July

Students must put their cellphones away on school properties this year

CLAY COUNTY — The school year began on Aug. 13, and students throughout Clay County District Schools were greeted with new rules regulating cellphone use.

Students may continue to bring their cellphones or other wireless communication devices to school property but with a few added restrictions. Wireless communication devices include cellphones, smartphones, laptops, Chromebooks, tablets, Bluetooth devices, earbuds and AirPods. 

According to the newest edition of the Student Family Handbook 2024-2025,  students can't use a wireless communication device during instructional time except when expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes.

Elementary and junior high students cannot use cellphones during school hours or lunch. They are allowed to have them in a backpack or purse but not in use unless otherwise directed by a teacher or administrator. 

High school students are permitted to use their cellphones during lunch or in class when permitted for instructional use. Phones should be in their backpack or purse throughout the day.  During class, a teacher may designate a space for wireless devices in the classroom and allow use if for an instructional purpose. 

High school students also can't use a cellphone while changing classes. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the "Teachers' Bill of Rights" bill in May 2023, which banned cellphone use statewide during class time.

What happens if students are caught using their phones or other wireless devices for unauthorized use?

If a student has a cell phone in the hallway, they will receive an initial warning to put it away.

‘The Honey Dripper Lady’ film puts spotlight on Middleburg

MIDDLEBURG – Getting everything into place was supposed to be a lot more difficult than it turned out. That’s why Dr. Shaun Powell booked the studio and locations for 17 days for her first feature film, “The Honey Dripper Lady.”

But she got everything she needed in 12 days, including nearly half of the scenes in a house and Cul de sac in Middleburg’s Orange Park South neighborhood.

She quickly learned that the hard part was paring the footage into manageable features. That meant discarding what once seemed like a good idea and banishing it to a computer’s trash file.

“This is my first film, so it’s my baby,” she said.

Powell is careful not to give away too much about the twists and turns of her suspenseful thriller. It focuses on a Southern staple called honey dripper. They are frozen Styrofoam or Solo cups of excessively sweet Kool-Aid, fruit syrup or fruit punch. They are popular among neighborhood children on hot summer days, and neighborhoods often have a woman who makes them known as honey dripper ladies.

Ms. Patricia, played by Davenia McFadden, is the local Honey Dripper Lady. When a child goes missing, the residents suspect she may be responsible, luring them with her frozen, sweet, icy treats.

To make it work, she needed the perfect setting. She relied on Vicki Lowe to scout locations. She came back with the perfect spot near Swimming Pen Elementary.

“Look at that area,” Powell said. “It’s a filmmaker’s dream and some places in Duval County. But Clay County can give you that same thing as well. I just wanted to film here, and with Vicki’s help, we found the perfect location.”

At least two scenes were filmed at the playground and park near the Silo Shoppes of Middleburg, Powell said.

“It kind of worked out because sometimes you can search and search and search,” she said. “Vicki looked at the house, and it had everything we needed written in the script. This was it. We loved what Clay County had to offer.”

A young reporter, Janae, returns with her family to save her home and investigate the missing girl when her daughter, Mia, goes missing. Powell insists it’s not a horror movie but a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing – and on the edge of your seat. The feature was released on Aug. 7.

Law Enforcement armed with information about kids with guns

ORANGE PARK – Sheriff Michelle Cook, Orange Park Police Chief Randy Chase and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office members got a clarification they’ve wanted for years Tuesday – laws regarding minors with firearms finally have teeth and clarity.

During a public safety stakeholder meeting, the Secretary of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Eric Hall, and Juvenile Justice Chair, Florida Sen. Jennifer Bradley, updated law enforcement officials about recent changes in juvenile statutes. The information was especially timely since the proliferation of juvenile-involved crimes with handguns has become increasingly problematic.

Not only are the penalties more severe, but they are now consistent throughout the state.

A juvenile using or possessing a firearm during a first offense would still be charged with a misdemeanor. Still, they will be required to spend five days in juvenile detention and typically placed on juvenile probation.

A second offense would result in a third-degree felony charge. At the same time, a juvenile would be classified as a "delinquent" and be committed to a residential program on a third offense.  A first- or second-offender can be adjudicated delinquent by the court.

Hall said studies prove with the surge of gang activity, it’s essential to direct minors off “the dangerous path.”

“We have to have a degree of clarity with them and understanding of their decisions,” he said. “We changed the statute from civil citations to delinquency citations. We’re also trying to make sure that we utilize it because I can tell you right now that about 66% of the eligible kids for our citation statewide are actually getting one. We know that 95% of kids participating in citation programs don’t return. So when you talk about a great return on investment, and that kid has no arrest record …”

July

His Life Speaks: A mom reflects on life, loss and legacy of her son, Drew

 OAKLEAF - There is no linear path to grieving a loss. 

For a loss as significant as Yolanda Osborne-Kohn’s, she is learning how to day-by-day. 

