FEMA Administrator urges residents to prepare now, ahead of hurricane season

Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released the 2023 Hurricane Season outlook, which forecasts up to 17 named storms, including up to nine hurricanes.

Everything coming to HBO and Max in June

HBO and Max in June: Prepare for even more drama as the Sex and the City ladies navigate their 50s (Streaming June 22nd).

Ambush on the Wekiva River!

A great blue heron is wading along the shore in water that is deep enough almost to reach its body. It suddenly stops and lowers its head, pointing that terrible beak at something that only it can see.

Breaking News: District closing parts of Lake Apopka North Shore Loop

The Lake Apopka Loop Trail follows the lake’s edge through the property, covering more than 20 miles and providing hiking and biking opportunities.

A big weekend of Art in Apopka

Art and the community will be on full display this weekend in Apopka with two big events on Saturday and Sunday - Downtown Art Walk and Art Alive Paint the Town Art competition.

Summertime arrives at Eggs Up Grill in Apopka

Eggs Up Grill in Apopka will celebrate its younger guests with a complimentary breakfast special on National Egg Day – June 3rd.

Baptiste Dentistry for Kids in Apopka welcomes a new dentist

Hey guys Dr, Baptiste from Baptiste Orthodontics & Dentistry for Kids here. I hope your summer is off to a great start. At Baptiste Orthodontics and Dentistry for Kids, our summers are the …

AAA Survey: 1-in-4 Floridians would ignore hurricane evacuation warnings

Severe weather like hurricanes can wreak havoc on your home, damage your vehicle, and sidetrack your summer vacation. That’s why AAA is sharing its top insurance policies for hurricane season …

El Niño and extreme Atlantic Ocean heat are about to clash

The Atlantic hurricane season starts today, and forecasters are keeping a close eye on rising ocean temperatures, and not just in the Atlantic.

UF/IFAS study leads to milestone advances in understanding lethal bronzing of palm trees

Entomologist Brian Bahder and his team at UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center consider the study’s outcome a turning point for palm disease research.

Steps every caring citizen can take to improve their communities

It is empowering and encouraging to see our communities and corridors improve. All it takes is an engaged citizenry and a municipal government with sufficient dollars for proper maintenance.

Porkie's Original BBQ says goodbye to Apopka

It all started in 2002 when Porkie's Original BBQ owners Steve & Mike traveled all over Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas searching for the perfect BBQ flavor.

What is the most unique job in Florida?

The United States has the most dynamic economy in the world. Where it once was symbolized by the auto and steel industries, it's now the world's technology colossus.

Apopka Range War: Wendover pushes back on City's handling of Southwick Commons development

The feud between the Hatfield and McCoy families took place in the Appalachian Mountains between 1863 and 1891. But they have nothing on the range war going on in Apopka.

From ‘outdated’ to ‘wow, dated!’: Some consumers reconnect with old-school tech

According to The Wall Street Journal, pagers and flip phones are not obsolete — not even close. For today’s doctors, many still use one-way, beeping communication devices.

ROI: Nesta urges Apopka City Council to focus on return rates at investment banks

The Apopka City Council pushed for higher interest return rates from current investment banks at its May 17th meeting as Commissioner Nick Nesta raised concerns over loss of money.

Craft breweries are fermenting change, addressing local ills while serving local ales

Craft breweries are increasingly prominent players in America’s social and environmental landscape, helping to produce what some people call fermented landscapes.

How much do Florida homeowners pay in property taxes?

Typically used for funding public services such as schools, law enforcement, and infrastructure improvements, property taxes are the lifeblood of local communities across the United States.

Highs, and lows for Florida's seniors in health rankings report

America's Health Rankings 2023 Senior Report from UnitedHealthcare ranked Florida 25th in health outcomes for people age 65 and older.

Take precautions while enjoying water activities during the summer months

The Department reminds families to be safe when enjoying water activities, especially the week before Memorial Day, which is recognized as Healthy and Safe Swimming Week - May 22nd–28th.

Second Harvest expands health and hunger programming

With Second Harvest’s MTM program's inception, local healthcare providers can now refer eligible patients with chronic kidney disease to the food bank.

The U.S. is undergoing its worst bird flu outbreak ever. Is a poultry vaccine the answer?

Some lawmakers are warming to the idea of a vaccination campaign, long considered a fringe idea due to the cost and potential consequences.

Florida’s fertilizer addiction leads to ban on sales bans, roads that glow

Two of the worst things that survived the session are related to our ongoing water pollution woes. Both are likely to make things a lot worse. Both came as something of a surprise.

What does ending the emergency status of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US mean in practice? 4 questions answered

The COVID-19 public health emergency status in the U.S. expired on May 11th. And on May 5th, the WHO declared an end to the COVID-19 public health emergency of international concern.

Many people are tired of grappling with long COVID – here are some evidence-based ways to counter it

The illness following a bout with COVID-19 may be part of a patient’s response to the infection. But doctors and researchers do not yet know why some patients go on to have persistent symptoms.

Apopka honors the soldier's sacrifice

Memorial Day serves as a time for the nation to remember and pay tribute to all fallen service members, regardless of their era or conflict. It is a day of reflection and remembrance.

In case you missed it: The Apopka news week in review

In case you missed it. The Apopka news week in review includes five articles that shaped the city last week... all in one place, including details on the Southwick Commons development.

Breaking News: APD looking for missing Apopka woman

The Apopka Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Jay Ruth Sheppard. Ms. Sheppard was last seen on 5/9/23 after being discharged from Advent Health Apopka.

H2O Pipeline Program puts high school students on a promising pathway to a lifelong career

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners recently honored the first group of students who successfully completed the H2O Pipeline Program.

Commissioner Moore: "A successful CRA plan could result in a rebirth of downtown Apopka"

"Fortunately, in 2017, the City of Apopka created a CRA plan. This plan has many aspects and details, which, if followed, would result in a successful rebirth of downtown Apopka."

Orange County Utilities Receives Accolades for Educating Residents on Recycling

The recycling quality improvement program is an ongoing program that encourages residents to change their recycling behavior by using four-week periods of tagging.

New Florida study says recycling can help combat climate change

Pittman: "I’m glad my city still runs a curbside (or alley-side) recycling program. Some Florida cities and counties have canceled theirs."

‘Rhetoric’ doesn’t need to be such an ugly word – it has a lot to teach echo-chambered America

Today, rhetoric is often associated with one-sided arguments that cater to a particular corner of an echo chamber. Writing something off as “rhetoric” is often a power play.

The building blocks of a successful community

I’m supremely interested in improving towns, cities, corridors, and neighborhoods. I have reported regularly in columns and on social media about sources that present best practices for growth and improvement.

Apopka City Budget 2023: Department Heads propose three budgets and meet with employees this cycle

Rod Olsen is a former HOA President of Rock Springs Ridge and an Apopka resident who often contributes his opinions at the Apopka City Council meetings during the public comments.

A stellar Sunday morning on West Beggs Road

My most ambitious clean-up ever was a smashing success this past Sunday. I was motivated by the first-ever Coast-to-Coast bike ride down Beggs Road to Rose Avenue.