We Insure SPORTS FOCUS HOMES Jags’ Darius energizes Fleming Jane DiLoreto Island football kids. Agency SPORTS 215-2121 3701193-01 THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2012 WWW.CLAYTODAYONLINE.COM VOLUME 42, NO. 29 75¢75 COUPON SAVINGS Drug sweep $AVE $ catches 47 in Middleburg WITH COUPONS 94 Clay Today staff INSIDE THIS ISSUE GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Forty-seven people have been ar- rested in a two-day drug sweep in Clay County that focused on the Forman Circle area in Middleburg. Responding to citizens’ complaints about ongoing illegal NEWS drug dealing activity in the area, members of the Clay County Drug Task Force made the arrests following a year’s worth of FOCUS investigating and undercover work, the Clay County Sheriff’s Of ce said in a news release. More police news • Oakleaf pool death, Pg. 17 • Board critic arrested, Pg. 20 • Pot operation found, Pg. 21 CORRESPONDENT PHOTO BY PETE GEIGER T. Jesse Godbold, retired Clay County Extension director and agriculture agent, Maurice Futch Although Forman Circle was the origi- stands in front of the Extension Education Center newly named for him. GATOR CAUGHT nal focus of dealing crack cocaine and illegal pills, information Trappers kill gator in quickly led detectives also to suspects all over Clay County, the Doctors Lake. Pg. 8 Sheriff’s Of ce said. Building renaming honors One of the people arrested was 31-year-old Maurice Futch of Middleburg. The Sheriff’s Of ce said he was a key target “due to his constant illegal drug-dealing activity,” the release Extension Agent Godbold says. Futch is considered a high-level dealer and is now charged By Pete Geiger The building was titled “T. Jesse with multiple counts of sale and delivery of cocaine plus sale Correspondent Godbold Sr. Extension Education Cen- and delivery of crack within 1,000 feet of a church. He is also GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Retired ter” in a resolution of the Clay County charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon Clay County Extension Director and commissioners. Four of the ve com- and drug possession, the Sheriff’s Of ce said. Agriculture Agent T. Jesse Godbold was missioners were on hand for an unveil- BLIND AWARD The Drug Task Force consists of personnel from the Sher- honored July 11 by the re-naming of the ing by Godbold’s grandchildren, Hunter Blind association honors exhibit building at the extension center SEE GODBOLD, 9 OP woman. Pg. 25 SEE DRUG SWEEP, 26 he established. The best deals! INSERTS •New Vehicles USA WEEKEND •Pre-Owned •Service NEWS AMERICA COUPONS •Body Shop FRITO LAY MUSIC FEST/JAMES JETT 272-2200 • 1166 BLANDING BLVD. cltda0719ctd001GW.indd 1 7/18/2012 1:24:20 PM 2 • CLAY TODAY • JULY 19, 2012 COMMUNITY CLAYTODAYONLINE.COM Little can be done for gardens impacted by Debby’s rains Q. When we had all that rain, not a problem in the future, relocate your my garden was totally ooded. Now garden (if you can) to the higher areas of my tomatoes are wilting but my soil the yard that still get sun. Even more im- is still wet. Should I be watering? portant (as you prepare the garden now) R. After the fact there is little one can form hilled rows (as you see farmers do). do to help vegeta- A gardener has to plant for that one week ble gardens that of every day rain that will take out a gar- stayed ooded for den. more than a day. Before forming these beds, consider They are probably solar sterilization – using the sun to kill lost but then July is pathogens that may be hiding in your gar- when we get ready den. This is easily done by tilling the soil, for the fall garden leveling it, watering it and then immedi- anyway by pulling ately covering the area with a clear plastic up the spring gar- Seasonal concerns sheet. Weigh this down. The plastic allows from gardeners den plants – ex- sun rays to reach the moistened soil below cept for Peppers, RAY H. ZERBA JR. where the trapped water will be heated Eggplant, Okra, Horticulture Agent IV, high enough to kill most fungi, many weeds and Sweet Potatoes Emeritus UF.IFAS Extension and insects to 4-5 inch depths. Leave the Here is an example of how to hill up a garden that is prone to ooding when heavy rains ar- Clay County (Retired) that can continue sheeting on for two to three weeks. After rive. Gardeners should consider this method as they begin to prepare for their fall gardens. to grow through the that, pull the plastic back and make your fall. raised beds. ready to plant the fall garden – the last part lems, and to learn about upcoming Exten- When gardens are under water, air To make