Five years ago, 2019

• After purchasing the property a year prior, Karrie Massee transitioned the Azaleana Manor in Orange Park into a boutique venue for hosting weddings, parties and corporate events. The 10,500-square-foot manor is located on a four-acre riverfront party, worth now more than $2 million. 
• A night of drinking and “skinny-dipping” turned violent when a woman was slashed during an argument. Jessica Nelson, 40, of Middleburg, was charged with assault and battery during a burglary after sheriff’s office deputies said another woman suffered deep cuts to her neck and hand.
• The Clay County Tourism Development Council awarded more than $140,000 to upcoming local events: $8,730 for the Military Museum of North Florida, $2,470 for CalaVida Festival, $5,290 for Clamour Theatre, $30,000 for the Scottish Games, $45,000 for the Clay County Agricultural Fair and more. 

10 years ago, 2014

• Former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll held a book signing event for her autobiography, "When You Get There," which chronicles her political ascension and fall — when Gov. Rick Scott urged her to resign amid a financial controversy she was involved with. 
• The 2014 Florida Primary had a voter turnout of 17.4%. Wayne Bolla and Gavin Rollins won their Board of County Commissioners races. Betsy Condon defeated incumbent Tina Bullock in her race for the School Board. 
• The Clay County School Board "reluctantly" voted 4-1 to open the Clay Charter Academy, owned by a for-profit corporation, based on Superintendent Charlie Van Zant Jr.'s recommendation. 

20 years ago, 2004

• For the first time, residents in the Oakleaf area of Clay County were given their voting precinct. The facility was at the Oakleaf Plantation Athletic Center at 150 Oakleaf Village Parkway.
• A helicopter manhunt using police dogs, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office ended with the arrests of two 19-year-olds who were charged with burglarizing homes on Fleming Island. Along with the burglary charges, Jack Davis and Antuan Golden, both of Jacksonville, were arrested for grand theft, fleeing and eluding police and marijuana possession.
• Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts Executive Director Tony Walsh led a group of excited new patrons on a tour of the new 85,000-square-foot facility while announcing its inaugural season lineup. 

30 years ago, 1994

• The Green Cove Springs Public Library opened a new addition connecting its adult and children’s sections, which gave the library more space.
• The Keystone Heights City Council debated modifying its council term limits ordinance to allow council members to run for either mayor or vice mayor after being term-limited after eight years of service.
• Teacher Ralph Howell Chappell, 46, pled guilty to two counts of lewd and lascivious acts on students

40 years ago, 1984

• The Clay County School District prepped for the opening of the 1984-85 school year, expecting 17,700 students, a 450-student increase from the previous year.
• School board members made the final offer of a 6.6 percent pay hike to Clay County teachers. The proposal called for setting first-year teacher pay at $14,424 per year, increasing it to $22,400 after the 18th year.
• The Florida Highway Patrol reported that 17-year-old Curtis Baylor of Fleming Island was killed while walking along U.S. Highway 17. Baylor and his cousin, Kevin Stewart, 12, who lived, were thrown about 75 feet into the median by a truck driven by Shelly Ray Crawford of Jacksonville.

50 years ago, 1974

• The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said Brennan Barwick, 8, of Middleburg, was shot and killed in an accident involving his 10-year-old brother and a 12-gauge shotgun at the Bar K Ranch in Middleburg.
• The Jacksonville-based Health Planning Council fielded speculation that the agency was set to deny final approval for the new 196-bed Greater Orange Park Community Hospital. Meanwhile, officials announced that Sen. Lawton Chiles (D-FL) was set to be the keynote speaker at the facility’s October dedication service.