News | Clay Today

Ridgeview High graduate Samantha Collins accepts her commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy.

Ridgeview grad commissioned as Ensign in U.S. Navy

CLAY COUNTY – Samantha Collins, a 2020 graduate of Ridgeview High, was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer. Ensign Collins was a member of our Navy … more

5/9/24

Jacksonville man charged with impersonating FBI agent

ORANGE PARK – A Jacksonville man was arrested after the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said he claimed to be an FBI Special Agent after he approached two women he said were driving recklessly on … more

5/9/24

A child gets a close-up look at the baby hawk before it was returned to its nest.

CCFR crews return injured baby hawk back to its nest

FLEMING ISLAND – Clay County Fire Rescue got a call from a resident in Eagle Harbor with a request they said, "honestly we've never had before." Recently, a storm blew a baby hawk out of its … more

For Clay Today | 5/9/24

Spotlighting resilient seniors ahead of May 24 graduation

CLAY COUNTY – They lost their parents, suffered gruesome injuries and broke away from likely futures of crime and substance abuse. Some battled self-doubt, unfair expectations and adolescence. … more

5/9/24

Celia E. Ochoa (wearing the blue lanyard) with Tanya Lea (in the pink hat) reunited on March 15, 2024.

Cuban refugee, U.S. Navy petty officer reunite 30 years after Guantanamo Bay

With it being nearly 30 years ago, Celia E. Ochoa can’t say if Tanya Lea dropped a scoop of rice for them. Or a scoop of beans. Or handed her and her family MREs (meals ready to eat). Tanya … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 5/9/24

St. Johns Classical Academy’s Wedangelis Feliciano-Berrocales came to the United States 11 years ago from Puerto Rico. Her parents couldn’t speak English, and they didn’t have a job. She was self-taught English and will graduate on May 24 from St. Johns Classical Academy before becoming the first in her immediate family to attend college.

Senior Spotlight: Wedangelis Feliciano-Berrocales

FLEMING ISLAND – There was a recession in Puerto Rico 11 years ago, and Wedangelis Feliciano-Berrocales’ parents didn’t have college degrees or jobs. When the pandemic hit, the … more

Don Coble | 5/9/24

CCSO K-9 Ory retires

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Deputy Ory, a seven-year veteran with the agency, retired May 3. According to CCSO, Ory was responsible for 14 bites, hundreds of tracks and … more

5/9/24

Vendors can join annual Touch a Truck at fairgrounds

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Touch a Truck is a free community event that brings together everyone and everything that moves Clay County, from departments and services to nonprofits, public safety, county … more

For Clay Today | 5/9/24

Oakleaf High’s Jacquelyn Beasy spent the last year putting her life back together after the sudden death of her mother. She will attend the University of Florida next year and study psychology to focus on the effects of mental health and substance abuse.

Senior Spotlight: Oakleaf High's Jacquelyn Beasy

OAKLEAF – Her mother probably told her how she came up with her name, Jacquelyn Beasy, but she can’t remember. Like most adults and adolescents, she remembers they had their differences but … more

Don Coble | 5/9/24

From left, Nathan Stanley and Chris Shee.

Nathan Stanley becomes new Executive Director at Seamark Ranch

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Seamark Ranch has provided a safe home to more than 150 children in need. Their mission is to provide a traditional home environment where children can heal through … more

For Clay Today | 5/9/24

Arrests and Bookings

Tuesday, May 7

Thanggy K. Janvier, 27, Middleburg, domestic battery

Roya S. Dees, 34, Oakleaf, domestic battery

Arthur T. Pendarvis, 49, Middleburg, consumption of alcohol within 300 feet of package store

Sydney M.L. Riley, 26, Green Cove Springs, VOP aggravated assault with deadly weapon

Brian K. Herndon, 49, Green Cove Springs, DWLSR

Charles A. Futch, 39, Green Cove Springs, FTA DWLSR

Alexis E.R. Lopez, 30, Fleming Island, driving without a driver’s license

Angel L. Coakley, 40, Green Cove Springs, VOP domestic violence

Charles H. Tilford, 41, Middleburg, DUI, DWLSR

more

Compiled by Don Coble | 5/9/24

Overnight detours of Blanding Boulevard, County Road 220 planned May 7-9 for First Coast Expressway work

Overnight detours of Blanding Boulevard, County Road 220 Planned May 7-9 for First Coast Expressway Work. If you have any questions about any of our county road projects, you can email … more

For Clay Today | 5/4/24

On average, Clay County District School students are getting an education that's rated more than 25% better than the national average.

Clay schools get high international accreditation marks from Cognia

CLAY COUNTY – The school district successfully concluded the rigorous accreditation process with Cognia, a globally recognized education accrediting organization, and finished with a final … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 5/2/24

Audrey Milligan's "UNBOTTLED" will be on display at the Jacksonville International Airport.

Clay High art winner to have winning art on display throughout NE Florida

JACKSONVILLE – Clay High senior Audrey Milligan will have her watercolors on display all around Northeast Florida after two of her pieces won awards last week. U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina … more

Clay Today staff | 5/2/24

Middleburg man indicted for molesting 9-year-old girl

MIDDLEBURG – A grand jury indicted a Middleburg man April 23 on one count of sexual battery, two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and showing obscene material to a 9-year-old girl during … more

5/2/24

In photo: From left, Michele Riley, Doug Fuzzell, Jack Scorby, Gi Teevan, President Joe Pickens, Dr. Iana Harris and Michelle Sjogren commemorate the collaboration between Rotary Club of Orange Park at St. Johns River State College Foundation’s Random Act of Kindness.

Orange Park Rotary kindly donates to SJR State College

PALATKA – Fulfilling its mission to serve the community, the Rotary Club of Orange Park presented a check to St. Johns River State College Foundation and President Joe Pickens to support college … more

For Clay Today | 5/2/24

This small cutout of Florida shows how much land was homesteaded.

Celebrate Clay History

The events of 1862 included the passing of a meaningful piece of legislation – the Homestead Act of 1862. This act was the catalyst for the expansion of not only the West but also of Florida. In an … more

Vishi Garig, Historical Archives Supervisor, A Service of Tara S. Green, Clerk of Court and Comptroller | 5/2/24

Expired tag leads to short chase, methamphetamine charge

ORANGE PARK – According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, a couple led a deputy on a short high-speed chase after he noticed a man and a woman get into a car with an expired license tag at a … more

5/2/24

Clay firefighter to be honored at national tribute May 4-5

EMMITSBURG, Md. – The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation will host the 43 rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on May 4-5. This year’s national tribute will … more

For Clay Today | 5/2/24

The Fleming Island Garden Club recently hosted a crafting social and their wares will be on display at the May 21 Art in the Garden at Club Continental.

Crafting Social, butterfly release highlight April for Fleming Island Garden Club

FLEMING ISLAND – The Garden Club started April with a crafting social at the library. Members brought in crafts and other items already completed to see what they had done so far; then, we worked … more

By Rhona Scoville, For Clay Today | 5/2/24

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