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WKMG •

Wanted: Candidates to run for Central Florida city elections. Why no one is showing up

ORLANDO, Fla. – On Dec. 2, 2024, Ron Wilkie was sworn in as a councilman for the city of Edgewater. By the end of the evening, he had announced his resignation.

Wilkie ran unopposed in August for District 4, taking the seat on Oct. 21 when his predecessor stepped down, rather than finishing his term.

However, Wilkie said he was disheartened by residents harassing his family and employees at his business.

During a meeting where he was sworn in for one final session, Wilkie said he wouldn’t let...
WUCF •

WUCF’s “On My Way to K” Brings Kindergarten Readiness to Local Libraries

This July, WUCF brought learning and laughter to libraries across Central Florida with its “On My Way to K” summer initiative. The free events invited families to explore hands-on activities crafted by WUCF’s education team and designed to help young children prepare for kindergarten. The “On My Way to K” tour made stops at the DeLand Regional Library in Volusia County, the Winter Park Library in Orange County, and the Hart Memorial Library in Osceola County. Geared toward children ages 2–8 (but...
WUCF •

New PBS documentary airing on WUCF shines light on struggles of caregivers

ORLANDO, June 24, 2025 – The new PBS documentary Caregiving will air Tuesday, June 24 at 9 p.m. on WUCF, sharing powerful personal stories that highlight the emotional challenges and everyday triumphs of caregivers across America. Caregiving takes you inside the lives of those fighting for caregivers and explores the urgent need to fix America’s caregiving system at a time when real change is possible.Executive produced by Bradley Cooper, Caregiving tells the heartfelt personal stories of six de...
Alz MindFL •

The Power of Music for Memory and Alzheimer’s Care: Hicks’ Family Story

By Kiara Velez


Music has a powerful and positive impact on people living with Alzheimer’s disease.


For the Hicks family, music is more than a pastime — it’s a language that speaks when words fail.


Jerry Hicks, a lifelong trumpet player in Orlando, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2018. Since then, his wife, Chris, has been his primary caregiver, and their daughter, Molly Hicks, has become a passionate advocate in the fight to end Alzheimer’s.


“Music and musical training were so much...
WKMG •

Mental health group moves forward with Sanford free clinic, with state help

SANFORD, Fla. – The Mental Health Association of Central Florida is opening a free clinic in Sanford next year – with a little help from the State of Florida.

The state legislature allocated $125,000–half of MHACF’s original $250,000 request– to support the no-cost and charitable mental health clinic.

Seminole County lacks 100% no-fee providers, which means when it opens, the Sanford clinic will be the sole free service provider for individuals under 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

[R...
Alz MindFL •

Jacksonville Beach Hiker Completes 500-Mile Pilgrimage to Honor Mother and Fight Alzheimer’s

by Kiara Velez


Anne Burris recently completed a 500-mile journey through the extraordinary Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, changing her grief into passion to raise awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association. 


From April 1 to June 8, 2025, Burris hiked from France to the coast of Spain in honor of her mother, Ada, who lived with dementia before passing away in 2017.


For this Jacksonville resident and avid hiker, every step she takes is a tribute to her mom–and a step closer to end Alzheime...
The Apopka Voice •

Apopka Police Department joins federal immigration enforcement amid state push - The Apopka Voice

The Apopka Police Department has quietly entered into an agreement with federal immigration authorities, joining a growing number of Florida agencies participating in the 287(g) program.
According to the ICE.gov website, the 287(g) Program allows a law enforcement agency to enforce certain aspects of U.S. immigration law, expanding the department’s authority to:
The state-forced decision has drawn scrutiny from residents and advocacy groups in Apopka, who fear it undermines trust between police...
The Apopka Voice •

Fear and Resistance: Apopka immigrant communities navigate rising ICE activity, harsh laws, and economic fallout - The Apopka Voice

Click for audio of article
For decades, Apopka thrived as a farming community built to a large extent on immigrant labor. Its roots are blue-collar and agriculture-based. And with The Farmworker Association of Florida headquartered here, nearly 30% of residents are Hispanic.
But now, with recent changes to federal and state laws, there has been an increase in hostility towards immigrants in the community, as well as concerning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids used to enforce new r...
Alz MindFL •

Gaming for Grandpa: A shared love for games into fundraising for hope

By Kiara Velez


Ryan H., better known as RyanGamez6901 online, held a five-day long, 24/7 livestream digital charity, transforming his love for gaming into an entertaining way to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association. 


Ryan H. of Jacksonville hosted The Longest Day® livestreaming event on March 18 through March 23, fundraising for Alzheimer’s research by engaging with online viewers by live chat, and even broadcasting while he was asleep. 


The Longest Day initiative raises funds an...
Alz MindFL •

My Journey with Alzheimer’s and My Abuelas: Weaving Memories

By Kiara Velez


“Pórtate bien y Dios te paga,” my Abuela Carmen Velez always says. “Behave well, and God will pay you back.” Those are the words that come to mind when I think of her.


