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The Town of Orange Park Budget and Finance committee has recommended eliminating funding for some town events from the budget. The committee recommended eliminating Reel Fun Night and the Longest Table. Each event had a $5,000 budget.

Braxton Henry, 21, is wanted for an armed burglary and grand theft of a firearm.Clay County Sheriff's Office. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help with another “Fugitive Friday” release on their Facebook page. The suspect in question is 21-year-old Braxton James Henry.

An Orange Park woman was arrested Monday for striking a victim twice with a lawnmower.Getty Images. An Orange Park woman was arrested Wednesday after she struck another woman with a riding lawnmower, according to a Clay County Sheriff’s report. She is already facing an unarmed burglary charge and battery against a law enforcement officer.

(L-R) (Sam Garrison, Attorney; Doug Benefield, John Hauber, Randy Anderson, Susana Thompson, Alan Watt, Sarah Campbell, Town Manager)Screenshot of 8/2 Orange Park Town Council meeting.

The Town of Orange Park has a new council member and vice mayor. Doug Benefield was sworn-in to vacant Seat 1 on the town council at Tuesday night’s meeting. In addition, Councilman Alan Watt was sworn-in as vice mayor.

Clay County homeowners could see an estimated 4 percent increase in property taxes for services provided by the county. According to the property appraiser, the taxable value for an “average single-family residential property with an existing homestead exemption” has gone up 4 percent for 2022 compared to 2021. Four percent is equivalent to an extra $51.61 on your tax bill. Included in this dollar amount are county services, fire control services, law enforcement services, and a tax on services for those who live in unincorporated areas.

The millage rate set by the Clay County Board of County Commissioners remains unchanged, but residents in unincorporated areas will pay more. The commissioners voted on a maximum millage rate for fiscal year 2022-2023. The overall millage rate did not increase from the current rate, 8.601. However, the rate for two taxing units has changed. The rate for county services has decreased by 0.0122, but the rate for the unincorporated services (Municipal Service Taxing Units) has increased by the same amount to 0.1343.

Charles Lelande Boston, 32, of Orange Park pleaded guilty Thursday to receiving materials over the internet depicting the sexual abuse of children, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced.

State inspectors found violations during July restaurant inspections.(Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images) A Fleming Island restaurant topped the list for violations found during restaurant inspections in the past 30 days, state inspection records show.

Screenshot of 7/19 Orange Park Town Council meeting. The Orange Park Town Council was supposed to appoint someone to Seat 1 Tuesday night, July 19. The members that were present postponed the appointment until the next meeting scheduled for August 2, because Mayor Randy Anderson was not in attendance. According to councilman Alan Watt, the mayor is “really sick.” He asked that everyone keep Anderson “in your prayers.”

Clay County District Schools has updated a policy that allows parents to report material they deem as obscene in a school library. The school board took emergency action to adopt the policy that also changes how reading, library and instructional materials are selected. The board did this to comply with the language in HB 1467 that Governor Ron DeSantis signed in March.

Edward Alan Hardin, 35, of Clay County has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for attempted production of child sex abuse material and possession of child sex abuse material.

U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg has announced an indictment charging Shawntae Jamell Clark, 41, of Clay County with possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of two firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The average sale price of residential properties in Clay County increased in 2021 between 17 and more than 32 percent. Keystone Heights saw the most significant increase at 32.54 percent. Middleburg had the next largest increase in average sale price from $238,000 to more than $286,000. Comparatively, Orange Park home buyers were hit with the lowest increase at 17 percent.

Three candidates have applied for the open seat on the Orange Park Town Council. Doug Benefield, Frank Ricketts, and Winnette Sandlin submitted their names by the July 8 deadline.

The tradition of laying a wreath on a veteran’s grave during the holiday season began 30 years ago at one cemetery. And for the first time this year, the annual Wreaths Across America event arrives in Orange Park at Magnolia Cemetery.

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.

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.

Pasta Market Italian Restaurant and Clam Bar in Orange Park received a fine of $1,600 from state restaurant inspectors last month. The restaurant, 1930 Kingsley Ave, has been inspected seven times by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation since last October. During a restaurant inspection on Oct. 22, the restaurant was cited for 29 violations, including seven considered high priority – the most severe violation.

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.