Public Safety
The African American Historical Society of Clay County has launched as a nonprofit, led by President Janice Tucker and Vice President Dr. Larry Richardson, with a mission to document oral histories, collect artifacts and build a digital archive of Black history across the county before key sources are lost.
Sports
Fleming Island sophomore Sophia Moody ranks 14th in Florida and second in Class 2A girls golf, with senior Shayla Abbas at 48th, as the Golden Eagles prepare for the District 4-2A tournament Oct. 27 at Palatka Golf Club.
Clay County
The Orange Park Planning and Zoning Board meets Thursday, Oct. 8, to send formal recommendations on the Town Square Form-Based Code and Commercial Design Guidelines to the Town Council, a step that would reshape development rules along the town's main commercial corridors.
Tropical Storm Isaias formed in the Gulf on Wednesday and is forecast to reach 110 mph winds by Friday, with rain and wind impacts expected to extend into Northeast Florida as Clay County's already-saturated ground raises flooding concerns for Orange Park and Fleming Island.
Orange Park Mall General Manager Randy Bowman and CORTA Development principal Cory Presnick will present plans for Orange Park Place, the redevelopment of the former Sears parcel, at a Clay County Chamber of Commerce Bridge to Bridge luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 14 in Fleming Island.
Anthony Bryce Thompson, 23, of Orange Park faces an aggravated manslaughter charge after the Clay County Sheriff's Office determined a child in his care died July 15 from abusive head trauma caused by shaking; Thompson is held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 3.
The African American Historical Society of Clay County has launched as a nonprofit, led by President Janice Tucker and Vice President Dr. Larry Richardson, with a mission to document oral histories, collect artifacts and build a digital archive of Black history across the county before key sources are lost.
A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect through early Thursday, Oct. 8, as a nor'easter pushes tidal flooding into the St. Johns River basin, with water potentially rising 1.5 to 2.5 feet above normally dry ground along tributaries near Orange Park and Fleming Island.
A rookie firefighter at Clay County Fire Rescue Station 15 in Lake Asbury alleges co-workers stripped, restrained and forced him outside naked during a shift, but the county's internal investigation resulted only in verbal warnings and the Clay County Sheriff's Office has not received a report.
Orange Park, FL
Mostly Cloudy
Feels like 83° · 1% rain
Health
View MoreAdvanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Michelle Smith has opened Glow Wellness and Rejuvenation at Salon Lofts on U.S. Highway 17 in Fleming Island, offering weight loss plans, IV therapy, Botox and microneedling from a four-person team.
Health
View MoreThe Clay County Sheriff's Office launched the eTMS Lab on Friday, Sept. 25, a state-funded facility using EEG brain mapping to treat stress, anxiety and PTSD in local first responders and veterans.
Education
Clay County District Schools, the Clay Education Foundation and Baptist Health launched the Resilient Students, Thriving Classrooms initiative on Sept. 29, placing sensory and self-regulation toolkits in every pre-K through second grade classroom across the district after a pilot at Fleming Island Elementary.
Education
Fortis College in Orange Park is launching a 48-week HVACR training program in November inside a remodeled storefront on Blanding Boulevard, giving Clay County students a local path to EPA certification.
Public Safety
View MoreThe African American Historical Society of Clay County has launched as a nonprofit, led by President Janice Tucker and Vice President Dr. Larry Richardson, with a mission to document oral histories, collect artifacts and build a digital archive of Black history across the county before key sources are lost.
Public Safety
View MoreFlorida Attorney General James Uthmeier activated the state's price gouging hotline after Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 25 counties ahead of Hurricane Isaias; Clay County is not under the declaration, but the statewide hotline is open to all Floridians who spot inflated prices on essentials.
Public Safety
View MoreTropical Storm Isaias formed in the Gulf on Wednesday and is forecast to reach 110 mph winds by Friday, with rain and wind impacts expected to extend into Northeast Florida as Clay County's already-saturated ground raises flooding concerns for Orange Park and Fleming Island.
Public Safety
View MoreA Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect through early Thursday, Oct. 8, as a nor'easter pushes tidal flooding into the St. Johns River basin, with water potentially rising 1.5 to 2.5 feet above normally dry ground along tributaries near Orange Park and Fleming Island.
Public Safety
View MoreAnthony Bryce Thompson, 23, of Orange Park faces an aggravated manslaughter charge after the Clay County Sheriff's Office determined a child in his care died July 15 from abusive head trauma caused by shaking; Thompson is held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 3.
