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.

Melissa Byrd
Featured News
OP-ED: Many paths lead to post-graduation success
The Apopka Chief
Melissa Byrd
May 27, 2026
A sign marks the entrance to the Eden Crest subdivision in Apopka. The city’s Development Review Committee on May 27 reviewed a plat application tied to the project’s next phase.
Featured News
Review committee backs plans for Juneteenth events 
Teresa Sargeant
Teresa Sargeant
May 27, 2026
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.
Featured News
Apopka Woman’s Club announces Woman of the Year
Sarah Merly
Sarah Merly
May 27, 2026
police beat logo
Featured News
Police Beat: APD responds to 28 crashes May 17-23
The Apopka Chief Editorial Staff
The Apopka Chief Editorial Staff
May 26, 2026
Gospel Centered Church, located at 4490 Rock Springs Road in Apopka, is seeking to expand to accommodate its steady ministry growth while creating room for outreach programs and storage needs the church currently lacks.
Featured News
Gospel Centered Church still on track despite DRC denial 
Teresa Sargeant
Teresa Sargeant
May 26, 2026

Local Living

Jim Keck
Local Living
Bass schooling like crazy as temperatures warm
The Apopka Chief
Jim Keck
May 27, 2026
Iced tea
Local Living
Southern classics and global flavors to explore
Nancy Thomas
Nancy Thomas
May 27, 2026
Jim Keck
Local Living
Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament nets winners $10K
The Apopka Chief
Jim Keck
May 21, 2026
Tacos
Local Living
Easy Memorial Day recipes you won’t forget
Nancy Thomas
Nancy Thomas
May 19, 2026
Jim Keck
Local Living
Lake levels remain very low even after rain
The Apopka Chief
Jim Keck
May 13, 2026

Business

A jury trial has been scheduled for February 2028 in a lawsuit that Just Like Momma’s (pictured) restaurant owner Valerie Sparkman filed against the city, alleging a code enforcement violation.  
Business
Trial for restaurant lawsuit set for February 2028  
Teresa Sargeant
Teresa Sargeant
May 8, 2026
Business
Business community celebrates ‘Women in Leadership’ with event 
Teresa Sargeant
Teresa Sargeant
May 6, 2026
The Bloom Lounge opened with a ribbon-cutting event that drew about 600 people at its new location, the Wekiva Riverwalk, on Sunday, building on the legacy of the Apopka Florist, which had operated on Main Street for about 50 years.
Business
Bloom Lounge opens with ribbon cutting, block party 
Teresa Sargeant
Teresa Sargeant
May 5, 2026
Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson (center) cuts the ribbon at Lake Carter Exchange during a ceremony April 23 at the mixed-use development on Ocoee-Apopka Road and West Keene Road. Developers and business leaders joined the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce for the event.
Business
Lake Carter Exchange opens with mix of retail, medical uses in Apopka 
Teresa Sargeant
Teresa Sargeant
April 24, 2026
The Parkinson's Initiative includes group exercise sessions that aim to improve movement.
Business
AdventHealth University to launch Parkinson’s program in Apopka
The Apopka Chief Editorial Staff
The Apopka Chief Editorial Staff
April 20, 2026

Government & Politics

Sports

Landon Jerome finds space on a rush to the right side
Sports
Defense flashes promise as Watts begins reshaping Wekiva football
Vinnie Cammarano
Vinnie Cammarano
May 26, 2026
Maroon and Gold Mustangs go head to head in intrasquad spring game.
Sports
Wekiva football full speed ahead under new staff
Vinnie Cammarano
Vinnie Cammarano
May 20, 2026
Coach Shay Engel and Jazzmin Gonzalez at the Florida Special Olympics.
Sports
Piedmont Lakes stacks gold at Special Olympics
Vinnie Cammarano
Vinnie Cammarano
May 19, 2026
Jez Hamrick puts the bat on the ball in for team Orange County in the Cure All-Star game.
Sports
Apopka’s Scott Garland wins coach of the year
Vinnie Cammarano
Vinnie Cammarano
May 19, 2026
Kentral Baker gets pumped up after smashing the Tavares Quarterback into the dirt.
Sports
Apopka defense shuts down Tavares in scoreless tie
Vinnie Cammarano
Vinnie Cammarano
May 16, 2026

More News

Melissa Byrd
OP-ED: Many paths lead to post-graduation successThe Apopka Chief
Melissa Byrd
May 27, 2026
0
As I shook hundreds of hands again this year, I tried to stop as many graduates as I could and ask about their cords or medals they were wearing or what…
Jim Keck
Bass schooling like crazy as temperatures warmThe Apopka Chief
Jim Keck
May 27, 2026
0
Congrats to Dave Lefebre on his win up at Orange Lake. Dave was able to win the MLF tournament by catchin’ the most bass and the biggest bass durin’ the…
A sign marks the entrance to the Eden Crest subdivision in Apopka. The city’s Development Review Committee on May 27 reviewed a plat application tied to the project’s next phase.
Review committee backs plans for Juneteenth events Teresa Sargeant
Teresa Sargeant
May 27, 2026
0
DRC also takes up Eden Crest, Cold Link items.
Iced tea
Southern classics and global flavors to exploreNancy Thomas
Nancy Thomas
May 27, 2026
0
Whether you like it with or without lemon and sugar is completely up to you. But, I can tell Marv why Iced Tea is so popular: It’s because it is…
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
Sarah Merly
May 27, 2026
0
Lorena Potter honored for club involvement, community impact
police beat logo
Police Beat: APD responds to 28 crashes May 17-23The Apopka Chief Editorial Staff
The Apopka Chief Editorial Staff
May 26, 2026
0
In the period from May 17-23, 2026, the Apopka Police Department received 1,700 calls for service, responded to 28 crashes, issued 90 citations, and made 26 arrests.
Gospel Centered Church, located at 4490 Rock Springs Road in Apopka, is seeking to expand to accommodate its steady ministry growth while creating room for outreach programs and storage needs the church currently lacks.
Gospel Centered Church still on track despite DRC denial Teresa Sargeant
Teresa Sargeant
May 26, 2026
0
Congregation plans 9,600-square-foot addition as project moves through city review process.
Landon Jerome finds space on a rush to the right side
Defense flashes promise as Watts begins reshaping Wekiva footballVinnie Cammarano
Vinnie Cammarano
May 26, 2026
0
Mustangs drop both games at spring jamboree but coach sees growth
Pastor David Schorejs, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Apopka and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, delivers the keynote address during Apopka’s Memorial Day ceremony Monday as Mayor Nick Nesta listens nearby. 
‘Freedom is never free’: Apopka marks Memorial Day with solemn ceremony Teresa Sargeant
Teresa Sargeant
May 25, 2026
0
Speakers, veterans and families reflect on holiday meaning.
The court has set a June 25 competency hearing for Hector Raul Cartagena (left), who in February was arrested for allegedly threatening in social media messages to kill then-Mayor Bryan Nelson (right).  
Court sets competency hearing for man who threatened to kill Nelson Teresa Sargeant
Teresa Sargeant
May 22, 2026
0
Apopka man was arrested in February for threats against mayor.
More News


Advertisement