Clay County Crime Report
This week's crime report for Clay County Florida, provided by the Clay County Sheriff's Office.
EVERY ISSUE MAKES YOU FEEL GREAT TO BE INFORMED
Streets of Keystone Heights, Orange Park to be filled with holiday cheer
CLAY COUNTY – If the Dec. 3 Christmas festival and parade in Green Cove Springs is any indication, Keystone Heights and Orange Park will celebrate the holidays with record crowds for their …
Curbside recycling resumes throughout Clay County
CLAY COUNTY – There was an extra rumble of garage trucks this week in Clay County, as Waste Management resumed curbside recycling pickups in the unincorporated areas of the county and Keystone …
‘Project Gator’ clears significant hurdle to bring nearly 100 jobs
CLAY HILL – The prospect of a new manufacturing company coming to the northwest corner of the county has been one of the worst-kept secrets for months.
The Board of County Commissioners took a …
Pastor John Sanders’ Journey: Lifting Clay County residents out of homelessness
FLEMING ISLAND – From a young age, Pastor John Sanders envisioned ways to enhance the lives of those in need. Growing up in Penney Farms more than 40 years ago, he was inspired by leaders in his …
Pay me now or pay me later
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Board of County Commissioners heard from residents and business owners on the plan to impose an impact fee to keep pace with the county’s rapid growth. The proposed fees …
County tourism makes a big splash with national fishing tournament
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Since there are no major amusement parks in Clay County, tourism officials decided to put the spotlight on one of its greatest assets to attract visitors – its expansive …
Santa is awakened at Orange Park Mall to ring in Christmas season
ORANGE PARK – Everyone was treated as a child last Saturday at the Orange Park Mall, as the mall and Clay County Salvation Army ushered in the Christmas season by serving hot chocolate, offering …
Smoldering fire leaves portions of Clay County under cloud of smoke
MIDDLEBURG – Jeff Reedy was forced to spend $2,000 last week for an air purification unit for his house on Power Line Road. He has to put his dog in the car and drive nearly two miles to walk his …
Community Connect provides ‘real-time’ information to law enforcement
CLAY COUNTY – While video surveillance has been used to help identify suspects of crime, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office wants to use store cameras to catch criminals before they have a chance …
Boaters asked to stay off waterways until Nicole cleanup is completed
CLAY COUNTY - Trash pickup was delayed Thursday, and crews are picking up those routes Friday.
If you have yard waste put it out now. We will be picking it up Friday and Saturday, and we …
Nicole leaves portions of Clay County waterlogged
Water levels are rising along the St. Johns River and Doctors Lake which are higher than we saw during Hurricane Ian. High tide wasn’t until 2:30 p.m. and it will take some time for the water …
Safe not sorry: Clay County keeping eye on Nicole
CLAY COUNTY – The biggest lesson learned from Hurricane Ian in late September is that storms don’t always do what’s expected. That’s why the county didn’t take any chances as Tropical Storm …
Clay County helps turn Florida into a Republican stronghold
CLAY COUNTY – Once considered an important swing state, Florida turned decidedly Republican
Janis Kay Stuckey Janis Kay Stuckey, 74, of Orange Park, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 27, 2022 following a battle with cancer. She enjoyed fishing, sewing, and spending time with …
Alice Bilbo Fletcher
On Wednesday, November 9, 2022, Alice Bilbo Fletcher, loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away at age ninety-two. An avid traveler with a keen sense of …
Clayton J. Kicklighter
Clayton J. Kicklighter, age 99, beloved husband, father and philanthropist departed this life on November 16, 2022. He was born in Baxley, Georgia on March 6, 1923, and moved to …
Joan Alice JonesOur beloved mother, Nana and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Oct. 26, 2022, at the age of 95. She was proceeded by her husband, Larry F. Jones of 38 years, and her two …
Thomas (Gene) Hall Sr.Thomas (Gene) Hall Sr. of Middleburg, Florida, born February 4, 1939, passed away on October 16, 2022. Gene is survived by his wife of 48 years, Janet Marra Hall, his children, …
The Cost of Christmas
CLAY COUNTY – Every child dreams of waking up to a roomful of Christmas presents. If you are a parent, you know the joy of seeing their little faces light up when Santa Claus visits.
