The mission of The Apopka Voice is to engage with relevancy, inform with integrity, and inspire greater good at all levels of the community. We uphold the key values of honesty and transparency, seeking to shine a compassionate light on social justice issues, sharing opportunities for residents to connect and make a difference, and opening avenues for deeper dialogue, solution-finding and action-taking. We see our site and mission as a “work in progress”, pursuing improvement and growth through learning, risk-taking, listening and engaging, with the hope to become more effective and expand our reach and positive impact in the world.

While publishing articles largely focused on local news, we also cover a wide range of topics including business, education, real estate, environment and more. In addition, we also cover relevant county and statewide news that impacts Apopka residents, keeping the community informed on topics not always covered by other news outlets.

Click here for our Content and Advertising Policy and Practice,or scroll to bottom of page for details.

TEAM

Denise Connell, Publisher & Owner, holds a BA in Interpersonal Communication from the University of Central Florida and an MA in Religious Studies from La Sierra University in California, and has served the Central Florida community since 1992 through organizational leadership, teaching, writing, motivational speaking and coaching. She has led businesses and non-profits, and guided teams and individuals in finding vision and direction that brings more joy, meaning and purpose for their organization, them personally, and for those they serve. Inspiring change and action for difference-making kind of living is her focus and what she hopes to bring through The Apopka Voice. Whether through the issues explored, content published, or through the mentoring of  journalism/communications students, she is committed to furthering a more informed and engaged community that will grow stronger and better with each passing year. You can reach Denise at denise@theapopkavoice.com, or (407) 415-6218.

Reggie Connell, Managing Editor & Owner, started his journalism career in 1981 with the St. Pete Times 'working the desk' as well as writing for the sports department. He attended the University of Florida and served as a journalist on two of the student newspapers, The Independent Florida Alligator and The Student Leader. Having won awards for his writing and editing, and with additional business-focused years in insurance and mortgage sales, Reggie soon bought and ran City Magazine in Altamonte Springs, serving as publisher and managing editor there, while also writing and publishing his first book in 2014, Falconland, an historical novel on the life of the 13th century King Frederick. While working on the sequel to Falconland, Reggie took on the managing editor role forThe Apopka Voice in 2015, and just two years later became its owner. Serving as the managing editor through to today, Reggie's love for contributing to Apopka's growth via  honest, ethical and quality journalism, as well as mentoring of journalism students, continues strong. You can reach Reggie at reggieconnell@theapopkavoice.com, or (407) 437-5654.

Ashley Connell, Marketing & Sales, was born and raised in Central Florida before attending Bennington College in Vermont. She has worked in a variety of industries, from theatre and non-profit development to commercial real estate, tech, and employee engagement. She believes that dedicated local journalism is the best path to stronger communities and civic engagement and she is excited to bring her experience in B2B sales to help the businesses of Apopka connect with their community. You can reach Ashley to explore advertising options or request a media kit by contacting her at info@theapopkavoice.com, or on her cell: (386) 314-4963.

Interning Correspondents: We partner with local college and university internship programs to provide students with real-world experience, mentoring, and opportunities for publishing and building their portfolios. Typically our interns are studying journalism, communications, digital media, and / or business, and are either enrolled in studies or recently graduated. We have had the joy of working with interns from Full Sail University, Seminole Community College, University of Central Florida, and Valencia Community College. Occasionally we also take on high school interns who are especially recommended and qualified. 

Please welcome our 2025 interns:

• Kayley Hayden - Graduate of University of Central Florida - Photography
• Isabel LeCompte - University of Central Florida - Photography
• Emma Longwell - University of Central Florida - Journalism
• Katherine Whalen - Florida Southern College - Public Relations & Marketing

Previous Interns

• Keily Alfonzo - University of Central Florida - Journalism (Fall 2024)
• Jake Bell - University of Central Florida - Journalism
• Rob Clark - Rollins College, Masters Program - Strategic Communications
• Katelyn Colley - University of Central Florida - Journalism
• Mickenzie Hannon - Valencia & University of Florida - Journalism 
• Matthew Hughes - University of Central Florida - Journalism
• Crystal Jacome - Full Sail University - Broadcasting & Videography 
• Macy Garcia - University of Central Florida - Communications & Media Studies/PR (Fall 2024)
• Alisha Garner - University of Central Florida - Research & Writing
• Estefania Lazaro - Full Sail University - Marketing 
• Nathaniel Marrero - Valencia Community College & UCF - Journalism
• Adeen  McKenzie Kennedy - University of Central Florida - Creative Writing (Summer 2024)
• Ava Niemeyer - Forest Lake Academy - Journalism 
• Allison Petro-Williams - University of Central Florida - Journalism
• Tristan Robinson - University of Central Florida - Creative Writing & Journalism
• Yasmene Warren - University of Central Florida - Journalism
• Kiara Velez - University of Central Florida - Journalism

