Kamia Brown unseated Mike Crabb on the Orange County Commission District 2, while Jarod Fox defeated Doug Bankson to claim the District 39 Florida House seat. Voters also elected Tiffany Moore Russell as county mayor, Roberta Walton Johnson as clerk of courts, and Joe Strada to Congress.
The Apopka City Commission will review its discretionary funds policy and consider reimbursing the Recreation Department for $8,344.32 in Heart & Soul Fest expenses. The Nov. 4 meeting also includes traffic safety grants, Christmas parade street closures and a proposed firefighter retirement plan amendment.
Country music star Tyler Hubbard will headline K92.3’s fifth annual Jingle Jam at the Apopka Amphitheater on Sunday, Dec. 6. Presented by Attorney Dan Newlin, the holiday concert features six acts, with general admission tickets starting at $25 plus a ticketing fee.
Orange County Utilities’ water and wastewater system earned AAA ratings from S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings for bonds issued in October 2026. Both agencies also affirmed their highest ratings on the system’s existing outstanding debt.
Questions about Apopka’s next leadership team and Florida’s tribute to hometown country music star John Anderson lead this week’s look back. Catch up on those stories, development reviews, seasonal watering restrictions and another $199 million in medical debt relief for Orange County residents.
A job can provide purpose, structure, and independence, but people with developmental disabilities often face barriers to employment. In this guest opinion, Quest Inc. President and CEO John Gill outlines how businesses, families, and community members can help create opportunities.
Three development applications need additional work after the Apopka Development Review Committee recommended denial during its Oct. 28 meeting. A fourth application, a future land use amendment for recently annexed property on Clark Connelly Road, received a recommendation for approval.
Apopka’s Development Review Committee will consider a proposed warehouse use on Clarcona Road, an 11-lot replat on East Lisa Lane, and two returning residential applications on Wednesday. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the City Hall Commission Chambers.
AI hiring tools can streamline recruitment, but they can also reinforce biases and leave qualified applicants struggling to get an interview. Second Harvest’s Keonna Yearwood-Branch explains how job training and direct employer relationships can help candidates move beyond automated screening.
Florida’s housing market posted modest sales gains in the third quarter of 2026, with existing single-family home sales rising 0.2% and condo-townhouse sales increasing 3.1% from a year earlier. However, September sales declined in both categories as higher mortgage rates weighed on market momentum.
Apopka faces a busy week of city business, including development reviews, code enforcement hearings, and a City Commission workshop and meeting. Residents can also attend a Bronson Peak community meeting with Mayor Nick Nesta, visit Camp Wewa’s Climb Club, or enjoy Saturday’s Halloween in the Park.
Florida health officials are considering removing four vaccination requirements for school and childcare entry. Epidemiologist Katrine L. Wallace explains the diseases these vaccines prevent and why declining vaccination rates could put more children at risk.
Orange County Mosquito Control plans aerial mosquito spraying over parts of Apopka and Pine Hills beginning around 7 pm Friday, October 30. Residents may see low-flying aircraft and should monitor official county communications for weather-related schedule changes.
Orange County’s fourth round of medical debt relief has eliminated $199 million owed by more than 112,000 residents. Recipients will receive confirmation letters from nonprofit partner Undue Medical Debt, with no application required.
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The Mammolink Mammography bus will visit Apopka on October 29 to provide free or low-cost breast cancer screenings for eligible women. The mobile unit will be at the Community Health Center, 225 E. Seventh St., from 8 am to 4 pm.
The annual Peanut Butter Challenge is collecting donations to stock local food pantries, and Orange County hopes to expand its impact after winning last year’s competition. Residents can donate sealed, unexpired peanut butter at participating Extension offices during October, with collections continuing into November in some counties.
Orange County’s Green PLACE Hiking Spree invites residents to explore 40 trails and earn rewards for completing three, 10, 15, or more hikes. The program runs through Earth Day, April 22, 2027, and also offers free monthly guided hikes.
Apopka commissioners will review discretionary spending Wednesday, then return Friday to consider ratifying four department leaders, including a chief financial officer. The week also brings development reviews, Camp Wewa’s Parents’ Night Out, and the Horsepower for Heroes car show.
A coalition of 20 Florida organizations is opposing Amendment 3, warning that its proposed property tax changes could weaken funding for conservation, flood protection and community services. The groups say voters should weigh the potential effects on local budgets alongside the promise of tax relief.
Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta told commissioners on October 21 that he expected to assemble his leadership and support teams within two to three weeks. The city administrator application deadline has passed, and the finance director and chief of staff positions are not posted, raising questions about how the city will fill those roles.
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Apopka remembered hometown country music legend John Anderson and celebrated state recognition for Mead’s Bottom, while commissioners debated discretionary spending and legal services. This week’s roundup also includes Mayor Nick Nesta’s call for residents to find common ground and strengthen their community.
Apopka closes October with free drive-thru trick-or-treating, four development applications scheduled for review, and the Apopka Works for All Town Hall. The Oct. 26-31 calendar also includes Camp Wewa’s Climb Club and a Halloween morning run benefiting The Gina McReynolds Foundation.
Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta is encouraging residents to look beyond social media divisions and strengthen their community through everyday connections. In his latest message, he acknowledges questions surrounding changes at City Hall while urging residents to support local businesses, enjoy city parks and get involved.
Apopka should use the CRA’s proposed seven-year extension to plan and pursue a transformative civic complex without placing it ahead of urgent public-safety projects. A modern library, events center, history center, and civic plaza could become the defining destination, connecting downtown’s existing investments and encouraging private development.
Cities near Apopka’s size have transformed their downtowns by concentrating public resources around distinctive parks, cultural facilities, and civic destinations. Their experiences show that Apopka must move beyond disconnected improvements and decide what kind of downtown it intends to create.
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The Apopka CRA has completed meaningful trail, housing, park, and pedestrian projects while accumulating approximately $6.13 million in reserves and carryover funding. As the agency seeks seven more years to complete its work, it must connect those investments through a measurable strategy centered on creating a recognizable downtown destination.
Houzz reports on four retro-inspired room designs blending past styles with modern touches, showcasing 1920s Art Deco, 1950s charm, 1960s Space Age, and vibrant 1990s aesthetics.
Some options that might look like health insurance actually aren’t – and they may leave you stranded with large, unexpected medical expenses.
Closets by Design reports that school mornings are stressful due to time constraints and disorganization.
Rula reports that good mental health involves coping skills, strong relationships, and a sense of purpose.
