15 schools headed to Golden Eagle Classic marching band competition
FLEMING ISLAND – The Fleming Island High Eagle Band One will host the Golden Eagle Classic, a Florida Marching Band Championship regional competition on Saturday
Fifteen Class 1A-to-Class 5A Bands will be competing in accordance with FMBC rules for placement trophies in each class as well as various "Best in Class" categories and the Overall Grand Champion award.
Bands already committed to the competition include Fleming Island, Oakleaf, Ridgeview, Middleburg, Orange Park, Pedro Menendez, Providence, Trinity Christian, Bradford, Santa Fe, Yulee, Baker County, Ponte Vedra, Spruce Creek, Sandalwood and Creekside.
Fleming Island and the University of South Florida Herd of Thunder will play exhibition sets.
Concessions will be available for purchase and an ATM will be on site.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and $7 for seniors. Children 6 and younger are free.

Clay zoning code update project needs public input

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County leaders want to hear from residents on proposed updates to the Land Development Code. There are multiple ways residents can get involved with this process.
A public open house will be held on Monday, Oct. 10, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the B.C.C. Meeting Room located on the fourth Floor of the Clay County Administration Building, 477 Houston St., in Green Cove Springs. Residents are invited to attend to receive Information on the proposed Land Development Code changes and provide input into the process.
Public comments can also be made during the Oct. 11 Board of County Commissioners Meeting beginning at 4 p.m. in the B.C.C. Meeting Room.
The public also is invited to attend the Planning Commission meetings where this project will be heard and to provide your input on the proposed Zoning Code update during the public comment portions of the meeting.
Questions and public comments can be submitted by email at ldcchanges@claycountygov.com or by mail to: Department of Economic & Development Services, 477 Houston St., third Floor, Planning & Zoning Division, Green Cove Springs, 32043.
For more information, visit https://www.claycountygov.com/government/planning-and-zoning/land-development-code-update.

JTA offering free bus rides for four lines during October

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Jacksonville Transportation Authority Clay Community Transportation Program is offering free rides during the month of October. Passengers can board a shuttle from the designated pick-up stops and travel routes through Fleming Island, Gainesville, Green Cove Springs, Keystone Heights, Middleburg, Orange Park and Penney Farms.
The Red Line travels from Orange Park south along Blanding Boulevard to Middleburg Bluff Apartments, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Green Line travels from Keystone Heights to the Middleburg VA Clinic, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Blue Line travels from Orange Park south through Fleming Island down to Green Cove Springs, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Magenta Line makes two round trips from Keystone Heights to Gainesville, Monday through Friday – one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Flex Trips
There are also low-cost Flex Trips available for passengers within three-quarters of a mile from the main route. Flex Trips can be scheduled by calling (904) 284-5977.
Clay Express-Select
Clay Express-Select offers commuters an executive-style, affordable ride between Clay County and the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla in downtown Jacksonville. Clay Express Select vehicles offer comfortable seating and modern-day conveniences like complimentary Wi-Fi and USB charging ports. In addition, all vehicles are equipped with wheelchair access.
Passengers can board Clay Express Select shuttles at the Black Creek Park-n-Ride near the corner of Doctors Inlet and Sleepy Hollow Road or any of the other Clay Express Select stops along Park Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard. The service is offered from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Service is not available Saturdays, Sundays or holidays.
For more information on the Clay Community Transportation Program, please visit www.claycountygov.com/community/clay-community-transportation.

BCC to host Creation of Conservation Lands workshop

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Clay County Board of County Commissioners will hold a workshop to discuss the Creation of a Conservation Lands program on Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the BCC Meeting Room, fourth floor, Clay County Administration Building, 477 Houston St., in Green Cove Springs.
All interested persons are invited to attend and be heard at the meeting. Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, a person deciding to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at the meeting of the Board or any subsequent meeting to which the Board has continued its deliberations is advised that such person will need a record of all proceedings and may need to ensure that a verbatim record of all proceeding is made, which must include the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
In accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, any person needing a special accommodation to participate in this matter should contact the Clay County ADA Coordinator by mail at P.O. Box 1366, Green Cove Springs, 32043, or by calling (904) 269-6376, no later than three days prior to the meeting. Hearing impaired persons can access the foregoing telephone number by contacting the Florida Relay Service at (800) 955-8770 (Voice) or (800) 955-8771 (TDD).

