News | Clay Today

Hundreds lined Lawrence Boulevard - the lucky ones in the shade - to watch the 56th annual parade in Keystone Heights.

Keystone Heights’ celebrates Sounds of Freedom Fourth of July

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS - Nothing is more American than the annual Fourth of July run/walk, parade, games, vendors, a day at Keystone Beach, music, and fireworks at Keystone Heights. The 56 th Sounds of … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 7/11/24

Pool tournament to support the Vinyard Transitional Center

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — The Corner Pocket will host a pool tournament on Saturday, July 27, to support the Vineyard Transitional Center, a program that provides inmates with temporary … more

For Clay Today | 7/11/24

UF/FAS Gardening With Natives seminar on July 22

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — Learn how to add native plants to your landscape to benefit your garden and nearby ecology with a seminar hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and … more

For Clay Today | 7/11/24

Newsweek selected Ascension St. Vincent's Clay as one of America's Best Maternity Care Hospitals in 2024.

Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay a top hospital for maternity care

MIDDLEBURG — Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay received one of America’s Best Maternity Care Hospitals in 2024 by Newsweek at its highest five ribbon level. This is the first year it has been … more

For Clay Today | 7/11/24

School district looking for a few good people at job fair

FLEMING ISLAND – The Clay County District Schools will host an in-person instructional and support job fair on Tuesday, July 16, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. The recruitment fair will occur at Fleming … more

For Clay Today | 7/11/24

Walnut Street is still accessible to pedestrians during the renovations. Pedestrians still have a narrow sidewalk on either side of the street, enclosed within orange and white barricades.

Businesses fighting to stay afloat as Walnut Street renovations wrap up

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — Since renovations began, the Walnut Street Redesign project has closed vehicular traffic from Palmetto to Orange Avenue. However, the historic street is still accessible to … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 7/11/24

Arrests and Bookings

Tuesday, July 9

Charles J. Franson, 67, Middleburg, domestic battery

Willie G. Thomas, 60, Orange Park, trafficking cocaine, possession marijuana with intent to sell/manufacture/deliver, possession controlled substance

Eugene T. Wright, 41, Green Cove Springs, VOP contributing to delinquency of minor

William E. Gardner, 45, Green Cove Springs, VOP grand theft

Robert T. Thompson, 37, Green Cove Springs, VOP possession methamphetmine, VOP burglary

Donald J. Stone, 31, Orange Park, distributing cocaine

Maurice J. Jackson, 29, Middleburg, FTA

Donald J. Stone, 31, Orange Park, possession controlled substance, possession methamphetamine, possession drug paraphernalia, DWLSR

more

Compiled by Don Coble | 7/11/24

Fugitive Friday

7/11/24

Jersey Mike's Subs had its long-awaited grand opening on Fleming Island on Wednesday. The new franchise is at 1560 Business Center Dr.

Jersey Mike's celebrates grand opening on Fleming Island

FLEMING ISLAND - A new Jersey Mike’s Subs franchise opened its doors Wednesday on Fleming Island. Located at 1560 Business Center Dr., the sandwich shop will reopen after a previous … more

Kyla Woodard, kyla@claytodayonline.com | 7/10/24

Hundreds enjoy festivities at Moosehaven's annual Fourth of July celebration

ORANGE PARK — Moosehaven and the Town of Orange Park hosted their annual "American Pride Fourth of July" celebration on Thursday. The free event featured live music, food trucks, fireworks and … more

By Kyla Woodard, kyla@claytodayonline.com | 7/5/24

Fourth of July parade All-America-clad family.

Keystone Heights’ Sounds of Freedom Fourth of July Celebration

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS - Nothing is more American than the annual Fourth of July run/walk, parade, games, vendors, a day at Keystone Beach, music, and fireworks at Keystone Heights. The 56 th Sounds of … more

By Don Coble, don@claytodayonline.com | 7/4/24

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed more than 180 laws that went into effect on July 1.

