5 years ago, 2013
The family of 19-year-old Daniel Joseph Linsinbigler Jr. sued Sheriff Rick Beseler and jail staffers in U.S. District Court for damages in the aftermath of the teen’s death while in custody in the county jail.

The Board of County Commissioners voted to seek outside counsel on its 1985-era anti-nudity ordinance to determine if the measure needed a modern-day upgrade.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Lester Garrison, 40, of Jacksonville was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident on U.S. Highway 301 about three-quarters of a mile north of County Road 218 in Clay Hill. FHP said Garrison jumped out of the back of the moving vehicle around 4:20 p.m. on Nov. 11.

10 years ago, 2008
In an ongoing debate, residents turned out in large numbers to support City Manager Don Bowles who was under fire for allegations of misspending in a renovation project at Historic Spring Park. Mayor Mike Kelter said an audit had not been ruled out.

The Art Guild of Orange Park celebrated its 35th anniversary with its annual juried art show at the Orange Park Public Library Branch.

More than 250 volunteers turned out at Advent Lutheran Church near Orange Park to bag 50,000 pounds of yellow and green squash that would be donated to area food pantries.

20 years ago, 1998
Thousands turned out Nov. 5-8 for the annual Ham Jam held on private property on Carter Spencer Road in Middleburg.

The Clay County School Board killed plans to build School Q off U.S. Highway 17 near the Rose Garden Pub after months of community opposition citing issues with traffic safety.

The Board of County Commissioners dedicated the county’s first official Veteran’s Memorial near the Old County Courthouse in Green Cove Springs. Designed by County Manager Bob Wilson and Buck Allen, the memorial was built using county building maintenance funds.

30 Years ago, 1988
The Personnel Committee of the Board of County Commissioners sent its recommendation to promote Acting County Administrator Robert Taylor to permanent status.

Green Cove Springs Purchasing Director Lee Bentley said the city did not make the cut for a $476,000 state grant and recommended city officials try again in the next grant cycle.

Hundreds lined Park Avenue in Orange Park to watch the community’s first Veterans Day parade, which ran from the staging area at Orange Park Kennel Club southward to Stowe Avenue. Vice Mayor Ron Raymond served as master of ceremonies at the reviewing stand at Town Hall Park.


40 years ago, 1978
Green Cove Springs Mayor John Bradley presented J.P. Hall Jr. with a plague officially naming the new industrial park south of the city John Preston Hall Industrial Park in honor of the late landowner, cattleman and former sheriff who served 36 years.

Orange Park Community Theatre won first runner-up in the Florida Theatre Conference’s One-Act Play competition at Stetson University in DeLand for its entry, “Next” directed by Joy Piatek and featuring Sam Frankhouser and Nancy Lowder.

The Clay County Development Authority said medical instrument manufacturer Xomed Corp. was looking to purchase an 8-acre site of land between Wells Road and Interstate 295.