Most of the rides that thrilled patrons a day earlier had been disassembled and were on the way to their next stop at Sumter County. Livestock was back at their farms. Volunteers were still resting aching feet and tired eyes. And the countdown to next year’s Clay County Agriculture Fair had already started on the marquee.

The fairgrounds were Ground Zero for Northeast Florida fun for nearly two weeks. Even with inclement weather in the last two days, everything ran smoothly. Even when finding a parking spot presented a challenge and lines were long at the rides, fair volunteers wanted to ensure everyone had a good time.

That’s why this year’s fair attracted a record 156,480 people. Executive Director Tasha Hyder said this year’s attendance could have been as much as 200,000 if not for the final weekend washout.

“We are growing with the development around us,” she said. “We knew it was going to be big, but I don’t think we realized the numbers would be that big. If you think about it, if we hadn’t had bad weather (on the final) on Saturday and Sunday, we probably would have been very close to 200,000. To be honest with you, on Saturdays, we averaged about 25,000-ish. And on Sunday, we average about 15,000 to 20,000 on that second Sunday. So imagine that we would have had good weather on Saturday and Sunday we would have been talking about right now.”

The previous fair record was 147,948 in 2021.

The fair also broke three daily records – 23,475 for a Sunday, April 2, 8,808 for a Monday, April 3, and 10,270 for a Wednesday, April 5.

Waste Not Want Not wins top Reinhold Foundation honor

ORANGE PARK – Sandra L. Staudt-Killea realized her nonprofit was about to be honored as the Paul E. Reinhold Community Service Award winner shortly after Olivia Myers talked about the winner during the Celebrate Clay breakfast on April 25.

Her suspicions were confirmed when Myers said:

“It is our civic responsibility to be good stewards of the Earth’s resources and to feed the most vulnerable. Today’s agency we honor is a clear champion on both fronts, bridging the gap between waste and want.

“We’re so proud to present this year’s Paul E. Reinold Community Service Award to Waste Not Want Not.”

Staudt-Killea’s agency was one of more than 100 local nonprofits hoping to earn a portion of the $100,000 the foundation awarded.

“It was so exciting waiting to hear the words,” Staudt-Killea said. “It’s like a beauty pageant. You don’t want to hear your name too soon. At the same time, the longer you don’t hear your name, you start to worry about it being too late.”

Staudt-Killea operates a group that collects unused food and redistributes it to 47 food banks that feed 7,000 people a week.

Waste Not Want Not earned the top award of $15,000 from the Paul and Klare Reinhold Foundation. The organization was one of 47 county nonprofits that were selected for a variety of prizes.

The Way Free Medical Clinic and Clay Behavioral Health Center earned $7,000 after winning the Judge’s Choice Program Awards. Penney Retirement Community President and CEO Teresa Scott earned the Jack Myers Executive Director Award and Saved 2 Serve’s William Darnell won the Peggy Bryan Volunteer of the Year Award. Both earned $7,000 checks.

School Board approves new procedures to review library books

FLEMING ISLAND- The school board unanimously approved the School Board Procedures Manual for Instructional Resources on April 11 to clarify which books are allowed to be on school library shelves.

The vote was in response to House Bill 1467, which Gov. Ron DeSantis approved in March. It requires each school board to define its rules for training media personnel and reviewing and approving all books and publications. Part of this means the public and parents getting involved in the process.

The bill was approved to identify the objective material and list those removed. In the Clay County School District, 383 books have been removed. Eleven parent volunteers helped by reading disputed books.

The bill also seeks to increase public participation in the transparency of selections and website availability of all instructional materials before purchase.

May:

FLEMING ISLAND – Residents had the opportunity on May 15 to help county officials create a 20-year long-range strategic plan. 

Although the Board of County Commissioners generally looked 10 years into the future, they solicited help developing a master plan that will serve as a roadmap for the next generation.

“I’m definitely a proponent of habits for success,” said County Manager Howard Wanamaker. “So, these habits can lead to many things out into the future. So as a county and as we’re growing and expanding, we can now take the lead and ultimately have a litmus test on how we’re doing and achieving these goals.” 

