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Clay Today: Spotlight on Safety

Sheriff’s office: Be vigilant against fraudsters

The Clay County Sheriff's Office warns you should never give your personal or financial information to anyone on the phone or through the internet.

CLAY COUNTY -– Most of us have received that text message, which made us do a double-take. It warned us of an unpaid toll charge and prompted us to log into our accounts and re-enter our credit …

OP approves deal with ICE; residents criticize

In a 3-1 vote, council members decided to allow the Orange Park Police Department to start working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to perform enforcement within the town.

ORANGE PARK — The Town of Orange Park will begin cracking down on illegal immigrants per an agreement approved on Tuesday. In a 3-1 vote, council members ultimately made the decision to allow the …

Leaders examine sex trafficking awareness

Sheriff Michelle Cook said that cases with younger victims are especially prevalent in the county.

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing crimes globally, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime . Local leaders came together to discuss how it’s …

Hines sworn in as police chief of GCS

Green Cove Springs Mayor Steven Kelley congratulates Shawn Hines after his swearing-in as the city's new police chief Tuesday night.

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Promising the city manager, city council and residents, Shawn Hines said, “I'm not awesome, somebody needs to hold me accountable,” moments after being sworn in as the new …

Children and adults alike became resident top hat chefs and eating connoisseurs for a healthy eating party on Saturday.

Sorority promotes nutrition with healthy eating party

ORANGE PARK — Children and adults alike became resident top hat chefs and healthy eating connoisseurs on Saturday, April 12. In a day of nutritious fun, the Pi Eta Omega Chapter of the Alpha …

Local team earns arm-wrestling crowns

Team Jacksonville, representing Middleburg, returned as champions from the International Federation of Arm Wrestling (IFAs) event on April 4 in Dayton, Ohio. The winners comprised Chuck Westberry, …

Keystone Heights HS band receives $8K grant

Keystone Heights High School’s marching band received an $8,375 grant from the Lake Area Region Kiwanis Keystone Heights-Melrose on Thursday, April 16, at the Keystone Heights Methodist Church. …

Gunman kills 2 at FSU; suspect in custody

TALLAHASSEE -- Two people were fatally shot Thursday at Florida State University, according to the Leon County Sheriff's Office. The victims were not FSU students. The suspect in custody was …

Oakleaf singer places 2nd in Talent Hunt

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity hosted its Annual Talent Hunt Program on April 12. Kaelyn Newman of Oakleaf High School earned 2nd-place honors for her vocal rendition of " With You" from Ghost: The …

Raven belted the inspiring tune "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" in dedication to her brother, who tragically passed away last year.

Local talents shine during Star Search at fair

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — Although it was a cold and rainy Friday evening, that didn’t stop contestants from singing their hearts out at the Clay County Fair’s Star Search competition on April …

OP Senior Center welcomes spring with 'extravaganza'

ORANGE PARK - Rabbit ears, costumes and beautiful hats were in full effect at the Orange Park Senior Center's Spring Fling Extravaganza on Thursday, April 10. The day began with VIP Care (Better …

Clay farmers advocate for Farm Bill, trade, tax cuts

WASHINGTON — Clay County Farm Bureau member Tyler Davies visited with Florida’s congressional delegation earlier this month to discuss various federal policies that affect farmers and ranchers. …

What day is it?

We often find ourselves asking the question, “What day is it?” It may be because we are so busy, we feel like we are passing ourselves as coming and going. It may be because the memory doesn’t …

Did You Know?

This week our focus is Easter, the Christian holiday that commemorates Jesus’ resurrection. Its name stems from Eostre , goddess of spring; Easter eggs date back to medieval times; …

Tasha Hyder, Clay County Agricultural Fair executive director, addresses questions during a press conference at the fairgrounds.

All is ‘fair’ when analyzing local events

It’s common knowledge the curtain came down Sunday at the latest Clay County Agricultural Fair. During the 11-day spectacle, various concerns wafted through the air like unwelcome pollen. Almost …

Occupational Therapy Month

If you were to ask me five years ago what occupational therapy was, I honestly would not be able to provide a coherent answer to that question. That remains to be the case for most people that I …

In the Community:

Adrenaline rush: Derby delivers smashing results

Fourteen cars started the derby, and Shawn Raddatz drove the only one that finished.

