5 Years Ago, 2011

After almost a year of negotiations, the Clay County School District and the Clay County Education Association reached an agreement on a new teacher contract that would give teachers a step increase based on their years of service. Orange Park area residents donated more than 15 tons of food in the National Association of Letter Carriers annual food drive, “Stamp Out Hunger.” The non-perishables were donated to the Clothes Closet and Food Pantry of Orange Park. Friends and family welcomed home to the Oakleaf community Sgt. John Hayes after an Afghani land mine struck his legs and injured one of his arms.

10 Years Ago, 2006

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office investigated an incident at Lakeside Junior High involving 11 students who were “pill-sharing” the anti-seizure medication Topamax. Students were examined at Orange Park Medical Center. Special Magistrate Stanley Sergent outlined steps to end a contract impasse between the Clay County Fire Rescue union and the Board of County Commissioners, however, both sides rejected the magistrate’s report. Orange Park-area residents donated almost 29,000 pounds of non-perishable foods as part of the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive conducted at the National Association of Letter Carriers.

20 Years Ago, 1996

The Christian Coalition hosted a Republican candidate debate featuring Tax Collector candidates Jimmy Weeks and Wil Thrasher, Supervisor of Elections candidates Delores Wilkes and Barbara Kirkman and Sheriff’s candidates Scott Lancaster and Carrie Mobley. The Keystone Heights City Council voted 4-1 to provide its city clerk and chief of operations with eight percent pay raises. Facing a projected new high in enrollment of 25,821 students for the 1996-97 school year, Clay County School District officials discussed building a new junior high school north of Green Cove Springs that would cost an estimated $20.8 million.

30 Years Ago, 1986

After not imposing an increase since 1974, the Board of County Commissioners hiked household garbage disposal fees from $1 per ton to $5 per ton. The City of Green Cove Springs discussed hiking power, water and sewer rates for residents. Electric rates would jump from $82.53 to $90.71 for each 1,000 kilowatt-hour, for example. It would be the first hike water rates since 1979. Assistant State Attorney Brad Stetson confirmed that a grand jury would investigate allegations that Orange Park Town Council Scott Brownell may have violated the state’s Sunshine Law open government law.

40 Years Ago, 1976

The Keystone Heights City Council voted to hold a referendum on whether to proceed on a once-aborted $1.7 million plan to upgrade its water and sewer system after citizens collected signed petitions from voters. Carl Pugh was named recreation coordinator for Clay County and would be paid $150 per month. The Florida House of Representatives passed a bill allowing Clay voters to decide whether Clay County School Board member positions would be non-partisan after the Clay County League of Women Voters suggested the measure in a series of pre-legislative hearings.