Five years ago, 2020

• The Clay County Economic Development Corporation will receive $64,500 from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for a five-year strategy to address setbacks created by military base downsizing.

• Green Cove Springs announces it will build a 2.5-mile multi-use trail from Harbor Road to Palmetto Avenue, ending where it blends into a nature trail at Oak Street.

• Marvin Daneil Finch and Carol Ann Hrindich, both of Middleburg, are arrested by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for being part of an organized theft ring that stole merchandise from stores, then sold the items to pawnshops.

10 years ago, 2015

• The Clay County School Board will review a committee’s recommendation to deny a request for a third charter school.

• A group of 11 seniors from Ridgeview High are selected to perform with the iconic rock band Foreigner during the song, “I Wanna Know What Love Is,” during the band’s Oct. 17 concert at the Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville.

• Former Clay County Clerk of Court James Jeff announces his intention to run for sheriff following the retirement of Sheriff Rick Beseler.

20 years ago, 2005

• Simon Properties, owners of the Orange Park Mall, files permits to add 170,000 square feet to J.C. Penney, Belk and Dillard’s, as well as build a 47,500-square-foot Dick’s Sporting Goods.

• Orange Park Town Council votes in new contract agreements with its police and firefighter unions that gave workers a 3% pay hike, while non-union personnel in public works are given a 2% pay raise and a step in their salary plan.

30 years ago, 1995

• The Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services issues a rabies warning for Clay County residents after 12 people in Northeast Florida had to undergo treatment for the disease.

• The Board of County Commissioners defends giving County Manager Robert W. Wilson a 5% pay raise bumping his salary from $73,859 to $80,000.

40 years ago, 1985

• Clay County School Superintendent Ann Wiggins offers a plan to construct a joint use high school on the grounds of St. Johns River Community College even after a citizens’ committee recommended the proposal be rejected.

• The Clay County Historical Museum in Green Cove Springs celebrates its 10th anniversary with a six-hour event that includes cake-cutting, square dancing, Civil War re-enactments and Sheriff Jennings Murrhee conducting a moonshine-making demonstration.