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Shawn Raddatz had a simple game plan on Thursday, April 10: push the gas pedal to the floor and hit as many cars as possible with his rear bumper. Although the Middleburg …

From left: Ronald John's for "Best Freestyle," Dwayne for "Longest Beard," Lt. Chris Hammock for "Best Mustache," and Parker Subirats for "Best Groomed Whisker Face."

Hairy situation with face time

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — The Clay County Agricultural Fair hosted its third-annual beard and mustache contest Thursday evening, sponsored by Intermissions Barbershop. The four winners included Clay …

Why isn't road construction done at night?

A resident sent in this question, saying it could take them a half hour to go only two miles while driving on Russell Road. They wondered why they have single-lane closures and a flagman specifically …

Is Fleming Island going to be incorporated?

The resident that posed this question said this is a rumor that happens to be floating around the island. But, I found the answer to be no. In order for Fleming Island to be incorporated, it …

CRIME & SAFETY

Police briefs

Road rage leads to attempted murder charges for Middleburg man

FLEMING ISLAND – According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, a 26-year-old man was arrested Wednesday, April 2, after the agency said he shot at another car in an apparent …

Teen accused of throwing bottles at cars on CR 218

MIDDLEBURG – An 18-year-old was arrested after a pickup truck and a Clay County Sheriff’s Office patrol car were struck by a plastic bottle filled with a cocktail on Sunday, April …

/arrests-bookings/

Arrests and Bookings 4/17/25

Tuesday, April 15

Micah L. Ferguson, 25, Middleburg, dating violence battery

Angela R. Collante, 22, Orange Park, petit theft

Tara M. Oakes, 38, Fleming Island, shoplifting

Steven J. Smith, 46, Middleburg, shoplifting, trespassing

Elizabeth A. Pierce, 35, Green Cove Springs, writ of attachment

And in Sports....

Clay primed for flag playoff run

Orange Park flag football has three wins to end the season with freshman quasrterback Ella Crowe, the hero of the girls basketball district title, at the helm.

GREEN COVE SPRINGS - Clay High's flag football team had to use a wide receiver standout to start their season; went 5-0, then got their top quarterback back, finished 10-0, as area teams prep for the …

MHS Little third, CHS Oscoa/Migliore fifths, FIHS Jackson sixth

LAKELAND - In one of the strongest overall fields in boys weightlifting, Class 2A showed out on Friday in Lakeland with Choctawhatchee, the defending Olympic and Traditional champion, repeating in …

Clay, Fleming Island, Keystone Heights in region flags

GREEN COVE SPRINGS - Clay High's flag football team will not see their usual rivals in the region playoffs, but the likes of Choctawhatchee and ED White could be on the docket in the state semifinals …

Clay, Keystone Heights, St. Johns all in baseball regions

GREEN COVE SPRINGS - Clay, Keystone Heights and St. Johns Country Day School have all been selected as number one seeds in their respective baseball classes and will continue into the region baseball …

Young hurlers lead SJCD to district championship

Sophomores Ethan Bissell and Madden Williams shut down St. Joseph Academy’s potent bats as Saint Johns Country Day School claimed the FHSAA District 4-1A championship with a 4-1 win over the …

More sports

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 …

This Week in History

5 years ago in Clay Today: The parking lot at bestbet is empty. Playing cards have been put away and the clacking sounds of poker chips has been silenced by COVID-19 restrictions. Although deemed …

BRIEFS

SJR State College honors corrections cadets

Cadets from the St. Johns River State College Criminal Justice Academy were recently recognized for completing the Florida Corrections Officer Academy program. The graduates include Joseph …

‘Color Our World’ contest starts on May 15

SJR State College honors corrections cadets Cadets from the St. Johns River State College Criminal …
Amazing Give coming up April 24

SJR State College honors corrections cadets Cadets from the St. Johns River State College Criminal …
Clay Impact Train to make first stop at GCS Junior High

SJR State College honors corrections cadets Cadets from the St. Johns River State College Criminal …

Easter Carnival on Saturday in Middleburg

SJR State College honors corrections cadets Cadets from the St. Johns River State College …
SJR State College recognizes law enforcement cadets

Cadets from the St. Johns River State College Criminal Justice Academy were recently recognized for …
Worker killed at former Black Creek Girl Scout camp

MIDDLEBURG – A dump truck driver at a 207-acre construction site for a recreation vehicle park at …