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Breaking News: APD looking for missing and endangered Apopka woman
On Monday, April 15th at approximately 9:00 A.M., Hilary Patricia Ramos Acosta, a 26-year-old Hispanic female, 5’07”, 200 pounds, with brown eyes and dyed red hair, departed her residence on East Lisa Lane in Apopka. 
Orange County investing $2.1 million on Lake Apopka Loop Trail
The Lake Apopka Loop Trail is one of Northwest Orange County's most popular outdoor destinations. The multi-use trail encompasses almost 15 miles of stunning landscapes and trails.
Caterpillar Cascade: Where are they coming from across Florida?
Caterpillars are coming out in force because it’s a normal part of spring, Part of it may be due to all the fresh, new growth of leaves.
Fostering furbabies is a calling for Orange County resident Beth Otto
Although she’s fostered over 900 abandoned cats and kittens since 2009, Beth Otto admits she wasn’t always a cat lover.
Celebrate Safe Digging Month and Locator Appreciation Week
Contacting Sunshine 811 is free and legally required before starting any digging project in Florida. The organization notifies utility companies of pending excavation projects so buried lines can be located and marked, allowing you to begin your dig project safely.  
Local News
Outdoor workers in a field in Miami-Dade County.
DeSantis nixes local efforts to protect outdoor workers from Florida's brutal weather
The new law, HB 433, which takes effect on July 1, forbids the state or its political subdivisions from requiring any protections not mandated by state or federal law, even for their own contractors.
UF/IFAS experts give tips to manage the eastern lubber grasshopper, which can damage plants, citrus and vegetables
UF/IFAS experts give tips on how to manage the eastern lubber grasshopper, which can damage plants, citrus, and vegetables. Eastern lubber grasshoppers are out in force throughout the …
Get ahead of Tax Day: IRS introduces free tax-filing program
The simplified filing process could eventually save Florida taxpayers more than $530 million in filing fees every year.
Wekiva High School
OCPS Board Member Melissa Byrd sponsoring a CommUnity Celebration at Wekiva High School
The event promises to be an engaging experience and will be packed with school and community resources, continuing education information, and extracurricular opportunities. Apr. 10, 2024 WHAT: CommUNITY Celebration at Wekiva High School This exciting family friendly event serves as a platform to …
Kayakers on the Apalachicola River.
Again? For the third time, another company wants to drill in Florida's Apalachicola River floodplain
Pittman: "This is the third time some wildcatter has asked to cosplay Jed Clampett, hoping to find some a-bubblin’ crude in the wilds of North Florida. Oil, that is — Texas Tea!"
Pop-up, in-ground sprinkler head and home irrigation system. Photo taken 10-01-20.
UF/IFAS scientists launch landscape water use survey to enhance water conservation efforts, programs statewide 
A team of researchers at UF/IFAS researchers has released the Landscape Water Use Survey, which is aimed at homeowners and land managers statewide.
Business
Florida’s blueberry season means yummy fruit, courtesy of UF/IFAS and growers
UF/IFAS blueberry breeding research dates back to the 1950s and has a history of developing good-tasting, disease- and pest-resistant varieties.
The Culinary Health Institute on the 4Roots Farm Campus in the Orlando Packing District.
4Roots joins partners to establish Culinary Health Institute
In collaboration with founding partners AdventHealth, Florida Blue Foundation, and Gordon Food Service, CHI strives to understand how different growing methods impact nutrient quality and how consuming high-nutrient-quality foods can impact chronic illness. 
Power up your ride with versatile natural gas
There are a number of reasons why switching to natural gas may be the best option for you or your business.
The law will go into effect on July 1, allowing Florida minors older than 16 to work more than 30 hours per week if a parent, guardian, or school superintendent gives their permission in a waiver.
The Nauti Lobstah, in the same location as the famed Catfish Place, won the 2024 Orlando Sentinel's Foodie Award earlier this month in the Critic's Choice for Seafood category.
Since 2020, Homes in Partnership has built and provided homes to 157 individuals and families in Lake, Marion, Orange, and Sumter counties, with an additional 65 planned for 2024 – 2025.
“Farming is a Business” is designed for entrepreneurs interested in starting a farm business and for new farmers looking to expand their operations.
Health

Treating cardiovascular disease with integrative medicine

With heart disease on the rise, it’s paramount that each of us consider what we can do to lower our risk and promote heart health.

