Local news | Clay Today

Foundation Forward's Charter of Freedom now are on permanent display at the Historic Triangle in Green Cove Springs.

Clay County displays Charters of Freedom at Historic Triangle

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County has become a permanent tribute to the documents and principles that helped shape the United States. Earlier this year, Clay County received a package from … more

For Clay Today | 10/9/26

Orange Park Elementary’s Fall Festival pushed back to Oct. 23

ORANGE PARK – In an abundance of caution, the Orange Park Elementary Fall Festival was postponed from Friday, Oct. 9, to Friday, Oct. 23, from 4-7 p.m. The school decided to push back its annual … more

Clay Today staff | 10/8/26

One of many photo opportunities at Amazing Grace Family Farms.

All that’s good about fall: Crop mazes, corn cribs and pumpkins

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – As farmers, Justin and Kelly Mosley know one thing for certain: you can’t do anything about the weather. Despite a gloomy forecast and persistent drizzle, the 14 th Amazing … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 10/8/26

The challenge on the Blockbuster hole on the pink course is to use two ropes on pullies to navigate a VHS tape with the golf ball attached to the cup at the top without letting it slip through a landmine of other holes.

Burlesons open two courses where they 'create memories'

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – There are no windmills, snapping alligator mouths, spinning barriers or volcanoes at Retro Putt Indoor Mini Golf. But you will find a zip line, pool table, drum set, basketball … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 10/8/26

The event will be located at 2909 Barbara Lane.

Orange Park escape room, haunted trail to scare for a good cause

ORANGE PARK — The Halloween season has officially begun. And you know what that means: pumpkins, candy, costumes and ghostly company. Guess that means it's time to be prepared ... to be scared. In … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 10/8/26

Bishop John Newman is celebrating 59 years as the pastor of Sunshine Holiness Church in Green Cove Springs.

Beloved Green Cove Springs pastor celebrates 59 years behind the pulpit

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — Ministry has always been a part of Bishop John Newman's life. For most of his adult years, he's always found a home behind the pulpit. It was a calling that he couldn't shake. … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 10/8/26

Police Briefs

CCSO: Orange Park man arrested for shaking baby to death ORANGE PARK – A 23-year-old man was arrested on Friday, Oct. 2, after Clay County Sheriff’s Office detectives said he shook a baby to … more

10/8/26

From left, Vice President Larry Richardson, Ken Francis, Janice Tucker, Paul Presha Sr., Barbara Alridge Martin, Doris Jordan and Debra Austin.

New nonprofit races against time to uncover, preserve local Black history

ORANGE PARK — It's been well over a year since a group of local residents banded together to start one of Clay County's newest historical societies. It was a vision that came from a blanketed … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 10/8/26

Sheriff’s Office’s National Night Out postponed

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Due to concerns about a forecast for inclement weather, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office postponed their National Night Out event tonight at the Clay County Fairgrounds. … more

Clay Today staff | 10/6/26

Fall classes at Augusta Savage Mentoring Center now open for registration

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — Looking for fun and creative activities for your kids after school? The Augusta Savage Mentoring Center, in partnership with the Friends of Augusta Savage Arts and … more

For Clay Today | 10/6/26

Soul Food Festival brings flavor, fun to Green Cove Springs

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — Although a rainy forecast was predicted for Saturday, Oct. 3, the crowd at Vera Francis Hall Park was not deterred. And still, they enjoyed a day full of sun and fun during … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 10/6/26

Green Cove Springs father James Knowles is currently in the 2026 Super Dad competition. He said his 7-year-old twins Bryan and Juniper are the lights of his life.

Green Cove Springs man celebrates fatherhood, vies for $25K prize in nationwide competition

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — James Knowles was 44 years old when he and his wife welcomed their twins into the world. After years of wanting children, it was the right place and the right time. And Bryan … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 10/5/26

CCSO Lt. Zach Cox hits a ball at the Top of the Tee at the Fleming Island Golf Club ahead of the Special Olympics tournament at the Top of the Tee on Oct. 20. Call Lt. Cox at (904) 445-0521 for more information.

Support Special Olympics with simulated round of Pinehurst No. 2 at Top of the Tee

FLEMING ISLAND – Here’s a chance to play iconic Pinehurst No. 2 and help Clay County Special Olympics, all without leaving town or worrying about the weather. From 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. … more

Clay Today staff | 10/5/26

Virginia et Florida by Gerhard Marcator, 1607. This is what Spain believed their territory looked like in 1607.

Celebrating Clay County History: The Year 1607

CLAY COUNTY - In 1607, things were grim in St. Augustine, Florida, the city located east of what would become Clay County. The people were so hungry – starving really – that some ate cats and … more

By Vishi Garig, Historical Archives Supervisor, A Service of Tara S. Green, Clerk of Court and Comptroller | 10/1/26

Waste Not Want Not raises $80K in fight to end hunger

PONTE VEDRA — The fight to end hunger was as vibrant as ever on Sept. 26 as Waste Not Want Not, an organization dedicated to reducing food waste and strengthening communities, raised more … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 10/1/26

Richard Reyes' recent presentation to TEDx Ocala earned an eight-minute standing ovation.

Reyes spreads the word of support, critical information to beat cancer

MIDDLEBURG – The world seemed to stop when Richard Reyes was told he had Stage IV colorectal cancer, and that it had already metathesized to a lymph node. His mind worked through a checklist … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 10/1/26

The Jaguars are at 2-1 heading into Sunday's game at Cincinnati. They are 2-0 at home and 0-1 on the road, including a 20-13 loss at Denver. Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence struggled against the Broncos, including having a pass knocked down by outside linebacker Jonah Elliss.

Road weary: Rooting for Jaguars requires long-distance patience

Let’s face it: it’s not easy being a Jacksonville Jaguars fan. The team is a contradiction in teal. When they’re home at EverBank Stadium, they play like gangbusters. When they’re on the … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 10/1/26

Callahan Mears is currently first place in the Baby of the Year competition.

Green Cove Springs toddler in the running for America's Baby of the Year

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — Is Callahan Mears America's Baby of the Year? As the results are soon to be revealed, her mother Regan Swift said she is hopeful that her daughter might just take the … more

By Emma Ferguson, For Clay Today | 10/1/26

Each brain break stick offers short mindfulness and movement prompts for structured one-to-five-minute breaks.

New initiative brings mental health tools to elementary classrooms

FLEMING ISLAND — As mental health initiatives are on the rise around the United States, it's no different here in Clay County. Especially when it comes to young students. As they grow and … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 10/1/26

Clay County Fire Rescue Chief Lorin Mock said treatment helps first responders be prepared to respond in an emergency.

Funding to support mental wellness for first responders, veterans lands in Clay

ORANGE PARK – The people with scientific expertise used their empirical data to explain eTMS treatments with words like encoding speeds, hertz brain, prefrontal vortex, TMS magnet and qEEG. The … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 10/1/26

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