Memories can be compared to threads—like a large weave of yarn coming together to show the full fabric of memories and life laid out like a great tapestry. Imagine then your loved ones and their experiences, memories, and lessons, all demonstrated in an array of colors. I like to imagine my Abuela Carmen and h...
Apopka Police Department and Orange County Public •

Apopka Police Department and Orange County Public Schools are hoping to resolve the SRO budget standoff this week - The Apopka Voice

School Resource Officers (SROs) are police personnel attached and assigned to schools as an on-campus securer of safety for students, staff, and faculty. 
In addition to their traditional security duties, SROs may also function in a mentoring, educational, and crisis intervention capacity. Relationships with SROs, students, and the school community establish trust and communication that helps prevent crime and encourages safety. However, their presence in some Orange County schools may be in jeo...
The Apopka Voice •

Apopka faces growing homelessness issues amid strict new Florida laws - The Apopka Voice

Homelessness in Apopka has become harder as a new state law, effective January 1st, prohibits public camping and sleeping, and potentially criminalizes homelessness. As local advocates scramble for solutions, Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson is at the center of efforts to address the growing crisis. 
But are those efforts effective?
According to Pastor David Schorejs of the Next Step Foundation, Nelson, who is a board member on the foundation, has consistently presented various solutions to the city's...
The Apopka Voice •

APD in transition: Deputy Chief Miller departs, and Chief McKinley also announces projected retirement date - The Apopka Voice

Deputy Chief Jerome Miller's retirement from the Apopka Police Department surprised many at the City Council's December 4th meeting. However, what was less discussed was another announcement - Apopka Police Chief Michael McKinley confirming his retirement.
"It's with mixed emotions that I stand before you here today, but an opportunity presented itself, and I just had to bite it and take it," said Miller, who left on Friday and will take on the same role (Deputy Chief) at the Orange City Police...
The Apopka Voice •

Apopka community continues to rise to the occasion in helping the homeless - The Apopka Voice

Last Sunday, November 24th, I had the privilege of volunteering at Just Like Momma's Thanksgiving Dinner, a local Soul Food family restaurant on Fifth Street in Apopka. Momma's hosted a Thanksgiving event to feed needy families and the homeless community. 
Hosted by local volunteers and supported by several Apopka-based organizations, the event highlighted the ongoing efforts to address the needs of the homeless community and the deep sense of responsibility that has taken root among residents....
The Apopka Voice •

Nelson refutes rumors of resigning from Next Step Foundation Board - The Apopka Voice

"Social media is not always correct," said Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson during the November 20th Apopka City Council meeting, addressing rumors that had been circulating about his resignation from the Next Step Foundation's Board of Directors.
According to its Facebook page, the Next Step Foundation is collaborating with community partners to develop a comprehensive plan to address homelessness and related issues.
The confusion stemmed from a post on The Apopka Critic stating that Nelson had resign...
The Apopka Voice •

City of Apopka wants your feedback on its Comprehensive Plan - The Apopka Voice

The City of Apopka is gearing up for a significant rewrite of how it will grow over the next two decades. The Comprehensive Plan 2040 is a long-term blueprint for the City's goals. It outlines the vision for land use, infrastructure, housing, transportation, and natural resources. 
As Apopka grows in residents and businesses, officials want to ensure the city grows in a way that benefits everyone—providing high-quality schools, plans for safe roads, and preserving historical and natural spaces....
The Apopka Voice •

What Florida’s new public anti-camping and sleeping law means for Apopka's homeless - The Apopka Voice

Florida's 'anti-camping' law went into effect last month, banning "unauthorized public camping and sleeping," which may significantly disrupt vulnerable local homeless communities. The new law, which took effect on October 1st, bans unauthorized public camping and sleeping—putting vulnerable Apopka homeless communities at risk of further displacement.
According to a government census on Apopka in 2022, nearly 10% of the population is impoverished, and Apopka homeless residents who had nowhere el...
The Apopka Voice •

Citizens Police Academy: A legacy of assisting the Apopka Police Department - The Apopka Voice

For more than 30 years, the Apopka Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association has been working alongside the Apopka Police Department. It's been a powerful source of help for the community. 
The Apopka Citizens Police Academy is a 14-week program hosted by the Apopka Police Department and designed to educate civilians who want to learn and experience what the field is like. While the course doesn't aim to make civilians into police officers, it does offer insights into the challenges police face...
Alz MindFL •

Swimming for Hope: Tony and Maria’s Journey Against Alzheimer’s

Hope continues to bring people together in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. For Maria Yanda, captain of the Optum Memory Marchers at Walk to End Alzheimer’s Tampa, the mission has become profoundly personal.


As a PA (physician assistant) and clinical advisor, Yanda began volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Association through her job with Optum. 


When her father developed Alzheimer’s, the cause hit home. Since then Yanda has dedicated herself to raising awareness and funds for Alzheime...
The Apopka Voice •

Apopka’s Birding Park at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is becoming a reality - The Apopka Voice

What started as a distant goal is coming closer to reality.
Over five years ago, Apopka, Orange Audubon, and the St. Johns River Water Management District envisioned a birding park at the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. Now, in 2024, the vision is less than a year away.
Radley Williams, Apopka Parks and Recreation Director, updated the City Council about the progress of the birding park at its October 16th meeting....

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