True Life hosts ‘Church at the Park’ in GCS

True Life Church hosted its 2nd annual Church at the Park event March 2 at Spring Park in Green Cove Springs, inviting the Clay County community to join in a day of worship, fellowship and community building.

The event drew more than 600 attendees from various backgrounds to celebrate faith, friendship, and family. The day kicked off with uplifting worship sessions, followed by opportunities for fellowship, where new friendships were forged.

“We are overjoyed by the turnout and the spirit of togetherness we saw throughout the day,” said Billy Register, lead pastor of True Life Church. “Our hope for this event is to create an open, welcoming environment where people can experience the love of Christ and build lasting connections within the community.”

As the occasion came to a close, True Life Church provided free barbecue meals to attendees.

IKO South job fair March 18

Ready to take your career to new heights? Join IKO's Clay Hill plant at 2042 Park Ave., suite 111 in Orange Park on Tuesday, March 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The company is looking to fill key positions in various departments, including shipping, production and maintenance.

As the event approaches, even more opportunities may become available.  Manufacturing experience preferred.

Clerk of Court and Comptroller’s office

selected Top Workplace again

Clay County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Tara S. Green announced her office was awarded a Top Workplaces of 2025 award, an annual recognition considered the gold standard of employer recognition in the region.

Top Workplace awards recognize local employers who go “above and beyond to create an outstanding” workplace culture. This marks the second year in a row Green’s office has been recognized regionally.

The office is celebrating a “Top 10” ranking among 34 similarly sized organizations that bid for the award. The office was also recognized for offering excellent benefits to employees. Through Energage, a national company that translates employee feedback into intelligence and is later published through the Florida Times Union, nominations are received, then Energage staff conduct confidential surveys of employees to determine award winners. The survey is based on anonymously submitted employee feedback focused on employee engagement.

Salute to Service set for March 15

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — Men and women serving or who have served the nation will be recognized on Saturday, March 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Clay County Fairgrounds during Salute to Service: Honoring Those Who Served and Are Serving.

Formerly known as Military Appreciation Day, visitors will enjoy interactive displays, the ceremony will honor the special group of veterans with presentations focused on topics that impact their lives.

The county-run event will include recognition of 17 Veteran of the Year nominees and the recipient of the final award, as well as food trucks, military displays, Camp Blanding displays, a children’s play zone, face-painting and bubble zone and a car show from Clay County Cruzers.

Clay County Veterans Services will provide information, while other departments will be available with activities. The keynote speaker will be retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Jack Scorby.

Veterans can get information about the law that expands VA healthcare and benefits about burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances, dependency and indemnity compensation plus service-connected cards.

Bridal Spectacular Expo tickets $5

Thrasher-Horne Center’s Clay Bridal Spectacular Expo, slated from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 16. Tickets are only $5; use the code “Wedding” at checkout to buy one, get one free.

The event includes grand prizes, vendors and entertainment.

Mayport Naval Station honors OPHS alumnus

John Louis Meeks Jr., a 1992 graduate of Orange Park High School, received a Teacher Salute Certificate of Appreciation from Naval Station Mayport commanding officer Capt. Brian A. Binder.

Duval County School Board member April Carney and Binder thanked Meeks for his work as an Air Force veteran and American Legion member serving his community at Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School for 22 years. Meeks serves as the lead teacher of the school's Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program.

One of Meeks’ projects involves a focus group of his world history students who happen to be military dependents; he works to create resources that are differentiated to their unique needs.

"These boys and girls often go months at a time with a parent living abroad on deployment, or they may be having a tough time adjusting to a new duty station," he said.

OP resident selected to Twin Cities Dean's List

Brijana Burnett, of Orange Park, was selected to the 2024 fall semester Dean’s List at University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Burnett is a junior in the College of Liberal Arts. 

To qualify for the honor, a student must complete 12 or more letter-graded credits while attaining a 3.66 grade-point average.

Pet care in focus April 1

Focused Pet Care located at 920 Kingsley Avenue in Orange Park, Florida opened its doors on April 1.  Focused Pet Care is a veterinary clinic that offers walk-in urgent care services, welcoming pet owners seven days a week 24 hours a day. The clinic not only addresses immediate medical concerns but also offers advanced consult-based surgical procedures during normal business hours during the week.

The clinic is staffed with eight full-time veterinarians and 30 highly trained support staff members. The clinic's approach emphasizes a spectrum of care, where gold standard medicine is always available. Understanding that financial constraints can be a concern for many pet owners, the team is dedicated to working collaboratively with clients to explore alternative treatment plans that align with their budgets.

For more information on services, or to schedule a visit, contact Focused Pet Care at 904-298-9606.

Kiwanis Club sparks spirit with relaunch

 After a period of dormancy, the Kiwanis Club of Clay County is making a comeback, ready to serve the community with renewed passion and commitment. The club, known for its dedication to children’s programs and community service, relaunched in January and is welcoming new members to help make a difference in the lives of local families in Clay County.

Kiwanis International has long been a pillar of community service worldwide, and its local chapters play an essential role in improving the quality of life in their respective areas.

“We are thrilled to be restarting the Kiwanis Club here in Clay County,” said Andrea Crowder, interim president and a charter member. “This club has always been about giving back, and we’re eager to reconnect with our community, support local children and strengthen partnerships with schools and organizations.”

GODSPELL show slated for late March

St. Giles Presbyterian Church will present the play GODSPELL on March 28-30 and April 4-6 at Blanding Boulevard and Foxridge Road in Orange Park.

Tickets for the production cost $10 apiece. For more info, visit stgilesfl.org/godspell/.

Young Republicans’ Ludwig voices re-election crusade

Florida Young Republicans Chairman Brandon Ludwig announced his re-election campaign during a Capital Young Republicans event. Ludwig, a fifth-generation Northeast Florida native from Keystone Heights, was first elected in 2023 to lead the organization and became the youngest state chairman in the country at the time.

Following the announcement, Ludwig received endorsements from conservative leaders across Florida, including the Capital Young Republicans, Central Florida Young Republicans, and Sarasota-Bradenton Young Republicans chapters. Additionally, his re-election bid has earned the backing of Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook, commissioners Betsy Condon and John Sgromolo, Florida GOP Vice Chair Jovante Teague, and Orange GOP Chairwoman Erin Huntley, further solidifying his widespread support. These endorsements highlight Ludwig’s proven leadership and commitment to the success of the Florida Republican Party at both the state and local levels.

If re-elected, Ludwig will have established tenure as one of the longest-serving chairs in the organization’s 66-year history. Ludwig has served as Press Secretary for U.S. Representative Kat Cammack (FL-03), a spokesman at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and currently works in business development for Jacksonville-based defense contractor LSI, Inc. He previously served as the Florida Young Republicans’ Executive Director under prior Chairman and now-Melbourne Vice Mayor David Neuman.