– The Orange Park Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating 16-year-old Tayshawn Dennis who was reported missing on the morning of May 2 Police shared in a social media post, that Dennis was last seen shortly before 6:30 a.m. leaving his residence at the St. John’s Pointe Apartments, located at 141 Old Orange Park Road. He is described as approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing around 210 pounds. At the time he was last seen, he was wearing black jeans and a black T-shirt featuring a graphic of an African American face with a purple bandanna. Authorities believe Dennis may be with his 15-year-old girlfriend, Clairissa Persinger, who is also missing from the Clay County area. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to contact the Orange Park Police Department at (904) 264-5555. Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us Careers at WJXT / WCWJ Closed Captioning / Audio Description WJXT Public File WJXT EEO Report WCWJ Public File WCWJ EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications Copyright © 2025 News4JAX.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group 16 hours ago21Orange ParkMamaJ202516 hours ago @katie can you please share on 5/7 in am BACK TO TOPTV Listings Orange Park Mall could soon be under new ownership Washington Prime Group plans to sell its entire portfolio of 50 shopping centers, including Orange Park Mall, as it lays off employees at its corporate headquarters, as first reported by Jacksonville Daily Record This would be the second mall in Jacksonville to recently undergo a sale after Blackwater Development finalized its purchase of Regency Square Mall earlier this month. The property purge includes 10 malls and shopping centers in Florida The Orange Park Mall turns 50 years old this year and is the Jacksonville area's second oldest indoor mall behind Regency Square Mall — soon to be The Nexus at Regency — which opened in 1967 The 950,000-square-foot property at 1910 Wells Road opened sits on 77 acres making it smaller than both Regency's 1.3 million square feet and The Avenues mall's 1.1 million square feet was previously one of its biggest draws as well There is no official timeline for when the sale will be completed nor a listed asking price yet The company’s new retail facility will serve medical cannabis patients in the Jacksonville area Adobe Stock | MichaelViPosted by Tony LangeApril 2 2025CMSBrowserComponents.load({ el: '#vue-1746503351612-0' props: {"cookieName":"parallaxState","cookieValue":"1","expires":1} skipWhenExists: false });[PRESS RELEASE] – LAS VEGAS announced the grand opening of its 32nd Florida dispensary in Orange Park on April 4-5 the 4,680-square-foot facility is well-positioned to serve the medical cannabis community in and around Jacksonville and will be open 9 a.m.-8 p.m Grand opening celebrations kick off on April 4 with local business owners joining the Clay County Chamber of Commerce to cut the ceremonial ribbon at 11 a.m. and guests will be entertained by a popular DJ during the two-day event A LifeSouth Blood Donation Bus will also be on-site along with a medical cannabis doctor providing information about how to obtain a medical card “We’re thrilled to open another convenient Planet 13 dispensary bringing our award-winning products to the growing Florida medical cannabis community,” Planet 13 co-CEO Bob Groesbeck said “With its prime location on Blanding Boulevard one of the busiest retail corridors in the region we are pleased to enhance patient access and convenience for metro Jacksonville’s growing population we remain committed to delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer service and look forward to serving patients in Northeast Florida through our newest storefront in Orange Park.” Planet 13 Orange Park is strategically positioned in front of Walmart and across from Publix ensuring high visibility and convenient access for patients the new storefront will benefit from significant daily traffic with more than 58,000 vehicles passing by each day The surrounding area features a daytime population of nearly 125,000 within a 5-mile radius making it a strong market for sustained growth a WPG spokesperson confirmed the company is selling off the assets in its portfolio writing that “about half of WPG’s properties sold in the past year while the remainder of the portfolio is or will soon be on the market.” The spokesperson says the strategy is “part of WPG’s multi-year journey” but did not give further details There could also be big changes coming for the Sears building at the mall RELATED | Celebrating 50 years of the Orange Park Mall: A look back at the longtime community hub and its 189,796-square-foot shell and associated parking are being marketed as a multitenant building along with five outparcels by commercial real estate services firm The Shopping Center Group Sears was among the original stores when the mall opened Sept it’s empty,” mall General Manager Randy Bowman said.‘Bowman confirmed the Sears store and its former auto service center will be demolished a TSCG marketing flyer shows on a conceptual design that the defunct department store’s shell could be divided into four spaces from 10,000 to about 24,000 square feet along Blanding Boulevard showing stores from 3,000 to 6,000 square feet Read more on JaxDailyRecord.com. Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials. CLAY COUNTY – A group of students at Orange Park High School protested after school hours on Wednesday to make their voices heard on the potential cuts to state funding for advanced educational programs A school district spokesperson said the demonstrations took place after school hours and did not interfere with any students’ class time That resolution aimed to support state funding for education acceleration programs like Advanced Placement (AP) which are in danger if the state funding cuts get approved it’s obviously an effort to control people’s it’s easier to control the and educate the uneducated and they’re just trying to leave us uneducated by cutting every single form education Despite pushback from school administrators students said they had been planning to protest for a week “We were having a discussion in one of our classes and our teacher was kind of informing us about the 5101 bill which we know got tabled,” Student Presley Decker said RELATED | Duval County students urge Jacksonville council to oppose state funding cuts The students didn’t only protest, they said they’re also sending letters to lawmakers asking for support in their fight for a better education system. “The only people who are going to fight for education are the educated people, and if so, if we don’t say something now, nobody’s going to take initiative to help us when we need it,” Student Caroline White said. – The town of Orange Park invited residents to attend a council meeting to make their voices heard about concerns affecting their community the OPPD doesn’t have any officers with the certification to hold people with federal immigration warrants A resident who spoke against the partnership said the agreement would take officers away from addressing other issues RELATED: Florida universities to deputize campus police for immigration enforcement "They’ve got enough problems to deal with. We ask them to be social workers on the street, dealing with our unhoused community members," Will Williams said. “There’s a lot that we already ask our police to do.” Police Chief Randy Case spoke to the residents to quell their concerns. “Our police department’s not going to be involved in door-to-door searches for illegal immigrants or something along that nature. And that’s my directive. I can say, we’re not doing that,” Case said. The federal government has indicated it can fund training for the designated officers, but there are still some questions the town council must work through before anything is finalized. There are major plans for the former Sears site at Orange Park Mall.  