Local news | Clay Today

A chunk of meteorite was displayed as one of several science demonstrations in the Lake Asbury Junior High School cafetorium Thursday during their Starlight Night event. Oakleaf High School AP Physics students worked the booths, showing off the experiments and scientific artifacts like this meteorite to event participants.

Starlight Nights mix science, imagination at local schools

CLAY COUNTY – Florida may truly be the “Sunshine State,” but an upcoming astronomical event will turn us into the “Un-Sunshine State” – at least for a few hours. That sounds ominous. … more

Thomas Webber, Starlight Nights | 10/12/23

Anyone younger than 16 now must have a driver’s license or learner’s permit to operate a golf cart on a public roadway.

New rules for children operating golf cars in effect

CLAY COUNTY – According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 6,500 children are injured by golf carts every year. To reduce that statistic, Florida lawmakers implemented a new law to … more

For Clay Today | 10/12/23

Rich and Laurie Goacher purchased the lot where Hell House once stood to build a home – and to do their best to preserve the legacy of the land where Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote, rehearsed and perfected many of their iconic Southern Rock hits like “Free Bird,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Gimme Three Steps,” “Mr. Saturday Night Special” and “Simple Man.” Shortly after buying the lot, they stood on the old dock on Peter’s Creek that inspired some of the band’s biggest hits.

Hell House sold: New owners vow to preserve Southern Rock legacy

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Laurie Goacher kicked around loose sand last Sunday afternoon where she believed Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Hell House once stood 50 years ago. Suddenly, she hit resistance. The … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 10/12/23

Hundreds toast launch of Hell House Whiskey

FLEMING ISLAND – Janice Whitley had an unusual request for her 29th wedding anniversary gift. She wanted to see Lynyrd Skynyrd. So when she read lead singer Johnny Van Zant and guitarist … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 10/12/23

Fall festivals and Halloween happenings

The temperatures are finally dropping, the air is crisper and the smell of pumpkin spice is everywhere. That means fall festivals and Halloween parties will fill the calendar. The county’s … more

10/12/23

Challenge Enterprises challenges businesses to foster inclusion

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Challenge Enterprises is excited to announce its participation in National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Led by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of … more

By Natalie Gilstrap For Clay Today | 10/12/23

More than 4,000 feast on food, entertainment, fun at Soul Food Festival

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The 22nd annual Soul Food Festival started with a parade down Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. last Saturday and it was nothing short of a community hit. With a clear sky and … more

PHOTOS BY KYLA WOODARD | 10/12/23

From left, Ward Huntley joined Nancy Keating and Clay Chamber President Jon Cantrell during the Welcome to the Ranch annual Clay County Chamber of Commerce Gala on Thursday, Oct. 5. Keating, who’s spent 50 years at Challenge Enterprises, is retiring at the end of the year. She was honored with the Louis Huntley Pacesetter Award. Also, Penney Retirement Community President/CEO Teresa Scott was presented the Business Excellence Award by Amy Miller.

Retiring Nancy Keating earns top Clay Chamber’s honor

ORANGE PARK – Halfway into his opening sentence pronouncing this year’s recipient of the most prestigious award during the Clay County Chamber of Commerce’s annual gala on Thursday, Oct. 5, … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 10/12/23

Farm Bureau accepting teacher mini-grant applications

CLAY COUNTY – Applications for the Clay County Farm Bureau Teacher Mini-Grant program are now available. The Farm Bureau Teacher Mini-Grant program is designed to show students that the … more

For Clay Today | 10/12/23

Gold Star father recognized during Rock the Box 3

ORANGE PARK – St. Michael’s Soldiers supported the men and women deployed with the U.S. military at the Rock the Box 3 on Saturday, Oct. 7. In addition to a concert from Aaron Lewis, a highlight … more

10/12/23

BCC gets final report on conservation program from North Florida Land Trust

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The North Florida Land Trust presented its final report for the Conservation Program to the Board of County Commission Tuesday. The study was launched last fall and … more

By Lee Wardlaw lee@claytodayonline.com | 10/12/23

School Board member Michelle Hanson wants the District to establish its own policies to determine whether books should be removed from school shelves in response to the state’s policy. In Clay County, a four-person committee, which includes District Chief Academic Officer Roger Dailey, two school officials and one parent, are tasked with responding to the challenges.

School Board considering creating its own guidelines to review books

FLEMING ISLAND – School Board member Michele Hanson argued for the school district to use its own policies and standards to identify questionable books instead of relying on outside organizations … more

By Lee Wardlaw lee@claytodayonline.com | 10/12/23

19 complete Clay Chamber Leadership class

The Clay County Chamber of Commerce awarded 19 certificates for business leaders who completed its Leadership Class. They were (back, from left) Dominic Antoniello of the Clay Sheriff’s Office, … more

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY CLAY CHAMBER | 10/12/23

U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean presented the Silver Level Congressional Award to Fleming Island’s Luke Cooper Monday. His parents, Thomas and Tracy Cooper, joined the Congressman and Luke.

Fleming Island’s Luke Cooper presented Silver Level Congressional Award

JACKSONVILLE – U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean (FL-04) presented the Silver Level Congressional Award to Fleming Island student Luke Cooper on Monday. The Congressional Award is one of the highest honors … more

For Clay Today | 10/12/23

Activist Taylor Thigpen fights to feed a hungry world

ORANGE PARK - Taylor Thigpen is far from your average high school senior. The 18-year-old Lake Asbury resident, St. Johns Country Day student, and recently elected Florida 4-H President – where he … more

By Lee Wardlaw lee@claytodayonline.com | 10/12/23

Guests at this year’s Swine and Dine Derby can enjoy the best of two pork delights – a dinner of barbecue or cheering on their favorite swine in a race.

This little piggy went to fairgrounds for Swine and Dine

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Swine and Dine Derby, the biggest fundraising event for Rotary Clubs from Green Cove Springs and Fleming Island will return to the Clay County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Oct. … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 10/12/23

Isaiah Carrasco’s rehabilitation following a traumatic brain injury from a single-car accident 15 months ago shows small steps of improvement.

Little by little, Carrasco continues to show improvement

OAKLEAF – Eddie and Rose Carrasco described their son, Isaiah, as a vibrant rising senior at Oakleaf High. Tragedy struck 16-year-old Isaiah Carrasco on June 12, 2022, and his life was forever … more

By Lee Wardlaw lee@claytodayonline.com | 10/12/23

Hippies, go-go boots, tie-dye and peace symbols

FLEMING ISLAND – The flashbacks at Whitey’s Fish Camp on Saturday, Oct. 7, included tie-dye T-shirts, peace signs, black lights, luminous colors and prices that took revelers back to 1963 when … more

10/12/23

Dorothy White crosses 30-year mark at Wilkinson

CLAY HILL – Hairstyles, fashion and music trends have come and gone during the past 30 years, but one thing remains the same – Dorothy White stepping into traffic to ensure Wilkinson … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 10/5/23

Fire damages four units at Middletown Apartments

ORANGE PARK – An unattended candle started a fire in a bedroom on Thursday, Sept. 28. The Orange Park Fire Department contained the blaze that damaged three units and destroyed one at the … more

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY ORANGE PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT | 10/5/23

Useful links

get social