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Updating Breaking News: Missing and endangered Apopka woman located
On Monday, April 15th Hilary Patricia Ramos Acosta, a 26-year-old Hispanic female, departed her residence on East Lisa Lane in Apopka. She was located on May 7th.
Breaking News: Prescribed fire at Lake Apopka North Shore today
The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a 662-acre prescribed burn today at Lake Apopka North Shore.
More than 100 American Flamingos counted in Florida during February census
101 American Flamingos were spotted across Florida. The largest group (50+) was in Florida Bay; 18 were counted in the Pine Island area and 14 were at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Downtown Deland
The transformation of Deland: Part One
"I could never have imagined what Deland looked like today after beginning its revitalization in 1985." Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore's two-part series on the transformation of Deland.
Innovative technology to evaluate forest damage helps with rapid response after hurricanes
When hurricanes careen through Florida, they not only damage homes and businesses but also destroy forests and timber farms.
Local News
Is the apocalypse coming to Apopka?
Is Apopka about to experience an apocalypse? Are college kids learning how to defend themselves against zombies starting to make sense? Are Preppers beginning to sound like pragmatic realists?
At the urging of Velazquez, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission to be retooled
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs are essential for creating a more equitable and just society. However, implementing these programs in the United States has been challenging.
In participating states, low-income families will receive $40 each month for each eligible school-aged child, up to $120, to buy groceries, beginning in the summer of 2024.
Advocacy groups urge Florida to apply for 2025 summer meal programs for low-income kids
While Florida was one of 15 states that opted out of the Summer EBT program this year, according to the department's guidelines, state officials have until August 15th to notify the U.S. Department of Agriculture whether Florida will participate in the summer of 2025.
Avoiding iffy downloads is no longer enough to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Cybersecurity researchers spotlight a new ransomware threat – be careful where you upload files
Ransomware is a growing problem. Attacks have targeted individuals and organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, banks, cloud service providers, and even police departments.
The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Austin Duran to be honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend ceremony
Austin Duran's tragic death in 2022 shocked the community and tore apart the morale of the Apopka Fire Department. Now, he will be honored nationally at a weekend ceremony.
Eden Crest is a new 300-home development coming to Apopka.
New 300-home development coming to Apopka
Situated on a prime 95-acre tract at 851 South Binion Road, the community, which will be known as Eden Crest, will consist of 300 single-family homes and townhomes.
The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will conduct its annual national food drive on Saturday, May 11, 2024. NALC's food drive, which was first held in 1983, helps feed millions of Americans.
Business
Labor Department cites Florida contractor for lack of heat prevention after heat stroke claims 26-year-old worker's life
As average temperatures rise across the U.S., heat illness is a growing safety and health concern for workers indoors and outdoors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that environmental heat exposure claimed the lives of 36 workers in 2021 and 56 in 2020.
Many cities prohibit duplexes and high-rises. Although residents enjoy the extra space, it contributes to housing costs.
Worried about housing shortages and soaring prices? Your community’s zoning laws could be part of the problem
When households pay more than 30% of their income toward housing, the census calls those households “cost-burdened.”
Wallet Hub Study: Apopka ranks #58 in the US as the best small town to start a business
According to Wallet Hub, Apopka is ranked #58 in the United States among small towns for starting a business. The study analyzed 1,334 small towns across the country.
British Swim School, the nation’s leading “learn-to-swim” franchise with a stellar 40-year track record, is thrilled to expand its locations with the grand opening on March 25th in Apopka.
Planet Fitness has firmly established itself as a top choice for those in search of a comfortable yet effective workout experience.
The problem with boredom at work is its negative effects can linger. You might power through a mind-numbing task, but in doing so, you harm your ability to accomplish subsequent tasks.
The governor’s office cited reports from retailers estimating losses as high as $112 billion during 2022, with hot spots in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.
Health

DOH-Orange highlights National Water Safety Month

Florida offers countless opportunities to enjoy water recreation in pools, lakes, and other surrounding bodies of water. That is why water safety is critical.

AdventHealth Apopka debuts $26.3 million expansion 

This new floor will address the increasing demand for complex care within the community. The 30,230-square-foot expansion adds 38 inpatient beds, including cardiovascular progressive care beds and four dialysis bays.  

Cannabis legalization has led to a boom in potent forms of the drug that present new hazards for adolescents

Many of today’s cannabis products barely resemble the ‘weed’ that most middle-aged adults grew up with.

Arguments are for and against increasing the legalization of cannabis for adult use in the U.S., but expanded access to legal cannabis may also have unintended consequences for adolescents.

Removing PFAS from public water systems will cost billions and take time – here are ways you can filter out harmful ‘forever chemicals’ at home

PFAS are showing up in water systems across the U.S.

Under the new EPA rules, public water systems have until 2027 to complete monitoring for PFAS and provide publicly available data.

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. 

4Roots joins partners to establish Culinary Health Institute

The Culinary Health Institute on the 4Roots Farm Campus in the Orlando Packing District.

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. 

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.

Government
Olsen: "They're saying we're going to be adding 500,000 people. How many of those are coming to Apopka? What's our 2025 plan, or 2026 plan, or 2050 plan? We need to be thinking in advance."
At least 35,000 veterans were experiencing homelessness in 2023, according to HUD. While that's about half of what it was in 2009—things have plateaued in recent years despite active efforts to get that number to zero.
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 April 27th.
Commissioner-Elect Nadia Anderson shed the "elect" portion of her title to become the official commissioner occupying Seat #3. She joined Commissioner Nick Nesta (Seat #4) in taking their oaths of office at a ceremony held at City Hall on Tuesday.
Apopka City Hall Council Chamber
Apopka City Council begins a new era
Apopka voters made their choices for the Seat 3 and 4 City Commission elections on March 19th, and now they will watch as Nadia Anderson and Nick Nesta take their oaths and begin their four-year terms.
Operation Best Foot Forward begins April 30th to promote pedestrian safety around Central Florida's Parks and Trails
Law enforcement agencies will conduct a two-week high-visibility crosswalk enforcement campaign from Tuesday, April 30 to Friday, May 10th, across six Central Florida counties.
Camp Wewa
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—all in one place. It includes details on a clash in the City Council meeting about the forensic audit.
Opinion

The environmental education of Bob Graham offers lessons for Florida today

Bob Graham, on his first workday after being elected governor, handles sod for a Tallahassee road project, working eight hours in a light rain.
The environment wasn’t even an issue that Graham ran on, not at first.  In seeking election as governor in 1978, he focused on education and crime. But then, well into his first term, a national magazine slammed him on his environmental record.
Bob Graham — two-term governor, three-term U.S. senator — was always thinking about Florida, how to preserve Florida’s waters and save the Everglades, how to improve K-12 education, how to promote civic engagement, how to alleviate poverty.
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 by The Apopka Voice Managing Editor Reggie Connell.
Becker was a generational leader. People with his skill set usually skip municipal politics and aim for a fast track to a CEO role in a Fortune 500 company or a higher office. 
Bonus Content

5 consejos para aprovechar al máximo sus vacaciones en familia este verano

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Choosing Supplements That Hit the Mark

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10 tips to dial in your fishing to catch more and bigger fish this summer

(BPT) - From South to North, from West to East, anglers are hitting the water in pursuit of their favorite pastime — fishing. As temperatures start to rise, fish are on the move, and so are the …

Smart isn’t just for technology — welcome to the smart communities of tomorrow

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