Five years ago in Clay Today:

·         The Paranormal Investigators of the First Coast investigate the occult, ranging from demonic entities to ghostly apparitions and everything in between, and one of the most haunted houses they’ve investigated was in Middleburg.

·         Oakleaf High’s best and first big-time player, linebacker Shaquille Quarterman, got his most-anticipated phone call after a record-setting finish for the University of Miami with his selection into the National Football League by the Jacksonville Jaguars during the NFL draft’s fourth round.

·         Another person who was living in a long-term care facility was reported dead of COVID-19 on April 27 in Clay County, according to the Florida Department of Health, followed two days later by the county’s 15th death.

·         The school board soon will hold a workshop to discuss how to handle two local charter schools and their requests for a student resource officer.

10 years ago:

·         Just in the nick of time, the Paul and Klare Reinhold Foundation held its annual Celebrate Clay Awards Breakfast on April 28 and awarded the pantry with the 2015 $10,000 Community Service A ward.

·         Joe, not his real name, fell on hard times and is doing his best to keep a roof over his head. He’s temporarily living in an extended stay motel and paying the full rate of $40 per night. This places monthly rent at more than $1,000, so Joe spends all his income on the motel because he has no other option.

·         After failed attempts and store-bought hurdles from domestic beer distributors, the 64-ounce growler is expected to become legal in Florida for use by craft breweries. The Florida House passed a bill legalizing the container April 24 after the Florida Senate had passed its version during the prior week.

·         In the field of politics, weeds have been growing in the form of thorny crowns, and to many, it’s going to take some grassroots to push them out.