Clay County Crime Report
This week's crime report for Clay County Florida, provided by the Clay County Sheriff's Office. Read more
EVERY ISSUE MAKES YOU FEEL GREAT TO BE INFORMED

Thankful for family: Fourteen adoptions finalized at courthouse

Judge Angela Cox invited Reyana (left) and Tristan (right) to hammer the gavel to finalize their adoptions. Afterward, they were invited to pick out a book and a stuffed animal to take home.
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Kids First of Florida kicked off the holiday season last Monday by hosting an adoption ceremony at the courthouse for 14 children and 10 families. The children were thrilled to celebrate their first Thanksgiving with their new parents, although nervous to speak in front of the court.
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GREEN COVE SPRINGS – With so many farmers approaching retirement, Florida 4-H State President and senior at St. Johns Country Day School Taylor Thigpen told guests it’s vital to support 4-A, …
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Community to gather on Dec. 2 to support Anthony Reynolds

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – The Lake Region community will unite on Dec. 2 to raise money and, more importantly, rally to embrace Anthony Reynolds’ difficult recovery from injuries sustained in an ATV …

Clay County photo featured in FAC calendar contest

TAMPA – The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) chose this photo and 15 other photos from different Florida counties to feature in its annual calendar. The contest is open to all of Florida’s 67 counties, and folks from 52 Florida counties submitted more than 580 photos.

Nelson helps lead Clay Hurricanes to Special Olympics gold medal in softball

FLEMING ISLAND – Clay County’s Special Olympics 25-and-under softball team, the Hurricanes, won the state championship at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. The Hurricanes …

Smokey success

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – By the time the smoke cleared the air – literally – The Vineyard Transitional Center’s annual pork butt sale led to the sale of nearly 450 whole smoked butts last …
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Rep. Bobby Payne represents southern rural Clay County. He serves as the Infrastructure Strategies Committee Chairman in the Florida House.

Game plan for Tallahassee

FLEMING ISLAND – Florida Sen. Jennifer Bradley had big shoes to fill left from her term-limited predecessor and husband, Rob Bradley. The Bradleys have been a dynamic duo at the state level since …
Grace Episcopal Head of School Angela Bast, left, and Jim Brewer, a volunteer with the Food Pantry, were proud of the 1,872 pounds of the school collected to help feed the hungry.

Grace Episcopal edges St. Johns Country Day in food drive challenge

ORANGE PARK – Collecting canned goods and donating them to the Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs is a beloved tradition of Grace Episcopal Day School during the Thanksgiving holiday season. …
Sheriff Michelle Cook and Clay County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Mike Lane map out strategies to staff five parades, three special events and a circus at the Orange Park Mall – all on Dec. 9.

Clay readies for ‘busiest’ day of events in county history

FLEMING ISLAND – What happens when five parades, three special events and a circus are all scheduled on the same day? Answer: challenges never seen before in Clay County. As Dec. 9 inches closer, …
Longtime shop owner Carol Berg and her employees have been planning for the mural for more than two years.

Orange Park Florist and Gifts rejoice at colorful mural at shop

ORANGE PARK – Thanks to the creative hands of two dedicated and talented local artists, Sophie Destine and Kathy Plante, the Orange Park Florist and Gifts shop has a colorful new look. At the …

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Obituaries
Algertha P. Garner
Mrs.  Algertha P. Garner, 92, of Green Cove Springs, Florida, passed away peacefully on Tuesday October 24, 2023, in Midway Georgia.  Mrs. Garner was a native …
David Halwood Horton
David Halwood Horton, 81 of Green Cove Springs, FL passed away Saturday, September 16, 2023. David was born in Quincy, FL to the late Halwood and Lena Horton. He graduated high school in Jacksonville …
Celeste Dawn Clark
Celeste Dawn Clark, 45, of Green Cove Springs, FL, passed away October 28, 2023 Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. (904) …
Michael P. DeMoss
Michael P. DeMoss
Michael P. DeMoss, 48, of Middleburg. He left us unexpectedly on October 17th, 2023, Michael is survived by his mother Patricia Evans of Middleburg FL, his sister Tiffany (husband, Bryan) …
Robert Charles Burlingham
Robert Charles Burlingham, 93, of Orange Park, FL, passed away on October 27, 2023 Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. (904) …

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Badcock Furniture Green Cove Springs
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Badcock Furniture Green Cove Springs

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Sports

National chase on for three teams

Fleming Island Dreadnaughts 10-Unders running back Ty Stephenson gallops into the end zone with 20 seconds on the clock to secure a 33-26 win over Soul Runners of South Georgia playoff game
Middleburg High wrestler Sarah Walsh will lead an energetic group of sophomores onto the mat as the Lady Broncos will field one of the strongest girls' teams in Florida.
MIDDLEBURG - With a strong cadre of sophomore returners for the girl's wrestling team, the Middleburg High girl's wrestling team, led by junior defending heavyweight state champion Cheyenne Cruce, is …
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LAKE ASBURY - Former Bishop Snyder swim standout and trackster Kaitlyn Frost, now a Florida Gulf Coast University freshman cross country and swim athlete who just finished her first collegiate cross …
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Furman's Huff named 2023 Armed Forces Merit Award Recipient

FORT WORTH, TEXAS - Senior quarterback Tyler Huff of Furman University has been selected as the 12th recipient of the Armed Forces Merit Award presented by the Football Writers Association of America …

Forkum final thought: Surreal

Middleburg High girls volleyball shows off their Class 5A championship trophy and gold medals after beating Barron Collier 3-0 in Winter Haven last week. For first year coach Meredith Forkum, who …

