Five years ago, 2020 

• The Clay County Teen Court Mock Trial Team wins the Florida State Championship in a competition against 12 other teams. 

• The Clay County District Schools immediately starts to look for ways to spend the estimated $13 million it expects to collect in the half-cent sales tax county voters overwhelmingly approved on Nov. 3. 

• David Broskie is sworn in as the new Superintendent of Schools, while Beth Clark takes the oath as the newest school board member. Both won elections on Nov. 3, while Mary Bolla won re-election to the school board. 

10 years ago, 2015 

• After three hours of deliberation, the Orange Park Nuisance Abatement Board gives Rodeway Inn and Conference Center owner Jitendra Patel of Wixom, Michigan, until Dec. 11 to comply with an order to fix crime and fire code violations a month earlier or be closed. 

• The Millers move into their new three-bedroom, two-bath free home in Middleburg after spending weeks of “sweat equity” with Habitat for Humanity. 

• Director of Clay County Animal Care and Control Jennifer Broadhurst tells the county she’s accepted a job to develop the University of Wisconsin’s shelter medicine program. 

20 years ago, 2005 

• The Clay County Sheriff’s Office investigates a connected case of vandalism and burglary that occurred at Swimming Pen Elementary, Lake Asbury Junior High and Clay High. Damages and thefts were estimated as high as $40,000. 

• Former three-term Clay County Supervisor of Elections Dorothy K. Holt dies in Maryland after a long illness at the age of 75. Barbara Kirkman, who had served as Holt’s administrative aide, hailed Holt as a pioneer. 

30 years ago, 1995 

• The Green Cove Springs Fire Department investigates a mobile home fire at 2257 Stauffer Rd. that claimed the life of 50-year-old Robert Philip Hildum. 

• About 35 Clay County residents turn out for a meeting at Keystone Heights Elementary to discuss possible future school boundaries for the new McRae Elementary School, north of Keystone Heights. 

• The Clay County Board of County Commissioners begin taking steps to shift oversight of the county budget from the clerk of court to hiring a full-time internal budget analyst. 

40 years ago, 1985

• Teacher members of the Clay County Education Association and the Clay County School District reach an annual contract agreement that raises beginning teacher pay from $14,650 to $16,000 a year. 

• Court officials delay the murder trial of Dana Ibach of Orange Park for another month despite her having been ruled competent to stand trial. Ibach was charged with killing her husband, Westberry Griffis III, at Griffis’ River Road home. 

• The Clay County Chamber of Commerce and Committee of 100 join forces to support the construction of a joint-use Clay County high school-community college on the College Drive campus of St. Johns River State Community College.