More local news

School district to distribute 1,500 free meals to children this summer

CLAY COUNTY – Clay County District Schools, led by Food and Nutrition Services Director Susie Glover, plans to connect children throughout the county with hundreds of free meals this summer. The …

Van at Clothes Closet and Food Pantry running on a prayer

ORANGE PARK – Anita Aultman cringes every time the 12-year-old refrigerated van makes a run to pick up frozen food for the Clothes Closet and Food Pantry of Orange Park. It’s in bad shape, held …

AMVETS hand out 13 scholarships to graduating Keystone seniors

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Since 2008, AMVETS Post 86 and its support organizations, the AMVETS Riders, the Sons of AMVETS,and Ladies Auxiliary, have provided graduating high school seniors scholarships …

Happy campers

CLAY COUNTY – When the final bell for classes soon rings for the County School District on May 26, the next chapter of learning for Clay students will be summer camp in the next few weeks. The …

Oakleaf’s Maba Yared’s struggles leads to scholarship from Farah & Farah

OAKLEAF – Maba Yared worked with his parents to fill out every scholarship application they could find. While they were hoping to put together some smaller grants, they were surprised to learn the …

Fleming Island students make history with appointments to Air Force Academy

FLEMING ISLAND – Honor students Eire Johnson and William Hughes received and accepted appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Their names will be honored in the …
Obituaries
Obituaries 5/25/23
Michele Miller September 26, 1967- May 18, 2023 Michele Lynn Miller, was born in Mishawaka, Indiana on September 26, 1967. She is survived by her parents, Patricia and Joseph Roskowinski. She is …
Obituaries 5/18/23
Bruner “Gerald” Barksdale Mr. Bruner “Gerald” Barksdale age 87 a longtime resident of Green Cove Springs, passed away at his home Thursday, May 11, 2023, with his family by his side. He …
Obituaries 5/11/23
Louis Ed ‘Rain Bird’ Anderson Louis Ed “Rain Bird” Anderson, a loving father and cherished individual, passed away on February 18, 2023. Born on August 27, 1954, Louis was …
Obituaries 5/4/23
Opal M. LeFever Opal M. LeFever, 88, of Green Cove Springs, FL, passed away April 25, 2023Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements are under the care of …
Obituaries 4/27/23
Rhonda Jean KnottRhonda J. Knott was born in Sylva, NC on August 27, 1976 to parents of Tony and Betty Jo Knott. She passed into the arms of Jesus on April 12, 2023 in Orange Park, FL. with mother …
Badcock Furniture Green Cove Springs
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In the Community

King Tut Experience coming to Jacksonville’s NoCo Center

JACKSONVILLE – A new immersive King Tut experience will open on June 9 at the NoCo Center. Beyond King Tut: The Immersive Experience is a one-hour tour through the life and history of Egyptian …

BCC amends 7.5 acres from rural residential to commercial

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a measure to amend the 2040 Future Land Use Map to rezone a 7.5-acre parcel from Rural Residential to Commercial to …

Commissioners push back discussion for ER, medical building

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Board of County Commissioners reexamined a request to rezone three parcels totaling approximately 10 acres along County Road 220 and west of Claude Road for a stand-alone …

No argument here: Keystone Heights High’s debate team earns national honors

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – After a five-year hiatus, the Keystone Heights Speech and Debate team inducted four members in the National Speech and Debate Association Honor Society – Mikayla Turner, Oliva …

Residents around Green Cove Springs, Lake Asbury address county’s future

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – District 5 residents had the opportunity to pitch their ideas to county officials to help them create their 20-year Strategic Plan Monday night at the county’s administration …
Sports

Fernald bedevils Clay in Regional Championship

Note: Due to deadline constraints, Clay’s region final baseball game was unable to be published last week. GREEN COVE SPRINGS - Clay High’s Aidan Hampton’s inside-the-park home run …

Spring Football

SANTA FE - With some sized up players attacking the line of scrimmage on both sides, the Ridgeview High Panthers’ football squad displayed a bit of size advantage at key positions in two spring …

In-the-park HR halts Panthers

DELTONA - Ridgeview High’s final flurry to get a Final Four finish for first year softball coach Angela Agurkis ended abruptly at the hands of an in-the-park grand slam as the Panthers lost an 11-3 …

Spring Football

SANTA FE - Keystone Heights High football showed off a bit of excitable football at their three way spring date at Santa Fe with a 7-0 half game score against Ridgeview and a 14-14 half game score …

Shavers: Oh so close to Gold

JACKSONVILLE - Fleming Island High freshman triple jumper Mikayla Shavers went into the Class 3A track and field championships as a number two seed in region 1-3A behind Tallahassee Leon's Alexandra …

Same fears, new tactics: How efforts to ban 'bad books' reached a record high in 2022

Stacker looked at 20 years' worth of banned books data from the American Library Association to understand how book challenges have changed over time.