HISTORY

Originally The Apopka Voice launched in December 2015 by local resident and business leader Dale Fenwick, who had the vision for building a local, independent, online news site dedicated to telling the story of life in Apopka, Florida. In May 2017, Fenwick sold The Apopka Voice to then managing editor, Reggie Connell, who continued with the vision, while adding Orange County and relevant statewide news that impacts Apopka residents. In February 2020, Denise (Badger) Connell joined the team officially as publisher, and in April that same year The Apopka Voice became a dba under Connell Publishing, LLC, continuing the vision not only for Apopka, but also with plans to expand to other cities who are missing out on having their story told through hyper-local, quality journalism. 

INVITATION

Delivering worthwhile local news and accurate reporting is truly a community-wide effort. It takes a dedicated staff and a loyal readership working together to make it happen. We hope you will give The Apopka Voice a good look, and then join us as a partner in transforming the way news is delivered and acted upon. Your engagement and participation with us says you believe that supporting trustworthy, independent, and difference-making local news means a better community for all.

We invite you to share your thoughts and concerns, ideas and celebrations, questions and solutions with us through your comments, advertising, community participation, and support. We, in turn, hope to make you proud to have us as a main source for keeping you informed, engaged and inspired, connecting you more with the community we all love.

QUESTIONS & SUGGESTIONS

Questions about our news site or advertising? Suggestions or ideas? Feel free to email or call us. We’d love to connect: info@theapopkavoice.com.

The Apopka Voice is a dba of Connell Publishing, LLC.

CONTENT and ADVERTISING POLICY and PRACTICE

Content and advertising policy and practice for Connell Publishing, LLC, and for all websites associated with us.

We are committed to providing accurate, balanced, and thoughtful coverage of news and events. Our goal is to engage, inform, educate, and inspire our audience with trustworthy content. This content policy outlines the standards and principles that guide our editorial decisions and ensure our commitment to fairness, non-partisan politics, and content that maintains respect and tastefulness.

1. Commitment to Fairness

We strive to present news and information in an unbiased and objective manner. Our editorial team works to ensure all sides of an issue are represented fairly, providing context and insight into different perspectives. We do not favor any political party, ideology, or special interest group, and we make a concerted effort to avoid promoting any agenda. Our reporting includes both sides of an issue whenever possible, allowing our readers to make informed decisions.

2. Non-Partisan Politics

We do not align with any political party or movement. Our goal is to inform our audience with facts, not to push a political agenda. Our news stories, commentary, and opinion pieces are designed to offer diverse viewpoints and perspectives. We maintain strict boundaries between our reporting and editorial content, ensuring that our news coverage remains free of partisan influence.

3. Eliminating Bias

We work to eliminate any potential biases from our news coverage by adhering to journalistic standards and practices. We remain vigilant against subtle forms of bias, such as selective omission, sensationalism, or the framing of issues to manipulate public opinion. We encourage a culture of transparency and correction, and any mistakes in our reporting will be openly acknowledged and corrected.

4. Content in Good Taste

We are committed to ensuring that all content published on our site adheres to a high standard of professionalism and respect. We do not publish content that includes hate speech, personal attacks, obscene, coarse or inflammatory language. All commentary and opinions should be expressed respectfully, even when engaging in passionate discourse. We respect the diversity of our audience and believe that differing opinions can be expressed in a manner that contributes to thoughtful discussion rather than division.

5. Sensitivity to Diverse Audiences

Our content is created with awareness of the diversity of our readers. We strive to avoid content that is discriminatory or harmful to any group based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or any other characteristic. We are committed to fostering a respectful space where all readers feel welcomed and valued. 

6. Transparency and Accountability

We are transparent about our sources, methods, and decision-making processes. If an article is based on opinion, analysis, or commentary, we will clearly label it as such. Our editorial team remains accountable to the public, and we welcome feedback or concerns about our coverage. Any conflicts of interest or affiliations are disclosed in an open and honest manner.

