Council fires Town Manager John Bowles

ORANGE PARK -- Accusations of misconduct by the town’s Public Works director contained in an anonymous letter has led to the shocking and immediate dismissal of Town Manager John Bowles, whose brother resigned under fire as town manager of Green Cove Springs three months ago. Town Council members voted 4-1 on Wednesday, July 28 to fire Bowles from the position he has held for 21 years. 

 
Sports
Spartan Aquatic Club repeats as champions

St. John’s Country Day School’s Spartan Aquatic Club received record-breaking performances from swimmers Krissy Morgan, Kaitlyn Dressel, Sherridon Dressel and Caeleb Dressel at the River City Swim League Championship held last weekend at Cecil Field Aquatic Center.

The event, one of the largest in the country with more than 2,100 swimmers representing more than 20 teams, again was dominated by the Spartans, who repeated as champions despite having relatively few swimmers.

“We’re a smaller club than others that participated,” Spartan coach Dale Porter said. “However, we’ve been together for several years, and that’s one of the advantages of being a smaller unit.”

 
Local track club wins medals at AAU event

With competitors from across the United States, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Jamaica, the medals won by the 1st Coast Track Club at the AAU Club National Championship at the Disney Sports Complex were quite rewarding. 

Kendal Williams, an incoming 9th grader, led the way with four medals.  Though yet to turn 15, Williams won gold when he set a meet record in the Intermediate (15-16) 200-meter dash with a blistering 21.68.   He finished 2nd in the 100 and 7th in the long jump and triple jump.  In the process Williams defeated

 
 
 
From Where I Sit - Bob Henderson
Congress to consider cutting Social Security?

The lonely voice of one person crying out against the travesties of a huge and impersonal government is probably about as effective as a whisper ...

In Your Opinion
Motorcycle fatalities on decline in Florida

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles released its 2009 Traffic Crash Statistics in June. Overall, the number of traffic related fatalities decreased by 14 percent between 2008 and 2009.

 
School News
SJRCC honors law enforcement grads

ORANGE PARK -- St. Johns River Community College criminal justice academy cadets were recently recognized during a graduation ceremony. Cadets representing St. Johns, Clay, Putnam, Duval and Flagler counties received their certificates of completion for the law enforcement basic recruit and corrections basic recruit programs. St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Senior Deputy Chuck Griffin addressed the graduates as the guest speaker.

 
Kids having fun at library program

GREEN COVE SPRINGS -- Lula, left, and Evva proudly display the whales they crafted at the July 9 "Whale of a Tale" program at the Green Cove Springs Library.

Story Hour programming is currently available at this branch at 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday (ages 2-6), at 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays (ages 6-12) and 10:30 a.m. Fridays (ages 3-6) through July 21. These events feature storytelling, puppets, music, games and crafts.

For more information on these and other Summer Youth Activities at Green Cove Springs Library, please call (904) 284-6315 or 269-6315.

 
 
Events Calendar
Events Calendar

Get the latest information on upcoming events and government meetings in Clay County!

Obituaries

Joan Ward

Berlin Hilton

Delores Maxine Prepelica

Nellare I. McMaster

Garry Lee Blair

John Henry Christian Pace, Jr.

Douglas M. Sherrell

Ellen Boyle Blottman

Eleanor L. Baggs

Mattie Lou Box perry

Haley Frances Forsyth

Billie Scott

Rev. Charles Witman Raley

Phyllis Mae Tibbetts

Reppard I. Holbrooks