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Apopka Amphitheater
Apopka heads to the final round for Orange County Tourism Development Tax
Apopka beat out the 4R Foundation, Orlando Science Center, Rollins Museum of Art, Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation, Orlando Family, Winter Garden Art Association, The Winter Park Playhouse, the Mennello Museum of American Art, and the Orlando Museum of Art in the preliminary round.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 08: Residents assess a fallen tree in their in their neighborhood after Hurricane Beryl swept through the area on July 08, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Tropical Storm Beryl developed into a Category 1 hurricane as it hit the Texas coast late last night. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Emergency responders struggle with burnout, budgets as disasters mount
Hundreds of thousands of emergency responders are facing unprecedented challenges —from burnout to post-traumatic stress disorder to tighter budgets — as they battle hurricanes, windstorms, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters that are more frequent and intense than those in the past.
Florida veterans’ nursing homes don’t have enough money to cover expenses for the next year, according to a budget amendment request.
Florida Veterans’ nursing homes need $3.5 million more to cover expenses until 2025
The department says its homes for veterans are nearing full capacity, with the request for additional funds stating that the occupancy rate has increased by 26% over last year.
Human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected.
Humans infecting animals infecting humans − from COVID-19 to bird flu, preventing pandemics requires protecting all species
Researchers have documented this phenomenon of human-to-animal transmission, colloquially referred to as spillback or reverse zoonotic transmission, in both domestic and wild animals.
Hispanic Heritage Month highlights September in Orange County
Now is also the perfect time to taste the unique flavors of our community during Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining.
Local News
Mobile phones are not linked to brain cancer, according to a major review of 28 years of research
Over the years, the scientific consensus has remained strong – there’s no association between mobile phone radio waves and brain cancer or health more generally.
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 August 31st.
What can Apopka learn from Ukiah, CA?
When asked why Accessory Dwelling Units have been so readily embraced in a city some may associate with resistance to change, Davis points to Ukiah’s beloved older neighborhoods that set the precedent for “gentle density” with their cottage courts and townhomes.
Disagree with that medical bill? It might be worth calling your hospital billing office.
Got an unaffordable or incorrect medical bill? Calling your hospital billing office will usually get you a discount
Many Americans struggle to pay medical bills, avoid care because of cost worries or forgo other needs due to health care cost burdens.
Lt. Candace Stover, left, a perioperative nurse at Naval Hospital Jacksonville, reviews the day’s schedule for the operating rooms with Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Hayley Widows and Lt. Kendall Lee on Nov. 3, 2023.
Florida to spend more on nursing education to prevent a provider shortage
There are over three million registered nurses in Florida currently, but the need to produce more qualified nurses continues to grow.
Apopka Police Department Burglary Report: August 25th-31st
The Apopka Voice publishes a weekly burglary report from the Apopka Police Department that includes reported burglaries of businesses, residences, and vehicles. 
The Apopka Fire Department and Apopka Police Department invite you to attend this year's 9/11 Memorial Ceremony.
Business
Second Harvest calls on Central Florida to end hunger
In September, Hunger Action Month, Second Harvest is encouraging one million actions – such as donating, advocating, or volunteering – to raise awareness for the one in eight adults and one in six children experiencing hunger on any given day in Central Florida.
Apopka City Council passes Energy Choice Ordinance
With the passage of this ordinance, residents will benefit from access to a popular, clean, and cost-effective energy choice, allowing them to choose the energy source that best suits their personal needs and budget.
Goodwill Industries of Central Florida celebrating "Goodwill Scholars" success stories
“Goodwill Scholars” is a new employee scholarship program that fully pre-pays all costs related to education, including tuition, books, and fees. Here's how it works.
The investigation shows that federal regulators have consistently failed to protect the public from gift card fraud and have failed to give gift cards consumer protections like those afforded to credit and debit cards.
The best way to reduce recovery time is to eliminate the need to recover at all. That begins with building homes that are able to withstand extreme storms.
“Ready Set Orange” customers can choose from eight pre-designed floorplan models and receive step-by-step instructions on applying for the program and obtaining final construction permits.
Orange County is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the federal Community Development Block Grant by highlighting nonprofits that have used the funding to help local residents.
Health

Florida resident dies from listeria outbreak related to sliced deli meats; two more sick

Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in its latest food safety alert on Wednesday that 57 people have gotten sick and been hospitalized from the foodborne bacterial illness, the largest outbreak in 13 years.

