News | The Oakleaf

Henry Wimberly returned to Clay to face homicide charges in DUI crash GREEN COVE SPRINGS – A Keystone Heights man was transported from Taylor Correctional Institution on Tuesday, July 21, … more

7/29/26

New design renderings of the Oakleaf Library were revealed to residents on July 16.

Oakleaf residents get first look at proposed library design

OAKLEAF — For years, Sabina Escalada has been waiting for the greenlight on one of Oakleaf's most anticipated projects. With five libraries in Clay County, it was only right that her … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 7/23/26

Police Briefs 07/23/26

Former Fleming Island High pitcher killed in car crash PONTE VEDRA BEACH – The Fleming Island community is currently mourning the death of former baseball star Aaron “Hawk” Hawkins, 20, … more

7/23/26

Arrests and Bookings 07/23/26

Name, age, location of arrest, charges). Key: FTA-Failure to Appear; DWLSR-Driving Without a License-Suspended or Revoked; DUI-Driving Under the Influence; VOP-Violation of Probation; BAL-blood … more

7/23/26

Oakleaf High graduate Darren Cox said, “Having a family back home makes this job that much more important and meaningful.”

Oakleaf sailor supports Navy fighter jet mission

FALLON– Every sailor’s story of naval service is unique. For Petty Officer 2nd Class Darren Cox II, this story has ties to Oakleaf, where skills and values learned there are foundational to … more

By Ensign Andrew Hanchar, Navy Office of Community Outreach | 7/22/26

A Clay County Sheriff's Office deputy shot a man after he raised a pistol toward another deputy. The man was injured and taken to a local hospital. He was charged with threatening law enforcement and battery on a Sheriff's Office deputy.

Police Briefs 07/16/26

CCSO: Man charged with attempted murder after shooting at car KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – The Clay County Sheriff’s Office served an arrest warrant for a 25-year-old man who was accused of firing shots at … more

7/16/26

Police Briefs

Keystone man returned to Clay to face meth charge KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – A 49-year-old man was transported from the Putnam County Jail to face a Clay County Sheriff’s Office’s warrant that … more

7/8/26

Captain America survived the sweltering heat and the mile-long march on July 4.

Keystone Heights salutes patriotism during nation's iconic birthday

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – The city began its 250 th birthday celebration with a starter’s pistol ahead of the Jordan Cooper five-kilometer run and it ended 13 hours later with a spectacular fireworks … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 7/8/26

Arrests and Bookings

Name, age, location of arrest, charges). Key: FTA-Failure to Appear; DWLSR-Driving Without a License-Suspended or Revoked; DUI-Driving Under the Influence; VOP-Violation of Probation; BAL-blood … more

7/8/26

Before he was a public defender at the Clay County Courthouse, William Rothrock served as an Army soldier.

Soldier or public defender, Rothrock's passion for serving others remains the same

CLAY COUNTY - William Rothrock, Esq., has always found joy in helping others. Whether dressed as a solider supporting United States' interests and allied nations or as a man in a polished suit … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 7/1/26

Summer eye safety: Protecting your vision at the beach, pool and ballfield

Summer in Northeast Florida means long days at the beach, afternoons by the pool, youth sports and plenty of time outdoors. While most people remember to apply sunscreen, many forget that their eyes … more

By Natasha Krzyzanowski, O.D., Florida Eye Specialists | 7/1/26

KLA Schools of Oakleaf is located at 3480 Royal Pines Dr.

KLA Schools of Oakleaf to bring innovative approach to pre-K learning

OAKLEAF — When KLA Schools of Oakleaf Owner Jose Franco decided to bring new way of learning to the Clay County community, he knew it was the best decision he could've made. With the Oakleaf area … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 6/11/26

Arrests and Bookings

(Name, age, location of arrest, charges). Key: FTA-Failure to Appear; DWLSR-Driving Without a License-Suspended or Revoked; DUI-Driving Under the Influence; VOP-Violation of Probation; BAL-blood … more

6/11/26

Police Briefs

Man runs from deputies, crashes car, caught with gun, drugs KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – A Keystone Heights man faces a litany of drugs, weapon and felony eluding charges after a Clay County … more

6/4/26

Oakleaf High physical education teacher and assistant baseball coach Casey Thompson flies near the 6,000 foot mark above Amelia Island during a 37th birthday after jumping out of an airplane. With Thompson is tandem jumper Sean Eskew of the World Skydiving Center.

Scared of rollercoasters? Thompson jumps out of plane to celebrate birthday

OAKLEAF - One of Clay County's more renowned coaches — softball at Ridgeview, baseball at Clay and now baseball at Oakleaf— Casey Thompson admitted that he is deathly afraid of heights, at the … more

By Randy Lefko, randy@claytodayonline.com | 6/4/26

Oakleaf Village students honored as Fine Arts Students of the Year

OAKLEAF — Two students from Oakleaf Village Elementary were given top honors during this year's second-annual Clay County Fine Arts Gala on May 14. Fifth-grade students Amelia and … more

For Clay Today | 5/28/26

Arrests and Bookings 05/21/26

(Name, age, location of arrest, charges). Key: FTA-Failure to Appear; DWLSR-Driving Without a License-Suspended or Revoked; DUI-Driving Under the Influence; VOP-Violation of Probation; BAL-blood … more

5/21/26

Turning Haitian language, culture into motivation at Oakleaf High

OAKLEAF – When Marie Abigaila Perez walked through the front doors of Oakleaf High for the first time, she was fluent in Creole, and she didn’t understand English or American culture. She faced … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 5/20/26

FDLE, State Attorney investigating officer-involved shooting

OAKLEAF – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office are investigating an officer-involved shooting on Saturday, May 9, that resulted in the death of a man on … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 5/10/26

Oakleaf High senior 169 weightlifter Noah Shevchook finishes off his clean and jerk en route to two class 3A titles in Olympic scoring and Traditional scoring at the FHSAA state championships in Lakeland on Thursday. Shevchook was the 154 lb Traditional state champ last year.

Oakleaf's Noah Shevchook repeats as state weightlifting champion

Oakleaf High senior 169-pound weightlifter Noah Shevchook won two individual boys weightlifting class 3A state titles Thursday, repeating in Traditional and Olympics categories in Lakeland. In … more

By Randy Lefko | 5/8/26

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