Five years ago, 2021

• Charles E. Bennett Elementary earned a “C” grade from the Florida Department of Education for the 2020-21 school year to avoid a state takeover after receiving a “D” for two consecutive years.

• After reporting the jail was at capacity on many nights, Sheriff Michelle Cook pleaded with the Board of County Commissioners for money to expand the facility.

• The Green Cove Springs City Council voted to advance the Ayrshire Development by annexing 560.52 acres from the old Gustafson Farm.

10 years ago, 2016

• The Florida Department of Education launched an investigation into plagiarism allegations against Superintendent Charlie Van Zant Jr. after former Keystone Heights Principal Susan Sailor said she was asked to write Van Zant’s scholarly research paper for his master’s degree at Regent University.

• The Orange Park Town Council decided to renew its red-light camera contract for Kingsley and Park avenues to pay for a new police officer.

• The Clay County Agricultural Fair earns four SUNsational Awards from the Florida Festivals and Events Association.

20 years ago, 2006

• Clay County School Board candidates Charlie Van Zant Jr., Carol Vallencourt and Lisa Graham said they supported a 13% pay raise for teachers.

• The county commission proposed a new budget that would add 25 Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies, 15 new firefighters and a pilot program to fund new park equipment for schools.

• Joshua Maulsby was charged by CCSO for the beating death of his girlfriend, Alicia Castaneda, who was found floating in Maulsby’s parents’ swimming pool.

30 years ago, 1996

• The State Attorney’s Office’s chief investigator Rick Beseler said “Operation Cellmate” resulted in 69 arrests and 81 suspects in a sting operation targeting cellphone thefts and fraud.

• The Clay County Building Department reported in July that there were 115 permits for single-family homes worth $10.63 million.

• The Keystone Heights City Council accepted ownership of the Keystone Heights Cemetery from association President Marion Prevatt.

40 years ago, 1986

• Orange Park’s Angel Fernandez pleaded not guilty to trafficking cocaine after the Orange Park Police Department and Naval Investigation Service said he sold 28.5 grams to an undercover agent.

• Ronald Eugene Newman of Keystone Heights was sentenced to two years in federal prison and fined $5,000 for signing a false federal tax return in 1977.

• Upset about the heat and humidity, parents and Lakeside Junior High Principal Millie Wilkes compromised that fingertip-length shorts could be worn from the first day of school until Oct.1, and then from May 1 until the last day of classes.