Johns River Water Management District began reviewing an environmental resource permit application for the project March 26 Such review often signals development progress Read the rest of this story at the Jacksonville Daily Record By Mark Long The Jaguars traded up three spots to select the Heisman Trophy winner with the No Scott Johnson – More than anything else in Northeast Florida’s history the old monkey research lab in Orange Park has sparked wild speculation the lab remains the focus of conspiracy theories and unanswered questions about what went on behind its secretive doors News4JAX dug into the mysterious history of the old monkey farm/lab uncovering details that sound straight out of a science fiction movie It all started in the 1930s in Orange Park, where a facility operated under the name Yale Primate Research Laboratory before being renamed the Yerkes Primate Research Lab Cynthia Cheatwood of the Historical Society of Orange Park told News4JAX that the lab was once headquartered in the old Granary building off Kingsley Avenue “Some of the work that was done was cited in scientific journals the world over,” Cheatwood said Scientists came from around the globe to collaborate with the lab’s founder A short walk from the Granary in an office park with stairs leading to nowhere on the second floor Related: Monkey sighting at Orange Park apartment complex sparks curiosity, questions Th oddities surrounding the buildings have been a headscratcher for many “There’s a Tarzan-from-my-youth idea in your head,” Cheatwood said Decades of monkey research were conducted at the facility The most persistent conspiracy theory alleges that scientists at the lab were attempting to create a human-monkey hybrid Cheatwood dismissed the claim as pure fiction that one is on the web and occasionally it kind of goes viral,” she said hidden away in what was then a wooded area off Kingsley Avenue “It was in the woods here because Kingsley Avenue was a two-lane road out into the woods and you couldn’t really see it because it was surrounded by a big fence,” said Nelson Hellmuth Hellmuth recalled the local gossip surrounding the lab and shared a story about Dr Yerkes wanted to raise a young chimp as a human to see how humanized it would be,” Hellmuth said “It didn’t work out too well because the babies started taking on the characteristics of a chimp,” Hellmuth said Hellmuth has searched the Granary for clues about the lab’s history for years “There’s a half a dozen electrical outlets in the upstairs bathroom,” he said The lab’s research involved frontal lobotomies on monkeys and even one case where a husband and wife—Cathy and Keith Hayes—raised a monkey named Viki as a human child The lab involved extensive research and surgical procedures that would not be permitted today The lab’s closure in the mid-1960s hasn’t stopped it from being a hot topic in the town And the theories and gossip had many visiting the area to get a closer look Some locals have even attempted to tie a recent monkey sighting on Wells Road to the old lab Related Video: Monkey sighting at Orange Park apartment complex ORANGE PARK, Fla. – Two men were arrested at Orange Park Mall for a series of robberies across Florida, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). FHP officials said they intercepted a vehicle linked to retail theft the suspects were found in possession of more than $16,000 worth of sunglasses The investigation revealed that the pair was wanted for numerous thefts between West Palm Beach and Jacksonville totaling over $65,000 in stolen merchandise 🔸FHP Breaks Retail Theft Chain🔸Recently, FHP intercepts vehicle involved in retail theft. Two suspects arrested at OP Mall for previous robberies at Florida malls, and other Sunglass Hut retail stores. Suspects had possession of over 16k worth of sunglasses at arrest. Cont. pic.twitter.com/90ZQMkN06T Kelsey Bingham is a multiplatform journalist from Atlanta, Georgia. She joined the News4JAX team in 2024 and is thrilled to start her media career in the River City. 🔸FHP Breaks Retail Theft Chain🔸Recently, FHP intercepts vehicle involved in retail theft. Two suspects arrested at OP Mall for previous robberies at Florida malls, and other Sunglass Hut retail stores. Suspects had possession of over 16k worth of sunglasses at arrest. Cont. pic.twitter.com/90ZQMkN06T This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page ORANGE PARK, Fla. – Many know John McCain as a decorated war hero and influential senator but few are aware of his connection to Orange Park That connection sits on a historic row of organic modern builds “I have not had the opportunity to tour inside it myself but I have seen photographs and read accounts of it This is a mid-century modern design,” she explained highlighting the home’s emphasis on “natural light and organic design.” RELATED | Before the US Senate: John McCain’s years in Jacksonville the area is filled with organic-looking homes “It is like you’re coming home to your own private paradise,” said Cheatwood One of these homes was once the residence of the late McCain McCain’s story as a war hero is well-documented fracturing both arms and a leg during ejection he endured five and a half years as a prisoner of war before his release there were at least 60% of these homes filled with Navy pilots or people that worked at the base to facilitate those Navy pilots,” Cheatwood said another POW who was with John McCain in the Hanoi Hilton especially when McCain’s wife suffered an injury Families on the street would cook and bring food over to the family You can kind of imagine those are a lot of work,’” Cheatwood said Two of the McCain children attended Orange Park Elementary and the youngest didn’t know her father when he returned home All she knew was what they could tell her,” Cheatwood explained emphasizing the family’s resilience during McCain’s absence The McCain family found a sense of belonging in Orange Park, making it their home. “We are a military town, and Orange Park has veterans everywhere you look. The historical society created a memorial inside the entrance of Magnolia Cemetery just for the veterans. So, we have an annual Veterans Day celebration there every year, and we have put a brick in there in John McCain’s name, even though he’s not buried,” Cheatwood said. Fittingly, the man who lives in McCain’s old home is an Air Force veteran. News4JAX also extends their appreciation to the family living there now who allowed us to film outside and tell this story. John anchors at 9 a.m. on The Morning Show with Melanie Lawson and then jumps back into reporter mode after the show with the rest of the incredibly talented journalists at News4JAX. 