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AHS students stage walkout, voters decide charter amendments, new orange grove mural

The Apopka Chief Newsletter: February 20 Edition

Author

Sarah Merly
February 20, 2026

Welcome to The Apopka Chief weekly newsletter!

This month, we’re celebrating one year of Mainstreet Daily News’ acquisition of The Apopka Chief! Thank you so much for sticking with us through the transition into a new circulation system, a website refresh, and an increase in readership. Those who support us through our new membership program have also given us the ability to host community events, like the Feb. 3. mayoral debate.

I have been so blessed to start my post-college career in such a welcoming and civically minded community—thank you for all your love for Apopka! Here’s to this coming year.

~Sarah Merly, Editorial Assistant and Reporter

Front Page

Apopka High School students stand on the corner of Maine Avenue and Martin Street, across from their high school, in a walkout event to protest ICE operations. | Photo by Teresa Sargeant

Other Front Page News: 

Other Local News

City hosts ribbon-cutting for new home

Griffin family looks forward to building ‘new memories’

Orange County Recovers program restores damaged Apopka home 

Upgrades include new roof, accessible ramp

Q&A: Mayoral candidates address Border Lake

This week’s question is as follows: Over the last several years, flooding has intensified at Border Lake and other nearby lakes. How would you address this issue as mayor?

Apopka mayoral candidates announce endorsements

Endorsements range from former city officials to clergy

Police Beat: APD arrests 21 Feb. 8-14

In the period from February 8-14, 2026, the Apopka Police Department received 1,358 calls for service, responded to 17 crashes, issued 56 citations, and made 21 arrests.

Opinions: Doug Bankson, Jake Vest and Melissa Byrd

Lifestyle

Local Sports


Blue Darters wave goodbye to the Patriots and their raucous student section. | Photo by Vinnie Cammarano

Apopka Historical Fact

“[Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church] was founded in 1937 by Belle William, J. Miller, R. Foster, Sam Brown, and several others who left New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Zephaniah Turk became its first minister. The present building was dedicated on July 25, 1965.”

~”Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church,” Apopka Historical Trail by Steve Rajtar