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It's Debate Day! Stream the 2026 Apopka Mayoral Debate. Visit WESH.com to watch the live stream starting at 5:30PMIt's Debate Day! Stream the 2026 Apopka Mayoral Debate. Visit WESH.com to watch the live stream starting at 5:30PM

Author

  • JC Derrick

    J.C. Derrick is publisher for The Apopka Chief. He spent 18 years covering sports, education, and politics in Texas and Washington, D.C., before joining The Apopka Chief in 2025. J.C. is a member of the Florida Press Association Board of Directors.

Florida voters approved Amendment 3, which was placed on the ballot by the state Legislature.
Florida voters approve Amendment 3
November 3, 2026
Result casts uncertainty on local government budgets.
J.C. Derrick
OP-ED: Increasing costs put squeeze on local news
October 29, 2026
As the 2026 election arrives, affordability is a major campaign issue. From gasoline to health insurance to tomatoes, increasing costs are putting pressure on every American. Unfortunately,…
Jim Keck
To catch fish at first light, use topwater bait along shoreline grass 
October 29, 2026
Hello Folks, It was a little tough out there this past weekend. The wind was just brutal on our lakes, and it kept a lot of folks…
Jake Vest
OP-ED: Stand up and holler about this two-bit penalty
October 27, 2026
My vote for attorney general will go to whichever candidate pledges to decriminalize “the flinch.”   An offensive lineman, a guy who weighs in at close to…
Ya'Terrius Jackson looks for running room Friday night against West Orange.
Wekiva suffers first loss in 59-6 rout against West Orange
September 5, 2026
Coach says some players had to sit due to discipline issues.
Labor Day
Holiday History: Labor Day commemorates historic struggle for employment safety, rights
September 4, 2026
Holiday honors tradition dating to 1882
Mayor Nick Nesta
OP-ED: Employees play crucial role in city’s success
September 3, 2026
Last week, I shared with you some of the work taking place during our hiring pause and why reorganizing the City of Apopka is so important…
Jim Keck
Fish continue to bite as anglers look to fall season
September 3, 2026
Hello Folks, As I write my column today, we are three weeks away from fall. I can hardly wait any longer for some cooler weather! I…
Jake Vest
OP-ED: To get heroes, the paychecks need zeroes
September 3, 2026
While looking at a somewhat disappointing selection of New York strip steaks, my thoughts naturally turned toward college football.   What if big-time coaches did their own grocery shopping?
Mayor Nick Nesta
OP-ED: Strategic plan, org chart go hand-in-hand
August 28, 2026
Over the last several months, I have spent a great deal of time reviewing our 2026–2031 Strategic Plan, meeting with employees and department leaders, and taking…
Mayor Nick Nesta
OP-ED: New culture greets a growing Apopka The Apopka Chief
June 4, 2026
By Mayor Nick Nesta  Apopka has always been a city built on hard work, community and opportunity. What began as a small agricultural town has grown into one…
The Apopka Woman’s Club’s “Lilo and Stitch” themed booth was awarded Best Decorated Booth at this year’s annual Apopka Halloween in the Park event on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Over 50 groups joined in Halloween in the Park The Apopka Chief
October 30, 2025
The annual tradition of the  Apopka Parks and Recreation Department’s Halloween in the Park event was one of the biggest in city history on Saturday, Oct. 25 at…
Jim Keck
“Fishing slows in approach to Labor Day–so should you”The Apopka Chief
August 29, 2025
By Jim Keck Hello Folks, Well, we made it home from vacation. We visited friends and family in Tennessee and Virginia. It was just as hot…
Jim Keck
August brings more than football – its National Fishing MonthThe Apopka Chief
August 8, 2025
Hello Folks, Welcome to August. This month is National Fishing Month. August is one month from gettin’ us closer to some cooler days. It’s been a…
Jim Keck
Panzironi and Bak win ABA Bass Series TournamentThe Apopka Chief
August 1, 2025
Hello Folks, I hope you’re enjoyin’ your summer and stayin’ cool. It must be because I’m gettin’ older, but this year it’s really been hot, and…
Jim Keck
ICAST held annual convention on Orlando last week The Apopka Chief
July 25, 2025
Hello Folks,  We are in the dog days of summer, but the fishin’ isn’t too bad for most folks.   Folks’re gettin’ on the water real early…
Jim Keck Goin' Fishin'
Fish in Apopka area lakes are biting! The Apopka Chief
July 18, 2025
Hello Folks,  I hope everyone had a great weekend, and, hope- fully, you got a chance to do some fishin’. We have some rain comin’ in…
A group of women gather together and smiling. In the background is a castle.
Aging Matters: Study shows more older, married women traveling aloneThe Apopka Chief
July 11, 2025
By Ronnie Lovler Connie Combs, 78, is a retired schoolteacher and an inveterate traveler. She took frequent trips with her husband, Gerry Combs, primarily within the…
Jim Keck Goin' Fishin'
Rodman Reservoir survives after DeSantis veto The Apopka Chief
July 10, 2025
Hello Folks,   I hope you had a great 4th of July weekend and you got a chance to enjoy our waterways and maybe do a little…
Jim Keck Goin' Fishin'
FWC undertaking restoration effort for native plantsThe Apopka Chief
July 4, 2025
Hello Folks, Happy 4th of July, and Happy Birthday to America! We will be 249 years old this year. I hope everyone has a great weekend…