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Planet 13 Holdings Inc (CSE: PLTH) (OTCQX: PLNH) (“Planet 13” or the “Company”) a leading vertically-integrated multi-state cannabis company today announced the grand opening of its 32nd Florida dispensary in Orange Park on April 4 and 5 the 4,680-square-foot facility is well positioned to serve the medical cannabis community in and around Jacksonville and will be open Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m Grand opening celebrations kick-off on April 4 A LifeSouth Blood Donation Bus will also be on site along with an MMJ doctor providing information about how to obtain a medical card bringing our award-winning products to the growing Florida medical cannabis community,” said Bob Groesbeck we are pleased to enhance patient access and convenience for Metro Jacksonville’s growing population with over 58,000 vehicles passing by each day The surrounding area features a daytime population of nearly 125,000 within a five-mile radius Visit Planet 13 Orange Park today and experience why Planet 13 is a leader in cannabis innovation Order now at https://planet13.com/dispensary-orange-park-fl/ for fast Planet 13 (https://planet13.com) is a vertically integrated cannabis company production and dispensary operations across its locations in California Planet 13 continues to expand its footprint with the recent debut of its first consumption lounge in Las Vegas the opening of its first Illinois dispensary in Waukegan bringing unparalleled cannabis experiences to the Chicago metro area Planet 13 operates 32 dispensaries across Florida bringing its total to 36 locations nationwide Planet 13's mission is to build a recognizable global brand known for world-class dispensary operations and innovative cannabis products Licensed cannabis activity is legal in the states Planet 13 operates in but remains illegal under U.S Planet 13's shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol PLTH and are quoted on the OTCQX under the symbol PLNH visit planet13.com and follow Planet 13 on X @ShopPlanet13 and on Instagram @planet13official_ Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws are forward-looking statements and are often forward-looking statements relate to the announcement of a dispensary opening Such forward-looking statements reflect what management of the Company believes to be reasonable assumptions and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon such forward-looking statements and that actual results may vary from such forward-looking statements risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ include risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31 2023 and any of the Company's subsequent periodic reports filed with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca Forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as to the date of this press release and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements should they change securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein Planet 13 Investors:Robert Groesbeck or Larry SchefflerCo-Chief Executive Officersir@planet13lasvegas.com Planet 13 Media:Colin Trethewey / PRmediaNow CommunicationsColin@PRmediaNow.com   ORANGE PARK, Fla. – Orange 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. Its owner, 83-year-old Karen King, embodies the secret sauce of success with her strategic mind and vibrant personality. Karen King was born in 1942 and grew up in the 1940s and 50s with dreams typical of the era. “I thought maybe I’d be a nurse or a teacher, beautician, I don’t know, because that was back in the 50s,” she recalled. However, her life took a different path, one she could never have imagined. “Fortunately, 99% has been wonderful,” King said, reflecting on her journey. Over the years, King has owned eight McDonald’s restaurants. She fondly remembers one store in particular, saying, “This was my first store all by myself.” She recalled the unique design choices she made, like the open kitchen with bar stools, despite others' skepticism. “They said, ‘Oh, you don’t want that. They can see behind the counter.’ And I said, ‘And what do I have to hide?’” King said. King’s life story is an open book. After her first husband passed away, she married a McDonald’s supervisor. “When Mr. King and I were married, they had no women working at a McDonald’s, none,” she said. She proposed purchasing a store, leveraging her financial acumen and her husband’s McDonald’s connections. “I said, ‘We are equal partners in every way,’” she asserted. Though the marriage eventually ended, King continued to thrive in business. She and her husband purchased two restaurants, including the one at the Orange Park Mall. After their split, King eventually retained the family business and remains an active owner. The McDonald’s in Orange Park is a landmark, greeting visitors as they cross the Duval/Clay County line. The restaurant, rebuilt in 2002, was the first retro-style McDonald’s in the Jacksonville Co-Op. “I wanted to be the first with this particular building with the arches because I said I grew up during the 50s,” King explained. King has been breaking glass ceilings for a long time but acknowledges she hasn’t done it alone. “I have a fabulous director of operations,” she said, introducing Scooter McLeod, who started in the kitchen at 17 and worked his way up. She said he played a big part in her success. King is truly an inspiration, and even she’s not sure how much longer she’ll keep being involved. “I think every year this is going to be the year,” she said with a laugh. “And then when I turned 80, I said, ‘I think this would be a good year.’” Three years later, she’s still serving a community she loves, supported by her Golden Arches. Anchor on The Morning Show team and reporter specializing on health issues. ORANGE PARK – The Historical Society of Orange Park is dedicated to preserving the stories of African Americans who have played significant roles in the area’s history One example of this is the story of Lawrence Hicks also known as the “Ice Man,” who ran a successful ice delivery business in the late 1930s and 1940s RELATED: An Urban Bike Tour celebrates Black History in Durkeeville helping