• The Apopka Chief
  • Posts
  • Top 10 2025 stories, new police chief explains vision for APD

Top 10 2025 stories, new police chief explains vision for APD

The Apopka Chief Newsletter: January 2 Edition

Author

Sarah Merly
January 02, 2026

Welcome to The Apopka Chief weekly newsletter!

Happy New Year! One of my favorite articles we published this week was Jake Vest’s column on New Year’s resolutions. My resolution for this year is to read at least 25 books; I’ve started with Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux and The Valley of Vision, edited by Arthur G. Bennett. Do you have any resolutions for this year? If you do, or you have books I should add to this year’s list, feel free to email me at [email protected]—I’d love to share your answers in next week’s newsletter!

~Sarah Merly, Editorial Assistant and Reporter

Front Page

This year, Apopka witnessed the swearing in of its first female police chief, efforts in flood mitigation, Wekiva High School beginning its community school transformation, and the opening of several new amenities. | Photos by Rey Villavicencio, Marshall Tempest, and Vinnie Cammarano

Other Front Page News:

Other Local News

Bracy Davis to host record sealing and expungement workshop Jan. 7

Workshop aimed toward those with criminal records

Annual Cardboard Canoe Regatta to return Jan. 17

Prizes include Race Winner, Crowd Favorite, Most Spectacular Sinking

UF/IFAS kicks off 2026 with educational programs

Classes include homebuyer workshop, a diabetes prevention program, and more

John Bridges Center to host smoking cessation event Jan. 29

Group Quit to discuss Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Police Beat: APD arrests 31 Dec. 21-27

In the period from December 21-27, 2025, the Apopka Police Department received 1,868 calls for service, responded to 28crashes, issued 138 citations, and made 31 arrests.

Opinions: Jake Vest and J.C. Derrick

Lifestyle

Local Sports


Alex Congdon in perfect position for the offensive rebound. | Photo by Vinnie Cammarano

Apopka Historical Fact

“[Edgewood-Greenwood Cemetery] is Apopka’s oldest cemetery, with graves dating to 1854. Around this cemetery have existed some important buildings. The first Baptist church was located here, before it was moved to Main St. The Methodist church was built on the east side of the cemetery, but was destroyed by a 1912 windstorm. The first school was located here until it burned.”

~Apopka Historical Trail by Steve Rajtar