By Pete Geiger
Correspondent GREEN COVE SPRINGS – After weeks of wrangling and debate during the city’s recent election cycle, the planned Green Cove Springs police station received unanimous support from city leaders on May 21. The Green Cove Springs City Council’s five members voted 5-0 to award a $3.9 million contract to Batson-Cook Inc. of Jacksonville, cutting the project by some 30 percent and saving taxpayers $1.7 million. Planned to be built on three city-owned acres at Idlewild and Melrose avenues, Tuesday’s vote won over the support of council members Ray Braly and ...
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By Sarah Wakefield Rosser
Staff Writer MIDDLEBURG – Raven Brianna Schroer palmed the discus, closed her eyes to gather her thoughts, side-stepped toward to line, spun her body towards the field and sent it flying. After traveling high into the ...
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By Eric Cravey
Managing editor FLEMING ISLAND – Although a proposal to bring a corporate trainer and keynote speaker to Clay County was shot down at last week’s School Board meeting, two planned June training seminars for principals and teachers ...
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Summer is just around the corner and already temperatures have started to rise. Despite having grown up in South Florida I don’t seem to have the stamina for summertime yard work.
I know many Clay County gardeners are tough – you can take ...
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Clay residents complete U.S. Navy training
GREAT LAKES, ILL. – The following local residents recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. The intensive eight-week program included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness. Graduates also took part in the "Battle Stations" exercise, which is designed to galvanize the attributes sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit. ...
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10 Years Ago, 2003:
• Orange Park residents turned out in large numbers at the Clay County School Board meeting to oppose construction of a parking lot adjacent to Orange Park Elementary. Some cited it as a waste of money, while others said it was too intrusive for the neighborhood. • The County Volunteer Free Medical Clinic received the $61606,060606 Paul E. Rein hold Community Service Award for 2003, while Quigley House and Clay Co. Special Olympics received separate $656,060606 Judge’s Awards. • A ruptured natural gas line closed traffic on Blanding Boulevard for more than an ...
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GMO labeling needed now
Suppose that your breakfast cereal contained a substance that many believe to be hazardous to your health. Suppose that same substance and related substances were also found in the majority of the foods you eat. Now imagine that the corporations that produce these substances have a "re- volving-door-relationship" with the Food and Drug Administration so that their for- mer executives have influence over studies related to food safety. As a consumer you would probably want foods containing this substance to be labeled so you could make informed decisions while ...
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After running through their farmer’s house and wreaking havoc, the barnyard animals were called to a special meeting by the wise sage dog.
As the animals settled down, the dog spoke of how disappointed he was to learn of his fellow animals’ ...
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By Sarah Wakefield Rosser
Staff Writer ORANGE PARK – Town of Orange Park hourly union workers have been warned that unless they agree to join the town’s biweekly payroll system, they will be charged $40 a month to continue to receive a weekly paycheck starting this summer. The announcement was approved by the General Government Committee on Employee Insurance Recommendations and brought to the council May 21. The proposal comes two weeks after a May 8 special Town Council meeting where members discussed ways to boost town revenue. The impact on the Northeast Florida Public Employees ...
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FLEMING ISLAND – Baptist Heart Specialists becomes the first physician’s practice to move into the new medical offices at the Baptist Clay medical campus on Fleming Island.
Cardiologists Praveen Kanaparti, David Stroh and Simone Nader began ...
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ORANGE PARK – An Orange Park attorney was recently honored for his community service by the Clay County Bar Association.
David King, left, received the 2013 Hon. Lamar Wingeart Jr. Pro Bono Service Award, which was presented at the ...
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TALLAHASSEE – The unemployment rate for Clay County continues to improve, based on new numbers from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
Figures released May 17 show Clay County’s April 2013 jobless rate at 5.7 percent, down from 6 percent the prior month. Compared to a year ago, the new rate reflects a drop of almost two percent when the unemployment rate was 7.6 percent. Clay County reported a labor force of 97,951 workers in April 2013, compared to 96,289 workers a year earlier in April 2012. Florida DEO officials report that 5,619 people were counted as bring ...
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FLEMING ISLAND – A Jacksonville veteran was recently honored as a "Hometown Hero" by a Fleming Island restaurant.
O’Charley’s recognized U.S. Army veteran Tyrinda "Ty" Dixon at its recent grand reopening, A Warriors to Work Specialist with ...
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By Tatila Brock
Staff Writer GREEN COVE SPRINGS – A little girl’s determination to become an artist by using her hands and the natural clay from the Clay County Brickworks in the early 1900s, today provides a center where Clay County artists ...