residents keep their refrigerators cool Hicks currently rests in an unmarked grave and the society would like to change that to properly honor his legacy expressed the importance of placing a headstone on Hicks' grave the more injustice we see in him not having a headstone,” Cheatwood said “I knew that this is where he kept his ice And I’m shocked it’s still here,” Demmons shared She fondly remembers Hicks delivering ice blocks to her family home RELATED: ‘Steeped in history’: Modern upgrades honor legacy of historic J.P. Small Park and Hank Aaron Field in Durkeeville Although no photos of Hicks exist, the society has gathered articles and documents, including a 1919 signature in a book from the St. James African American Episcopal Church. Cheatwood noted that after the ice business, Hicks transitioned to selling wood and was involved in various community organizations, earning him the reputation of a community pillar. The society is currently working on creating a headstone to honor Hicks and his wife, ensuring their resting place is properly marked. “It’s justice,” Cheatwood said. “He was serving the community for 40 years. But unfortunately passed before everyone else so there was no one to take care of him in his last moments.” In addition to the headstone, the society hopes to transform Hicks' former building into a mini Black History museum, pending the location of the current owners. Hicks will also be featured in the society’s Black history walking tours later this month, ensuring his story continues to be shared with future generations. Khalil Maycock joined the News4JAX team in November 2022 after reporting in Des Moines, IA. In fact, Tarik Minor and I got married at the venue in October 2009. Club Continental is rich in history and to truly appreciate this venue, one must travel back to 1880, when Orange Park was a small farming community and a burgeoning tourist destination. Even Union General and President Ulysses S. Grant vacationed in the area, which attracted a wealthy family who would eventually build Club Continental and raise their family in the mansion. The Winterbourne house was rented by B.J. Johnson, founder of the Palmolive soap company, from 1880 to 1885. It was the precursor to Club Continental. At that time, the area was largely undeveloped, with vast stretches of land. Karrie Massey, B.J. Johnson’s great-great-granddaughter and the last living direct descendant of the property, shared her memories of the grounds. Although she never lived there, Massey spent her childhood playing on the property. “Climbing trees, going into the swamp, which is just south of here, that was all swamp land, just enjoying the nature and the freedom,” she recalled. After the family moved away, Massey’s great-grandmother, also named Karrie, purchased the property and 40 acres of land for less than $90. Despite the lack of air conditioning, the family thrived in Florida’s warm climate. “Having grown up here, she always wanted to live here,” Massey said. The family continued to grow, with Karrie’s brother, Caleb, eventually purchasing 20 acres of the property. He built what is now Club Continental, originally named Mirorio, in 1923. The house has remained in the family ever since. The Johnson family was known for their extravagant parties, often competing with the famous DuPonts, who owned a 58-acre estate known as Epping Forest in Northeast Florida. “My grandmother and great-grandmother, they were always throwing parties. And if Mrs. DuPont threw a big party at Epping, Mrs. Johnson had to throw a big party the next week. So they were definitely competitors,” Massey shared. For over 100 years, the tradition of hosting grand events has continued at Club Continental. It remains a members-only club, event venue, and hotel, where many have shared beautiful memories. “Yeah, it’s really fun. We sometimes have people show up and say, ‘Oh, I got married here 40 years ago,’ stuff like that. It’s really sort of fun,” Massey said. Despite the challenges of maintaining two homes that are centuries old, Massey is committed to preserving the family’s legacy and keeping the property in the family. ORANGE PARK, Fla. – Even people who live in Orange Park might not know the story behind the school that used to occupy the property where Town Hall now sits. An abolitionist group came to town shortly after Reconstruction and taught Black and white students under one roof at the Normal and Industrial School. It didn’t take long, however, for racism to rear its ugly head. It’s a story of perseverance that dates back to the late 1800s. The now-defunct Orange Park Normal and Industrial School led the way when it came to educating Black children. Founded in 1891 by the American Missionary Association, the school prided itself on teaching the children of former enslaved people. Cynthia Cheatwood from the Orange Park Historical Society said the school was ahead of its time. “Latin, rhetoric, advanced mathematics, you had sciences of all varieties. Things that Florida schools had not quite gotten to yet,” Cheatwood said. The school had dormitories for boys and girls, and a church where students worshipped on Sundays. Black children of all ages were taught by white missionaries from the Northeast, and it didn’t take long for people in town to take notice. “October of 1891 it opened with 26 kids. So, it was kind of a small deal, but within a year it was at 100,” Cheatwood said. The school became so popular that white families wanted to enroll their children, too. “People were coming and enjoying and talking about and a buzz got started, more white kids there, so the people who did not like that idea became threatened by it,” Cheatwood said. One of the people threatened by the integrated school was Florida’s state superintendent of public education, William Sheats, who was a staunch segregationist. He eventually lobbied for a law to be passed in 1895, making it illegal for white and Black students at any school to be taught together in the same building by the same teachers. This led to several Normal School teachers and staff getting arrested and jailed, followed by a swift court case. “The school actually won the case, but that didn’t please the KKK,“ said Cheatwood. Because of all of the backlash and the threats by the KKK, the school eventually closed in 1913. The KKK burned down the school’s church a short time later. “It was a real shame. What that could have continued to offer this community. It staggers the mind to think about it. So many generations didn’t get that advantage because of racism,” Cheatwood said. The school was later demolished in the 1950s, and Orange Park’s Town Hall now sits in its place. In 2018, former mayor Connie Thomas spearheaded a campaign to place a historical marker in front of Town Hall, honoring the school and its people after hearing the story. “I was stunned,” Thomas said. “I think in this case, it was supposed to be a forgotten experience, but it wasn’t. I am so proud of