Parents …
Property rezoned on Kingsley may lead to shopping opportunities for the Town
ORANGE PARK – The Town Council agreed after a second reading to rezone the office building at 1279 Kingsley Ave. from Commercial Professional Office to Commercial Neighborhood which will allow the …
Fair’s Hyder graduates for IAFE Institute of Fair Management
INDIANAPOLIS – Clay County Agriculture Fair Executive Director Tasha Hyder was recognized at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions annual convention as a graduate of the Institute …
Grants available for small organizations in NE Florida
CLAY COUNTY – Applications for 2023 Competitive Small Organization Grants are now available! The deadline to apply is Feb. 1 at 5 p.m. ET.
These grants are open to nonprofit organizations in …
Taste of Clay: Palermo’s Puerto Rican Kitchen brings the Caribbean to Kingsley
ORANGE PARK – Palermo’s Puerto Rican Kitchen is a family-owned “mom and pop” restaurant serving melt-in-your-mouth Latino cuisine featuring several fresh-to-order native Puerto Rican recipes …
Keystone Heights’ first Shop Small was a big hit
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – The City of Keystone Heights recently held its first Shop Small event. The nationwide observed event was founded in 2010 with the goal of encouraging people to holiday shop at …
Students learn about financial literacy at second Reality Check program
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Keystone Heights High and Capital City Bank partnered to bring the second Reality Check to the school.
The goal of the event was to teach students about financial literacy and …
Heritage Commission provides 40 wreaths for Keystone businesses
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – The Keystone Heights Heritage Commission recently made 40 vintage Christmas wreaths for the downtown businesses door.
The wreaths were one of the committee’s many projects …
Student Health Expo returns with stop at Keystone Heights on Dec. 16
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Keystone Heights Junior/Senior High will be allowed to attend its first Student Health Expo since the COVID-19 pandemic on Dec. 16.
“It is an event where we are having …
Keystone Heights Airport celebrates 80 years while looking to future
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Keystone Heights Airport recently held its 80th anniversary with a day-long celebration.
Eighty years and to think at one point nobody wanted this airport. They couldn’t …
Clay Connect app provides quicker responses, information to residents
CLAY COUNTY – Clay Connect, a free, new mobile application and online service request platform where residents can request services and access information from a desktop or mobile device.
The …
Christmas tree business still growing in Clay – along with the prices
CLAY COUNTY – When the calendar turns from November to December each year in Clay County, Florida, that means trading focus from Thanksgiving turkey to Christmas trees.
That oftentimes means …
Baptist Health opens Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center
FLEMING ISLAND – As part of an ongoing commitment to providing top-quality patient care, Baptist Clay has opened a Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center where healing is possible for even the …
Thibert trades snow, danger of tree-cutting for myriad of jobs
FLEMING ISLAND – Clay County, meet Matthew C. Thibert, a local entrepreneur with quite a fascinating backstory.
Thibert, who formerly lived in Michigan and Texas, finally settled on Fleming …
Faith Walk: Don’t Forget… The Greatest Gift!
Christmas time brings about fond memories and warm feelings for many of us. Time with loved ones, Christmas lights, beautifully decorated trees, and holiday music fills our minds. Our family …
Faith Walk: Don’t Forget… Christmas is a Promise Fulfilled!
We are now officially in the Christmas season! The most wonderful time of the year! The amazing story of the birth of Jesus began with a promise made. The scripture is filled with the promises of …
Faith walk: Count your Blessings
Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the time with your loved ones and friends! But remember to count your blessings. Many people know the saying, “count your blessings.” But do we practice it? Even in …
CLAY COUNTY – As I start with Clay Today, I wanted to tell you a little about me. I’m a 26-year-old reporter from Columbia, South Carolina. I graduated from the University of South Carolina in …
There are days when my knee replacement hurts so bad I can barely walk. My left hip pops in and out of the joint, which means another joint replacement is coming soon. The only thing that may delay …
Dear Editor:
In (Don Coble’s) column of Thursday, Nov. 17, you discussed “getting back to reality and stepping away from the national news cycle.”
Your definition encompassed a number …
Just when I thought it was safe to turn the television on again, there was Donald Trump, front and center on Tuesday, telling us we need to make America great again by electing him president.
That …
Federal courts allowed a case against Florida’s congressional map to move forward, but without Gov. Ron DeSantis as a defendant.
A three-judge panel ruled that plaintiffs challenging the …
Lester 44 points ignites Raiders
ORANGE PARK - With an astounding 18 shots made off 24 shots taken, Orange Park High junior guard Eris Lester stamped out a 44 point game performance in a 64-59 win over previously unbeaten (now 5-1, …
Spartans land first wrestling win
ORANGE PARK - St. Johns Country Day School offered up its first FHSAA girls weightlifting team last year and came home with a gold medal on their first visit to the state championships.
