5 Years Ago, 2012
After months of discussion and a moratorium, the county commission approved two ordinances to regulate electronic gaming centers and adult arcades – internet
cafes. Both passed 4-1 with Commissioner Ronnie Robinson voting no on the regulatory
ordinance and Commissioner Doug Conkey voting no on the zoning ordinance.

The Orange Park Police Department charged Janet Lee Plourde with manslaughter for the 2001 drug overdose death of Teresa Elaine Bowater. Police Chief James Boivin said Bowater overdosed on illegal drugs Plourde gave her and then drowned in Plourde’s bathtub.

The Clay County School District applauded state grades given by the Florida Department of Education. Each of the county’s high schools received A grades with the exception of Orange Park High, which earned a B.

10 Years Ago, 2007
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ralph Javier Muma, 48, of Orange Park and charged him with murder in the shooting death of his neighbor, Ralph Forehand Jr., 43.

Students walking through the woods heading home from school found human skeletal remains in a ravine near Wells Road. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office cordoned off the area and treated it as a crime scene.

What Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies described as a drive-by shooting at Club Christopher’s on Wells Road resulted in the arrest of Quinton Bernard Glover of Jacksonville.

20 Years Ago, 1997
School Superintendent David Owens urged school board members to agree to a plan to halt construction of new junior high “M” targeted for Lake Asbury and instead, consider building a new high school in its place.

The Florida Highway Patrol said no criminal charges would be filed in connection with a vehicle accident that killed two cyclists and seriously injured two others the day after Christmas 1996. Margaret Raynal, 31, and Douglas Hill, 47, both of Gainesville, were killed in the crash.

The Judicial Nominating Commission for the Fourth Judicial Circuit re-appointed Orange Park attorney Larry Smith of Head, Metcalf, Aguilar, Moss, Sieron, Perritt and Myers. The Commission also appointed Orange Park attorney Brooke Caplin of law firm Janan Bateh.

30 Years Ago, 1987
An investigation into spending at Orange Park Middle School found school funds had been misused for at least two years, including payments made to the custodian’s daughter who did not work at the school. Principal Tom Moore and custodian Samuel Sprout were suspended during the investigation.

The 1st District Court of Appeal granted a new trial for Wayne Ortagus of Middleburg who was convicted of manslaughter for the shooting death of Ferman Ellis Fowler saying the lower court erred in the sentencing guidelines.

Bus drivers who were members of the Clay County Educational Support Personnel union asked Clay County School Superintendent Ann Wiggins to remove a prayer on the back of a mandatory form citing separation of church and state, however Wiggins said the prayer would stay.

40 Years Ago, 1977
Dan Thatcher, developer for The Springs, said he planned to ask Orange Park Town Council if his company can annex 23 acres into the town so the homes could be hooked up with water and sewer services.

Capitalizing on the excitement of the Bicentennial Celebration held the previous summer, the Clay County Chamber of Commerce planned to hold Clay Festival ’77 at the Orange Park Kennel Club March 11-13.

Sue Pike, Diana Snyder and Pat Casper, clerks at Jacksonville law firms, began a petition drive to ensure the Jacksonville Flyer of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority would not end service due to budget cuts after Gene Buzard, county transportation authority chairman, said the county ran out of money.