Home Inspector Investigation Continues
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We Insure HOMES Jane DiLoreto Agency 215-2121 Slam dunk for 3701193-01 Oakleaf Knights –Sports THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014 WWW.CLAYTODAYONLINE.COM VOLUME 47, NO. 3 75¢ Home inspector investigation continues Stevens handed four of jewelry from a ers who have come forward since his origi- jewelry while he conducted pest control new grand theft charges home in Green Cove nal arrest. inspections in homes while working for his Springs has been Ronnie Lee Stevens Jr., 49, remains in family’s business, Pest Xpress of Orange By Eric Cravey handed four new the Clay County Jail where his bond has Park. Managing Editor counts of grand theft been reduced from the original $350,006 One victim told CCSO investigators that GREEN COVE SPRINGS – An Orange Park for the alleged theft to $150,006 after a Nov. 25 motion hear- Stevens spent approximately two hours in man first arrested in November for alleg- of at least an addi- ing. her bedroom on Oct. 10 conducting a wood edly stealing more than $100,000 worth tional $55,000 from Detectives from the Clay County Sher- four other homeown- Ronnie Stevens iff’s Office said Stevens allegedly stole the SEE INSPECTOR, 28 Study questions OPMC charges By Gregory A. Phillips The Orange Staff Writer Park Medical Cen- ORANGE PARK – When you go to the ter charges a chart hospital, are you sure that you’re not to cost ratio of paying too much? The national average 1139 percent, ac- for chart to cost ratios at hospitals is an cording to a report astounding 331 percent. For every $100 published Jan. 10 of services or medicines you purchase, by National Nurses David Goldberg you pay $331.00. The state average is a United, a Silver whopping 555 percent, but that’s not the Spring, Md. That’s right, 1139 percent figure that’ll knock your socks off. SEE STUDY, 5 EZBase takes up BCC agenda By Debra W. Buehn Correspondent in Tallahassee for help. The Commission voted unanimously at its Jan. 14 meet- STAFF PHOTO BY RANDY LEFKO GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Frustrated ing to seek the aid of the three legislators When Robots Attack! by state laws that are thwarting the who represent Clay County in Tallahas- ORANGE PARK – Clay County school students converged on the Thrasher-Horne Conference county’s ability to deal with a contro- see – State Sen. Rob Bradley (R-7) and Center Jan. 11 for First Lego League. Using the them “Nature’s Fury,” 13 team built and programmed robots to conquer missions that depict various natural disasters. Oakleaf Village versial fill and road-base product called State Reps. Travis Cummings (R-18) and Elementary’s Dawson DeJesus, center, eyes the robot he built with teammate Sonny Cao, left. EZBase, Clay County commissioners are Charles Van Zant Sr. (R-19) – to tighten See more photos on page 8. turning to their own state legislatures SEE AGENDA, 19 SAVE $150 INSERTS Open!1647 CR 220 Fleming Island, FL USA WEEKEND SAM’S CLUB NEWS AMERICA GEICO 904-264-2100 OFFER EXPIRES 1/19/14 2 CLAY TODAY • January 16, 2014 COMMUNITY CLAYTODAYONLINE.COM Make a difference with Take Stock By Gregory A. Phillips lege, 81 percent of the Take Stock students Staff Writer enroll in college. “My guidance counselor in seventh ORANGE PARK – Could you “Change a grade talked to me about [the program]. life over Lunch”? Could you have that much I’ve always wanted to go to college and it’s impact on someone whom you would see a really big deal in my family,” said Rid- for one hour a week? geview High School junior Sabreena Ort- That is precisely what Take Stock in loff. Children is doing today. She said the program helped keep her The nonpro t organization puts needful eyes xed on the prize of graduation. A children with giving adults to see if their weekly meeting with a Mentor did wonders intervention can give the student a boost to keep Ortloff going through the tough toward college. times of high school. Additionally, she said “All of our mentors are volunteers. that the nancial advice that she and her They invest their time and effort into the family have received from her mentor has program,” said Ashley Escobar, program been invaluable in terms of preparing them director for the Take Stock in Children. for the expense of her college education. “But, we can always use more mentors. The same is true for Mark Donley, a Always.” senior at Middleburg High. Donley has his As Take Stock in Children puts it, the eyes on either the University of Central program pairs good students with the odds Florida or the University or North Florida stacked against them with mentors “who for his higher education. provide the support, encouragement, and “I got a letter in seventh grade that