News | Clay Today

Clay County Animal Control Volunteer Amie Hagar, center, was recognized Tuesday by the Board of County Commission as the first Volunteer of the Year.

BCC closer to defining future recycling plans

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – While the Board of County Commission still hasn’t put the final lid on its final plan for recycling, it took another step toward determining its options for the next fiscal … more

Don Coble | 4/25/24

Arrests and Bookings 4/25/24

Tuesday, April 23

David Dorvilus, 23, Orange Park, shoplifting, VOP community control

Gracen B. Doan, 25, Middleburg, domestic battery

Melissa D. Sharp, 35, Green Cove Springs, domestic violence

Amanda N. Smith, 37, Middleburg, inhaling harmful chemicals

Sakena G. McCray, 40, Orange Park, shoplifting

Damon E. Bynam, 58, Middleburg, sexual battery of child 12 or younger, two counts molestation of child younger than 12, show/sell/rent/loan/give away/distribute/transmite or show obscene material

more

Compiled by Don Coble | 4/25/24

The 10 passengers who traveled on the boat made by Celia's father have since lost touch after arriving in Guantanamo. Celia is standing in the front with the American flag shirt. Evelyn and both her parents stand just behind her. The man in the white baseball camp regretfully dropped the compass. All 10 passengers eventually found entry into the U.S.

Cuban refugee, U.S. Navy officer reunite 30 years after Guantanamo Bay

This is the first part in a four-part series telling the story of two women who were at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the 1994 Cuban Rafter Crisis. Celia E. Ochoa was a Cuban refugee. Tanya Lea was a … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/22/24

Challange Enterprises CEO Katie Vineyard holds the scissors for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Club Challenge ribbon cutting brings new kitchen, opportunities

ORANGE PARK—The community eagerly gathered around the entrance of Club Challenge at the back of Challenge Enterprises for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, April 16. Challenge … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/21/24

Avid reader Tanya Lea proudly displays her new additions to her bookshelf.

Local authors featured at Present Tense Coffee and Books

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Present Tense Coffee and Books is a cultural focal point. It's a welcoming home for bookworms and local authors. Last Saturday, the coffee house invited a dozen local … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/19/24

CalaVida Music and Arts Festival will be coming to Green Cove Springs on April 22

CalaVida 10th anniversary festival coming April 22-27

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Cities worldwide celebrate their artists in their own way. Chicago has the Old Town Art Fair. Miami has the Coconut Grove Art Festival. Closer to home, Green Cove Springs has … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/18/24

From left, CCSO Chief Billy Arnold, brother of Terry Arnold, accepted the donation from the Signal 35 Fund's Sheriff Michelle Cook and Signal 35 Fund board member Judson Sapp.

Signal 35 charity fund helps GCSPD's Arnold

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook and Signal 35 Fund board member Judson Sapp presented a $1,000 check Tuesday to the family of Terry and Monica Arnold. Terry Arnold is the … more

For Clay Today | 4/18/24

Patients and staff packed Town Hall last Tuesday to speak out against the new ordinance or to find a compromise for the parking problems on Blake Avenue.

Precision Dermatology makes pitch for parking on Blake Avenue

ORANGE PARK – The town council appeared to strike a short-term compromise between Precision Dermatology and nearby residents during last Tuesday's meeting by continuing to permit … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/18/24

Rookery one step closer to setting up a CDD

The Rookery passed the first hurdle of its plan to create a Community Development District when the City Council passed the first reading of its request to set up a taxing district to provide … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 4/18/24

There are several clean-up events planned for Earth Day on Saturday, April 20.

County has several ways to observe Earth Day on Saturday

CLAY COUNTY – The county will celebrate Earth Day with a variety of events on Saturday, April 20. The biggest will be at Camp Chowenwaw Park from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 1517 Ball Road in Green Cove … more

Clay Today staff | 4/18/24

Golden Years Gala celebrates 17th year

The 17 annual Windsor Ortega Golden Years Gala will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. The Gala recognizes older adults for outstanding volunteer service in Clay County. This is a … more

4/18/24

Keystone Heights felon pleads guilty to possessing ammunition

JACKSONVILLE – U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced Allen Tereal Grimes, 33, of Keystone Heights, pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. Grimes faces up to … more

4/18/24

The Clay County Board of Commissions recognized 911 dispatchers during ahead of its last meeting ahead of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

Calling a need for peer support for 911 dispatchers, other first responders

CLAY COUNTY – Out of the thousands of calls Mary Jensen answered throughout her 20-year career as a 911 dispatcher in South Florida, the memory of a singular gunshot still rings out with haunting … more

For Clay Today | 4/18/24

Seatbelt stop turns into arrest for trafficking meth, fentanyl

MIDDLEBURG – A Jacksonville man was arrested for trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl after he was stopped by a Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputy on April 10 for not wearing a seatbelt … more

4/18/24

Jacksonville men busted for trafficking fentanyl, possessing cocaine

MIDDLEBURG – Men seen leaving a house suspected of selling drugs were stopped on April 10 and arrested for trafficking and possession of fentanyl. Clay County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Ory alerted … more

4/18/24

BASCA's Back to the 80s Dance on April 26

ORANGE PARK – BASCA, which stands for "Building Abilities of Special Children and Adults," is hosting a totally tubular, retro-themed dance on Friday, April 26 from 6-8 p.m. "It's time … more

For Clay Today | 4/18/24

Post Cards from 2024 Clay County Agricultural Fair

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – By any standard, this year’s Clay County Agricultural Fair was an enormous success. Here are some snapshots of the 11-day affair, which included exhilarating rides from … more

4/18/24

The Middleburg High Navy JROTC finished 13 at last week's Navy Nationals Competition at NAS Pensacola.

Middleburg NJROTC finishes 13th at Navy Nationals

PENSACLOA – Middleburg High’s Navy JROTC finished 13 th at the Navy Nationals Competition on April 4-5 at Naval Air Station Pensacola. The top 24 NJROTC units from the country competed … more

For Clay Today | 4/18/24

One winner will smoke the competition Sunday at the Whitey's Ribs and Sides BBQ Cookoff.

Whitey's Fish Camp hosting Ribs, Sides BBQ Cookoff

FLEMING ISLAND – Whitey’s Fish Camp is fired up for its Ribs and Side Dish Cookoff this Sunday at 2032 County Road 220. Proceeds from the cookoff, silent auction and 50/50 raffle will benefit the … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 4/18/24

These 72 steps lead down to the ravine, where it's 10 degrees cooler than the surface temperature, at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park.

Mike Roess Gold Head Branch Park to celebrate its 85th birthday Sunday

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park will have a cake-cutting ceremony on Sunday, April 21, at 1 p.m. at the Recreation Hall to commemorate its 85th birthday as a state park. … more

Clay Today staff | 4/18/24

Useful links

get social