State now accepting bear harvest permit applications

CLAY COUNTY – Bear harvest permit applications for the 2025 regulated bear hunting season will open at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12, and can be submitted through Sept. 22 until midnight.

A bear harvest permit is required to harvest a bear in one of the four selected Bear Harvest Zones from Dec. 6-28. A hunting license is also required to hunt bears, unless exempt.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old by Oct. 1 to apply and may apply as many times as they want for $5 an application, plus handling fees. Permits will be distributed by random drawing. Only one non-transferable permit may be issued to a person, and permits will cost $100 for residents and $300 for nonresidents, plus handling fees. No more than 10% of all permits issued will be to nonresidents.

Hunters will be able to submit online applications at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com by logging into their account and choosing “Apply for Limited Entry/Quota Permits” or by completing an application worksheet and presenting it to a license agent or Florida tax collector's office. Hunters can find more information on how to apply by going to MyFWC.com/License and clicking on “Limited Entry and Quota Permits.” Visit MyFWC.com/BearHunting for more information on bear hunting in Florida.

HCA Orange Park Hospital hosting NICU reunion on Saturday

ORANGE PARK – The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital will host its annual reunion of survivors on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

September is NICU Awareness Month. The Orange Park Hospital provides highly specialized, around-the-clock health services for babies born as early as 32 weeks or 1,250 grams, as well as babies born with critical illness at all gestational ages.

Each year in the United States, one in 10 babies is born preterm and many end up in the NICU. Various reasons, including prematurity, respiratory distress, infection, low blood sugar and other conditions in both the mother and newborn, can cause a stay in the NICU.

Saturday’s event will allow some of the babies who grew up after receiving care in the NICU to meet each other and exchange their journeys.

Advent Lutheran Church to offer free spaghetti dinner on Sept. 19

ORANGE PARK – To bring neighbors together in the spirit of fellowship and goodwill, Advent Lutheran Church has announced an open invitation to all residents for a complimentary spaghetti dinner on Friday, Sept. 19. No RSVP is required, simply show up at the church, located at 2156 Loch Rane Blvd., between 5 and 7 p.m. Ample parking is available on site. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available. Attendees can also look forward to live music by David Kurzweg, as well as a children's corner featuring crafts and games. 

Silver Treasures hosting Fall Festival on Sept. 20

MIDDLEBURG – Silver Treasures Fleming Island will host its first Fall Festival on Saturday, September 20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Guests will be able to enjoy music, vendors, face painting, a bounce house and food trucks, and there will also be a raffle for special gift baskets. Raffle tickets are $1 each.

The event is in collaboration with the Salvation Army, Haven Hospice and K&N Property Management.

All funds collected will be used for resident activities. Guests will be able to park at two parking locations – The Salvation Army Clay County, 2795 County Road 220, Middleburg and at Silver Treasures, 2775 CR 220.

VyStar earns National Ragan Award for youth financial education

CLAY COUNTY – VyStar Credit Union has received the 2025 Ragan Corporate Social Responsibility Award in the Education or Scholarship Program category, recognizing its innovative and impactful efforts to empower youth through financial education and scholarships.

Presented by Ragan Communications, a leading voice in organizational communications, these awards celebrate excellence in public relations, marketing and corporate social responsibility. VyStar was recognized among the top organizations nationwide that set the standard for purpose-driven impact and authentic communication.

"At VyStar, education is the cornerstone of opportunity,” said Lysa Barbano, VyStar Senior Vice President, Market President. “This national recognition recognizes the incredible work our teams do every day to uplift students and strengthen communities. We’re proud to invest in the future of Florida’s youth and honored to be part of their journey toward financial empowerment and success."

VyStar was selected from a competitive field of eight finalists, for its holistic approach to youth financial education, combining classroom learning, real-world experience and long-term support through scholarships and community reinvestment.