Some residents were surprised to know many future projects had already been approved. Assistant County Manager Troy Nagle said, “We’re doing seven bonded road projects. We have implemented impact fees recently, which is a fee charged on new developments to help them pay for needs like fire stations and police stations. We are currently working on a regional park and a gun range; we’ve got designs in the works for two fire stations and others to build four fire stations in the next five years.” 

At the first of six town hall meetings, residents were encouraged to list what they liked and disliked about the county. Then, they were asked to suggest what they’d like to see in the next 20 years. Two primary concerns were roads and growth. 

Some said the small-town feel is the best part of living around Clay County. Others said their biggest concern is how growth is erasing that coziness. 

Other popular features of the county were the quality of schools, availability for recreation, overall quality of life, safety, low taxes and affordability for retirees. 

Dislikes mentioned were traffic, over-development, a lack of access to public transportation, food deserts, a lack of alternative modes of transportation and putting development ahead of addressing infrastructure.

Sheriff’s office drops ‘Hammer’ with 57 drug arrest warrants

ORANGE PARK – It’s called Hammer and Hope for a reason.

While more than 20 organizations have united to provide the hope portion of the program by helping those fighting opioid addictions, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said on May 24 the hammer side has resulted in 57 arrest warrants.

Sheriff Michelle Cook said her agency would remain diligent in removing the “plague” of drugs. And with 52 people already charged and booked, she vowed to track down anyone who peddles illegal narcotics.

“The Clay County Sheriff’s office recently had the largest drug bust in Clay County history, seizing enough fentanyl to kill four million people,” she said. “Since the announcement of that drug bust, our detectives have continued to work the various investigative units, and today, I want to update the drug seizure totals attributed directly to Operation Lucky 7’s.

In total, 3,519 grams of cocaine, 5,400 grams of methamphetamine and 12,480 grams of fentanyl have been removed from our streets. In addition, we are up to $334,651 of drug dealer money seized, and we’ve seized 31 illegally owned firearms.”

Cook called a press conference two days ahead of a community support program to get addicts and their family members – the help they need. Cook said the two-pronged approach has made a difference.

“Just since January of this year – our narcotics team this does not count totals from our patrol division, which does a phenomenal job of taking drugs off the streets as well – but just our narcotics team have removed from Clay County streets, an additional 450 grams of cocaine 285 grams of methamphetamine and 470 grams of fentanyl.”

CCSO also caught 52 of 57 people suspected of selling, possessing or trafficking drugs. She said five – Harley Pearson, Austin Downs, Michael Van Ness, Alphonse Flores and Paul Simmons – remain at large.

Anyone with information about their whereabouts can call (904) 264-6512 or leave a tip on the SaferWatch app.

Four Keystone students inducted into National Speech and Debate Honor Society

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – The Keystone Heights High Speech and Debate team inducted four National Speech and Debate Association Honor Society members – Mikayla Turner, Oliva McCoy, Seth Preseau, and Benjamin Man.

“This is our first year as a debate team. We have competed in a total of seven regular-season tournaments and a couple of state tournaments, and then we are going to nationals at the end of the week. It’s been keeping us very busy,” said coach Shannon Southam.

Turner and McCoy competed at the national tournament with The National Catholic Forensic League in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 26-29. The competition is one of the most prestigious in the country.

Events range from limited preparation events that require extensive knowledge of current events, impromptu speaking, Congressional Debate where students draft proposed laws and give position statements and Oral Interpretation of literature.

To prepare for competitive events, the team engaged in practice rounds. Students get seven minutes to select a topic, brainstorm ideas, outline and deliver a speech in front of their peers. Students also worked on presentation skills, tips and techniques.

Speech and debate sharpen students’ ability to think critically, organize their thoughts, and communicate their viewpoints quickly and succinctly. Whether debating in the classroom, volunteering, speaking at a rally, or acting on stage, students use what they learn in speech and debate daily.

June:

School board decides students must use birth-assigned facilities

FLEMING ISLAND – The school board approved a policy requiring students to use restrooms, locker rooms and changing rooms according to their birth-assigned gender.

