Welcome to the Apopka Chief weekly newsletter!

As we reflect upon numerous national tragedies this week, we’d like to share a prayer Pastor John Fisher of First Methodist Church Apopka gave at this year’s 9-11 ceremony at Apopka City Hall:

Loving God, today we pause and remember great losses as well as the courageous acts that we saw on September 11. As we do so, we lift up those who are still affected, particularly the families of the victims, the police officers, firemen, first responders and all who were involved that day. We know that their wounds are still very real and painful. We pray that Your comfort as well as Your peace will be upon them and that they will find solace in You.

Lord, we pray that that day will never come that we forget the sacrifices of those brave men and women who really demonstrated what it means to lay down their lives for others. Our hope is that through the acts of darkness and evil that were perpetrated that day, the people would be drawn to the light of Your love. We know that You desire to redeem all Your creation, and we trust that beauty will continue to come from the ashes of our nation’s darkest day.

And today, we just take a moment to lift up our nation’s first responders who still stand ready to serve and protect, and we ask that You give them the urge to answer the call of duty each and every day, that You would surround them for protection and keep them all from harm. Let them truly feel and know the appreciation that we have for them and their service to us.

This we all pray in Your holy Name, Amen.

If you have anything you’d like to see (or not see) in our weekly newsletter, please reach out directly to Sarah Merly at [email protected]. And if you want to read an exclusive monthly Apopka Chief newsletter—among other perks like giveaways and community events—please consider joining our membership program.

Thank you for reading. We can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

Front Page

Apopka Winn-Dixie celebrates 100th anniversary

Other front page news:

• Apopka City Council confirms 15.5% water rate increase in 2026 by Teresa Sargeant

• Apopka resident announces campaign for Orange County Commission by Sarah Merly

• Audit of city’s pension plans finds miscalculations in benefit distribution by Teresa Sargeant

• Apopka Murals to unveil 3 new murals in September by Sarah Merly

Other Local News

Opinions: Bryan Nelson, Christine Moore, and Melissa Byrd

Local Sports

Apopka plays tough first half, drops third straight to Dr. Phillips

• Apopka volleyball falls in straight sets in battle with Boone by Vinnie Cammarano

• Apopka volleyball dominates Freedom in 3-0 sweep by Vinnie Cammarano

• Wekiva drops to 0-3 as experience grows by Neal Fisher

• Apopka bowling poised for great season after fantastic start by Marshall Tempest

• Apopka residents win gold at national senior games by Vinnie Cammarano

Apopka Fact of the Week:

In 1936, at a cost of $87.50, a traffic light was installed on a trial basis at Central Avenue and Fourth Street. Some old timers regarded it as an unnecessary intrusion and often ignored it. 
 
-Based on info from Treasures and Pleasures Cookbook