News | Clay Today

Clay County inched forward Tuesday night in its plan to build another administration for its Economic Development and Building and Code departments when the Green Cove Springs City Council approved an ordinance to allow the county to construct a wall between the parking lot and U.S. Highway 17 as an alternative design standard in the Gateway Corridor District.

Second Clay County Administration Building inches forward

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – After months of wrangling, the city council and Clay County moved closer to a possible agreement to approve a second administration building to house the economic development, … more

Don Coble | 5/23/24

Fugitive Friday

5/23/24

Arrests and Bookings

Tuesday, May 21

Christopher J. Hopkins, 20, Orange Park, domestic battery

Christopher D. Ray, 36, Middleburg, VOP burglary

Michael J. Jarosz, 19, Keystone Heights, burglary, vandalism

Sharonmarie C.C. Suarez, 39, Orange Park, battery

Yusniel P. Yero, 45, Middleburg, possession controlled substance, possession drug paraphernalia

James C. Watts, 28, Green Cove Springs, VOP grand theft auto

Michael A. Allbritton, 37, Green Cove Springs, introduce/remove contraband into jail

Lucas J. Lawrence, 37, Green Cove Springs, introduce contraband into jail, possession fentanyl

more

Compiled by Don Coble | 5/23/24

Arrests and Bookings

Monday, May 27

Sadie R. Fletcher, 23, Orange Park, domestic battery

Sunday, May 26

Ashley D. Murphy, 38, Middleburg, possession Xanax

Timmy D. Spicer, 45, Middleburg, possession fentanyl, possession methamphetamine, possession drug paraphernalia, DWLSR

John S. Bijeaux,49, Orange Park, grand theft auto, DWLSR

Arianna K. Gooch, 25, Orange Park, shoplifting

Na’Jere T.R. Miles, Oakleaf, home invasion, burglary, vandalism, grand theft auto, high speed flee/elude with disregard to safety of others

Allen L. Bryant, 32, Fleming Island, shoplifting, grand theft auto

Shantoni T. Brown, 24, Fleming Island, shoplifting, possession controlled substance

more

Compiled by Don Coble | 5/22/24

Orange Park's Gomes, Oakleaf's Baum selected Social Studies teachers of the year

CLAY COUNTY – Orange Park Junior High’s Victor Gomes and Oakleaf Junior High’s Kendra Baum were selected as the Clay County School District’s Social Studies Teachers of the Year. Sponsored by … more

For Clay Today | 5/19/24

Rotary District 6970 Gov. John Tabor cut the ribbon to re-open the PET Florida shop at Penney Farms, which now includes a new powder-coating machine.

PET volunteers open doors to show off new powder-coating machine

PENNEY FARMS – Rotary District 6970 Gov. John Tabor said he hopes there will be a day when the world won’t need volunteers to build hand-powered Personal Energy Transportation tricycles. But … more

Don Coble | 5/18/24

Roman Mollicone of Fleming Island was part of the state championship 4 X 800 relay team and he won the 800-meter run with a time of 1:50.52.

Fleming Island’s Mollicone wins two Class 3A state championship medals

JACKSONVILLE – After winning the 800-meter Class 3A boys championship with a gold-medal performance run of 1:50:52, Roman Mollicone anchored Fleming Island High’s 4 X 800-meter relay team … more

Clay Today staff | 5/17/24

Carlos Winthrup hauls in a pass in the spring game against Madison County Friday.

Oakleaf kicks off spring football season at Madison County

The Oakleaf High football team will open the spring football slate at Class 1A powerhouse Madison County on Friday, May 17, with the rest of the county scheduled for their spring games next week. … more

Randy Lefko, randy@claytodayonline.com | 5/16/24

Apparently, a collector from Nebraska has asked incessantly to purchase the sign, even offering $1,000.

Jimmy Bud Lang's 60 years under the 76 sign

CLAY HILL – You won’t find it on Apple Maps, but a former 76 gas station has been in business since 1952, back when gasoline was sold by the gallon in cents. It is known in the … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 5/16/24

Trees and other vegetation have grown where the shoreline surrounding Lake Geneva has rescinded. The Lake Geneva Project aims to remove the biomass before the water level rises.

Save Our Lake Organization proposes Lake Geneva pier

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – In the Etonia Chain, water flows from lakes Lowry, Magnolia and to Brooklyn through Alligator Creek. Then, the water moves through tiny Lake Keystone to reach Lake … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 5/16/24

The Board of County Commissioners joined Green Cove Springs Mayor Connie Butler Tuesday to approve a proclamation ahead of Memorial Day. Members of the county's Veteran's Affairs Office, Disabled American Veterans and Vietnam Veterans Association joined the ceremony and were invited by Butler to attend RiverFest at Spring Park on Memorial Day.

BCC updated on long range goals of Health Department

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – County Commissioners heard some of the goals of the Florida Department of Health in Clay County during its meeting Tuesday, including concerns over increasing use of nicotine … more

Don Coble | 5/16/24

Matt Jones, Vice President of Beltone Florida

Have you heard? Hearing aids may help people live longer

ORANGE PARK—It was already well known that hearing loss is associated with a reduced life span. What was unknown before a recent study's publication was whether wearing hearing aids regularly, … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 5/16/24

In Clay County, the April 2024 median price of single-family homes inched up 1.1%, to $352.000. The median number of days on the market fell, dropping 22.5% to 31.

Summer housing market expected to be fruitful for buyers and sellers

CLAY COUNTY – More single-family homes are being listed in Northeast Florida, which may be a solid indication that this summer’s housing market will be fruitful for both buyers and … more

For Clay Today | 5/16/24

Entries may be returned at any Clay County Public Library Branch or at ptlibrary@claycountygov.com through June 15 at 5 p.m.

Contest open to design Clay County's next library card

CLAY COUNTY – Through June 15, the Clay County Public Library System will hold an art contest seeking artwork for special, limited-edition library cards for Library Card Sign-Up Month in September … more

For Clay Today | 5/16/24

Word of the Week

Reputation : (rep-yuh-TAY-shun) a noun meaning the common opinion that people have about someone or something. It can also refer to a positive position that someone or something has … more

5/16/24

The Clay Chamber and the community welcomed Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen to the Food Court at the Orange Park Mall.

You can now love that chicken from Popeyes at OP Mall

5/16/24

Golden Gala winners

FLEMING ISLAND – For the 17 th year, Shepherd’s Center of Orange Park presented awards to four volunteers in the following categories: Shepherd’s Center of Orange Park Outstanding Volunteer, … more

For Clay Today | 5/16/24

Letter carrier killed by dogs honored in Washington

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden last week signed U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean’s bill to rename the Melrose post office after Pamela “Pam” Jane Rock, a letter carrier who was killed after being … more

For Clay Today | 5/16/24

HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital will fund 15 nursing scholarships at St. Johns River State College.

Orange Park Hospital funding 15 nursing scholarships at SJRSC

ORANGE PARK – HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital continued its investment in the future of healthcare with its partnership with St. Johns River State College and a contribution toward 15 nursing … more

For Clay Today | 5/16/24

Agencies unite to honor those who died in line of duty

ORANGE PARK – Law enforcement and fire rescue agencies representing several state and Northeast Florida agencies joined forces on Thursday, May 9, at Moosehaven to honor the 12 who died in the line … more

Clay Today staff | 5/16/24

Useful links

get social