INSIDER
Former Orange Park police chief talks retirement, legacy, and how the department has grown since 1993
Read full article: Former Orange Park police chief talks retirement, legacy, and how the department has grown since 1993After protecting residents for 35 years, former Orange Park Police Chief Gary Goble decided to retire almost a year ago.
Spotlighting the remarkable career of St. Johns Country Day School soccer coach Mike Pickett
Read full article: Spotlighting the remarkable career of St. Johns Country Day School soccer coach Mike PickettAnyone familiar with soccer in Florida is aware of the illustrious career of St. Johns Country Day School coach Mike Pickett. In his 26th year as head coach in Orange Park, Pickett has won 14 state championships and holds the record for most consecutive championships, winning 11 in a row from 2012 to 2022.
10-time Olympian Caeleb Dressel talks achievements, what the Clay County community means to him
Read full article: 10-time Olympian Caeleb Dressel talks achievements, what the Clay County community means to himAs part of the News4JAX “4 Your Neighborhood” campaign in Orange Park, 10-time Olympian Caeleb Dressel talked about what the Clay County community means to him, his achievements and more.
Former Hyundai Hometown Hero winner and Orange Park High School teacher Christine Howell says teaching is her calling
Read full article: Former Hyundai Hometown Hero winner and Orange Park High School teacher Christine Howell says teaching is her callingAfter winning a 2024 Hyundai Tucson as part of News4JAX’s Hometown Heroes contest, we caught up with Howell, who shared why she takes her role as a teacher so seriously, calling it “her calling,” and why she spends time investing in the youth.
Through heartache and a heart attack, this Clay Today photographer has kept shooting his shot for 40 years
Read full article: Through heartache and a heart attack, this Clay Today photographer has kept shooting his shot for 40 yearsIf you have played sports in Orange Park or anywhere in Clay County, you’ve probably seen Randy Lefko, and he’s got a slew of breathtaking photos to prove it.
History beyond the fireworks: How Moosehaven has served the Orange Park community for 100+ years
Read full article: History beyond the fireworks: How Moosehaven has served the Orange Park community for 100+ yearsMoosehaven, a retirement community located in the heart of Orange Park, is known for its amazing 4th of July fireworks show.
John McCain’s connection to Orange Park: A lesser-known chapter of a national hero’s life
Read full article: John McCain’s connection to Orange Park: A lesser-known chapter of a national hero’s lifeMany know John McCain as a decorated war hero and influential senator, but few are aware of his connection to Orange Park.
The ‘Humanzee’ conspiracy: The wild history, oddities behind Orange Park’s old ‘monkey farm’ mystery
Read full article: The ‘Humanzee’ conspiracy: The wild history, oddities behind Orange Park’s old ‘monkey farm’ mysteryThe lab’s research involved frontal lobotomies on monkeys, administering various drugs, and even one case where a husband and wife—Cathy and Keith Hayes—raised a monkey named Viki as a human child.
Inside Clarke House: A glimpse into a 1912 treasure in Orange Park
Read full article: Inside Clarke House: A glimpse into a 1912 treasure in Orange ParkThe Clarke House in Orange Park stands as a timeless window into the area’s rich history. Built in 1912 by William and Carrie Clarke, this wooden farmhouse remains a testament to the pioneering spirit of its original owners.
‘Everybody just feels at home’: A look inside Florida’s oldest continuous-running quilt shop in Orange Park
Read full article: ‘Everybody just feels at home’: A look inside Florida’s oldest continuous-running quilt shop in Orange ParkPositioned just off Wells Road, Calico Station serves as a kind of sanctuary for local quilters who call the shop their second home.
Celebrating 50 years of the Orange Park Mall: A look back at the longtime community hub
Read full article: Celebrating 50 years of the Orange Park Mall: A look back at the longtime community hubThe Orange Park Mall is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, marking five decades as a staple in the community, employing over 3,000 people and housing 80 small businesses.
Meet Randy Case: Orange Park’s new police chief is committed to helping people ‘solve problems in their neighborhood’
Read full article: Meet Randy Case: Orange Park’s new police chief is committed to helping people ‘solve problems in their neighborhood’Chief Randy Case, who was sworn in as Orange Park Police Chief this past May following the retirement of long-serving chief, Gary Goble, shared his goals and visions as a town leader with News4JAX.
A lab in Orange Park is working to solve Florida’s algae bloom problem. Here’s how
Read full article: A lab in Orange Park is working to solve Florida’s algae bloom problem. Here’s howAlgae blooms are a problem in many communities around Florida, especially in Clay County. The county’s water management team is removing phosphorus or nitrogen from its water to help combat the potential for algae blooms.
