from the Orange County Citizens’ Commission for Children.

The U.S. could be debt free if this land-eating monster were stopped
By Richard Corbel
After years of debt spending in the $trillions, we simply cannot stop runaway spending, irresponsibility, and violation of the Constitution.

The Way of Fools
Patti Bankson
I had questions, too: Mueller conducted a criminal investigation, but if there was a crime, where’s the evidence? And if there’s evidence, why didn’t he do something about it? Why didn’t he call whatever it is a criminal act?

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.

• City raises ambulance fees to match Orange County’s. The Apopka City Council voted 5-0 at its Wednesday, October 16, meeting to increase rates and charges for the fire department’s ambulance transport that includes basic life support and advanced life support. Find out the reason behind this change. See page 1A.
• Woman’s body is identified through DNA. The second victim of a double homicide has been identified. Detectives are still looking for leads in the double homicide. Read more on page 1A.
• City files suit over sports scoreboards. The city of Apopka filed suit in federal court late last week against the company that erected scoreboards at the city’s baseball and softball fields at the Northwest Recreation Complex. Find out why the City is pursuing a jury trial.
• Pedestrian killed on Park Ave. An Apopka pedestrian was killed Tuesday, October 15, when he was struck by two vehicles as he was standing in the center turn lane on Park Avenue near Nightingale Street. Read more on what happened on page 3A.
• Apopka Christmas Parade is scheduled for December 14. The theme for this year’s Apopka Christmas Parade will be “Christmas Memories” and the event is once again sponsored by the Foliage Sertoma Club of Apopka. Get more details on the upcoming pageant on page 4A.
• The public is welcome to attend a meeting where a long-term action plan for South Apopka will be discussed. The Connect Apopka meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m. Get more details on page 5A.
• County transportation town hall meeting set for Dec. 5. A town hall meeting about transportation issues in Orange County will be hosted by County Mayor Jerry Demings and District 2 County Commissioner Christine Moore. For more specific information on the meeting see page 6A.
• City Council has several issues at October 16 meeting. See page 7A to read about expenses, final development plans, sanitation trucks, dispatch services, purchase orders and more.
• Veterans will be honored with November 11 city event. The community will recognize veterans with a Veterans Day event unlike any other: offering them employment opportunities with local businesses. Get more details on page 9A.
• There is no first-year earnings exemption for Social Security. I retired from work this year (age 62) and I received my first social security benefits in September. Is there a special rule for the first year you retire that allows you to not pay taxes on your social security since you have earned no other income since you retired? Read the response to this question on page 9A.
• Softball tournament will benefit self-rescue swimming classes. The second annual Live for Brie Softball Tournament will raise money to benefit the Live for Brie Foundation, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for self-rescue swimming classes for children of low-income families. Learn more about this event on page 1B.
• Church will have Homecoming. First Baptist Church of Tangerine will be celebrating its 55th Homecoming on Sunday, October 27, at 6551 Sadler Road, Mt. Dora, at the corner of U.S. Highway 441. The community is invited to join in the homecoming celebration, read more on page 2B.
• Program seeks to help community. The Apopka Seventh-day Adventist Church on Votaw Road has initiated a new program designed to respond to needs in the community and help meet those needs. Read about how this church hopes to accomplish these services on page 4B.
• FUMC Bazaar themed ‘The Christmas Marketplace’. The First United Methodist Church Apopka Ladies are busy putting the final touches to all the creative handmade items to be sold at the annual Christmas Bazaar in the fellowship hall at the church, 201 S. Park Avenue, Apopka. Discover more information on this annual event on page 4B.

Mustangs take week off to heal and rest
The Wekiva Mustangs have had to wait eight contests for the open date.

RPI numbers continue to look good for Apopka, Wekiva
Peery’s Extra Points, John Peery
The new RPI rankings are out and Apopka is up one spot, while Wekiva stayed the same.