The Orange County Clerk of Courts is offering festive “Winter Wonderland Weddings” this December, transforming the Downtown Orlando Courthouse ceremony room into a cozy holiday-themed venue for couples. Appointments and walk-ins are available throughout the month, with limited slots and standard marriage license requirements still in effect. more

University of Florida researchers have harvested the state’s first successful crop of Pierce’s disease–resistant wine grapes, opening the door to a potential large-scale Florida wine industry. The breakthrough, supported by a collaboration with Château Le Coeur, produced the state’s first bottles of wine made primarily from Florida-grown, disease-resistant hybrid grapes. more

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 November 8th. more

Apopka hosts a lively weekend lineup filled with music, festivals, art, and community service opportunities. From free concerts to local showcases and city-sponsored events, there’s something happening for everyone. more

Despite rising costs, health insurance on the Individual Marketplace remains a crucial investment for financial stability and long-term well-being. With $0 preventive care, protection from unexpected medical bills, and available subsidies, coverage offers peace of mind at every stage of life. more

A new federal tax and spending package could leave millions more Americans uninsured over the next decade, placing intense pressure on the country’s network of community health centers. These safety net clinics already operate on thin margins and now face destabilizing funding cuts and rising patient demand. more

UF/IFAS Extension Orange County is offering a diverse lineup of December classes, including programs for renters, first-time homebuyers, gardeners, and aspiring backyard chicken owners. Workshops are available online and in person, with registration required. more

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

On Rochester’s Anderson Avenue, residents are watching cars speed past their homes while city policy says the problem isn’t yet severe enough to warrant basic safety fixes. The story highlights a growing shift toward a new model of street safety—one that treats safety as a core duty, uses quick, low-cost interventions, and actively partners with residents to prevent crashes before they happen. more

Wekiva High School turned into barbecue central on November 8 as it hosted Sonny’s BBQ’s 2nd Annual Jr. Pitmaster Class and Competition, bringing together five high school culinary teams for hands-on training with professional pitmasters. more

A federal government shutdown is disrupting air travel across Florida, with more than 800 flights canceled and over 4,000 delayed at major airports in Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa since Friday. As the FAA phases in a potential 10% reduction in operations, lawmakers in Washington are racing to strike a deal before the Thanksgiving travel season begins. more

A new federal proposal tucked into the bill to reopen the government could dramatically curtail intoxicating hemp-derived products, putting Florida’s multi-billion-dollar hemp industry and more than 100,000 jobs at risk. more

When a Jack Kerouac classic quietly disappeared from an Orange County high school library shelf, it became a local example of how Florida’s House Bill 1069 empowered almost anyone to trigger the removal of books. more

Apopka and Orange County are marking Veterans Day with a full slate of events and perks, including ceremonies at Kit Land Nelson Park and the Orange County Administration Center, as well as free admission to museums and attractions, restaurant deals, car washes, and grocery discounts. Beyond the holiday, veterans also have access to property tax relief, state park benefits, county support services, and emerging AI-driven hiring tools designed to better recognize military experience. more

Families of three teenagers who died in a Sunday morning crash on Welch Road in Apopka have launched GoFundMe campaigns to help cover funeral and related expenses. more

Scientists are turning beach shells into powerful tools for conservation, using them to reconstruct centuries of ecological history in Florida’s seagrass meadows. Their work on the state’s Nature Coast reveals that these habitats and their mollusk communities have remained remarkably stable for hundreds of years, offering a rare success story—and a model—for protecting seagrass systems under pressure worldwide. more

Audubon Florida and the Orange County Regional History Center have launched a new exhibit tracing 125 years of bird conservation in Florida. The colorful display, open through February 2026, highlights Florida’s role in saving wading birds, restoring the Everglades, and expanding public lands. more

Florida has followed a familiar cycle for over a year, where the state average declines for 5-10 days, then shoots up 10-20 cents before moving lower again.  more

In case you missed it. The Apopka News Week in Review includes seven articles that shaped the City... all in one place, including details on two key promotions at the Apopka Police Department. more

Troopers say three Apopka teenagers were killed and three others seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash on Welch Road just after 1:30 a.m., when a pickup truck lost control on a curve, left the roadway, hit a tree, and overturned. The Florida Highway Patrol has not released the names of those involved, and the crash remains under investigation. more

The federal government’s sudden halt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding on Nov. 1, 2025, has disrupted a vital safety net that helps tens of millions of low-income Americans buy food each month. As courts order the release of November’s $8 billion in benefits, experts warn that the modest payments many recipients rely on are already stretched thin by rising costs of living and persistent poverty. more

Apopka and Orange County are marking Veterans Day with a series of events that include park and downtown ceremonies, a special tribute to Vietnam veterans, and a citywide banner program honoring local heroes. From keynote remarks by a retired Navy captain to Operation Green Light illuminating county buildings, the region is offering multiple ways for residents to recognize the sacrifices of veterans and their families. more

Property tax relief is poised to be a central focus when Florida’s 2026 legislative session convenes Jan. 13, with lawmakers filing a series of joint resolutions that could dramatically cut or phase out non-school property taxes on homesteads. The proposals range from new and expanded homestead exemptions to changes in the Save-Our-Homes benefit, sparking debate between Gov. Ron DeSantis and legislative leaders over how far and how fast to proceed. more

In a meeting intended to advance the South Apopka annexation study, the Apopka City Council instead hit pause — questioning its own timeline, the process it had approved, and the very need for the study itself. more

Lieutenant Daniel Garcia and Lieutenant Christopher “Chris” Hanstein have been promoted to deputy chief and captain, respectively, by Chief Lovetta Quinn-Henry. Both officers bring decades of experience, innovation, and dedication to the Apopka Police Department and community. more