For more than 73 years, VyStar has expanded equitable access to financial resources. The VyStar Academy of Business High School Branch Program reimagines financial education by embedding student-run branches directly within high schools. Operating across eight Florida school districts, these 19 branches, including three in Clay County, serve as immersive learning environments where students gain hands-on banking experience, build financial confidence and develop career-ready skills. Since its launch in 2006, the program has reached more than 156,000 students, provided more than 2,200 paid internships, and led to full-time employment at VyStar for 100 graduates, and helped thousands build financial confidence and career skills.

Building on this foundation, VyStar partnered with the Florida Prepaid College Foundation (FPCF) in 2024 to award 18 two-year college scholarships, with FPCF matching VyStar’s contribution dollar-for-dollar. VyStar also launched the Path to Prosperity Scholarship Program, awarding four additional scholarships to students from Florida’s most underserved zip codes, helping break cycles of poverty and open doors to higher education.

Beyond scholarships, VyStar invests directly in schools and learning experiences. Through the High School Debit Card Give Back Program, VyStar donated more than $31,000 to 18 participating schools in 2024, ensuring schools could access critical resources. VyStar also hosts Financial Fitness Reality Fairs, interactive simulations that expose students to real-life budgeting and financial decision-making. This comprehensive approach ensures students gain both the tools and confidence they need to thrive.

County hosting ‘Safe Streets for All’ to improve roadway safety

FLEMING ISLAND – The county will host a public input session on October 20 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to collect suggestions and comments on improving roadway safety and reducing or eliminating serious injuries and fatalities among pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

The “Safe Streets for All” project includes an online survey and a meeting at the Fleming Island Library, 1895 Town Center Blvd., to identify high-risk roadways and intersections, recommendations for safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists and prioritize infrastructure and policy solutions to save lives.

To complete the online survey, visit claycountygov.com/safe-streets-for-all.

Safe Animal Shelter’s Halloween BINGO Party on Oct. 7

FLEMING ISLAND – Tickets for the Safe Animal Shelter’s Halloween BINGO Party on Oct. 7 are available at safeanimalshelter.com/donations. Tickets for a BINGO pack, dinner and a raffle ticket are $30.

The event supports Safe Animal Shelter, a nonprofit that works to reduce the number of dogs and cats euthanized in Clay, Duval and Northeast Florida.

Doors open at Sullivan Hall on the campus of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 7190 U.S. Highway 17, Fleming Island, at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. and the games begin at 7 p.m. Contestants are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes since there will be a contest. Safe will also collect gift cards for pet supplies and liquor for upcoming events.

Nobody younger than 18 will be admitted.

Feeding Clay Outreach coming to Sullivan Hall on Oct. 11

FLEMING ISLAND – Hunger Fight is accepting donations and requests from community members for spots at its 11^th annual Feeding Clay Community Outreach Event on Oct. 11 at Sullivan Hall on the campus of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 7190 U.S. Highway 17.

Hunger Fight provides more than 15,000 children with nutritious meals each weekend through its Feed the Backpacks program and delivers age-appropriate books to more than 4,500 children in preschools at local daycare centers through its Feed the Need to Read program across Central and North Florida.

The hours of the event are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

A $1,000 gift will provide 2,300 meals and 80 books; $2,000 will provide 4,600 meals and 160 books; and $5,000 will provide 11,500 meals and 400 books.

To reserve a spot, call (904) 736-7755.

Registration underway for ‘Pars Fore Paws’ golf tournament

OAKLEAF – The 19^th annual “Jerry Milan Pars Fore Paws Memorial Golf Tournament” will tee off on Monday, Oct. 6, at the Eagle Landing Golf Club.

The tournament will benefit the Clay Humane Society, a nonprofit veterinary hospital that provides low-cost services.

The tournament was named to honor the tourney founder and longtime chair Jerry Milan, whose passion for golf and animal welfare shaped the event’s legacy. Players and teams can register at clayhumane.org/events. Individual registration is $110, and teams of four can register for $400. The registration fee includes 18 holes of golf with a cart, bag service, complimentary driving range balls, lunch and dinner.

Players and teams can register at clayhumane.org/events. Register online by Sept. 29.

Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place, as well as closest to the pin, longest drive and longest putt. There are no rain dates or refunds, as all proceeds go to support Clay Humane’s animal welfare programs.

