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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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Author

  • Ronnie Lovler

    Ronnie Lovler has 40 years of experience in journalism, including assignments all over Latin America for CNN and CBS. Ronnie teaches journalism at UF and public speaking at Santa Fe College. She was a recent fellow in the Gerontological Society of America’s Journalists in Aging Fellows Program and a previous Knight International Journalism Fellow in Bogota, Colombia. She is an editor and contributor for the book titled, Local Lives in a Global Pandemic: Stories from North Central Florida and a contributing author to the anthology Alone Together: Tales of Sisterhood and Solitude in Latin America. She began her career in journalism at the San Juan Star in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ronnie resides in Gainesville and loves to travel.

Mayor Bryan Nelson
The Apopka Chief
April 10, 2026
Our strategic plan will align our vision, mission and core values with goals that can be measured. With general revenues and expenses just crossing the $100 million mark, we…
Jim Keck
The Apopka Chief
April 9, 2026
We’re finally gettin’ some rain this week, and I just want to thank all of you for your prayers. The rain will not only help our lakes, but…
Jake Vest
The Apopka Chief
April 9, 2026
When Apollo 8 circled the Moon in 1968, it was a big deal, as it is this time with Artemis. Sending humans that far out into space is an incredible achievement, the sort…
Melissa Byrd
The Apopka Chief
April 7, 2026
As I have shared before, keeping up with maintenance on more than 220 buildings is a big job. I think OCPS does a pretty good job of doing it. Thanks…
Representative Doug Bankson
The Apopka Chief
April 3, 2026
Over the last few decades, the biking industry has seen a rise in the use of electric bicycles (also referred to as e-bikes). In the Central Florida…
Jim Keck
The Apopka Chief
April 3, 2026
Folks, we really need rain, so keep those prayers goin' for two to three more inches of rain. The fishin' is still doin' real good in most of the lakes and rivers in our area, and the shellcrackers should start bitin' real soon.
Mayor Bryan Nelson
The Apopka Chief
April 3, 2026
As we close out March of 2026, I would like to take this column to thank all the men and women who helped to achieve our…
Jake Vest
The Apopka Chief
April 1, 2026
It’s a shame people don’t pay with money anymore. All of the tapping, sliding and electro-zapping instead of exchanging cash and change has robbed me of a cherished fantasy in the express lane.
Mayor Bryan Nelson
The Apopka Chief
March 27, 2026
As I finish my term as mayor, there has been a lot of discussion about the budget process and the financial position of the city. When I first…
Jim Keck
The Apopka Chief
March 26, 2026
The specks’re still bitin' in Lake Kissimmee around the pads and the reeds, and folks’re gettin' their limits with just about every trip out. From the reports I’m gettin', some folks’re catchin’ a few shellcrackers, too. 
Middle school mentoring program growsThe Apopka Chief
April 25, 2025
By Marshall Tempest Reporter Over 12 years of teaching and coaching at Apopka Memorial Middle School (AMMS), Mel Bolden saw a need with the young people…
Jim Keck Goin' Fishin'
The best action has been around the padsThe Apopka Chief
April 25, 2025
Hello Folks, I hope everyone is enjoy- in’ this weather and y’all are gettin’ out and catchin’ some fish. I’m gettin’ reports that folks are still…
Keep your trees healthy and property safe with Maltby’s Tree Service and LandscapingThe Apopka Chief
April 25, 2025
Most Florida home and business owners are familiar with the damage that can come from severe storms.  If not, it is important to brush up on…
Apopka football preps for spring gameThe Apopka Chief
April 24, 2025
By Marshall Tempest Reporter We are just a month away from seeing the new look of the Apopka Blue Darter football team during the spring football…
Wekiva faces Innovation before district tournamentThe Apopka Chief
April 24, 2025
By Marshall Tempest Reporter The Wekiva boys volleyball team has a 3-9 record this season with just one win in their last six games, a 3-2…
A group of baseball players lay along the fall ball netting, watching a teammate at the plate.
Apopka baseball poised for great 2026 seasonThe Apopka Chief
April 18, 2025
By Marshall Tempest  Reporter    The Blue Darter Baseball team's 2025 season ended this week when they fell in the second round of the 7A District 4…
Softball team honors teachers, Faison familyThe Apopka Chief
April 18, 2025
By Marshall Tempest Reporter This week was emotional for the Apopka softball team. They honored select teachers from Apopka High School during teacher appreciation day and…
Graceworx Community Church to Host Mini Concert as Part of Its Easter CelebrationThe Apopka Chief
April 18, 2025
The public is invited to come hear world-renowned, locally based, singer and recording artist Charles Haugabrooks present a 30-minute Easter-themed mini concert as part of the…
Jim Keck Goin' Fishin'
Bass fishin’ is still goin’ strong in most lakesThe Apopka Chief
April 18, 2025
Durin’ your time of reflection and prayer this week, I hope you have a chance to appreciate how blessed we are to live in the United…
Apopka softball extends win streak to 7 gamesThe Apopka Chief
April 17, 2025
By Marshall Tempest Reporter The Apopka softball team went 3-0 and shut out three straight opponents this week, bringing them to nine wins in their last…