Five years ago, 2019

• Town attorney Sam Garrison said Orange Park could not ban AirBnB and other short-term rental properties. He said the town can charge a business tax on those property owners, however. 

•  Sheriff Darryl Daniels pulled his proposal to keep Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies in public schools from the Board of County Commissioners. Subsequently, the county and the school district moved forward to create the CCDS Police Department, which would serve public schools for five years. 

•  Responding to the recent closure of the Country Club of Orange Park’s golf course, tennis courts and other amenities, Clay County commissioners declined to purchase the club's amenities and incorporate them into the county's park system. 

10 years ago, 2014

• The Green Cove Springs City Council approves mail-in ballots for amendments to the city charter, but not for elected officials.

• Orange Park businessman Eugene Nix defeated incumbent Marge Hutton, 458-332, in their election for Seat 2 on the town council.

• Orange Park Medical Center opened a new two-story, 7,000-square-foot atrium lobby, which included a new gift shop, large chapel, additional classrooms and a sandwich and coffee kiosk, as part of its 40th anniversary celebration.

20 years ago, 2004

• Community members celebrated the opening of Moccasin Slough Park, a 255 acre tract off U.S. Highway 17 on Fleming Island that includes two nature trails, a covered pavilion and picnic area. The site was transferred to Clay County after being purchased by the Trust for Public Land.

•  Rick Beseler, a retired investigator for the Clay County office of the State Attorney’s Office, announced he was running for Clay County Sheriff. He would win the election and then two subsequent reelections. 

30 years ago, 1994

•  Orange Park Town Council voted 3-2 to spend $979,000 on its new town hall building. It awarded the bid to the Devcon Group Inc., which estimated it would take 270 days to complete construction.

• Clay County Sheriff Scott Lancaster warned residents to avoid a phony telephone solicitation campaign by people saying they were seeking donations on behalf of the CCSO, the Police Benevolent Association and the Fraternal Order of Police.  

40 years ago, 1984

• The Florida Striders received a proclamation from Orange Park Mayor George Kent and Dorothea Heinrich as the Doctors Lake Bike Path’s name was officially changed to honor Heinrich’s late husband, Edwin P. Heinrich.

•  Voters turned down a $25 million bond issue referendum that would have funded two new schools and funding for repairs at existing schools. Officials said 4,686 voters said yes, while 6,534 voters rejected the proposal.

50 years ago, 1974

•   Members of the Clay County League of Civic Associations urged the Board of County Commissioners to appoint a steering committee to organize the county’s first Clay County Planning Board.

•   Dave Mattox of Green Cove Springs shot and killed a nutria, a South American rodent resembling the beaver, while out boating on the St. Johns River near the Shands bridge.