On some days, Osborne-Kohn said she still finds herself cooking extra food for her son. Or, venturing into his room in the middle of the night hoping to find him. To hear his voice. To hear his infectious laugh. 

Until it strikes her that he’s not there. 

“How do you process not seeing the physical person,” Osborne-Kohn said. “Like, I’m aware that he’s not here. So, that's when the tears come.” 

Following a hit-and-run incident on July 26, Morgan-Drew Kohn’s life was tragically cut short seven days before his 30th birthday. In the early morning hours, while walking eastbound on Collins Road, Drew was struck in a hit-and-run accident. He died at the scene. 

Osborne-Kohn said she accepted it was his time to go. In the years he had been on Earth, she said he had done everything he wanted to do – live his life to the fullest and inspire others. 

She remembers her son as a fighter. In 2017, just seven years before his untimely death, Drew fought to come back from a motorcycle accident that almost took his life. A traumatic brain injury led to a coma, an impaled lung and a severed quad. When doctors said he would never be the same, Osborne-Kohn said she knew differently. 

Drew survived. And the last seven years of his life proved that.

Drew was paralyzed from the neck down and had to learn how to do everything again essentially. Osborne-Kohn said that with an average Glasgow Coma Scale of the brain being 15, Drew was only a 3 when he woke up. 

Drew picked up the pieces and learned how to talk again, walk again and feed himself.

Osborne-Kohn said she and her son kept active by learning how to safely reincorporate his favorite activities, such as surfing, fishing and kayaking, back into his life. She said they would even cycle 18 to 20 miles twice a week. 

She said Drew's recovery was not easy but nothing short of a miracle. She is proud that Drew never gave up.

He was about 93% recovered and was walking along Collins Road one morning when he was struck and killed by a truck in a hit-and-run accident. JSO is still investigating, but so far, there are no strong suspects.

“It’s hard for them to get past this,” Osborne-Kohn said. “He scraped himself and clawed back from the motorcycle accident, [and] then now he’s not here.” 

Clay Schools earn fifth ‘A’ in a row from state

CLAY COUNTY – After receiving a ‘B’ grade from the Florida Department of Education for the 2016 and 2017 school years, the long-range goal for the Clay County District Schools wasn’t for the students to buy into the curriculum but for the students to buy into themselves.

It was a meticulous process, one that required everyone to be involved. By tweaking the ideology, the District changed its culture and its grades. Students no longer hope to achieve excellence. They demand it.

“It takes everyone, every single person on our campus,” said Lake Asbury Junior High Principal Lydia Creel. “None of us do this in isolation – our staff, including support staff, the custodians, cafeteria workers, teachers, and coaches. It includes everyone in guidance. We’re fortunate. We just try to be consistent in the messaging. The students come first, and we’re making sure that we’re trying to be transparent and encourage teamwork.”

Creel’s school was one of four in the District that received a “C” in 2016. Now, it’s one of 23 from Clay County that the state graded as an ‘A’ school on Wednesday, July 24. The others to make the two-grade improvements were Middleburg High, S. Bryan Jennings and McRae elementary schools.

Middleburg High opened in 1980. this year’s ‘A’ was just the third in 44 years.

“But it’s our second in a row,” Principal Martin Aftuck said.

Tropical Storm Debby leaves indelible mark on Clay County

CLAY COUNTY — Tropical Storm Debby was brief, but it left a lasting effect on Clay County.

Some homeowners living along Lazy Acre Road, Scenic Drive and Red Bug Alley in Middleburg were awakened Tuesday by portions of the north prong of Black Creek lapping at their front doors. The surge was caused by a tropical storm that meandered through North Florida late Monday. 

Many of the houses along Black Creek are on stilts. During gales of wind and torrential downpours, homeowners scrambled to move valuables to the second floor or higher ground as the waterline advanced underneath. 

Opaque water from Black Creek crested at 20.13 feet. On Tuesday, the Clay County Division of Emergency Management projected a crest of at least 19.5 feet.

Tom Morris, a homeowner on Red Bug Alley, and his family trudged through the flood water to their house, carrying pizza boxes. 

“No, I don’t think the pizza delivery driver would’ve wanted to come through here,” Morris said laughingly. “I don’t think we’ll expect any Amazon packages, either.”

The county warned residents earlier in the day “who live near the creek to be vigilant, monitor the creek level, and be prepared to leave if necessary.”

Despite the sporadic flooding along the Black Creek, the county was spared the storm’s most damaging effects. The bands seemed to hit areas south and north of the county hardest, making rainfall the most significant storm threat.

“If you honestly look at the maps the hurricane center put, Clay County and Putnam County weren’t even in the initial storm force wind, the warnings and watches until the very last minute,” Clay County Director of Emergency Management Tim Devin said.

September

Pro Rodeo spurs successful return to Clay County Fairgrounds

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The call went out shortly before 6:30 Saturday night, an hour before the Clay County Pro Rodeo was supposed to wrap up its second night of roping, riding and bucking inside the Cattleman’s Arena.

