Local news | Clay Today

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid offering virtual pro bono clinics in Clay

CLAY COUNTY — In need of affordable legal services? Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA) is currently hosting ongoing virtual pro bono clinics for those looking for convenient assistance. … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 9/1/25

When lightning strikes a home, it can create a power surge that can damage or even fry a fuse or control box for a primary electronic appliance, such as an air conditioner.

UF/IFAS: Remember lightning strikes more than tall objects

With hurricane season upon us, it is essential to take cover when lightning is present in the area. In today’s digital age, you can find videos of lightning striking tall objects, including … more

By Ryan Czaplewski, UF/IFAS Extension | 8/31/25

Karen King opened the first McDonald's in the Orange Park Mall 50 years ago. She was one of the first woman McDonald's franchise owners and operators.

Hamburger jockey, King, opens first mall McDonald's

ORANGE PARK— Before its 1984 extension, the Orange Park Mall did not feature a food court. At the time of its opening in 1975, the mall’s main appeal relied heavily on retail powerhouses such as … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 8/29/25

School employee arrested for abusing student

ORANGE PARK - A school employee at W.E. Cherry Elementary was arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 27, for abusing a student, the Clay County Sheriff's Office said. Pearl Oforiwaa Gyamera, 47, was … more

Clay Today staff | 8/28/25

DeSantis awards Green Cove Springs $1.2 million for stormwater improvements

ARCADIA – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced more than $38 million in awards to 19 small and rural Florida communities through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program on … more

For Clay Today | 8/28/25

Ask Kyla: Does Clay Events have any fun happenings this fall?

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — The answer to this question is yes. After an overwhelming reception to their summer drive-in movies, Clay Events has added an all-new schedule for fall. In their September Reel … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 8/27/25

Newlywed Grissingers up for 'America’s Favorite Couple'

NAPLES — From childhood friends to young newlyweds, Olivia and Wyatt Grissinger are on top of the world. They share love, friendship, and a blossoming new life together. And, as a … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 8/26/25

A crowd of his loyal followers stopped by the Jacksonville pier to watch Kyndal Edwards conclude his more than 8,000-mile journey.

Edwards reaches finish line in cross-country walk for mental health, addiction

JACKSONVILLE BEACH — Following a two-year journey, Orange Park native Kyndal Edwards finally touched the Atlantic Ocean on his coast-to-coast walk on Sunday, Aug. 17. And for him, it still doesn't … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 8/25/25

The mall will celebrate its 50th anniversary in September.

Second Horizon Capital successfully purchases Orange Park Mall

ORANGE PARK — Second Horizon Capital announced Wednesday the successful completion of its acquisition of the Orange Park Mall. The 950,000-square-foot property, located at 1910 Wells Road, marks … more

For Clay Today | 8/23/25

Punsky will retire at the end of October, having served the agency for more than 38 years.

Longest tenured CCSO deputy, Sgt. Mike Punsky, to retire

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Sgt. Mike Punsky has been pulling up his motorcycle boots for more than 38 years for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. Some of his friends retired from the agency. Others … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 8/22/25

Electric Department Director Andy Yeager said workers at the city's electric department are dedicated to keeping the lights on.

GCS a step closer to trashing curbside recycling pickup

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The City Council took the first step to follow the county’s lead in eliminating curbside pickup for recyclables by voting 5-0 on the first reading of an ordinance that will … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 8/22/25

Anyone with new driver’s license after July 31, 2024, needs to update voter info

CLAY COUNTY – The Supervisor of Elections Office wants to remind voters that on July 31, 2024, a new law went into effect requiring the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to … more

For Clay Today | 8/21/25

Lawsikia Hodges is the current town attorney for Orange Park.

Hodges, Orr appointed to Florida Bar Special Committee

JACKSONVILLE — Two local attorneys, Michael Orr and Lawsikia Hodges, were recently appointed to the Florida Bar's Special Committee on the Sustainability Initiative for Attorneys. The special … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 8/21/25

FWC approves Florida's first bear hunt in a decade

HAVANA — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission approved Florida’s first black bear hunt in a decade on Wednesday, Aug. 13. Following months of deliberation and public outcry, the board gave … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 8/21/25

Lt. Justin Hiller is a 2015 graduate of Fleming Island High.

Fleming Island pilot flies U.S. Navy jet at MLB Speedway Classic

NORFOLK, Va. – U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103 conducted a flyover during the national anthem before the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic, where the Atlanta Braves took on the Cincinnati Reds … more

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mark Peña | 8/21/25

Teen pleads not guilty to shooting his parents to death

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Trevor Eugene Lee, 14, who was indicted on Aug. 12 with two counts of first-degree murder by a Clay County grand jury, entered two not guilty pleas during his arraignment on … more

Clay Today Staff | 8/20/25

Garry McIntyre said the town missed a golden opportunity by not annexing the Orange Park Mall into the town limits 50 years ago.

McIntyre: Orange Park misses golden opportunity to annex mall

ORANGE PARK – Garry McIntyre always believed the Orange Park Mall was going to be the economic hub of Clay County – so much so, he tried to annex it into the town limits. “That was 50 … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 8/17/25

County staff announced that they have saved over $900,000 worth of taxpayer dollars as a part of their DOGE efforts at Tuesday's BCC meeting.

County provides DOGE update, announces cost savings of over $900K

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — County staff announced that they have saved over $900,000 worth of taxpayer dollars as a part of their efficiency efforts at Tuesday's Board of County Commissioners Meeting. … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 8/16/25

The Florida AARP booth was busy all day.

Seniors flock to Thrasher-Horne to load up on information, goodies

ORANGE PARK – Vendors had a good problem at the Clay Today Active After 50 Expo on Saturday, Aug. 9. They ran out of handouts, pamphlets and goodies an hour after the doors opened at the … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 8/16/25

About half of the dispatchers hired stay on the job more than a few weeks.

'Not normal': 911 dispatchers 'live' each call

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – They sit in darkness, not knowing if the next time the telephone rings it will result in another layer of emotional hardness or a routine dispatch that will be forgotten as … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 8/15/25

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