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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

  • 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.

Christopher Lenahan is an engineer with the Apopka Fire Department.
For Christopher Lenahan, firefighting is a career of service
September 11, 2026
Firefighter uncle killed three months before 9/11
Vice Mayor Diane Velazquez places her hand on a panel from one of the Twin Towers.
Velazquez family remembers 9/11, City Hall memorial
September 11, 2026
Ed Velazquez served as volunteer first responder after terrorist attack
9/11
OP-ED: May we always remember 9/11
September 11, 2026
We’ve just crossed a major milestone in our current American history. It has now been 25 years since that fateful Tuesday morning in 2001, when Americans came…
Representative Doug Bankson
OP-ED: Let’s talk FAFSA: Has your student completed theirs?
September 10, 2026
Now that the fall season is quickly approaching this month (and hopefully the temperatures will catch on soon), parents, teachers, and school personnel can exhale following the busy back-to-school season…
police beat logo
Police Beat: Apopka police arrest 16, issue 130 citations Aug. 30-Sept. 5
In the period from August 30-September 5, 2026, the Apopka Police Department received 1,723 calls for service, responded to 36 crashes, issued 130 citations, and made 16 arrests.
Oysters
We’re back in the “R” months; we can eat oysters again
September 10, 2026
We are back in the “R” months; we can have oysters again! In her book titled Gullah Geechee Home Cooking, Mrs. Emily Meggett says, “Frying Seafood can be a tricky…
Jim Keck
Speck season to start when water cools down
September 10, 2026
Hello Folks,  Just a reminder that today, Sept. 11, 2026, is Patriot’s Day, marking the 25th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks when we lost almost…
The contest is open to Apopka-area teen girls.
NORWF opens patriotic essay contest
First-place winner to receive $300
Jake Vest
OP-ED: The skies are friendlier, but it is a pain to get there
September 10, 2026
Everything about air travel used to be grand and exciting — except the flying.  Admittedly, I got off to a bad start on Trip One, bouncing through a Louisiana thunderstorm…
City Public Works Director Vladimir Simonovski
Apopka City Commission increases water, sanitation rates 
September 3, 2026
Rate increase resolutions generate Golden Gem, water pressure discussions.
Kamia Brown speaks at the June 19 Hope CommUnity Center forum.
Apopka’s first Orange County election forum draws crowdSarah Merly
June 19, 2026
Mayoral, District 2 candidates discuss affordability, housing, immigration
Wyld Oaks will sit at the intersection of SR 429 and Kelly Park Road.
Wyld Oaks announces luxury apartment complex partnerSarah Merly
June 18, 2026
Dewfall Hathaway set to begin construction of 325-unit complex this summer
From left to right: legal clerk Lesbia Toruño, Mainstreet Daily News community partnership manager Janalyn Peppel, and Joey Ricketson pose for the camera.
Longtime Chief staffer dies of liver cancerSarah Merly
June 17, 2026
Joseph Ricketson, former publisher’s son, served for 25 years
Reverend Gerard Moss of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church delivers the eulogy for Specialist Mariyah Collington.
Apopka gathers to honor fallen soldierSarah Merly
June 17, 2026
Mariyah Collington was a member of St. Paul AME in Apopka.
Build your imagination at Lowe's and Home Depot before school starts.
Family summer break activities on tap around Apopka Sarah Merly
May 29, 2026
Local opportunities for families to grow closer together abound.
Four honorees honored Lorena Potter with the Woman of the Year distinction. From left to right_Trudy Weiss, Geri Unrue, Lorena Potter, Bev Winesburgh and Bobbie Dougherty, with club president Diane Harrison in the background.
Apopka Woman’s Club announces Woman of the YearSarah Merly
May 27, 2026
Lorena Potter honored for club involvement, community impact
Christopher Alexander Delgado was arrested in February for allegedly running a $328M Ponzi scheme.
U.S. seeks civil forfeiture of Delgado properties and vehiclesSarah Merly
May 22, 2026
Apopka native charged for wire fraud in February
Mayor Nick Nesta speaks at the May 13 budget workshop.
Lawyers subpoena Nesta in Goliath bankruptcy caseSarah Merly
May 21, 2026
Details emerge on homes purchased for Delgado