Clay Today 5/18/23

Posted Thursday, May 18, 2023 12:00 pm

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In this issue

St. Johns RIVERKEEPER studies loss of grasses at Doctors Lake

Thursday, May 18, 2023

CLAY COUNTY – St. Johns RIVERKEEPER launched a multi-day expedition to investigate the lost grasses of the St. Johns River, raise awareness about the fragile state of the river and demonstrate the …
River City Hunter/Jumper show, clinic rides into Fairgrounds

Thursday, May 18, 2023

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The season-opening Hunter/Jumpers show and clinic will be at the Clay County Fairgrounds from May 19-21. According to the organization, its mission is to provide the …
Murphy earns Art Guild of Orange Park scholarship

Thursday, May 18, 2023

ORANGE PARK – The Art Guild of Orange Park awarded Orange Park High’s Shannah Murphy the $1,000 Courtenay Hunt Scholarship. Shannah’s art teacher, Carrie Keene, also received a $100 check to …
The Cross Man

Thursday, May 18, 2023

MIDDLEBURG – Roger Murphy is a longtime resident, a local legend, an American hero – and much more. Murphy’s life was simple, growing up in rural Georgia. Murphy took the school bus, …
Hampton’s double fuels fifth barrage

Thursday, May 18, 2023

GREEN COVE SPRINGS - Clay High baseball needed a spark to overcome a 3-0 deficit in the fifth inning in a rematch against district champion Ridgeview High, who beat Clay 8-1 a week ago for the …
Here we go!

Thursday, May 18, 2023

ORANGE PARK - Ridgeview High freshman softball pitcher Saige Bialek tossed an eight-hit shutout as streaking Ridgeview downed visiting Ponte Vedra 5-0 in a Region 1-5A quarterfinal on May 11. The …
Mamea’s rocket seals Spartan Final Four ticket

Thursday, May 18, 2023

ORANGE PARK - St. Johns Country Day School baseball avenged last year’s 4-1 region final loss to North Florida Christian behind a sixth inning three run home run by senior Isaiah Mamea with St. …
Boylston dinger wrecks Crusaders

Thursday, May 18, 2023

ORANGE PARK- A Kyle Boylston three-run homer fueled the St. Johns Country Day School baseball team (24-4) to see another day in a highly competitive 2A tournament bracket on Friday night, this time …
Fleming flags fall in final

Thursday, May 18, 2023

MANDARIN - Fleming Island High’s flag football team held off the defending 2A champion Western High to avenge their 2022 Final Four loss, but did not fare as well against Alonso High of Tampa, now …
Indians throw passes; Daniels rumbles on ground

Thursday, May 18, 2023

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS - With new head coach Steve Reynolds flexing a bit of air muscle via offensive coach Ken Mudge, the Orange Park High gunslinger from the Danny Green era, Keystone Heights High …
Coach Kennard likes the Blue Devil look

Thursday, May 18, 2023

GREEN COVE SPRINGS - Without returning starter quarterback Merrick Rapoza behind center Cody Mobley due to baseball regionals, Clay High football coach Kyle Kennard got a good look at his young …
Police Briefs 5/18/23

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Orange Park man arrested for punching detective at CCSO substation ORANGE PARK – Clay County detectives apprehended 26-year-old Darius Dacosta Padmore, of Orange Park, on battery charges on a …
Thrasher-Horne Happenings 5/18/23

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Disney Junior’s Costume Palooza! to appear on Oct. 1 The three-time Pollstar-nominated Disney Junior tour is back with Disney Junior Live On Tour: Costume Palooza! The show brings beloved …
College Briefs 5/18/23

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Two Clay students join Omicron Delta Kappa LEXINGTON, Va. – Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, welcomed 1,869 new initiates, including Orange Park’s Riley Hulett …
Fleming Island’s Steward-Sciuto wins Ms. Florida Senior America

Thursday, May 18, 2023

THE VILLAGES – Sharon Steward-Sciuto of Fleming Island was selected Ms. Florida Senior America 2023 at the Colony Recreation Center. She competed in Interview, Talent, Evening Gown and …
Entrepreneur magazine selects Grumpy’s as one of its Top New, Emerging Franchises

Thursday, May 18, 2023

CLAY COUNTY – Grumpy’s Restaurant, an award-winning full-service Americana breakfast, lunch and brunch diner, was recognized as one of the Top New and Emerging Franchises for 2023 in the …
Common sense, safe trade zones make online purchases more secure

Thursday, May 18, 2023

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Clay County Sheriff’s Office now offers three “safe trade zones” for anyone planning to meet a stranger to conduct an online transaction. Buyers and sellers should …
Residents encouraged to guide county through the next 20 years

Thursday, May 18, 2023

FLEMING ISLAND – Residents had the opportunity Monday night to help county officials create a 20-year long-range strategic plan. Although the Board of County Commissioners generally look 10 …
Trump: Florida’s new abortion laws are ‘too harsh’

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Former President Donald Trump is deriding Florida’s new abortion restrictions. In an interview with The Messenger, Trump said that even “pro-lifers” think the new six-week abortion ban is …
The Ability Experience for Gear Up Florida to make stop at Camp Chowenwaw

