5 years ago, 2012
Tropical Storm Debby forced residents from more than 100 homes in the Wisteria Lane area off County Road 218 to evacuate as Black Creek rose to more than 25 feet and washed out a section of the roadway.

The Board of County Commissioners voted 5-0 to award a $826,000 contract to F&G Construction General Contractors to begin construction of Moody Avenue Park, the county’s first park designed to accommodate children with special needs and capabilities.

Mary Jo and Don Mancosh of Green Cove Springs received one of six Caring Heart awards given out statewide from the Florida State Foster/Adoptive Parent Association for having fostered six children in six years.

10 years ago, 2007
The Clay County School Board got its first look at “School QQQ,” a new high school to serve the growing western edge of Clay County. What would become Oakleaf High had an estimated cost of $45 million and would be three stories tall, encompass 263,000 square feet and hold 1,600 students.

The Board of County Commissioners began a discussion on a proposed ordinance that would prohibit the tethering of untended dogs.

The Florida Federation of Fairs awarded a blue ribbon to the Clay County Agricultural Fair at its annual convention held in Jacksonville.

20 years ago, 1997
I-95, a film production company from Jacksonville, proceeded to film along busy U.S. Highway 17 despite objections from the Board of County Commissioners. Filmmakers insisted on shooting scenes in front of a convenience store at Hibernia because it resembles a real life scene they hoped to re-create.

Animal rights protesters Laura and Jimmy Strickland and Angela Pescod were sprayed with what police said was urine while picketing in front of 1855 Wells Rd. by a man riding a silver racing bike.

Tom Price, director of the Clay County State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program, announced a $250,000 grant for Quigley House to help build a new and larger shelter for victims of sexual and domestic abuse.

30 years ago, 1987
More than 50 people jammed Keystone Heights City Hall to oppose a residential to commercial zoning request for property across from Azalea Park in which the owner planned to open a dance studio.

Milford Todd Padgett, 29, of Middleburg, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for kidnapping a Lil’ Champ store clerk and forcing her at knifepoint to drive him to Georgia.

An armed robber entered Jax Liquors at 220 Blanding Blvd., fired two shots into the ceiling, ripped the phone from the wall and demanded money before fleeing on foot with $1,600.

40 years ago, 1977
State Rep. Frank Williams(D-Starke) said the Doctors Inlet Prison on College Drive would not be expanded into a major state prison after months of discussions and study.

Green Cove Springs City Council approved a $5 fee that would allow customers to have a one-week grace period for paying their bills.

Family practice physician Jay Padmanabhan, M.D. of Orange Park, was honored for her “outstanding leadership in medicine and unselfish contributions to the community” by Zonta International during a ceremony in Jacksonville.