News | Clay Today

Clay Watch is a new program at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office designed to help identify and locate people with special needs who become lost. By creating a voluntary database of those with histories of wandering, communication and cognitive issues, CCSO said it could cut valuable minutes, if not hours, from the time it takes to identify or locate someone.

CCSO creates databank to speed recovery of missing, lost residents with cognitive issues

CLAY COUNTY – It’s the call most deputies and officers hate most: someone’s missing. Whether it be someone with a diminished mental capacity or a child, they know every second matters. The … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 9/21/23

Green Cove Springs approves millage rate, budget for 2023-24

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The City Council approved a 4.7 millage rate Tuesday night for the next fiscal year that will generate $3.3 million in revenues, a 14.85% increase from last year’s … more

Clay Today Staff | 9/21/23

Long-tenured former General Counsel Sam Garrison

Town ranks five law firms in search for new attorney

ORANGE PARK – The Town Council moved forward in replacing General Counsel Sam Garrison by ranking five law firms that filed for Requests of Qualifications, The council pared the list to three, with … more

By Lee Wardlaw lee@claytodayonline.com | 9/21/23

Fighting to find peace

ORANGE PARK – Mike Anderson finds inner peace every time he throws a punch. He feels a sense of calmness with every jab and emotional tranquility with each uppercut. The Fleming Island … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 9/21/23

Middleburg High’s Breyana Stilts emphasizes real-life scenarios, like filing taxes, budgeting, calculating deductions, planning finances, registering to vote and analyzing political platforms in her classroom.

Middleburg’s Stilts trades banking career for education award

MIDDLEBURG – In a major victory for the County School District, Breyana Stilts, an Economics, Government and U.S. History Teacher at Middleburg High, was recently selected as the Warren Tracy … more

By Lee Wardlaw lee@claytodayonline.com | 9/21/23

Justin Daniels brings a sense of excitement and honesty to challenge his students at Orange Park High to embrace learning social studies.

Daniels’ inspiring tactics leads to state honor

ORANGE PARK – Justin Daniels, a veteran educator and cornerstone of the Orange Park High community, recently earned the prestigious 2023 Florida Council for Social Studies Excellence in Teaching … more

By Lee Wardlaw lee@claytodayonline.com | 9/21/23

Florida Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R- Fleming Island) addressed property insurance concerns and provided updates on legislative sessions at the Clay Chamber’s Bridge-To-Bridge meeting on Sept. 13.

Jennifer Bradley said legislature to tackle complex insurance problems

FLEMING ISLAND – Florida Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) highlighted property insurance concerns in her constituents’ districts last week at the Clay Chamber’s Bridge to Bridge … more

By Lee Wardlaw lee@claytodayonline.com | 9/21/23

Founder Matthew Mitchell, right, the Elrod family and volunteers began preparing the property for “A Country Christmas” on Saturday, which will feature more than one million lights.

Country Christmas moves from Apopka Drive to Elrod Acres

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Matthew Mitchell, a 19-year-old Fleming Island resident and student at Florida State University, has long been a fan of Christmas. Filled with holiday spirit year-round, he’s … more

9/21/23

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution join Constitution Week observation

ORANGE PARK – From left, Sophia Fleming Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, joined Committee Chair Terri Dobbs and Orange Park Mayor Randy Anderson after the Town passed … more

9/21/23

Kristen Burke is seeking a second term as the District 5 representative on the Board of County Commissioners.

Burke seeks re-election to continue fight against overdevelopment, environmental threats

GREEN COVE SPRINGS- While working towards setting policy at the County Administration Building during her current term, District 5 County Commissioner Kristen Burke is already gearing up for another … more

By Lee Wardlaw lee@claytodayonline.com | 9/21/23

Arrests and Bookings 9/21/23

Tuesday, Sept. 19

Charlie I. Manning, 36, Middleburg, VOP-battery of person 65 or older, VOP-felony battery

Christopher A. Minorics, 48, Middleburg, battery on law enforcement officer, resist/obstruct/oppose law enforcement

Danielle M. Ray, 36, Middleburg, violation of injunction against stalking

Mickie I. Brantley, 51, Keystone Heights, battery

Kenneth E. Harris, 54, Middleburg, battery by strangulation

Ayden D. Winston, 22, Green Cove Springs, shoplifting

Walter H. Perez, 18, Oakleaf, burglary, grand theft auto

David E. Groman, 57, Middleburg, domestic battery

Jason S. Dubose, 44, Green Cove Springs, FTA-violation of injunction for protection against domestic violence

Gennard Cavainolo, 53, Green Cove Springs, FTA-DWLSR

Wilfredo D. Rivera, 55, Green Cove Springs, violation of pre-trail injunction for protection against domestic violence

Jarel P. Walker-Webb, 19, Green Cove Springs, violation of jail rules

Steven E. Smeltzer, 62, Middleburg, battery

more

9/21/23

Fleming Island’s Musco graduates from Valdosta State

VALDOSTA. Ga. – Kiley Musco of Fleming Island earned the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Valdosta State University. Nearly 550 students completed their degree … more

9/21/23

Fleming Island National Guardsman gets new rank, responsibilities

LATHAM, N.Y. – Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, the adjutant general for the state of New York, announced the recent promotion of New York Army National Guard members in recognition of their capability … more

9/21/23

UF/IFAS Extension offering session on yard debris, protecting waterways

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The UF/IFAS Extension Office will host a gardening advice session on Monday, Sept. 25, at 11:30 a.m. The focus will be on how to dispose of yard debris and protect Florida … more

9/21/23

Families affected by addictions invited to Recovery Celebration on Sept. 23

MIDDLEBURG – September is Recovery Month, a time to celebrate those recovering from addiction or other mental health issues. Clay Behavioral Health Center has set a Recovery Celebration for … more

9/21/23

Challenge Enterprises’ Uptown Hoedown to kick up a storm on Sept. 28

ORTEGA – Challenge Enterprise will host one of its biggest fundraising events of the year – The Uptown Hoedown – on Thursday, Sept. 28, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Timuquana … more

9/21/23

County looking for suggestions on its Gateway to Clay project

CLAY COUNTY – Residents living on or near Wells Road are encouraged to complete a survey to share ideas for the Gateway to Clay initiative. The project is a partnership between public … more

9/21/23

Senior Games returning to Jacksonville for 10 days

JACKSONVILLE – Senior athletes are invited to register for the Jacksonville Senior Games from Sept. 29 to Oct. 8. Seasoned athletes 50 and older can compete in an Olympic-style event with … more

9/21/23

41st Orange Park Town Hall Fall Festival returns in October

ORANGE PARK – The Fall Festival will return to Orange Park Town Council Park on Oct. 21 and 22. Opening ceremonies will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, followed by music, food, crafts, vendors, … more

9/21/23

Residents encouraged to support Wreaths Across America

CLAY COUNTY – The National Wreaths Across America Day will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16. Join the more than two million volunteers and supporters who will gather to Remember, Honor and Teach at … more

9/21/23

Useful links

get social