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Clay High Baseball Team Departs for Final Four
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May 16,2012 at 1:58 PM EST

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. -- The Clay High School baseball program is having it's best season in nearly a decade.  Recently, the Blue Devils won their first playoff game since 2003, and now they are on their way to the FHSAA Class 5A Final Four.

On Wednesday morning, the Blue Devils...more baseball team received a nice send-off from the Clay High students and faculty as they left for Port St. Lucie, the site of the Final Four.  Clay will play Ponte Vedra at 10 AM on Thursday with the winner advancing to Friday's state championship game.

Back on March 19th, Clay defeated Ponte Vedra 8-3.  The Sharks are no strangers to the Final Four as they advanced to this point two years ago.

There will be another Final Four matchup featuring two local teams on Monday when Hilliard meets Union County in the Class 1A Final Four.  Then on Wednesday, May 23rd, Providence will face Tampa Prep in the Class 3A Final Four.
Green Cove Springs

Clay Sheriff Asking For Help In Identifying Wallet Thief
May 16,2012 at 9:39 AM EST

FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. -- The Clay County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in identifying a woman who stole a wallet out of another woman's purse while her back was turned at Publix.

On April 28, Viki Pourciau went to Publix at 5000 Highway 17 around 11 a.m., according to a...more CCSO report. Before going into the market, Pourciau withdrew money from the ATM. She then went back to the car and divided the money between her, her husband and for the groceries she was going to purchase.

Pourciau then went into the store with $380 and proceeded with her weekly shopping, the report said. As she went to check out, she found her wallet was missing out of her purse.

The suspect, who was identified as a black female upon examination the surveillance footage, took the blue leather bifold out of Pourciau's purse while her back was turned at the meat section.

Mary Justino, spokeswoman for the CCSO, said individuals need to keep their belongings
Green Cove Springs, Orange Park

"Bees" to Sing For Green Cove Food Pantry
May 16,2012 at 9:07 AM EST

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. -- You can enjoy some young students singing their hearts out and help the Green Cove Food Pantry at the same time.

The "Bees" choir from Charles E. Bennett Elementary will perform Thursday, May 17th. The concert is at the school at 7:30 pm.

Here's...more the information from their choir director, Victoria Syken:

We are planning to benefit the Green Cove Springs Food Pantry.  The concert is Thursday, May 17th.  In addition to six other great songs to be done by the Bee Ensemble, one of our 6th graders will be performing a beautifully done rendition of Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror and we will be plugging the Pantry using an accompanying video which was done by our chorus mom. 

We will then be sponsoring a food drive the following week where we would like the community to know they can drop off any non perishable food item(s) at our school.  This is the second year we have worked with the Pantry to help feed our
Green Cove Springs

Deputy Honored in Clay County
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May 10,2012 at 6:07 AM EST

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. -- Thursday is the day selected by Clay County to recognize National Police Memorial Week.

It comes just a few months after Det. David White was shot and killed while investigating a meth lab in Middleburg. 

Here is the schedule for the day: 10 a.m. -...more 11, formal Police Memorial Week Ceremony held at Spring Park in Green Cove Springs. All families of line-of-duty death honorees are invited and will be recognized.

At 11:30 a.m., the CCSO Building Naming and Dedication Ceremony will be held at 901 North Orange Avenue. Sheriff Beseler and his staff will assist the White family in the unveiling of the newly-installed signage that names the Sheriff's Office's Green Cove Springs location the CCSO David A. White Memorial Headquarters.

At noon, Det. White's photo will be added to the CCSO Wall of Honor.

At 3 p.m., at the CCSO Middleburg Operations Center located at 1836 Blanding Blvd. a brief ceremony will be held to
Green Cove Springs

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Honors Fallen Officers
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May 2,2012 at 1:41 PM EST

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office honored fallen officers Wednesday.

The annual Police Memorial Day Observance took place outside the Police Memorial Building on Bay Street in downtown Jacksonville.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Christopher Kane...more was the last JSO officer to die in the line of duty.  Kane died in September 2008 after accidentally driving his police cruiser into the back of a parked construction truck.  The Florida Highway Patrol reported Kane was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. 

