Community lends a helping hand to fill a need

ORANGE PARK, Fla. --  Sometimes small things can make a big difference, just ask Grove Park Elementary.

This week picnic tables were delivered free of change to replace old wood that had seen its better days.

"The other ones were kind of getting warped and these are just wonderful," said Opal Phelps who had her second grade class outdoors on the tables reading under the shade.

First Baptist Church in Orange Park that has bonded with the school for years initiated the project that was embraced by the community.

Sam Pruitt said it was not problem getting support and donations to replace the 20 tables that were aged by years of use.

All the materials he says were donated by local businesses and students from Orange Park High handled the construction end of the job.

Community Sponsors

Showing appreciation for our teachers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- For the fourth year in a row, the St. James A.M.E. Church in Orange Park held its Teacher Appreciation Day during services Sunday morning.

The church honored more than 25 teachers with a plaques, gifts and apples, presented by their students. The children also wrote two paragraphs on why their teachers were so special to them and how they touched their lives in a positive way.

The church also honored three school board members for their long service to the community and educating their children. 

 

 

The teachers honored were all appreciative.

 

Clay County boy killed in tragic accident

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- A 4-year-old in Clay County died Thursday in a tragic accident.
    
According to a report from the Clay County Sheriff's Office, Lucas Colley was sitting on an electric reclining chair and using a control system to raise and lower it.
    
Then his mother and a family friend heard him scream. They ran into the room and found the chair closing on the boy's head.

"Yes they did try to stop it. They tried to use the functions on the remote. According to the mother, she said the buttons didn't respond then physically they tried to pull the chair apart which they were unable to do," said CCSO Detective Jermaine Boone.

We spoke with Clay County detectives, and they told us the boy's mother needs help paying for his funeral services.    

If you would like to help, you can contact the Aaron and Burnet Bivens Funeral Home at 264-1233 to donate.

Sudden death cancels cruise and possible refund

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, Fla. -- Carnival Cruise Lines has seen its share of problems this year, but that did not stop Frances Prince and Mollie McCall from booking a seven day cruise.

"She wouldn't go without me and I wouldn't go without her," said Prince. 

But on May 9 Herb Green, McCall's fiance', was killed in an accident on State Road 16 near Starke. Prince is still trying to cope with the loss. 

Prince, McCall and Herb Green were good friends. 

"Tragedies happen," she said. "You can't schedule them."

On May 10, the day before they were to set sail, they contacted their travel agent with the bad news.

"Their big suggestion was see if you can find somebody else to take your place," Prince said.

Prince said she also called Carnival Cruise to try and reschedule the cruise.

Community Sponsors

Changing the Way School is Done!

Marching to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Friends and family of Melissa Boyett marched in her honor to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

Melissa passed away on April 23, but lived a life full of joy and experienced more than most people ever will in her short 23 years.

Team "Marching for Melissa" met Saturday at the Orange Park Kennel Club.  They walked to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis research.

You can donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Melissa's name here.

Sibling sexual abuse hurts a Jacksonville father

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- It is still one of society's greatest taboo but because no wants to talk about it, doesn't stop sibling sexual abuse. According to the Pandora Project studies have shown that between 2% and 4% of people have been sexually victimized by a sibling.  

"What is a father to do?" asked Reggie Thomas.

Thomas, 36, is a divorced father who is worried about his two children now living with their mother.

"I did all the right things I call JSO I took my child to the hospital," he said. 

Earlier this year Thomas made an ugly discovery. Court records show his children's older half-brother, a 15 year old, was charged with sexually abusing his younger siblings. Thomas' two children are eight and nine years of age.

"My daughter said this was going on for three years straight," he said. 

The State Attorney's office prosecuted the teenager.

Board Chairman: Superintendent told us not to talk to staff

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- The combative relationship between the Superintendent of Clay County School and the School Board has reached a new level.

A new directive laid out by Superintendent Charlie Van Zant has many upset.

Clay County school superintendent Charlie Van Zant and the school board have been at odds over several issues since Van Zant's election in the fall. So much so the Chamber of Commerce wrote a letter to both parties asking them to cool it because it was hurting the reputation of the county.

The latest salvo fired by the Superintendent this week: If you are a member of the Clay County School Board and want to ask a question of the school system staff, don't.

That is what school board Chairman Carol Studdard said she was told this week by a staff member. She said she was told if she or any school board member had a question, take it to Van Zant.

Studdard doesn't like it one bit.