Corner Pocket’s Starnes running for GCS City Council

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Cheri Starnes, owner of The Corner Pocket, became the first candidate to file her pre-qualifying paperwork on Monday, June 30, to run for Seat 4 on the City Council.

Starnes is seeking to replace former Mayor Thomas Smith, who resigned unexpectedly on June 3, citing increasing workplace demands.

“I love the city, and I understand that there's a real fine line between our community as citizens and what the city needs,” Starnes said. “I'm hoping that my background will be able to help bring clarity to making both those things balance out. I enjoy giving back, and I think that I can make a difference.”

Candidates can go to clayelections.gov and click on the Candidates and Committees tab, then Running for Office to see details how to file for candidacy. The deadline for filing for the Sept. 23 special election is Aug. 25.

Five local teens joined Young Marines from units across the country, where they successfully graduated from NASA’s U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Aviation Challenge Mach II in Huntsville, Alabama.  

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Orange Park teens graduate from NASA’S Space Camp

ORANGE PARK – Frederick Tough, Ethan Long, Hayden Wood, Dayton Zeigler and Taylor Gheen were among 36 12- to 14-year-old Young Marines from units across the country who successfully graduated from NASA’s U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Aviation Challenge Mach II in Huntsville, Alabama.

All participants completed a fast-paced, military-inspired program where young leaders are evaluated in their knowledge of aerodynamics and teamwork.

The teens are members of the Black Creek Young Marines from Orange Park.

The Young Marines is a national nonprofit youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through high school graduation. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, so they can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Former NASA Astronaut, Ret. U.S. Marines Col. Kenneth D. Cameron interacted with the campers in hands-on activities. Selected by NASA in May 1984, Cameron became an astronaut in June 1985. A veteran of three space flights, Cameron has logged more than 561 hours in space.

“Completion of this difficult course is a major accomplishment and a life-changing experience for these Young Marines,” said Col. William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. “Our Young Marines enthusiastically answered the challenge that the NASA camp put before them. With purpose, creativity and strategic thinking, our Young Marines completed every task assigned to them.”

During the six days, graduates’ main accomplishments included:

• Learning about aeronautics, propulsion, and aviation history.

• Flew in a UAV drone simulator to reinforce lessons learned at static displays and artifacts.

• Mastered aerial combat and competing to be the best of the best in “Top Gun.”

• Embarked on a search and rescue mission to bring a downed pilot back from behind enemy lines while communicating as a team and evading hostile forces.

Camp Blanding being considered to process migrants

CAMP BLANDING – As work continues the immigration detention center at an airstrip in the Everglades, Gov. Ron DeSantis is considering using Camp Blanding as another processing center for undocumented people caught in the country.

According to the governor’s office, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has drafted and submitted to U.S. DHS a plan (the State immigration Enforcement Operations Plan) for Florida to further assist in the detention, processing and deportation of illegal immigrants.

FDEM will utilize Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, dubbed as “Alligator Alcatraz,” for the detention of illegal aliens who are subject to ICE detainers or have final orders to be deported from the country. This is an existing airstrip that is already built and paved. U.S. DHS has approved this plan and indicated Florida is eligible for funding via reimbursement.

“Space at Camp Blanding is also being considered for these purposes.”

The 73,000-acre post was a major U.S. Army training facility during the Second World War. It was originally established as a state-owned training reservation in 1939 for the Florida National Guard. However, as World War II approached, the mobilization of reserve forces and the rapid expansion of the entire U.S. Army required Camp Blanding to be converted to a federal reservation. It was subsequently enlarged to house two complete infantry divisions along with many separate units.

Three more Clay Winn-Dixies to be turned into Aldi stores

 CLAY COUNTY – Employees at three Clay County Winn-Dixie stores have heard their stores will be converted to an Aldi.

Stores located in Melrose, Middleburg and Green Cove Springs eventually will be closed and construction will begin on revamping the space into an Aldi. Construction generally takes about six months.

The Fleming Island Winn-Dixie was converted and re-opened on Thursday, June 26,

Both Winn-Dixie stores in Orange Park – on Park Avenue and Blanding Boulevard – and Lake Asbury will remain Winn-Dixies.

Although it’s in Clay County, the Winn-Dixie in Argyle Forest is part of the Jacksonville Region.

Cheer for Jags, support Quigley House – at same time

Quigley House is excited to partner with the Jacksonville Jaguars, The Jaguars Foundation, and the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida through the Jaguars Give & Go Program and the organization that supports survivors of domestic violence needs your help.

When you purchase Jaguars home game tickets through this special program, Quigley House can earn as much as $30 a ticket sold. It's a fun and easy way to support survivors while enjoying an NFL game at a discounted nonprofit rate.

When you purchase your tickets, be sure to select Quigley House as your designated nonprofit. Every ticket helps Quigley House continue its mission to provide safety and support for those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.

For any questions, contact development@quigleyhouse.org.

To purchase Jaguars tickets, visit giveandgo.nonprofitctr.org/events.

Portions of Black Creek Bike Trail closed for construction

CLAY COUNTY – Crews are repairing the Black Creek Bike Trail, and portions are closed for construction.

Phase 1: Two boardwalk sections near County Road 220 are closed, and the work is expected to last a month.

Phase 2: This will start after Phase 1 is finished, and it will impact the boardwalk along U.S. Highway 17 between Harbor Island Drive and Pace Island Trace. The work is expected to last around three months.

The rest of the Black Creek Bike Trail is still open.

Vehicles, vendors needed for Touch a Truck event in September

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Touch a Truck: What Moves Clay County, the annual event that attracts thousands to the Clay County Fairgrounds, is registering vehicles, static displays, community partners and service providers for its Sept. 6 event.

Touch a Truck includes construction, first responder, military, agricultural and utility vehicles that will be displayed and available to be inspected and touched.

What Moves Clay brings together the people and machinery that power the community from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. We’ll host a sensory-friendly quiet hour from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and the day will feature dozens of vehicle displays, vendor booths (indoors and outdoors), food trucks, giveaways, and a kid zone.

Whether a group is showcasing a vehicle, hosting a booth, or sharing resources. Touch a Truck is a great opportunity to connect with Clay County families and highlight the work of the organization.

To register, forms.Monday.com/forms/58b9d81bd5150bb66fc9dead7f3348d4?r=use1.

Vendors need to complete a liability form and vehicle displays must provide certificates of insurance by Aug. 5.

Rotary clubs to honor heroes with flags, coins at Town Hall

CLAY COUNTY – The Rotary Clubs of Orange Park Noon u Sunrise, Green Cove Springs and Fleming Island are accepting donations to honor heroes with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Rescue, Orange Park and Green Cove Springs Police Departments, Florida Army National Guard, Wounded Warrior Project and others by selling flags, coins and mentions at a special ceremony on Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. at Orange Park Town Hall.

To honor a veteran, current member of the military or a first responder, visit oprotarysunrise.com and click on flags-for-heroes. With all donations, your hero’s name(s) will be mentioned at the event. The costs are:

• Hero, $50 – one seven-foot flag displayed between Sept. 8-19 at Town Square with the hero’s name displayed on it and a custom designed coin for the hero.

• Friend, $100 – As many as two flags and two coins.

• Bronze, $250 – As many as four flags and four coins.

• Silver, $500 – As many as six flags, six coins and business logo.

• Gold, $1,000 – As many as eight flags, eight coins and business logo.

• Platinum, $2,000 – As many as 10 flags, 10 coins, business logo and opportunity to display a table at the ceremony.