Thursday, June 27
Joseph Aldi, 32, Middleburg, DWLSR
Wayne R. Riser, 68, Middleburg, DWLSR
Travis H. Albro, 34, Middleburg, simple battery, vandalism $200-$1,000
Brianna A. Waters, 19, …
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Thursday, June 27
Joseph Aldi, 32, Middleburg, DWLSR
Wayne R. Riser, 68, Middleburg, DWLSR
Travis H. Albro, 34, Middleburg, simple battery, vandalism $200-$1,000
Brianna A. Waters, 19, Green Cove Springs, VOP-grand theft
Brandy L. Peters, 38, Green Cove Springs, burglary
Robert L. Fingers, 35, Green Cove Springs, FTA-leaving the scene of accident resulting in damage
Terrance L. Jones, 23, Green Cove Springs, grand theft
Sean E. Wood, 46, Green Cove Springs, FTA-possession/use paraphernalia
Brandon J. Singleton, 32, Green Cove Springs, FTA-no vehicle registration, FTA-expired license more than six months
Shellie Burnsed, 34, Green Cove Springs, two counts child neglect
Buddy A. Sigmon, 47, Middleburg, habitual traffic offender
Howard Williams, 65, Orange Park, roadway solicitation of money from motorists
Naylee R. Lumpkin, 19, Orange Park, petit theft
Wednesday, June 26
David R. Demay, 36, Middleburg, child neglect, possession-cocaine, possession-controlled substance without a prescription, DUI
Dustin R. Love, 33, Baldwin, grand theft auto
Joseph W. Ellis, 42, Orange Park, VOP-community control
Samantha D. Donely, 50, Middleburg, DWLSR
Kristy Bustillo, 30, Green Cove Springs, VOP-possession-controlled substance without a prescription
Hunter A.R. Cornett, 18, Green Cove Springs, possession-marijuana more than 20g
Dustin R. Love, 33, Middleburg, petit theft
Jenny L. Griffis, 31, Middleburg, VOP-community control
Travis S. Turner, 31, Green Cove Springs, VOP-domestic battery
Richard A. Ploof, 31, Green Cove Springs, VOP-domestic battery
David P. West, 49, Orange Park, grand theft $10,000-$19,999
Dianne B. Strickland, 61, Fleming Island, DUI
Demetrius D. Walker, 19, Orange Park, possession-marijuana more than 20g, DWLSR
Darren W. Hosley, 56, Green Cove Springs, simple battery
James F. Edinger, 34, Green Cove Springs, DWLSR
Lydia N. Jackson, 47, Orange Park, DWLSR-third offense
Robert O. Satterfield, 59, Middleburg, DWLSR
Stacy R. Meek, 38, Green Cove Springs, possession-methamphetamine, possession-marijuana less than 20g, possession/use drug equipment
John D. Cooper, 41, Green Cove Springs, possession/use drug equipment
Second brother arrested after mower taken from lawn care company
ORANGE PARK – Clay County deputies arrested a second brother last Wednesday, June 26, in connection with a $10,000 lawnmower reported stolen from Orange Environmental Services.
David Patrick West, 49, was charged with grand theft costing between $10,000-$19,999.
CCSO was called on June 12, a day after the company’s mower wasn’t returned by one of their work crews, according to the arrest report.
Dustin R. West, 25, was arrested on June 25. The elder brother was arrested a day later. His bond was set at $25,003.
County taxable property values increase by $790 this year
For Clay Today
CLAY COUNTY – The 2019 preliminary taxable value of Clay County property was estimated at approximately $11.4 billion – an increase of more than $790 million – according to the Certification of Taxable Value submitted last Thursday, June 27, to the Clay County taxing authorities and the Florida Department of Revenue.
The preliminary taxable value is slightly higher than the estimate reported on June 1.
The statutory assessment date for the 2019 assessment roll is Jan. 1, 2019. Therefore, the overall increase in value is a reflection of the upward direction the real estate market has taken during 2018.
Although market values have increased, the assessed values of properties with an existing homestead exemption will be limited (‘capped’) at a 2.10% increase (excluding any additions or improvements) and non-homestead residential and commercial properties will be limited (‘capped’) at a 10% increase due to constitutional amendments passed by voters in 1992 and 2008, respectively.
Taxable value is based on the market value minus differentials (‘caps’) and exemptions.
The taxing authorities have until August 4th to notify the property appraiser of their 2019 proposed maximum millage rates, and the date, time and place of their respective public budget hearings. This information will be used by the property appraiser to prepare the Notice of Proposed Property Tax forms (TRIM notices), which will be mailed to all property owners in mid-August.
Certified information will be updated on the property appraiser’s website, www.ccpao.com, following assessment roll approved by the Department of Revenue in mid-July.