Sheriff Cook puts out APB for winning cookie recipe

CLAY COUNTY – Sheriff Michelle Cook is looking for help – not looking for a fugitive, but for a great cookie recipe.

She will participate in the Second Celebrity Christmas Cookie Challenge to benefit Operation Barnabas on Dec. 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Toasted Yolk Café, 10915 Baymeadows Road, Suite 135, Jacksonville, and she wants to know if you’d like to share your can’t-miss winning recipe.

She asks that you submit your entry to sheriff@claysheriff.com.

Tickets are $75 and are available at operationbarnabas.com, which includes food and refreshments.

Hard Hat Games coming to Fairgrounds in October

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Teams and individuals can compete for professional wrestling-like championship belts and bragging rights at the Hard Hat Games Oct. 4-5 at the Clay County Fairgrounds.

Presented by H&H Tree and Demo, the unique competition will feature a Dig and Dirt construction site for children. Saturday games are for teams, with an entry fee of $500 a team. Sunday’s games are for individuals, with costs being determined by classes entered.

Games include barrel race, pole weave, trailer backing, stack and dash-barrel stacking, nail challenge, ring toss, lunchbox challenge, coke bottle opener, egg relay and construction obstacle course.

The registration deadline is Sept. 26.

For more information, visit clayevents.org.

St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church welcomes you

FLEMING ISLAND – Everyone is invited on Sunday at noon for uplifting worship, powerful preaching and a warm, welcoming church family.

Located at 6631 Pine Ave., we invite you to experience the life-transforming truth of Jesus Christ with Rev. Alvin Brown, preacher and teacher.

For prayer requests or more information, call (904) 677-0012 or email alvinbrown007@gmail.com.

Dirty Dancing in Concert coming to Thrasher-Horne in March

ORANGE PARK – Relive the film that stole the hearts of generations with Dirty Dancing in Concert.

This unique live-to-film concert features the original film projected in full, accompanied by a live band and singers performing every unforgettable song from the soundtrack on March 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Thrasher-Horne Center.

Feel the romance, rhythm and emotion as you watch Baby and Johnny’s love story come to life on a full-size cinema screen, with every iconic moment amplified by the power of live music.

After the final scene, the fun keeps going with a dance-along encore party that invites you to celebrate the music that made history.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or experiencing it for the first time, this is your chance to relive the time of your life, because some dances last forever.

Tickets for the show start at $37, and they’re available at the box office or at thcenter.org.

“Dirty Dancing has always been more than just a movie — it’s a cultural touchstone that continues to resonate across generations,” said Floris Douwes, Producer and Managing Director at GEA Live. “We’re ecstatic to have the opportunity to bring this live-to-film celebration back to audiences around the world, combining the magic of the original film with the energy of a live concert. Whether you're seeing it for the first time or the fiftieth, this experience invites fans to fall in love with Baby and Johnny all over again — and dance the night away.

Florida Animal Friend gifts Clay Humane Society’s spay, neuter program

TAMPA – Florida Animal Friend, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing pet overpopulation, announced the 2025 recipients of the organization’s statewide grant awards. This funding provides the opportunity for municipal and non-profit organizations to focus on no-cost and low-cost spay and neuter programs throughout Florida. Florida Animal Friend, celebrating 20 years of advocacy, is pleased to award $756,228 to these organizations based on their applications, which the Florida Animal Friend grant review committee has reviewed.

Clay Humane Society was one of 24 organizations that shared in the proceeds.

“Reducing pet overpopulation and preventing the birth of unwanted pets is both critical and humane for cats and dogs statewide,” said Lois Kostroski, Executive Director of Florida Animal Friend. “We are proud to award this significant amount of funding across the state in our 20th year of operation.”

The organization’s grant funds come from the sale of the Florida Animal Friend specialty vehicle license plate, featuring cute cat and dog images that highlight the spay and neuter message.

Cheer for Jags, support Quigley House – at the 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. 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 rate, benefiting a nonprofit.

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.