McDonald’s in Orange Park serves up legacy of community and innovation
Read full article: McDonald’s in Orange Park serves up legacy of community and innovationOrange Park is home to many fast-food restaurants, but one stands out not just for its longevity but for its remarkable owner. This McDonald's, the first in Clay County, has been a staple for over 50 years.
Orange Park Fire Department tackles challenge of recruiting firefighters to small town
Read full article: Orange Park Fire Department tackles challenge of recruiting firefighters to small townThe biggest challenge for the fire department in the Town of Orange Park is keeping firefighters and filling vacancies.
Single-family home prices have increased in Orange Park over the last year & so has the number of houses on the market
Read full article: Single-family home prices have increased in Orange Park over the last year & so has the number of houses on the marketThe number of homes on the market in the Town of Orange Park has increased over the past year, and so has the median sale price.
Renovations planned at 3 schools in Town of Orange Park to keep campuses up-to-date
Read full article: Renovations planned at 3 schools in Town of Orange Park to keep campuses up-to-dateAcross three schools in the Town of Orange Park, there are more than 1,700 students, and the Clay County School District says work is underway on each campus to keep facilities up-to-date.
Historic Orange Park Normal and Industrial School taught Black, white children under one roof in late 1800s
Read full article: Historic Orange Park Normal and Industrial School taught Black, white children under one roof in late 1800sOrange Park's Town Hall sits on the property that was once home to the Normal and Industrial School, which was ahead of its time. An abolitionist group taught Black and white students under one roof at the school in the late 1800s.
New security measures, increased monitoring ensure safer environment for students at Orange Park Junior High
Read full article: New security measures, increased monitoring ensure safer environment for students at Orange Park Junior HighOrange Park Junior High School has enhanced its campus security with new safety protocols, including ID checks and increased monitoring of social media threats, to protect students and staff.
‘Little School with a Big Heart’: Orange Park Elementary’s journey to becoming a top Florida school
Read full article: ‘Little School with a Big Heart’: Orange Park Elementary’s journey to becoming a top Florida schoolKnown as the “Little school with a big heart,” Orange Park Elementary has become a shining example of educational excellence in Florida. The school’s success can be attributed to a combination of love, passion, and strong parental involvement.
Lifelong Orange Park residents describe lure of small town living
Read full article: Lifelong Orange Park residents describe lure of small town livingOrange Park Town Councilman Doug Benefield and his wife, Cary, explain what they love about growing up and raising their family in a small town.
‘I am eternally grateful’: Somer Thompson’s mother reflects on community support after 7-year-old murdered in 2009
Read full article: ‘I am eternally grateful’: Somer Thompson’s mother reflects on community support after 7-year-old murdered in 2009The search for 7-year-old Somer Thompson brought hundreds to the town of Orange Park 15 years ago. Her mother, Diena Thompson, reflects on what the support meant to her during the worst time of her life.
Discover nostalgia, timeless charm of Orange Park’s oldest barber shop
Read full article: Discover nostalgia, timeless charm of Orange Park’s oldest barber shopThe oldest barber shop in Orange Park and arguably the oldest in the Jacksonville area, the Modern Style & Barber Shop remains a hidden, timeless gem on Kingsley Avenue.
4 Your Neighborhood: Orange Park has a rich, and sometimes strange, history. We explore the past, present and future
Read full article: 4 Your Neighborhood: Orange Park has a rich, and sometimes strange, history. We explore the past, present and futureWJXT is proud to continue its long-serving promise of dedication to North Florida and South Georgia communities by introducing a new, inside perspective of area neighborhoods.
News4JAX is launching our ‘4 Your Neighborhood’ campaign. First stop: Orange Park!
Read full article: News4JAX is launching our ‘4 Your Neighborhood’ campaign. First stop: Orange Park!WJXT is proud to continue its long-serving promise of dedication to North Florida and South Georgia communities by introducing a new, inside perspective of area neighborhoods.
Massive drainage project could be completed in Orange Park by 2026
Read full article: Massive drainage project could be completed in Orange Park by 2026The town of Orange Park is preparing for its biggest public works project yet—a massive drainage overhaul aimed at mitigating future flooding issues.
As population continues to grow, Clay County seeking to expand number of junior high schools
Read full article: As population continues to grow, Clay County seeking to expand number of junior high schoolsClay County is in the process of approving the rezoning and construction of two new buildings at Oakleaf Junior High and Lake Asbury Junior High. They will be the first two junior high schools in the county to accommodate 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.