Four appointed to Clay County Agriculture Fair’s board of directors
Clay Today
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Clay County Agriculture Fair Association appointed four members to its board of directors last Tuesday, June 25.
They are: Bill Elrod, Early Florida Village; Teresa Green, Guest Services and Volunteer Enrichment; Kelly Mosley, Marketing and Sponsorships; and, Johnny Mack Smith, Advisory Seat.
All four will serve a pair of three-year terms.
Chairman Jim Corbin, Vice-Chairman Zach Moore, Secretary Sandra Wilson and Treasurer Brad Burbaugh all were voted to serve as officers on the board.
CUTLINE: New members of the Clay County Agriculture Fair Board of Directors are: from left, Kelly Mosley, Johnny Mack Smith, Bill Elrod and Teresa Green.
Orange Park Medical Center breaks ground on $62 million tower
Clay Today
ORANGE PARK – Leadership broke ground last Thursday for the 101,435-square-foot tower at Orange Park Medical Center that will house 48 bed for medical and surgical patients. Once completed, the hospital will have 365 licensed beds.
The new space will also include two floors built as a shell space, designated for the future expansion of 48 additional patient rooms. As part of the expansion, more than 100 new jobs will be created to care for the increased number of patients.
“Like many businesses in our area we’re feeling the effects of the growth happening in Clay County,” says Chad Patrick, CEO at Orange Park Medical Center. “We are already the preferred healthcare provider for thousands of families in our community. We see their support especially in our ER. We want to continue earning their trust by providing more resources to keep them close to home when seeking medical care.”
In addition to the new patient tower, OPMC will be opening a 12,000-square-foot expansion in July that includes 14 recovery rooms and two electrophysiology labs serving patients suffering from irregular heart rhythm conditions such as atrial fibrillation.
The hospital also recently expanded their NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) and began the expansion of their kitchen and dining area. All projects are part of a $126 million expansion project.
Patrick says expanding into these new spaces will allow them to add the latest equipment and technology in a beautiful new environment. Charles Perry Partners, Inc. will lead the Orange Park Medical Center project and TMPartners, PLLC will be serving as the architect.
Book sale slated for Clay Hill Library July 25-27
MIDDLEBURG – Friends of the Middleburg Clay Hill Library, 2245 Aster St. will conduct its summer book sale July 25-27.
It will feature a large selection of paperback and hardback books. There will be a Christmas in July area which will feature a large selection of Christmas books.
Most hardbacks are $1 and most paperback are 50 cents. There will be a large selection of children's books priced 10 cents to $, along with western, large print and romance books.
The public sale will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 25; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 26; and, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 27.
Friends members can shop early – July 24 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., July 25 and 27 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Residents can become members – $5 for single, $8 for family and $25 for patron.
For information or to donate books call (904) 254-7891.
Five Clay teachers benefit from SONIC Drive-In donations
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Last May, SONIC Drive-In recognized incredible teachers and the contributions they make to education as a part of its “Limeades for Learning initiative” in partnership with nonprofit partner, DonorChoose.org.
With the goal of helping teachers obtain much-needed classroom supplies and learning resources, SONIC launched a donation match in honor of Teacher Appreciation Month. In total, SONIC donated $1.2 million matching donations made to SONIC Teacher projects in May.
SONIC rewarded six entrepreneurial teacher lead projects from Clay County, including:
• Jessica St. Peter at Oakleaf Village Elementary for the project "Help My Students Become Pros With a Microsoft Pro."
• Mary Elrod at Oakleaf Village Elementary for the project "Let's Read!"
• Melissa Speake at Oakleaf Village Elementary for the project "Tech-Savvy 5th Graders, Part 4."
• Michelle Levinson at Oakleaf Village Elementary for the project "Art Supplies in the Village!"
• Paula Summers at Oakleaf Village Elementary for the project "Piano Workshop Summer" and “"We Are Feeling "Wicked"!"
Pancreas transplant frees Orange Park’s Shelley from grip of diabetes
By Mayo Clinic
When Mary Shelley was 1½ years old, Mayo Clinic helped save her life. She was in a coma in a Miami hospital, and her doctors reached out to a pediatric endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic for help.
"Whatever information they provided allowed me to be here today," says the medical coder, who ended up getting a job at Mayo Clinic's Florida campus in 1996.
The Orange Park woman was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. The hormone is needed to deliver sugar – also called glucose – to the body's cells, so they can produce energy. To control her diabetes, Shelley used an insulin pump for 36 years, and she diligently worked to manage her blood sugar through her diet.
"The pump was a wonderful asset to my life. But after decades of having it attached to my arms, legs and abdomen, I ended up with lots of scar tissue under my skin," Shelley says. "There were only so many places on my body left to attach it and absorb the insulin."
