By Katherine Whalen, Interning Publicist from Florida Southern College, and staff reports
At The Apopka Voice, our mission has always been to provide timely, accurate, and relevant news to the people of Apopka and Northwest Orange County.
Some stories, however, call for more than daily reporting—they demand deeper digging, accountability, and the courage to follow the truth wherever it leads.
That’s why The Apopka Voice has long committed itself to investigative journalism, especially when public trust is at stake. While our resources are limited, our dedication is not.
Investigative journalism is not easy. It takes time, energy, and a willingness to ask tough questions, push for transparency, and follow stories through to their conclusion.
When misleading information, political maneuvering, or community confusion takes center stage, we step in with reporting that strives to bring clarity and accountability. This type of work differs significantly from covering a city council meeting or reporting on a traffic accident.
Unlike daily coverage, investigative work often takes weeks or months. It involves analyzing public records, conducting in-depth interviews, identifying patterns, and connecting the dots that aren't always visible on the surface.
It’s demanding, complex, and absolutely necessary.
At The Apopka Voice, we’ve taken on that responsibility before—and we will again.
In 2016, we revealed that a 10-acre parcel near Cleveland Street—proposed for light industrial rezoning—had previously been used as a temporary garbage dump.
In 2019, after Mayor Bryan Nelson made a public statement that he had no intention of firing Apopka Fire Chief Chuck Carnesale, we discovered in a public records request that the city attorney had already drafted a separation agreement to remove Carnesale.
In 2022, we reported extensively on the workplace accident that led to the tragic death of Firefighter Austin Duran—an event that could have been prevented and for which no internal accountability was taken.
In 2023, we broke the story that the historic Highland Manor and Hilton Garden Inn were quietly listed for sale by Taurus Investments, undermining public confidence in the Apopka City Center project.
And in 2024, we reported that the Golf Group owed $1.5 million in code fines on the closed Rock Springs Ridge Golf Course, while exposing misleading claims made by the HOA involving a proposed land swap and a protected gopher tortoise habitat.
These investigations weren’t quick or easy. But they mattered—and they still do.
If you value this kind of journalism, we invite you to support it. Whether through sponsorships, grants, or simply spreading the word, your help ensures that when the next big story surfaces, someone’s ready to follow it all the way through.
Have a story tip? Want to help fund more in-depth reporting? Contact us—we’re listening. We've taken on investigative reporting for ten years, and we plan to continue for the next ten, for the good of Apopka.
