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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

  • Sarah Merly is an editorial assistant and reporter for The Apopka Chief. She joined the Chief in May 2025 after graduating from Patrick Henry College's journalism program in Washington, D.C., where she served as the layout editor for her school newspaper. In her spare time, Sarah loves serving her local church, visiting Disney, and throwing parties.

Author

  • Sarah Merly is an editorial assistant and reporter for The Apopka Chief. She joined the Chief in May 2025 after graduating from Patrick Henry College's journalism program in Washington, D.C., where she served as the layout editor for her school newspaper. In her spare time, Sarah loves serving her local church, visiting Disney, and throwing parties.
Ms. Florida Petite 2025 Be Edwards wears her crown in the 2025 Apopka Christmas Parade.
Sarah Merly
December 23, 2025
Sarah Merly is an editorial assistant and reporter for The Apopka Chief. She joined the Chief in May 2025 after graduating from Patrick Henry College's journalism program in Washington, D.C., where she served as the layout editor for her school newspaper. In her spare time, Sarah loves serving her local church, visiting Disney, and throwing…
Volunteers from the Apopka Serves Foundation, Orange Lodge No. 36, and Ignite Church pose at Saturday's Breakfast with Santa.
Sarah Merly
December 22, 2025
Sarah Merly is an editorial assistant and reporter for The Apopka Chief. She joined the Chief in May 2025 after graduating from Patrick Henry College's journalism program in Washington, D.C., where she served as the layout editor for her school newspaper. In her spare time, Sarah loves serving her local church, visiting Disney, and throwing…
Apopka High School engineering students pose with Mayor Bryan Nelson while constructing the New Year's Eve ball in 2023.
Sarah Merly
December 22, 2025
Sarah Merly is an editorial assistant and reporter for The Apopka Chief. She joined the Chief in May 2025 after graduating from Patrick Henry College's journalism program in Washington, D.C., where she served as the layout editor for her school newspaper. In her spare time, Sarah loves serving her local church, visiting Disney, and throwing…
Apopka's first food hall, Hall's on Fifth, opened with a May 14 soft opening at 15 E. Fifth St., in the building of the former Hall's Feed Store.
Sarah Merly
December 17, 2025
Sarah Merly is an editorial assistant and reporter for The Apopka Chief. She joined the Chief in May 2025 after graduating from Patrick Henry College's journalism program in Washington, D.C., where she served as the layout editor for her school newspaper. In her spare time, Sarah loves serving her local church, visiting Disney, and throwing…
Mayor Bryan Nelson cuts the ribbon at O2B Kids' ribbon-cutting ceremony in the playground.
Sarah Merly
December 17, 2025
Sarah Merly is an editorial assistant and reporter for The Apopka Chief. She joined the Chief in May 2025 after graduating from Patrick Henry College's journalism program in Washington, D.C., where she served as the layout editor for her school newspaper. In her spare time, Sarah loves serving her local church, visiting Disney, and throwing…
The Apopka Run Club poses with a DICK'S Sporting Goods check at its Dec. 9 meetup.
Sarah Merly
December 15, 2025
Sarah Merly is an editorial assistant and reporter for The Apopka Chief. She joined the Chief in May 2025 after graduating from Patrick Henry College's journalism program in Washington, D.C., where she served as the layout editor for her school newspaper. In her spare time, Sarah loves serving her local church, visiting Disney, and throwing…
Children perform on the 3D Motion Dance Center float during Saturday's Apopka Christmas Parade.
Sarah Merly
December 13, 2025
Sarah Merly is an editorial assistant and reporter for The Apopka Chief. She joined the Chief in May 2025 after graduating from Patrick Henry College's journalism program in Washington, D.C., where she served as the layout editor for her school newspaper. In her spare time, Sarah loves serving her local church, visiting Disney, and throwing…
