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When Arguments turn to Gunfire: Apopka faces hard questions about youth gun violence

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When Arguments turn to Gunfire: Apopka faces hard questions about youth gun violence
When Arguments turn to Gunfire: Apopka faces hard questions about youth gun violence
An argument outside Apopka’s Fall Family Festival left a 21-year-old dead and a 17-year-old facing a murder charge. The case renews questions about how young people obtain firearms and what the community can do before another confrontation turns deadly. more
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Mayor Nick Nesta says Apopka must stop accepting delayed projects and postponed repairs as normal. In this op/ed, he outlines a commitment to clear priorities, fair treatment of employees, and honest reporting on his administration’s progress.l
Nesta: Apopka deserves accountability and results at City Hall
Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta says Apopka must stop accepting delayed projects and postponed repairs as normal. In this op/ed, he outlines a commitment to clear priorities, fair treatment of employees, and honest reporting on his administration’s progress. more
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Toxic algae bloom taints the St. Johns River thanks to its excessive pollution. DeSantis promised to fix this problem but failed to do so.
An environmental cleanup list for Florida’s next governor
Florida’s next governor will inherit environmental problems that demand more than campaign promises. This opinion column offers Byron Donalds a pointed to-do list, drawing on experts’ recommendations for cleaner water, healthier parks and protected land. more
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Roberta Walton Johnson, Tiffany Moore Russell, Joe Strada, Kamia Brown and Jarod Fox won their respective races in the November 3 election, while Florida voters approved Amendment 3’s property tax changes.
Analysis: A national demand for change reaches Apopka’s doorstep
Apopka-area voters chose new voices in county government and Tallahassee, unseating Mike Crabb and Doug Bankson after campaigns focused on residents’ everyday concerns. The winners now face the challenge of turning promises on affordability, growth and public services into improvements voters can see. more
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As demand for services grows and traditional funding becomes less predictable, nonprofits are looking for additional ways to sustain their work. Derrick Chubbs shares how Second Harvest’s Plate Above Catering turns meal purchases into support for hunger relief in Central Florida.
Turning purchases into purpose: A path to nonprofit sustainability
As demand for services grows and traditional funding becomes less predictable, nonprofits are looking for additional ways to sustain their work. Derrick Chubbs shares how Second Harvest’s Plate Above Catering turns meal purchases into support for hunger relief in Central Florida. more
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A coalition of 20 Florida organizations is opposing Amendment 3, warning that its proposed property tax changes could weaken funding for conservation, flood protection and community services. The groups say voters should weigh the potential effects on local budgets alongside the promise of tax relief.
Sierra Club Florida opposes Amendment 3, warning of risks to parks, water protection, and local services
A coalition of 20 Florida organizations is opposing Amendment 3, warning that its proposed property tax changes could weaken funding for conservation, flood protection and community services. The groups say voters should weigh the potential effects on local budgets alongside the promise of tax relief. more
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A job can provide purpose, structure, and independence, but people with developmental disabilities often face barriers to employment. In this guest opinion, Quest Inc. President and CEO John Gill outlines how businesses, families, and community members can help create opportunities.
Ready to work: Opening doors for people with developmental disabilities
A job can provide purpose, structure, and independence, but people with developmental disabilities often face barriers to employment. In this guest opinion, Quest Inc. President and CEO John Gill outlines how businesses, families, and community members can help create opportunities. more
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AI hiring tools can streamline recruitment, but they can also reinforce biases and leave qualified applicants struggling to get an interview. Second Harvest’s Keonna Yearwood-Branch explains how job training and direct employer relationships can help candidates move beyond automated screening.
When AI screens out opportunity: Why human connections still matter in hiring
AI hiring tools can streamline recruitment, but they can also reinforce biases and leave qualified applicants struggling to get an interview. Second Harvest’s Keonna Yearwood-Branch explains how job training and direct employer relationships can help candidates move beyond automated screening. more
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Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta is encouraging residents to look beyond social media divisions and strengthen their community through everyday connections. In his latest message, he acknowledges questions about changes at City Hall and urges residents to support local businesses, enjoy city parks, and get involved.
Nesta urges Apopka residents to find common ground and build a stronger community
Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta is encouraging residents to look beyond social media divisions and strengthen their community through everyday connections. In his latest message, he acknowledges questions surrounding changes at City Hall while urging residents to support local businesses, enjoy city parks and get involved. more
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A typical stormwater retention pond in a Florida community is both a visual amenity and a poorly functioning pollution control device. New standards were supposed to make the stormwater system more effective, but the Florida DEP removed their teeth.
Florida’s stormwater cleanup promises deserve more than paper credits
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. more
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Mayor Nick Nesta at the Apopka Homeless Resources Town Hall in September 2026
Nesta: Progress takes time, but the work has started
Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta says his first six months in office have focused on improving communication, supporting city employees, and reorganizing City Hall. In this op-ed, he addresses residents’ concerns about sidewalks, roads, traffic, and water service while outlining plans to review utility finances and impact fees. more
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Dirt bike riders line up for a race at the Pax Trax MX motocross track in Bunnell. Volusia County officials want to build their own motocross track on land that was bought for conservation. The owner says the new Volusia track would put Pax Trax out of business.
Volusia County motocross proposal sparks fight over conservation land
Volusia County’s proposal to build a motocross facility on land purchased with conservation funding has drawn opposition and a lawsuit. In this commentary, Craig Pittman examines the environmental concerns, financial questions, and competing interpretations of what voters intended the land-buying program to accomplish. more
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In this opinion column, Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta says that protecting taxpayers and supporting city employees are compatible goals. He outlines his rationale for restructuring leadership and urges a thorough review of spending before reducing services residents depend on.
