5 years ago, 2013
St. Vincent’s Medical Center Clay County announced its new work force would report to work on Oct. 1 at the new facility off Branan Field Road.

The Green Cove Springs Soul Food Festival announced it was expanding with the addition of a beauty pageant.

The Florida Department of Transportation announced a $5.4 million repaving project from Knight Boxx Road north to Kingsley Avenue in Orange would begin October 2014.

10 years ago, 2008
Philanthropist S. Bryan Jennings cut the ribbon for the newest Daystar Center for adults with intellectual and learning disabilities at the Barco-Newton Family YMCA on Fleming Island.

Clay County Fire Department officials said a house fire on Oak Drive on Fleming Island caused more than $200,000 in damage and destroyed the home.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Donald Simcox Jr. of Lake Asbury for allegedly making false 911 calls saying bombs were planted at the Walmart on Branan Field Road and the AMC Theater in the Orange Park Mall.

20 years ago, 1998
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office investigated the death of Joshua Jerry Calvert, 24, whose body was found dumped on Longbranch Cemetery Road in Middleburg about a mile from the intersection of County Road 217. Police said he was killed “with a shotgun blast to the head.”

Union members of District Lodge 112 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers at RGC Mineral Sands in Green Cove Springs walked off the job striking for better work conditions, including job security and work hours.

Family and friends gathered at Moosehaven in Orange Park to celebrate the 106th birthday of 21-year resident Elsie Gordon.

30 Years ago, 1988
Using profits from its first two years of operation, the Board of Directors for the Clay County Agricultural Fair received three bids to construct a steel 10,500 square foot pavilion building on fairgrounds.

Transportation consulting firm Ward Koutnik and Associates Inc. submitted four possible routes for a proposed Outer Beltway that would run through Clay County and connect Interestate 95 to Interstate 10.

Incumbent Republican School Superintendent Ann Wiggins prepped to face off with Larry Lancaster, a Democrat, and Clay County teacher.

40 years ago, 1978
William S. Bazley, M.D. was named chief of staff for 1978-79 at the annual meeting of Greater Orange Park Community Hospital.

Hardware store Handy City opened a 24,000 square foot store in Orange Park in the Park Central Mall next door to the A&P.

A Clay County sheriff’s deputy captured Victor Wilburn Creasy, 22, who had escaped from the Doctors Inlet Correctional Institute on what is now College Drive.