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Clifton graduates from Berry College
ROME, Ga. – Fleming Island resident Sara Clifton recently graduated from Berry College with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. Berry College welcomed 378 new alums May 11 at the Spring Commencement. Featured speaker U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson(R-Ga.) provided words of inspiration for the graduates. Watkins graduates from Champlain College BURLINGTON, Vt. – Valeria Watkins of Orange Park recently graduated from Champlain College. Watkins received a Master of Science degree in Law. Champlain College’s 10th Annual Hooding & ...
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ORANGE PARK – Two Clay County students recently received college scholarships from the local bar association.
The Clay County Bar Association awarded Fleming Island High senior Randy Dossey, second from left, its Teen Court Scholarship and ...
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By Sarah Wakefield Rosser
Staff Writer GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Holding a baby duck to her chest, Jasmine Thigpen gingerly places it on Sierra Langford’s desk and the two Junior High FFA officers coo over the rescued bird delivered to their ...
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TALLAHASSEE – A Green Cove Springs man is $800,000 richer after winning one of the Florida Lottery’s scratch-off games.
Joseph A. Richmond, 21, won the $1 million prize in the 50X The Cash Scratchoff game. Richmond, who bought the ticket from ...
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By Sarah Wakefield Rosser
Staff Writer ORANGE PARK – When Harold Chance hit the age of 87, his daughter Annette asked him if it was time to slow down and spend more time taking care of himself. In January, when he passed away, he remained a ...
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By Tatila Brock
Staff Writer ORANGE PARK – A white table cloths, blue and red napkins and centerpiece vases with a single red rose and a small American flag were placed in honor of America’s military at a recent event at the Thrasher –Horne ...
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MIDDLEBURG – Five Middleburg High students were recently selected as the first group of students to receive the inaugural David White Memorial Scholarships. From left to right, graduating seniors Jacob O’Connell, Caitlin McDonald, Bobby ...
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ORANGE PARK – Grove Park Elementary students – dressed in red, white and blue – celebrated Memorial Day early during a recent patriotic event. The school’s May 17 "Star Spangled Spectacular" featured songs with a twist, such as "Allegiance ...
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ORANGE PARK – A Green Cove Springs Junior High student was recently crowned Miss Clay County Junior High 2013. Gabbriella Manges ran on the platform of "Community Service Above Self." Also honored as the first recipient of the Ashley Atchison ...
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Special to Clay Today
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – When most young men awaken on their sixteenth birthday, they dream of getting in a truck or sports car to drive solo around town. However, on May 9, Andrew Geelhoed of High Springs woke up and prepared for ...
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Donna Marie Macdonald, 69 of Green Cove Springs, died Saturday evening, May 18, 2013. Mrs. Macdonald was a native of Revere, Massachusetts and moved to Green Cove Springs in 2000 from Exeter, New Hampshire.
She was a member of the St. Theresa ...
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Arthur C. Tenney, 94, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2013 in Green Cove Springs, Florida. Mr. Tenney proudly served with the United States Army during World War II; at the outbreak of the war he transferred to an ordinance company. As an ...
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CWO4 John Joseph (Hank) Stankaitis, 96, of Orange Park, FL, died May 12, 2013. He was born December 25, 1916 in Bridgeport, CT. John had a 30-year career with the U.S. Navy. During WWII, he was stationed in China with SACO. He was decorated twice with the Navy Marine Corps medal for heroism. He also worked for the State of Florida as a Hospital Consultant for HRS and as Assistant Executive Director of the Duval Medical Society. John was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl. Surviving John are his daughters, Carol Young and Nancy Whiteley; grandson, Joey Whiteley; great grandchildren, ...
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Mr. Johnny Lee Farmer, age 73 of Middleburg, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2013 at Baptist Clay Medical Campus in Fleming Island.
Mr. Farmer was born August of 1939 to the late Louis and Willie Farmer in Cordele, Georgia. He worked for Vallencourt Construction for 20 years as a heavy equipment operator and was very good at working the machinery. Mr. Farmer enjoyed collecting antiques, unique items and bottles. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Patricia "Pat" Farmer, children, Linda Gilliland and husband, Jim of Keystone Heights, Rocky Carlin, Jr. and wife, Misty, Jon Michael ...
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Mrs. Dorothy Kersey Valentine age 98, formerly of Middleburg passed away at her son’s home in Sanderson Monday, May 20, 2013. She was born on March 10, 1915 in Lakeland, Georgia to the late George and Minnie (Everett) Taggart, and has been a long time resident of the Middleburg area moving from Macon, GA in 1935. She was a member of the First Black Creek Baptist Church and was a retired Nurses Aid. Mrs. Valentine was preceded in death by her first husband of 35 years J.E. Kersey, her 2nd husband, Glenn Valentine, Jr.; sons, Benjamin Calvin Kersey, Michael Clifton "Dickie" Kersey, James ...
