We Insure HOMES – Pages 29-31 Jane DiLoreto Agency 215-2121 3701193-01 OPAA Crush Loses in 13-U state nal – SPORTS THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013 WWW.CLAYTODAYONLINE.COM VOLUME 44, NO. 30 75¢75¢ Murder trial: Just putting around Clay jury to decide Jacksonville man’s fate By Eric Cravey Managing Editor Bradshaw Jr. who was shot in what authorities be- lieved was originally a burglary that occurred at GREEN COVE SPRINGS – A Clay County jury will a condominium development in the 3600 block of decide whether a Jacksonville man is guilty of two Crestwick Circle. murder charges when they wrap up his trial on A Grand Jury indicted Emery on Nov. 30, 2010 Friday. after he was arrested Nov. 15. Seventeen at the Derrell Paul Emery Jr., time of the murders, Emery and Bradshaw were 20, is on trial for rst degree originally believed to have gone to the home that murder, second degree felony McDonald was watching for his cousin Monique murder and armed burglary McDonald while she was away in a military de- in the Nov. 10, 2010 death of ployment overseas. However, in testimony Tues- Leroy McDonald Jr. that oc- day, Clay County Sheriff’s Of ce of cials who took curred in the Oakleaf Planta- the witness stand had a different story to tell. tion area. Assistant State At- The rst deputy to arrive on the scene at 3665B torney Stephen Nelson began Derrell Emery Crestwick Circle was CCSO of cer Con Kelley who opening arguments July 22 responded to a 911 call about a suspicious SUV in Emery’s case in which he is charged with rst that was made by McDonald’s neighbor, Terrance degree murder for McDonald’s death and second Denson, who lived across the street where the STAFF PHOTO BY SARAH WAKEFIELD ROSSER degree felony murder for the death of Todd Allen Semaj Crosby takes a shot July 23 at the Country Club of Orange Park SEE MURDER, 12 during a lesson on balance and con dence. See story, page 10. School District faces rising costs, approves tentative budget By Eric Cravey picture in the next two years. As presented July 18 at its costs, class size amendment requirements and other fac- Managing Editor regular board meeting, the District’s 2013-2014 budget is tors that George Copeland, assistant superintendent for FLEMING ISLAND – Faced with dipping into its reserve larger than last year’s budget and includes a contrast of business affairs, says he could go for hours explaining. fund to balance its budget for the upcoming school year, increasing costs and shrinking revenues due to a myriad “We have some challenges,” Copeland said. “We’ve the Clay County School District must now write a letter to of factors. A continuing downward trend in overall district done, at this point, cutting everywhere that we can cut. the state explaining how it plans to improve its nancial enrollment, increasing healthcare and retirement system SEE BUDGET, 20 WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS INSERTS ALL BOTTLE WINES 50% OFF WITH ENTREE USA WEEKEND PIANO MUSIC DICK’S SPORTING GOODS THURSDAY - SATURDAY 6-9PM CONVENIENT DRIVE-THRU PICK UP WINDOW BRUNO IS BACK! UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP 3535-15 Highway 17 Fleming Island, FL 32003 904-264-1331 www.santionis.com 2 CLAY TODAY • July 25, 2013 COMMUNITY CLAYTODAYONLINE.COM by Clay County Mary Jo McTammany [email protected] Memories [email protected] Boys and the lazy hazy days of summer in the 1930s In the 1930s, boys growing up around them off and watched with his hands on his Green Cove Springs had little trouble nd- hips till they actually left. ing something to do. They knew better than The townsfolk breathed a collective to whine about being bored to any grownup sigh of relief when they headed out of town because they would immediately been giv- to swim at Governor’s Creek. The boys who en some gruesome job. lived out there didn’t much like sharing Early summertime mornings, when the their swimming hole with the city boys and water was calm, might nd them staging this led to some dif culties. a otilla of galvanized washtubs for a gala Shocking, as it might seem, they swam crossing of the St. Johns River. Captain buck naked, skinny-dipping. It never failed. of a washtub is a tricky occupation even Every time they swam, their clothes went when conditions are perfect. The prime ob- a’wandering – up into the tall branches jective was to not lose your mama’s wash- of nearby trees, tied in knots and sopping tub. Odds of getting wet were 100%. wet. As a gesture to rational thinking, one One slightly shady pastime of young of the boys followed along in a little boat country gentlemen was picking fruit – wa- with a puttering, one-lung motor. If di- In the 1930s, the large paved expanse at the Green Cove Springs railroad station was a huge termelons off the backs of trucks passing saster struck and someone capsized, he’d temptation for adolescent boys with their roller skates. through town. The game plan required one be shed out. But … the tub was history member to leap onto the back of the truck and most likely someone’s backside. Green as it stopped for the railroad crossing. Cove Springs is probably the capital of bi- They waited in anticipation, hastily and Roller-skating or more precisely nding Then, he was to toss the goods to his bare- zarre stories, told to mothers, involving the ineffectually wiping dirty little hands on a place to roller skate was time consuming foot accomplices jogging alongside and disappearance of washtubs. equally dirty cut off dungarees. They lin- and could take up a whole lazy afternoon. make a hasty departure before the truck At some point almost every summer gered for the break in the action when a Remember, there wasn’t that much con- picked up too much speed after it turned day, ritual required a trip to see Mr. Smith fresh huge block was dragged to the saw. crete in Clay County in those days. north on U.S Highway 17. at the ice house on Center Street. Just Then, Mr. Smith gathered up the scraps A prime spot was the train depot with Some say this extracurricular activ- standing in the coolness and watching the and molded an icy ball for each miniature what seemed like acres of concrete all ity accounted for the Clay High football chips y as 300 pound blocks of ice were spectator – and they were off again whoop- around. But, they had to kind of sneak up team’s really strong passing game in the sawed into manageable proportions cooled ing and licking and juggling the freezing and skate fast because Ira Thompson, the late 1930s. their sweaty little brows. treasure from hand to hand. Station Master, was real quick to holler Fall starters for great gardens The next few kids to help you out, then get the family weekends are the involved before the school year starts up perfect time to get and kids are busy with after-school activi- your fall garden un- ties and homework. derway. August is You get in a last round of warm-season the hottest month plants to enjoy before the fall chill hits of summer, but it’s the air. You can also save money and get also the beginning a jump on many cool-season owers and of the fall garden vegetables by starting plants from seed in season. Seasonal concerns August. As all you gardeners know, there’s nighttime temperatures are a little cooler, throw these in the trash instead of the Now is the per- from gardeners more to any garden than just the plants – otherwise remove plants that have stopped compost. fect time to get out AMY E. MORIE so get going with these fall starter tips. being productive. Weed before plants have Don’t have compost? It’s a great time to there and tidy up Environmental Horticulture Agent ll Start by doing a little housekeeping in the chance to drop seeds for next year. Be start building your own great soil by add- your landscape and Clay County Extension Office the garden. Tomato plants that have sur- sure to pick up leaves and plant debris as ing a simple compost unit to your garden. replenish the soil. If vived summer heat and are still healthy well. If there are signs of disease or insect you’re lucky enough to have kids or grand- can be left to start producing again when problems on old plants and debris, then SEE GARDENS, 7 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Clay Today, 3513 U.S. Hwy 17, Fleming Island, FL U.S.P.S. 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