The measure passed unanimously, but not without much discussion and one final moment of controversy.

After casting her vote, Mary Bolla attempted to abstain from her “yes” decision. Board attorney J. Bruce Bickner suggested she shouldn’t change her vote. He wasn’t trying to influence her opinion but warned Bolla that changing the vote would require her to complete ethics paperwork.

The school board member still has her doubts moving forward.

“My concern with this particular policy with an attachment of punishment is that we are punishing some of our most vulnerable students. These vulnerable students have gone through a lot in their lives. They have not had the support that some of our sons and daughters have. It concerns me that we’re going to push the vulnerable students even deeper into vulnerability,” she said.

Violating the policy could result in school detention or potential law enforcement consultation.

“I think regarding the bathroom policy, we can all say a lot, but to me, it’s simple common sense, and it’s sad that we have to even write a policy,” board member Beth Clark said.

Students can request an exemption. A student or parent must submit a request, and the school’s administration must approve it. If approved, the individual can use any gender-neutral or single-stall accommodations available on campus.

County considering a Southern Rock Museum

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Southern Rock Initiative got a lot of attention at a unique subcommittee meeting on June 13 at the Clay County Administration Building.

There were several issues, like the location, who would manage it, and whether it would be a private, public or public-private partnership,.

One blueprint for a successful model is the Museum at Capricorn in Macon, Georgia, at Mercer University, which exists via funding from two to three private investors and a partnership with the school at the municipal auditorium.

The submitted committee agreed on a couple of deliverables, including putting together a draft Request For Quote, which would be vetted by the county’s legal and purchasing staff and would give requirements and information. A draft score would be sent to committee members.

A project could include a number of amenities, such as a cafe and gift shop, visitor and welcome center, art council, performance stage, in-house house kitchen and a gallery. Hosting historic tours, private events, and a Southern Rock festival could all be in the mix between the multi-use facility, which would include a Hall of Fame Museum, Boutique Outdoor Amphitheater and more.

The county has deep Southern Rock roots. It was home to Hell House, where Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote their first three albums. It’s also where members of Skynyrd, 38 Special, Molly Hatchett, Tom Petty, DCL and The Curt Towne Band live.

Ridgeview’s Romer appears at NBC’s ‘American Ninja Warrior’ finals

ORANGE PARK – For Ridgeview High senior Alex Romer, the tension of competing on television is over. Still, the anxiety of being unable to talk about it was probably more taxing than his adventure.

“I’m not allowed to talk about how I did because of the show,” said Romer, 17, who recently returned home from Los Angeles after a stint on the TV show “American Ninja Warrior.” “I submitted a video of my skills, and they invited me. I went out, competed and now we wait.”

Romer’s segment aired in episode eight. “American Ninja Warrior,” which will be starting its 14th season on NBC and it will feature an age limit of 15 and younger.

The winner earned $1 million at the national finals in Las Vegas.

Athletes like Romer compete in numerous qualifying rounds and semifinals to advance.

“We have American Ninja gyms in the area and in Georgia, and there is a Ninja League that we can compete at the local level against other gyms,” Romer said. “It’s all designed to keep us active and developing our skill set to be able to get on to the TV show.”

Romer, a soccer and band member at Ridgeview, has been an American Ninja

Warrior fan for nearly a decade after seeing the highly competitive obstacle race show on television.

“He saw the show, then told us he wanted Dad to build him some obstacles in the backyard,” said Dawn Romer, who and husband Pete co-own Mighty Orion Fitness Gym on Blanding Boulevard.

Alex started with gymnastics but quickly embraced American Ninja.

Romer, who has two siblings who are also into the Ninja craze, credits his dad’s energy and skill to replicate the obstacles to the family’s backyard, first, then to the Orion gym on Blanding.

“Pete retired from the U.S. Navy, and then the interest grew, and he just kept adding stuff to the yard, then the business came into play,” said Dawn Romer. “Our gym is a combination of seeing obstacles on TV, talking to other athletes and trying to replicate the courses we have seen.”

Romer qualified for the finals but was eliminated in a non-winner runoff in Stage 2.