all the people who have come together over time to make sure that this was not a forgotten experience. In fact, it is something that should be honored and treasured.” Former Vice Mayor Eddie Henley was one of the keynote speakers at the marker’s unveiling. He said it serves as a reminder of the hurdles Black Americans continue to work to overcome. “As an African American, some of the trials and tribulations, and some of the things we have dealt with over the years, getting an equitable education, is one of them,” Henley said. “I think that it’s something that we still struggle with today. I think the school itself laid a great foundation.” As she looks through old photos of the Normal School and its people, Cheatwood hopes more people will continue to learn and remember the history. “We hear so much white history. But Florida and the South have to embrace that that is such a different history than African American history,” Cheatwood said. “In order to understand each other, we need to hear each other’s story and we’re not hearing that story enough.” Amanda DeVoe joined the News4JAX team in March 2022 as a morning news and traffic anchor – It’s a preserved gem of Florida’s agricultural past The Clarke House in Orange Park on Kingsley Avenue 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 The Clarkes operated a successful pecan farm on their 30-acre property and ran a plumbing business They were also key players in Orange Park’s early political and social affairs. Today, the home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a community gathering space within Clarke Park. Cynthia Cheatwood, president of the Historical Society of Orange Park, said it’s a staple in Orange Park. “It is the core of Orange Park history, and some really amazing people have worked to preserve it,” Cheatwood said. The Clarke House is designed with both functionality and comfort in mind, reflecting the ingenuity of its builders. The home features wide porches for ventilation, a dining room vent to keep guests cool in the summer, and a state-of-the-art plumbing system for its time. Cheatwood explained that the house was constructed 12 years before electricity came to Orange Park. “It is all created with the idea that you needed light and energy flow,” she said. “The breeze was wonderful.” Inside, visitors can view Mrs. Clarke’s piano, which has remained in the same spot for more than a century. The piano was central to her community involvement, as she hosted meetings for the Garden Club of Orange Park and the Women’s Club of Orange Park. It also played a role in the creation of the First Baptist Church Sunday School. “Knowing about her piano is really understanding Mrs. Clarke,” Cheatwood said. “She sponsored missionaries around the world, and she used the piano for meetings, gatherings, and worship services.” The Clarke property was once a bustling farm with pecan groves, crops, and livestock. Although the pecan trees are no longer there, signs of the past remain. One of the original cottages that housed farmworkers still stands and is being preserved by the Historical Society with funding from a state grant. Cheatwood pointed out the practical and innovative design of the cottage, including its structural use of plumber’s pipes. Mrs. Clarke managed the farm operations while Mr. Clarke focused on his plumbing business. Their contributions extended beyond their property, as Mr. Clarke served as mayor of Orange Park and played a vital role in the town’s development. “When they moved to the town, there were 200 people living in Orange Park,” Cheatwood said. “It was a community where everybody knew everybody else, and there weren’t a lot of services. Eventually, though, the Clarks became an important part of that community.” The Clarke House and surrounding park have been preserved to honor the legacy of William and Carrie Clarke. The property serves as a bridge between the past and present, offering the community a place to learn, reflect, and gather. The Clarke House is open to the public for monthly tours and events, while Clarke Park welcomes visitors daily. Tiffany comes home to Jacksonville, FL from WBND in South Bend, Indiana. She went to Mandarin High School and UNF. Tiffany is a former WJXT intern, and joined the team in 2023 as Consumer Investigative Reporter and member of the I-TEAM. ORANGE PARK, Fla. – There’s a modest red brick building on Kingsley Avenue in the middle of bustling Orange Park. It’s a hidden gem and a throwback in time. Built in 1956, it’s almost 70 years old -- the oldest barber shop in Orange Park and arguably the oldest in the Jacksonville area. Walk through the doors of the Modern Style and Barber Shop and you’ll feel like you are going through a time tunnel. You’ll see the original barber chairs. The walls are adorned with military memorabilia. There are pictures of vintage military aircraft, aircraft carriers, including the USS John F. Kennedy, the Blue Angels and a photograph of Mayport that probably dates back to the 1950s. “It’s a beautiful aerial view of Mayport, and I’m thinking maybe the 50s by the way the cars look,” said Faye Wallace. “It’s a big, beautiful view. I’d love to see it side by side with a view then and now.” Wallace has been working at the barber shop since 1992. She says she came to work one day that year and never left. “You just come to work, hang out with your friends and it never feels like work,” Wallace said. “It’s always a pleasure to come in. I’ve never dreaded having to come to work.” As for the military motif, it’s because many of the original clientele had ties to the military. When the shop opened, Cecil Field was operating and many of its employees, especially members of the military, came in to get their “military haircuts.” “We had the Blue Angels in town,” Wallace said. “This used to be the military shop. And they would all come in and get their hair cut.” Many customers have been coming in for years and bringing their families. Take Doug, for instance. “Well, we moved here in ’73, so I’ve been coming here since,” Doug said. “Bill (the original owner) used to cut my hair. Faye just started here when I first got out of the Navy and moved back here in 1992, so, she’s cut all my kids’ hair, and she’s cutting my grandson’s hair now.” Ask Faye Wallace if she ever thinks about modernizing the Modern Barber and Style Shop and she’ll tell you in no uncertain terms, “no way.” The world around us is changing and changing rapidly every day. But the oldest barber shop in Orange Park is stuck in a time warp. The people who work here and their customers will tell you, they wouldn’t have it any other way. This Emmy Award-winning television, radio and newspaper journalist has anchored The Morning Show for 18 years. Healthgrades, an online resource that provides information about health care facilities and physicians, has included Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville in its America's 50 Best Hospitals list Healthgrades