5 Years Ago, 2011

Orange Park Town Council unanimously passed a five-year, $8.3 million capital improvement plan outlining road paving and other infrastructure projects in the town.

Clay County Fire Rescue Chief Lorin Mock said a burn ban was to be extended to June 24 and possibly beyond likely prohibiting planned Independence Day fireworks in Keystone Heights, Orange Park and Green Cove Springs.

The Florida Youth Challenge Academy at Camp Blanding celebrated its 10th year of helping troubled youth from around Florida by graduating Class No. 20 at the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts.

10 Years Ago, 2006

After months of negotiations with homebuilder LandMar, the Clay County School Board voted to accept $2.5 million in fees that will be used to build new schools needed by the buildout of Saratoga Springs, a 4,300-home planned community.

The Charter Review Commission voted to pass on to the County Board of Commissioners four ballot questions changing the county charter. One item, if approved, would have expanded the BCC to seven seats from its current five.

The St. Johns River Water Management District installed a 2,500-foot deep well on property inside the Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park north of Keystone Heights. The well monitored the Floridan Aquifer, the region’s primary source of water.

20 Years Ago, 1996

The Green Cove Springs Fire Department’s hazmat team joined local law enforcement and state officials to close off a section of U.S. Highway 17 after a tanker truck spilled approximately 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel on the roadway.

Walter Brock, director of instructional services for the Clay County School District, said $1.3 million in federal funds would help support Title I programs at six Clay elementary schools.

The Clay County School District’s Citizen Advisory Committee, chaired by Gayward Hendry, approved a proposal to move the district to block scheduling after hearing presentations from Keystone Heights High Principal Tina Bullock and Orange Park High Principal Sam Ward.

30 Years Ago, 1986

James B. Jett, 33, chairman of the Clay Board of County Commissioners, announced he would seek a second term as a Democrat.

Lenore M. McCullagh of Orange Park received a $1,000 award for being named 1986 recipient of the Feinstone Environmental Award presented by the State University of New York’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Doloris Dolan of Keystone Heights received internal bleeding after being dragged by her car and pinned against an above-ground swimming pool after her 20-month-old grandson found a way to start the car.

40 Years Ago, 1976

Orange Park Town Attorney Claude Mullis filed 18 separate civil actions against 16 town residents in order to collect a total of $1,181 in past due water and sewer bills.

Clay County teachers and school district officials prepared to re-start contract negotiations with the help of a federal mediator after reaching an impasse. Teachers had lowered their pay hike request from 30 percent to 25 percent.

Entrepreneur William B. Cook of Jacksonville broke ground for his company’s second Mister Donut location at the corner of Park and Kingsley Avenues in Orange Park.