Five years ago, 2019

• Because voters approved a full mill increase to fund the new Clay County School District Police Department, the Clay County School Board adopted a tentative millage rate of 7.047 mills — bringing in a record high $89 million in total from property taxes. 
• The Clay County Sheriff’s Office fired three detention officers following a year-long investigation. Jail deputy employees Austin Hatcher, Marcus Beard and Kory Clarida were terminated for reported sexual misconduct with inmates.
• Culver's opened in Middleburg and celebrated by offering a cut-out coupon in the Aug. 1, 2019 print edition, which awarded one free scoop of ice cream with the purchase of any value basket. 

10 years ago, 2014

• The red-light cameras in Green Cove Springs generated $330,000 less revenue for the year than expected. Subsequently, the City Council voted 3-2 to raise the millage ceiling to 3.7873 mills — a 30% increase.
• An overloaded water slide collapsed during a party involving Fleming Island High band members at Eagle Harbor, leaving 14 students with bumps and bruises.
• Clay High senior and future Olympic gold medalist Caeleb Dressel was selected as the state’s high school boy's swimmer of the year.

20 years ago, 2004

• Clay County public school bus drivers took part in a training session with the sheriff’s office to assist them with information about crime prevention. In one session, drivers learned about concealed weapons and how easy it is to hide a gun on one’s body.
• Rick Beseler, who was running for sheriff then, was sworn in as president of the Florida Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates and became the first Clay Countian to hold that post. Beseler would be elected as sheriff for the first time later that August.
• Citizens for Sound Development presented an alternative route to the Board of County Commissioners for the proposed Outer Beltway project that would run through Clay County and connect Interstate-10 to I-95 through Duval and St. Johns counties, respectively.

30 years ago, 1994

• Discussions begin regarding “a future auditorium” for Clay County. Local officials discussed how such a facility was needed to hold high school graduations indoors and stated it could cost as much as $4.5 million. 
• Members of a citizens committee unsuccessfully asked the Board of County Commissioners to establish a Citizens Advisory Committee in the wake of discussions regarding the proposed expansion of the Rosemary Hill Landfill.
• Judge William Wilkes sentenced James Michael Barkett to life in prison with a minimum 25-year sentence for shooting Richard McKee in the head with a shotgun earlier that year.

40 years ago, 1984

• The Green Cove Springs Planning and Zoning Board approved a Planned Unit Development for a 39-acre tract on Houston Street. Plans were called to construct the Village Spring Development.
• The Board of County Commissioners voted against approving a 401-unit housing development slated for the corner of Old Jennings Road and Blanding Boulevard. Opponents of the plan said it would increase Blanding traffic by 3,000 cars a day.
• Taco Viva and Big Top restaurant got approval to sell beer and wine at their Orange Park Mall locations, reversing a previous ruling by the Clay County Board of Adjustments.

50 years ago, 1974

• Green Cove Springs businessman J.P. Revels announced his candidacy for Florida governor on the American Party ticket. His next step would be to collect 105,000 signed petitions to qualify for the ballot.
• The new drug alternative center, the Hope Center, was set to open Sept. 1 in a location two blocks from Orange Park High School.
• Members of the Clay County Education Association and the Clay County School Board announced a tentative contract agreement for the 1974-75 school year.