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Commission weighs proposed millage rate increase, Apopka activist dies at 88

The Apopka Chief Newsletter: July 10 Edition

Author

Sarah Merly
July 10, 2026

Welcome to The Apopka Chief weekly newsletter!

Happy Friday! We have officially entered the hottest season of the year—the dog days of summer, which run through August 11 according to Almanac.com. Apparently, the name is derived from “the heliacal rising of Sirius, the Dog Star.”

“The Greeks believed its brilliance intensified the summer sun, and its name, ‘Sirius,’ even means ‘scorching,’” said Almanac executive digital editor Catherine Boeckmann. “Greeks and Romans associated Sirius with ill fortune, believing it caused droughts, fever, and general discomfort. Roman poet Virgil wrote that Sirius ‘brings drought and plague to frail mortals’ when it rises. Farmers would watch the skies and adjust planting and harvest schedules based on this superstitious guidance.”

Shakespeare even makes reference to the supposed effects of the dog days in Act III, Scene I of Romeo and Juliet: “I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire./The day is hot, the Capels are abroad,/And if we meet we shall not ‘scape a brawl,/For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.”

Although summer doesn’t really end until sometime in October in Florida, the end of the dog days gives us something to look forward to—and an excuse to listen to “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + The Machine on August 12. Stay hydrated out there!

~Sarah Merly, Editorial Assistant & Reporter

Front Page


The City Commission held a workshop Wednesday to review the preliminary fiscal year 2027 city budget. | Photo by Dana O’Connor

Other Front Page News: 

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Kelly Park, Wolf Lake Elementary ranked highest in Apopka

Voter registration deadline draws near for primary election

Election Day set for Aug. 18

Police Beat: APD issues 94 citations June 28-July 4

In the period from June 28-July 4, 2026, the Apopka Police Department received 1,782 calls for service, responded to 41 crashes, issued 94 citations, and made 24 arrests.

8 hurricane prep checks Apopka homeowners can make now

A quick hurricane prep checklist for alerts, yard cleanup, outage planning and family safety before the next storm

Goodwill, WFTV host summer food drive through July 11

Donations to benefit two area nonprofits

Opinions: Rep. Doug Bankson, Mayor Nick Nesta and Jake Vest

Local Sports


Coach Scott Garland huddles the campers in the infield grass to instruct them. | Photo by Vinnie Cammarano

Lifestyle

Apopka Fourth of July Celebration Gallery

Enjoy some photos of Apopka’s Fourth of July celebration last week, taken by our photographer Dana O’Connor!


Crowds of Apopka residents gathered near the American flags at the Northwest Recreation Complex.


A singer from the Private Stock Band high-fives a little girl in the crowd at Apopka's Fourth of July celebration.


Fireworks light up the sky over the Apopka Amphitheater.