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25-time World Champion Justin Thigpen headed to Clay County Pro Rodeo

Justin Thigpen, a 25-time IPRA World Champion, will compete on Saturday at the Clay County Pro Rodeo in Steer Wrestling and Tie-Down Roping.
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Justin Thigpen isn’t ready to ride off into the sunset just yet. With many competitors between the ages of 20 and 30, the rodeo is generally considered a young person’s …
Erin Wetzel
  GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Most of the world’s top cowboys and cowgirls will be at the Clay County Fairground’s Cattleman’s Arena for Friday and Saturday’s Clay County Pro Rodeo. In …
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Remembering 9/11

ORANGE PARK  To commemorate the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, members of the county and the public came together on Wednesday. The ceremony, held at Town Hall, began with the presentation of …
More local news

Detour ordered for Moody Avenue between Connie Circle, Meadow Drive

ORANGE PARK — The bridge on Moody Avenue between Connie Circle and Meadow Drive has been deemed unsafe, prompting a 1.6-mile detour. Northbound traffic will begin at Connie Circle and make a right …

BCC holds first public hearing for tentative millage rate

GREEN COVE SPRINGS - The Board of County Commissioners held its first public hearing of an adopted budget and millage rate at Tuesday afternoon‘s meeting.  For the fiscal year 2024 to 2025, …
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Obituaries
Margit Elizabeth Martin
Margit Elizabeth Martin
In Memoriam: Mrs. Margit Elizabeth Martin, age 99, passed away peacefully on 5 August 2024, in Orange Park, Florida.   Margit, as her friends and family knew her, …
Nancy Morgan Forehand
Nancy Morgan Forehand
Nancy Morgan, Forehand passed unexpectedly but peacefully on August 31, 2024, at the Mayo Clinic at the age of 64. Nancy was born in Lakeland, Florida to Bill and Bonnie Morgan on February 11, 1960. …
Kenneth Mark Nichols
December 19, 1960 – August 26, 2024   Kenneth Mark Nichols, age 63, passed away peacefully, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on December 19, 1960, Kenneth was a man of …
Don Morgan
Don Morgan, architect of City Hall, dies at 92
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS — Throughout his monumental architectural career, Donald "Don" Morgan designed the current Keystone Heights City Hall, Keystone Heights High and many other iconic …
John Franklin Gates
John Franklin Gates
John Franklin Gates passed away on August 8, 2024, in Orange Park, FL, surrounded by his wife and children. He was born on September 24, 1937, in Winnfield, LA, to the late Harvey Earnest Gates and …
Crime & safety
Police briefs
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said the same inmate was attacked twice within 12 hours in what may have been unrelated incidences on Sept. 8. Robert James Wilson, 35, of …
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – A 34-year-old man was arrested following a chase and run-ins with Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies that ended more than two hours later with him being Tasered on Sept. …
JACKSONVILLE – U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced Jonathan Benavide Hidalgo, 27, of Jacksonville, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, eight counts …

Tuesday, Sept. 3

Gage D. Gainey, 35, Green Cove Springs, battery on person 65 or older, resist/obstruct/oppose law enforcement, DUI

Kirvonna K.H. Simmons, 26, Orange Park, grand theft, petit theft

Valerie A.M. Morales, 24, domestic battery

Amanda E. Latvenas, Maxville, VOP disorderly conduct

Thomas, M. Lawrence, 36, Green Cove Springs, resist/obstruct/oppose law enforcement, written/electronic threat to kill/harm another

Caiden A. Robinson, 20, Green Cove Springs, FTA, drive without valid license

Octavia L. Young, 32, Green Cove Springs, VOP petit theft

Darrell L. Beamon, 29, Orange Park, grand theft

Amber E. Foster, 37, Middleburg, grand theft auto

Caitlin N. McMillan, 27, Middleburg, two counts battery on specified personnel, dating violence, criminal mischief

Oslin Dormevil, 38, Orange Park, domestic violence

In the Community

The oasis of Sweet Persimmons

FLEMING ISLAND - A place of joy. That’s what Vivien Aqui McWilliams calls her family’s persimmon farm.  Situated on 2½ acres of land on Raggedy Point Road, the orchard stretches far and is …

Marshall Green steers rodeo fans toward good time at Clay County Pro Rodeo

Rodeo clown Marshall Green.

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – When Marshall Green enters the Cattleman’s Arena on Friday night, he will be one of the most introverted people among the thousands of fans, always escaping attention. But …

Badcock Furniture Green Cove Springs
Sponsored content

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Badcock Furniture Green Cove Springs

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And in Sports....

FIHS Campbell, Reynolds take top 20s at Florida Horse Park elite races

OCALA - With state cross country powerhouse Belen Jesuit landing five runners in the top 10 to crush the field at the Florida Horse Park Invitational Cross Country, Fleming Island High senior Jacob …

Broncos win the "Mudfest", 9-0

MIDDLEBURG - Middleburg High coach Ryan Wolfe likes his 3-0 record so far in 2024 despite playing two games in horrendous weather, but the optimism is that, at some point, the Broncos will be able to …
GREEN COVE SPRINGS - For St. Johns Country Day School senior cross country ace Rebecca Stratton, to be called a two-time meet champion was going to be pretty cool, and to also be a defending champion …
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FLEMING ISLAND - Oakleaf High defensive back Jordan Price’s interception in the end zone with 33 seconds remaining preserved a thrilling 17-13 victory for visiting Oakleaf over rival Fleming Island …
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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 …

Calendar

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS is on Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. at EverBank Stadium. Tickets, which start at $60, are available at ticketmaster.com.

