"Sonny's BBQ Anniversary Event, Lower Utility Bills, Volleyball Loss, and More in Apopka News!"

Don't miss out on Sonny's BBQ celebration, Apopka's lower water bills, Apopka Volleyball's tough match, city planning news, and more in this week's Rooted in Apopka newsletter! 🎉

Rooted in Apopka Team

Oct 8, 2025

Apopka, Florida - Orange County - City Tour & Drive Thru

October Edition

Greetings

Hey there, amazing readers! 👋

Happy October 08, 2025! We hope your day is going splendidly. Dive into this month's edition as we bring you exciting updates, and, of course, sprinkle some joy into your inbox! Don't forget to stay curious and inspired! ✨

Today on Rooted in Apopka:

The Local Lowdown

Apopka City's Efforts Lead to Lower Water Utility Bills and Increased Resident Satisfaction.
Apopka Volleyball Falls to Seminole in Tough 3-0 District Match
Apopka Extends Joint Planning Agreement with Orange County for Five More Years

Get Out & Go!

Development Review Committee Meeting
Apopka Swim Team Practice
Hocus Pocus Mixology & Charcuterie Workshop

Business Buzz

Three Odd Guys Brewing to Relocate to New Location in Apopka
Sonny's BBQ Celebrates 34th Annivers

Stay connected for more updates this week — let’s work together to make it a great one for Apopka, Florida. 🌴

Trivia Question❓

In what year did Apopka officially incorporate as a town?

Challenge: Look in to the events leading up to Apopka's incorporation and its impact on development.

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Discover local gems! This newsletter is sponsored by Zaarhub, your go-to online directory for finding the best local businesses in your community. Find everything from restaurants and shops to services and more. Visit Zaarhub today!

The Local Lowdown

🌟 Uncover the Essence of Your Community: Stay updated with the latest happenings, hidden gems, and exciting events right in your neighborhood, making you feel more connected than ever!

Apopka City's Efforts Lead to Lower Water Utility Bills and Increased Resident Satisfaction.
Apopka Volleyball Falls to Seminole in Tough 3-0 District Match
Apopka Extends Joint Planning Agreement with Orange County for Five More Years

📰 Apopka – News Highlights

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

🌤 Weather & Natural Events

Apopka is experiencing a shift to drier and cooler weather this week as a dry trough moves through the region.

Residents can expect lower humidity and comfortable temperatures through the weekend.

Local forecasters say this marks the start of the area’s fall transition after a humid September.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

Apopka Police are investigating the deaths of two individuals found inside an apartment at The Ascent of Palm Bay on Sunday evening.

Authorities confirmed the case remains under investigation but say it appears to be an isolated incident.

(Space Coast Daily)

Meanwhile, a recently released body-cam video of a Palm Bay officer arresting a pregnant woman during a June traffic stop has drawn public criticism.

The officer involved, Sean Rollins, reportedly has a past record of force-related incidents, prompting renewed calls for review of police conduct policies.

(Click Orlando)

🎪 Community & Events / Infrastructure

Mayor Rob Medina’s October message highlights several ongoing initiatives, including efforts to fund a new tactical training facility for first responders and plans to widen Babcock Street to reduce traffic congestion.

(City of Palm Bay)

The Palm Bay City Council is also set to hold a public hearing on Annexation Ordinance 2025-28 on October 16.

Meanwhile, Councilman Chandler Langevin continues to face backlash over his controversial social media comments, leading the council to vote for his censure and removal from committee roles.

(FOX 35 Orlando)

Also happening...

Apopka City's Efforts Lead to Lower Water Utility Bills and Increased Resident Satisfaction.

The City of Apopka is making steady progress in reducing estimated water utility bills for residents.

The city has invested in new technologies and procedures to improve accuracy in meter readings and reduce errors in billing.

Additionally, Apopka has dedicated staff members to address customer concerns and provide support.

As a result, many residents have reported lower bills and increased satisfaction with the city's water utility services.

Overall, Apopka is focused on ensuring fair and accurate billing for all residents while continuing to make improvements in their water utility system.

Apopka Volleyball Falls to Seminole in Tough 3-0 District Match

The Apopka volleyball team lost a district match to Seminole, with a final score of 3-0.

Despite putting up a strong fight and showing improvement throughout the match, Apopka was unable to secure a victory.

The team struggled with consistency and missed opportunities in key moments.

The loss serves as a learning experience for the team, who will continue to work hard and improve in their upcoming matches.