ALDI will replace the current Winn-Dixie at Errol Plaza after Winn-Dixie closes in March.
Sarah Merly
December 10, 2025
Sarah Merly is an editorial assistant and reporter for The Apopka Chief. She joined the Chief in May 2025 after graduating from Patrick Henry College's journalism program in Washington, D.C., where she served as the layout editor for her school newspaper. In her spare time, Sarah loves serving her local church, visiting Disney, and throwing…
Catherine Le, aide for Commissioner Christine Moore, and John Latimer Jr. pose with bags for the giveaway.
Sarah Merly
December 9, 2025
Sarah Merly is an editorial assistant and reporter for The Apopka Chief. She joined the Chief in May 2025 after graduating from Patrick Henry College's journalism program in Washington, D.C., where she served as the layout editor for her school newspaper. In her spare time, Sarah loves serving her local church, visiting Disney, and throwing…
Toy drive chairs Yvonne Williams and Van Carter pose with the donated presents.
Sarah Merly
December 9, 2025
Sarah Merly is an editorial assistant and reporter for The Apopka Chief. She joined the Chief in May 2025 after graduating from Patrick Henry College's journalism program in Washington, D.C., where she served as the layout editor for her school newspaper. In her spare time, Sarah loves serving her local church, visiting Disney, and throwing…
Ms. Florida Petite 2025 Be Edwards wears her crown in the 2025 Apopka Christmas Parade.
Apopka pageant queen concludes her reignSarah Merly
Sarah Merly
December 23, 2025
0
Be Edwards looks back on her year as Ms. Florida Petite 2025
Volunteers from the Apopka Serves Foundation, Orange Lodge No. 36, and Ignite Church pose at Saturday's Breakfast with Santa.
Apopka Serves Foundation delivers gifts for 150 children in needSarah Merly
Sarah Merly
December 22, 2025
0
Presents given Saturday at Propagate’s Breakfast with Santa
Apopka High School engineering students pose with Mayor Bryan Nelson while constructing the New Year's Eve ball in 2023.
Fifth Street to host 3rd annual New Year’s Eve ball dropSarah Merly
Sarah Merly
December 22, 2025
0
Ball built by Apopka High engineering students
Apopka's first food hall, Hall's on Fifth, opened with a May 14 soft opening at 15 E. Fifth St., in the building of the former Hall's Feed Store.
Crave BBQ to open at Hall’s on FifthSarah Merly
Sarah Merly
December 17, 2025
0
New vendor to replace Butcher's Nook
Mayor Bryan Nelson cuts the ribbon at O2B Kids' ribbon-cutting ceremony in the playground.
O2B Kids to open Apopka location Jan. 5Sarah Merly
Sarah Merly
December 17, 2025
0
Gainesville-based preschool promotes early childhood development
The Apopka Run Club poses with a DICK'S Sporting Goods check at its Dec. 9 meetup.
Apopka Run Club receives $10K from DICK’S Sporting GoodsSarah Merly
Sarah Merly
December 15, 2025
0
Funds to support local high schoolers in need
Children perform on the 3D Motion Dance Center float during Saturday's Apopka Christmas Parade.
Annual Apopka Christmas Parade draws thousandsSarah Merly
Sarah Merly
December 13, 2025
0
Over 100 individuals, organizations represented
ALDI will replace the current Winn-Dixie at Errol Plaza after Winn-Dixie closes in March.
Errol Plaza Winn-Dixie to close, convert to ALDISarah Merly
Sarah Merly
December 10, 2025
7
ALDI opening date undetermined
Catherine Le, aide for Commissioner Christine Moore, and John Latimer Jr. pose with bags for the giveaway.
John Bridges Center to donate 400 meals in inaugural holiday ham giveawaySarah Merly
Sarah Merly
December 9, 2025
0
Center requesting donations, volunteers
Toy drive chairs Yvonne Williams and Van Carter pose with the donated presents.
Apopka seniors donate Christmas gifts to 131 childrenSarah Merly
Sarah Merly
December 9, 2025
0
Head Start children received gifts from Santa Tuesday