News | Clay Today

Selected Verizon stores will give away free backpacks this Sunday.

GCS Verizon will give away free backpacks this Sunday

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — In an effort to ease the financial burden for families heading into another school year, the Green Cove Springs Verizon Wireless retail store will give away free … more

For Clay Today | 7/25/24

Emergency management, Lilly Endowment and Salvation Army officials pray after receiving the first of 16 trucks donated by the Lilly Endowment.

Salvation Army receives first Disaster Relief Vehicle from Lilly Foundation

MIDDLEBURG – The Salvation Army of Clay County received its new specialized disaster response vehicle in a ceremony Monday, July 22, at the Corps office on County Road 220. The Salvation Army's … more

For Clay Today | 7/25/24

To request a vote-by-mail ballot, go to clayelections.gov, click Voter Information and then Request Mail Ballot.

Voting for Primary Election as easy as a click, lick and mail

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — Although there aren’t many races to be determined during the Primary Election on Aug. 20, as of Tuesday, July 23, there still have been 13,324 requests for mail-in ballots in … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 7/25/24

Clay County Emergency Management Director Tim Devin goes over the pros and cons of using Oakleaf Village Elementary as an emergency shelter during a hurricane.

Clay, Florida emergency officials scout evacuation shelters ahead of possible disasters

CLAY COUNTY — There were no tropical waves in the Atlantic Ocean. Caribbean Sea or Gulf of Mexico, but that didn't stop members of the Clay County and Florida Division of Emergency Management from … more

Clay Today staff | 7/25/24

Green Cove Springs City Manager Steve Kennedy told the council what they already knew - the time for pushing back the long-term finances of the City is over.

Green Cove Springs tackling reality of whirlwind growth

GREEN COVE SPRINGS —The City Council confronted the stark realities of deteriorating infrastructure and exploding growth by temporarily setting its millage rate for the 2024-25 fiscal budget at 6.0 … more

By Don Coble | 7/25/24

The county and Penney Farms Retirement Community will soon close on the property on the northwest corner of State Road 16 and County Road 218. Eventually, the land will be used for a new fire rescue station.

County to purchase land for much-needed future fire station

PENNEY FARMS – There will be many steps before a new fire station becomes a reality, but Clay County is ready to take a big first step by purchasing land from Penney Farms Retirement Community … more

Clay Today staff | 7/25/24

Arrests and Bookings

Wednesday, July 24

Phillip S. Garrett, 26, Orange Park, battery on law enforcement

Marie M. Brutus, 38, Orange Park, three counts child neglect

Curtis E. Smith, 47, Orange Park, Orange Park, battery

Leroy D. McCormick, 46, Orange Park, selling Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of specified area

Kamiya H. Jones, 19, Green Cove Springs, reckless driving causing serious bodily harm, killing person/unborn child

Mark A. Self, 25, Green Cove Springs, VOP grand theft auto

David A. Whitley, 47, Green Cove Springs, FTA DWLSR

Brittany N. McElveen, 35, Fleming Island, possession,

Stewart M. Smith, 73, Fleming Island, criminal mischief, trespassing, indecent exposure, violation of injunction for protection against domestic violence

more

Compiled by Don Coble | 7/25/24

Highway 17 North Heritage Trail Unveiling

7/24/24

DOH detects harmful algae toxins in Doctors Lake

CLAY COUNTY — The Florida Department of Health in Clay County has issued an alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algae toxins in Doctors Lake-Magnolia Road. The alert comes … more

For Clay Today | 7/19/24

911 outages in Clay County

There are intermittent 911 outages across Clay County, and if residents cannot reach 911, please use the non-emergency number for Clay County Fire Rescue, listed below. I've also … more

7/19/24

The mobile veterinary center will be providing low-cost vaccines and preventative care on July 21.

Mobile veterinary offers low-cost vaccines and preventative care for pets

CLAY COUNTY — Down Home Veterinary Wellness wants to make being a pet-parent easier. On July 21, the licensed and fully mobile veterinary center will be making a stop in three areas of the county … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 7/18/24

Sheriff's NET Town Hall examines boater safety, new body cameras

FLEMING ISLAND—At Thursday evening’s Sheriff’s Neighborhood Engagement Team Town Hall, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office gave residents an inside look at some key components of their job, … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 7/18/24

The new branch of AQUAfin Swim School is located at 2276 Village Square Pkwy.

Two-time Olympian opens new swim school on Fleming Island

FLEMING ISLAND - A new swim school opened on Fleming Island last weekend. Located on Village Square Parkway, AQUAfin Swim School plans to make a "splash" in the lives of everyone in the … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 7/18/24

The new adventure course at the campgrounds offers "the best view" of Lake Brooklyn in Keystone Heights.

New adventure course takes Camp Immokalee to new heights

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS — When Camp Director Richard Bombach first stepped foot on the campgrounds two years ago, he first noticed the trees — the towering live oaks draped in curtains of … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 7/18/24

The Orange Park Town Council typically meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month. The next meeting will by on Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

Proposed millage rate of 5.7000 for Orange Park

ORANGE PARK — The total taxable value of all properties in Orange Park was assessed in 2024 to be $855,587,043 — an increase of 6.48% since last year. An increase in property … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 7/18/24

Last round of compromises between Green Cove Springs City Council and HLM Investments.

Huntley Commerce project finally gets green light by city council

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — After nearly 10 months of back-and-forth negotiating and studies, the City Council on Tuesday finally approved the 112-acre Huntley Commerce on the southeast corner of U.S. … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 7/18/24

Edwards seeks to spread awareness, educate youth about domestic violence

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — Quigley House selected Julia Edwards as its newest executive on Jan. 8. A Jacksonville native, Edwards secured many leadership positions throughout her career. Helping … more

By Kylie Cordell, For Clay Today | 7/18/24

VIA hosts second-annual Fun in the Sun

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — The Village Improvement Association hosted their second annual Fun in the Sun event on Thursday. Held at Vera Francis Hall Park, the free event featured appearances … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 7/18/24

Twisted Oaks not insulated from Florida summer heat

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Jessie Shekels didn’t have to look at the thermometer on the refrigerator to know it was hot. The beads of sweat on her forehead and the whirring sounds of fans in the … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 7/18/24

White supremacist guilty of distributing methamphetamine

White supremacist guilty of distributing methamphetamine JACKSONVILLE – U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Danny Ray Boree, 39, of Keystone Heights, pleaded guilty to possession … more

7/18/24

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