This Week In History 11/22/18

5 years ago, 2013
A committee of the Clay County Development Authority voted to extend negotiation deadlines with the controversial $25 million Big League Dreams baseball field project targeted for the Branan Field Road area in Oakleaf.

Acting on a recommendation from its homeowner’s association, the Green Cove Springs City Council approved plans to allow Magnolia Point Country Club to add 100 new homes without building sidewalks.

The Florida Cabinet presented Shine Awards to two Clay County School District teachers to thank them for their military service. Clay High teacher Kenneth McAllister – a 15-year Air Force veteran and Adult Education teacher David Silverman – a 24-year career U.S. Marine were honored.

10 years ago, 2008
The Teacher Training Center at Fleming Island High was filled as educators and community members said goodbyes to retiring Clay County School Superintendent David Owens who decided to not seek re-election and capped off a 47-year career in education.

Both parties in a lawsuit questioning the validity of Clay County Charter amendments that called for adding two additional County Commission seats agreed that the lawsuit should be allowed to work its way through the courts. That meant, Rob Bradley and Diane Hutchings – both of whom had been elected to the new seats – would not take office.

Long-time educator Ben Wortham was sworn in as the new Superintendent of Clay County Schools.

20 years ago, 1998
Officials from the Metropolitan Planning Organization said County Road 220 from U.S. Highway 17 to College Drive would be widened for an estimated $9.1 million in its Jacksonville Urban Transportation Study for 2020.

Clay Today announced that beginning Dec. 3, the paper would cease twice weekly printing and move to once a week.

Orange Park Town Council appointed former council member Dennis Frick to complete the term of Council Member Monty Crook who resigned to run for Clay County Clerk of Court.

30 Years ago, 1988
Clay County government officials mourned the death of James Thomas Carver who died after a brief illness in Riverside Hospital in Jacksonville. Carver is credited with establishing the county’s professional engineering department when he was hired in 1982 after serving 31 years with the Florida Department of Transportation.

John Thrasher of Orange Park was elected chairman of the Clay County School Board. At the same meeting, the board and Superintendent Ann Wiggins commended the Orange Park High Cross Country team, who was in attendance, for winning the state championship.

Keystone Heights residents spoke out opposing a toll road connecting Tampa to Jacksonville that would run between Smith and Hall Lakes in the McRae area. The Board of County Commissioners voted to back their opposition and wrote the state opposing the road.

40 years ago, 1978
Park Avenue Racquet Club announced plans for a $1.1 million, 16,000 square foot expansion of its facility at U.S. Highway 17 and Plainfield Avenue in Orange Park that would include seven outdoor tennis courts.

Orange Park Police officer Tony Titra shot a robbery suspect after a lengthy foot chase from the 700 block of Park Avenue to behind Park Place Apartments. The man was an accomplice in holding up at knife point Orange Park Cleaners.

Moosehaven residents Freida Riley, 63, and her husband Mark, 72, received multiple contusions and abrasions after they were struck by a vehicle while trying to cross Park Avenue at 7:30 p.m. one night.