Jacksonville World Class Equestrian Competition

Jacksonville Winter Series Horse Shows feature competition January 12 to January 30, 2011, at the Clay County Agriculture Center.

Riders and horses of international acclaim will compete in equestrian events, including the sensational and thrilling Grand Prix, over three consecutive weeks. This will be the 17th year of the annual Winter Series, which has donated over $700,000 to local charities over the years, including the Clay County 4-H, Jacksonville Zoo, Donna Hicken Foundation and Hope Therapies. The Winter Series Horse Show has an annual economic impact of over $16 million to the surrounding community. The shows benefit both the local equine community and local charities. The top Grand Prix, with a $100,000 purse will be held the evening of January 15, 2011. In this event, the horse and rider navigate an extremely complex and challenging course of obstacles, of great height and width, against the clock. The horse and rider must jump, or clear the obstacles, with the fastest time winning.

Gate River Run Entry Forms Now Available

The official Gate River Run entry forms and training schedules are now available for the 34th running of Jacksonville’s premier running tradition on Saturday, March 12, 2011, announced Race Director Doug Alred.  More than 20,000 people annually take to the streets in Jacksonville’s largest participatory sporting event, which includes four popular races through some of Jacksonville’s most scenic neighborhoods.  Gate River Run is the largest 15K in the country.

February 2nd Clay County Habitat for Humanity ReStore ReOpening

The ReStore of the Clay County Habitat for Humanity (CCHH) affiliate will celebrate a ReOpening on Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2011, with a Clay County Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting to showcase store improvements, and new affordable housing initiatives being detailed. One of the many ReStore highlights we’ll be celebrating is the fact that because of 2010 donations from Clay
County residents and vendors to our ReStore, we’ve saved 3,579 cubic yards of materials (beds, doors, mattresses, TV’s, etc.) from landing in the landfill – the equivalent of 549 male African elephants!

Residential Structure Fire 400 Block of Pine Avenue, Green Cove Springs

Residential Structure Fire 400 Block of Pine Avenue, Green Cove Springs

Clay County Fire Rescue personnel responded to a residential structure fire on Friday, January 7, 2011 at approximately 10:00 p.m. An emergency call placed to CCFR dispatchers alerted them to the fire in the 400 block of Pine Avenue in Green Cove Springs. Three engine companies, one ladder, two ambulances, and a Battalion Chief were dispatched to the blaze. Upon arrival, initial crews encountered heavy fire in the first and second floor as well as in the attic of this two story structure.

State of Florida v. Misty Croslin Cummings Sentencing Hearing

State of Florida v. Misty Croslin Cummings

Charges: Trafficking in Hydrocodone and/or Oxydcodone

Sentencing Hearing, Monday, January 10, 2011 at 1:30 p.m., Putnam County Courthouse

Green Cove Springs to Begin Using Red Light Cameras

Green Cove Springs to Begin Using Red Light Cameras

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. -- Next month, Green Cove Springs police will begin citing red-light runners using cameras that catch drivers in the act.

If you are driving down U.S. 17 (Orange Avenue) and run a red light at the busy Houston or Ferris street intersection, new red- light cameras will catch the violation. Cameras will be added to Harbor Road and 17 in  two to three months.

Soon after being caught on camera running a red light, offenders receive a ticket in the mail that will cost $158. The driver doesn't get points or higher insurance rates, but if the fine isn't paid within 30 days, the fine increases to $256.

"This is about public safety," said Police Chief Bobby Musco. "If you go to a t-bone crash at an intersection, somebody is going to be hurt. This is about public safety. "

High School Students: Time to Enter Manatee Art Contest

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites high school art students across the state to participate in a contest to create a piece of manatee artwork that will be used on the 2011-2012 manatee decal.

Students in grades 9-12 in Florida should coordinate with their school’s art teacher to submit the artwork, because each school may submit no more than five entries. Home-schooled students also are eligible to enter the contest. Contest details and forms are available online at MyFWC.com/Manatee.