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Former Apopka Blue Darter and now Super Bowl champion Jalen Carter will be returning to Apopka for his annual free skills camp.    The one-day free skills camp will take place 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 12. The camp is for kids ages 8-17 and will feature multiple drills tailored to different age…

By Jake Vest It is doubtful that anybody who has ever seen a track meet might call what I do “running.” Or even “jogging.” Maybe “slogging” would be the word for it.   My guess, just from what little eye contact I can make, is that the people who share the road with me would…

By Christine Moore, Orange County District 2 Commissioner I have spent significant time the last few years coordinating and inspiring improvements along the West Orange Trail through Apopka. It has been a journey to striving to make the trail through District 2 the envy of Central Florida.   We truly have it all along our portion…

   Louise Ustler contributed her recipe for Hot German Rice to Sharing Our Finest Cookbook, a publication from the Apopka Citizen Police Alumni Association. She says, “I use Minute Rice. These ingredients can be adjusted according to taste. I use more pepper and onion and a small jar of pimento. All can be adjusted, more…

Hello Folks, The fishin’ isn’t too bad even with all this heat, and folks are gettin’ on the water real early and takin’ advantage of the mornin’ bite. You will do best with noisy top- water baits to get their attention. It’s one of the most excitin’ bites there is when that ole big bass…

By Bryan Nelson The city is happy to report that the pumping down of the Piedmont-Wekiwa chain of lakes has begun—after clearing one final hurdle.   Preliminary plans had water flowing directly from Blue Lake to Lake Piedmont using a stormwater pipe under Wekiwa-Piedmont Road, but this would require over a foot of water to be…

Mayor Bryan Nelson announced Thursday a pumping system to decrease future flood levels at Border Lake. “We’re going to be pumping water out of Border Lake into Lake Jackson, then into Lake McDade, then into Piedmont Lake, then into Blue Lake, and then into Lake Page, where we have a drainage well,” Nelson said during…

The Apopka basketball team’s annual summer camp for Apopka area kids will return at the end of July. Head coach of the Apopka basketball team, Scott Williams, said the exact date for the opening day of camp has not yet been decided.   The camp itself is structured in a group and team format based on…

After weeks of rumors and speculation, The Apopka Chief confirmed this week that Tyson Davison, Apopka football's starting quarterback for the last three seasons, will be playing for the Ocoee Knights for his senior season.     The confirmation comes from multiple sources, including the Davison family and Jett Davison, the current Ocoee High School offensive coordinator…

For the first time since 2020, the Best of Apopka Readers’ Choice Awards will return on Friday, October 3.   Sponsored by The Apopka Chief, the Best of Apopka Readers’ Choice Awards honors the achievements of businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals in the Apopka area.  “I’m thrilled to see the Best of Apopka returning,” former Apopka Area…

Staff Reports Huhtamaki has acquired Zellwin Farms in an effort to support Huhtamaki’s growth within the molded fiber industry, specifically for egg cartons and egg flats.  “This acquisition is attractive for us as legislation in North America continues to shift packaging choices in the egg industry toward more renewable and recyclable options, such as molded…

State Rep. Doug Bankson, R-District 39, finished the 2025 Florida legislative session on June 6.   During the session, Bankson introduced three bills the governor then signed into law and co-sponsored nine other successful bills. This week, he shared his written reflections on the session in response to questions from The Apopka Chief, including following up…

Jhenelle Francis is a recent graduate of Apopka High School who was a keystone in the success of both the girls' basketball and flag football teams. But Francis was more than just an exemplary athlete—she was a top student and standout member of the Apopka community.  Flag Football   Francis is ranked nationally in multiple flag…

Florida Senate District 15 primary voters chose state Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis as the Democratic candidate for the upcoming special general election in a landslide victory Tuesday night.   "I am humbled and honored to have earned the trust and support of the people of Senate District 15," Bracy Davis said in a statement provided to…

Apopka High School Athletic Director Aaron Crawford says the search for a new baseball coach is progressing, although more slowly than the rapid search to fill the school’s open football coach position.    In early June, Apopka's former coach, Bobby Brewer, stepped down after six seasons at the helm of the program. After compiling a 91-48…

Staff Reports The Apopka Police Department added six new officers on Thursday, June 19.   Each officer took an oath to serve and protect while Apopka Police Chief Michael McKinley swore them in. All new officers selected family members to pin their police badges to their uniforms. The city of Apopka congratulated the new officers in…

By Melissa Byrd Last week, I was honored to attend my last graduation of the season, Sheeler High School, and it was truly moving.  Sheeler High School is a small charter school here in Apopka that is part of the Second Mile Education company. The company runs five charter schools throughout Orange County to support…

The Apopka City Council unanimously approved moving $10 million out of a bank as well as modifying the city’s investment policy statement (IPS) to allow for long-term cemetery fund investments in low-fee equity and cash funds. On June 18, Morgan Stanley financial advisors Trisha Mingo and Glenn Scott presented the City Council with an overview…

By Christine Moore, Orange County District 2 Commissioner Last weekend, painting the “Apopka Pass” on the northern end of the West Orange Trail was a smashing success. Not only did volunteers finish this latest trail activation project, they also made new friends. While volunteers carefully painted porous bricks, they greeted a growing number of pedestrians…

We found Norinne Lowell’s Cheeseburger Pie in Plains Pot Pourri, published by the community-minded folks of Plains, Georgia. It uses ground beef, milk, and cheese along with other ingredients. Pour into a lightly browned pie shell and bake in the oven. It looks wonderful. Also from Plains Pot Pourri, Sybil Carter shares her Grits and…

The St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) continues to focus on the Wekiva River in Apopka and its surrounding area as part of the agency’s various science-based initiatives to help safeguard Central Florida’s water future. According to an SJRWMD press release, the district continues to establish and update Minimum Flows and Levels (MFLs), which…

The Apopka City Council voted unanimously on Wednesday to execute a one-year license agreement with Matthew’s Hope Ministries to set up its sleeper bus program, which is intended to accommodate the homeless community in the Apopka area. Taking action at its June 18 meeting, the City Council forged an agreement with Matthew’s Hope, a Winter…

In what was seen as a rare occurrence and a first in Apopka’s history, four house fires occurred within a two-hour span in one evening – all caused by lightning strikes. On the night of Sunday, June 15, a lightning storm struck four houses on the west side of Apopka: the first two on Alexandria…

Apopka police said they will not pursue criminal charges in the Monday morning traffic-related death of Daniel J. Hodge, 53, and have closed the investigation into his death. The investigation revealed that when the driver of the vehicle started it, the individual didn’t know Hodge was lying underneath. Hodge was using the vehicle as shelter…

Apopka High School's athletic director, Aaron Crawford, told The Apopka Chief this week that he and Principal Lyle Heinz are close to making a decision on the school’s next head football coach.   On Wednesday, Crawford said the school had a frontrunner in mind for the job and that the administration was waiting for clearance from…