Five years ago, 2019

• Don Fann, Executive Director of The Way Free Medical Clinic, worked to develop a plan to expand the clinic from its then location at Green Cove Springs, a building which it rented from the county for $1 a year. Five years later, The Way Medical Clinic is continuing construction of a new expanded facility on College Drive.

• Drivers honked favorably as they passed by a mural in progress on Orange Avenue in Green Cove Springs. The Art Guild of Orange Park finished painting a 40-foot mural that details 52 flora and fauna unique to Florida. The mural served as a fundraiser for the Guild and Mercy Support Services.

10 years ago, 2014

•  Clay County leaders mourned the passing of Orien Pass, who served 12 years as executive director of the Clay County Development Authority, after he died in a swimming accident on the Island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.

•  Orange Park Medical Center donated $30,000 to St. Johns River State College to support its new Bachelor of Nursing program.

20 years ago, 2004

• John Michael Furman was arrested and charged with armed robbery and attempted second degree murder involving the shooting of William Lutz. Cyrus Sheldon Baker was arrested as an accomplice.

• Clay County Sheriff Scott Lancaster denied any wrongdoing after being accused of using a county credit card for personal expenses.Subsequently, Lancaster would be defeated by Sheriff Rick Beseler. Lancaster would eventually be brought on and then fired an investigator for sexually inappropriate remarks he made to several female coworkers.

30 years ago, 1994

• Orange Park Town Manager John Bowles was directed to conduct a feasibility study for the costs to construct a sidewalk along River Road in Orange Park.

• A nine-month investigation resulted in the arrest of a Middleburg man for theft of electricity. Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Michael David Whitener for allegedly stealing $860 worth of power from Clay Electric.

40 years ago, 1984

• Friends of the Park, a Green Cove Springs organization aimed at making Spring Park flourish, prepared for construction of a gazebo-styled bandstand. The group raised $30,000 for the project.

• Green Cove Springs Police investigated an explosion that caused an estimated $4,000 damage to a mobile home at 445 Olive Circle. Police said a four-foot hole was blown out of the trailer’s floor, possibly caused by a gas line leak.

50 years ago, 1974

• Three more candidates announced plans to run for open seats on the Orange Park Town Council. In total, 13 candidates would vie for three open seats.

• Dignitaries and elected officials gathered at the Hilton Inn for a “symbolic groundbreaking” for the Orange Park North regional shopping center. The 751,000 square feet enclosed shopping center would later be known as the Orange Park Mall.