Local news | Clay Today

William Gura is a retired, disabled veteran whose passion for art has led him to success.

Disabled vet finds fulfillment in artistic outlet

ORANGE PARK —William Gura is on the quest to find what he calls the “American Mona Lisa.” As an artist and expert at his craft, Gura doesn’t know exactly what all that entails, but he’s … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 9/4/25

Mazerac said it was this view from his Oakleaf home that inspired the location for his debut novel.

Oakleaf community inspires debut author's book series

OAKLEAF — For more than 20 years, Joseph Mazerac worked as an unexploded ordnance technician. And although that career is still meaningful to him, the creative bug that bit him years prior … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 9/4/25

Grace Episcopal Day School introduced a new turf this school year, which will be used for after-school activities, physical education classes, and athletics.

Grace Episcopal Day School introduces new outside turf

ORANGE PARK—In an effort to promote the positives of outdoor learning, Grace Episcopal Day School welcomed students back to school this year with some brand-new campus additions. Replacing what was … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 9/4/25

The garden club got tips on successful ideas for dealing with shady areas.

Fleming Island Garden Club gets tips on shade-loving plants

FLEMING ISLAND – The Garden Club’s summer hiatus ended when we gathered for our August meeting. Our guest speaker, Master Gardener Volunteer and Garden Club member Connie Gladding, discussed the … more

By Rhona Scoville, Fleming Island Garden Club | 9/4/25

Broskie shocked the Clay SafetyNet Alliance by telling them district school buses will travel the equivalent of 129 trips around the world this school year..

Broskie’s address receives an ‘A’ from SafetyNet Alliance

MIDDLEBURG – One of the standing procedures of the SafetyNet Alliance meetings is for everyone to introduce themselves and give a brief description of the service they provide. Since SafetyNet … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 9/3/25

Michelle Reaves and Brian Knight explain the benefits of Impact Clay's new Impact Works, a program that puts all of the county's nonprofit services in a sinlge database.

Program connects county’s nonprofits with click of keystroke

MIDDLEBURG – With a couple of clicks of a computer and a single sweep of a finger across the mouse pad, a standing-room-only audience of nonprofit, community, health and wellness, government, … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 9/3/25

The Clay County Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve a list of future legislative requests at Tuesday's meeting.

County prioritizes public safety, quality of life for legislative requests

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — The Clay County Board of County Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve an extensive list of future legislative requests at Tuesday's meeting. In its 2026 legislative … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 9/1/25

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid offering virtual pro bono clinics in Clay

CLAY COUNTY — In need of affordable legal services? Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA) is currently hosting ongoing virtual pro bono clinics for those looking for convenient assistance. … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 9/1/25

When lightning strikes a home, it can create a power surge that can damage or even fry a fuse or control box for a primary electronic appliance, such as an air conditioner.

UF/IFAS: Remember lightning strikes more than tall objects

With hurricane season upon us, it is essential to take cover when lightning is present in the area. In today’s digital age, you can find videos of lightning striking tall objects, including … more

By Ryan Czaplewski, UF/IFAS Extension | 8/31/25

Karen King opened the first McDonald's in the Orange Park Mall 50 years ago. She was one of the first woman McDonald's franchise owners and operators.

Hamburger jockey, King, opens first mall McDonald's

ORANGE PARK— Before its 1984 extension, the Orange Park Mall did not feature a food court. At the time of its opening in 1975, the mall’s main appeal relied heavily on retail powerhouses such as … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 8/29/25

School employee arrested for abusing student

ORANGE PARK - A school employee at W.E. Cherry Elementary was arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 27, for abusing a student, the Clay County Sheriff's Office said. Pearl Oforiwaa Gyamera, 47, was … more

Clay Today staff | 8/28/25

DeSantis awards Green Cove Springs $1.2 million for stormwater improvements

ARCADIA – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced more than $38 million in awards to 19 small and rural Florida communities through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program on … more

For Clay Today | 8/28/25

Ask Kyla: Does Clay Events have any fun happenings this fall?

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — The answer to this question is yes. After an overwhelming reception to their summer drive-in movies, Clay Events has added an all-new schedule for fall. In their September Reel … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 8/27/25

Newlywed Grissingers up for 'America’s Favorite Couple'

NAPLES — From childhood friends to young newlyweds, Olivia and Wyatt Grissinger are on top of the world. They share love, friendship, and a blossoming new life together. And, as a … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 8/26/25

A crowd of his loyal followers stopped by the Jacksonville pier to watch Kyndal Edwards conclude his more than 8,000-mile journey.

Edwards reaches finish line in cross-country walk for mental health, addiction

JACKSONVILLE BEACH — Following a two-year journey, Orange Park native Kyndal Edwards finally touched the Atlantic Ocean on his coast-to-coast walk on Sunday, Aug. 17. And for him, it still doesn't … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 8/25/25

The mall will celebrate its 50th anniversary in September.

Second Horizon Capital successfully purchases Orange Park Mall

ORANGE PARK — Second Horizon Capital announced Wednesday the successful completion of its acquisition of the Orange Park Mall. The 950,000-square-foot property, located at 1910 Wells Road, marks … more

For Clay Today | 8/23/25

Punsky will retire at the end of October, having served the agency for more than 38 years.

Longest tenured CCSO deputy, Sgt. Mike Punsky, to retire

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Sgt. Mike Punsky has been pulling up his motorcycle boots for more than 38 years for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. Some of his friends retired from the agency. Others … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 8/22/25

Electric Department Director Andy Yeager said workers at the city's electric department are dedicated to keeping the lights on.

GCS a step closer to trashing curbside recycling pickup

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The City Council took the first step to follow the county’s lead in eliminating curbside pickup for recyclables by voting 5-0 on the first reading of an ordinance that will … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 8/22/25

Anyone with new driver’s license after July 31, 2024, needs to update voter info

CLAY COUNTY – The Supervisor of Elections Office wants to remind voters that on July 31, 2024, a new law went into effect requiring the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to … more

For Clay Today | 8/21/25

Lawsikia Hodges is the current town attorney for Orange Park.

Hodges, Orr appointed to Florida Bar Special Committee

JACKSONVILLE — Two local attorneys, Michael Orr and Lawsikia Hodges, were recently appointed to the Florida Bar's Special Committee on the Sustainability Initiative for Attorneys. The special … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 8/21/25

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