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Clay Today 5/4/23


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In this issue

  • Despite starting over several times, SJCA’s Hamad will graduate on time

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    FLEMING ISLAND – Sana Hamad’s life has been on do-over after another. Born in Iraq, she had to learn English when her family moved to Texas when she was 5. Then after moving to Florida two …

  • Orange Park’s Green gets support to pass English ACT on sixth try

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    ORANGE PARK – The English portion of the American College Test (ACT) was particularly difficult for Orange Park High’s Copeland Green. The other parts of the standardized test – math, …

  • Clay Virtual’s Bauer defies challenges to earn her degree early

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Jakayleia Bauer thought about giving many times in the last seven months. Nobody would blame her, either, since she was rearing twin daughters and trying to finish her senior …

  • Thousands drawn to Thrasher-Horne for annual school art show

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    ORANGE PARK – Creative student works of art were on display at the 34th Clay County District Schools Student Art Show last Friday and Saturday, with the talent and hard work of the elementary, …

  • Etheridge making one-night stop at Thrasher-Horne

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    Novelist Thomas Wolfe once famously quipped that you can never go home. Clearly, he never met Melissa Etheridge, whose latest album, “One Way Out,” consists of seven songs she penned in the late …

  • Clay County Fair Home and Art Photography Exhibit moves to courthouse

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    GREEN COVE SPRINGS – For the first time in this program’s two-year history, part of the annual exhibit rotation now includes artwork from winners of various categories from the Clay County …

  • Arrests & Bookings 5/4/23

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    (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 …

  • Sheriff Michelle Cook, Commissioner Kristen Burke file for re-election

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    GREEN COVE SPRINGS – With the stroke of a pen, Sheriff Michelle Cook added the role of a candidate to her duties Monday at the Supervisor of Elections Office. She became the seventh candidate to …

  • GCS starts discussion on adding EV charging stations to infrastructure plans

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The monthly update on the city’s electrical needs and costs morphed into a half-hour discussion about charging stations for electric vehicles. The city council already has …

  • Farm Bureau goes to Washington to talk about farmers, ranchers

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    MIDDLEBURG – Members of the Clay County Farm Bureau visited with Florida’s Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., recently to discuss various federal policies that affect farmers and …

  • Community Briefs 5/4/23

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    Donut Get Caught 5K at mall to benefit Police Athletic LeagueORANGE PARK – There’s always been a link between law enforcement and doughnuts, so the Police Athletic League of Clay County …

  • Law enforcement honors the memory of 12 fallen Clay officers

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    ORANGE PARK – Law enforcement agencies from Northeast Florida congregated at Moosehaven Tuesday morning for the Clay County Police Memorial Ceremony, and they all had a single purpose – to never …

  • Orange Park still talking trash about next garbage contract

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    ORANGE PARK – The trash talk continued on Tuesday among the town council, whose members are still seeking to draft a final garbage contract with Waste Management. At their last meeting on April …

  • UF/IFAS Extension offers three agriculture entrepreneurship classes

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    CLAY COUNTY – This summer and fall, UF/IFAS Extension will host the Ag Entrepreneurship Series, a program designed to help to aspire and beginning farmers sow the seeds of success. “Extension …

  • Community Calendar 5/4/23

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    SARA EVANS: will perform on May 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Thrasher-Horne Center, 283 College Dr. in Orange Park. Tickets, which start at $39, are available at thcenter.org. CLAY COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD: …

  • Timucuan Parks Foundation offers research grants to college students

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    JACKSONVILLE – Timucuan Parks Foundation and the National Park Service’s Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve will offer student research grants to college students. The $500 grants will …

  • Thrasher-Horne Happenings 5/4/23

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    Billy Ocean to make waves at Thrasher-Horne in October ORANGE PARK – Billy Ocean, the award-winning recording artist best known for a string of pop and soul anthems in the 1970s and 1980s, …

  • Obituaries 5/4/23

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    Opal M. LeFever Opal M. LeFever, 88, of Green Cove Springs, FL, passed away April 25, 2023Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements are under the care of …

  • Mt. Zion AME Church studies its past to prepare for its future

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Having just concluded its 150th anniversary, Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church feels the best way to look ahead is to delve into its past. What started as a way to …

  • Ryan Smenda to play for the Rams

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    FLEMING ISLAND - Fleming Island High football linebacker and state wrestling champion Ryan Smenda, a recent graduate of Wake Forest University and one of the school’s leading tackler, has signed on …

  • Early pick, PAT hold Eagles flag win

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    FLEMING ISLAND - An interception on the first pass of the game; by defensive back London Jenkins, got Fleming Island’s flag football team to the Sandalwood two yard line with a Gabi Musa score to …

  • Rouw’s thunderbomb wins Blue Devil finale

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    GREEN COVE SPRINGS - Clay High batter Joshua Rouw highlighted a thunder-filled night of cancelled baseball with his own eighth-inning thunder bomb; a walkoff two run blast that lifted the Blue Devils …

  • District Baseball Schedules

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    District 3-6A at Fletcher May 1-4 May 1: 1. Buchholz ( 17-6, 4th, 14.1 SOS) BYE; 4. Nease (12-12, 34th, 11.6 SOS) vs. 5. Fletcher (12-12, 56th, 5.8 SOS) (4 p.m.); 2. Fleming Island (15-7, 11th, …

