Clay County Crime Report
This week's crime report for Clay County Florida, provided by the Clay County Sheriff's Office. Read more

‘I still have my life’

GAINESVILLE – Cloaked beneath a green University of Miami blanket is a body of contradicting abilities.  The upper half is young and vigorous. The lower half is listless and …
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FLEMING ISLAND – Johnny Van Zant fondly recalled a story about getting ready to go on stage early in his career. His father, Lacy, offered him a shot of whiskey to smooth his vocal cords and calm …
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Girl Scouts honor Hair by Lee & Friends owner Lee Goodnight

ORANGE PARK – Lee Goodnight, Hair By Lee & Friends owner in Orange Park, has been an adult volunteer with the Girl Scouts since 1987, and with the Gateway Council as a canoe and kayak …

County schools athletic departments promote ‘Pink Out’ month

CLAY COUNTY – Clay County Athletics is proud to announce its second year partnering with the American Cancer Society and the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation to promote PINK OUT month. In …

City council sets budget at $428,174 with 6.48% millage rate increase

While the Keystone Heights City Council approved a new budget for 2023-24, which includes a 6.48% millage rate increase compared to last year’s rollback rate, members learned City Manager Lynn …

BCC approves 12% millage rate increase

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – County commissioners approved an 8.3661 millage rate for the next fiscal year, generating approximately $729.25 million, a 12.03% increase from last year’s rolled-back rate …
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Keystone Heights woman finds way to create jewelry while helping ailing brother

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – In 2020, Mary Skinner became the sole caretaker of her brother, Andy. They lost their father that year due to complications from exposure to Agent Orange, the infamous herbicide …

Keeping waterways clean starts with properly disposing yard debris

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Michelle Hord and Barbara Beyerl, volunteers with the UF/IFAS Florida Master Gardener Program, shared ways to dispose of yard debris properly and ways to protect the local …

Groups that support sobriety celebrate recoveries

MIDDLEBURG- Clay Behavioral Health Center, Clay County Fire Rescue and Groups Recover Together warmly embraced residents living with mental health disorders and recovering from addiction during the …

Tickets going fast for Amazing Grace Family Farms’ Fall Festival

MIDDLEBURG – Many of last year’s Amazing Grace Family Farms Fall Festival sessions sold out a year ago, so the operators are encouraging visitors to get their tickets in advance. The …

Pragmatic Works headquarters groundbreaking set for Oct. 4

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The gateway into the city is about to look a lot different. Pragmatic Works, a Clay County, Internet Technology-based training company will begin construction on a three-story …
Obituaries
Terry Rollen
After almost two years to the day, Terry Ann Harris Rollen, 75, of Orange Park, Florida, was reunited with her beloved husband, Terry. She passed peacefully on September 21, 2023. An inspirational …
Jason Lee Martin
Jason Lee Martin, 49 of Lake Asbury, FL went to be with the Lord on September 19th, 2023. He was born in Mableton, Georgia to his parents Dan and Lynn Martin. As a child, his parents moved them to …
Phillis Mendoza
Phillis Mendoza, age 75, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2023 at her home. She is survived by her husband Joseph Daniel Bozeman “Dan”, their children, Timothy S. Scheetz, James N. Scheetz …
John A Hankins
Mr. John A. Hankins, 83 of Fleming Island, passed away Monday, August 28, 2023. Mr. Hankins was born October 4, 1939, in Draper, North Carolina to parents Orion E. and Prudence Hazel (Craig) Hankins. …
Amelia ‘Amy’ Mary Oliver
Amelia “Amy” Mary Oliver, a beloved member of our community, peacefully departed from this world on September 20, 2023, at the remarkable age of 94. Born as Amelia Mary Abdullah on …
Badcock Furniture Green Cove Springs
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Badcock Furniture Green Cove Springs

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Sports

Indians go big; 46-8

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS - A pick-six interception, a blocked punt to a safety, two passing bombs and an 80-yard scoring run highlighted an explosive 46-8 win for the Keystone Heights High football team over …
FLEMING ISLAND - Fleming Island High football coach Chad Parker has said numerous times that his game with Bartram Trail, now here and with the Bears at 5-0, is still just the "next" game. …
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MIDDLEBURG - Not many people have ever had as good a night as Middleburg’s Austin Cruce did on September 22. The two-way star had three and a half sacks and a tackle for loss to spearhead a …
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ST. JOHNS - The Orange Park Raiders went into halftime leading the Panthers at Nease Stadium, which included an 80-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Gabe Taylor, 14-13. The Raiders could not find …
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Martinez, Nichols crush Bale N Trail XC

BARTRAM TRAIL - Clay High senior Erika Martinez and St. Johns Country Day School senior Richard Nichols both ran breakout races on Saturday at the Bartram Trail High Bale N Trail 5Km course. …