Dozens of groups call on DeSantis to veto bill denying heat protections for outdoor workers

A farmworker in Immokalee harvests tomatoes.

he groups have penned two separate letters in recent days to the governor, who received the bill (HB 433) on Tuesday from the Legislature.

Florida Blue Foundation announces 2024 Food Security Grant

Research has shown that when people have reliable access to fresh, local foods, they are more likely to make healthier choices, leading to better health outcomes. 

We thought measles were going away in Florida, but now there’s a new case

3D graphical representation of a spherical-shaped measles virus particle that is studded with glycoprotein tubercles.

In newly published data, the CDC's year-to-date count in the US now stands at 64 cases of measles, surpassing the 2023 total case count of 58.

As Florida winds down Medicaid eligibility review, more children under 5 are losing coverage

More than a thousand Florida children under five lost Medicaid coverage in February, according to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.

Despite the increase in the number of people enrolled in Medicaid, Florida removed more than 3,000 fewer people from the program, according to the February report.

The Florida Legislature doesn’t care how hot outdoor workers get

Outdoor workers in a field in Miami-Dade County.

Some Florida lawmakers have proposed bills requiring everyone who employs outdoor workers to educate them about heat illness and provide workers with adequate drinking water, access to shade, and 10-minute recovery breaks in extreme heat.

Florida social services call center has 2nd longest wait times in the country; $12 million might help

Paper cutout family with house under a Medicaid umbrella

Hoping to alleviate the problem, lawmakers agreed to put $12,261,444 for the call center in the state budget for 2024-25, but Gov. Ron DeSantis has yet to sign off on it, and he can veto various budget items.

Government
Three hundred people die of a drug overdose every day in the US, and the availability of illicit fentanyl significantly increases the likelihood of opioid overdoses and overdose deaths.
WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL), Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI), Congressman Greg Casar (D-TX), and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), announced …
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 March 6th.
Commissioner Kyle Becker, who resigned from Seat #3 on Friday, triggered a change in the Council, as Commissioner Diane Velazquez took over as Apopka's Vice Mayor.
Apopka City Commissioner (Seat #3) Kyle Becker.
Developing Story: Becker resigns from Apopka City Commission
Apopka City Commissioner Kyle Becker announced on his Facebook page that he and his family are moving from Apopka in the coming months.
Orange County celebrates 50th Anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant Program
Over the past five years, the programs in Orange County have funded the rehabilitation of more than 1,000 rental units, provided rental assistance to hundreds of households, built new community centers and health clinics, boosted the supply of affordable housing, and much more.
Developing Story: City Council approves forensic audit of finances with 5-0 vote
A forensic audit of a City's finances focuses on examining the financial records, transactions, and processes of municipal government entities such as departments, agencies, or public funds.
Opinion

Spring Cleanup: A Classic Community-Builder

Why do spring cleanups succeed so reliably? Obviously, there are environmental and aesthetic benefits. But they go so much deeper.
It's best to view a politician through the prism of their motivations. If they are considering a run for office, voters should be aware of the possibility. 
Too many ordinary citizens in District 2 do not feel empowered. We must restructure smaller interdependent teams based on neighborhoods and local areas so all feel welcome. In essence, we must become …
Municipal campaigns require a well-planned strategy. Running for office can be daunting and requires a lot of resources, including time, effort, and, most importantly, money.
Bonus Content

New Musical Toy Collection Aims to Aid in Child Development

(BPT) - Tiny Love® is an award-winning global toy and baby products’ company that puts special emphasis on baby’s development. With Tiny Love’s new Tiny Rockers collection, …

Into cafécore? It's the new trend for creating the coffee shop vibe at home

(BPT) - You may have heard of "-core" trends that center around a specific niche, like cottagecore (accessorizing your home like a lake house) or balletcore (a style that emphasizes elegance, ballet …

6 maneras de oler más fresco, desde las axilas hasta los pies

(BPT) - Existe un dato curioso sobre el olor corporal. Este no se limita solo a sus axilas. Puede afectar todo su cuerpo, desde su axilas hasta sus partes íntimas... y más allá. …

How to build, maintain and improve your credit

(BPT) - At first glance, building credit can seem like a challenge. How can you get the credit you need when you have little or negative credit history to start with? Don’t get discouraged, …