The Apopka City Commission will discuss attorney representation and impact fees Wednesday before considering a 55-home development and three annexation ordinances. The October 21 meetings begin at 5 pm and 6 pm at City Hall, with public comment opportunities and a livestream.
Strong Towns Apopka and local partners will host West Orange Trail Beautification Day on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 8 to 10 a.m. Residents and families can help with native plantings, participate in art activities and attend a dedication celebrating the collaborative project.
A quilt Phylis Samuels made to celebrate her son’s law enforcement service now carries his gratitude to Seminole County Fire Station 13 in Apopka. Following her death, Steve Samuels presented the quilt to firefighters at her memorial service, honoring their care for his mother and their commitment to the community.
Florida gas prices eased over the weekend after hitting $4.23 per gallon on Thursday, but AAA warns another increase may be coming. Rising crude oil prices and concerns about global supplies could reverse the recent relief at the pump.
City spending allegations, an open CRA board seat, and two more locally acquired dengue cases made headlines this week. Catch up on those stories, along with Mayor Nick Nesta’s commentary on city progress and a Christmas festival moving through development review.
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’s approach to stormwater pollution is drawing criticism over whether credits sold to developers will represent measurable improvements in water quality. For Apopka, the debate raises questions about protecting local waterways and sustaining Lake Apopka’s restoration.
The Apopka Development Review Committee will review two construction site plans and a proposed Trader Maes Christmas Festival at its October 14 meeting. The meeting begins at 9 am in the Apopka City Hall Commission Chambers.
The Apopka Planning Commission will hold public hearings Tuesday on a proposed Chandler Road daycare center and a rezoning request involving three Sir Arthur Court properties. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, with opportunities for residents to comment on both proposals.
Apopka’s Development Review Committee raised concerns about the Crossroads at Kelly Park commercial layout and its connection to a roadway funding agreement. The committee also reviewed upcoming events, including the Apopka Christmas Parade, K92.3’s Jingle Jam, and a Bee Gees tribute fundraiser.
The Apopka Development Review Committee will consider several residential projects Wednesday, including 363 apartments at The Ridge and the second phase of Crescent Ridge. Two Kelly Park Road proposals, a seven-lot subdivision and six special events, are also on the agenda.
Health officials confirmed four locally transmitted dengue cases in the Apopka area and one in Pine Hills as of Oct. 12. Orange County announced aerial mosquito spraying for designated neighborhoods, with treatments scheduled for Oct. 16 or, if weather delayed operations, Oct. 17.
The Senior Resource Alliance’s SHINE program is offering free, unbiased Medicare counseling during open enrollment, which runs from October 15 through December 7. Apopka residents and others across Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Brevard counties can get help comparing coverage, understanding costs, and reviewing prescription drug plans.
Two additional locally acquired dengue cases have brought Orange County’s total to five, according to the Florida Department of Health in Orange County. Health officials and Orange County Mosquito Control are expanding prevention efforts, including planned aerial spraying in affected communities.
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A survey from AAA found that 66% of Florida adults have seen children riding e-bikes or e-scooters without helmets, while 83% support helmet requirements. AAA urges riders to wear properly fitted helmets certified for their devices' speed and capabilities.
In a UnitedHealthcare survey, 62% of college students and young adults not enrolled in college reported a mental or behavioral health concern in the past year. Dr. Danielle Madril recommends open conversations, careful use of AI tools, and greater awareness of professional and community resources.
The Florida Blue Foundation is awarding $3.1 million to eight community-based initiatives addressing food insecurity across the state. The programs will serve students, farmworkers, uninsured residents, people experiencing homelessness, and rural communities.
Commissioner Nadia Anderson urged residents to move past the concert controversy, while readers kept asking for documentation to support her allegation of millions in wasteful city spending. The Apopka Voice’s Thursday article drew 24 likes, 46 comments, and three shares on its Facebook page, with Friday’s exchanges expanding the debate over spending and transparency.
Apopka Commissioner Nadia Anderson responded to criticism of city support for the Hearts and Souls concert by alleging millions of dollars in wasteful taxpayer spending under Mayor Nick Nesta’s administration. When asked to identify those expenditures, she characterized the claim as a generalization and provided no supporting documentation before publication.
Apopka is accepting applications through Nov. 6 for a vacant resident seat on its Community Redevelopment Agency Board. Applicants must live within the city and submit a resume, with preference given to CRA district business owners or operators and candidates with relevant professional or leadership experience.
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The Apopka Police Department reported 10 burglaries during the week of Oct. 4-10, including five residential, three vehicle, and two commercial incidents. The weekly list includes two residential reports on Stonechapel Court and two vehicle burglary reports on Nicole Lee Circle.
Development hearings, conservation office hours, and Camp Wewa activities highlight Apopka’s schedule for October 13–18. Apopka hosts Timber Creek Friday night, while Wekiva has no varsity game listed this week.
Federal energy policy changes could increase Florida households’ annual energy costs by $630 by 2035, according to modeling by Energy Innovation. The analysis also projects economic losses, fewer jobs, and additional public health costs associated with increased air pollution.
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.
Apopka’s elected officials want to keep the millage rate low while preserving community programs, filling staff vacancies, and addressing years of deferred needs. Eventually, they must acknowledge that rejecting recurring revenue means cutting services, drawing on reserves, or letting today’s problems become tomorrow’s more expensive emergencies.
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TheZebra.com reports that 1 in 3 drivers are uninsured or underinsured, increasing financial risk for insured motorists in accidents.
Mercury reports on automating personal banking tasks to save time and money, highlighting eight tasks like automatic savings and payment setups.
(BPT) - It's a Thursday evening at home, and all you want to do is relax with your family. However, the mental list of possible to-dos stops you from being fully present with your loved ones. …
TheZebra.com reports that Salt Lake City, Denver, and Austin are among the top 10 U.S. cities where renting is more affordable than buying.