In the community
In the community

Walk & Roll to School Day

OAKLEAF – Students at Oakleaf Village Elementary will be lacing up their sneakers, dusting off their bicycles and snapping on their helmets for an event that aims to promote wellness. On …
MELROSE – “Spookley the Square Pumpkin” is the cartoon story of a loveable a who was teased by a round pumpkin named Big Tom until Jack the Scarecrow and three spiders named “Edgar,” …
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Brad Skwirsk purchased and remodeled the original Cheers on Wells Road in 2011, rebranding the Orange Park-based bar to Locals Pub. Now, he will seek to redesign another Clay County bar: Crackers …
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Cheesecakes and Carnegie

  FLEMING ISLAND – The Eagle Band is practicing tirelessly as they prepare to take their talents to Carnegie Hall in New York City. Nerves are running high as the …

Keystone Heights woman finds way to create jewelry while helping ailing brother

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – In 2020, Mary Skinner became the sole caretaker of her brother, Andy. They lost their father that year due to complications from exposure to Agent Orange, the infamous herbicide …

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

ORANGE PARK HISTORICAL PRESERVATION BOARD: will meet on Sept. 28 at 4 p.m. in town council chambers, 2042 Park Ave.

CLAY COUNTY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT will meet on Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. at the BCC Meeting Room, fourth floor, at Administration Building, 477 Houston St. in Green Cove Springs.

CLAY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE: will meet on Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. at the BCC Meeting Room, fourth floor, at Administration Building, 477 Houston St. in Green Cove Springs.

LAKE REGION KIWANIS: will meet on Sept. 28 at 7:30 a.m. at the Montgomery Center, 88 SE 75th St. in Starke.

Appetency: (APP-ǝ-dǝn-see) a noun that means a longing or desire.

“My father passed along his appetency for playing golf.”

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

Arrests and Bookings 9/28/23

Tuesday, Sept. 26

Sakina B. Williams, 43, Oakleaf, resist/obstruct/oppose law enforcement

Juan C.M. Florentin, 37, Orange Park, driving without valid license

Madeline Nieves, 35, Orange Park, trespassing

Daviany S. Rodriguez, 24, Middleburg, FTA

Johnathan L. Reed, 35, Green Cove Springs, FTA-failure to register vehicle

Monday, Sept. 25

Christopher R. Petty, 47, Middleburg, domestic battery

Natalie Wood, 38, Green Cove Springs, VOP-aggravated assault with deadly weapon

Antonyo J. Hatch, 41, Green Cove Springs, violation of jail rules

Morgan B. Vickers, 27, Keystone Heights, FTA

Good Deeds, Memories and Briefs

Swine and Dine Derby leaving starting gate on Oct. 21

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Mark your calendar for an afternoon of food, music and pig races on Oct. 21 at the Swine and Dine Derby at the Clay County Fairgrounds. The event is sponsored by the …

Opinion
Faith Walk

Use Your Time Wisely

Benjamin Franklin said, “Do you love life? Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of.” In the hustle and bustle of our lives, we often struggle with managing our …

This Week in History 9/14/23

Five years ago, 2018 • Mary Bolla pulled a $28,900 pay supplement request for Superintendent Addison Davis from the agenda after Davis helped advance the school district’s state grade …

Columnists

Time to rebell: Our Administration must start following the law

When Joe Biden took the oath to become our 46th president, he put his hand on the Bible and said, “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United …

Don’t make rookie mistakes finding Medicare plans

Roughly 4.4 million Americans will reach the age of 65 in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. While age is just a number in some respects, this particular birthday marks the time when …

Reader thanks CCFR for saving his life

Editor, I would like to commend the (Clay County Fire Rescue) EMT team, A shift, Station 11 in Keystone Heights, for their exemplary service during my recent emergency. On Aug. 8, at …
Special Sections
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 …

Web extras
No se deje engañar por una voz conocida: puede ser una 'Estafa a los abuelos'
(BPT) - Es posible que haya oído hablar de adultos mayores engañados que envían dinero a alguien que creen que es un nieto u otro familiar en problemas y se inclinó a …
Survey Finds Pizza is a Popular Choice for Breakfast
(BPT) - Casey’s, the third-largest U.S. convenience store retailer and fifth-largest pizza chain, is sharing new survey data that pizza is a popular choice for breakfast among U.S. adults. …
Trends in AI ethics before and after ChatGPT
Artificial intelligence is disrupting the world, including by creating ethical dilemmas. Magnifi, an AI investing platform, analyzed complaints collected by AIAAIC to see how AI concerns have grown over the last decade.
Give a Personalized Gift Like No Other
(Family Features) Now you can take personalized gifts to a new level in celebration of special moments like birthdays, holidays, engagements, graduations, weddings and more.
Controversial songs from the year you were born
Stacker celebrates history's most boundary-pushing—and thereby controversial—songs from 1930 through today.