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By Kelly J. Stigliano
Correspondent ORANGE PARK – Tucked away in the shade of a new garden along Kingsley Avenue, Pat Allen took a moment to give thanks for having lived through cancer. "I’m a breast cancer survivor of six years," Allen said. ...
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
• MEMORIAL DAY: The Town of Orange Park’s Memorial Day ceremony, Magnolia Cemetery, 1040 Kingsley Ave., May 27 at 11 a.m. followed by light luncheon at Clarke House. The public is invited to attend. • MEMORIAL DAY: City of ...
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Seed and Soul
What quality soil does your life provide for the Word of God to flourish? Jesus taught us that the seed of His word is sowed generously. But He also said that much of the seed falls on poor soil where is cannot grow. Read the ...
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By Sarah Wakefield Rosser
Staff Writer ORANGE PARK – As Ghian Lopez shook his carpentry teacher Stuart Cowan’s hand and accepted a Gold Hammer plaque, he realized four years of classwork had paid off. "I knew as a freshman that I wanted to do ...
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Attorney fees $24,231.37 Managing Editor GREEN COVE SPRINGS – In an effort to minimize the expense of taxpayer dollars trying to get an appellate court to rule on a lawsuit filed April 18 by Superintendent Charlie Van Zant Jr. against the Clay ...
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Staff Writer ORANGE PARK – Will Padgett always planned to give back to his community, but after experiencing a health setback two years ago, his plans took a detour. Padgett, 38, a lieutenant with Clay County Fire and Rescue, and his 4-yearold ...
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Florida Falcon cheerleaders Flygirls squad, all Clay County gals, teamed up with the Green Cove Springs Junior High School Cougars cheerleader squad to entertain fans at the Falcons Saturday 39-0 win over North Florida Stampede at Bolles. The ...
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By Randy Lefko
Sports Editor St. Johns Country Day School football coach Todd Zehner ran off the field at halftime with a 14-0 lead against Beacon of Hope in the Spartans spring football contest and smiled. "We did some good things and we did some things that can be corrected before the fall," said Zehner, who enters his second year at the helm after a successful rookie campaign. "Dropped passes and untimely penalties can be coached away." The Spartans, without ace running back from page 25 Keylon "Cheetah" Brown on the sidelines dressed but nursing a minor injury, showed some ...
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Wes Whiddon Foundation gives eight scholarships
By Randy Lefko Sports Editor ORANGE PARK-Lake Asbury and Wilkinson junior high schools rolled to impressive shutout wins while Oakleaf Junior High got a touchdown with 57 seconds left on the clock to set the tone for the upcoming fall football season at the annual Wes Whiddon Scholarship Football Jamboree Tuesday at Orange Park High School. Eight college-bound area athletes were awarded scholarship money from the Wes Whiddon Foundation (See photo). In the first contest, Oakleaf fell behind 6-0 in the second quarter to Green Cove Springs off ...
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Family members of Wes Whiddon, a former Fleming Island High School football star, stand with 2013 recipients of scholarship money for college from the Wes Whiddon Scholarship fund. Left to right with plaques are Kortnee Chismark, CHS soccer and ...
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By Randy Lefko
Sports Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS--Keystone Heights High School football coach Chuck Dickinson has had a string of running backs in the last five years that make the position a marquis slot for prospective players to strive to fill outgoing shoes and with alleverything tailback Alex Gonzalez graduating, the shoes will be awaiting new fast feet after spring football practice. "Alex was a great one, Matt Story was a great one, Greg Taylor was a great one, so we’ve had some goods one that someone will need to step up and become the next great one," said Dickinson, after a ...
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Spring football
High school and junior high school football practices will start May 1 with three days of conditioning (May 1-3) then pads come out (May 4-May 23) with spring games May 24: MHS at RHS, FIHS at Bradford County, OPHS at Palatka, ...
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STAFF PHOTO BY RANDY LEFKO
Orange Park endurance athletes; front, Katie Cannon, Chelsey Rephan, Asha Fleming; back, Andrew Cannon, Gary Lewis and Rebecca Cannon, get a picture in middle of the Jacksonville Tough Mudder off-road competition held ...
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St. Johns Country Day School’s athletic director Traci Livingston, left, stands with Spartans’ baseball players, left to right, Luke Dill and Garrett Hays, as well as baseball coach Mike Hilliard after the trio was presented with player and ...
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Keystone Heights High softball pitcher Kelsey Waters will be continuing her softball playing at Florida State College of Jacksonville after leading the Lady Indians into the Class 4A Final Four last year and to the region semifinal game this year. ...