More than 180 new laws went into effect in July in Florida

CLAY COUNTY – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed so many bills in the past few months that it was easy to forget they went into effect on July 1. Some of the highlights are: A ban on squatters. … more

Clay Today staff | 7/4/24

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office set its School Safety and Young Programs Department staff ahead of the 2024-25 school year. From left, it will be led by Director Patrick Golemme, Assistant Chief Jeremy Clark, Sgt. Jacob Saunders, Lt. Kenneth Wagner, Sheriff Michelle Cook, Sgt. Michael Campbell, Lt. Michael Kircher, Sgt. Andrew Koeler and Sgt. Mark Romano.

Sheriff's Office creates its School Resource Department Staff

FLEMING ISLAND — When the School Safety and Youth Programs Department staff met on Thursday, June 27, three of eight staff sergeants and lieutenants were conspicuously dressed in suits and … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 7/3/24

Kenneth Wagner, who served as the the district's police chief, was selected as a lieutenant for the youth program team.

School board gives a final salute to CCDS Police Department

FLEMING ISLAND — The school board was updated regarding the final steps of the CCDS-CCSO transition on Thursday, June 27, before officially parting ways with the Clay County District Schools … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 7/3/24

State Attorney Melissa Nelson and Clay County Director Pam Hazel will be at the Clay County Courthouse on Sept. 30, seeking the death penalty for Corey L. Binderim for the Oct. 24, 2020, murder of Susan Elizabeth Mauldin in her Eagle Harbor home on Fleming Island.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson to remain in courtroom for third term

JACKSONVILLE — As the unopposed candidate for State Attorney of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, Melissa Nelson will serve another four years as the top prosecutor for Clay, Duval and Nassau … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 7/3/24

Tracy Drake, Clay County Property Appraiser

Clay County property values increased by $1.5 billion

ORANGE PARK — Pursuant to s. 200.065(1), Florida Statutes, Clay County Property Appraiser Tracy Scott Drake submitted the Certification of Taxable Value to the Florida Department of Revenue … more

For Clay Today | 7/3/24

A group of volunteers make the mission happen by providing assistance for packing and deliveries.

The Father's Heart: Providing meals for those in need

ORANGE PARK — Nathan Dowd has always had a knack for serving others. “My heart is for people. So, I want to see people do well. I want to see people happy; I want to see them … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 7/3/24

The design created by Fox A. in the five-and-under category.

Clay County readers design new library cards

FLEMING ISLAND — The Clay County Public Library System held an art contest in which winning designs would be featured as limited-edition library cards during Library Card Sign-Up Month this … more

For Clay Today | 7/3/24

The O2O Wildlife Corridor is a proposed conservation initiative involving 1.6 million acres of connected public and private lands which would connect the Ocala and Osceola National Forests.

NFLT gets grant from Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation

CAMP BLANDING — North Florida Land Trust was awarded a grant of up to $105,000 from the Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation to support conservation efforts within the Ocala to … more

For Clay Today | 7/3/24

From left, Lt. Zach Cox, School Resource Sgt. Jacob Saunders, Detention Sgt. Troy Van Dyke School Resource Lt. Kenneth Wagner, Sheriff Michelle Cook, Sgt. Richard Futch, Sgt. Heather Lanier, Sgt. Daniel Cassani, Sgt. Micheal Brickey, School Resource Sgt. Mark Romano and Lt. Eddie Howell were part of a promotion ceremony Thursday at the Fleming Island substation. School Resource Sgt. Sarah Taylor was also promoted, but she wasn’t present.

Clay County Sheriff’s Office celebrates promotion of 11 deputies

FLEMING ISLAND — Before Sheriff Michelle Cook promoted 11 deputies Thursday, including three from the Clay County District Schools Police Department, she told them about a two-sided card they … more

By Don Coble | 7/3/24

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