Clay County offers OnSolve alerts for community updates
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County is now offering the OnSolve community notification system to keep residents informed about non-emergency issues such as updates on large-scale county projects, service interruptions, or curbside collection updates that affect a specific geographic area. This free notification system provides the option to receive telephone calls, text messages or emails to keep the public informed about important local issues.
“The OnSolve community alert system gives us the ability to provide immediate and concise information to those who need it. We know people like to decide what type of information they want to receive and how they receive it, this system gives them the power to do that,” said Mike Cella, Chairman of the Clay County Board of County Commissioners. “This is a great communication tool for our residents, and we look forward to offering this free service to keep them informed.”
To register for Clay County alerts via phone calls, text messages and email, visit https://www.claycountygov.com/community/garbage-and-recycling/onsolvealerts. You can create a managed account and change your notification preferences at any time. You can also opt out of any future messages. There is also an option to log in with an existing, Google, Facebook or Twitter account. To receive alerts only by text message, text “ClayCountyUpdates” to 99411 to enroll in the alert system.

FDOT shifting traffic to new lanes on C.R. 218 bridge
MIDDLEBURG – The Florida Department of Transportation will shift traffic on County Road 218 eastbound onto new lanes of the County Road 218 bridge beginning Sunday, Aug. 22 at 6 p.m.
Crews will begin shifting eastbound drivers to the left, just east of the Walgreens parking lot, onto lanes of the new C.R. 218 bridge. This shift will allow crews to close the eastbound lanes to begin construction of the other half of the new bridge. FDOT hired Sacyr to complete the $16.4 million project in spring 2022, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting.
Stay informed about lane closures and roadwork in your area by following FDOT District 2 at @MyFDOT_NEFL on Twitter, at MyFDOTNEFL on Facebook or by visiting nflroads.com.

Sen. Jennifer Bradley to host delegation hearing on Sept. 15

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – State Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island), Chairwoman of the Clay County Legislative Delegation, will conduct the annual delegation hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 15 from 4-6 p.m. at the Board of County Commissioners meeting room on the fourth floor of the Administration Building, 477 Houston St. in Green Cove Springs.
Seating at the venue will provide for appropriate social distancing and the use of facial coverings is encouraged. The legislative delegation holds a public hearing each year to afford local officials, members of the public, and other interested parties the opportunity to present legislative proposals or express opinions on state issues.
“I am extremely honored to be representing the people of Clay County in the Florida Senate and look forward to discussing issues of importance to the community,” Bradley said. “These hearings help us to understand the needs and the goals of the community as we establish our respective legislative priorities.”
The Clay County legislative delegation includes Bradley, Rep. Bobby Payne (R-Palatka) and Rep. Sam Garrison (R-Fleming Island).
The next Regular Session of the Florida Legislature will convene on Jan. 11 in Tallahassee.
For additional information or to be placed on the agenda for the hearing, contact Senator Bradley’s office at (904) 278-2085, or email her staff at Lee.Mary@flsenate.gov.

Pars for Paws golf tournament tees off for Clay Humane

FLEMING ISLAND – Join Clay Humane, a nonprofit veterinary clinic located in Orange Park, for the 15th annual Pars Fore Paws Golf Tournament on Monday, Oct. 4, at Eagle Landing Golf Club.
The tournament beings with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Registration is $100 for an individual or $360 for a foursome and includes 18 holes of golf with cart, bag services, complimentary driving range balls, lunch, dinner and prizes.
There is no rain date or refunds as all proceeds help Clay Humane provide low-cost veterinary services including spay and neuter and humane education programs. Register at http://www.clayhumane.org/pars-fore-paws-2021.php.

Plotkin selected president of Jewish Federation & Foundation

CLAY COUNTY – Jennifer Plotkin, senior vice president and senior relationship manager at Bank of America, was elected president of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida. She leads a 10-member executive committee and a prestigious board comprised of Jewish community leaders from various professions.
Executive committee members include Haley Trager, vice president and campaign chair; Steve Silverman, vice president; Erik Rostholder, vice president; Allison Jacobs, vice president, Diane Rothstein, vice president and Women’s Philanthropy president; Michael Setzer, treasurer; Debbie Banks, secretary; Iris Kraemer, immediate past president; and Sandy Zimmerman, president’s appointee.
Executive Director Alan Margolies expressed his enthusiasm for the new president and board of directors.
“We are all excited and look forward to working with our new executive committee and board. Jennifer brings many years of solid experience in volunteer leadership positions to her challenging role as president, having served as treasurer, major gifts chair and campaign chair,” he said.

Comedian Bill Engvall coming to Thrasher-Horne Center

ORANGE PARK – Bill Engvall is a Grammy nominated, multi-platinum selling recording artist and one of the top comedians in the country will bring his humor to the Trasher-Horne Center on Jan. 29.
Bill can regularly be seen in a recurring role on the hit FOX sitcom “Last Man Standing” playing Reverend Paul. He was recently awarded “Casino Comedian” of the year at the 2019 Casino Entertainment Awards in Las Vegas. He is currently on tour and since 2016, Bill has hosted a weekly podcast “My 2 Cents” with PodcastOne which offers his funny, thought-provoking and unique perspective on just about everything.
Bill’s latest comedy special “Just Sell Him For Parts” is currently available on VUDU streaming service. In addition to acting and stand-up Bill is also the spokesperson for the insurance company Health Markets. Bill recently wrapped production on A New Season where he reprises his role of Coach Z, from “Catching Faith” in 2015. He also had a role in the thriller, “Monster Party,” where three teenaged thieves infiltrate a mansion dinner party secretly hosted by a serial killer cult for the social elite.
Bill was part of the enormously successful Blue Collar Comedy concert films, which sold more than nine million units and received a Grammy nomination. He also starred on the WB’s hit sketch comedy show Blue Collar TV and in several solo specials for Comedy Central. In 2012 he reunited with Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy on the Them Idiots Whirled Tour, which aired as a special on CMT.
Bill’s first album, “Here’s Your Sign,” is certified platinum and held the No. 1 position on the Billboard Comedy Chart for 15 consecutive weeks. His second album, “Dorkfish,” also debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Comedy Chart, as did his subsequent comedy albums. Bill has written several books, including his 2007 autobiography Bill Engvall –Just A Guy.
Tickets start at $49 and are available at THcenter.org, or by calling (904) 276-6815 or visiting the Thrasher-Horne Center ticket office at 283 College Dr. in Orange Park on the St. Johns River State College campus.