The Guards They are many things to many people. To the driver in a rush, they are a hindrance. To the community in which they live and serve, they are the helpers. To the students that they protect, they are the heroes. These heroes do not wear a gun, carry the equipment of a sworn officer, or drive the fastest police cars. Instead, they wear a bright vest, carry a stop sign, and a few even walk to work. They are the crossing guards who staff the numerous intersections bordering the schools in Clay County, and we caught up with two of them during their summer break to hear their stories and gain insight into what make their jobs so rewarding. Ms. Sandy has been a crossing guard for Fleming Island Elementary for more than four years, and we asked her to share the best part of her job. “The students are fantastic. I just love them, and I enjoy getting to know their parents as well. Over time, you begin to understand their personalities, and you...

I was born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras in 1975. At the age of 7, I moved with my family to Brooklyn, NY. Brooklyn was rough back then- drugs and crime, an ongoing education and economic crisis, and ZERO public trust in our government. Yet, I overcame those struggles and learned some valuable lessons to pursue a better life. After high school, I worked odd jobs as I was training to be an auto technician but felt this calling to give back to a country and nation that had given so much to my family and to me. I answered that call and joined the world’s most powerful naval force on April 8, 1996. I served my country proudly all over the world. I joined challenging deployments in the Persian Gulf during Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, encountering and deterring Somalian Pirates, protecting the sea lanes in the 5th fleet area, and serving in other classified missions abroad. I retired in 2016 after 20 years of naval service. I earned numerous military awards and decorations for my valian...

Hello, my name is Ray Forbess, and I am running for Clay County Judge. Judge Collins is set to retire at the end of the year after three decades of public service to Clay County. Judge Collins can never be replaced, and the next elected Judge certainly has large shoes to fill. I am a resident of Green Cove Springs where I live with my wife, Sarah, and our six year old son Beau. I grew up spending time with my family at Camp Blanding and Kingsley Lake while my father was a Company Commander of the 20th Special Forces Group. I have many fond memories of spending my summers at Strickland’s Landing.  I am actively involved in the community with several nonprofits: youth mentor as a baseball coach, and a Special Olympics golf coach. I graduated from the University of North Florida with an Accounting degree and earned my Juris Doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2008 where I received a Pro Bono Service Award. I continue to provide well over 150 hours of Pro Bono work every ye...

Geraldine is the daughter of a retired Naval Chief and a proud graduate of Clay High School, University of North Florida and Florida Coastal School of Law. She began litigating while attending Florida Coastal School of Law as a Certified Legal Intern with the Department of Children and Families. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to protecting the children of Clay County. As the principal attorney of Hamilton and Hartin, P.A., Geraldine has a diverse practice with experience in litigation, transactional law, and appeals. Presenting argument before the First District Court of Appeals in Tallahassee, is one of her many accomplishments. She serves as the Clay County Special Magistrate for Code Enforcement, where she presides over cases concerning violations of the Clay County Code. She is committed to upholding the laws of the county and country to ensure the community is safe and rights are protected. Geraldine believes that the United States Constitution is an instrument for ...

  Pursuant to s. 200.065(1), Florida Statutes, Clay County Property Appraiser, Tracy Scott Drake, submitted the Certification of Taxable Value to the Florida Department of Revenue and the Clay County taxing authorities on Thursday, June 30th. The 2022 preliminary taxable value of all properties in the county is estimated at $14.6 billion – an annual increase of more than $1.6 billion, or 12.83 percent. The statutory date for the 2022 assessment roll wasJanuary 1, 2022. Therefore, the overall increase in value is a reflection of the upward direction the real estate market has taken during 2021.Although market values have increased to record levels, the assessed values of properties with an existing homestead exemption will be limited to a 3 percent increase (excluding any additions or improvements) and non-homestead residential and commercial properties will be limited to a 10percent increase due to constitutional amendments passed by voters in 1992 and 2008, respectively. Taxable v...

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla  – Clay County Animal Services is partnering with Petco Love on a shared mission to help reunite lost pets with their families should they ever go missing. To help families bring their best friends back home, the photos of all stray dogs or cats brought into the shelter are uploaded to the Petco Love Lost national database, which immediately searches for a match with patented facial recognition technology. The technology looks at the size, color, facial features, and coat attributes to make a match. If the lost pet’s photo is in the  Petco Love Lost database,  the pet owner will be notified, and the family will be reunited. Commission Chairman Wayne Bolla  said, “Our shelter is already full, and the July 4 th  holiday typically brings in many animals that get lost because they are frightened by fireworks. Petco Love Lost can get them home quickly, and not in the shelter waiting to be found.” Clay County Animal Services Shelter Manage...

By Erin Skipper- Erin Skipper for School Board My Clay County roots run deep with both of my parents being long time Clay County residents. My mom, Sheri Benton, has spent more than 34 years teaching in the Clay County Schools. This gave me a first hand perspective of the struggles teachers face everyday, raising a family and grading papers at night. My father, Harry Benton, ran a small business and worked throughout Clay County. As a family we were not wealthy, but we were loved. I was blessed to be born and raised in Clay County and have many wonderful memories of my childhood. While growing up, I attended various schools throughout Clay County and graduated from Middleburg High School. After graduating from high school, I married my “blue eyed” high school sweetheart, Joshua Skipper. Shortly after being married, Joshua enlisted in the U.S. Navy. While serving his Country, I was able to fulfill my life long dream of being a Nurse. I attended and graduated with honors from Oklahom...

Residents are happy to finally see such a big improvement in the freshly painted bridge and lamp post at Spring Park, to make an even more beautiful, Green Cove Springs, FL! Submitted by "Your favorite local photographer, Renae DeVine, DeVinevisionz2020"

by Clay County Sheriff's Office It can take place at a school, a church, a grocery store, a nightclub, or anywhere that people are gathered. When it occurs, a community is forever changed. It is called an active shooter event, and it can happen in an instant. After the initial shock wears off and the grief sets in, the event often becomes politicized. Families, already ravaged by loss, are seldom allowed to process their hurt because of the 24-hour news coverage and speculation. Even when the shooting takes place hundreds of miles away, waves of shock and fear spread across our country as we question our safety in places where we once felt secure. At the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, we strongly believe that the best response to an active shooter event is to end it quickly and decisively. While we cannot predict when or where a shooting will occur, we constantly train, plan, and prepare to meet an active shooter with swift and overwhelming force. As you read this, somewhere in Clay...