I guidance” that these students need to suc- was selected, but not in, the program. I ceed in school. did a few interviews and wrote a couple The program is designed to assist stu- of essays and then I got in,” said Donley. STAFF PHOTO BY GREGORY A. PHILLIPS dents who are in need of help to ensure “You learn how to nancially budget [for Novella Campbell, center, receives her award for being named the Take Stock in Children “Men- they stay in school and not drop out. So college]. First, I’m going to St. Johns River tor of the Year” for 2013. Mentee Diamond Cox, right, and Program Director Ashley Escobar, left, far the program has had a hefty impact State College for the rst two years so I share the moment with Campbell. on those intended, in part, because of its can get my undergraduate courses out of low overhead. According to TSC gures, 91 the way and then either to UNF or UCF.” other scholarships as well. “My husband and I moved here in 2005. percent of all monies raised, both public The program offers assistance with But it’s really the mentors who help I always wanted to help children. I liked and private, go directly to students and tuition provided that certain grade point make this program a success. Mentors like the idea of being a mentor. I have a lot of college scholarships. averages are met along with staying away Novella Campbell, the winner off the 2013 experiences that I can use to help [the The Florida average for graduation from drugs and crime, doing the class work Mentor of the Year award, who was hon- mentees],” Campbell said. “It’s sort of like overall is 74 percent, but students who assigned and being in class regularly. Do ored in a ceremony Jan. 11. Campbell has a Big Sister, Little Sister relationship. It’s participate in TSC have a 92 percent grad- these simple steps and you can expect to been working with Diamond Cox of Oakleaf not just about class work. It’s about every- uation rate. Similarly, while only 56 per- receive nancial assistance. They will also High in the program and is very excited thing. It’s about life.” cent of students from Florida enroll in col- help students nd assistance in the form of about helping her young mentee. Clay Electric warns members about national email scam KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Clay Electric Although Clay Electric hasn’t received emails and not click on any links that may attempted scams. The two businesses re- is warning its members that a new nation- reports of members receiving emails that accompany the emails,” said Derick Thom- ported that someone claiming to represent wide scam is targeting utility customers solicit payments or request personal infor- as, director of Clay Electric’s Member & the co-op contacted them about making through email. Utilities around the nation mation, the co-op is urging its members to Public Relations Department. payment on an overdue bill. In one case, are reporting that some of their customers be aware and alert. According to Thomas, Clay Electric a payment for more than $2,000 was re- have received bogus email bill statements. “Members should delete any suspicious does not send emails that threaten or re- quested, and the caller wanted the money quire immediate action to provide personal “wired.” information. Clay Electric encourages the business- WWW.WALTERSTILEINC.COM “We urge our members to ignore sus- es it serves to be very suspicious of anyone WALTER’S TILE picious requests for personal information who calls and claims he or she represents & SUPPLY, INC. such as bank account numbers, credit card the co-op and wants to be paid for an over- Full Line All Settings Materials to do your job complete from start to finish. numbers, user names and passwords, or due bill. The cooperative does not collect Ceramic • Travertine Mosaics and Medallions • Porcelain Social Security numbers,” Thomas said. past due amounts in this manner. Glass • Metal and Decorative Mosaics “We ask our members to delete all suspi- “If the caller asks you to wire money or Travertine Deco’s $1.00 each 20”x20” Imperial Sand Travertine Medallions cious emails that require immediate action use a prepaid debit card, that’s a red ag,” $ sheet Porcelain/Rectified While They Last to verify or provide personal information.” said Bruce McHollan, director of Clay’s In- Glass Sheet Tile 2.00 $1.00 sq. ft $59-$99 Authorized Dealer Recently, Clay Electric has received formation and Communication Technology reports that two commercial accounts it Department. “If you have any doubt at all, FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED FAMILY 5% Military Discount serves in Clay County were the target of 276-0570 • 334 Parkridge • Orange Park SEE SCAM, 18 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Clay Today, 3513 U.S.