In the community
In the community

Fleming Island’s Kamradt: Donating 100 gallons of blood ‘was my duty as a Marine’

Russ Kamradt is joined by two Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleaders and his wife, Kathy, as he donates his 100th gallon of blood. Kamradt was honored during last week’s ceremony at the TEALgate Blood Drive …
Keith Mitchell lives on the lot where Operation Barnabas will build Fort Barnabas, a conclave of tiny, single-family houses to help homeless veterans rebuild their lives. Mitchell said Operation Barnabas saved his life and will forever be committed to the organization’s cause.
MIDDLEBURG – There is a lot on Old Jennings Road that looks rough on its surface. Under construction, the land is susceptible to flooding and adorned with mounds of debris. But for veteran Keith …
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Orange Park Florist and Gifts rejoice at colorful mural at shop

The beautiful array of nature, featuring sunflowers, a monarch butterfly and a combination of red, orange and light blue flowers against a dark blue background, towers over the back entrance of Orange Park Florist and Gifts. The mural serves the betterment of public art.

ORANGE PARK – Thanks to the creative hands of two dedicated and talented local artists, Sophie Destine and Kathy Plante, the Orange Park Florist and Gifts shop has a colorful new look. At the …

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2023 Explore Clay Fall:Winter

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Community First Credit Union

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Community First Credit Union

Community First Credit Union mortgage rates are at historic lows (most loans close in 30 days) Community First Credit Union has recently lowered mortgage rates to help you save more than ever …

Calendar

THANKSGIVING FEAST OF PLENTY: will be on Nov. 23 from noon-2 p.m. at The Springs Church, 900 Park Ave., in Orange Park. To reserve a dine-in spot or for delivery, call (904) 214-5120, (904) 525-0762 or (904) 537-5422.
THEORY OF A DEADMAN AND SKILLET: will bring its Rock Resurrection Tour on Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. to Daily’s Place, 1 Daily’s Place adjacent to EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.

FLORIDA BLUE HEALTHY WALK: will be on Nov. 25 at 10 a.m. at the Orange Park Mall, 1910 Wells Road. Walkers to meet near AMC Theatre entrance.

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Word of the Week

Blithe: (bl EYE th) an adjective that means showing a casual, cheerful but improper indifference.

“Speeding through a red light, the driver demonstrated a blithe disregard for the rules of the road.

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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 …

Crime, health & safety
Police briefs

Arrests and Bookings 11/20/2023

Monday, Nov. 19

Damon I. Mills, 51, Orange Park, disorderly intoxication, resist/obstruct/oppose law enforcement

Kristine N. Madej, 32, Middleburg, battery

Grayson B. Batten, 18, Fleming Isaldn, DUI with passenger younger than 18

Joel M. King, 23, Orange Park, DUI, refused obedience to law enforcement/firefighters

Alyssa M. Foster, 24, Green Cove Springs, introduce/remove contraband into jail, possession-controlled substance

Sean F. Anest, 26, Orange Park, vandalism

Jeffrey A. Prewitt, 58, Middleburg, domestic violence

Good Deeds, Memories and Briefs

County offices to close for Thanksgiving holidays

CLAY COUNTY – Most Clay County government offices will be closed during the Thanksgiving holidays. County government offices, including the courthouse, property tax and tax collector …

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Opinion
Faith Walk

Remember your Blessings

Pastor Billy Register

Happy Thanksgiving! Make sure to enjoy the time with friends and family. During this season of thanks, remember to be thankful for your blessings. There are many who have heard the phrase …

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This week in history 11/22/2023

Word of the Week is a feature that aims to help readers boost their vocabulary in a meaningful way that has practical application. Each week, our editorial staff presents a word, its definition and …

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This Week's Cartoon

Columnists

It’s easy to find reasons to be thankful

If you grew up in the South, you looked forward to Thanksgiving Day. Not only was there football and food, but it was the day you got to read Furman Bisher’s annual “I’m thankful …” column. …

Altruism as an Investment

Mom and I were walking around Seattle on a rare sunny morning. We just hopped off the ferry and pursued through Pike Place Fish Market. I had $10 in my pocket from chores around the house and …

Florida retailers expect boost in Christmas spending this year

There is bad news for anyone annoyed when Christmas decorations start gracing the halls of retail establishments before kids have even said “trick or treat”: Nearly half of the consumers said …

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Special Sections

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New from local businesses

Will Clay County Ever Embrace Ice Hockey?

Ice hockey is incredibly popular in the US, but it is undoubtedly a regional sport and some states love it more than others. Florida is not particularly known for its ice hockey prowess and many …

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Web extras
5 effective studying methods for every kind of student
Everyone learns differently—Numerade outlined five study techniques to help students find the studying method that's most effective for them.
The bestselling video game consoles of all time—and dramas behind them
Video game consoles are at the heart of the industry, but which has the all-time best sales? Casino Bonus CA analyzed VGChartz to find out.
25 most covered country songs of all time
Stacker looked at data on recorded covers from Second Hand Songs and ranked the top 25 songs that fit in the country genre.
How adolescent substance use treatment has changed over the past 70 years
Sandstone Care explored SAMHSA data and other research to look at the evolution and availability of adolescent substance use disorder treatment.
5 regalos perfectos para los tuyos en estas Fiestas
(BPT) - La compra de dispositivos móviles pueden ser difícil, confusa y muchas veces estresante, independientemente de que lo estés buscando para tus padres, hijos, abuelos, para …

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