Local news | Clay Today

Friends of Augusta Savage celebrates Clay County youth, awards inaugural Legacy Scholarship

GREEN COVE SPRINGS - The third annual Augusta’s Legacy Family Celebration took place on Aug. 1 at Sullivan Hall on Fleming Island. Organized by the Friends of Augusta Savage Arts & Community … more

By Henrietta Davis Francis | 8/13/26

County launches nationwide search for next fire rescue chief

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — Clay County is launching a nationwide search for its next fire rescue chief as Chief Lorin Mock plans his retirement in April 2027. Mock led … more

For Clay Today | 8/10/26

Winn-Dixie to open new store in Keystone Heights on Aug. 15

Winn-Dixie to open new store in Keystone Heights on Aug. 15 Florida-based chain replaced former Hitchcocks at Keystone Village Square KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – The wait is over. Winn-Dixie … more

Clay Today staff | 8/8/26

Dick Dulaney strives to make Penney a place where neighbors are family

PENNEY FARMS — As Penney Retirement Community celebrates its centennial year, Dick Dulaney is detailing his role in making the campus a place where neighbors are family and every … more

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

The Board of County Commissioners was faced with trimming the county budget during a workshop on July 23.

County grapples with trimming budget ahead of new fiscal year

In their most recent budget workshop on July 23, county commissioners contemplated ways to reduce the county's fiscal responsibilities by potentially cutting back on some of its … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 8/7/26

From left: District 5 Commissioner Kristen Burke, Department of Health's Heather Huffman, Department of Health CORe Specialist Glenn East and Clay County Sheriff's Office Director Wayne McKinney.

Community leaders, recovery specialists brainstorm new county RCO

ORANGE PARK — It was a morning of brainstorming and collaboration on Saturday, Aug. 1, as dozens of residents, community leaders and specialists came together to discuss what it would … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 8/7/26

Kate Staten and her composting project at St. Johns Country Day.

Girl Scout earns prestigious Gold Award with composting project

ORANGE PARK – Kate Staten, a Girl Scout with Troop 2116 in Orange Park, achieved the Girl Scout Gold Award by designing and implementing a comprehensive composting and environmental education … more

For Clay Today | 8/6/26

Metro Diner offering free chicken and waffles for a year

ORANGE PARK –Clay County residents could enjoy free fried chicken and waffles for a year thanks to Metro Diner's biggest celebration yet. On Aug. 8, all Jacksonville-area Metro Diners, … more

For Clay Today | 8/6/26

Local girl installs prayer wall, garden for community service initiative

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS–Green Cove Springs' Hailey Porter designed, implemented and installed a prayer garden and prayer wall at North Florida Christian Camp in Keystone Heights as part … more

For Clay Today | 8/6/26

The Rotary Club of Green Cove Springs was honored by the City Council ahead of its 100th anniversary on Aug. 17.

Green Cove Springs closer to simplifying rules for garages, signs

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The City Council took the first step on Tuesday night to simplify its restrictions on garages and signs. The council agreed, 5-0, to remove the ordinance that requires each … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 8/6/26

The program is open to students aged 16 and up.

Clay Adult and Community Education jumpstarts career readiness, success

O RANGE PARK – Picasso once said that action is the foundational key to success. For some, that often means taking a leap of faith and carrying on when you’re … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 8/5/26

County cuts ribbon on new Development Services Building

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — In what Chair Kristen Burke called a Clay County milestone, elected officials, community leaders and guests came together to officially cut the ribbon on the new … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 8/5/26

Is your child’s vision ready for school? Signs parents often miss

As families prepare for a new school year, most back-to-school checklists include supplies, new clothes, and sports physicals. One item that is often overlooked is a comprehensive eye exam. Yet … more

By Janessa S. Patel, O.D., Florida Eye Specialists | 8/5/26

Couple may face charges after concocting false animal abuse story

CLAY COUNTY — Months after receiving a report alleging several juveniles had attempted to drown a puppy at the Middleburg (Main Street) Boat Ramp, CCSO has learned that the incident was completely made … more

Clay Today staff | 8/3/26

Meet Your School Board Candidates:

Editor's Note: All candidates in this race were invited to respond to each prompt in 175 words or less. The responses in this candidate forum are presented exactly as submitted by each candidate. … more

7/31/26

Former Police Chief Gary Goble was named the new town manager for Orange Park.

Gary Goble selected permanent town manager of Orange Park

ORANGE PARK — At the July 21 Orange Park Town Hall meeting, the search for a new town manager officially came to a close. And in a unanimous 5-0 vote, interim town manager Gary Goble was selected … more

By Sophia Cheshire, For Clay Today | 7/31/26

Construction begins on Hagan Ace Hardware of Blanding

ORANGE PARK - After more than a year of being closed, Hagan Ace Hardware has begun rebuilding a new legacy at 1022 Blanding Blvd., the store announced on Wednesday. Construction has commenced on the … more

Clay Today staff | 7/30/26

With a crowd that was twice as large as new promoter Michael Kerekes expected, food trucks reported they were often overwhelmed.

New promoter drives life back into Food Truck Fridays at Spring Park

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – M ich ael Ker ekes was optimist ic that 3, 000 peop le wou ld a ttend the re turn of Food Tr uck Fri day s 2.0 on … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 7/30/26

Ilka Roncone was selected by the Florida Sheriffs Association as its Citizen of the Year. Roncone works at the Clay County Sheriff's Office as a Victim's Advocate.

CCSO Victim's Advocate Ilka Roncone: ‘It gives value to the victim’

CLAY COUNTY – For the second year in a row, the Florida Sheriffs Association selected a member of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office as the state’s top law enforcement employee. … more

For Clay Today | 7/30/26

Joey Nickel said his shows are for various audiences.

A laughing matter — meet local comedian Joey Nickel

ORANGE PARK — Twelve years ago, Clay County local Joey Nickel decided to fully commit to his stand-up comedy dream and walked into the Mandarin Comedy Zone for the first time. He grew up idolizing … more

By Sophia Cheshire, For Clay Today | 7/29/26

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