announced its 2025 America's Best Hospitals Awards this week 2 and 5% of hospitals nationwide "for overall clinical performance." "While there are several factors to consider when looking for a doctor hospital quality is one that can have a critical impact on a patient’s overall quality of care," Dr chief medical officer and head of data science at Healthgrades "That’s why Healthgrades remains committed to helping patients find top-performing hospitals in their area We want all patients to feel as confident and equipped as possible when it comes to choosing a doctor and hospital." The hospital has a 90% patient experience rating which is 25% higher than the national average Mayo also received Healthgrades' 2025 specialty excellence awards for cardiac care gastrointestinal care and gastrointestinal surgery a national health care watchdog organization Healthgrades’ said it evaluated "clinical performance … across 30 common procedures and conditions" at about 4,500 hospitals across the country "The persistent performance gap between the nation’s highest and lowest performers underscores the importance of ensuring that consumers have access to objective measures of hospital quality," according to the release If all hospitals performed as well as the 250 Best Hospitals Healthgrades uses patient outcome data from Medicare medical claims records patient survey data from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and patient outcome data from states that make it available "Our methodologies adjust for each patient’s risk factors gender and medical condition," according to the Heathgrades website The analysis "focuses solely on what matters most —patient outcomes — empowering consumers to choose doctors who practice at high quality hospitals," according to a news release about two-thirds of consumers are "more likely to choose the facility with a quality award than one without," according to the release For more information about Healthgrades' top hospitals lists, go to shorturl.at/sLCjh Carianne Luter – Residents at an Orange Park apartment complex were startled to discover an unexpected visitor this week — a monkey that was seen climbing in a tree The unusual guest has been spotted scurrying around the Reserve at Orange Park apartments on Wells Road sparking curiosity and concern among neighbors was the first to notice the monkey and alert News4JAX but a closer look through her window revealed something far more unusual “I just saw like a fluffy head staring at me right here,” she said “I’ve never seen a monkey outside of the zoo this could be one of the monkeys still missing.” News4JAX spoke to a Yemassee Police Department spokeswoman on Tuesday the agency that is helping to track down the missing monkeys She said she saw the video shared with News4JAX and showed it to people at Alpha Genesis in South Carolina They said it was not one of the missing monkeys adding the monkey seen in the Orange Park video appears to be the same kind of monkey not an adolescent like the ones that went missing from the facility While it’s not the monkey that traveled from South Carolina Some suggest it could be a descendant of primates once kept at a now-closed research facility in Orange Park. Others speculate it might be an escaped pet. The Yemassee Police Department spokeswoman said the monkey may be a descendant of monkeys that live in Silver Springs. Apartment management told News4JAX they have heard reports of residents spotting the monkey, but have yet to confirm any sightings. Management stated they would notify the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) if the situation escalates into a safety concern. The FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline is available at 888-404-FWCC for those needing to report wildlife issues. Morris said she and her neighbors remain vigilant, watching for any signs of the monkey. “I was sitting there, and I have a Ring camera and there’s a little bit of footage of me realizing, and I’m noticing that’s a monkey, and I’m like, ‘Guys, it’s a monkey!‘ And I was like, ’Literally, it’s a monkey.' Because you don’t say that often, especially around here,” Morris said. So far, there have been no reports of significant damage, but Morris noted that trash bags left out for collection appeared rummaged through. Residents are keeping their doors closed and eyes peeled as they wait for the mystery to unfold. Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved. ORANGE PARK, Fla. – Across 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. Orange Park Elementary is the oldest school in Orange Park. The other two are Grove Park Elementary and Orange Park Junior High. All three schools in the district partner with the University of North Florida to offer year-long internships to students at the university who are majoring in education. It’s part of Project PREP, which aims to prepare college students for teaching roles to address teaching shortages. Briana Brownlee is excited to call Jacksonville home and join the News4JAX team. She joins us from Southwest Florida, where she reported at Fox 4 News in Fort Myers. Before making it to the Sunshine state, she got her start in Rapid City South Dakota as the morning reporter and later transitioned into the weekend Sports Anchor. She attended Orange Park Elementary School “My mom taught him in second grade,” she said nodding toward her husband “She had this paper mâché Pacman that you would put on me,” he said smiling at his wife about their years attending the same elementary school Johns Country Day that they started to really notice one another “I remember seeing him and going to my mom and being like Give the two a “few” more years, cotillion, prom and they would eventually become husband and wife. They were married at Club Continental in Orange Park We sat together in their living room talking about the reasons why they can’t imagine raising their children anywhere else Doug’s family has “always” been in Orange Park “My sister lives at the end of the street right here “Mom is five houses south,” interrupts Doug “My parents are like a stone’s throw that way,” added Cary motioning just outside their home Cary loves the “bubble” where they are raising their sons They know all their neighbors and are literally related to many of them the word they use to describe the town of Orange Park is community They acknowledge Orange Park can get a bad rap People tend to associate it with Blanding Boulevard “Blanding is not the town of Orange Park,” explained Doug “The town of Orange Park is 5 square miles Cary said if it’s not the traffic on Blanding But the Orange Park Mall is not actually located in the town of Orange Park who decided to run for election to help the town maintain its charm “I was concerned that I would look back 20 years from now and not have done something that I should have or been upset about the way the town grew or turned out and I didn’t want to be the person that just complained