J.C. Kitaif Pro Rodeos members heard the rodeo was sold out. With most seats already taken and hundreds of pre-sales still in traffic or the parking lot, nobody else could buy a ticket. The demand was so enormous that J.C. Kitaif General Manager Jade Kataif pushed the start back 15 minutes so the last of nearly 4,000 could go through the front gate and find a seat without missing any of the action.

“We know how many people who haven’t been through the gates have tickets, and we want to give them every opportunity not to miss anything, especially if there’s a lot of traffic and lines trying to get in," Kitaif said. “This is a family event. We want everyone to have fun. We also started Friday’s show 20 minutes late because we were busy and had only one complaint.”

Organizers estimated Friday’s crowd at nearly 3,000 fans.

Everyone watched a card of traditional rodeo competitions, including Ranch Bronc Riding, Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding. And they were by the comedic antics of Rodeo Clown Marshall Green, along with trick riders Hailey and Michaela Wall.

One of the most notable winners was 47-year-old legendary bull rider Ricky Ringer. He was the only one of five to survive the eight-second ride to earn a score. Ringer’s career has spanned over 25 years, and he’s won more than $1 million, leading to filming “Ride Till I Die.”

Another incredible performance came from Angie Hammock in barrel racing. Her run of 15.7 seconds was the best in a field of 10.

Kitaif said the crowd quickly had a connection to the cowboys and cowgirls.

Jade Kitaif and Clay County officials were so delighted with the triumphant return of the International Pro Rodeo Association that they tentatively agreed to return twice a year through 2029, Kitaif said. She said J.C. Kitaif Pro Rodeos will return to the Clay County Fairgrounds in May and September.

Woman recounts surviving deadly World Airways crash at Boston airport

CLAY COUNTY – When Nancy Moss boarded her flight to Boston on Jan. 23, 1982, she didn't think the unexpected would happen.

It was a typical but cold night. The plane, a World Airways DC-10, was carrying 202 passengers. Configured like an L-1011, Moss said the aircraft had two aisles of passengers ready to reach their destination. 

Except, they didn’t.

“An hour later, two people were dead,” the Clay County woman said. 

While flying in the middle of a blizzard, the plane skidded off the icy runway while landing at Boston Logan International Airport. 

After hitting a retaining wall, the nose of the plane severed, partially submerging in the Boston Harbor and killing two first-class passengers. Moss said about 40 others were injured.

She initially flew on the People Express Airlines to Newark, New Jersey. But, she had to get to Boston for work. So, she then bought a $28 ticket to World Airways. 

Just before taking her seat on the plane, Moss said she walked into the cockpit and asked the captain about the weather in Boston. He said it was terrible. 

“Well, if it’s terrible, why are we going,” she asked him.

“Because I’ve got 200 people and a crew of 12 that have to get there,” he responded. 

Moss said she had a hunch about what would happen that day. She even told the captain not to go. 

Once the plane split apart, Moss said the captain, co-captain and navigator ended up in the water. None of the passengers knew the extent of the crash until the pilots came back soaking wet. 

Firefighters, father and son find emotional comfort after inexplicable rescue

ORANGE PARK – For Ryan Daw, the past two weeks have been filled with unanswered questions, doubt and a father’s concern for his son’s hidden trauma.

For Lts. Thomas Gill and Joe Hutchins, who are trained to be unaffected by the emotions of their duties, couldn’t help but think about the condition of a lifeless 15-month-old girl they pulled from the channel of Black Creek and the St. Johns River on Aug. 25, or how a father and son they asked to help with the recovery were handling the trauma.

All found much-needed resolve Sunday morning in a rare but necessary meeting at a Clay County Fire Rescue Station that gave all four a chance to put the frantic details of that evening in order.

Gill was returning from a rescue call when 911 sent out an alert of a capsized boat at the Black Creek Marina. Hutchins was off duty and returning from church. Both were on U.S. Highway 17 at the Black Creek bridge, so they pulled into the marina. They ran onto the dock, where Ryan Daw and his 8-year-old son, Weston, were pulling away to go shrimping. They didn’t see the capsized boat, but Hutchins desperately asked them to take him and Gill to the accident scene. The father never hesitated and agreed.

Three adults were on top of the upside-down boat, and a man was yelling that his baby was trapped under it. Gill instinctively jumped into the water. He remained under the black, murky water for nearly four minutes.

On shore, other fire rescue personnel issued the alert “fireman down” after Gill didn’t re-emerge.” Suddenly, the baby appeared above the surface, and Hutchins immediately started CPR. Ryan Daw helped Gill climb into the boat.

“To be 100% honest, I was glad to see the girl. I was excited about how efficient they were. On the flip side, I was like, I really didn't want him (the son) to see that, you know,” Ryan said.

That’s when Hutchins told the father the girl was resuscitated and recovering at a local hospital.