  • Mt. Zion AME Church studies its past to prepare for its future

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Having just concluded its 150th anniversary, Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church feels the best way to look ahead is to delve into its past. What started as a way to …

  • District Softball Tournaments

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    Districts 2-5A at Middleburg (May 1-4) Name (record, 5A rank, strength of schedule) May 1: 1. RHS (14-6, 14th, 8.0 SOS) BYE; 5. Lincoln (9-13, 34th, 10.0 SOS) vs. 4. Orange Park (15-6, 28th, …

  • Prewitt exits with district semifinal

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    MANDARIN - Middleburg High volleyball coach Carrie Prewitt officially coached her final Bronco volleyball contest with a district semifinal finish in beach volleyball on Wed., April 26. The Lady …

  • Spring Football 2023

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

  • Clay Mavericks back in the saddle again

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    ORANGE PARK - Back in 1964, Donald Worthington wanted to make something that families could bring their families to every weekend no matter what. “My dad was an adopted child and his dad was …

  • Oakleaf’s Brown, Mitchell finish with top rankings

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    OAKLEAF - Oakleaf High senior track sprinter Evan Brown and senior shotputter Jordan Mitchell both finished with region top three rankings after a week of district track around Florida. Area …

  • Eagles distance crew, Raider jumpers capture region ranks

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    ST. AUGUSTINE - Led by junior distance ace Graham Myers, the top region seed in the 3200 meters, the Fleming Island High boys track and field team will be a formidable squad at the region 1-3A track …

  • Even an old guy like me believes this year’s graduating seniors are impressive

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    When I graduated from high school, nobody had tattoos or earrings on their noses. Boys had to wear their pants above their hips – with a belt – and girls couldn’t wear blue jeans with so many …

  • Keystone’s Twin Lakes Park commemorates completion of 6 new pickleball courts

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – In 2020, the Keystone Heights Pickleball Club asked County Commissioner Betsy Condon for pickleball courts at Twin Lakes Park. Three years later, their request became a …

  • This Week In History 5/4/23

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    Five years ago, 2018 • The Green Cove Springs City Council and Orange Park Town Council discuss using their police department to serve as school resource officers. • Blue By U blueberry farm opens in Maxville. • The Fourth Annual Leaders Build leads to a home for Habitat for Humanity being completed in Middleburg.

  • Stormy weather doesn’t dampen mood at CalaVida Arts Festival

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Although the threat of severe weather washed out most of the shows and exhibits during the final day of the CalaVida Arts Festival, thousands still enjoyed the week-long …

  • Clay Hill residents encouraged to sign up for internet on May 6

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    CLAY HILL – Clay County is partnering with Comcast to host an Xfinity Internet Community Sign-Up Event on Saturday, May 6, inside the cafeteria at Clay Hill Elementary at 6345 County Road 218 from …

  • Vault Project moves from Clay County Fair to Clerk’s Office

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Those who enjoyed viewing the “vault project” at last month’s Clay County Agriculture Fair will be pleased to know the exhibit that focused on the names of roads, …

  • Comedians hit the funny bone with stand-up performances on Fleming Island

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    FLEMING ISLAND – Celebrity comedian, actor and writer Danny Johnson has entertained thousands of guests at clubs, corporate events and churches for nearly 20 years. His repertoire of hilarious …

  • Faith Walk: Dream Big, Pray Bigger

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    C.S. Lewis once said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” God created our minds with the capacity to dream and our hearts with the ability to hope. We can …

  • Sgts. Cox, Graham graduate from FDLE Leadership Academy

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    CLAY COUNTY – A pair of Clay County law enforcement sergeants completed the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Leadership Academy. Clay County Sheriff’s Office’s Zach Cox and Green …

  • Cloud Busters hosts night-flying event at Keystone Heights Airport

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – The Keystone Heights Cloud Busters RC Club recently held a night fly event at the Keystone Heights Airport. Every few months, the group hosts this event for the community to …

  • FirePower Coffee still brewing business in Keystone Heights

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – FirePower Coffee Roasters is a family-owned business specializing in roasting coffee beans. As coffee lovers, William and Carol Beck III envisioned owning their coffee roastery …

  • Keystone Power Equipment offers sales, repair services

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Keystone Power Equipment Sales and Service recently opened its doors at 7907 State Road 100. Clinton Gillen, owner of Carquest Keystone Auto Parts, and his business partner …

  • 4 misconceptions homeowners have about floods

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    Many people look forward to spring when the weather warms up, and flowers start to bloom, but it also marks the start of the peak time of year for flash flooding in the United States. According to …

  • Awards add up for R.M. Paterson during Elementary Math Field Day

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    OAKLEAF – Clay County District School’s Elementary Math Field Day, a high-stakes academic series featuring four teams and one individual event, activates the minds and instills pride …

  • Police Briefs 5/4/23

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    Man wanted for kidnapping daughter arrested in JacksonvilleJACKSONVILLE – A man who triggered an Amber Alert after his eight-month-old daughter was taken on Feb. 16, was arrested by the …

  • School News May 2023

    Thursday, May 4, 2023