about it after it happened,” he explained about running for office “I wanted to have done something during the process.” He hopes the residents of the town of Orange Park know how fortunate they are to live there I can show up for a town council meeting and voice my opinion,” Doug said Cary and Doug said their favorite date night spot is Club Continental and they hope more people will visit the town to see its charm, first-hand and not let traffic on the Buckman Bridge deter them. “I think the idea from Jacksonville residents, if you say Orange Park, is it feels like it’s a long way away; feels like it’s on the other side of the world,” Doug said. “But Jacksonville Beach or Ponte Vedra or St. Augustine, those places to us are not far away, 20 or 30 minutes.” “I loved growing up here. I love raising my kids here,” added Cary. “It’s just a good place to be.” Jennifer, who anchors The Morning Shows and is part of the I-TEAM, loves working in her hometown of Jacksonville. ORANGE PARK, Fla. – The 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. While many shops have come and gone, two stores — Zales and Spencer’s — have remained in the same location since the mall first opened in 1975. The Orange Park Mall first opened its doors shortly after the Buckman Bridge connected Jacksonville’s Southside to Clay County. But here’s a fun fact: despite its name, the mall is technically outside the official Town of Orange Park, something people enjoyed pointing out to News4JAX while we were completing our research for the story. Randy Bowman, the mall’s general manager, explained the distinction: “The town of Orange Park splits off from the county version of Orange Park. The actual dividing line is the railway track. Everything to the right of the track is the town of Orange Park, everything else belongs to the county. The mall is in the part of the county with the Orange Park ZIP code, which is where the name comes from.” The mall has evolved over the years but remains a go-to shopping destination. Bath & Body Works Store Manager Cortney McCarter credits strong customer relationships for keeping businesses alive. “We have a lot of loyal people who keep coming back to the Orange Park Mall,” McCarter said. “I think it partly has to do with our interactions with the customers. We make a great connection, not just in my store, but also with the community in the mall.” With 187 places to shop, the mall is home to a mix of national chains and local businesses. One of those locally owned stores is Fashion Dollz Boutique, owned by Stephanie Hoyte, who started her business in her garage before opening a storefront inside the mall. “I took a leap of faith, and I came to the mall and had my own boutique, Fashion Dollz Boutique,” Hoyte said. “You want your customers to feel special when they walk in. From the designs of the clothing to the smell of the store to the look of the store — it’s everything.” Hoyte emphasized the importance of supporting local businesses. “In the mall, there’s diversity. I’m young, I’m a Black business owner, but there are also other business owners in the mall with all different types of businesses,” Hoyte said. “We have to come together more and support each other locally. We travel and buy expensive things, but why can’t we shop with our locals the same way?” While the mall has been a community hub for decades, it has also seen its share of security concerns, including fights, gunfire incidents, and even evacuations in recent years. General Manager Randy Bowman says safety remains a top priority. “We want to protect our tenants, our guests, and the individuals who shop with us,” Bowman said. “We want the over 3,000 employees who work here to feel like, ‘Hey, I’m safe. I can come to work, enjoy it, and leave with no issues.’ We’ve put a lot of resources into making sure people do feel safe.” A Clay County Sheriff’s officer is stationed outside the mall daily to help maintain security. The official 50-year milestone for the Orange Park Mall falls on Sept. 24, and the community is invited to celebrate. The Orange Park High School marching band — which performed when the mall first opened in 1975 — will once again march through the mall to commemorate the occasion. Additional fun activities are planned for shoppers and families. – The town of Orange Park is preparing for its biggest public works project yet—a massive drainage overhaul aimed at mitigating future flooding issues Flooding has long been a concern for residents particularly in areas around small waterways like Johnson Slough these waterways often struggle to handle the volume of water and the town is ready to move forward with a solution RELATED: As population continues to grow, Clay County seeking to expand number of junior high schools Officials say the project has been in the works for a long time and is necessary to prevent flooding damage seen during severe storms like Hurricane Irma in 2017. The project, now in the design phase, includes plans to widen pipes, improve stormwater flow, and raise roadways. Interim Town Manager William Whitson explained that this project has been a long time coming. “This is a longtime project for the town,” Whitson said. “It started with the tremendous flooding that occurred during Irma, and it’s taken years to properly plan for it and secure funding.” Whitson adds that most of the funding has come from federal and state grants, which allows for construction to begin sooner rather than later. Public Works Director Kyle Croce emphasized that engineers are working carefully to ensure the changes don’t negatively affect residents. “They’re in the design phases right now,” Croce said. “They’ll come up with a plan to allow for more stormwater, more flow, and resilience against tidal influence, while also elevating the roadways.” Some residents worry the improvements may have unintended consequences. Former Clay County Commissioner George Bush, who lives in the area, expressed concerns about potential flooding caused by rising roads. “They want to raise the road [about] 5 to 8 feet, which could cause potential flooding through the area,” Bush said. “Houses that have not flooded are potentially going to be flooded.” Bush took News4JAX on a tour of the area, pointing out homes at lower elevations that could be affected. He noted that seasonal events, like nor’easters and full moons in August and September, compound the risk of flooding. “We have the end of August and September,” Bush said. “All those nor’easters come in with the full moon, and of course, you get a hurricane on top of it. That’s what causes the big flooding problem.” Town leaders acknowledge the concerns and are working with engineers to address them. “Our intent is to not negatively affect the residents but to improve their quality of life,” Croce said. Officials are encouraging residents with concerns to attend upcoming town council meetings or contact Town Hall directly. If everything stays on schedule, the drainage