Local news | Clay Today

On average, Clay County District School students are getting an education that's rated more than 25% better than the national average.

Clay schools get high international accreditation marks from Cognia

CLAY COUNTY – The school district successfully concluded the rigorous accreditation process with Cognia, a globally recognized education accrediting organization, and finished with a final … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 5/2/24

Audrey Milligan's "UNBOTTLED" will be on display at the Jacksonville International Airport.

Clay High art winner to have winning art on display throughout NE Florida

JACKSONVILLE – Clay High senior Audrey Milligan will have her watercolors on display all around Northeast Florida after two of her pieces won awards last week. U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina … more

Clay Today staff | 5/2/24

In photo: From left, Michele Riley, Doug Fuzzell, Jack Scorby, Gi Teevan, President Joe Pickens, Dr. Iana Harris and Michelle Sjogren commemorate the collaboration between Rotary Club of Orange Park at St. Johns River State College Foundation’s Random Act of Kindness.

Orange Park Rotary kindly donates to SJR State College

PALATKA – Fulfilling its mission to serve the community, the Rotary Club of Orange Park presented a check to St. Johns River State College Foundation and President Joe Pickens to support college … more

For Clay Today | 5/2/24

This small cutout of Florida shows how much land was homesteaded.

Celebrate Clay History

The events of 1862 included the passing of a meaningful piece of legislation – the Homestead Act of 1862. This act was the catalyst for the expansion of not only the West but also of Florida. In an … more

Vishi Garig, Historical Archives Supervisor, A Service of Tara S. Green, Clerk of Court and Comptroller | 5/2/24

Clay firefighter to be honored at national tribute May 4-5

EMMITSBURG, Md. – The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation will host the 43 rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on May 4-5. This year’s national tribute will … more

For Clay Today | 5/2/24

The Fleming Island Garden Club recently hosted a crafting social and their wares will be on display at the May 21 Art in the Garden at Club Continental.

Crafting Social, butterfly release highlight April for Fleming Island Garden Club

FLEMING ISLAND – The Garden Club started April with a crafting social at the library. Members brought in crafts and other items already completed to see what they had done so far; then, we worked … more

By Rhona Scoville, For Clay Today | 5/2/24

Longtime Clay County servants were honored by the North Florida Council for the Boy Scouts of America during its annual 12-Points Dinner on Thursday, April 25.

Scouts earn $37,967 while honoring Nancy Keating, Mike Cella

ORANGE PARK – The 12-Points Dinner for the North Florida Council for the Boys Scouts of America is one of the organization’s most important fundraisers of the year. But the ask for money came … more

Don Coble | 5/2/24

Deputies with the Clay County Sheriff's Office will be joined by the Green Cove Springs and Orange Park police departments, the Clay County Schools District Police Department and other agencies from Northeast Florida at the annual event.

Law enforcement, community to honor fallen from Clay on May 9

ORANGE PARK – Law enforcement agencies from Northeast Florida will be at Moosehaven on Thursday, May 9, for a single purpose – to never forget the 12 who died in the line of duty in Clay County. … more

Clay Today staff | 5/2/24

Lea took a photo following the aftermath of Hurricane Gordon that swept through Cuba on Nov. 14, 1994. Celia writes about the hunkering down during the deluge in her memoir.

'Running away' from the emotional challenges at The Pink Palace

On Friday, Feb. 5, 1993, Tanya Lee went by the name of Petty Officer Tanya Thompson. She was a cryptologic technical operator stationed at the Atlantic Intelligence Command. That night, she left her … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 5/2/24

The three-day fundraiser involving law enforcement from the sheriff's office and Orange Park raised $13,492 for the county's Special Olympic team.

County Special Olympics Team cashes in during 'Tip-A-Cop'

ORANGE PARK – Although Special Olympics Unified Partner and coach Elizabeth Taylor said she’s never given a server a difficult time, she said she has more respect for their duties after … more

Don Coble | 5/2/24

Payton created her Kindness Rock Garden at the Extension Office at 2463 State Road 16 in Green Cove Springs for anyone who needs to find inspiration - or for anyone to leave their own inspirational rock.

4-H Blog: Kindness rocks in Clay County

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – I believe that one kid can make a difference. I think this is because I am a kid and have started to make a difference in my community. This year, I started a new community … more

By Payton for Clay Today | 5/2/24

Always Loretta tribute show coming to Thrasher-Horne in January

ORANGE PARK – Always Loretta, the ultimate tribute show to Loretta Lynn that includes a special performance of Lynn’s longtime touring band, the Coalminers, and features Emily Portman, … more

5/2/24

Sen. Jennifer Bradley, Rep. Bobby Payne and Rep. Sam Garrison said the just-completed legislative session was both busy and successful, especially for Clay County residents.

Clay Legislative Roundup: Bradley, Garrison, Payne give highlights of legislative session

ORANGE PARK – Although there are 24 other counties with more people and larger legislative contingencies in Tallahassee, Reps. Sam Garrison, Bobby Payne, and Sen. Jennifer Bradley reminded a … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 5/2/24

St. Johns Classical Academy breaks ground on new gym

FLEMING ISLAND – While it may take a little imagination to picture somebody hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer now, officials at St. Johns Classical Academy broke ground Tuesday morning on a new … more

5/2/24

Ascension St. Vincent's Clay County earns 'A' grade from watchdog group

MIDDLEBURG – St. Vincent’s Clay County earned an ‘A’ spring 2024 Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization that grades nearly 3,000 general … more

For Clay Today | 5/2/24

Payne to remain charged up about finding new energy sources in Florida

ORANGE PARK – Rep. Bobby Payne has served in the Florida House of Representatives since 2016, and his term limit will end in seven months. But don’t expect the Republican to disappear, especially … more

Don Coble | 5/2/24

Garrison: Clay County must start preparing for future projects now

ORANGE PARK – Much like the popular adage in NASCAR, Rep. Sam Garrison knows that if Clay County is caught up with its infrastructure projects, it will be behind in the future. Keeping pace isn’t … more

Don Coble | 5/2/24

Bradley’s persistence leads to passage of veterinary telehealth bill

ORANGE PARK – Florida Sen. Jennifer Bradley admitted during last week’s Legislative Roundup at the Thrasher-Horne Conference Center that her attempt to create telehealth for animal care was a … more

Don Coble | 5/2/24

Clay Blue Line is the largest route and the central artery of Clay Community Transportation

Guide for Clay Community Transportation

CLAY COUNTY – It may not seem like it now, but public transportation was what brought Clay County to prominence in Northeast Florida. During the "hotel era" thousands of residents traveled by … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/28/24

Rep. Aaron Bean prepares to go on a walking tour of Kibbutz Nir Oz, where Israeli citizens celebrating Shabbat where brutally murdered and taken captive by Hamas terrorists.

Congressman Aaron Bean returns from Israel

FLEMING ISLAND – The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is traditionally considered to be built upon the site where Jesus was crucified and the location of the empty tomb after the … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/28/24

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