Five years ago, 2020

• As schools around the district hand out Chromebooks to students who need an internet device ahead of the rollout of online classes, one junior high is doing all it can to ensure its students are safe.

• The threat and treatment of COVID-19 is real at Orange Park Medical Center. But so are heart attacks, car accidents, broken bones and kidney stones. “It’s not quite business as usual, but we’re open and all of our services are open,” said Lisa Valentine, the hospital’s CEO.

• Peter Johnson resigned as chairman of the Orange Park Planning and Zoning Board amid controversy regarding a flyer spreading misinformation about the new proposed Orange Park Plaza project.

 10 years ago, 2015

• With 570 soldiers and airmen and 350 invited guests looking on from across a green field, the Florida National Guard made history March 29 at Camp Blanding.

• According to Mayor Felicia Hampshire, Spring Park has always been “the place to be” and will continue to be such if she has anything to say about it. The pool house on the northwest corner of the park has been carefully torn down because it was structurally unsafe. The pool area will be remodeled and the pool itself will be structurally reinforced.

• When a big rig was sliced in two by a freight train March 27, the wreck drew attention to a railroad crossing nearby residents say has “always been a problem.

 20 years ago, 2005

• One county fair employee was sent to the slammer while another underwent abdominal surgery after a drug deal went bad near the fairgrounds April 4.

• Former Sheriff Scott Lancaster picked up the reins as director of St Johns River Community College’s criminal justice training April 4.

• Two residents sustained injuries when their Ultralight plane crashed into a pine tree on Air Park Loop at approximately 2:30 p.m. April 4.