Wednesday's memorial recognized Kane and other officers lost throughout the years. 

Clay County

The Clay County Sheriff's Office is planning their annual memorial events with even heavier hearts this year.  

The agency lost Detective David White in February while he was responding to a suspected meth lab.  Investigators said someone started firing from the home when law enforcement tried
Downtown Jacksonville, Green Cove Springs, Middleburg, St. Augustine

Clay Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Molestation
Apr 30,2012 at 1:41 PM EST

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. --  Michael Tims received his sentence Monday for multiple counts of lewd lascivious molestation and sexual battery involving four children.

Tims, 29, was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Earlier he pleaded guilty to the counts.

One of the terms of...more Tims' sentence is a lifetime of sex offender registration after he is released from prison.  Additionally, Tims will spend the rest of his life on sex offender probation with electronic monitoring.

Tims was designated a dangerous sexual felony offender and a sexual predator.

Tims admitted that from 2009 to January 2012 he molested four children.  Tims also admitted to showing pornographic movies to the victims, who are both boys and girls.

Assistant State Attorney James Colaw said, "Although this sentence has a number attached to it, it is in essence a life sentence.  It will ensure this defendant never harms another child again.  The sentence also gives the victims
Green Cove Springs

Teacher of the Week: Tom Reynolds
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Apr 27,2012 at 9:15 AM EST

ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- Take one look at our Teacher of the Week and you can't help but like him.

Tom Reynolds teaches sixth grade science, as well as social studies and language arts at Orange Park Elementary School.

The kids enjoy him, because when Mr. Reynolds reads to the...more class, he's got different voices for every character.

He's also not afraid to share his own childhood experiences with his students.

The sixth-grader who nominated Reynolds says he makes learning fun.

"The kids know i don't repeat jokes," Reynolds explains, "and therefore they have to listen in order to catch on and find out why everyone else is laughing."

Reynolds says he himself wasn't the greatest student as a youngster, so he always makes sure his kids understand every lesson by keeping them relevant and interesting.
Green Cove Springs, Middleburg, Orange Park

Clay County Approves Prayer On School Grounds, With A Big Catch
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Apr 20,2012 at 5:32 AM EST

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- The Clay County School Board voted to allow prayer on school grounds Thursday night, but there's a big catch.

It has been a hard-fought battle on both sides of the issue, and the vote didn't seem to please either side.

The board voted 3-2 to allow...more prayer on school grounds, but to enforce some pretty serious restrictions.

The new regulations apply to any outside group that wants to use school property.

All adults involved will have to provide their name, address and birth date to submit to a background check ten days before the event.

The event will have to be finished 30 minutes before the school bell.

And whoever is running the event would have to provide insurance for every person in attendance.

The board attorney however acknowledged that Pastor Ron Baker is likely the only person the new policy will effect, which left some people scratching their heads.

"If the prayer is
Green Cove Springs, Orange Park

Teacher of the Week: Stan Cowherd
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Apr 19,2012 at 6:39 AM EST

ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- Sixth-grader Kyle Williams has disliked most of his teachers throughout his short school career.

He was also not a fan of math class.

However, all that changed this year, thanks to Ridgeview Elementary school, math teacher Stan Cowherd.

What's...more Cowherd's secret to connecting with kids like Kyle?

"Every kid has a different learning style," Cowherd explains. "You have to make it fun. You have to make it exciting.?

The key, Cowherd shares, is to related math to real life so the kids are able to better understand it.

To many people, math may bring back horrible memories, but with a master at math like Mr. Cowherd, Kyle says it's so much easier to comprehend.

"He pushes us to our limit," Kyle tells us.

"[Mr. Cowherd] doesn't push us to over the limit, but when he does push us to the limit, it goes so much that we do learn."

Well said, Kyle!
Green Cove Springs, Middleburg, Orange Park

School Prayer Debate Back on School Board Agenda
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Apr 19,2012 at 6:27 AM EST

FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. -- The Clay County School Board will once again take up the issue of prayer on school grounds.

