Cloudy, 68°
Weather sponsored by:

Mission races ahead now that The Way Free Medical Clinic is open

Karen King donated the lot and a 5,100-square-foot commercial building to The Way, and from there, Don Fann collected $2.6 million in four years to turn it into a 7,300-square-foot clinic.
ORANGE PARK – The Way Free Medical Clinic at 302 College Dr. is finally open, but that doesn’t mean the mission slows down for Executive Director Don Fann. After spending the last four years …
ORANGE PARK- This year's 'Lighting of the Park' event was nothing short of merry and bright.  On Tuesday, the town came together to ring in Christmas with hot chocolate, cookies, live musical …
Read more.
Read the e-edition

More local news
The Orange Park Town Council discussed delaying picking a firm for the town manager position on Tuesday. They said they were all impressed with current Interim Town Manager William Whitson's work.
ORANGE PARK- Council members discussed making Interim Town Manager William Whitson’s role more permanent at Tuesday’s meeting. Mayor Randy Anderson spearheaded the conversation by expressing his …
Read more.
Children of all ages eagerly await the start of the parade.

Thousands welcome 'Hometown Hero' Caeleb Dressel's return, festive parade

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — Residents started staking their spots along the parade route on U.S. Highway 17 before noon for Saturday night's Christmas on Walnut Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting, and for …
Kristi Schermerhorn moved in for the winning shot.

Fleming Island duo wins bronze medal at Dinkleball Pickleball

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The tandem of Sherrie Hamilton and Kristi Schermerhorn fought back to win the bronze medal at the three-day Dinkleball Pickleball Tournament Friday behind the Hogans Gymnasium …
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
Obituaries
David Richard DeMay
David Richard DeMay, 65, of Middleburg, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2024, at 2:40 am surrounded by his family. His last moments were attended by his son Daniel DeMay, daughter …
Jonathan David Williams
Jonathan David Williams, 49, went to be with The Lord, on December 5, 2024. An avid hunter and fisherman. Known as Jon Deer. He loved the outdoors. He had a youthful, fun personality. He was an …
Barbara J. Weltzbarker
Barbara J. Weltzbarker, 85, went to be with our Lord on November 24, 2024. She was born in Moultrie, GA on September 8th, 1939. Spending her childhood in Georgia, she later moved to Stuart and then …
James " Jimmy" Padgett
James " Jimmy" Padgett, 76, passed away peacefully on November 19, 2024. Jimmy is survived by his wife of 36 years, Carol; one son, Mark; five daughters, Stephanie, Jennifer, Brandy, Leslie and …
Arthur Everett Munro
Arthur Everett Munro, 88 of Stella, passed away November 5th, 2024 under Hospice care at his home in Stella. Arthur was born September 25th, 1936, in Hanover, MA to Ronald Geyer Munro and Avis …
And in Sports....

Knights state shot short by a yard

GAINESVILLE - Oakleaf High football came to within a yard of having a shot at a state title, but an onsides kick, after a scintillating 80 yard touchdown bomb from quarterback Jack Mckissock to …

Dreadnaught 11s headed to National title game

ORLANDO - After a 26-0 second-half scoring blitz, the Fleming Island Dreadnaughts 11-under Pop Warner football team finished with a 32-0 win in Saturday's region championship at Lake Mary High School …

Lady Broncos quartet looking for medals

Lady Broncos quartet looking for medals By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com MIDDLEBURG - Middleburg High's wrestling teams; boys and girls, have a certain amount of swag to them …

Barrientos wins Flagler title; Cruce loses

FLAGLER PALM COAST - Oakleaf High junior wrestler Kailani Barrientos added to her resume of impressive finishes from the past three years with a dominating four-pin performance to win the 140-pound …

In the Community

Popularity of RCC’s ‘Journey to the Nativity’ prompts expansion to three nights

FLEMING ISLAND—A popular Clay County holiday event will again come to life thanks to one family’s tradition and a willing church. “Journey to the Nativity” is a free live-action, walk-through …

Rockin’ for Stockins’ welcomes 22 new Rising Stars

Some lucky children won bicycles in a raffle.