FT MYERS - A disastrous first inning filled with self-induced mishaps and costing an early four runs proved fatal to the St. Johns Country Day School baseball team who lost a 5-2 game to Lakeland …
GREEN COVE SPRINGS - Without returning starter quarterback Merrick Rapoza behind center Cody Mobley due to baseball regionals, Clay High football coach Kyle Kennard got a good look at his young …
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS - With new head coach Steve Reynolds flexing a bit of air muscle via offensive coach Ken Mudge, the Orange Park High gunslinger from the Danny Green era, Keystone Heights High …
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 …

Special Sections

Good Deeds, Memories and Briefs
College Briefs 5/25/23
Local students recognized at LaGrange College commencement LAGRANGE, Georgia—The following Orange Park-area students graduated at LaGrange College’s 192nd Commencement: Jared Patrick …
Community Briefs 5/25/23
Jacksonville Jazz Festival hits stage this weekend JACKSONVILLE – Downtown streets and the Thrasher-Horne Center will be filled with drinks, food and, of course, music during this …
Deadline nears for ordering Veteran’s Memorial pavers
ORANGE PARK – The Historical Society of Orange Park would like to remind the community the order deadline for new laser engraved pavers for installation at the Veterans Memorial of Orange Park is …
This Week In History 5/25/23
Five years ago, 2018 • Orange Park Elementary celebrates its 90th birthday. • The Vineyard Transitional Center holds a fundraising project at Texas Roadhouse in Orange Park to temporarily …
Community Briefs 5/18/23
Future MLB stars to compete in Pitch, Hit and Run Middleburg – Aspiring Major League Baseball stars will be at Paul Armstrong Park on County Road 220 Saturday for Pitch, Hit and Run. Clay …
College Briefs 5/18/23
Two Clay students join Omicron Delta Kappa LEXINGTON, Va. – Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, welcomed 1,869 new initiates, including Orange Park’s Riley Hulett …
Crime, health & safety

Police Briefs 5/25/23

GCSPD needs help identifying Military Memorial vandals GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The police department needs help identifying three people seen on surveillance cameras wanted in connection with the …

Lifestyle, religion and calendar

Community Calendar 5/25/23

WORKING MAN’S BASS TOURNAMENT: will be on May 25 at 4:30 p.m. at Whitey’s Fish Camp, 2032 County Road 220 on Fleming Island. Guaranteed $500 prize to the winning two-person team. Call Daniel …

Faith Walk

Faith Walk: Memorial Day: Never Forget

This Monday is Memorial Day. It is a day when we celebrate and remember the heroes who helped bring freedom to our nation. It’s an important holiday because it helps us to realize just how …

Business

Will Clay County Ever Embrace Ice Hockey?

Ice hockey is incredibly popular in the US, but it is undoubtedly a regional sport and some states love it more than others. Florida is not particularly known for its ice hockey prowess and many …

Opinion
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his candidacy for the presidency Wednesday on Twitter with Elon Musk. This will lead the Governor into a head-on rivalry with former President Trump competing for …
Millions of Americans celebrate Memorial Day, honoring the memory of those service members who have been lost. It is also vital to recognize the millions of veterans who made it home and struggle …
Former President Donald Trump is deriding Florida’s new abortion restrictions. In an interview with The Messenger, Trump said that even “pro-lifers” think the new six-week abortion ban is …
Five years ago, 2018 • Connie Butler is selected by fellow Green Cove Springs City Council as its next mayor. • Clay Humane donate pet masks to fire department to help animals recover from …
The television ads and personal attacks for the 2024 Presidential election have already started, and we’re still 18 months away from the election. Sadly, it’s only going to get worse. Every …
Doing something about single-use plastics in Florida, and those products’ detrimental environmental effects, remains a challenging task, as bills that would do so once again failed to receive …
Web extras
The most fuel-efficient vehicles introduced each year since 1975
The General used data from the Environmental Protection Agency to find the most fuel-efficient car and truck every year since 1975.  
New home checklist: 5 things to check out before moving in
(BPT) - Are you planning to move this summer? You're not alone. According to Architectural Digest, most Americans move during the summer, between Memorial Day in May and Labor Day weekend in …
Why allergy season is getting worse — and what you can do about it
(BPT) - Does it feel like your allergy symptoms keep getting worse every year, and seem to last a lot longer, too? If so, you're not alone. According to a recent report from the Allergy and Asthma …
A Brunch Surprise for Mom
(Culinary.net) Try this Brunch Fruit Tart with a tasty granola crust and colorful fruit topping to start Mother's Day in style. It's a sweet option to begin her day on the right note.