The issue flared up previously when Pastor Ron Baker organized prayer at the flag pole at Clay Hill Elementary. That led to threats or legal challenges and talk of...more compromise.

Now, the board attorney will suggest amendments to the district's "Use of Facilities" form.

Outside groups planning an event on campus will have to alert the school 10 days ahead of time, and submit names or adults involved. They would also be restricted to meeting at least 30 minutes before or after school.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Thursday night at Fleming Island High.
Green Cove Springs

Student of the Week: Diamond Brown
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Apr 19,2012 at 4:51 AM EST

ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- She may not fully understand how huge her accomplishment is, but 10-year-old Diamond Brown knows it was her Black History Month essay that won her a full, 4-year scholarship at any state college in Florida.

"I think it means that my mom doesn't have to pay for...more college," Diamond says with a quizzical look.

Diamond received the award, from Governor Rick Scott himself and has the pictures to prove it.

Diamond chose to write her essay on the first black cardiologist, who performed the first successful heart surgery.

Why him?

"My grandmother, who I call Mimi," Diamond explains, "is alive today because of the work of Dr. Daniel Hale White.

"Mimi had to get 3 of her heart valves replaced so she could feel better," Diamond wrote in her essay.

Diamond's biggest fans at W. E. Cherry Elementary School, say her motivation -- will inspire others.

"She's modeled for her peers and communities that
Green Cove Springs, Middleburg, Orange Park

Teacher of the Week: Linda Lyons
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Apr 19,2012 at 4:09 AM EST

ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- She's got patience and persistence; the perfect combo for her combined first and second grade class at Clay County's Ridgeview Elementary school.

"I wouldn't be doing this if i didn't make an instant connection to the kids," teacher Linda Lyons...more explains.

"I'm a mother and a grandmother, and I'd like to think that I treat them the way that I'd like my own children and grandchildren treated."

It's that connection with kids, that has Lyons making huge strides with her students, especially in reading.

The woman who nominated Lyons for Teacher of the Week can attest to that; her son is in Lyons' class.

Since January, Kari Miller's son has, "Just improved so much.

"Even the fact that he can actually accomplish his homework now is just incredible to me," Miller says happily.

You can see the relief on Miller's face as she tells us she's also seen a change in her son at home, who not only has more time to
Green Cove Springs, Middleburg, Orange Park

Harbor View Boat Ramp Improvements Delayed, Why?
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Apr 9,2012 at 4:36 PM EST

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Harbor View Boat Ramp Park has been under construction since last summer, but residents say it is no closer to being done than it was six months ago.

"We were under the impression the contract would only last 120 days," said Ken Mumford. 

Mumford,...more acting as a spokesperson for a group of residents, said they have watched the construction delays with a great deal of frustration. 

"We've heard that it was going to be December, January, February," he said.

The park improvements are part of the Better Jacksonville Plan, a billion dollar project. Residents say they have been calling City Hall to find out why it is taking so long for them to be able to use the park and can't get an answer.

This $244,000 project includes a new restroom building and site improvements, like new curbing and landscape.

"We have had no explanation at all," said Mumford. "We thought maybe weather conditions, at one time we could
Downtown Jacksonville, Green Cove Springs, Jacksonville North Estates, Julington Creek

Brush Fire Grows from 3 to 75 Acres in Hours
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Apr 7,2012 at 5:34 PM EST
CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- Fire crews battled a fast-moving brush fire that grew from three to 85 acres in mere hours Saturday afternoon.

Safety Checks at Clay County Fair
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Apr 2,2012 at 3:28 AM EST

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. -- Sharon Lurch loves the Clay County Fair.

"The bathrooms are always clean, that's a plus," Lurch says.

But she's also got her eye on safety as her grandkids enjoy the thrills.

State inspectors looked over all 40 rides here last Thursday....more They checked out nuts, bolts, and sounds to make sure everything is in order.

"We pride ourselves for our safety record," says James Ingram of Deggeller Attractions.

Even after state inspectors leave, there are daily safety checks. Our news partner, the Florida Times-Union, reports no major injuries at local fairs in four years.

Fair organizers say it's a 20-point inspection that is specific to each ride.
Green Cove Springs