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The bottom line: Improvements at Tax Collector's Office saving money

The Green Cove Springs tax collector's branch is located in the Clay County Administrative Building.
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The first thing you notice in Diane Hutchings’ office is her desk, bookcase and conference table. All are regal in both size and influence, each masterfully crafted from wood …
College volunteers spent a day of their spring break spreading sod for Habitat for Humanity in Green Cove Springs.
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Spring Break in Florida usually means dragging a cooler to the beach or waiting in line for a ride at Disney World. But for three Illinois Institute of Technology students, …
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Lt. Col. Erick Saks received the 2023 Clay County Veteran of the Year Award.

Lt. Col. Erick Saks named 2023 Clay County Veteran of the Year

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The keynote speaker for Military Recognition Day last Saturday shared an interesting statistic, one that helps explain Clay County's rich military history. "Today, less than 1% …
Runners at last year's Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics raised money for the Clay County team ahead of the Florida State games.

Special Olympic Torch Run to blaze new trail on Friday

FLEMING ISLAND – Law enforcement officials will trade their green and blue uniforms for purple T-shirts Friday for the annual Florida Special Olympics Torch Run. The annual event will include a new …
The opt-in/opt-out form for elementary school students.

Here's how public schools will be impacted by new policy to challenge books, access material

CLAY COUNTY – A school board workshop on Feb. 27 presented the newest draft of the proposed policy to challenge books in Clay County District Schools. The newest draft is the latest development in …
This 1893 map shows phosphate deposits in Florida. Black Creek was the only known deposit in Clay County at that time.

Celebrate Clay County History: The Precedent Setting Black River Phosphate Company

CLAY COUNTY – The Industrial Revolution led to many changes in agriculture. With machines now doing the bulk of the hard work, farmers produced crops on a grander scale. As fertile farmland became …
The property borders Way Radio to its West and a neighborhood to its East.

'Mount Russell': neighbors react to backyard development on Russell Road

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Rafael Hinojosa stepped out to his backyard through a line of trees and faced an earthen mound that was higher in elevation than the rest of his property.  His property on …
Left, Councilmember Dan Lewandowski

Dan Lewandowski flies in for a second term

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Two seats for the city council were up for grabs this election cycle. Because the deadline to register as a candidate has already passed and because only one candidate registered …
More local news

‘Reckless’ turn leads to fentanyl trafficking arrest

MIDDLEBURG – A man making a left turn from Blanding, across three lanes from the far right lane onto Brannan Field Road, wound up going to jail for trafficking fentanyl, the Clay County Sheriff’s …

Commissioner Kristen Burke answers an angry voicemail about Sandridge Road

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The construction along Sandridge Road has been a continuous concern for Clay County residents ever since renovations began last year. Some of the concerns included possible …

Green Cove Springs City Council progress with water projects

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The City Council approved cleaning of 2,000 feet of stormwater pipe in the Cove subdivision and executing a loan agreement for the design and permitting of the Magnolia Point …

School Police Chief Wagner to return to sheriff's office

CLAY COUNTY – After serving as the Clay County District Schools Chief of Police for nearly five years, Kenneth Wagner will return to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It would be easy to assume …
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In the community

Trio honored by School District as top volunteers

At the March Regular School Board Meeting, the District recognized some outstanding students and educators who truly embody what it means to be One Team. One Goal. One Clay. Tyler Davies from Orange …

Baptist MD Anderson selects Dr. Tom Dragovich head of cancer medicine, oncologist-in-chief

Dr. Thomislav

FLEMING ISLAND - Dr. Tomislav “Tom” Dragovich has joined Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center as head of the Division of Cancer Medicine and medical oncologist-in-chief. He will also serve as …

Obituaries
Shaw, Wendell
Wendell Averill Shaw of Fleming Island, FL, passed away on March 4, 2024. Born to Averill Shaw and Kathleen G. Phair on May 24, 1938, in Mars Hill, Maine, he graduated from high school in …
Francis L. (“Bubba”) Davis
Francis (“Bubba”) L. Davis, Jr., 63, passed away peacefully at home in Middleburg, Florida, surrounded by his loving sisters, early on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. Bubba was born in Savannah …
Mark Allen Tarrant
Mark passed away February 1, 2024 He was born November 12, 1959, he was 64. Born to Joel and Nancy Tarrant in Jacksonville, Fl. and grew up on the north side. Mark lived in Middleburg for over thirty …
Curtis W. Sewell, Jr.
Curtis W. Sewell, Jr., 75 of Orange Park, FL., passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2024. He was born in Jacksonville, FL. on June 17 th , 1948.  Curtis graduated from Orange Park High School …
Kay Marguerite Alvarez
Kay Marguerite Alvarez age 78 of Keystone Heights began her blessed journey on February 20, 2024. She was born on May 11, 1945 in Jacksonville to the late Clyde Raymond Alvarez and Daisy Farmer …
Crime & safety

