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Annexing South Apopka requires better leadership - and the right timing
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
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Good cities are built from small, thoughtful decisions
A nightly walk through a park revealed how small design choices can make a city feel safe, welcoming, or neglected. The difference between good lighting and bad lighting is more than technical — it’s emotional, and it’s what separates places people love from places they avoid. more
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When Michael McKinley became Apopka’s Police Chief in 2015, the city was growing fast, and the department faced challenges of size, staffing, and modernization. Ten years later, McKinley retires with the agency larger, accredited, and more connected to the community than ever before.
A Decade of Progress: McKinley retires from the Apopka Police Department
When Michael McKinley became Apopka’s Police Chief in 2015, the city was growing fast, and the department faced challenges of size, staffing, and modernization. Ten years later, McKinley retires with the agency larger, accredited, and more connected to the community than ever before. more
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29 Benches, 1 Mission: How Spokane residents stepped up to improve transit and safety
Installing benches at bus stops across Apopka would help residents, seniors, and people with disabilities access public transit more easily while fostering civic engagement. Involving volunteers, local artists, and businesses could transform small improvements into meaningful community impact. more
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Canaveral National Seashore offers the longest stretch of undeveloped Atlantic beach in Florida. Space X wants to close it for at least two months a year and maybe more.
SpaceX has big, destructive plans for its big rocket in Florida
SpaceX’s push to expand its Starship launch operations at Kennedy Space Center has drawn fierce opposition from environmental groups, residents, and local officials worried about the impact on Cape Canaveral’s protected lands and communities. Critics say increased launches, water use, pollution, and access restrictions — including at Playalinda Beach — could irreversibly damage one of Florida’s most ecologically sensitive regions. more
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A backyard cottage peeks out from behind a larger house in Tallahassee, Florida.
How Tallahassee made backyard cottages a real housing option
Tallahassee turned frustration into action by scaling its accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations to fit the size of backyard cottage projects rather than treating them like major developments. The result: simpler permitting, more flexibility for homeowners, and over 40 new ADUs built in just one year. more
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Apopka Residents: It's time to run for office
Once a city alive with debates, ideas, and spirited campaigns, Apopka now faces a troubling decline in political engagement. True democracy depends on choices—and it’s up to residents, community leaders, and former candidates to revive the city’s political energy before another election passes by default. Opinion by The Apopka Voice Managing Editor Reggie Connell. more
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Orange County Public Works Roads and Drains crew repairing Park Avenue in front of Apopka Memorial Middle School on Saturday.
From potholes to apps: How Apopka and Orange County residents can solve problems fast
Apopka, Orange County, and the Florida Department of Transportation are making it easier than ever for residents to report problems like potholes, drainage issues, and graffiti. With apps like SeeClickFix and the county’s 311 hotline, solutions can often happen within days instead of weeks. more
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Apopka City Council cuts taxes, but misses a chance to lead
The Apopka City Council’s decision to cut a quarter mill from property taxes saved the average homeowner $96, but it could have addressed pressing growth challenges. From infrastructure upgrades to downtown revitalization and South Apopka annexation, the opportunity to shape the city’s future was squandered. Opinion by The Apopka Voice Managing Editor Reggie Connell. more
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The first outdoor dining parklet in downtown Lafayette.
Park(ing) Day changed everything for this struggling downtown
In 2017, Lafayette, Louisiana, transformed parking stalls into temporary parklets and outdoor dining spaces during its Park(ing) Day event. The success of that experiment led to a permanent ordinance, paving the way for the city’s rise as one of the nation’s top spots for outdoor dining. more
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Meet Apopka’s Next Police Chief: Dr. Lovetta Quinn-Henry will tackle crime with compassion
With decades of law enforcement experience and a doctorate focused on how officers use employee assistance programs, Dr. Lovetta Quinn-Henry believes prevention is more powerful than punishment. Her vision for Apopka includes peer specialists, improved housing, and proactive support to stop the cycle of addiction, homelessness, and crime before it starts. more
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Apopka shouldn't be forced to vote in the dark
The Apopka City Council’s decision to align the charter amendment vote with the March 2026 mayoral election may save money and boost turnout, but it sacrifices clarity. Voters will be asked to choose a mayor without knowing whether that office will retain authority or be reduced to a figurehead under a new form of government. Opinion by The Apopka Voice Managing Editor Reggie Connell. more
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Cleanup workers try to scoop up all the toxic globs on Pensacola Beach from the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon spill. Now BP is back with a new deepwater drilling plan.
