5 years ago, 2013
Green Cove Springs City Council debated cutting the size of its planned new police headquarters building. The size reduction from 21,000 square feet to 14,000 square feet would trim an estimated $1.6 million off the final price tag.

After 10 years spent raising $64,000 for college scholarships, the nonprofit Clay County Women
for Education announced it was disbanding. Its last act was to mail seven scholarship checks to different Florida universities.

The National Sheriff’s Associated named Clay County Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Hanlin as the recipient of the Charles “Bud” Meeks 2012 U.S. Deputy of the Year.

10 years ago, 2008
Clay County Sheriff’s Office officials mourned the death of 17-year deputy Dennis Urban, 57, who died when a car pulled out in front of his personal motorcycle on U.S. Highway 441 in Ocala on a weekend trip.

The State Fire Marshal investigated a fire at Governor’s Creek Nursing Home in Green Cove Springs that claimed the life of James E. Carter, 60, and led to serious smoke-related injuries to others.

At its annual reorganization meeting, Green Cove Springs City Council elected council member Mike Kelter to serve one year as mayor and council member Felecia Hampshire to serve as vice mayor for the same period.

20 years ago, 1998
Area law enforcement agencies teamed up to issue 474 citations for motorists who failed to stop at red lights in Clay County as part of a state initiative called Stop! Red Light Running Week as declared by Gov. Lawton Chiles.

The Clay County School District established a committee to study attendance boundary changes for Grove Park. Lakeside, Montclair and Orange Park Elementary schools. The proposed changes reflect the transfer of Orange Park Elementary’s Concept School to Montclair and incorporates Montclair’s attendance into other area schools.

The Clay County School District announced plans to build a new school that would open for the start of the 2000-01 school year without any portable classrooms on its campus. While the exact site had not been identified, Deputy Superintendent Ben Wortham said it would be located south of County Road 220 and west of U.S. Highway 17.


30 years ago, 1988
The YMCA broke ground for a new gymnasium at 3322 Moody Ave. on an 11.6-acre site near Orange Park. A new swimming pool already under construction was expected to open June 13.

Jerry Williams was sworn in as the first female mayor in the 114 years of Green Cove Springs’ history, while Sandra Dunnavant was sworn in as vice mayor.

Orange Park Town Attorney Ed Rich told Town Council members that Police Chief Dalton Bray would have to take a leave of absence if he wanted to actively campaign for Clay County Sheriff.

40 years ago, 1978
The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra announced it will give its first public outdoor pops concert in Clay County on May 20 on the terrace at Club Continental in Orange Park.

The Board of County Commissioners declined to act on a proposed ordinance that would have allowed garbage collection companies to apply to collect garbage for certain areas of the county. Opponents of the measure said it was the equivalent of franchising the trash collection business.

Southern Bell was wrapping up the construction of a new $2 million electronic telephone central office at the corner or Pine and Center Streets in Green Cove Springs.