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Sister finds her family after 66-year search

Wayne Gueltzow and Petra Heckendorn finally meet after their father was involved in one relationship before being separated by the military 66 years ago before he married another woman. A hit on 23AndMe helped them be united.
JACKSONVILLE – Wayne Gueltzow always believed the family’s Thanksgiving table was missing a brother or sister they’d never known. He had bits and pieces of incomplete information he’d gleaned …
MIDDLEBURG - Days ahead of Thanksgiving, First Baptist Church of Middleburg welcomed families in need with a heartfelt gift. On Saturday, a line of cars waited patiently to receive boxes of donated …
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More local news
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Four years after being gifted a free lot on College Drive in Orange Park, a new The Way Medical Free Clinic opened last week. On Monday, Clay County Assistant Director of …
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Sights at this year’s A Night of Wonders at OP Mall

ORANGE PARK – As if 112 retail stores and services weren’t enough at the busy Orange Park Mall, A Night of Wonders will offer an enchanting holiday experience Thursday through Sunday until Dec. …
The home is in the Orange Park South subdivision.

Officials seize 27 dogs, prairie dogs, lizards in 'poor condition' in Middleburg

MIDDLEBURG – Clay County Animal Services and other agencies seized more than 20 animals from a home in the Orange Park South subdivision on Wednesday.  Officials seized more than 25 dogs, 10 …
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Obituaries
Barbara J. Weltzbarker
Barbara J. Weltzbarker, 85, went to be with our Lord on November 24, 2024. She was born in Moultrie, GA on September 8th, 1939. Spending her childhood in Georgia, she later moved to Stuart and then …
James " Jimmy" Padgett
James " Jimmy" Padgett, 76, passed away peacefully on November 19, 2024. Jimmy is survived by his wife of 36 years, Carol; one son, Mark; five daughters, Stephanie, Jennifer, Brandy, Leslie and …
Arthur Everett Munro
Arthur Everett Munro, 88 of Stella, passed away November 5th, 2024 under Hospice care at his home in Stella. Arthur was born September 25th, 1936, in Hanover, MA to Ronald Geyer Munro and Avis …
Harold Melvin Mullinax
On November 8, 2024, at 8:24 pm, God Looked on earth and chose a child of his to award to heaven to live with him. He said, " At ease soldier, you have served me well, it’s time to come …
Mary Faith (Adams) Vines
Mary Faith (Adams) Vines was born 7/1/1932 to parents Alice and Julius Benson Adams in Leeds, AL, and passed away 10/29/2024 at age 92 due to natural causes in Penney Farms, FL. She was preceded in …
And in Sports....

Knights knock out No. 1; Bobcats next

PONTE VEDRA - Oakleaf running backs Fareed Coleman and Malaci Warten combined for 275 rushing yards and three touchdowns as the visiting Knights upset second-ranked Ed Nease 31-14 in a Class 6A …

Oakleaf's late rally comes up a foot short

Mike Conner makes the catch over the outstretched arms of Buchholz safety Mike Taylor before taking off to complete an 80-yard touchdown late in Friday night

GAINESVILLE - Oakleaf's sophomore wide receiver Mike Conner reached over the outstretched arms of Gainesville Buchholz safety Taylor Carter to make a big catch late in the fourth quarter Friday …

Clay High celebrated 50-year reunion of 1967 championship during 2017 playoff run

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – As the Clay High Blue Devils and Oakleaf football teams were charging through their season, looking to be one of the teams moving toward a playoff berth seven years ago, …

Eagles leave four TDs in Tallahassee

TALLAHASSEE - With an uncanny amount of bad luck or imperfect execution, the Fleming Island High football season came to a screeching halt after a 16-13 region 1-5A semifinal loss to Tallahassee …

Opinions & Viewpoints
Faith Walk

Are You Ready for Christmas?

