Five years ago, 2021

• Green Cove Springs Police Chief Derek Asdot died after having complications from COVID-19 and pneumonia for more than a month.

• Wilkinson Elementary’s Lorraine Evatt won the Dr. Theron Trimble Florida Social Studies Teacher of the Year for elementary schools and Lake Asbury Junior High’s Josh Hailey won Florida’s Excellence in Teaching History Award.

10 years ago, 2016

• A jury finds Anthony Washington guilty of murdering Navy Cmdr. Alphonso Mortimer Doss, and he was sentenced to life in prison.

• The Clay County Democrat Party welcomed guest speaker Anneliese Clark, who spoke of the benefits of passing Amendment 2 which would allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

• Clay County Commissioners approve the 2016-17 budget of $312,801,311 with a 8.1010 millage rate.

20 years ago, 2006

• The Clay County School Board dropped its redistricting plan to send some Fleming Island students to Clay High after 200 parents from the Pace Island community protested.

• Authorities searched for a man believed to be responsible for 20 bank holdups, including two in Clay County. He was dubbed the “redneck bandit” because he wore a camouflage ball cap and he had a stubbly beard and pot belly.

• Residents of Orange Park’s Holly Point community praised the Florida Department of Transportation’s plan to add a traffic light at their entrance on U.S. Highway 17.

30 years ago, 1996

• George Copeland was hired as the new director of business affairs for the Clay County District Schools.

• After decades of talk and planning, the Florida Department of Transportation set aside $12 million in funds formerly earmarked for a right of way to build two-lane Branan Field-Chaffee Road.

40 years ago, 1986

• After reviewing reports from two psychiatrists, Clay County Judge Lamar Winegeart ruled that Teresa Marie Afshar Long of Jacksonville was incompetent to stand trial for the June 19 shooting death of her sister, Patricia Afshar.

• Orange Park Police Chief Dalton Bray joined law enforcement officials from Northeast Florida counties to voice their opposition to a bill that would allow casinos.

• Six juveniles were arrested after a portable classroom at Lakeside Elementary was broken into.