This year, …
Golden Eagles soccer remains undefeated
FLEMING ISLAND - As Fleming Island prepared to take on the perennial powerhouse Fetcher Senators in the first division matchup of the 2022-23 season, pregame; Golden Eagles Head Soccer Coach Michael …
Florida High School Wrestling Dual and Tournament Schedule
All events are subject to change, sometimes without notice. All times LOCAL.
Note: Special thanks to Northeast Florida Matmen for schedule collection
Wednesday, November 30
Middleburg at …
Jags win ‘near-perfect’ game
JACKSONVILLE - In about as dramatic a game ever played in TIAA Bank Field, the Jacksonville Jaguars survived a final 67 yard field goal attempt by the greatest kicker in National Football League …
Coop’, Midgett rock Thanksgiving 13-er
JACKSONVILLE - Former golf instructor Tim Cooper made a life decision a year ago to pursue his first athletic endeavor; running, and answered with a seventh place overall in the annual Community …
Big third quarter propels FSU win over Gators
TALLAHASSEE - Florida State scored 17 unanswered points early in the third quarter to build a 38-24 lead on its way to beating rival Florida 45-38 Friday night in Doak Campbell Stadium. The Seminoles …
Raiders, Knights storm to opener thrillers
ORANGE PARK - Oakleaf High basketball had it’s 6’-7” guy, Cameron Coachman, while Orange Park had their 6’-8” guy, Avorie Grayson, camped out in the paint, intimidating those that would …
Grant dollars available from the Women’s Giving Alliance
CLAY COUNTY – Women’s Giving Alliance, an initiative of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, is offering significant grant money for nonprofits in our area that provide services to …
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Many shoppers brought wagons and small carts to carry away unique gifts during last weekend’s Vintage Market Days at the Clay County Fairgrounds. The three-day event opened …
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County Animal Services is teaming up with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and the Petfinder Foundation to help long-term shelter dogs in Clay County find their forever homes this …
Holiday happenings
From parades to parties to festive lights, there will be enough holiday cheer to put a smile on the grumpiest of all scrooges. If your organization has a function planned for Christmas, feel free to …
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Last Saturday started with thousands of residents flooding Walnut Street and Spring Park for the city’s annual Christmas on Walnut program, and they were joined by more …
ORANGE PARK – Jessica Benavidez was one of eight students at Fortis College to earn a $1,000 scholarship from the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges Foundation.
The …
Clay County Farm Bureau offering scholarships
CLAY COUNTY – The County Farm Bureau announced it is accepting applications for our 2023 Scholarship Program.
Clay County Farm Bureau awards scholarships to graduating seniors and current …
Word of the Week is a feature that aims to help readers boost their vocabulary in a meaningful way that has practical application. Each week, our editorial staff presents a word, its definition and …
MIDDLEBURG – Bill Mial (r) of the Penney Farms Retirement Center hands a check for $18,750 that was collected during Sunday services to Salvation Army Cmdrs. Julie and Mike Chamberlain as part of …
Arrests & Bookings 12/8/22
(Name, age, location of arrest, charges). Key: FTA-Failure to Appear; DWLSR-Driving Without a License-Suspended or Revoked; DUI-Driving Under the Influence; VOP-Violation of Probation; BAL-blood …
Police Briefs 12/8/22
CCSO SWAT, Narcotics Unit seize drugs, firearms during raidORANGE PARK – The Clay Count Sheriff’s Office’s SWAT team and Narcotics Unit recovered a trove of illegal drugs while …
Arrests & Bookings 12/1/22
(Name, age, location of arrest, charges).
Key: FTA-Failure to Appear; DWLSR-Driving Without a License-Suspended or Revoked; DUI-Driving Under the Influence; VOP-Violation of Probation; BAL-blood …
Police Briefs 12/1/22
CCSO recover five firearms, recover stolen car at mall
ORANGE PARK – The Clay County Sheriff’s Office recovered two rifles, three handguns and more than 100 rounds of ammunition after …
Police Briefs 11/24/22
Man charged with using six fake identificationsMIDDLEBURG – A man who created six fake identities was tracked down by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Burglary unit and Department of …
Arrests & Bookings 11/24/22
(Name, age, location of arrest, charges). Key: FTA-Failure to Appear; DWLSR-Driving Without a License-Suspended or Revoked; DUI-Driving Under the Influence; VOP-Violation of Probation; BAL-blood …
Police Briefs 11/17/22
Man charged in deadly collision 15 months after accidentGREEN COVE SPRINGS – A man was charged with vehicular homicide on Nov. 10 – nearly 15 months after a Keystone Heights man was …
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