News | Clay Today

Rep. Aaron Bean welcomes constituents during the grand opening of the Fleming Island office.

Rep. Aaron Bean opens flagship district office on Fleming Island

FLEMING ISLAND – U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean opened the doors for his Florida’s Fourth Congressional District following a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by all five Clay County Commissioners and … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/25/24

Paul Wane’s Duval County Line will be at Food Truck Friday in Green Cove Springs on May 3, then at Melrose May Faire and Music Festival on Saturday, May 4, at Heritage Park at 301 State Road 26.

One of Paul Wane’s Rising Star bands to get 1st check at Food Truck Friday

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – When Duval County Line plays for Food Truck Friday on May 3, it will be more than another job for founder and lead guitarist Paul Wane. It will mark the first time some of … more

4/25/24

CCSO Sgt. Zach Cox talked with Texas Roadhouse customers last year during the annual Tip-A-Cop event.

Tip-A-Cop, Torch Run hitting stride for Special Olympics teams

CLAY COUNTY – Clay County law enforcement will run, wipe tables and offer refills during the next two weeks to support the county’s Special Olympics Teams. The annual Tip a Cop will return to the … more

Don Coble | 4/25/24

Taylor Swift caught in the middle of Drake, Kendrick Lamar rap feud

Taylor Swift last Friday released her highly anticipated 11th studio album “Tortured Poets Department,” an album she announced at the 2024 Grammys while accepting the award for best pop … more

4/25/24

Community served success for Salvation Army's Empty Bowls

ORANGE PARK – It wasn’t a gourmet meal, but everyone left the Orange Park United Methodist Church’s Family Life Center satisfied on Tuesday. The 19 th annual Empty Bowls luncheon benefits the … more

By Nancy Coltrin, For Clay Today | 4/25/24

Celia (far right in the pink) on May 15, 1995.

Cuban refugee, U.S. Navy petty officer reunite 30 years after Guantanamo Bay Part 2: The Detention Center

More than 30,000 refugees were sent to Guantanamo Bay, a “legal no man’s land,” University of Miami Professor Michael Bustamante said. It isn’t formally U.S. territory and hasn’t been since … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/25/24

Ponte Vedra's Oliver Martin is the 2024 Wolfson Children’s Bass Tournament AmBASSador

Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament celebrates 35 years of fishing, philanthropy

PALATKA – Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament is accepting registrations for this year’s tournament. The popular event, which attracted 940 anglers and raised more than $436,000, … more

For Clay Today | 4/25/24

Five law enforcement supervisors graduate from FDLE Leadership Academy

CLAY COUNTY – Five Clay County law enforcement professionals graduated last week from the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute’s Leadership Academy at the St. Johns County Sheriff’s … more

For Clay Today | 4/25/24

Rookie Deputy Tyler North caught this 3-footer at Kids First preschool in Middleburg on April 11.

Gator calls

CLAY COUNTY – There is a reason they call Florida Gator Country, and not just for one of its universities. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office was called to remove two reptiles in one week. The … more

For Clay Today | 4/25/24

Handcrafted sculptures by students at Augusta Savage Arts and Community Center

CalaVida Art Walk on 'Walnut Street'

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – CalaVida Music and Arts Festival kicked off its 10th anniversary Monday night with the Art Walk on Walnut Street, even if the "Walnut Street" was missing. The city … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/25/24

Educational programs like bug larvae were part of EcoFest last Saturday.

Clean and Green: EcoFest 2024

CLAY COUNTY - Although Earth Day was officially recognized on Monday, April 22, Clay County banded together to clean up 15 sites and provide ecology education programs two days earlier as part of the … more

Don Coble | 4/25/24

Mother goes to jail for DUI; son goes to hospital

FLEMING ISLAND – More than 15 pieces of Kelly Nicole Rockwood’s Jeep still are at the corner of County Road 220 and Hard Road three days after she collided with a concrete light pole on April 23. … more

4/25/24

Women busted for trafficking 112.83 grams of methamphetamine

ORANGE PARK – According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, a passenger of a car pulled over for running a red light while making a turn wound up going to jail on April 20 for trafficking 112.83 … more

4/25/24

Masseuse charged with soliciting two undercover deputies

MIDDLEBURG – A 46-year-old Middleburg masseuse was arrested on April 17 and charged with solicitation to two undercover Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies at the QQ Message at 430 College … more

4/25/24

The Thrasher-Horne Conference Center will host two days of art from Clay County District School student artists.

County schools to showcase artists, mathematics this weekend

CLAY COUNTY – Students will display their creativity and calculative skills this weekend with the Clay County District School Student Art Show and Elementary Math Field Day. The art show will be on … more

Clay Today staff | 4/25/24

Mission of the Dirt Road selected as top nonprofit of the year

ORANGE PARK – One of Paul Reinhold’s favorite stories nearly 100 years ago is about three men cutting stones. The first told a passer-by he was cutting one. The second told the passer-by he was … more

Don Coble | 4/25/24

Clay County Animal Control Volunteer Amie Hagar, center, was recognized Tuesday by the Board of County Commission as the first Volunteer of the Year.

BCC closer to defining future recycling plans

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – While the Board of County Commission still hasn’t put the final lid on its final plan for recycling, it took another step toward determining its options for the next fiscal … more

Don Coble | 4/25/24

Arrests and Bookings 4/25/24

Tuesday, April 23

David Dorvilus, 23, Orange Park, shoplifting, VOP community control

Gracen B. Doan, 25, Middleburg, domestic battery

Melissa D. Sharp, 35, Green Cove Springs, domestic violence

Amanda N. Smith, 37, Middleburg, inhaling harmful chemicals

Sakena G. McCray, 40, Orange Park, shoplifting

Damon E. Bynam, 58, Middleburg, sexual battery of child 12 or younger, two counts molestation of child younger than 12, show/sell/rent/loan/give away/distribute/transmite or show obscene material

more

Compiled by Don Coble | 4/25/24

The 10 passengers who traveled on the boat made by Celia's father have since lost touch after arriving in Guantanamo. Celia is standing in the front with the American flag shirt. Evelyn and both her parents stand just behind her. The man in the white baseball camp regretfully dropped the compass. All 10 passengers eventually found entry into the U.S.

Cuban refugee, U.S. Navy officer reunite 30 years after Guantanamo Bay

This is the first part in a four-part series telling the story of two women who were at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the 1994 Cuban Rafter Crisis. Celia E. Ochoa was a Cuban refugee. Tanya Lea was a … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/22/24

Dresses ranging from sizes 2-20 will be given away on Thursday at the Keystone Heights Women's Club from 4-7:30 p.m. at 6747 Women's Club Dr.

Say Yes to a Prom Dress

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – The Women’s Club and Lake Region Kiwanis Club want girls to say “Yes to a Prom Dress!” at their dress giveaway on Thursday, April 25, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the … more

For Clay Today | 4/21/24

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