Our Sales Department is Open New Year's Day 11:00AM - 4:00PM
Service & Parts Will be Closed January 1st
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

X

Get Our Weekly Newsletter

Local news delivered right to your inbox

Subscription Form

Become a Member!

The Apopka Chief does not have a paywall, but journalism is not free. Join your neighbors who make this work possible.

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.

Seat 2 incumbent Diane Velazquez speaks at the city council candidate debate last month.
Sarah Merly
March 4, 2026
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…
Wekiva High School students line up at the 2025 graduation.
Sarah Merly
March 3, 2026
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…
Creative Hub of Apopka president Melanie Jankun painted the new mural at First Methodist Church Apopka.
Sarah Merly
February 28, 2026
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…
Malika Harrison (left) and Yesenia Baron (right)
Sarah Merly
February 27, 2026
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…
Sam Ruth (left) and Alexander Smith (right) file to run.
Sarah Merly
February 27, 2026
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 Golden Gem sinkhole in the filling process in August 2024
Sarah Merly
February 27, 2026
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 and Nick Nesta attend a City Council meeting.
Sarah Merly
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…
Principal Tabitha Brown poses by an exhibit of Phillis Wheatley at Phillis Wheatley Elementary School.
Sarah Merly
February 26, 2026
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…
Loretta Forlaw smiles in her newly awarded blanket.
Sarah Merly
February 25, 2026
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…
From left to right: Pat McGuffin, Sheila McGuffin, Stacy Butschek and new lead pastor Matt Butschek
Sarah Merly
February 24, 2026
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…
Seat 2 incumbent Diane Velazquez speaks at the city council candidate debate last month.
Q&A: Seat 2 council candidates talk background, goalsSarah Merly
March 4, 2026
Candidates include George "Smitty" Smith, Angela Turner and Diane Velazquez
Creative Hub of Apopka president Melanie Jankun painted the new mural at First Methodist Church Apopka.
Orange blossom mural arrives at First MethodistSarah Merly
February 28, 2026
Church celebrating 150th anniversary this June
Malika Harrison (left) and Yesenia Baron (right)
Q&A: Seat 4 Apopka City Council candidates talk background, goalsSarah Merly
February 27, 2026
This week and next, The Apopka Chief will run questionnaire responses for each City Council candidate who will appear on the March 10 ballot. Malika Harrison and Yesenia Baron campaign for Seat 4, left vacant due to Nick…
Sam Ruth (left) and Alexander Smith (right) file to run.
Q&A: Seat 1 Apopka City Council candidates talk background, goalsSarah Merly
February 27, 2026
This week and next, The Apopka Chief will run questionnaire responses for each City Council candidate who will appear on the March 10 ballot. The Seat 1 race features former commissioner Sam Ruth squaring off against incumbent Alexander Smith.
The Golden Gem sinkhole in the filling process in August 2024
Q&A: Mayoral candidates tackle Golden Gem facility Sarah Merly
February 27, 2026
This week’s question is as follows: How would you manage the repair and restoration of the Golden Gem Water Reclamation Facility, and what would you do to mitigate the effects…
Loretta Forlaw smiles in her newly awarded blanket.
Apopka VFW commander receives 2 prestigious awardsSarah Merly
February 25, 2026
Quilts of Valor, Daughters of the American Revolution honor local veteran