Apopka Extends Joint Planning Agreement with Orange County for Five More Years

The City of Apopka has voted to extend its joint planning agreement with Orange County for five more years.

This agreement allows the two entities to work together on various planning and development matters within their shared boundaries.

Both parties expressed satisfaction with the partnership and agreed that it has been beneficial for the community.

The extension of this agreement will continue to promote cooperation and collaboration between the city and the county in managing growth and infrastructure projects in Apopka.

Today's Weather Outlook

🌤️ Apopka Mid-Week Forecast (Oct 8 – Oct 10, 2025)

Here’s what to expect in Apopka, Florida over the coming days:

Wednesday, October 8, 2025: High: 88 °F, Low: 73 °F – Partly sunny with isolated afternoon showers.

Humid.

Rain chance ~25% ☀️.
Thursday, October 9, 2025: High: 87 °F, Low: 73 °F – Mostly sunny with occasional clouds.

Light showers possible in the late afternoon.

Rain chance ~20% 🌤️.
Friday, October 10, 2025: High: 86 °F, Low: 72 °F – Sunny with warm temperatures.

Slight chance of evening showers.

Rain chance ~15% ☀️.

Early mornings will remain humid, but afternoons should be sunnier with decreasing rain chances.

Perfect for outdoor activities!

🌴

Stay weather-aware and enjoy the sunshine breaks!

☀️🌦️

DIY Wednesday ✨

🔥 Get ready to unleash your inner creator: This DIY Wednesday promises to ignite your imagination like never before! 🌟

Can I Repair Gardening Gloves? - The Plant Enthusiast

🧤 Gardening Gloves Refresh: Give Your Well-Used Gloves a New Lease on Life

Before tossing out your worn gardening gloves, try refreshing them!

With a few easy cleaning and repair tricks, you can extend their life, save money, and keep your hands protected season after season.

Deep clean: Soak fabric or leather gloves in warm soapy water, then gently scrub off dirt using a soft brush.

Rinse thoroughly and air dry.
Condition leather: Use a small amount of natural leather conditioner or olive oil to restore flexibility and prevent cracking.
Reinforce seams: Stitch any small tears or weak areas with heavy-duty thread before they worsen.
Deodorize naturally: Sprinkle a bit of baking soda inside the gloves and let them sit overnight to absorb odors.
Label and store: Keep gloves in a dry, ventilated spot—use a clip or small bin to avoid moisture buildup and mold.

🌿 Tip: Have an old pair that’s beyond saving?

Cut off the fingertips and repurpose them as plant ties, tool grips, or knee-pad covers for weeding.

A little care goes a long way—refreshing your gloves keeps them durable, comfortable, and garden-ready for many more blooms to come.

🌸✨

🌳GET OUT & GO

Get out & go today - embrace the thrill of the outdoors and let every step be an adventure! 🌍✨

Development Review Committee Meeting
Apopka Swim Team Practice
Hocus Pocus Mixology & Charcuterie Workshop

Apopka Events

🎉 Apopka Events

Wednesday – Friday • October 8 – October 10, 2025

📅 Wednesday • Oct 8

Development Review Committee Meeting
🕒 9:00 AM | 📍 Council Chambers
City planning and development review session.

(Official city calendar)

Domino Night
🕒 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM | 📍 Hall’s on 5th
Weekly community domino game night.

(Local event listing)

📖 Thursday • Oct 9

Apopka Swim Team Practice
🕒 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | 📍 Junior Olympic Pool
Regular training session for the Apopka Swim Team.

(City calendar)

Wekiva Swim Team Practice
🕒 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | 📍 Junior Olympic Pool
Regular training session for the Wekiva Swim Team.

(City calendar)

Softball Spirit Night
🕒 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 📍 Hurricane Grill & Wings
Fundraising event supporting Apopka Softball.

(Community event listing)

📚 Friday • Oct 10

Wekiva Swim Team Practice
🕒 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | 📍 Junior Olympic Pool
Regular training session for the Wekiva Swim Team.

(City calendar)

Hocus Pocus Mixology & Charcuterie Workshop
🕒 6:00 PM | 📍 Creative Hub of Apopka
Workshop on mixology and charcuterie board creation.

(Event listing)

⚠️ The events above include a mix of officially confirmed ones and community-listed ones.

Check local listings, social media pages, or the city’s calendar closer to October 2025 for updates.

Business Buzz!

We are thrilled to announce Apopka, Florida's latest business addition! 🌟 Stay tuned for exciting updates on community initiatives and opportunities in the heart of Palm Bay!

