5 Years Ago, 2011
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office investigated the discovery of “compromised” medications from several Clay County Fire Rescue rescue units. CCFR personnel were investigated and required to take drug tests.

Officials in Green Cove Springs mourned the death of Paul Richard “Dick” Beseler, 80, who died from an aortic aneurysm at Orange Park Medical Center. Beseler, father of Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler, had served as mayor and a council member of Green Cove Springs.

Green Cove Springs’ Planning and Zoning Director Francis “Lee” Bentley was named city clerk after rescinding his previous withdrawal of his application for the job.

10 Years Ago, 2006
In preparation of its Jan. 1 takeover of hauling Clay County residents’ garbage, Advanced Disposal reported it had invested $10 million with the purchase of 32 new trucks and hiring more than 60 drivers to serve the county’s 60,000 homes eligible for pickup.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office produced and distributed playing cards bearing the faces of women who are victims of unsolved cases in hopes card players could create new leads in the cases.

Fujifilm Hunt Chemicals announced it would lay off its 71 employees at 50 Industrial Loop North off Wells Road near Orange Park as the company shifted from print to the digital era.

20 Years Ago, 1996
Carrabba’s Italian Grill opened its first Northeast Florida location on Wells Road near Orange Park.

Waycross, Ga.-based Gibson McDonald Furniture opened a new store on Blanding Boulevard in Middleburg.

Dorothy Jennings Sandridge of Orange Park, wife of the late businessman Gordon Sandridge, established the Dorothy Jennings Sandridge Scholarship at Stetson University.

30 Years Ago, 1986
After five years on the job, Robert Lipscomb, executive director of the Clay County Public Library System, resigned to take a similar job as head of the Central Florida Regional Library System overseeing libraries in Marion, Levy and Citrus counties.

Clay Memorial Hospital in Green Cove Springs reported losing $100,000 the previous year. Board chairman Franklin Harrison said the hospital planned to make changes either by leasing, selling or changing management.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office charged Danny Olsen Davis with murder after Paul Cunningham, 19, died from stab wounds from a fight between the two men in the parking lot of Johnson Night House Lounge in Pier Station in Green Cove Springs.

40 Years Ago, 1976
The Kingsley Twin Theatre in Kingsley Square was set to open Friday, December 17, 1976 in Orange Park.

Citing positive economic development possibilities for Clay County, county officials prepared to lobby the state to not cease construction of the Cross Florida Barge Canal. The canal project was halted by President Richard Nixon.

Clay County School Superintendent Jesse Tynes said construction bids for a new elementary school on Moody Avenue and additions at Doctors Inlet Elementary came in $400,000 too high, but remained positive the plans were on track.