5 years ago, 2013
Motivational speaker Murray Banks of Underhill, Vermont filed suit in a Vermont court to ask a judge to have the Clay County School District pay a $7,000 broken contract fee after the school board voted to cancel a planned Common Core training for teachers and administrators. Overall cost of the engagement was supposed to be $17,500.

Gov. Rick Scott presented Clay County Sheriff’s detective Gary Lavaron with the Medal of Heroism for his role in the February 16, 2012 investigation of a Middleburg meth lab. Lavaron is the 32nd recipient of the Medal of Heroism since the honor was created in 2003.

Oakleaf High sophomore William Donaghy readied for the Creed recitation competition at the national leadership conference of Future Farmers of America in Louisville, Kentucky after taking top honors at the state level.

10 years ago, 2008
After serving nine years as city manager, Green Cove Springs City Council raised about city manager Don Bowles working without a formal agreement, a proposal that was received with mixed reviews.

Retirement center Moosehaven in Orange Park unveiled a proposal to build Park Haven Village on its riverfront campus that would include a 29,000-square foot anchor store and eight outparcel stores.

The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce presented the Clay County School Board an honor welcoming Orange Park High’s Academy of Health Science into its 2008 Circle of Excellence.

20 years ago, 1998
Opponents of the proposed School Q filed an administrative complaint in Tallahassee citing the Clay County School Board violated certain rule-setting procedures when they selected the site at County Road 209 and Heath Road in Green Cove Springs.

Clay County Habitat for Humanity completed a “blitz house” in one week in Green Cove Springs allowing first-time homeowner Gwen Daniels to move out of substandard housing.

Sandra Curtis was named 1998 Military Spouse of the Year by the Clay County Chamber of Commerce.

30 Years ago, 1988
After undergoing four surgeries to stabilize one of his legs and repair damaged arteries, the community rallied to set up a fund to help the family of Ryan Delafield pay for his medical care at First Union Bank in Green Cove Springs. He was injured in a Clay High football game against Baldwin High.

17-year Howard Vaughn Jr. entered a plea of no contest to one count of attempted manslaughter in the shooting death of 20-year-old Rodney Ricks of Orange Park for a shooting that took place near Middleburg Avenue and Pine Street in Middleburg.
Mike Smith and Derek Bass and three juveniles were charged with a total of six counts of arson for allegedly setting six abandoned homes on fire in Green Cove Springs.

40 years ago, 1978
Jacksonville City Council past president Lynwood Roberts urged Clay County officials to work better with Duval County for the good of the region at a Clay County Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Susan Darby of Middleburg said a recent rape prevention class offered by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office helped her fend off a possible attack while at a popular nightspot she went to while attending college in Georgia.

Carl D. “Beetle” Bailey, 41, of Doctors Inlet, died when his boat crashed into a dock on Swimming Pen Creek traveling an estimated 55 miles per hour.