ORANGE PARK – Officials with Orange Park Medical Center will open a new $10 million comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation center on July 1, that will be the first comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation center in Clay County.

“As our population continues to grow, the need for inpatient rehabilitation services in Clay County is growing,” said Chad Patrick, chief executive officer. “This facility will offer those who have been critically ill or injured and who need more extensive care the ability to recover close to home.”

The new inpatient rehabilitation center will help patients overcome functional limitations brought on by injury or illness through three or more hours of therapy a day, six to seven days a week. The 17,497-square-foot center features 20 private patient rooms, a gym and a private dining room for the residents. The care team includes physicians, nurses, speech language pathologists, and physical and occupational therapists who are specialists in their fields.

“Last year, Orange Park Medical Center cared for more than 180 patients who needed additional inpatient rehabilitation care following their hospital stay,” said Kristen Gerking, director of OPMC’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Program. “Going forward, this new center will enable patients to stay close to home near family and friends – something that has proven to aid in speeding a successful recovery.”

Patients will most frequently need inpatient rehabilitation if they have suffered from such illnesses as stroke, cardiac and pulmonary events, brain, back and spinal cord injuries, orthopedic fractures, amputations and neuromuscular disorders.

Charles Perry Construction served as the lead contractor for the $10 million project.

Ham radio operators to hold “Field Day”

ORANGE PARK – Members of the Clay County Amateur Radio Emergency Service and Orange Park Amateur Radio Club will take part in the national Amateur Radio Field Day exercise, June 25-26 at Orange Park High School from 1 p.m. June 25 until noon on June 26. Since 1933, ham radio operators across North America have established temporary ham radio stations in public locations during Field Day to showcase the science and skill of Amateur Radio. This event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.

For over 100 years, Amateur Radio – sometimes called ham radio – has allowed people from all walks of life to experiment with electronics and communications techniques, as well as provide a free public service to their communities during a disaster, all without needing a cellphone or the Internet. Field Day demonstrates ham radio’s ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location and create an independent communications network. More than 35,000 people from thousands of locations participated in Field Day in 2015.

Anyone may become a licensed Amateur Radio operator. There are more than 725,000 licensed hams in the U.S. as young as five and as old as 100. For more information about Field Day, contact Scott Roberts (904) 759-7812 or visit www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio.

Master Gardener class offered

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Are you interested in learning all you can about horticulture and sharing it with your community? If so, you may want to consider being trained as a Master Gardener.

Applications are now available to become a part of the training course which provides more than 50 hours of instruction in 12 weeks starting weekly Aug. 10 to become a Master Gardener. Topics will include plant propagation, botany, irrigation, soils and pest management. This program is an amazing opportunity to work with University of Florida faculty to become an expert on horticultural topics and then educate others throughout Clay County. The cost of the course is $85 and the application is due July 11. If interested, go to clay.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/ or contact the UF/IFAS Clay County Extension Office at (904) 284-6355 for an application.

Independence Day garbage collection

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – On Monday, July 4, 2016 Advanced Disposal Services will collect residential wastes and recyclables using its normal sechedule. Residents are reminded to place their materials at the curb before 6 a.m.

In observance of the July 4th Holiday on Monday July 4, 2016 Rosemary Hill Solid Waste Management Facility will open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 3 p.m.

Sign up for Vacation Bible School

ORANGE PARK – All children, ages 5-12 are invited to attend an exciting Vacation Bible School at Calvary United Methodist Church at 112 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park.

VBS will be held July 18-22 from 9 am to 11:30 a.m. and offers such fun activities as games, crafts, story time, music and snacks This year’s theme is “Egypt: Joseph’s Journey From Prison to Palace.”

RSVPs are requested to Calvary UMC, (904) 272-4210 from 9 a.m. to 12 non or email Barbara Hoose at oeshoose@yahoo.com.

FHP ticketing aggressive cars and trucks

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Highway Patrol on June 17 began an additional statewide enforcement campaign they’re calling “Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks,” or TACT, which will run through June 30.

TACT is aimed at highlighting the danger of aggressive driving, such as following too closely, unsafe lane changes and speeding, when interacting with large trucks on the road.

“FHP is committed to reducing the number of commercial vehicle-related crashes on Florida roadways,” said Col. Gene Spaulding, director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “We can reduce crashes if we all share the roads safely, avoid aggressive driving behaviors and exercise additional caution when driving near larger vehicles.”

During the 2015 TACT campaign, law enforcement issued 138,547 citations statewide related to aggressive driving. The first TACT campaign in 2016 took place from March 11 to March 24, and 22,977 citations were issued. There are two more waves of TACT this year.

TACT is crucial as motorists are at a serious disadvantage if they are involved in a crash with a large commercial vehicle. This is because large commercial vehicles can be as long as 80 feet and weigh up to 20 tons. The large size also means it takes 40 percent longer to come to a stop compared to a smaller vehicle.

Motorists should protect themselves and their passengers by learning how to share the road safely. FHP offers these tips for driving around large trucks.

Stay out of the No Zone. Be aware that large trucks have large blind spots (also known as “No Zones”).

Pass trucks with caution. Pass on the left side for maximum visibility and maintain a constant speed.

Do not cut off trucks. Be sure to leave plenty of room when you pull in front of a truck. Large trucks simply can’t stop as quickly as cars.

Practice patience around larger vehicles that are not traveling at the same speed as your vehicle.

Don’t drive distracted. Anything that takes your full attention off of the road, even for a second, could be deadly. This includes texting, changing the radio station, talking to passengers, and much more.

Dial *FHP (*347) if you witness aggressive or dangerous driving.