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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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Hector Raul Cartagena (left); Bryan Nelson (right)
Featured News
Competency case against man accused of threatening Nelson continued to July 30 
Teresa Sargeant
July 2, 2026
Members of the Apopka City Commission applaud during the city's America 250 celebration Wednesday at City Hall. Later in the afternoon, the commission voted to table The Ridge Phase Three major development plan until Aug. 5 to allow additional review of environmental and transportation information.
Featured News
Commission delays proposed 363-unit Ridge Phase 3 vote 
Teresa Sargeant
July 2, 2026
Mayor Nick Nesta speaks during a May 20 Apopka City Commission meeting as Commissioner Sam Ruth listens. On Wednesday, the commission approved two code enforcement settlement agreements and discussed changes to improve transparency and consistency in the city's code enforcement settlement process.
Featured News
Commission examines code enforcement settlement process 
Teresa Sargeant
July 2, 2026
The entrance to Bronson Peak at The Ridge, a Toll Brothers community off Boy Scout Road in Apopka. On Wednesday, the Development Review Committee reviewed a construction site plan for The Ridge Planned Development Parcel 9, a proposed 41-home subdivision, and requested additional engineering clarifications before staff could recommend approval.  
Featured News
The Ridge proposal draws most discussion at DRC meeting 
Teresa Sargeant
July 2, 2026
Mayor Nick Nesta
Featured News
OP-ED: Understanding Florida’s property tax proposal
The Apopka Chief
July 2, 2026


Local Living

A red, white and blue dessert
Local Living
Red, White, and Blueberry dessert for Independence Day
Nancy Thomas
July 1, 2026
Jim Keck
Local Living
Exercise caution while fishing on Independence Day weekend
The Apopka Chief
July 1, 2026
Ice cream
Local Living
Everybody’s favorite for summer: peach ice cream
Nancy Thomas
June 23, 2026
Jim Keck
Local Living
Lakes and rivers low at start of summer
The Apopka Chief
June 23, 2026
Baked beans
Local Living
Hooray for Dad… six out of ten adult men in the USA are fathers
Nancy Thomas
June 18, 2026


Business

Waters Car Wash has 28 locations across Florida.
Business
Waters Car Wash to offer $2.50 sale to celebrate Independence Day
The Apopka Chief Editorial Staff
June 30, 2026
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
May 8, 2026
Business
Business community celebrates ‘Women in Leadership’ with event 
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
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
April 24, 2026


Government & Politics

Sports

Pure Pressure Cheer and Dance team posing with multiple trophies at the Battle of the Bay competition in 2025.
Sports
Pure Pressure Cheer and Dance empowers youth
Vinnie Cammarano
July 2, 2026
Khloie Berry smashes down a kill at the middle of the net during the junior national championship in Minnesota.Khloie Berry smashes down a kill at the middle of the net during the junior national championship in Minnesota.
Sports
From first year player to junior volleyball national champion
Vinnie Cammarano
July 2, 2026
Sam Alexis slams down a dunk in his senior season at Apopka.
Sports
Apopka’s Sam Alexis signs NBA Summer League deal 
Vinnie Cammarano
July 1, 2026
Time to Train Foundation team and camp participants assemble for a group photo at The Well Activity Center in Apopka.
Sports
Time to Train Athletics foundation opens with youth clinic
Vinnie Cammarano
July 1, 2026
Amar'e Wilson dribbles past his defender for a drive to the rack.
Sports
Apopka basketball builds chemistry at Team Camp
Vinnie Cammarano
June 25, 2026

More News

Hector Raul Cartagena (left); Bryan Nelson (right)
Competency case against man accused of threatening Nelson continued to July 30 Teresa Sargeant
July 2, 2026
Cartagena was arrested in February on many felony charges.
Members of the Apopka City Commission applaud during the city's America 250 celebration Wednesday at City Hall. Later in the afternoon, the commission voted to table The Ridge Phase Three major development plan until Aug. 5 to allow additional review of environmental and transportation information.
Commission delays proposed 363-unit Ridge Phase 3 vote Teresa Sargeant
July 2, 2026
Traffic, environmental questions prompt request for more information.
Mayor Nick Nesta speaks during a May 20 Apopka City Commission meeting as Commissioner Sam Ruth listens. On Wednesday, the commission approved two code enforcement settlement agreements and discussed changes to improve transparency and consistency in the city's code enforcement settlement process.
Commission examines code enforcement settlement process Teresa Sargeant
July 2, 2026
Discussion prompts calls for greater transparency, standardized procedures.
The entrance to Bronson Peak at The Ridge, a Toll Brothers community off Boy Scout Road in Apopka. On Wednesday, the Development Review Committee reviewed a construction site plan for The Ridge Planned Development Parcel 9, a proposed 41-home subdivision, and requested additional engineering clarifications before staff could recommend approval.  
The Ridge proposal draws most discussion at DRC meeting Teresa Sargeant
July 2, 2026
July 1 agenda also includes Floridian Town Center, Crescent Ridge amendment, two concert permits.
Mayor Nick Nesta
OP-ED: Understanding Florida’s property tax proposalThe Apopka Chief
July 2, 2026
If you’ve been following recent news, you’ve likely heard discussion about Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposal to significantly reduce and potentially eliminate property taxes on homesteaded properties in Florida. This is one of the most far-reaching…
Khloie Berry smashes down a kill at the middle of the net during the junior national championship in Minnesota.Khloie Berry smashes down a kill at the middle of the net during the junior national championship in Minnesota.
From first year player to junior volleyball national championVinnie Cammarano
July 2, 2026
Dream Lake's Khloie Berry shines on the volleyball court
Maribel Brinkle, president of the Apopka Historical Society, addresses attendees during the "America 250th Celebration: The Beginning" on Wednesday at Apopka City Hall.  
Apopka kicks off America 250 observance with patriotic presentation Teresa Sargeant
July 1, 2026
Volunteers present history of 13 colonies, founding fathers and influential figures.
Sam Alexis slams down a dunk in his senior season at Apopka.
Apopka’s Sam Alexis signs NBA Summer League deal Vinnie Cammarano
July 1, 2026
Alexis continues turning dreams into reality
Time to Train Foundation team and camp participants assemble for a group photo at The Well Activity Center in Apopka.
Time to Train Athletics foundation opens with youth clinicVinnie Cammarano
July 1, 2026
Jonathan and Johanne Thompson build up their new foundation
More News