Fiction books go on sale at Middleburg-Clay Hill Library

MIDDLEBURG – The Friends of the Middleburg-Clay Hill Library will host a book sale on Oct. 20-22 at the library at 2245 Astor Ave.
Only fiction books will be available.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 21 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 22.
Frinds members will be able to get a jump with an early hours sale from 1-8 p.m. on Oct. 19.
Donation of books in gentilly used condition are appreciated with all proceeds going to support our local library. For more information, call Ed Dickson at (904) 254-7891.

Garden Club hosting Winter Vegetable Gardening class

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Garden Club of Green Cove Springs has invited the public to attend free training on Saturday, Nov. 5, on Winter Vegetable Gardening from 10 a.m. to noon. There is no registration fee.
All are welcome whether you have only a small space, are new to Florida, a beginning gardener or experienced. Training is at Camp Chowenwaw in the Kiata Building 1517 Ball Rd. in Green Cove Springs.
Training is being given by Sarah Harvey an experienced Clay County Master Gardener Volunteer. Come and learn how to grow your own food during Florida's winter season.

Annual Quilt Sale coming to Advent Lutheran Church

ORANGE PARK – Quilts, Christmas décor, table runners and more will be featured on Nov. 5 at the Annual Quilt Sale at the Advent Lutheran Church.
Procedes will benefit global and local charities. The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon.
The church is located at 2156 Loch Rane Blvd. For more information, call (904) 272-6370.

Soul Food Festival postponed until Nov. 5

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The 21st Annual Green Cove Springs Soul Food Music Festival scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 1, was pushed back to Nov. 5 by Hurricane Ian.
A month from now, the event will start with a festive parade along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and end with a day filled with music, games, wares and, of course, a variety of foods to satisfy every tastebud.
The festival will be at Vera Francis Hall Park at 1503 MLK Blvd.
The festival was established by a group of community volunteers called BATCOP – Breaking Away The Cycle of Pain” in 2002. The event now draws up to 5,000 visitors each year.
For advance tickets or information, contact statealertevents@gmail.com or call (904) 609-9363.

Baptist Medical Center Clay hosting job fair on Oct. 19

FLEMING ISLAND – Now that the Baptist Medical Center Clay is closer to its grand opening, the hospital is in need of employees.
The new 100-bed, six-floor, 300,000 square foot hospital is expected to bring about 700 new jobs to Clay County. To fill those vacancies, the hospital will host several job fairs.
The next hiring event will be on Oct. 19 from 2-6 p.m. at 2310 Village Square Pkwy. on Fleming Island.
For more information, email Bryce.mcgibeny@bmcjax.com.

After-school programs underway at Augusta Savage Museum and Mentoring Center

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Although classes already have started, officials at the Augusta Savage Museum and Mentoring Center are still accepting students for its after-school programs.
Classes include Art Workshop with Barbara Cornett on Thursdays (through Dec. 15), Introduction in Dance by Leslee Bryan on Tuesdays (through May 25), Dress for Success by Felecia Hampshire on Thursdays (through Nov. 10), Reading Tutoring by Cynthia Reese on Wednesdays (through November), Math Tutoring by Lucy Conrad on Tuesdays or Thursdays (through May), Counselor Tammy Rowson on Tuesdays, Dance by La’Farrah Davis on Mondays (through May 25).
More classes may be added to accommodate enrollment.
For required registration forms, visit greencovesprings.com/AugustaSavageMuseumandMentoring Center.

