Five years ago, 2019

• One year after the Marjory Stoneman Douglass shooting, the Clay County School Board voted to create and staff its own police department. This was a move that was initially supported, but high cost and poor performance resulted in the School Board rescinding the decision in 2023. Currently, negotiations are ongoing to put the CCDS police under the management of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

• St. Luke’s Catholic Church hosted the inaugural “A Night to Shine,” a formal cotillion for those with special needs. The event was organized by the Tim Tebow Foundation.

• Save Our Lakes Organization members praised the effects of the Black Creek Restoration project, which takes water from the oft-flooded Black Creek and shifts it to depleted Keystone Heights lakes.

10 years ago, 2014

• After pleas from many Middleburg residents, the Board of County Commissioners sent another petition to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection regarding the dubious road fill product EZ Base, which is known to contain arsenic and other toxins.

• The St. Johns River Water Management District approved spending up to $100,000 to remove obstructions in Alligator Creek that may be hindering water flow downstream to the Keystone Heights lakes in Clay County.

20 years ago, 2004

• Clay County School Superintendent David Owens announced plans to run for re-election, which Owens would eventually win. In total, Owens served as superintendent for 12 years.

• About 248 residents attended a Florida Department of Transportation forum to voice their opposition to a plan to build a four-lane connector road on Argyle Forest Boulevard and Wells Road on the west side of Blanding Boulevard. Residents spoke against plundering area wetlands and the taking of homes as reasons not to build the road.

30 years ago, 1994

• Orange Park Mayor Ted Coleman was set to square off against challenger Earle Theus for a seat on Orange Park Town Council.

• Volunteers from Mothers Against Drunk Driving erected a heart along Park Avenue in front of Orange Park Town Hall to raise awareness about drunk driving

40 years ago, 1984

• E. Wayne Geiger, Clay County Tax Collector for 32 years, announced he would not seek re-election in 1984. He said after enduring seven unopposed elections since 1952, Geiger said it was time for someone younger to run for the office.

• Jesse B. Tynes Jr., Clay County School Superintendent, announced plans to run for re-election. He was first elected in 1964.

• J.C. Cribbs garnered front page coverage in Clay Today for starting a craze. He is credited as the man who created the first “Pray for me, I drive on Blanding” bumper sticker.

50 years ago, 1974

• Robert Gay Construction Company of Jacksonville was awarded a $928,000 contract to build Lakeside Elementary School for the Clay County School District.

• The Clay County Sheriff’s Office investigated a shooting that occurred in a mobile home.Lewis Mercer, 38, was the one who was shot.