Celebrate America 250 with county on Oct. 14 at Historic Triangle

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The community is invited to the Clay County America 250 Celebration on Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Historic Triangle, 21 Gratio Place.

The county is celebrating America's 250th anniversary during a free, daylong community celebration, featuring live patriotic music, food trucks, vendors, historical tributes, a ceremony, and a commemorative proclamation signing by state, local and federal officials. Admission is free.

The commemorative ceremony is scheduled for 2:50 p.m.

The Historic Triangle includes the old Clay County Jail, Courthouse and Train Station.
The event is scheduled on that day because on Oct. 14, 1774, the First Continental Congress adopted the Declaration and Resolves, asserting the rights of the American colonies and declaring that colonists were entitled to “life, liberty and property.”

The principles expressed in this historic document foreshadowed those later articulated in the Declaration of Independence and marked an important step in the movement toward American independence.

Registration underway for players, sponsors for Quigley House Golf Tournament

OAKLEAF – The Quigley House Golf Tournament will be at the Eagle Landing Golf Club on Nov. 13, and the tourney’s past success will lead to another full field. Quigley House is encouraging sponsors and players to register in advance.

Players can sign up at quigleyhouse.org/golf-tournament-2026. Sponsors can email the development team at development@quigleyhouse.org.

Sponsorships range from $250 to $3,500. To sponsor a hole for $250, a company or organization will get hole signage. An Advocate sponsor costs $800, and it includes admission for a foursome. Educate sponsorship ($1,000) includes a foursome, event and hole signage; Equip sponsorship ($2,500) includes a foursome, event and hole signage, logo placement on Quigley House’s website and event social media recognition; and Empower sponsorship ($3,500) includes two foursomes, prominent local recognition, event and hole signage and logo placement on Quigley House’s website and event social media recognition.

Quigley House is a nonprofit that’s committed to breaking the cycle of domestic violence and empowering survivors to live a life free of violence by providing free and confidential services.

Appeals accepted by County for new flood zone designations

CLAY COUNTY – The 90-day appeal period for the FEMA flood zone changes are underway until Wednesday, Nov. 18.

FEMA is updating Clay County’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps, which determines flood risk and may affect whether some residents are required to carry flood insurance. The appeal period allows residents to request changes or inform FEMA of issues.

Some residents could be required to carry flood insurance as a result, and for others, this could no longer be a requirement. To see which flood zone your property is listed, visit public.claycountygov.com/floodzone/.

To appeal, property owners must have technical data to support proposed appeals. This includes scientific or study data. FEMA will also consider comments and inquiries regarding data such as incorrect street names, typographical errors, and omissions. You may submit appeals by emailing floodteam@claycountygov.com. Appeals without data will be denied.

The updated maps use improved science and data, offering more accurate information than the 2014 maps. While most properties will see no change, some will be added to or removed from Special Flood Hazard Areas.

Clay County urges residents and business owners to review the maps and learn how changes may affect their insurance, property protection activities, and emergency planning.

Here are Flood Zone categories:

• High-risk areas (Special Flood Hazard Areas, or SFHAs) are designated as Zones A, AE and AE Floodway, and are required to have flood insurance if a federally backed mortgage is involved.

• Flood Zone X -The area of minimal flood hazard and is generally not required to have flood insurance. No flood permits are required for development.

• Shaded Flood Zone X Shaded – (500-year floodplain) An area of moderate flood hazards which has a 0.2% chance of annual flooding and is generally not required to have flood insurance. No flood permits are required for development.

• Flood Zones A & AE – (100-year floodplain) These areas have a 1% annual chance of flooding. Flood Zone A does not have a measured Base Flood Elevation. Flood Zone AE does. Flood insurance is required for mortgaged structures in these zones, as are flood permits for development and elevation certificates for new structures or substantial improvements.

• Floodway – This area is defined as the channel of a river, creek or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be preserved to safely discharge the base flood without causing increases in water elevation. Flood insurance is required for mortgaged structures in this zone, as are No-Rise Studies for any new development, flood permits and elevation certificates for new structures or substantial improvements.

Jaguars offering ‘Fan First Favorites’ concessions for $4.99

JACKSONVILLE – To kick off the 2026 season, the Jaguars are introducing a new value pricing menu at EverBank Stadium featuring the venue’s most popular concession items. The Fan First Favorites menu will include several food and beverage options for $4.99 in the general bowl and Gallagher Clubs East and West. Complimentary packaged snacks will also be available to Club ticket holders.

The items on the Fan First Favorites menu include hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels, nachos, candy, 16.9 oz. water and 12 oz. select domestic beer, located at the four ‘Stadium Classics’ concession stands on the Main Concourse level and the “Stadium Classics’ locations in upper East and West Clubs. The complimentary snack items available at the Club ‘Stadium Classics’ locations will vary from game to game.

“The Fan First Favorites menu offers an array of fan-favorite concession items at a great price,” said Jaguars President Mark Lamping. “From the beginning of the Stadium of the Future planning process, the Jaguars set out to create a better fan experience, including the variety and price of food and beverages. We're proud to begin delivering on that commitment this season.”

The Jaguars will continue to permit outside food to be brought to the stadium provided it is unwrapped and placed inside a one-gallon clear plastic bag, and two 16.9 oz. factory-sealed water bottles.

UF/IFAS Extension Clay County offering free online gardening classes

 GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The UF/IFAS Extension Clay County Master Gardener Training program will offer a series of online classes this summer, including Florida’s forgotten plants at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 28, pruning for health, beauty and bloom at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 26, rethinking turf in Florida landscapes at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 23 and designing with Florida natives at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 14.

The free online training is open only to Clay County residents and is taught by Master Gardener volunteers. If you have any questions, please email whhobbs@ufl.edu or call (904) 284-6355.

To watch replays of the events, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/clay/.