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By Randy Lefko
Sports Editor MIDDLEBURG-A grand slam home run in the third inning from Pearson McMahan fueled a 6-0 lead over visiting Mosley High of Lynn Haven (27-3) for the Middleburg High baseball team in their first-ever Region 1-6A title game. "Everything was working and we were working as hard as I’ve ever seen," said Alan Burnsed, Bronco coach, who orchestrated a successful season ending topped off with a second consecutive district 3-6A title and two somewhat surprising region playoff wins. "I think they were caught a little off guard by us." The lead and the homer, coming ...
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By Doug Deters
Correspondent JACKSONVILLE-Middleburg baseball coach Alan Burnsed earned every bit of his salary in the second round of the FHSAA playoffs with a masterful pitching strategy for his Broncos. Burnsed used three pitchers including holding off his ace until the final two innings to defeat the Atlantic Coast Stingrays in a thrilling 6-5 victory to advance his Broncos farther than any other team in school history. Clay High, behind RBI hits from Luke Suchon, Austin Wilson, Hunter Alexander and Jordan Desuyo, banged out a 4-0 first inning lead against Creekside and their ace ...
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JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville University football Green team, led by former Fleming Island High School quarterback Kade Bell’s two touchdown passes off 238 yards passing, defeated the White team 26-20 last week at the annual Spring Game at D.B. Milne Field.
Bell, who had 14 completions for 238 yards threw for two touchdowns with wideout Andrew Robustelli catching four passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. Former Fleming Island football kicker and soccer standout Brandon Behr broke a 7-7 second quarter tie with a 30-yard field goal making it 10-7 Green at half. The White team ...
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GREEN COVE SPRINGS – An 18-year-old Green Cove Springs man faces charges of aggravated assault with a firearm following a May 17 run in with the law.
Skyler Geer Crawford was arrested in the 300 block of Haven Avenue after both Green Cove ...
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ORANGE PARK – What began as a traffic stop for what was believed to be a motorist needing help with a disabled vehicle, recently resulted in an officer tasing a Green Cove Springs man.
Jason Paul Poland, 26, was arrested around 2 a.m. May 18 in ...
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LIVE OAK – A Melrose man was recently extradited to Clay County from the Suwanee Correctional Institution in Live Oak to stand charges of defrauding a financial institution.
William Herschel Green Jr., 43, was brought to the Clay County Jail ...
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ORANGE PARK – A mother and daughter face charges of holding a house party where alcohol was served to minors.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Stephanie Dawn Howard, 40, and her daughter, Shelby Ashton Howard, 18, on May 17. ...
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KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Three people arrested May 15 on charges of running a meth lab in Keystone Heights are awaiting a June 19 court appearance.
Matthew Franklin McDermitt, 29, of Jacksonville, Michael David McDermitt, 26, and Randi Rae Evans, 21, ...
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JACKSONVILLE – A Middleburg man was one of nine people indicted May 21 in federal court on charges of being involved in the illegal sale of firearms and narcotics in Jacksonville.
David Gonzalez, 32, was indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to a U.S. District Court news release, Gonzalez sold a 9mm pistol to special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives during January 2013. If convicted, Gonzalez faces up to 10 years in federal prison. ATF agents were joined by officials from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the ...
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Monday, May 20
Bland, Mark, 38, Orange Park, CCSO, Two Counts of Violate Injunction For Protection Brown, Monda, 31, Orange Park, CCSO, DWLSR Dyal, Ernest, 50, Keystone Heights, CCSO, DUI Ferguson, Walter, 30, Middleburg, CCSO, VOP-Petit Theft Ferreri, Phillip, 28, Middlburg, CCSO, Violate Probation-Community Control Gutch, Jay, 19, Orange Park, CCSO, Grand Theft $100-$300 From Building, Burglary Of Dwelling Unarmed Johnson, Renee, 47, Jacksonville, GCSPD, Two Counts Failure Of Defendant On Bail To Appear in Court Juvenile Offender, 12, CCSO, Burglary Worth More Than $1000 Murray, ...
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This is a weekly collection of crime reports from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Community Relations Unit meant to inform, educate and generate community feedback. To receive these alerts via email, go online to www.claysheriff.com, click on the Sharing Tree logo and follow the instructions.
CCSOContactNumbers Main:264-6512 Emergency: 911 Community Relations: 213-6114 Robbery 5/13 around 2 a.m. an armed male suspect entered the front door of the Kangaroo store on Kingsley Avenue in Orange Park and demanded money. The store clerk said that they could not enter the safe; the armed ...
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