raised beds, take stakes and of August. At that time the garden should sion Programming in our area explore that bubbles out of the soil and if water stands string and line out where you want your be relatively free of pests and better able website further. for 2-3 days, plant roots can’t get the oxy- beds and your walkways. Once you have to handle heavy rains because your beds The Institute of Food and Agricultural gen they need and smaller roots die. Since laid this out begin shoveling soil from a will be elevated above walkways that will Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity these are the ones that take up water, your walkway to the right and then the next act as ditches to hold the excess water. Institution authorized to provide research, vegetables (which are not woody) begin shovelful to the left. Keep doing this as Want someone to answer a speci c educational information, and other ser- wilting very quickly, even though water is you walk down that walkway and then plant question for you? Go online to http:// vices only to individuals and institutions present, because they don’t have the func- turn around and come back doing the clay.ifas.u .edu and under the heading that function without discrimination with tional roots to absorb it. Applying more same thing. Repeat this as many times “Horticulture” (left hand side of page) left respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, water would not help. as needed until the walkway is lower than click on “Ask a Master Gardener” and a disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital So what can you do? First off, as I said, the adjacent hills by 4-6 inches. You are reply will be sent plus a hyperlink to the status, national origin, political opinions, pull up the old vegetables and begin pre- now ready to sterilize again to reach even appropriate University of Florida Fact or af liations. USDA, UF/IFAS Extension, paring for the last week in August – which deeper into the plant root zone. Sheets. Please send us a digital picture FAMU and Boards of County Commission- is when we put in our second garden of the Water the garden, recover it with the of the problem. To speak to someone by ers Cooperating year – the fall one. plastic sheeting and this time leave it in phone, call 269-6355. To read past articles To address the heavy rain issue so it is place until a day or two before you are that might help you with seasonal prob- GCS Council eliminates crossing guard funds By Pete Geiger Hampshire, who told her four council col- concerned, they can volunteer as crossing a copier-lease agreement with the Univer- Correspondent leagues, “I cannot vote to eliminate this guards.” sity of Florida, the city will save $4,500 GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The 47 Green [guard] position when I feel safety is at is- Musco told the council that police of - per year on the copiers, according to City Cove Springs Junior High School students sue. That is a state highway.” Her’s was the cers in squad cars will park near the junior Manager Danielle Judd. who live south of State Route 16 will have only “no” vote. high during the rst week of classes, Aug. • Approved a $113,000 contract with no crossing guard to help them venture Police Chief Robert A. Musco told the 14-17, to make sure traf c does not speed American Date Group of Centennial, Colo., across the highway at West Street as they council they could eliminate the position near the school. Speed is limited to 15 mph to install new nancial data programming go to and from school in starting in August. because state law only mandates crossing during the time when students are going to in the city’s computers. The City Council voted Tuesday, July guards at schools up to sixth grade. The ju- and from the junior high school. • Heard a request from resident Wil- 17, to eliminate the guard and save $4,700 nior high, formerly for grades six to eight, The council also: liam Ivey to name a city street for his late in the city budget. Two crossing guards will was changed last year to only seventh and * Voted to approve a construction bud- father, Arthur Ivey, the former city public remain on SR 16 and on North Oak Ridge eighth grades. get and time table for the new city police works supervisor. The matter was held for Avenue to help students of Charles E. Ben- Council member Robert Page explained, station. It will be built for $5.3 million at discussion. nett Elementary School. Both the junior “Unfortunately we have to operate to the Idlewild and Melrose avenues, two blocks high and the elementary school are one budget.