NewsBreak Original

A unique school within Clay County, R.C. Bannerman Learning Center (BLC), offers programs such as an interactive garden and a teen pregnancy program. The center, located at 608 Mill St. in Green Cove Springs, serves around 350 students on average, per year.

Harmful blue-green algae toxins have been found in Doctors Lake at Camp Echockotee, near Lucy Branch, and at the end of Lawrence Road. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection took the water sample on June 23. The alert was issued six days later.

Women combat veterans who find themselves in caregiver roles have the opportunity to attend a psychotherapy group where they can connect with others in similar roles–normalizing their experiences.

The four-member Orange Park Town Council took less than 20 minutes at Tuesday night’s meeting to discuss how and when the next member of the panel would be appointed. Just last month,Eddie Henley resigned from Seat 1 and the vice mayor position. Henley cited racism as the reason for his resignation. He said he received intimidation and hate emails after he spoke out about being passed over for mayor in May. Henley would’ve made history as the first Black mayor of Orange Park. Randy Anderson was reelected.

U.S. News recently released their annual list of the country’s healthiest communities, as well as counties ranked by state. Out of the 25 Florida communities listed, Clay County ranked fifth, with a score of 57 overall – a total of 15 points higher than the state average and 10 points higher than the U.S. national average.

There are three roadwork delays due to supply availability issues in Clay County, causing the projects along North Ridge Drive, Park Ridge Parkway and Town Center Boulevard to take longer than anticipated.

Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd was back in the news recently with word that the Jacksonville house where the Van Zant brothers grew up is on the market. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s co-founder and lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, current lead singer Johnny and .38 Special co-founder Donnie all grew up in an area of Jacksonville they called Shantytown.

Residents and tourists have the opportunity to earn “Clay County swag” by participating in the county’s virtual bingo game – a checklist of unique and historic sites throughout the county.

The Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs has served nearly twice as many families this year than in 2021. “It is absolutely unreal,” says Wynema Lovell, director of the pantry since 1992.

Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless spoke at last Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting about election signs, among other things. The primary is scheduled for Aug. 23. Early voting starts 10 days before the election.

Clay County’s sixth annual Watermelon Festival presented by Buckler Shows will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at the fairgrounds located at 2497 State Road 16 West, Green Cove Springs.

Road project updates are given each Monday. Check back next week for new updates.Clay County Government. Two new roadway projects are underway in Clay County with both beginning this week. One along Pine Ridge Parkway in Middleburg and the second happening along with Town Center Boulevard in Fleming Island.

Health officials in Clay County have issued another warning about harmful blue-green algae toxins in the water. The alert is for Swimming Pen Creek-Whitey’s Fish Camp. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is responsible for taking water samples. The sample that alerted them to the problem was taken on June 9.

Some Clay County government employees are getting an unexpected 3-day weekend. All Clay County government offices will be closed on Monday, June 20, 2022, in observance of Juneteenth. Since June 19 falls on a Sunday this year, it will be observed the following day.

Logo via Clay County District Schools' Facebook page. With kids out of school for summer break, sports camps will be held on high school campuses throughout Clay County for kids who want to participate in sports.

Clay County is looking for public input on the proposed Community Development Block Grant annual action plan for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. The county expects to spend more than $1 million in four main areas.

Four new road projects launch this week in Clay County with three expecting to take up to 60 days for completion, weather permitting. Resurfacing projects, stormwater system maintenance and sidewalk repairs are on the agenda for summer roadwork.

The Shands Boat Ramp, bulkhead and parking area at 4051 Shands Pier Road in Green Cove Springs will be temporarily closed starting June 16 for demolition of the Shands Fishing Pier deck which was damaged beyond repair in 2016 by Hurricane Matthew.

Former Orange Park Vice Mayor Eddie HenleyTown of Orange Park website. Orange Park Vice Mayor Eddie Henley spoke for more than 20 minutes at Tuesday night’s council meeting before handing in his resignation letter.

The ARPA Housing Improvement Program can help up to nine Orange Park residents by providing money for home repairs and other projects. Residents canapply for the program here on the town’s website or you can pick up a paper application at Town Hall.