ARRESTS and BOOKINGS 3/14/24

Tuesday, March 12

Chayne B. Williams, 21, Green Cove Springs, FTA

Amanda M. Martinez, 43, Middleburg, shoplifting

Ja’Daryed D. Boston, 20, Green Cove Springs, VOP-possession-marijuana

Casimir S. Hilaire, 37, Green Cove Springs, FTA-driving with expired license

Rory H. Johnstone, 40, Fleming Island, resist/obstruct/oppose law enforcement, DUI

Badcock Furniture Green Cove Springs
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Sports

Gilaspy soars, Roman flies; area track amps up for Bob Hayes Invite

FLAGLER PALM COAST - At one of the fastest, deepest track meets in Florida on Saturday; the North Florid/South Florida Challenge at Flagler Palm Coast High School, the Fleming Island High girls and …

RHS Michael twins join Spartan softball

ORANGE PARK - Two of the more prominent softball athletes to ever play in Clay County, twin sisters by the way, have become the newest additions to the St. Johns Country Day School athletic coaching …
ORANGE PARK - Less than 24 hours after the first loss of the 2024 season, the Clay Blue Devils put up two runs in the top of the first inning, including an Easton McMahan home run out of center field …
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The Clay County YMCA – For A Better Community

First Coast YMCA-Our DayStar Program

At DayStar, we are committed to ensuring everyone reaches their full potential with dignity while providing individuals access to the unique support they need. Daystar is committed to providing …

Upcoming Events in Clay County

Development Review Committee will meet on Thursday, March 14 at 10 a.m. in the Planning Department Conference Room, 3rd Floor of the Administration Building, 477 Houston Street Green Cove Springs.

Penney Farm/Asbury Citizen Advisory Committee and the Fleming Island Citizen Advisory Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 14 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in the BCC Meeting Room, 4th floor, Clay County Administration Building, 477 Houston St, Green Cove Springs.

Garden Club of Orange Park will feature the horticulture program, "Gardening for Bees, Birds, Butterflies and You" on March 15 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Did You Know?

Every week, Clay Today will test or enlighten your knowledge on a variety of topics. This week, the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court’s ruling on Monday, March 6, that Donald J. Trump’s …

Word of the Week 03/14/24

Ulterior : (ul-TEER-ee-er) an adjective that means things (usually motives, objectives, reasons, agendas, etc.) that are kept hidden in order to achieve a particular result. "Rory found it hard …

Briefs

County is inviting community input for Parks and Recreation Master Plan

CLAY COUNTY – The county wants to invite the community to chime in on the Clay County Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which centers on future improvements for our parks and recreation …

Opinions & Viewpoints
Faith Walk

Easter- A Time of Assurance

Pastor Billy Register

In times of uncertainty, doubt, difficulty and even despair, we can be comforted in knowing that our assurance comes from the finished work of Jesus on the cross and the empty tomb. These two …

This Week in History 03/14/24

Five years ago, 2019 • Town attorney Sam Garrison said Orange Park could not ban AirBnB and other short-term rental properties. He said the town can charge a business tax on those property owners, …

Columnists
Don Coble, Managing Editor

Here’s an easy solution to putting the brakes on red-light camera debate

We’ve all been behind the wheel,  cruising into an intersection when the light just turns yellow. When we're too close to slam the brakes but not close enough to speed through.  What do …

MyPlate.gov: How to raise a healthy, active child

Many factors impact your child or teen’s wellness, including where you live, genetics and other influences. According to experts, you can encourage a healthy lifestyle for your child and help …

Senate adds ‘anti-grooming’ to online child exploitation bill

The House passed legislation enhancing penalties for child exploitation online. Still, the Senate is adding new language as it passes unanimously, meaning the House will have to reconsider this anew. …
Special Sections
New from local businesses

Comcast completes $46 million in projects to boost fiber networks

CLAY COUNTY – Comcast announced the completion of a three-year, $46 million group of projects designed to enhance and expand its fiber-rich network and advanced telecommunications services to areas …