Pastor Billy Register

Today is Thanksgiving which means it’s almost over. Now society’s attention immediately turns to Christmas. The Christmas season is a whirlwind, isn’t it? The shopping lists, the twinkling …

Good news for Thanksgiving hosts this year: The average price for this year’s traditional spread for a gathering of 10 will be about $58, down 5% from last year. The bad news: That cost is still …
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Be a Star: Join me at Rockin’ for Stockins’

GREEN COVE SPRINGS—Paul Wane is an immensely talented and popular guitarist whose reputation has extended far beyond the local music scene. He gained national acclaim by playing the …
Crime & safety
Police briefs
JACKSONVILLE – A former Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Detective was sentenced to 24 years and three months after he pleaded guilty to enticing a girl to engage in unlawful sexual activity. Josue …
OAKLEAF – An Orange Park man already in the Clay County Jail was charged with trafficking at least 28 grams of cocaine on Tuesday, Nov. 21, after the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said he sold the …

Monday, Nov. 25

 

Elijah K. Young, 23, Middleburg, possession drug paraphernalia, DUI

Caitlin D. Foster, 24, Green Cove Springs, aggravated battery, leaving scene of accident with property damage/injury

Daniel C. Demott, 65, Middleburg, domestic battery

Scott B. Olson, 63, Orange Park, trespassing

David Dorvilus, 24, Orange Park, corruption by threatening public servant or family, written/electronic threat to kill/do bodily harm

Charles E. Barney, 25, Orange Park, fraud/swindle/defraud food/lodging

The Clay County YMCA – For A Better Community

First Coast YMCA-Our DayStar Program

At DayStar, we are committed to ensuring everyone reaches their full potential with dignity while providing individuals access to the unique support they need. Daystar is committed to providing …

This Week in History

Five years ago, 2019 • The Fleming Island High girls 200 medley swim team of Abree Clark, Sarah and Emma Grimm and Christina Johnson won Stuart's Class 3A state championship. • Fleming Island …
Word of the Week

Word of the Week

Quag: (kwag) a noun that means a marshy or boggy place.

“Some of the houses along the Black Creek were built on a quag, so their foundations sink in heavy rains.”

Briefs

Mercy Support invites public to ‘A Night at the Oscars’

ORANGE PARK — Sponsors and the public are invited to “A Night at the Oscars” at the Thrasher-Horne Center on Oct. 24 to benefit Mercy Support Services. They exist to meet the needs of people …

Special Sections
New from local businesses
Pizza Hut shuts down its Green Cove Springs store
GREEN COVE SPRINGS—Pizza Hut at Magnolia Layne served its last slice of pie Tuesday as the corporation continues to downsize its operation to only serve takeouts and deliveries. According to the …
NEFAR: Housing market showing signs of gaining traction in Clay County
CLAY COUNTY – As fall approaches, it’s becoming more apparent that it’s becoming more of a buyer’s market. The Northeast Florida Association of REALTORS (NEFAR) Market Statistics report for …
McDonald’s offering grants to Clay County teachers, nonprofits
CLAY COUNTY – Teachers and nonprofits have until Oct. 13 to apply for grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 to serve children 5-18, including those in kindergarten through 12th grade. The company …
Property appraiser honored with lifetime achievement award
Clay County – Clay County Property Appraiser, Tracy Scott Drake, was recently honored with the International Association of Assessing Officers’ (IAAO) Professional Development Lifetime …
Swirl Suites is located at 1910 Wells Rd #C02 at the Orange Park Mall
Swirl Suites puts its own twist on ice cream
ORANGE PARK — Swirl Suites has set up shop just outside of the Orange Park Mall, putting its own twist on the ice cream sundae.  You may have enjoyed scoops of ice cream in a cone or a bowl …
Michael Mullinax owns Brown's Creek Honey Farm, a business dedicated to making products solely from all-natural beeswax.
'Bee'-ing natural with Brown's Creek Honey Farm
FLEMING ISLAND — Bees are a huge part of what makes our ecosystem work.  The pollinators land on objects and leave a trace sure to impact the way we live.  Michael Mullinax has been an …
Web extra content
New money scams are popping up: Here are the ones to look out for
Money.ca explores the different kinds of evolving money scams and how to avoid them.
Ultimate gift guide to spark endless creativity in kids
(BPT) - The best holiday gifts keep kids engaged and creatively entertained for hours. So, if you're looking for exciting new gifts to spark the imagination of the kids in your life, check out the …
Stay Protected During the Holidays: What to Know About COVID-19
(BPT) - As the holiday season approaches, it's important to remember that it often comes with a heightened risk for respiratory viruses like COVID-19.1 Data from the past four years suggest COVID-19 …
42% of Americans are willing to pay more to support small businesses
(BPT) - Americans are evenly split on their shopping habits, shopping both big and small — 29% favor local or small businesses, while 29% prefer national retailers. Though price remains …
Give your student the gift of security with renters insurance
(BPT) - The fall semester is wrapping up, which means your student will soon be coming home for winter break.During this time, they’ll leave plenty of important items in their dorm, like a …