The Apopka Chief
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Christmas parade draws thousands, Council calls for special election

Christmas parade draws thousands, Council calls for special election

The Apopka Chief Newsletter: Christmas Edition

Sarah Merly
December 19, 2025

Welcome to The Apopka Chief weekly newsletter!

Ho ho ho! Since our next paper doesn’t come out until the day after Christmas, we’re giving you a Christmas-themed newsletter as an early present—along with our favorite Christmas movies!

Debrah Hayden, Administrative Assistant: Home Alone
Gigi Cohen, Media Advisor: The Holiday
Jackie Trefcer, Business Development: Angels Sing
J.C. Derrick, Publisher: It’s a Wonderful Life
Lesbia Toruño, Legal Clerk: Home Alone
Nancy Thomas, Copy Editor: How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Natalie Mitchell, Member Ambassador: Last Holiday
Neida Quinones Cruz, Publication Coordinator: Just Friends
Sarah Merly, Editorial Assistant and Reporter: Die Hard (yes, really)
Teresa Sargeant, Reporter: A Christmas Carol
Vinnie Cammarano, Sports Reporter: Elf (his honorable mention is A Christmas Story)

Also, if you’d like to be our Santa Claus and donate to our Light the Way Holiday Drive, we’ll take your donations to Loaves and Fishes and Matthew’s Hope! Click here for more details.

Thank you so much for reading about what makes our community so special. Merry Christmas!

~Sarah Merly, Editorial Assistant and Reporter

Light the Way Holiday Drive

Front Page

Annual Apopka Christmas Parade draws thousands

Children perform on the 3D Motion Dance Center float during Saturday’s Apopka Christmas Parade. | Photo by Dana O’Connor

Front Page News:

Apopka launches special election to fill Nesta’s seat by Teresa Sargeant
Charter school eyes site at Plymouth Sorrento, Lester Road location by Teresa Sargeant
Orange County planning new park at Sadler Road, OBT by Teresa Sargeant
Apopka Run Club receives $10K from DICK’S Sporting Goods by Sarah Merly

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa Apopka

Other Local News

Council delays Paulucci Acres zoning request to January

Resident with family history in Apopka opposes new development

Orange County Public Schools plans broader AI integration in classrooms

District leaders worry about downfalls of tool use.

Crave BBQ to open at Hall's on Fifth

New vendor to replace Butcher's Nook

Police Beat: APD arrests 24 Dec. 7-Dec. 13

In the period from December 7-13, 2025, the Apopka Police Department received 1,979 calls for service, responded to 30 crashes, issued 53 citations, and made 24 arrests.