5 years ago, 2013
The Roadhouse in Orange Park unveiled $300,000 worth of renovations along with an expanded food menu and a new non-smoking policy.

The National Association of Agricultural Educators Outstanding Middle/Secondary Agricultural Education Program Award honored Keri Sidle, Oakleaf High agricultural education teacher, at the association’s national convention.

Bobby Ray Channell of Keystone Heights pleaded guilty to two counts of child abuse with harm in connection with a ATV accident in which his 3-year-old son received a skull fracture.

10 years ago, 2008
Krystal’s hamburgers named competitive eater Hall “Hoover” Hunt of Orange Park to its Krystal Lovers Hall of Fame, which meant his face would be placed on hundreds of thousands of Krystal’s burger boxes in the coming months.

The state Fire Marshal ruled that a house fire in the 3100 block of Dothan Road in Green Cove Springs that killed 49-year-old Maria Eugena Ruiz was arson, however, no suspect had been identified and the case remained under investigation.

Navy sailor Tyrel Reese jumped in the middle of a fight between a deputy and a resisting suspect to allow the deputy to taser the man. Dominik Bowden was arrested for breaking out Reese’s girlfriend’s back car window with his fists.

20 years ago, 1998
Clay Countians mourned the sudden death of Gov. Lawton Chiles who was found dead in an exercise room in the governor’s mansion. Businessman J.P. Hall, who had known Chiles for 25 years, called the governor’s death “a real tragic situation.”

Almost 300 bikers braved the rain to make their last run for Toys for Tots Clay County.

Green Cove Springs received a $115,000 grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for engineering costs involved with improving the city’s water and wastewater system.

30 Years ago, 1988
The Town of Orange Park named former Clay County Administrator John Bowles as its new director of public works. County Coordinator Robert Taylor was named acting county administrator.

Nancy Schall, 43, of Palatka died in a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 17 south of Green Cove Springs. Paul Thrower, 34, of Palatka, driver of the other vehicle and his passenger, Jerry Taylor, 39, of Green Cove Springs, were ejected on impact and flown to University Hospital.

The Green Cove Springs County Arts and Recreation Department asked residents to name the old landfill area that had been transformed into a park with its “Name the Park” contest.

40 years ago, 1978
The Clay County YMCA at 1215 Kingsley Ave. in Orange Park, held a ceremony to “burn its mortgage” after paying off a loan it used to buy a 5.6-acre tract from developer Paul Armstrong that stretched from Kingsley to Gano Avenue.

Orange Park Police officers Michael Probst and Sgt. Gary Meeks were assaulted by Gary Michael Seward while attempting to administer Seward a DUI-breathing test after he refused a field sobriety test.

Red Greene, owner of Greene’s Garage and Inspection Station in Orange Park, criticized a plan floated by Gov.-elect Bob Graham to abolish mandatory motor vehicle inspections saying the inspections help keep drivers safe.