As the years went on, Shelley's blood sugar levels became harder to control, and it was taking a significant toll on her health and her life. In 2017, Shelley's Mayo Clinic care team suggested she consider another option: a pancreas transplant. That was the solution Shelley needed. Since the transplant in 2018, Shelley has enjoyed activities and adventures she never dreamed of participating in before.
"Thanks to Mayo, I have a whole chance," she says. "I'm so grateful to work here. My life made the full circle."
Daily struggles
When Shelley's blood sugar began to be more unpredictable and difficult to manage, it affected almost every aspect of her life, even small daily tasks.
"There were times when I would have confusion and just blank out because my blood sugar was so erratic," Shelley says. "One day, I was in the checkout line at the grocery store, and when I took out my checkbook, I couldn't remember my name or how to spell it."
Shelley had developed a condition known as hypoglycemia unawareness. It happens when the body and brain no longer produce signs and symptoms that warn of low blood sugar, such as shakiness or irregular heartbeats. The disorder increases the risk of severe, life-threatening hypoglycemia – a condition caused by extremely low blood sugar.
"There were times when I would have confusion and just blank out because my blood sugar was so erratic."
Shelley tried to cope as best she could. Before leaving work each day, for example, she would make sure to check her glucose levels in the parking lot to avoid getting into an accident during her 45-minute drive home.
On top of her other concerns, Shelley also had painful gastroparesis. The condition, which can be triggered by diabetes, affects the movement of the muscles in the stomach. It can interfere with normal digestion, cause nausea and vomiting, and lead to problems with blood sugar levels and nutrition.
"I would get dizzy and throw up," Shelley says. "Then I would get dehydrated, and my electrolytes would be off, so I'd end up in the ER."
Shelley felt like she was running out of options. Up to that point, she had escaped some of the most serious complications of Type 1 diabetes, such as heart attack and stroke, as well as nerve, kidney and eye damage. But Shelley was concerned that if she couldn't consistently control the fluctuations in her blood sugar, she would eventually succumb to those problems.
"I got the point where I couldn't get a grip on things," Shelley says. "I was scared that I could die."
A better way forward
It was then that Catherine Coyle, D.N.P., a Mayo Clinic nurse practitioner and certified diabetes educator, offered Shelley another way. Dr. Coyle, who's worked with Shelley to manage her diabetes for 15 years, recommended Shelley explore the possibility of a pancreas transplant.
"She had always been diligent about her self-care, which made her an excellent candidate for transplant," Dr. Coyle says.
Shelley took the advice to heart. She began the transplant evaluation process in August 2017 and was added to the transplant waiting list in January 2018.
"Going into this whole thing, the team was so positive. They make you feel extremely confident that you're going to be OK."
On March 10, 2018, Shelley was visiting her grandchildren when the phone rang. "Mayo called to tell me there was a potential organ available. I nearly fainted," Shelley says. "I shook all over thinking this might really happen. I was so overwhelmed that Mayo was going to save my life again."
Fortunately, the organ was a good match. Shelley was wheeled into surgery the afternoon of March 11. Surgeon Justin Nguyen, M.D., performed the transplant, and Martin Mai, M.D., chair of Transplant Medicine, was part of the team that monitored her in the ICU.
"Going into this whole thing, the team was so positive. They make you feel extremely confident that you're going to be OK," Shelley says. "Everyone had a this-isn't-going-to-fail attitude."
The benefits Shelley stood to gain from the transplant were considerable, according to Dr. Mai.
"The best part of a pancreas transplant is seeing normal blood sugars with no hypoglycemia, finger sticks or insulin," he says. "In some cases, this type of transplant can improve eyesight, neuropathy and gastroparesis problems. It can also potentially improve or limit the progression of cardiovascular disease."
When Shelley woke up after surgery, the first thing she noticed was a change in her vision.
"Everything was so crisp. Before, I felt like I was always looking through fog, and the fog was gone," Shelley says. "That was overwhelming."
A new zest for life
Shelley named her new pancreas Polly, after her dad, whose name was Paul. She says life with Polly has been fantastic.
"It's like Christmas every day. I used to wake up sluggish, and now I have energy. I'm not mentally confused," Shelley says. "I can actually drive a car by myself on a long trip. I can actually go out to dinner, and if the dinner is at 8 p.m., it's OK. I don't have to be afraid to live my life."
Shelley is excited she can now go for long walks and bike rides. She's looking forward to engaging in activities that were out of reach before the transplant. Last year, she went to Atlanta with her husband to take part in the NASCAR experience and got to ride along with a driver.
"Never in my life would I have attempted that because I was too worried about whether I would pass out," Shelley says. "I had always sat on the bench. Now I'm ready to take the world."