Apopka celebrates International Firefighters' Day

In a proclamation delivered at the April 16th City Council meeting, Mayor Bryan Nelson declared May 4th International Firefighters’ Day—a citywide tribute to the men and women who put their lives on the line daily and to those who never made it home.

A manatee greets kayakers paddling near the property Rodney Barreto owns on Lake Worth.

Florida wildlife commission chair denies trying to build destructive project he tried to build

This is not how the FWC started in 1998. Back then, the commissioners included a wildlife biologist, a dentist, a cattle rancher, an insurance executive, a charter boat captain, a retired sheriff, and a defense attorney.

A Veteran’s Mission: Honoring Norris Henderson

Since joining Heart of Florida United Way, Henderson has transformed Mission United into a vital support system for veterans across Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties.

Gators in a small body of water. Photo taken 01-19-24

Risky human behavior, not aggressive gators, behind most alligator bites

Alligator mating season, which runs from April through June in Florida and the Southeast, brings more frequent movement and territorial behavior among alligators, making human awareness and safe practices even more essential.

International relief organizations in Florida impacted by USAID cuts

The funding cuts also reverberate in the Sunshine State, home to more than 120 registered international relief organizations - among the highest concentrations in the country - including Miami-based World Relief and Coconut Creek's Food for the Poor.

Orange County issues burn ban as drought index rises

The burn ban prohibits all outdoor burning unless a permit has been issued. This includes recreational open burning such as campfires, ceremonial bonfires, outdoor fireplaces, and/or open flame heating devices.

Orange County Public Schools reach tentative agreement for School Resource Officer coverage through 2026-27 school year

The agreement ensures that all OCPS schools will have the necessary SRO coverage, providing peace of mind to families and employees alike. The continued presence of SROs will help maintain safe and supportive learning and working environments.

25 years of Everglades restoration has improved drinking water for millions in Florida, but a new risk is rising

The Everglades has often been referred to as a vast river of grass.

As Apopka grows, ensuring clean water for future generations may depend on how well we protect our wetlands today—something the Everglades have shown us for 25 years.

Apopka Police Department Arrest Report

The Apopka Voice publishes a weekly arrest report that includes arrests, crashes, calls for service, and traffic citations. This report is for the week ending April 12th.

Downtown Apopka at a Crossroads: Will CRA funds spark a comeback - or be killed in Tallahassee?

Winter Garden and Apopka both began their CRAs in the early 1990s. The Winter Garden CRA created an explicit plan and measurable deliverables. Apopka’s CRA documents were just aspirational.

Fear and Resistance: Apopka immigrant communities navigate rising ICE activity, harsh laws, and economic fallout

With recent changes to federal and state laws, there has been a growth of hostility towards immigrants in the community, as well as concerning ICE raids used to enforce new rules.

Apopka CRA dollars at work: Domino’s building getting a facelift

Originally constructed as a gas station, the building has long stood as a landmark at one of the city's most prominent intersections.

Florida wildlife organization wins lawsuit over FDEP to protect Manatees

This ruling is a not only a milestone for manatee welfare but the foundation for returning the Indian River Lagoon to a healthy and thriving ecosystem.

Achoo! Coping with allergy season in Florida

The surge in Florida of sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion is driven by wind-pollinated trees like pines and oaks - which dominate Florida's landscape.

The Apopka Voice celebrates 10 years of delivering trusted local news

Since our founding in 2015, we have remained committed to bringing our readers the most important local news stories. We are celebrating ten years this December, so with ten months leading to the big date, we'll be sharing memories along the way. We also want to hear from you so we can make the next ten even better! Read on for more details...

BBQ Season: Fire-based grilling classes at UF/IFAS in May

UF/IFAS Extension Orange County provides education and information to residents and businesses through workshops, publications, and mass media in the areas of family life, youth development, natural resources, horticulture, and agriculture.

The Apopka Voice remains committed to telling the deeper story of Apopka

The Apopka Voice has remained committed to asking the questions that our readers want to hear, and finding the answers that they deserve to have.

Orange County homeowners build ADUs for aging parents through Ready Set Orange

Launched in August 2024, Ready Set Orange is one of Orange County’s key initiatives to address the affordable housing crisis.

Andre the Farmer: "Plant everything you can get your hands on"

"I want to talk to you and encourage you to get your first, second, or even 100th fruit tree. Our climates are ideal for growing subtropical and many tropical fruit trees."

Landsea Homes launches sales for 205 homes at two new communities in Apopka

The Landsea Homes corporation of Dallas announced the sales launch of two new developments in Apopka: Oakview and Thompson Village. The developments total 113 homes and 92 townhomes.

Farmworkers at Del Bosque Farms pick and pack melons on a mobile platform in Firebaugh, Calif., in July 2021.

Providing farmworkers with health insurance is worth it for their employers − new research

The study determined that if 20% more farmworkers got health insurance coverage, they would have earned $23,063 a year in 2022, up from $22,482 if they did not. In this scenario, their employers would earn $7,303 in net profits per worker annually versus $6,598.

With infrastructure not meeting the community's needs, it's time for a moratorium on development in Apopka

Olsen: "The infrastructure cost required to support development should fall to the property owner and developer. The power, water, sewer, roadways, sidewalks, schools, and parks to support the new development should not fall on current Taxpayers."

