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Nelson leads fourth quarter fundraising, council approves Paulucci rezoning

Nelson leads fourth quarter fundraising, council approves Paulucci rezoning

The Apopka Chief Newsletter: January 16 Edition

Sarah Merly
January 16, 2026

Welcome to The Apopka Chief weekly newsletter!

Sarah Merly here:) I hope you’re staying warm in this chilly weather! I’m heading out for vacation this coming week into the snow, so I’m taking the weekend to mentally prepare for that. In the meantime, our own Vinnie Cammarano will take over next week’s newsletter!

See you later, alligators!

~Sarah Merly, Editorial Assistant and Reporter

Front Page

Freemason 170th Anniversary

The Masons of Orange Lodge No. 36 celebrated the Lodge’s 170th anniversary with special guests at Hall’s on 5th Wednesday night. Erected in 1859, the group’s building on U.S. 441 is the oldest lodge in continuous use in the state of Florida. | Photo by Sarah Merly

Front Page News:

Nelson leads fourth quarter fundraising in mayoral race by Teresa Sargeant
FDOT to close downtown Apopka intersection nightly Staff Reports
Council approves Paulucci Acres rezoning by Teresa Sargeant
Business Expo connects entrepreneurs with free support services by Teresa Sargeant

Become a Member!

Other Local News

Apopka Planning Commission recommends grocery store approval

Board’s first meeting of 2026 saw election of chair, vice chair.

Apopka Woman’s Club opens scholarship application

Applications received until March 20

City Council turns down Golden Gem Road agreement

Road needs reconstruction to bring up to standard

Samara Primary Care Clinic opens in Apopka

Clinic began as home health-care service in 2018

Police Beat: APD arrests 32 Jan. 4-10

In the period from January 4-10, 2026, the Apopka Police Department received 1,745 calls for service, responded to 28 crashes, issued 144 citations, and made 32 arrests.

Nonprofit honors Apopka officers during Police Appreciation Day event

Twenty volunteers give officers snack packages.

Opinions: Jake Vest, J.C. Derrick and Melissa Byrd

Lifestyle

Holler-Classic Family of Dealerships

Local Sports

Wekiva boys come back to beat Apopka

Mustangs fired up over their second win against archrival. | Photo by Vinnie Cammarano

Apopka boys soccer spoils senior night for Wekiva by Vinnie Cammarano
Colonial girls halt Wekiva’s 3-game winning streak by Vinnie Cammarano
Wekiva wrestling captains dominate by Vinnie Cammarano

Maltby’s Tree Service & Landscaping

Apopka Historical Fact

“Luther Fuller Tilden (1834-1929) moved to Florida upon his doctor’s recommendation to seek relief from bronchitis. He arrived here in 1876 and built a two-story house above a little pond. His was the first house in Apopka with glass windows. Tilden developed a tract of land known as Tilden’s Addition in the old section of town near The Lodge.”

~”Tilden Ave.,” Apopka Historical Trail by Steve Rajtar