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

Middleburg man indicted for molesting 9-year-old girl

MIDDLEBURG – A grand jury indicted a Middleburg man April 23 on one count of sexual battery, two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and showing obscene material to a 9-year-old girl during … more

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

Expired tag leads to short chase, methamphetamine charge

ORANGE PARK – According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, a couple led a deputy on a short high-speed chase after he noticed a man and a woman get into a car with an expired license tag at a … more

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

Man charged with trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine

MIDDLEBURG – A man driving erratically on Blanding Boulevard was arrested after deputies found drugs in his car during a traffic stop. Shawn Scott Lipscomb, 19, of Jacksonville, was charged with … more

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

Keystone Women’s Club, Kiwanis successfully outfit 98 girls

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – In a tremendously successful community program, 98 girls said Yes! to the Dress last week ahead of the sixth-grade dance, prom, spring flings and graduation during a free … more

5/2/24

Ridgeview’s NJROTC Cadet Walker attends Basic Leadership Academy

ORANGE PARK – Raelynn Walker recently was one of only four girls chosen to be cadres at the U.S. Naval Academy’s Inspire Program. At the three-day program, Walker was handpicked to represent … more

5/2/24

Women’s Excursion Day at Silver Needle & Thread on May 9

ORANGE PARK – Everyone is invited to Women’s Excursion Day on May 9 from 2-7 p.m. at the Silver Needle and Thread at 1580 Wells Road, Suite 31. Photography work by Kakki Fant will be on display. … more

5/2/24

Fortis College to host open house for National Nurses Week

ORANGE PARK – In honor of National Nurses Week, Fortis College in Orange Park is celebrating its nursing students by hosting an open house on Tuesday, May 7, at 11 a.m. This event offers a … more

5/2/24

Garden Club of Orange Park invites public to open house tours

ORANGE PARK – The Garden Club invites the public to Open House tours held on Thursday afternoons throughout May at 4 p.m. at 1820 Smith St. The building will be open until 6 p.m. each day. Members … more

5/2/24

School District hosting Job Fair Monday at Fleming Island High

FLEMING ISLAND – If you’re looking for a career, update your resume and be at Fleming Island High on Monday between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. for the Clay County District Schools Job Fair. Principals … more

5/2/24

Useful links

get social