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Mayor reflects on first 100 days, Crabb appointed to County Commission

The Apopka Chief Newsletter: August 7 Edition

Author

Sarah Merly
August 07, 2026

Welcome to The Apopka Chief weekly newsletter!

Happy Friday—and happy early voting! From now through Aug. 16, Apopka is offering early voting at the following two locations from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.:

  • Apopka Community Center | 519 S. Central Ave.

  • John H. Bridges Community Center | 445 W. 13th St.

To learn more about candidates on the ballot, feel free to read our Q&As on the following races:

On a different note, Pet Paradise Animal Hospital & Resort in Apopka is throwing their free 25-year celebration tomorrow from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. right here in Apopka. The party includes adoption opportunities, snow cones, giveaways, and more—just in time for National Dog Month!

As always, thank you for reading. See you next week!

~Sarah Merly, Editorial Assistant & Reporter

Front Page


Mayor Nick Nesta speaks at the ribbon-cutting for the Orlando Health Behavioral Health Hospital in May. | Photo by Vinnie Cammarano

Other Front Page News: 

Other Local News

Q&A: County judge candidates share responsibilities, memorable cases

Contested races are on the Apopka ballot for groups 5 and 17.

OCPS reviewing media policy after meeting with news coalition 

Both sides agree to continue discussions this school year.

Apopka DRC recommends approval of Paulucci Acres plan for more than 500 lots 

Committee also reviews Sir Arthur Court rezoning and two upcoming special events.

Walmart launches drone delivery service at Apopka store 

Service allows eligible customers to receive small orders by drone.

Back-to-school tax-free shopping in full swing

Tax-free school shopping ends Aug. 20.

Foliage Sertoma donates $1,000 toward Loaves & Fishes AC replacement 

Food pantry serves about 270 people each week.

Police Beat: APD makes 31 arrests, responds to 26 crashes July 26-Aug. 1

In the period from July 26-August 1, 2026, the Apopka Police Department received 1,430 calls for service, responded to 26 crashes, issued 97 citations, and made 31 arrests.

Apopka man accused of threatening former mayor found competent to proceed 

Pretrial conference scheduled for Sept. 2; trial scheduled for Oct. 19. 

Local Sports


Kevin Roberts (L) and Kingston Shaw (R) present checks to give back to Apopka Pop Warner. | Photo by Vinnie Cammarano

Lifestyle

Apopka Historical Fact: Dixie Highway

“This section of Orange Blossom Trail [near the intersection of OBT and Lake Ave.] was a part of the Dixie Highway, which was the dream of Carl Fisher of Indianapolis. He had made his fortune in the new auto industry, and wanted to build a highway from Chicago to Miami. When news got out, many communities formed associations to lobby for inclusion on the route.

“The Dixie Highway Association met in Chattanooga and chose a route passing through Tallahassee and Jacksonville, and proceeding south along the east coast. Frenzied lobbying also produced an inland route passing through Gainesville, Ocala, Winter Park, Orlando, Kissimmee, Bartow and Arcadia, rejoining the coastal route at Palm Beach.

“In 1915, Fisher led an auto cavalcade from the Midwest to Miami, popularizing auto trips to Florida. The Dixie Highway was officially open for traffic in October of 1925 from the Canadian border at the northern tip of Michigan to Miami.”

-Apopka Historical Trail by Steve Rajtar