Public Safety
View MoreA nor'easter arriving Monday is forecast to dump 4 to 5 inches of rain on already-saturated ground in the Orange Park and Fleming Island area through Thursday, with 30-to-40 mph wind gusts and moderate tidal flooding expected along St. Johns River tributaries starting Tuesday.
Community
Clay County's median home price fell 4.1% to $355,000 in September, making it the only county in Northeast Florida to see a price decline, while its affordability index rose to 89, the highest in the region.
Community
Clay County is asking residents to weigh in on proposed improvements at Doctors Lake Park and Moody Avenue Park before applying for up to $400,000 in state recreation grants, with a public meeting Thursday, Oct. 8, in Fleming Island and online comments open through Oct. 13.
Business
View MoreGrumpy's Restaurant, an eight-time Best of Clay breakfast winner, opens its biggest location yet at the corner of East-West Parkway and US 17 on Monday, Oct. 12, with seating for up to 190, a full bar, a party room and a free game room for kids.
Business
View MoreHagan Ace Hardware broke ground Sept. 17 on the reconstruction of its 1022 Blanding Blvd. headquarters in Orange Park, 16 months after a fire destroyed the 45-year-old store. The new location is expected to be complete by June 2027.
Business
View MoreFleming Island stay-at-home mom Jordan Toon launched Salty Air Treats, a self-serve pop-up dessert cart selling cookies, mini cakes and cake pops on weekends on Old Pine Trail off County Road 220, between Cobblestone at Eagle Harbor and the Pine Lake neighborhood.
Business
View MoreOrange Park Mall marked its 51st anniversary Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling a redesigned orange-tree logo, new LED lighting, fresh paint and updated food-court seating, the first visible results of owner Second Horizon Capital's reinvestment since buying the center for $60.5 million last year.
Sports
Fleming Island sophomore Sophia Moody ranks 14th in Florida and second in Class 2A girls golf, with senior Shayla Abbas at 48th, as the Golden Eagles prepare for the District 4-2A tournament Oct. 27 at Palatka Golf Club.
Sports
St. Johns Country Day volleyball player Brynley Proffitt has recorded 123 assists through eight matches this season, including a 50-assist outing against Keystone Heights, as the Spartans sit 5-3 heading into a stretch of district play.
Elections
View MoreDemocrat Annette Taddeo, a Miami business owner and former state senator, faces Republican Blaise Ingoglia in the Nov. 3 general election for Florida chief financial officer. In our candidate questionnaire, Taddeo outlined plans to grade insurance companies, audit no-bid contracts and enforce transparency in state spending.
Elections
View MoreAshley Gillhousen, who says she has served on the Clay County School Board since 2014, is running for reelection in the nonpartisan District 5 race on Nov. 3, 2026, citing financial sustainability, employee retention and student achievement as her top priorities.
Elections
View MoreClay County voters can cast general election ballots at seven early voting locations from Friday, Oct. 23, through Saturday, Oct. 31, including three sites in the Orange Park and Fleming Island area.
Elections
View MoreClay County residents have until Monday, Oct. 5, to register to vote or update their information for the Tuesday, Nov. 3 general election, Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless announced.
Your newsletter subscriptions are subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
Your newsletter subscriptions are subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
Your newsletter subscriptions are subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
.jpg)
Editor
Megan published her first poem in the Sun Sentinel at the age of 11 and has been locked in ever since. She attended UF and FIU and has a degree in Communication Arts. Her professional background includes photography, editing, writing, translation, and graphic design. Megan enjoys learning language, art and vegan foods.
Editor
Megan published her first poem in the Sun Sentinel at the age of 11 and has been locked in ever since. She attended UF and FIU and has a degree in Communication Arts. Her professional background includes photography, editing, writing, translation, and graphic design. Megan enjoys learning language, art and vegan foods.
Editor
Megan published her first poem in the Sun Sentinel at the age of 11 and has been locked in ever since. She attended UF and FIU and has a degree in Communication Arts. Her professional background includes photography, editing, writing, translation, and graphic design. Megan enjoys learning language, art and vegan foods.
©2026 Fleming Island-Orange Park Times
Powered by Surround Sound Media
©2026 Fleming Island-Orange Park Times
Powered by Surround Sound Media
©2026 Fleming Island-Orange Park Times
Powered by Surround Sound Media