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Every time Paul Wane shared the magic of giving a child a new musical instrument Sunday, he followed the gesture with the same welcoming words: “Welcome to the family.” …

Sights at this year’s A Night of Wonders at OP Mall

ORANGE PARK – As if 112 retail stores and services weren’t enough at the busy Orange Park Mall, A Night of Wonders will offer an enchanting holiday experience Thursday through Sunday until Dec. …

Opinions & Viewpoints
Faith Walk

O Come All Ye Faithful

Pastor Billy Register

We are now fully into the Christmas season! This season is marked with special songs we often refer to as “carols”. One of those is the timeless hymn "O Come, All Ye Faithful." Its words …

NFL makes the right call to suspend Texans’ Al-Shaair

We all get more disgusted every time we see the replay of Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair launching himself, forearm first, into Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s head and neck …

Talking turkey: Thanksgiving prices down, but not stable

Good news for Thanksgiving hosts this year: The average price for this year’s traditional spread for a gathering of 10 will be about $58, down 5% from last year. The bad news: That cost is still …
Crime & safety
Police briefs
JACKSONVILLE – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan sentenced Danny Ray Boree, 39, Keystone Heights, to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute at least …
ORANGE PARK – A woman who refused to leave the HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital emergency room was arrested last Sunday night and later charged with possessing drugs in her coat when she was …

Tuesday, Dec. 3

Kimberly B. Donald, 47, Orange Park, battery

Donald L. Ivey, 45, Middleburg, recreating discharging firearm in public/residential property

Elijah P. Benton, 18, Orange Park, aggravated assault with deadly weapon

Raymond D. Chin, 43, Orange Park, non-support

Daniel J. Fowler, 40, Green Cove Springs, VOP resisting law enforcement

The Clay County YMCA – For A Better Community

First Coast YMCA-Our DayStar Program

At DayStar, we are committed to ensuring everyone reaches their full potential with dignity while providing individuals access to the unique support they need. Daystar is committed to providing …

This Week in History

Five years ago, 2019 • The Board of County Commissioners vote to affirm the second amendment. • The Orange Park Town Council selects Eddie Henley to replace Ron Raymond on an interim basis …
Word of the Week

Word of the Week

Quag: (kwag) a noun that means a marshy or boggy place.

“Some of the houses along the Black Creek were built on a quag, so their foundations sink in heavy rains.”

Briefs

Mercy Support invites public to ‘A Night at the Oscars’

ORANGE PARK — Sponsors and the public are invited to “A Night at the Oscars” at the Thrasher-Horne Center on Oct. 24 to benefit Mercy Support Services. They exist to meet the needs of people …

Special Sections
New from local businesses
Pizza Hut shuts down its Green Cove Springs store
GREEN COVE SPRINGS—Pizza Hut at Magnolia Layne served its last slice of pie Tuesday as the corporation continues to downsize its operation to only serve takeouts and deliveries. According to the …
NEFAR: Housing market showing signs of gaining traction in Clay County
CLAY COUNTY – As fall approaches, it’s becoming more apparent that it’s becoming more of a buyer’s market. The Northeast Florida Association of REALTORS (NEFAR) Market Statistics report for …
McDonald’s offering grants to Clay County teachers, nonprofits
CLAY COUNTY – Teachers and nonprofits have until Oct. 13 to apply for grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 to serve children 5-18, including those in kindergarten through 12th grade. The company …
Property appraiser honored with lifetime achievement award
Clay County – Clay County Property Appraiser, Tracy Scott Drake, was recently honored with the International Association of Assessing Officers’ (IAAO) Professional Development Lifetime …
Swirl Suites is located at 1910 Wells Rd #C02 at the Orange Park Mall
Swirl Suites puts its own twist on ice cream
ORANGE PARK — Swirl Suites has set up shop just outside of the Orange Park Mall, putting its own twist on the ice cream sundae.  You may have enjoyed scoops of ice cream in a cone or a bowl …
Michael Mullinax owns Brown's Creek Honey Farm, a business dedicated to making products solely from all-natural beeswax.
'Bee'-ing natural with Brown's Creek Honey Farm
FLEMING ISLAND — Bees are a huge part of what makes our ecosystem work.  The pollinators land on objects and leave a trace sure to impact the way we live.  Michael Mullinax has been an …
Web extra content
Pearl Young, the first woman to work in a technical role at NASA, overcame barriers and ‘raised hell’ − her legacy continues today
Many of her male colleagues believed Pearl Young had an attitude problem based on her efforts to advocate for herself and her team.
Top holiday food and drink ranked via national poll, online ordering data
Instacart shares the top festive foods, treats, and drinks enjoyed by Americans ahead of and during the holidays.
How to help prevent the spread of germs this cold and flu season
(BPT) - Chilly temperatures and winter weather aren't the only burden that comes with this time of year — it's also the peak of cold and flu season. Cold and flu germs can lurk on hundreds of …
Public Christmas trees, like Rockefeller Center's famous tree, didn't start appearing in the U.S. until the 20th century.
The Christmas tree is a tradition older than Christmas
Evergreens have long served as symbols of life during the bleakness of winter. But Queen Victoria spurred the tradition that has become a global phenomenon.
Identity theft can happen to anyone, but you can take steps to protect yourself.
Is Your Identity Safe? What To Do If It’s Not
by Mariana Raymond of Truecaller (NAPSI)—Identity theft is becoming more common, affecting people from all walks of life—but you can protect yourself.   The Problem Scammers are always …