BP is back 15 years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster, with plans to drill even deeper
BP is seeking approval for a massive new Gulf oil project—dubbed “Kaskida”—just 15 years after its Deepwater Horizon disaster poisoned U.S. coastlines, wildlife, and livelihoods. Environmentalists warn that this deeper, riskier well could unleash another catastrophe, but federal regulators seem poised to give BP the green light. more
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Florida’s school choice experiment is failing our children
Florida leaders call the state a national model in education because of its school choice program. But with dismal academic rankings, near-bottom teacher pay, and a voucher system that tilts the scales toward private schools, the reality is far from a success story. more
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Susan Sarandon (Annie Savoy) and Kevin Costner (Crash Davis) in Bull Durham.
Believing in Apopka: What Bull Durham can teach the City Council
In a city with so much potential, Apopka’s future depends on leaders willing to articulate their vision. Residents deserve more than silence and half-measures — they deserve clarity, conviction, and a plan for the next generation. Opinion, by The Apopka Voice Managing Editor Reggie Connell. more
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Florida wildlife commissioners ignore science, law in saying yes to bear hunt
Florida’s black bears face a controversial new hunting season after the DeSantis-appointed wildlife commission voted to allow annual hunts despite strong public opposition and outdated population data. Environmental group Bear Warriors United has filed a lawsuit to block the hunt, arguing it violates science, law, and the commission’s own management plan. more
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West Hudson Boulevard, where seven-year-old Legend Jenkins was killed.
The road that killed 7-year-old Legend Jenkins was working exactly as designed
When 7-year-old Legend Jenkins was struck and killed crossing West Hudson Boulevard, prosecutors charged his parents with manslaughter. But pedestrian advocates argue the real culprit is a roadway designed to make tragedies inevitable — a problem repeated in communities across the country. more
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Hurricane Helene swirls toward Florida. In its aftermath, the Legislature passed a law tying the hands of local government when it comes to development and slipped it into a measure that looked like help for hurricane victims.
Florida cities and Orange County line up to defy new pro-developer state law
Across Florida, local governments are defying a new state law that limits their authority over land use and development, pushing back against powerful developers and the DeSantis administration. From Orange County to Deltona and Manatee County, these scrappy underdogs are challenging SB 180 in court, determined to protect wetlands, curb sprawl, and defend local democracy. more
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How to make Apopka stronger with four hours and a shovel
In Lynchburg, Virginia, a group of volunteers turned overgrown, nearly impassable sidewalks near schools and a bus stop into safe, walkable spaces — all without waiting for government task forces or big budgets. Their “Pavement Party” demonstrates the power of community stewardship and cooperation to create safer, more connected neighborhoods. more
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Analysis: Apopka’s 2026 mayoral race becomes a three-way battle
The 2026 Apopka mayor’s race is officially a three-way contest as political newcomer Matt Aungst jumps in with a $265,000 self-funded campaign. Who holds the advantage heading into March? The Apopka Voice Managing Editor Reggie Connell offers an early analysis of the race. more
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Should America sprawl? Not if we want strong towns
While The New York Times piece “Why America Should Sprawl” argues that metro expansion is the key to solving America’s housing crisis, Strong Towns pushes back, calling sprawl a financial trap that weakens cities over time. There’s been a lot of buzz around Conor … more
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Seeing a toxic blue-green algae bloom in the St. Johns River has become more common as more pollution flows into the river from toxic sewage sludge.
Toxic sludge is tainting Florida’s longest river, with no solution in sight
Despite its historical significance and ecological value, the St. Johns River has become increasingly burdened by nutrient pollution from sewage sludge and agricultural runoff—issues that reflect a broader pattern of human-caused harm to Florida’s waterways. more
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What happens when housing prices go down (because they are)?
A growing number of housing markets are seeing prices soften, but instead of spurring more construction, falling prices are causing builders, lenders, and policymakers to pull back—revealing deep fragility in the nation’s housing system. A Strong Towns approach argues that true affordability will only come through small‑scale, locally driven solutions rather than top‑down financial engineering. more
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Apopka City Hall
Developers before residents? That’s not how Apopka’s chain of command should work
Mayor Bryan Nelson’s decision to move public comments ahead of the invocation and pledge has ignited criticism that City Hall is prioritizing developers’ convenience over residents’ voices. more
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Silver Glen Springs in Marion County.
Private company controls access to public land at Florida national park
Hikers and campers in Florida’s Ocala National Forest are seeing steep price hikes at popular springs, with entry fees rising from $5.50 to $13 per person and a new $20 parking charge. Critics say private concessionaires like Naventure are profiting from public lands while ranger staffing and services decline nationwide. more
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