Community News
Monday, August 24, 2026 · Apopka
Deputies Find No Gun After Evacuation at Fivay High Football Game
Deputies evacuated Fivay High School's football stadium Wednesday after receiving a report of an armed student. A thorough search found no weapon, and the game resumed.
Orange County Opens Innovation Center and Senior Hub
Orange County opened an Innovation Center and Multicultural Senior Center on the county's Multicultural Center campus, with the Innovation Center opening to the public this fall.
Monday, August 24, 2026
Orange County cuts heat threshold for free bus rides to cooling centers
Orange County lowered its heat index threshold to 103 degrees, triggering free LYNX bus service to cooling centers as summer heat peaks.
Monday, August 24, 2026
Orange County Animal Services Warns Against Leaving Pets in Hot Cars
Orange County Animal Services warns residents not to leave pets in parked vehicles, where interior temperatures can reach dangerous levels within minutes.
Monday, August 24, 2026
Orange County Urges Special Needs Families to Register Before Hurricane Season
Orange County opens registration for its People with Special Needs Program, which provides specialized evacuation assistance for residents dependent on medical equipment or additional care during hurricanes.
Monday, August 24, 2026
Apopka Requires Special Events Permits for Outdoor Gatherings
Apopka requires Special Events Permits for outdoor gatherings exceeding 100 people or those involving vendors, alcohol, or street closures. Permit applications must be submitted 60 days in advance.
Monday, August 24, 2026
Apopka Wins 42nd Straight Financial Reporting Award
Apopka has won its 42nd consecutive Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for fiscal year 2024.
Monday, August 24, 2026
Live Local Act No Longer Applies to Wekiva Study Area Properties
Senate Bill 1730 removes Live Local Act protections from Apopka properties in the Wekiva Study Area starting July 1, 2025.
Monday, August 24, 2026
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Toro Toro Miami
Toro Toro Miami will offer a four-course prix fixe menu with live entertainment for New Year’s Eve 2024, featuring dishes like Wagyu Short Rib and Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass.
Monday, August 24, 2026
DeSantis Rejects Florida Gas Tax Pause Amid $4/Gallon Spike
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shot down calls to suspend the state's 25-cent gas tax, warning drivers won't feel relief at pumps hitting $4 a gallon. Despite pleas from Democrats and Palm Beach County leaders, he cited past failures and oil market volatility. As global tensions rise, Florida motorists brace for pain at the pump.
Monday, August 24, 2026
DeSantis Signs 9 Key Florida Laws on Safety, Schools and Traffic
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed nine new laws Thursday in Tallahassee, tackling unlicensed drivers, church security and body camera privacy amid rising public safety concerns. Most take effect July 1, joining nearly 60 others passed this year. From stricter traffic penalties to expanded school guardians, the measures aim to bolster security across the Sunshine State.
Monday, August 24, 2026
Florida's Lab-Grown Meat Ban Survives Federal Court Challenge
Nearly two years after Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning cultivated meat sales in Florida, a federal appeals court upheld the controversial law as constitutional. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a challenge from California-based Upside Foods, cementing Florida's status as the first state to prohibit lab-grown meat—a move critics say protects the traditional livestock industry rather than consumers.
Monday, August 24, 2026
Florida Launches Mandatory Hurricane Drills Across All 67 Counties
With hurricane season looming just weeks away, Florida's Division of Emergency Management has rolled out mandatory public safety drills statewide to sharpen readiness. The initiative targets all 67 counties, urging residents to stock seven days of supplies and master evacuation protocols. Officials warn that recent storms underscore the need for swift action amid rising threats.
Monday, August 24, 2026
DeSantis Greenlights UFC, Colleges in Florida's New License Plates
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill unleashing eight new specialty license plates, from UFC fighters to South Florida high schools and military academies. Drivers can start pre-ordering Oct. 1, but only if 3,000 vouchers sell in two years. With over 2.3 million special tags already on roads, these could boost scholarships, mental health and more.
Monday, August 24, 2026