Five years ago, 2019

• A 4-1 vote from the Clay County School Board hired Kenneth Wagner to be the first Chief of Police for the school district's new police department. Currently, Clay County District Schools is handing off its police department to the sheriff’s office.

• Beef ‘O’ Brady’s designated an Orange Park location on Blanding Boulevard for a new restaurant. 

• Gov. Ron DeSantis retracted the appointments of all five members on the St. Johns River State College Board of Trustees, including one held by Sam Garrison who served as the board chair. Garrison would eventually be elected to the State House of Representatives.

• Tracy S. Drake announced his candidacy for Clay County Property Appraiser, a position he currently holds after winning his election. 

10 years ago, 2014

• An anonymous donor presented a $1 million gift to St. Johns Country Day School, saying the gift was made after 75% of parents participated in the school’s annual fund drive.

• Team Mile Marker Brewing of Fleming Island, a 12-man relay team, completed the 162-mile Miami-to-Key West marathon in 31 hours, 52 minutes and 47.3 seconds.

• The formally known Black Creek District of theBoy Scouts of America raised $20,000to sustain its programs in Clay County.

• A 3-2 vote from the Clay County School Board terminated a physical education teacher, who was suspended for allegedly putting a violent, unruly student in a "chokehold" after the student yelled profanity and threw a chair. 

20 years ago, 2004

• The Clay County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to purchase a piece of property at 624 Walnut St. in Green Cove Springs. The site, which involved demolishing a home, would be used to expand the Green Cove Springs Senior Citizens Center.

• Engineers from Reynolds, Smith and Hills presented BCC members results of a study supporting the proposed Cleveland Connector. As proposed, the road would extend College Drive westward across Blanding Boulevard and connect with Branan Field Road in the Oakleaf area.

30 years ago, 1994

• Contract negotiations between the Clay County Education Association and the Clay County School Board had reached an impasse. Officials prepared for a Special Master, or mediator, to negotiate a settlement.

• Fourteen Clay County teens took part in a class offered by the State Attorney’s Office after engaging in petty theft and grand theft auto. 

40 years ago, 1984

• Former Homewood, Alabama, City Manager Charles E. Rosebrough was hired as the first official County Manager for the Clay County government. He received a unanimous vote from the Board of County Commissioners and was chosen over two other finalists for the job.

•  Members of the Clay County Library Board of Trustees said they would not oppose setting up what was described as a “storefront” library in Middleburg.

50 years ago, 1984

• Florida Agriculture Commissioner Doyle Connor rode into Green Cove Springs on horseback as part of the Sesquicentennial Trail Ride commemorating the quest for a state capitol site made 150 years earlier by Dr. D.W. Simmons.

• Sidney Wayne Buck was arraigned before Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Judge John E. Santora on one count of second-degree murder. Buck was accused of the death of Virgil Lewis Mercer.