5 years ago, 2012
Fourth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Angela Corey began preparing for a re-trial of Michael Renard Jackson after the Florida Supreme Court struck down his 2010 death sentence for the rape and death of Andrea Boyer that occurred in the early morning of January 23, 2007 at Wells Road veterinary clinic.

The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to spend $40,331 to establish a Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission.

Alabama-based Bonnie Plants presented Chase Newton, an Oakleaf Village Elementary fourth grader, with a $1,000 check for growing a 17-pound cabbage in its annual contest. Newton was one of 50,000 statewide participants.

10 years ago, 2007
The Clay County School Board voted 4-1 to contract with attorney Bruce Bickner for $145,000 a year. The contract also allowed for up to 3.5 percent annual raises.

Moosehaven began a seven-to-10-year remodeling project that involved demolishing and replacing 13 buildings on its riverfront campus. The project had an estimated cost of $25 million.

After lengthy debate, the Board of County Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the Highlands development of regional impact for the Clay Hill area, a plan that called for building 5,000 new homes.

20 years ago, 1997
An audit of county financial records was found to be inconclusive as to whether public funds had been spent to maintain private roads in Clay County. The audit had been ordered by Clerk of Court John B. Keene who also served as the county’s chief financial officer.

Clay County Animal Control issued a rabies quarantine in the Keystone Heights area after a rabid raccoon was found on Gadara Road.

Former school teacher and community activist Durwood Smith collected signatures from residents opposing a county plan to raise the speed limit from 25-to-40 miles per hour on Moody Avenue citing unsafe conditions for children and drives alike.

30 years ago, 1987
After deliberating more than seven hours, a jury determined Holt Roosevelt “Red” Knotts was guilty of manslaughter but did not deserve a conviction for first-degree murder in the death of Walter Leroy Armington.

Chief Circuit Court Judge John Santora said the decision to audit the Clay County Sheriff’s Office drug investigative fund was a good idea despite contrary views from his colleague on the bench, Judge Lamar Winegeart.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office investigated a hunting accident on Camp Blanding that killed Curtis Wade Cantrell, 17, of Orange Park, who was shot in the head with a .30-30-caliber rifle.

40 years ago, 1977
Lee R. Ledbetter, executive director of Greater Orange Park Community Hospital, was elected president of the Florida League of Hospitals.

A group of county government and economic development officials toured the Southeast Recycling Plant in Miami in preparation for a public hearing to grant the company a special permit to build a similar plant in Clay Hill.

Winn Dixie advertised a five-pound bag of oranges for 79-cents.