Stories | Clay Today

CCSO Sgt. Zach Cox talked with Texas Roadhouse customers last year during the annual Tip-A-Cop event.

Tip-A-Cop, Torch Run hitting stride for Special Olympics teams

CLAY COUNTY – Clay County law enforcement will run, wipe tables and offer refills during the next two weeks to support the county’s Special Olympics Teams. The annual Tip a Cop will return to the … more

Don Coble | 4/23/24

Cuban refugee, U.S. Navy petty officer reunite 30 years after Guantanamo Bay

Celia E. Ochoa Celia E. Ochoa lives in Middleburg now, but it was nearly 30 years ago when she, her family and six other passengers were ankle-deep in the surf along Cuba’s northern coast, boarding … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/22/24

The 10 passengers who traveled on the boat made by Celia's father have since lost touch after arriving in Guantanamo. Celia is standing in the front with the American flag shirt. Evelyn and both her parents stand just behind her. The man in the white baseball camp regretfully dropped the compass. All 10 passengers eventually found entry into the U.S.

Cuban refugee, U.S. Navy officer reunite 30 years after Guantanamo Bay

This is the first part in a four-part series telling the story of two women who were at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the 1994 Cuban Rafter Crisis. Celia E. Ochoa was a Cuban refugee. Tanya Lea was a … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/22/24

Jacksonville Icemen series tied against former Kelly Cup champion

JACKSONVILLE—The Icemen’s chance to put the Florida Everblades on the brink of elimination in the first round of the EHCL playoffs melted Sunday afternoon when the two-time defending Kelly Cup … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/22/24

Dresses ranging from sizes 2-20 will be given away on Thursday at the Keystone Heights Women's Club from 4-7:30 p.m. at 6747 Women's Club Dr.

Say Yes to a Prom Dress

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – The Women’s Club and Lake Region Kiwanis Club want girls to say “Yes to a Prom Dress!” at their dress giveaway on Thursday, April 25, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the … more

For Clay Today | 4/21/24

Challange Enterprises CEO Katie Vineyard holds the scissors for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Club Challenge ribbon cutting brings new kitchen, opportunities

ORANGE PARK—The community eagerly gathered around the entrance of Club Challenge at the back of Challenge Enterprises for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, April 16. Challenge … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/21/24

Upcoming events in Clay County

TOOL LENDING LIBRARY, offered by Mission of the Dirt Road, will be open for free tool loans on April 20 from 9 a.m. to noon at 7790 State Road 100 in Keystone Heights. For more information, call … more

Clay Today staff | 4/20/24

Avid reader Tanya Lea proudly displays her new additions to her bookshelf.

Local authors featured at Present Tense Coffee and Books

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Present Tense Coffee and Books is a cultural focal point. It's a welcoming home for bookworms and local authors. Last Saturday, the coffee house invited a dozen local … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/19/24

Kimberly A. Coggin

Kimberly A. “ Kim” Coggin, 61 of Green Cove Springs passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at her residence following an extended illness. Kim was born in Chicago, Illinois, and lived … more

4/19/24

Mickey Joan Allran Price

Mickey Joan Allran Price, 78, of Salisbury, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024. She was born January 4, 1946, in Rowan County, NC to the late Everette Hoyle Allran and Minnie Coley. She was a … more

4/19/24

CalaVida Music and Arts Festival will be coming to Green Cove Springs on April 22

CalaVida 10th anniversary festival coming April 22-27

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Cities worldwide celebrate their artists in their own way. Chicago has the Old Town Art Fair. Miami has the Coconut Grove Art Festival. Closer to home, Green Cove Springs has … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/18/24

From left, CCSO Chief Billy Arnold, brother of Terry Arnold, accepted the donation from the Signal 35 Fund's Sheriff Michelle Cook and Signal 35 Fund board member Judson Sapp.

Signal 35 charity fund helps GCSPD's Arnold

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook and Signal 35 Fund board member Judson Sapp presented a $1,000 check Tuesday to the family of Terry and Monica Arnold. Terry Arnold is the … more

For Clay Today | 4/18/24

Patients and staff packed Town Hall last Tuesday to speak out against the new ordinance or to find a compromise for the parking problems on Blake Avenue.

Precision Dermatology makes pitch for parking on Blake Avenue

ORANGE PARK – The town council appeared to strike a short-term compromise between Precision Dermatology and nearby residents during last Tuesday's meeting by continuing to permit … more

Jack Randall,
jack@claytodayonline.com | 4/18/24

Rookery one step closer to setting up a CDD

The Rookery passed the first hurdle of its plan to create a Community Development District when the City Council passed the first reading of its request to set up a taxing district to provide … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 4/18/24

There are several clean-up events planned for Earth Day on Saturday, April 20.

County has several ways to observe Earth Day on Saturday

CLAY COUNTY – The county will celebrate Earth Day with a variety of events on Saturday, April 20. The biggest will be at Camp Chowenwaw Park from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 1517 Ball Road in Green Cove … more

Clay Today staff | 4/18/24

Golden Years Gala celebrates 17th year

The 17 annual Windsor Ortega Golden Years Gala will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. The Gala recognizes older adults for outstanding volunteer service in Clay County. This is a … more

4/18/24

Theodore Deering Manning, Jr.

Theodore Deering Manning, Jr. was born to Theodore Deering Manning, Sr. and Sarah Manning on November 16, 1955, in Belhaven, NC. Ted received a Master’s Degree in Theology studying Old … more

4/18/24

Keystone Heights felon pleads guilty to possessing ammunition

JACKSONVILLE – U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced Allen Tereal Grimes, 33, of Keystone Heights, pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. Grimes faces up to … more

4/18/24

The Clay County Board of Commissions recognized 911 dispatchers during ahead of its last meeting ahead of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

Calling a need for peer support for 911 dispatchers, other first responders

CLAY COUNTY – Out of the thousands of calls Mary Jensen answered throughout her 20-year career as a 911 dispatcher in South Florida, the memory of a singular gunshot still rings out with haunting … more

For Clay Today | 4/18/24

Seatbelt stop turns into arrest for trafficking meth, fentanyl

MIDDLEBURG – A Jacksonville man was arrested for trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl after he was stopped by a Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputy on April 10 for not wearing a seatbelt … more

4/18/24

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