GREEN COVE SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL will meet on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. inside City Hall Chambers at 321 Walnut St.

FRIENDS OF GREEN COVE SPRINGS LIBRARY will meet on Sept. 18 at the Senior Center, 604 Walnut St., Green Cove Springs, at 10:30 a.m.

Did You Know?

Clay Today will test your knowledge weekly and provide interesting facts on various topics. This week, the most common names. Unless you’re in Atlanta, where there are 71 streets with the word …
Word of the Week is a feature that aims to help readers boost their vocabulary in a meaningful way that has practical applications. Each week, our editorial staff presents a word, its definition and …
Briefs

Mercy Support invites public to ‘A Night at the Oscars’

ORANGE PARK — Sponsors and the public are invited to “A Night at the Oscars” at the Thrasher-Horne Center on Oct. 24 to benefit Mercy Support Services. They exist to meet the needs of people …

Opinions & Viewpoints
Faith Walk

All That I Am

Pastor Billy Register

In Psalm 103:1-5, David pours out his heart in praise to God: “Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never …

This Week in History

Five years ago, 2019 • Charter schools will have to wait at least a month before finding out if they will get an officer from the newly formed Clay County District Schools Police Department after …

Columnists

Pay attention: The facts have been right in front of you!

City Manager Steve Kennedy sat quietly during the first reading of the millage rate, final budget, and electric, water and stormwater rates at the Sept. 3 Green Cove Springs City Council Meeting, …

Politics without panic: Strategies to manage election stress

ORANGE PARK – What an election year! Just when we thought we saw it all in 2020, the 2024 presidential election campaign has served some real surprises, including an assassination attempt and the …

FSU ‘dogs’ fans with some of highest football prices in country

Last season, the Florida State Seminoles won 13 games and enjoyed their best campaign in years. This season, fans will pay for it. A report released by Oddspedia  suggests that Florida State …
Special Sections
New from local businesses
McDonald’s offering grants to Clay County teachers, nonprofits
CLAY COUNTY – Teachers and nonprofits have until Oct. 13 to apply for grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 to serve children 5-18, including those in kindergarten through 12th grade. The company …
Property appraiser honored with lifetime achievement award
Clay County – Clay County Property Appraiser, Tracy Scott Drake, was recently honored with the International Association of Assessing Officers’ (IAAO) Professional Development Lifetime …
Swirl Suites is located at 1910 Wells Rd #C02 at the Orange Park Mall
Swirl Suites puts its own twist on ice cream
ORANGE PARK — Swirl Suites has set up shop just outside of the Orange Park Mall, putting its own twist on the ice cream sundae.  You may have enjoyed scoops of ice cream in a cone or a bowl …
Michael Mullinax owns Brown's Creek Honey Farm, a business dedicated to making products solely from all-natural beeswax.
'Bee'-ing natural with Brown's Creek Honey Farm
FLEMING ISLAND — Bees are a huge part of what makes our ecosystem work.  The pollinators land on objects and leave a trace sure to impact the way we live.  Michael Mullinax has been an …
The Barley and Pie crew pose for a photo in June after the grand opening.
Barley & Pie leaves its pawprint on pizza, brewery scene
FLEMING ISLAND — Located at the former site of V Pizza, Barley and Pie opened during the dog days of summer to critical culinary acclaim.  Barley and Pie is a pizza and brewery combo that …
4 Corner Pizza
Detroit-style Jet’s Pizza offering grand opening deal in Orange Park
ORANGE PARK – Although Jet’s Pizza opened a new location at 280 Blanding Blvd., unit 103, in May, the store is excited to celebrate its grand opening with a fun event. On Saturday, Aug. 24, …
Web extra content
Classroom to dorm room: The best laptops for every student
(BPT) - Are you ready for your next semester? There are plenty of school supplies you’ll need to get this summer, but there’s one that you shouldn’t overlook: Your laptop.A laptop …
5 recipes to ease into the back-to-school season
(BPT) - Fall is here and so is the back-to-school season. This is a busy time of year for families, and breakfast can often be forgotten in the hustle and bustle of weekday mornings.To help you make …
Low down payment mortgages help first-time buyers access the American dream
(BPT) - Traditionally, saving up for a 20% down payment has been the largest obstacle for aspiring homeowners and this challenge is even more acute when interest rates drive monthly mortgage payments …
It's pumpkin spice season: 17 fall coffee drinks ranked from healthiest to unhealthiest
Hers ranks 17 fall coffee drinks from top chains in the U.S. to determine the healthiest and unhealthiest seasonal indulgences.
Four Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
(BPT) - Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins on September 15 and ends on October 15, is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the vibrant culture and significant contributions of Hispanic and Latino …