Orange County Mosquito Control tackles Dengue Fever threat

The Florida Department of Health in Orange County confirmed two people living in Orange County tested positive for Dengue Fever, a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.

Florida Blue Foundation launches Maternal Health Grant Program

The Foundation seeks to fund programs that support innovative and actionable solutions to improve maternal health outcomes, bridge health disparities, and secure equitable access to quality maternal health care services across Florida.

Lizard Wars in Florida?

The battle over Florida territory by two lizard species may seem minor, but this reptile rumpus could have implications for public health.

Developing Story: Blue-green algae found in Lake Ola

Lake Ola is a 426-acre body of water that sits in the northwest corner of Orange County near the town of Tangerine, about eight miles from the center of Apopka.

Orange County Mosquito Control crews target spraying after report of Dengue fever

The Florida Department of Health confirmed on August 22nd, two people in Orange County contracted the Dengue virus locally.

West Nile virus season returns − a medical epidemiologist explains how it’s transmitted and how you can avoid it

Mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting the West Nile virus to humans.

The West Nile Virus arrived in the New York City area in late 1999. The virus has since spread and become endemic throughout the continental United States.

Grant funds UF research for kratom - potential opioid relief

Kratom is a tree belonging to the coffee family. The tree’s leaves produce unique compounds called monoterpene indole alkaloids, which are known for various beneficial pharmaceutical uses.

Without research, the engineered production of kratom alkaloids in large quantities is not possible, which creates a bottleneck preventing advances in pharmaceutical research. 

Government
The Apopka Parks and Recreation Department prepared the application, which was presented to the TDT Application by Apopka Parks and Recreation Director Radley Williams.
In case you missed it. The Apopka News Week in Review includes five articles that shaped the City... all in one place, including details on the millage rate for the 2024/25 Apopka City Budget.
The grant for Apopka was to engage stakeholders from government, business and community groups, as well as residents, to define goals, prioritize strategies, and drive sustainable growth.
The final votes will come in September, when two hearings will be held to ratify the millage rate and budget.
Apopka City Hall.
City Council schedules budget workshop before September hearings
The Apopka City Council will meet on Wednesday to discuss the final details of the 2024/25 fiscal year budget and millage rate before the final budget hearings.
A breathtaking view of the 9/11 Lights and Brooklyn Bridge.
Apopka remembers 9/11
In Apopka, the city remembers the sacrifices made on 9/11 with a memorial service on the steps of City Hall and then a 5k charitable memorial run in honor of a former Apopka firefighter.
Apopka Police Department Burglary Report: August 18th-24th
The Apopka Voice publishes a weekly burglary report from the Apopka Police Department that includes reported burglaries of businesses, residences, and vehicles. 
Opinion

The Great Reset: What Apopka can learn from Charlotte

Charlotte, NC.
Moore: "Without openness, a city will also lack the ability to attract diverse talent. New talent and ideas are needed to replenish energy and capacity."
Moore: "Apopka can become much more than a bedroom community for Orlando. We are all part of a large mega-economy of Central Florida. The possibilities for economic success and preserving our environmental treasures are endless."
Cities provide critical life-sustaining services to residents, such as clean drinking water, sanitation, public safety, etc. Such critical services need a stable source of funds to ensure they are never disrupted.
Nesta: "The City of Apopka and the residents' will are again under attack. Serious matters are being completely disregarded, and there are continued ethics violations from this administration."
Bonus Content

Does where you live determine how you eat? New study uncovers America's emotional eating patterns

Hims compares America's foodie capitals and what their eating patterns say about their culture and health.

What you need to know about Project 2025

The 19th reports on a 920-page policy blueprint that contains the Heritage Foundation's vision for a second Trump administration — with impacts on women, LGBTQ+ rights, families, education and the workforce.

The surprisingly simple way cities could save people from extreme heat

Grist reports on how cool roofs reflect sunlight and reduce the urban heat island effect.

How could Project 2025 change education?

The Hechinger Report analyzes the ramifications of Project 2025–from Head Start to student loans–and how the conservative proposals for a new Trump administration have a wide scope.