Three Odd Guys Brewing to Relocate to New Location in Apopka
Sonny's BBQ Celebrates 34th Anniversary of VetFran Membership with Special Event

Sonny's BBQ in Apopka Celebrates 34th Anniversary of VetFran Program Participation with Local Veterans and Discounted Meals for Military Personnel

Sonny's BBQ in Apopka celebrated its 34th anniversary of participating in the VetFran program, which helps military veterans become franchise owners.

The restaurant honored local veterans and offered discounted meals to all veterans and active-duty military personnel.

The event also included a ribbon-cutting ceremony with city officials and representatives from the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce.

Sonny's BBQ expressed gratitude for the dedication and service of veterans, highlighting their contributions to the community.

Three Odd Guys Brewing to Relocate to New Location in Apopka

Three Odd Guys Brewing, a popular local brewery in Apopka, Florida, announced that it will be closing its current location in downtown Apopka.

The brewery has been a staple in the community for the past five years, but they have decided to move to a yet-to-be-disclosed location due to ongoing issues with their current building.

The owners, who are also brothers, plan to continue brewing and serving their signature craft beers at the new location.

Despite the closure, Three Odd Guys Brewing remains committed to providing quality, handcrafted beers to their loyal customer base.

Green Living Tip✔️

⚡ Conserving Energy During Peak Hours

Adjusting your usage to reduce strain on the grid

During peak hours—typically late afternoon to early evening—electricity demand surges as households and businesses use more energy.

By adjusting how and when you use electricity, you can help prevent power outages, lower your utility bills, and reduce stress on the grid.

Small changes in your daily habits can make a big difference in energy conservation.

🌤️ Shift Your Energy Use

Run dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers early in the morning or later at night.
Use timers or smart plugs to schedule high-energy appliances outside of peak times.
Pre-cool your home before peak hours begin, especially during hot days.

💡 Improve Energy Efficiency

Replace old bulbs with LED lights that use up to 80% less energy.
Seal doors and windows to prevent cool or warm air from escaping.
Unplug electronics and chargers when not in use to avoid “phantom” energy drain.

🌬️ Optimize Cooling and Heating

Set thermostats a few degrees higher in summer and lower in winter during peak hours.
Use ceiling fans to circulate air efficiently without increasing AC use.
Close curtains or blinds during the day to keep rooms cooler naturally.

🔋 Go Smart with Technology

Install a smart thermostat to automatically adjust settings during high-demand periods.
Monitor real-time usage through your utility provider’s app or online dashboard.
Consider solar panels or battery storage systems for sustainable energy management.

Business Spotlight✨

🌟 Gallo’s Pollo & Grill!

Celebrating local flavor in Apopka, Gallo’s Pollo & Grill has quickly become a favorite spot for residents craving delicious grilled dishes and welcoming vibes!

🍽️ Where Flavor Meets Community
Located in the heart of Apopka, Gallo’s Pollo & Grill started as a small family-owned eatery and has grown into a go-to destination for tasty meals with a warm, friendly atmosphere. From perfectly grilled chicken to signature sides, they’ve built a place full of flavor and charm.

What Our Guests Are Saying:
"The food is always fresh and flavorful, and the staff makes you feel right at home!"
– Local Diner, Apopka resident

🎉 Visit Gallo’s Pollo & Grill Today
Whether it’s lunch, dinner, or a casual catch-up with friends, Gallo’s is ready to serve up great food and smiles.

📍 123 Main Street, Apopka, FL
🌐 www.gallosapopka.com
📲 facebook.com/gallosapopka

Thanks for supporting the local businesses that bring flavor and community to Apopka!
#ApopkaProud #SupportLocal #GalloPolloApopka

Apopka Snapshot

Meet Katie 🐾, a 5-year-old smart pup ready for her forever home. Photo: Leisa Davis.

Making it through the mid-week!

Keep your news tips, event submissions, and photos coming!

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Apopka, Florida, officially incorporated as a town in 1882. Known as the “Indoor Foliage Capital of the World,” it grew from a small agricultural community into one of Orange County’s largest cities.

🌟 Help us grow by sharing this email with a neighbor, and if you have a news tip, simply hit reply! 📩

🌐 Stay connected by visiting our website at https://rootedinapopka.com
📘 Follow us on Facebook for news and updates: https://www.facebook.com/rootedinapopka

👥 Join the conversation in our community group: facebook.com/groups/rootedinapopka

Check out our local business directory: https://zaarhub.com

See you tomorrow,

- Rooted In Apopka Team