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Orange County adds 28.15 acres of sensitive land in Apopka to protected list
The wildlife corridor as well is enhanced by protecting this 28.15 acres from future development. The land is due North of Sandhill Preserve which is considered to be a rare habitat type.
Orange County traffic stop results in seizure of 300 bags of fentanyl along with cocaine and heroin
After conducting a traffic stop, troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol discovered fentanyl when a passenger inadvertently exposed contraband inside her purse when providing identification.
Does Apopka need a downtown masterplan?
I recently had the opportunity to visit my birthplace, Minneapolis, MN with an economic development team from Orange County. This column is the first of a series sharing best practices.
Apopka Police Department Burglary Report: September 17th-23rd
The Apopka Voice publishes a weekly burglary report from the Apopka Police Department that includes reported burglaries of businesses, residences, and vehicles. 
Everything coming to Disney+ in October
Disney+ subscribers in the United States will have plenty of new original content to enjoy in October, including the latest Marvel live-action series, a collection of original shorts and much more. …
Local News
AAA: Florida gas prices fell eight cents last week
Sunday's state average was $3.61 per gallon. That's 14 cents less than a month ago, 24 cents less than this year's high of $3.85 – recorded on August 17th. 
In Case You Missed It: The Apopka News Week in Review
In case you missed it. The Apopka news week in Review includes three articles that shaped the city last week... all in one place, including details on code violations at the RSR Golf Course.
What's the biggest issue happening in Apopka? Social media takes on the question...
Apopka Word of Mouth is a local social media page on Facebook that is often a platform for spirited discussions about city issues. It's a  page with over 9,000 followers. One of them, Akai …

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Face painting, bounce houses, costume contests (by age groups), photos with our First Responders from the Apopka Police Department and Apopka Fire Department, and more!
Register online  and join us for this FREE Second Annual Lake Apopka Eco-Bike Ride in celebration of Mobility Week 2023 at the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive.
Apopka City Council Meeting at City Hall on October 4, 2023 at 1:30PM. To view the meeting agenda visit: https://www.apopka.gov/agenda #ApopkaCityCouncilMeeting #CityofApopkaFL To watch …
Business
Central Florida has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the US
According to a recent report from ATTOM, the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metro area in Florida has one of the highest foreclosure rates of any region in the country.
Affordable Homeownership – The possibilities are endless!
Habitat for Humanity is committed to increasing our region's inventory of affordable starter homes. Why? Because we believe everyone deserves a decent place to call home.
Florida ranks 50th in Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding
Florida is expected to receive $19.1 billion in federal infrastructure investment. Adjusting for population, this comes out to about $887 per capita, the lowest among the 50 states.
Many local business owners are still struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to assist them, Orange County has introduced the Small Business BOOST program.
The new Apopka store in the Apopka City Center at 611 East Main Street is designed to provide customers with a unique, localized shopping experience.
CareerSource Central Florida has a great complimentary training opportunity starting on August 21st to support single mothers and connect them with family-friendly employment.
Instead of splish-splashing with George Clooney, most employees are getting their R&R from watching Netflix on their second monitor — at best.

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Health

Avoid last-minute crush of choosing a health plan

Understanding health insurance coverage benefits and comparing plans is critical so people get the coverage they need and can keep costs affordable for the coming year.

CDC greenlights two updated COVID-19 vaccines, but how will they fare against the latest variants? 5 questions answered

The CDC recommended that everyone ages six months old and up should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine so that they can be better protected against developing serious outcomes from COVID-19.

Shelters can help homeless people by providing quiet and privacy, not just a bunk and a meal

As of 2022, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated that the U.S. had nearly 600,000 homeless people nationwide.

Florida enrollment in Medicaid continues recent decline

Florida’s Medicaid enrollment continue to decline, according to recent data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on health policy, research and polling.

How evasive and transmissible is the newest omicron offshoot, BA.2.86, that causes COVID-19? 4 questions answered

BA.2.86, nicknamed Pirola, is a highly mutated new omicron sublineage of SARS-CoV-2 that was first detected in Denmark in July 2023.

New data shows historic reduction in overdose deaths in Central Florida

The data tells a clear story: something is working in Central Florida. This isn't just a statistical anomaly; it's evidence that concerted, data-driven community action has had a significant impact. 

Help your tween get ahead of the class with routine vaccination and health screenings

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all preteens and teens receive the following vaccines starting around age 12 to protect against serious diseases. 

Take action this month to support local hunger relief efforts

Getting involved is easy, and this year, some of the actions recognize the food bank’s 40-year history of fighting hunger in Central Florida.

Drain and Cover: Ways to prevent mosquitoes from multiplying after Hurricane Idalia

Due to rainfall from Hurricane Idalia, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County reminds residents and visitors of the importance of protecting themselves against mosquito-borne diseases.

Government
Columbus Day commemorates Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas. However, there has been a movement to reevaluate and transform this holiday into Indigenous Peoples' Day.
The City of Apopka and the Apopka Fire and Police Departments will host the September 11th Memorial 5k and the  “Together as One Festival” in Downtown Apopka.
One of Orange County Government’s most important budget functions is to invest in all aspects of the local community to enhance the quality of life for residents.
Developing Story: RSR Golf Course owner fined over $1.7 million by City of Apopka for multiple, ongoing code violations
Through a public records request, The Apopka Voice has learned that The Golf Group, owners of the RSR golf course lands, has been cited for multiple code violations and amassed fines totaling over $1.7 million.
Second Annual “Together as One Festival” / Third Annual 9/11 Memorial 5k 
The City of Apopka and the Apopka Fire and Police Departments will host the September 11th Memorial 5k and the  “Together as One Festival” in Downtown Apopka.
Apopka Police Department Burglary Report: September 10th-16th
The Apopka Voice publishes a weekly burglary report from the Apopka Police Department that includes reported burglaries of businesses, residences, and vehicles. 
Opinion

An open letter to the Apopka City Council: Whatever happened to proaction?

Hello, City Council. It's been a while since we talked. How have you been? A lot has happened, but unfortunately, a lot has not happened as well.
Council, YOUR administration cannot afford to be known as the one that allowed this to continue by not annexing South Apopka CDA in the City of Apopka. 
While social media, online comments, and letters to the editor serve as a platform for individuals to voice their opinions, they also raise concerns about the potential for misinformation and character assassination.
The city of Apopka is a mess right now. But there may be a way out of this chaos if residents would adopt the approach used by most other Florida cities to manage their affairs.
Bonus Content

3 reasons you should include more sprouted grains into your daily diet

(BPT) - If you're trying to make better-for-you decisions when it comes to what you eat, you've probably read that foods like whole grains provide important nutrients. But have you heard about …

La Oficina del Defensor aboga por condiciones seguras y humanas para todos los inmigrantes detenidos

(la Oficina del Defensor de Inmigrantes Detenidos) - La Oficina del Defensor de Inmigrantes Detenidos (OIDO) está aquí para ayudar a la comunidad de inmigrantes detenidos. La OIDO, una oficina …

Ombudsman Office Champions Safe and Humane Immigration Detention Conditions for All

(the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman) - The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO) is here to help the immigration detention community. OIDO, an independent office within …

Cyberattacks on local governments are on the rise, highlighting a need for enhanced security

What would a cyberattack on your local government look like? Drata analyzed threat trends to break down the growing issue.