OP Historical Society accepting essays for Veterans Day celebration

ORANGE PARK – The Historical Society of Orange Park will accept essays from Clay County students for its annual Veterans Day recognition.
There are three grade categories – fourth-through-sixth, seventh and eighth and ninth-through-12.
All entries should concentrate on the importance of celebrating Veterans Day and how veterans have made an impact in their neighborhoods, lives and towns.
The theme for the younger category is “Why are veterans special,” while seventh- and eighth-grade students will focus on “Write about an American who served in the U.S. military who inspires you” and the older division’s category will be “Why are the words ‘Duty, Honor, Country’ important today?
Winners will receive $50 (fourth-through-sixth), $75 (seventh and eighth) and $100 (ninth-through-12). For more information, visit ophistory.org.
Entries should be sent to info@ophistory.org and must be received by the Historical Society by Sept. 30. Winners will be announced on Oct. 28.

Clay Soil and Water Conservation District looking for supervisors

CLAY COUNTY – The Clay Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking people who wish to consider serving as Supervisors effective January 2023.
Supervisors are elected serving two-to-four years each term, but the two unfilled seats shall be appointed by the other three Supervisors according to State Statutes.
After the passing of Senate Bill 1078, the District is seeking anybody who is an eligible voter residing in Clay County and meets one of the following: actively engaged in, or retired after 10 years of being engaged in, agriculture as defined in Florida Statutes 570.02; employed by an agricultural producer; own, lease, or actively employed on land classified as agriculture under Florida Statutes 193.461.

Shred For Good: Challenge Enterprises offers shredding drop-off

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Shred for Good hosts Residential Shred Drop-Off events for the benefit of individuals that don’t have an ongoing need for regular shredding service. During the drop-off events every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, participants may deposit their sensitive documents in secure and locked bins at 3530 Enterprise Way in Green Cove Springs. The bins are then securely transported to the Shred for Good facility, where it is destroyed.
After a six-month shutdown for the pandemic, Shred for Good rolled out a rebooted Residential Shred Drop Off Program in October 2020. On the first day, 92 households were able to destroy 5,116 pounds of sensitive materials in just two hours. Each one of these events is focused on convenience for the consumer and streamlined processes for the staff.
Residential consumers now follow the signs to the drop zone, complete a short form, donate and drive away without ever having to leave their vehicle. To save even more time, both the form and donation have been made available in advance online.
The average household drops off about 55 pounds and donates $14 a visit. Considering that most drop-off shred sites charge more than $.50 a pound; the Shred for Good’s Residential Shred Drop-Off Program at $.26/pound is a cost-effective alternative for the community it serves.
Business and Commercial Customers please call (904) 252-9786 to schedule a pickup using one of our secure bins.

Thrasher-Horne puts show memorabilia on sale

ORANGE PARK – Signed posters, flyers and banners from recent acts at the Thrasher-Horne Center are on sale at the center’s box office at 483 College Dr. in Orange Park.
The money will go to the Thrasher-Horne Center Annual Fund to provide financial assistance for future programing.
Included in the items are items from Aaron Lewis, comedian Bill Engvall, The Highwaymen, Electric Light Orchestra Experience, LeAnn Rimes, the Oak Ridge Boys, Michael W. Smith, Pete the Cat, Ricky Nelson Remembered and The Young Irelanders.
Items range from $25 to $100, and they can only be picked up at the center.
For more information, call (904) 276-6815 or visit thcenter.org.


Clay County looking to fill several job openings

CLAY COUNTY – The Board of County Commissioners is looking for a few good people – make that a lot of good people.
The county posted several job openings, including animal control officer, building inspector, deputy director of engineering, engineering specialist, equipment operator, firefighter/EMT, grants administration analyst, grounds maintenance technician, HVAC technician, kennel attendant, laborer, permit services technician, veterans’ services officer and 4-H young development extension agent (apply through the University of Florida).
For more information, click the Career Opportunities tab on the county’s website, www.claycountygov.com.