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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

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  • Melissa Byrd Profile

    Melissa Byrd represents District 7 on the Orange County School Board. She has previously taught at Forest City Elementary and Pace Brantley Hall School, served as PTSA vice president and chair of the School Advisory Council at Piedmont Lakes Middle, and volunteered at Clay Springs Elementary.

The Apopka Chief
December 17, 2021
Bill Cowles stands with Emma Johnson (l), who planned to register to vote that day. Shown with them are Apopka High teachers Pam Speranza and Paul…
The Apopka Chief
December 17, 2021
On Wednesday, December 15, members of the Apopka High’s Student Government Association, under the leadership of President Olivia Siemoneit, delivered presents to all the pre-K and…
The Apopka Chief
December 17, 2021
Apopka-based Hope CommUnity Center has been awarded a Bank of America 2021 Neighborhood Builder Award. Each Neighborhood Builder receives $200,000 in flexible funding over two years,…
The Apopka Chief
December 17, 2021
The 2022 Apopka city election is officially scheduled. Thanks to a pair of mayoral proclamations as well as a resolution passed by the City Council on…
The Apopka Chief
December 17, 2021
Homeowners and business owners are affected because state law requires that the city notify each property owner…
The Apopka Chief
December 17, 2021
The Apopka Blue Darters football team, led by coach Jeff Rolson, will play Saturday, December 18, at 1 p.m. for the Class 8A state championship in…
The Apopka Chief
December 17, 2021
Some of Santa’s helpers wave to the crowd Saturday, December 11, during the annual Apopka Christmas Parade. Once again, warm weather greeted the thousands of local…
Jim Keck Goin' Fishin'
The Apopka Chief
December 17, 2021
Hello Folks, Do you realize that we are only a few days away from Christmas? This is a great time of the year with all the decorations,…
The Apopka Chief
December 17, 2021
It’s time for college football teams to go bowling and while some of them may actually roll a bowling ball, I’m talking about college football bowl…
The Apopka Chief
December 17, 2021
Playing high school football in mid-December in a state championship game is not the usual activity for most high school teams. Read more on page 4B.
Apopka youth football team wins age division national championshipThe Apopka Chief
December 11, 2020
The Apopka Pop Warner 12U youth football team won the national championship against the Weston Warriors.  Read more on 1B.
Apopka girls basketball plays W. Orange to OTThe Apopka Chief
December 11, 2020
Savannah McAfee saves a ball before it lands out of bounds. See more on 5B.
Apopka uses defense to topple Lake MaryThe Apopka Chief
December 11, 2020
Prior to its Region 8A-2 championship game against Lake Mary on Friday, December 4, the Apopka Blue Darters have found themselves on the wrong side of…
Masons donate turkeysThe Apopka Chief
December 11, 2020
Masons from Orange Lodge 36 F&AM donated turkeys for Thanksgiving that were given at First Baptist Church of Apopka.
A jog on a frosty morningThe Apopka Chief
December 11, 2020
A man runs along Errol Parkway just after sunrise on Wednesday, December 9, as the temperature dropped to the upper 30s in much of the area.…
Apopka Planning Commission gives OK to new school planThe Apopka Chief
December 11, 2020
The Apopka Planning Commission voted 5-1 to recommend approval for a major development plan outlining a new 141,952 square-foot K-8 school to be located just north…
Tree lightingThe Apopka Chief
December 11, 2020
The lighting of the Christmas tree at Kit Land Nelson Park was held.
Several projects working their way through cityThe Apopka Chief
December 11, 2020
Phase 1 of the proposed Floridian Town Center just west of the Wekiva Parkway and north of U.S. Highway 441. Read more on 1A.
Jim Keck Goin' Fishin'
Cooler weather has slowed bass fishin’The Apopka Chief
December 11, 2020
Hello Folks, I’m sure everyone has noticed that we have had a slight weather change. Yep, winter has arrived in Central Florida just in time for…
Velazquez returns to City Council with win over BaronThe Apopka Chief
December 11, 2020
Diane Velazquez is headed back to the Apopka City Council. In the Tuesday, December 8, runoff election for Seat 2 on the Apopka City Council, Velazquez…