Federal and state job cuts threaten Florida workers' rights, services

A new White House executive order eliminating collective bargaining rights for federal workers has hit Florida particularly hard, as home to major military installations and thousands of federal employees.

In the battle against citrus greening, consumers will tell growers their perceptions of genetic editing

This work will help guide scientists, citrus growers, and others in the industry with insights into consumers’ perceptions, attitudes, and preferences for gene editing and modification in citrus.

Lawmakers eye SNAP cuts, which would scale back benefits that help low-income people buy food at a time of high food prices

SNAP helps nearly 42 million people put food on the table, including 1 in 5 children. Americans can usually qualify for SNAP benefits if their income is under 130% of the federal poverty line. A shopper who gets SNAP benefits shops for groceries at a supermarket in Bellflower, Calif., on Feb. 13, 2023. AP Photo/Allison Dinner Tracy Roof , University of …

The Growth Ponzi Scheme Revisited: Houston as a Case Study

To experience growth, cities are encouraged to take on enormous long-term liabilities to fund short-term expansions. This fiscally unsustainable pattern eventually leads to insolvency. Can Apopka avoid these hard lessons? In 2016, we updated the original Growth Ponzi …

Lawmakers could make property insurers reveal influence of litigation, fees on premiums

The bill, SB 888, would require insurers to file the transparency report with the Office of Insurance Regulation when they request a rate change after October 1st.

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For families with sick kids, the rise of vaccine hesitancy could be life-threatening

For parents of kids and adult children with immunocompromised systems, the consequences of fewer people vaccinating themselves and their children could be life-threatening.

When the ER isn't the best option

Research shows that up to 66% of ER visits could be treated in a non-urgent setting, like a doctor’s office or urgent care center, which are usually faster and cost less.

DOH-Orange hosts Veterans Wellness Fair

Veterans Wellness Fair: Attendees will receive free stress relief tips and participate in mental health education sessions. Counseling services will be available for those needing support, and various educational resources will be provided to veterans, their spouses, and partners.

Florida Blue Foundation opens its 2025 Mental Well-Being grant applications

The Foundation is seeking proposals from Florida-based nonprofits that are designed to support innovative and effective solutions, and that address community mental health challenges; or increase the pipeline of mental health professionals.

Legislative crackdown on Florida’s hemp industry heads to Senate floor

This years’s bill (SB 438) is similar to last year’s — with more restrictions. It would forbid any amount of synthetic cannabinoids, including Delta-8.

Orange County Trailblazers: Dr. Gregorie Constant-Peter

Dr. Gregorie Constant-Peter oversees the medical operations within the Orange County Jail. The Orange County Newsroom recently caught up with her for a chat.

Opioid overdose deaths decreased in Orange County for 2024

Accidental drug overdoses for Orange County have decreased by 30% from 2023 to 2024 while opioid related drug overdoses have decreased by 37.1% within the same time period.

Report: Federal Medicaid, SNAP cuts could have crushing blow to Florida’s economy

The analysis concludes Florida would be among the five states hit hardest by the cuts that would lead to a loss of jobs in the health care and food sectors as well as other indirect jobs affected by the elimination of federal spending.

A look at some bills that are struggling in the Florida Legislature as end of session approaches

With two-thirds of the regular legislative session now in the books, the outcome of some bills look cloudy at best. Yet those involved in the legislative process don’t dare say they are dead just yet.

Ludicrous ‘chemtrails’ bill in Florida Legislature addresses silly conspiracy theory

In case you’re unfamiliar with that debunked conspiracy theory, the folks who believe in “chemtrails” are convinced the government (or maybe it’s the Illuminati) is dispatching planes to fly over us unsuspecting Americans and spray chemicals on us.

Orange County Clerk of Courts hosting a free legal forum on Probate: Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning

This is a chance to get questions answered about the probate process and tap into available resources to start estate planning efforts through this forum.

Apopka Fire Department "pushes in" its new fire engine

A push-in ceremony is a time-honored tradition in fire departments that dates back to the days of horse-drawn fire apparatus in the 1800s.

Apopka Police Department Arrest Report

The Apopka Voice publishes a weekly arrest report that includes arrests, crashes, calls for service, and traffic citations. This report is for the week ending April 5th.

Apopka Police Department Burglary Report: March 30th-April 5th

The Apopka Voice publishes a weekly burglary report from the Apopka Police Department that includes reported burglaries of businesses, residences, and vehicles.

FWC confirms plans for bear "trophy hunt"

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials confirmed their intent to move forward with a controversial trophy bear hunt in December 2025—despite admitting that Florida’s black bear population has not increased since 2015.

Developing Story: Nelson issues statement on Smith's termination

Although the agenda item to review former city administrator Jacob Smith's contract was never voted on, it did allow Mayor Bryan Nelson an opportunity to read from a prepared statement that seemed to defy the laws of time.

Apopka says goodbye to honesty, candor, and bravery and hello to the 2026 mayoral election

Jacob Smith was unceremoniously relieved of his duties as city administrator by Mayor Bryan Nelson with less thought than a baseball coach taking out a pitcher in the middle of an inning.

Peanut farmer wants Florida water agency to swap forest land

The Suwannee River Water Management District owns some land called the Ellaville Tract, part of Twin Rivers State Forest. Now, there’s a proposed deal to hand over that land to a Georgia peanut farming company. Nearly 700 acres of prime sandhill habitat would be given away.