project is expected to be completed by summer 2026. ORANGE PARK, Fla. – A 20-year-old man was charged with attempted murder in the shooting incident of his mother’s fiancé, according to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. The shooting sparked between Jermaine King and a 40-year-old man, who the Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said was King’s mother’s fiancé. According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, King got into an argument with the man the night before the shooting. King left the home on Crystal Way in Orange Park, but returned later that night to get his belongings, Cook said. That’s when another argument broke out between him and the man, according to Cook. King left the home again but returned through a screen patio later that day. Cook said he shot through the sliding glass door, hitting the man twice. King left the residence after the shooting, but deputies found him at the Greyhound station in downtown Jacksonville. Cook said King told detectives that the man “disrespected” his mother and that’s what led to the shooting. “I will continue to have zero tolerance for crime in Clay County, especially violent crime,” Cook said. Proud alumnus of Bethune-Cookman University. ORANGE PARK, Fla. – Known 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. At the heart of this success are two dedicated teachers, Heidi White and Molly Geeser, who have been shaping young minds for over three decades. Heidi, a 5th-grade math teacher with 38 years of experience, and Molly, a 5th-grade science teacher with 35 years of experience, have worked side by side, forming a dynamic duo that has left a lasting impact on their students. “We have two very different personalities, and we complete each other,” Heidi shared with a laugh. Their partnership is so strong that they even conducted their interview together, highlighting the deep bond they’ve formed over the years. Orange Park Elementary is unique as a concept school with a lottery system, designed to draw students from various neighborhoods and offer parents more educational choices. “We didn’t have enough students coming to this school because of the neighborhood, so they were trying to draw kids to this school,” Heidi explained. Impressively, the school outperforms many others in the state, a testament to its innovative approach and community involvement. Parents are required to volunteer at least nine hours a year, contributing to the school’s success by helping teachers clean up the campus and organize workbooks. “The children see the parents' support and how they value education, and that shows up in the classroom,” Heidi noted. “When they know at home they are getting that same encouragement.” For Heidi and Molly, teaching is more than a profession — it’s a passion. “I love math. Doing math all day is just the best thing in the world,” Heidi said. Molly echoed her sentiment, expressing her love for science. The duo also emphasizes the importance of motivation and competition in the classroom. “Our students love competition. Classes like to compete against each other, and prizes, they love that. A lot of it is getting them excited about it,” Heidi shared. As they prepare for retirement, Heidi and Molly reflect on their journey together. “We built a friendship. We started as colleagues and built a strong friendship over the years. We thought, what better way than to retire together in the next few years,” Molly said. “Always look at what’s best for the kids. It’s not about what’s best for you, but what’s best for the kids. That is what decisions need to be based on,” Heidi advised. Orange Park Elementary continues to thrive, thanks to the dedication of its teachers, the involvement of its parents, and the love and passion that drive its success. you might want to run...as you are welcomed into this new world of Paranormal Cirque mysterious creatures and all the elements that make one think of a “normal” Circus but that of normal has very little A new show with breathtaking implications always poised between fun and the most uninhibited fear that will transport you to a dark world inhabited by creatures with incredible circus art abilities and cabaret in perfect harmony with the evolution of a show that brings you back to when we dream...and when we had nightmares and fantasies amuse and surprise are the ingredients for a mixture of emotions impossible to forget This is truly a Paranormal experience like no other — Under the stunning White & Black Top Tent • February 1 – Saturday: 6:30pm & 9:30pm • February 2 – Sunday: 5:30pm & 8:30pm For tickets and more information, visit www.paranormalcirque.com or call us at 941-704-8572. – Did you know Florida’s oldest continuous-running quilt shop is located in Orange Park Calico Station serves as a kind of sanctuary for local quilters who call the shop their second home RELATED | McDonald’s in Orange Park serves up legacy of community and innovation | Renovations planned at 3 schools in Town of Orange Park to keep campuses up-to-date they told me it was the longest continuous-running quilt shop in Florida,” said Calico Station owner Jennifer Brannon So she decided to learn a little bit about the history of the shelves that house the fabric “There are also other items in the shop that come from a couple of owners ago So there is still history in the furniture and things that are in Calico station,” Brannon added She continued to state that preserving the shop’s history makes her “feel really good and proud” to carry on something that started over 44 years ago Brannon explained that a customer told her that coming to the Calico Station quilt shop feels similar to working at the bar featured on the hit 80s sitcom “Cheers.” It’s where everybody knows your name you walk in and there’s beautiful fabric everywhere And another one of my customers reminded me of that Brannon also noted that many new faces have begun showing an interest in quilting and she takes joy in seeing the more experienced quilters take the newbies under their wing “We’re bringing up the younger generation,” she said The same thing was done to me when I first started sewing here sit down and I’m going to show you how to do this,‘ and she spent an hour and a half with me.” the storeowner described the heartwarming experience of walking into the quilt shop and seeing people working on “building their stash” or working on an item intended for a loved one MORE | Single-family home prices have increased in Orange Park over the last year & so has the number of houses on the market “I love it. That’s one of the greatest gifts, when you get a group of ladies sewing, there’s always someone that says, ‘Hey, does anybody know how to do this?’ Five people may know how to do it. They may say, ‘I know a faster way or a better way.’ And then they all learn. So it’s a constant learning, and it’s sharing, it’s community, it’s socializing. It’s just all of it. It’s just a wonderful thing to see.”