5 years ago, 2012
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco arrested five people on charges they hosted a house party where alcohol was served to Hollee Krueger, a minor. Krueger was struck and killed by a car after leaving the June party intoxicated.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Michael Kenneth Eble Sr. on commercial bribery after multiple witnesses told police he bribed men and women who were sent to Boy Scouts Camp Echokotee to perform community service work for money, lunches and valuables in exchange for him falsely signing court documents.

Orange Park Town Council announced a state-funded project by the Florida Department of Transportation to beautify the medians on Kingsley and Park Avenues with new lighting and plant life.

10 years ago, 2007
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said teenagers spotted the decomposing body of Steve Randall Miracle of Green Cove Springs under the Black Creek Bridge on U.S. Highway 17. Police said there were no signs of trauma on his body.

The Florida Forest Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced plans to create Belmore State Forest on 8,737 acres south of Sharron Road and north of Coral Farms Road that was purchased from Gilman Paper Company through the Florida Forever program.

Susan Sailor of Keystone Heights, Florida’s 1998 Teacher of the Year, was named a finalist for the Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership.

20 years ago, 1997
Seven months before qualifying would open, Clay County School Board Chairman Richard Fain said he would not seek re-election to a second term. While in office, he advocated for an abstinence-only sex education program.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Cheryl Pearl Harris of Middleburg for animal cruelty after removing six malnourished dogs from her care.

Clerk of Court John B. Keane threatened to withhold payroll from 115 Public Works employees until he was given “a certified list” of public and private roads the county had spent public tax dollars to pave.

30 years ago, 1987
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested two males, ages 16 and 17, on charges of burglary, grand theft, criminal mischief and trespassing on school property for a break-in at Middleburg High.

Clay County Administrator John Bowles said a mailer sent out by an anti-sales tax group contained misleading information prior to the Oct. 6 special vote. Voters rejected the tax by a 6 percent margin despite posturing from both sides.

Green Cove Springs City Council members pushed back on Police Chief Bill Bland’s proposal to buy laptops for officers to save time in filing about 3,600 police reports a year. Bland estimated spending $4,000, which was not in the city budget.

40 years ago, 1977
First Federal Savings and Loan Association opened a new branch near Orange Park at 400 Blanding Boulevard.

W. Raleigh Thompson Jr., M.D. was elected moderator of the board of trustees of the Greater Orange Park Community Hospital.

The Green Cove Springs Council of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce announced plans for the “1890’s Day” extravaganza, which aimed to showcase the city’s downtown.