Thursday, May 18, 2023

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Challenge Enterprises of North Florida partnered with The Ability Experience for Gear Up Florida on May 13 to further promote acceptance and understanding for people with …
Keystone Heights schools honor volunteers during luncheon

Thursday, May 18, 2023

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – A Volunteer Appreciation Lunch was held at the Keystone Heights Jr/Sr High on Thursday, May 11, for all the volunteers. The group consisted of about 45 residents who’ve …
Heritage Commission hosts Mother’s Day tour

Thursday, May 18, 2023

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – The Keystone Heights Heritage Commission recently hosted its second-annual Mother’s Day Tour of Historic Homes with the goal to share and educate the community about the …
AMVETS hand out 13 scholarships to graduating Keystone seniors

Thursday, May 18, 2023

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Since 2008, AMVETS Post 86 and its support organizations, the AMVETS Riders, the Sons of AMVETS,and Ladies Auxiliary, have provided graduating high school seniors scholarships …
Former Orange Park Public Works Director Chuck Pavlos dies

Thursday, May 18, 2023

ORANGE PARK – A former legend of the Town of Orange Park has died. It is with sadness Clay Today learned of Chuck Pavlos’ death on Thursday, April 27, after a hard-fought battle with …
Community Briefs 5/18/23

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Future MLB stars to compete in Pitch, Hit and Run Middleburg – Aspiring Major League Baseball stars will be at Paul Armstrong Park on County Road 220 Saturday for Pitch, Hit and Run. Clay …
Green Cove Springs Dollar General pivots to offering fresh fruits, vegetables

Thursday, May 18, 2023

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – News flash: a healthy, sustainable, delicious food source option is now available at the Dollar General store. But get there quickly, because they are bought as soon as they …
12 Point Dinner shines spotlight on Scout fundraising

Thursday, May 18, 2023

ORANGE PARK – The North Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America hosted sponsors and the community at the 12-Point Scout Dinner on Thursday, where the Scouts honored Travis Cummings and raised …
This Week In History 5/18/23

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Five years ago, 2018 • Connie Butler is selected by fellow Green Cove Springs City Council as its next mayor. • Clay Humane donate pet masks to fire department to help animals recover from …
Faith Walk: Make Time for God

Thursday, May 18, 2023

You have heard it said that Christianity is “not about religion, but about relationship.” What’s the relationship in question? Our relationship with God of course! To thrive in our faith, we …
Sweet Success

Thursday, May 18, 2023

ORANGE PARK – Nearly 300 runners had three good reasons to cross the finish line at the Donut Get Caught 5K last Saturday at the Orange Park Mall – the opportunity to benefit the Clay County …
Clowns at Paranormal Cirque really are scary … on purpose

Thursday, May 18, 2023

ORANGE PARK – Welcome to the darkest corner of your mind as Paranormal Cirque III comes to town. This one-of-a-kind production features incredibly talented artists with the sole purpose of …
Baptist Health appoints Goodman to vice president, system quality officer

Thursday, May 18, 2023

FLEMING ISLAND – Dr. Jeremy Goodman, MD, MBA, FACHE, CPE, FACS, is joined Baptist Health in the newly created role of vice president and system quality officer. In his new role, Dr. Goodman will …
Obituaries 5/18/23

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Bruner “Gerald” Barksdale Mr. Bruner “Gerald” Barksdale age 87 a longtime resident of Green Cove Springs, passed away at his home Thursday, May 11, 2023, with his family by his side. He …
Arrests & Bookings 5/18/23

Thursday, May 18, 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 …
Anderson re-elected to serve as Orange Park’s mayor

Thursday, May 18, 2023

ORANGE PARK – The town council reorganized Tuesday night by swearing in Doug Benefield and Susan Winnette Sandlin for the next three years, while councilman Randy Anderson will continue as mayor …
Green Cove Springs to start work on West Street Project

Thursday, May 18, 2023

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Construction for the West Street Project is set to begin within the next 30 days following approval from the city council on Tuesday. A vital piece of a project that has been …
Post office helps Clothes Closet and Food Pantry stamp out hunger

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Orange Park’s Clothes Closet and Food Pantry were closed last Monday. And that was a good thing. The nonprofit that’s committed to feeding needy families was busy sorting through nearly 9,500 …
Van at Clothes Closet and Food Pantry running on a prayer

Thursday, May 18, 2023

ORANGE PARK – Anita Aultman cringes every time the 12-year-old refrigerated van makes a run to pick up frozen food for the Clothes Closet and Food Pantry of Orange Park. It’s in bad shape, held …
Runaway car turns True Life Church into drive-thru

Thursday, May 18, 2023

FLEMING ISLAND – The last thing Pastor Billy Register expected to find in a classroom at True Life Church was a minivan. According to two arrest reports, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said …
Civics 101: We need a refresher course on how government works

Monday, May 15, 2023

The television ads and personal attacks for the 2024 Presidential election have already started, and we’re still 18 months away from the election. Sadly, it’s only going to get worse. Every …

Clay Today 5/18/23

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