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Author

  • 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.
Patsy Whitely-Beckett
OP-ED: Apopka Chief team expandsThe Apopka Chief
JC Derrick
January 16, 2026
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This week marks an incredible milestone for Jim Keck: the 42nd anniversary of his first fishing report in The Apopka Chief. We are grateful for his faithful service over all these…
Voting
OP-ED: Chief aims to foster good political dialogueThe Apopka Chief
JC Derrick
January 2, 2026
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Apopka may not be a sacred temple, but it’s the place we call home — and a mayoral race is upon us. Between now and March 10, The Apopka…
Tiffany Emerson and Dejon Emerson of Soulicious Vegan Kitchen pose behind the tasting table at The Apopka Chief's first member event.
OP-ED: Local news matters more than everThe Apopka Chief
JC Derrick
December 19, 2025
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The Apopka Chief recently held its first-ever membership event this month in the downtown area. The gathering took place at Soulicious Vegan Kitchen at Hall’s on Fifth, where…
Logan Gilbert graduated from Wekiva High School in 2015.
Gilbert puts Mariners on cusp of ALCSThe Apopka Chief
JC Derrick
October 8, 2025
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Wekiva grad fires 6 innings of 1-run ball
Wekiva kickoff
Olympia dominates Wekiva in 2025 Kickoff Classic openerThe Apopka Chief
JC Derrick
August 18, 2025
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Friday’s Kickoff Classic presented a case of sibling rivalry as Wekiva head coach Doug Gabriel faced off against his brother, Olympia head coach Travis Gabriel. In…
An OCPS bus struck a van Friday morning in Apopka.
Apopka school bus crash sends 7 to hospital The Apopka Chief
JC Derrick
August 15, 2025
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Wreck occurred amid bus diversion to middle school.
Scott Garland
Apopka hires Garland as new head baseball coachThe Apopka Chief
JC Derrick
August 14, 2025
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Olympia assistant coach to take reins.
Kids play at the splash pad at Kit Land Nelson Park to beat the heat Tuesday afternoon.
Temperatures soar as Apopka faces extreme heat warning TuesdayThe Apopka Chief
JC Derrick
July 29, 2025
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Apopka is under an Extreme Heat Warning along with the rest of Orange County from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Forecasters anticipate dangerous heat, with temperatures…
Apopka Chief homepage
Chief membership off to quick startThe Apopka Chief
JC Derrick
July 26, 2025
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Big thanks to all of the residents who quickly signed up for our new membership program. We launched on July 17, and within five days, more…
An office building with the number 400 going horizontally down a column. A newspaper vending box stands in front of this column. The words "The Apopka Chief and The Planter" and "Apopka Office Supply" appear on the front window of the office.
Chief launches membership programThe Apopka Chief
JC Derrick
July 17, 2025
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The Apopka Chief’s new free distribution model is designed to promote readership and value for advertisers.We’ve been pleased to hear from members of the community who…