Five years ago, 2020

• When Jamie Thole went to lunch earlier this week, he was frustrated when his favorite café was closed. His frustration turned to agitation when he had to walk to the door and read the fine print on an 8½-by-11 piece of paper where the owners tried to explain their regrettable situation.

• Gov. Ron DeSantis had just announced he was closing all the state’s eateries to sit-down customers as a precaution to COVID-19. Until further notice, the only way to leave the cooking to someone else is to have it delivered or take it home f

• Clay County’s largest population of elderly people are concentrated within the gates of Moosehaven, and in an effort to protect them, the massive complex has restricted access to a select few.

10 years ago, 2015

• With pleas to either delay or deny it, the Clay County School Board unanimously approved a proposal March 24 that will cut 80 teacher and support positions and save $4 million for the 2015-2016 school year.

• After months of emotional debate, Clay County Commissioners approved March 24 two ordinances intended to deal with adult entertainment businesses in the unincorporated areas of the county.

• Recovery has been rough for the Burt Family since a head-on collision that took the life of mother and grandmother Theodora A. Skarlis on Nov. 28. The victim’s daughter, Stephanie Burt, is slowly getting back to teaching at Fleming Island Elementary School and Burt’s daughter, Michelle, is also recovering better than her mom is, according to father and husband Tom Burt.

20 years ago, 2005

• Clowns will entertain and crowds will gather for the beginning of the 10^th annual Clay County Agricultural Fair.

• Laboratory results by the Clay County Health Dept. from nine water wells near the Knowles Landfill showed eight of the wells fell below Florida drinking-water standards.

• Movers and shakers from around the county gathered at the Thrasher Horne Business Conference Center on March 18 to lay plans for the economic development of Clay County.