Local news | Clay Today

Orange Park Police Officer Doug Faircloth received the Hero of the Day honor from Clay County Agricultural Fair Office Manager Karen Brown on Thursday, April 4. Officer Faircloth saved a child from drowning in the St. Johns River.

Fair Hero of the Day OPPD Doug Faircloth

4/8/24

‘I’m proud for us reaching this milestone’

ORANGE PARK – After a long road with plenty of twists and turns throughout their four-year experience, Pace Center for Girls Class of 2023 finally celebrates on Friday. Seniors were honored at a … more

By Lee Wardlaw lee@claytodayonline.com | 6/8/23

Long-tenured former General Counsel Sam Garrison

Town ranks five law firms in search for new attorney

ORANGE PARK – The Town Council moved forward in replacing General Counsel Sam Garrison by ranking five law firms that filed for Requests of Qualifications, The council pared the list to three, with … more

By Lee Wardlaw lee@claytodayonline.com | 9/21/23

Parade in golf carts kicks off Christmas season at Lake Asbury

LAKE ASBURY – The parade route for last Saturday’s Christmas Parade started at the Community Center, traveled around local streets and circled Lake Asbury and South Lake Asbury. … more

STAFF PHOTOS BY DON COBLE | 12/7/23

The Town of Orange Park and U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean’s office issued proclamations as the Garden Club of Orange Park celebrated its 75th anniversary.

Proclamations, party highlight Garden Club’s 75th anniversary

ORANGE PARK – On Dec. 9, 1948, the Orange Park Garden Club was officially organized by 11 women who were interested in improving the beauty of the Town of Orange Park. Last week, current … more

For Clay Today | 12/21/23

Cover Girl

16-year-old girl delivers remarkable performance on a difficult topic Cover Girl. Tell me what it is you’re covering up, Tell me what it is you’re hiding from. You don’t have to be … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 8/31/22

The ribbon cutting ceremony to open the Clay County Agricultural Fair.

Clay County Agricultural Fair is open for fun

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The first day of the fair had a tremendous turnout. From noon to dusk, fairgoers were in festive spirits. Director of Tourism Kimberly Morgan says the Clay County … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/5/24

Orange Park Council keeps green light on red light cameras

ORANGE PARK – Video-taped red light cameras in Orange Park have led to fines for many residents of the town, but the videos also have provided an additional level of safety for the town.The … more

By Lee Wardlaw lee@claytodayonline.com | 1/26/23

Naturalist shares significance of Camp Chow’s beauty

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Liza McCain, Parks Naturalist at Camp Chowenwaw Park, knows something about nature, history, and conservation, especially within the confines of the 150-acre park she has … more

By Lee Wardlaw lee@claytodayonline.com | 6/22/23

Kylie Cordell, who worked as a correspondent at Clay Today last year, wrote a heartfelt Christmas interview with Santa Claus. It was one of our most popular features and won the Florida Press Association award for feature writing. With great reverence, we are sharing it again.

An interview with Santa: Toys continually change, but not a child’s creativity, curiosity

NORTH POLE – We sat by an open fire with stockings hanging from the mantle, draped by a pine and spruce garland with red and gold ornaments. On either side of the stone fireplace were red … more

Kylie Cordell For Clay Today | 12/21/23

BCC, NFLT continue push to expand conservation footprint

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – While still in an exploratory stage, the Board of County Commissioners and North Florida Land Trust continued to examine ways to create and fund a conservation lands program … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 1/26/23

Superintendent Broskie to make administrative changes

CLAY COUNTY – After hosting numerous interviews with several outstanding leaders, Superintendent David Broskie will recommend the following individuals for new administrative roles for the … more

For Clay Today | 6/1/23

Landon Brown loves to cook, and he hopes that will lead him to become one of the country’s prominent chefs.

Oakleaf Village fourth-grader to appear on ‘MasterChef Junior: Home For The Holidays’

OAKLEAF – Although just 9 years old, Landon Brown wasn’t intimidated by Gordon Ramsay, a celebrity chef with a reputation for his fiery temper. “Actually, he’s pretty nice,” he said. … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 12/7/23

After watching his daughter struggle to pull off a wakesurfing trick, Chad Hovsepian developed the ShuvIT Board that swivels and rocks like a wave. Many professional surfers and skateboarders consider the board to be the best training device. ShuvIT Boards are made at his Lake Area Watersports shop in Melrose. The board can also be used for exercising because it twists side to side to strengthen upper body muscles.

ShuvIT, then love it: Melrose wakesurfing company making waves with revolutionary training device

MELROSE – Chad Hovsepian wanted feedback on a wakesurfing training device he developed at his Lake Area Watersports shop, so he took six ShuvIT Boards to the Masters Water Ski and Wakeboard … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 12/21/23

New and improved Keystone Beach

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Five days a week between ages 5 and 12, Valerie Alvers took a trip to Keystone Beach. The summer sun, complemented by the glistening water, greeted her as she set up for another … more

By Faith Buckley For Clay Today | 4/20/22

Girl Scouts: So much more than cookies

CLAY COUNTY – Since 1917, the Girl Scout cookie program has been the largest girl-led business in the country. For the 1.5 million girls that sell nationwide, the cookie program represents an … more

By Kylie Cordell For Clay Today | 4/13/23

Bean visits Challenge Enterprises for a fact-finding tour

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Aaron Bean is more accustomed to being asked for favors as a U.S. Representative. But last Friday, the Congressman representing Clay County was at Challenge Enterprises to … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 6/22/23

An Orange Park Police Department officer told the Town Council the agency earns less less than other law enforcement departments in surrounding areas.

Orange Park police want raises from Town Council

ORANGE PARK – Officers with the Orange Park Police Department passionately voiced their concerns about their salaries to the Town Council during Tuesday night’s meeting. Mayor Randy Anderson … more

By Lee Wardlaw lee@claytodayonline.com | 12/7/23

‘Undulation’ sculpture to inspire, heal patients at Baptist Clay

FLEMING ISLAND – Mia Pearlman found inspiration for her sculpture “Undulation” from the county’s greatest resource – water. She quickly envisioned fish swimming through rippling water. She … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 1/26/23

Volunteers needed for Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign

MIDDLEBURG – The Christmas season is accentuated yearly with a euphony of ringing bells along storefronts. Beginning in 1891, the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign has been synonymous with … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 12/7/23

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