7. Avoiding Conflicts of Interest: No Gifts or Event Sponsorships

To maintain the integrity and independence of our reporting, we prohibit editorial staff, reporters, and contributors from accepting gifts, compensation, or favors from individuals or organizations that may have a vested interest in the stories we cover. This includes, but is not limited to, accepting invitations to paid events, meals, or entertainment as part of a news coverage or industry gathering, as well as event sponsorships.

Our commitment to journalistic objectivity requires that our coverage be free from external influence, and we take necessary steps to ensure that no personal gain or undue advantage compromises our ability to report honestly. Invitations to events, such as press conferences, interviews, or product launches, will be considered only on their journalistic merit, and no individual within our organization will accept complimentary perks unless they are directly related to the work being done.

Additionally, if any potential conflicts of interest arise from relationships, financial dealings, or affiliations that could influence coverage, we will disclose them clearly to maintain transparency with our audience. By adhering to this policy, we safeguard our editorial independence and prioritize delivering news that is unbiased, accurate, and in the best interest of our readers.

8. Accuracy and Timeliness

Our editorial team strives to provide timely and accurate reporting, ensuring that all information shared is current, reliable, and verified. We take the time to check our facts and sources carefully before publication, understanding that errors can undermine trust. If new information comes to light or a correction is necessary, we will promptly update or revise the content to reflect the most accurate version available.

9. Respectful Discourse in Comments and Engagement

We encourage respectful engagement in our comment sections and on social media platforms. While we support open discussion and debate, we prohibit the use of abusive language, trolling, personal attacks, and other forms of disruptive behavior. We strive to maintain an environment where healthy conversations can take place without fear of harassment or disrespect.

10. Content Moderation and Removal

We reserve the right to moderate or remove any content that violates this policy. Content that is deemed to promote violence, misinformation, defamation, or discrimination will be removed. We also reserve the right to suspend or block users who engage in harmful or abusive behavior on our site or associated platforms. 

11. Advertising, Sponsored Posts, and Links

We are committed to maintaining a clear distinction between editorial content and advertising or sponsored materials. While we rely on advertising to support our operations, we uphold strict standards to ensure that advertising, sponsored posts, and links do not influence or compromise our editorial integrity.

Advertising (banner ads, sponsored posts and links)

No matter the format in which an advertisement appears on our site, we do not allow advertisers to dictate, alter, or influence the editorial direction of our coverage, and our editorial team will remain independent from commercial interests. All advertisements accepted on our site must adhere to the same content standards outlined in this policy.

Sponsored Posts & Links

We accept guest posts (including paid sponsored posts), as well as guest opinion pieces on a wide range of topics, including politics and religion, as well as product- and/or general-issue based content and links. The opinions expressed in sponsored and guest content are not to be necessarily understood as shared by our team, nor products and services endorsed by us simply because we have published / run it. We believe in providing a variety of viewpoints and opportunities, as well as encouraging the exploration and dialog that this content and the advertisements hopefully create for our readers.

While we do accept guest and sponsored posts and sponsored links, we maintain editorial control over what is published and ensure that the content aligns with our values of fairness, respect, and accuracy. To the best of our ability, sponsored content will be relevant to our audience and will never be used to promote misleading or deceptive information.

Sponsored Links

We may occasionally include sponsored links within our content or on our site. Sponsored links will be used sparingly and only when they are deemed to be relevant and valuable to our audience, without compromising the journalistic integrity of the content. To the best of our ability, we will not accept sponsored links that lead to deceptive, misleading, or harmful sites.

No Editorial Influence

Our advertising and sponsored content/links policies are designed to ensure that there is no influence on our editorial decisions. All advertising and sponsored content/links are managed by separate teams from our editorial staff to preserve the independence and objectivity of our news coverage. Any content that is editorial in nature will be based solely on facts, research, and journalistic integrity, free from commercial pressure.

By clearly distinguishing between advertising, sponsored posts/links, and editorial content, we aim to maintain transparency with our readers and uphold the trust that is essential to our work. We are committed to ensuring that advertising does not compromise the quality, impartiality, or reliability of our news coverage.

12. Editorial Independence

Our editorial independence is central to our mission. We are not influenced by advertisers, sponsors, or any external interests when making editorial decisions. We are committed to maintaining a clear distinction between our news coverage and any commercial or promotional content.

By adhering to these principles, Connell Publishing, LLC, and all websites under its umbrella, aims to foster a responsible, fair, and thoughtful news environment where our readers can engage with content that is informative, accurate, and reflective of diverse perspectives. We welcome your feedback and remain committed to evolving and improving the quality of our reporting in service of the public good.