Five years ago, 2021

• Despite threats by three North Florida utility companies, determined residents and the St. Johns Reiver Water Management District forge ahead with plans to approve minimum flow levels for Lakes Brooklyn and Geneva in Keystone Heights as part of the Black Creek Restoration Project that will redirect as much as 10 million gallons of water a day from Black Creek and send it 17 miles through pipes to the lakes that were depleted by over-development by the utility companies.

• The Green Cove Springs City Council creates a comprehensive long-range plan to address growth while maintaining its small-town atmosphere.

• Keystone Heights Mayor Karen Lake asks the Clay County School Board to consider building a new elementary school since Keystone Heights Elementary is at 111% capacity and needs major repairs.

10 years ago, 2016

• Richard Price Tucker, 44, of Middleburg, pleaded not guilty to six new charges of alleged fraud against elected government officials, including State Attorney Angela Corey and Clay County Clerk of Court Tara Green. Tucker already faced six charges of filing fraudulent documents against the same elected officials.

• Christine tells her story of domestic violence that started 35 years earlier when a man beat her over a game of Monopoly. That story came at Quigley House a week after Murray Leon Lancaster, 40, killed his estranged girlfriend, her father and his ex-wife before taking his own life in Green Cove Springs.

• The Rouge Gallery in Orange Park joins Free Comic Book Day by introducing the community to its collection of comics and educating people to the hobby.

20 years ago, 2006

• The Paul and Klare Reinhold Foundation awards the Church Women’s Christian Ministries its Paul E. Reinhold Community Service Award and the $10,000 prize.

• The Clay County Transportation Advisory Committee prepare to sell voters on the idea of establishing a full-fledged transportation authority through a series of public meetings and speaking events.

• James R. Greathouse II was charged by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office with manufacturing ecstasy, while Adrean Latner and David Green were charged with making methamphetamine in a Middleburg home in separate incidents.

30 years ago, 1996

• After serving 19 years on the County Commission, incumbent Dale Wilson announces he plans to run again.

• Director of Governmental Relations for the Clay County District Schools Martin Miller says the Florida Legislature increased spending for each student to $3,389.85, which moved the district from 67^th to 63^rd in the state.

• Clay County Extension Director Jesse Godbold announces his retirement after serving 25 years.

40 years ago, 1986

• Although he was already facing 25 charges of lewd and lascivious assault of a minor, John Ray Chaffin remained under investigation by the Orange Park Police Department.

• Jerry Williams and Sandra Dunnavant are sworn in as new members of the Green Cove Springs City Council.

• Gideons International notifies the Clay County District Schools that donated Bibles intended for fifth grade students would be removed from schools after some parents complained about separation of church and state.