Clay County prepares for hurricane season under new Emergency Management leadership
Clay County Emergency Management Deputy Director Mike Ladd will assume the role of “Acting Director” this hurricane season. This decision comes after the announcement of the current director’s retirement.
Read full storyLake Asbury Sandridge Road closure causes congestion in neighborhood, prompts more signage
Clay County officials are working with the sheriff’s office to install more signs, messaging boards and barricades intended to direct traffic through the construction on Sandridge Road in Lake Asbury.
Read full storyClay County Emergency Management Director retires days into hurricane season
Clay County’s Emergency Management Director John Ward announced his retirement Tuesday, just six days into the start of hurricane season. Ward’s retirement comes after 25 years serving the Clay County community, including 18 years in the emergency management department. According to Clay County Public Information Officer Jessica Barreto, Ward’s retirement will go into effect July 1, 2023.
Read full storyClay County Sheriff’s Office Neighborhood Engagement Team to hold town hall meeting
A Clay County Sheriff’s Office NET town hall meeting is scheduled for June 8 and all community members are welcome. The Thursday meeting will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Eagle Landing Golf Club (3989 Eagle Landing Pkwy.) in Orange Park. There is no cost to attend.
Read full storyFleming Island man faces felony battery, grand theft charges, deputies say
A Fleming Island man was arrested Saturday and faces charges of a felony domestic battery (due to a prior conviction) and grand theft, deputies say. Clay Woodall, 20, of Fleming Island, was previously arrested on March 2, 2022, for striking his girlfriend of two years in the face and arm, deputies said. During this incident, Woodall threw the victim’s phone and attempted to fight a witness who intervened to stop the fight, the arrest report said.
Read full storyFleming Island woman gets second charge for domestic abuse since beginning of year, deputies say
A Fleming Island woman is in Clay County Jail for domestic abuse; her second offense this year, deputies say. Jordan Van Wingerden, 20, was arrested at approximately 12:30 p.m. Sunday after deputies received a call in regards to a domestic dispute against an elderly woman.
Read full storyClay County school district earns 24 ‘ENERGY STARS’ for environment-friendly buildings
Twenty-four Clay County schools have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR certification for superior energy performance. On average, ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants use 35% less energy, cause 35% fewer greenhouse gas emissions and are less expensive to operate than their peers—all without sacrifices in performance or comfort, according to a Clay County District Schools press release.
Read full storyMotorist Alert: Clay County prepares for 8 road projects starting soon
Clay County motorists should prepare for six ongoing road work projects and lane closures the week of June 5. Additionally, eight are scheduled to begin soon throughout the county.
Read full storyClay County school board approves bathroom policy targeting transgender students
The Clay County school board passed a policy Thursday requiring students to use bathrooms and locker rooms based on their assigned sex at birth; banning students from using facilities that align with their gender identity unless they seek out administrative permission.
Read full storyClay County Sheriff’s Office helps boaters prepare for Boater Skip Day
Friday, June 2 is Boater Skip Day and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office created a video with tips for boaters to enjoy the unofficial holiday as safely as possible. Boater Skip Day is the largest boating event in Northeast Florida. Each year, hundreds of boaters take a once-a-year opportunity to trade a day of work for a day making memories on the waters, according to the North Florida Marine Association.
Read full storyBreaking: Middleburg man arrested on murder charges, deputies say
A Middleburg man was arrested Thursday and faces murder charges after shooting a male victim in the arm and abdomen, deputies say. Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 2400 block of Zagato Court at approximately 12:29 a.m. Thursday, June 1, in reference to a person shot. Upon arrival, deputies located the victim in the front yard of the residence, according to the arrest report.
Read full storyClay County school district’s controlled open enrollment applications available through June 14
The Clay County school district is accepting applications for controlled open enrollment for the 2023-24 school year beginning Wednesday (May 31) through June 14. Florida law requires that school boards adopt a policy that gives parents and students the ability to seek enrollment in a school other than their zoned school of attendance. The controlled open enrollment process allows parents to view schools that are not yet at capacity and complete an application to enroll their child or children.
Read full storyFlorida homeowner staged hate crime to cover up arson, police say
A Clay Hill homeowner was arrested Friday for arson after investigators discovered he set fire to two homes for which he was behind on payments, deputies say. George Carneiro, 44, of Flach Drive in St. Johns scrawled a swastika and anti-Latino messages on a sign left at the crime scenes in an attempt to mislead investigators about who set the fires, a Clay County sheriff’s office spokesman said.
Read full storyMiddleburg ‘master groomer’ arrested in child exploitation case, investigators searching for more victims
A Middleburg man was arrested Thursday for human trafficking, promoting a sexual performance by a child using a minor in production of computer pornography, seduction of a child using the internet and transmission of child sexual abuse material.
Read full storyClay County motorist alert: Lake Asbury project delayed, 7 new projects scheduled to begin soon
Clay County motorists should expect a road closure on Sandridge Road from Henley Road to Eagle Haven Drive from 4 a.m. on Tuesday, May 30 through August 1 for road reconstruction. The closure is part of a Bonded Transportation Program project.
Read full storyClay County Supervisor of Elections seeking paid election workers
The Clay County Supervisor of Elections Office is searching for election workers to help with the upcoming election year. A Facebook post in search of interested individuals collected more than 400 comments—a large majority labeled “heated arguments,” by a spokesperson from the Supervisor of Elections office.
Read full storyClay County Sheriff announces 52 recent drug dealer arrests, asks for community help locating 5 others
Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook announced the names of five people wanted within the county on drug-related charges during a Wednesday press conference about an upcoming “Hammer and Hope” initiative.
Read full storyOrange Park Mall announces 3 new stores opening, marks 8 new stores total in 2023
Orange Park Mall will welcome three new stores later this year. This latest announcement brings the total to eight new stores that have joined the 950,000 square-foot shopping center this year.
Read full story2 ‘suspicious people’ reported at Blanding Boulevard Waffle House; arrested for unlicensed weapons
Orange Park Waffle House employees called the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Monday night which led to the arrest of a 19-year-old and 20-year-old who were carrying unlicensed firearms, deputies say.
Read full storyFlorida woman faces homicide charge after drug overdose results in death, deputies say
A Florida woman was arrested Monday by Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a warrant for one charge of homicide for the “killing of a human other than by murder or homicide,” deputies reported.
Read full story