• The Apopka Chief
  • Posts
  • McLeod celebrates 75 years, mayoral debate moves to Apopka High

McLeod celebrates 75 years, mayoral debate moves to Apopka High

The Apopka Chief Newsletter: January 30 Edition

Author

Sarah Merly
January 30, 2026

Welcome to The Apopka Chief weekly newsletter!

Sarah Merly here:) Between my vacation up north and the cold down here, I’m dying for spring to come. Oh, well…at least I have Harry Styles’ new single to get me through it.

In case you haven’t heard, the mayoral debate will now take place at Apopka High School! Thank you so much for your eagerness to attend. I’m so excited for everyone to vote in the March election!

Till next time, much love:)

~Sarah Merly, Editorial Assistant and Reporter

Front Page

Bill McLeod and Ray McLeod pose with a portrait of their father, Johnie McLeod, at McLeod Law Firm. | Photo by Dana O’Connor

Other Front Page News: 

Other Local News

FBI: Florida on “front line” of elder fraud following 18-year conviction

Courier overstayed student visa, scammed $15 million

Council approves second reading of Paulucci Acres rezoning

Development is for northwest Apopka

Council approves $32K in grants for nonprofits 

Seven groups applied in October 2025, all approved

School board member Melissa Byrd receives Advanced CBM distinction

Byrd completed 30 continuing education hours in 2025

Apopka voters group schedules 2 election forums 

Events to focus on mayoral, council races

Police Beat: APD arrests 23 Jan. 18-24

In the period from January 18-24, 2026, the Apopka Police Department received 1,561 calls for service, responded to 22 crashes, issued 119 citations, and made 23 arrests.

Opinions: Jake Vest, Melissa Byrd and Mike Gilland

Lifestyle

Apopka Historical Fact

“This church [St. Paul A.M.E. Church] formed in the 1880s on Broad St. in Johnson Town along the northwestern edge of Apopka. It was dismantled in 1890 and moved to Mead’s Bottom to the southeast of the TO&A and Midland Railroads. A new sanctuary was built in 1905 while Rev. G.W. Jenkins was pastor. It was moved to its present site and rebuilt, completed on October 19, 1930. The present building was finished in 1973.”

~”St. Paul’s A.M.E. Church,” Apopka Historical Trail by Steve Rajtar