Five years ago, 2021

• U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack worked behind the scenes to help 187 from her District 3, which included Clay County, get home after they were stuck in war-torn Afghanistan.

• A volunteer group of county leaders form a focus group to look into the future of College Drive.

• The high school football season opened with Clay High at Fleming Island; Orange Park and Oakleaf playing each other at the Bolles School in the Bold City Showcase; Keystone Heights at Fernandina Beach; St. Johns Country Day at Bunnell First Baptist; and Middleburg at Stanton.

10 years ago, 2016

• Former Clay County principal Susan Sailor alleges other principals were placing students into Exceptional Student Education to avoid taking the rigorous state test required for graduation.

• Work continued on a $2.1 million project, including pouring a new floor, at the Green Cove Springs’ pool at Spring Park.

• Clay County commissioners approved a new blight ordinance to make it easier to enforce rules already in place.

20 years ago, 2006

• The Florida Department of Transportation showed plans for a new outer beltway at St. Johns River State Community College’s Thrasher-Horne Center. The beltway, to be called the First Coast Expressway, will connect Interstate 10 west of Jacksonville to I-95 in St. Augustine.

• A dye pack placed inside a bag of money exploded to thwart an armed robbery of the Crown Bank in Orange Park.

• The Citizens for Term Limits and Accountability Committee worked to get county voters to turn down one of three proposals by the Charter Review Commission that would expand the County Commission from five to seven members.

30 years ago, 1996

• Despite objections, the Green Cove Springs City Council voted to approve two ordinance changes that would allow for an expansion of the Clay County Jail.

• The Festival of Lakes Art Show was planned for Theme Park on State 21 in Keystone Heights.

• Elementary Schools in Clay County served chicken fajitas or a hamburger on a bun, with shredded lettuce, green beans, a chilled fruit cup and milk for $1.25.