5 years ago, 2014
Clay County announced it had received a $2.2 million grant from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program allowing Clay Fire and Rescue to hire 21 new firefighter/EMTs.

Orange Park Town Council adopted a seven-step process to guide the hiring of a new town manager after receiving 44 applications for the job previously held by Cindy Hall.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested W.E. Cherry Elementary School teacher Kimberly Hillard Brody with a teen inside a car while at a cul-de-sac on the city’s Westside.

10 years ago, 2009
Chris Chambless was sworn in as Supervisor of Elections for Clay County. He replaced Barbara Kirkman who retired from the position.

The Florida Municipal Interest Trust presented Green Cove Springs City Council with a rebate check for $27,508, the result of what they said were the result of prudent business practices and financial management.

Reynolds Industrial Park presented its Comprehensive Land Use Plan Amendment to Green Cove Springs City Council that included six new components.

20 years ago, 1999
Clay County Health Department Director Nick Chapman assured residents there was no need for alarm in the aftermath of a 13-year-old Middleburg boy being diagnosed with meningitis.

Orange Park Town Council debated a new ordinance requiring junk vehicle be concealed from public view and kept in enclosed garages, while prohibiting them from being housed in open carports.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office teamed up with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to arrest Steven B. Rush, of Jacksonville, for a December carjacking that took place at Home Depot on Wells Road.

30 Years ago, 1989
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Nydia C. Marrero for holding a jail corrections officer at gunpoint to force him to release inmate Alfred William Thomas, who was still on the lam.

Rep. Chance Irvine(R-Clay County) introduced a bill that would allow the appointment of a committee that would study which type of government model would best suit Clay County.

A mobile home fire on Floyd Drive in Middleburg left a family of five without any furnishings or other belongings. No one was injured in the fire, which destroyed the home.

40 years ago, 1979
Clay Electric Cooperative said a heavy overnight frost was to blame for breaker blow out at its Doctors Inlet substation that led to massive power outages overnight during the freezing temps.

Former Orange Park Fire Capt. James Stephen Johnson was declared a mentally disordered sex offender and turned over to the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services for treatment on two counts of sexual battery and three counts of lewd acts.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said Joyce Marie Burton, 21, of Jacksonville, died upon impact in a two-car collision at County Road 220 and Blanding Boulevard.