Nesta: Taking care of Apopka means taking care of our employees too
In this opinion column, Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta says that protecting taxpayers and supporting city employees are compatible goals. He outlines his rationale for restructuring leadership and urges a thorough review of spending before reducing services residents depend on. more
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Energy decisions should work like other choices families and businesses make based on their needs, priorities, and budgets, according to Lake Apopka Natural Gas District CEO Brent Haywood. During Public Natural Gas Week, Haywood argues that preserving natural gas infrastructure gives current and future Apopka residents another option rather than requiring them to use it.
OP/ED: Energy choice starts with giving people options
Energy decisions should work like other choices families and businesses make based on their needs, priorities, and budgets, according to Lake Apopka Natural Gas District CEO Brent Haywood. During Public Natural Gas Week, Haywood argues that preserving natural gas infrastructure gives current and future Apopka residents another option rather than requiring them to use it. more
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Pine Island is a coastal area in Lee County that retains a rural flavor and lots of natural beauty, but developers want to change that.
Florida county officials try to eliminate public comment on development
Lee County residents organized against a sweeping growth-plan rewrite they said was rushed, poorly publicized, and designed to diminish their influence over development. Their successful opposition is especially relevant in Apopka, where the placement, livestreaming, and official recording of public comments have sparked controversy. more
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Apopka Historical Society President Maribel Brinkle welcomes the vision presented in Building Downtown Apopka but argues that the city cannot afford to spend another seven years planning its future. She calls for a proposed downtown museum complex designed to generate activity and revenue.
Letter to the Editor: Downtown Apopka needs action, not another seven years of planning
Maribel Brinkle welcomes the vision presented in Building Downtown Apopka but argues that the city cannot afford to spend another seven years planning its future. She calls for immediate economic-development leadership and consideration of a proposed downtown museum complex designed to generate activity and revenue. more
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Downtown Apopka 2033? Apopka should use the CRA’s proposed seven-year extension to plan and pursue a transformative civic complex without placing it ahead of urgent public-safety projects. A modern library, events center, history center, and civic plaza could become the defining destination, connecting downtown’s existing investments and encouraging private development.
Opinion: Could a civic campus become downtown Apopka’s missing centerpiece?
Apopka should use the CRA’s proposed seven-year extension to plan and pursue a transformative civic complex without placing it ahead of urgent public-safety projects. A modern library, events center, history center, and civic plaza could become the defining destination, connecting downtown’s existing investments and encouraging private development. more
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Downtown Greenville, SC: Cities near Apopka’s size have transformed their downtowns by concentrating public resources around distinctive parks, cultural facilities, and civic destinations. Their experiences show that Apopka must move beyond disconnected improvements and decide what kind of downtown it intends to create.
Opinion: Successful downtowns begin when cities decide to build something consequential- Part 2
Cities near Apopka’s size have transformed their downtowns by concentrating public resources around distinctive parks, cultural facilities, and civic destinations. Their experiences show that Apopka must move beyond disconnected improvements and decide what kind of downtown it intends to create. more
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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.
Opinion: Apopka’s CRA has the money... now it needs a transformative mission - Part 1
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. more
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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.
The Price of Saying No: Apopka cannot have a bare-bones budget without feeling the cuts
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. more
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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.
Opinion: Apopka’s CRA has the money... now it needs a transformative mission - Part 1
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. more
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Social-media reactions, headlines, and popular opinion cannot replace a careful understanding of the consequences of government decisions. True leadership means remaining grounded in faith, treating residents and businesses fairly, and accepting that doing what is right may sometimes require standing alone. OP/ED by Apopka City Commissioner Nadia Anderson.
Leadership Beyond the Likes: When Doing What is Right Means Standing Alone 
Social-media reactions, headlines, and popular opinion cannot replace a careful understanding of the consequences of government decisions. True leadership means remaining grounded in faith, treating residents and businesses fairly, and accepting that doing what is right may sometimes require standing alone. OP/ED by Apopka City Commissioner Nadia Anderson. more
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After being challenged to exclude and denounce members of the LGBTQ+ community, Matthew’s Hope founder Scott Billue reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to serving everyone without discrimination. He argues that Christian faith is demonstrated not through judgment, but through unconditional compassion and a willingness to do difficult work.
At Matthew’s Hope, service comes without conditions
After being challenged to exclude and denounce members of the LGBTQ+ community, Matthew’s Hope founder Scott Billue reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to serving everyone without discrimination. He believes that Christian faith is demonstrated not through judgment, but through unconditional compassion and a willingness to do difficult work. more
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Street-safety advocates in Ivins, Utah, faced a series of unusual restrictions that eliminated many traditional options for making a school-area roundabout safer. Instead of abandoning the effort, they focused on the underlying goal of slowing traffic and developed a less expensive pilot project using painted curb extensions.
Small town street-safety project offers lessons in working around local constraints
Street-safety advocates in Ivins, Utah, faced a series of unusual restrictions that eliminated many traditional options for making a school-area roundabout safer. Instead of abandoning the effort, they focused on the underlying goal of slowing traffic and developed a less expensive pilot project using painted curb extensions. more
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The test track seen in this aerial photo was built outside Naples 40 years ago for the Ford Motor Co., but since then has been surrounded by preserved lands. Now a company called Hyper Club wants to turn the track and the 530 acres around it into a motorsports-themed development, smack dab in the middle of panther habitat.
Rich guys with racecars want to roar into Florida panther habitat
Developers want to transform a former Collier County automotive test track into a private motorsports club with resort amenities and up to 100 residential units. Environmental advocates warn that the project would fragment vital Florida panther habitat near several public preserves. more
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