Five years ago, 2021 

• Thousands cram the Clay County Fairgrounds from April 1-11, a year after the COVID-19 pandemic forced officials to cancel the Fair in 2020. One of the new additions was a Ferris Wheel speed dating promotion. 

• Inmates at state prisons are used to help train dogs to make them easier to get adopted by the Clay County Animal Shelter. 

• The Clay County School Board agrees to spend $42,000 for maintenance at its stadiums and parks. 

10 years ago, 2016 

• Richard Price Tucker, 44, is charged with a complex scheme to defraud six county officials, including two judges, the Clerk of Court and State Attorney Angela Corey. 

• The Clay County School Board’s proposed budget calls for three health educator positions to be eliminated and a new partial administrator official to be hired at one elementary. 

• Bolstered by a $1.475 million grant from the Florida Legislature, Operation New Hope plans to set up a satellite office in Clay County to help former inmates readjust and become a responsible employee. 

20 years ago, 2006 

• The Clay and St. Johns county sheriff’s offices work together to target 12 unlicensed building contractors. 

• Lakeside Junior High’s School-Related Employee of the Year, Joey Williams, is selected as one of five finalists for the state’s School-Related Employee of the Year. 

• Circuit Court Judge Fredrick Buttner swears in former Florida House Speaker John Thrasher to serve on the Board of County Commissioners. 

30 years ago, 1996 

• With the movie “G.I Jane” scheduled to be filmed at Camp Blanding, county commissioner Dale Wilson proposes an ordinance prohibiting disturbing film production in an attempt to thwart paparazzi. 

• BCC members cry foul when Clerk of Court John Keene placed campaign signs by voting booths during the Presidential Preference Primary. 

• Gate Petroleum Executive Officer Herb Peyton addresses the monthly meeting of the Clay County Committee of 100. 

40 years ago, 1986 

• Teen’s Turf opens in Orange Park, promising to be a safe place for children to hang out on Friday and Saturday nights. 

• Former Orange Park Police Chief J.J. Tillman becomes the fourth person to run for the vacant Seat 2 on the Orange Park Town Council. 

• The BCC votes to hire the Scruby and Scruby law firm for $85 an hour to serve as the county’s legal counsel.