Moonshot, Fair Kickoff, Brush Fires & Other News You May Have Missed
A Middleburg Man Was Arrested In Jacksonville In A Drug Sting
From The Earth To The Moon, Again
For the first time in over 50 years, Americans will venture to the moon. The Artemis II mission launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 1st, 2026. The ten-day mission will send three astronauts to the moon and back to test the systems and processes that will be used to land on the moon in the coming years.
40th Annual Clay County Fair Kicks Off
The Clay County Agricultural Fair celebrates its 40th anniversary and runs from April 2nd through April 12th. This year’s theme commemorates the style of the 1980’s when the fair originated.
A press conference was held to share information about tickets and parking.
The main concern stemming from the fair has always been traffic and parking. The fair organizers and Clay County Sheriff’s Office have honed the fair's logistics into a well-oiled machine, and last year, the longest parking wait was only 30 minutes.
This year, the fair will get a little help from the newly constructed First Coast Expressway. Two new exits of the expressway will be opened just in time to help funnel traffic into the fair and keep State Road 16 as clear as possible.
Brush Fire Breaks Out In Middleburg, Causes Bus Delays
On Sunday, a brush fire broke out in the vicinity of County Road 218. The fire was eventually subdued, with no real danger to life or property.
Monday morning, the remnants of the fire covered the roadways in smoke, prompting a caution advisory for drivers making their way to work. The smoke was so prevalent that some Clay County School bus routes were impacted.
Middleburg Man Arrested In Jacksonville Drug Sting
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is under scrutiny after a Middleburg man was punched in the face during a drug-related arrest.
Dasaun Williams was arrested in November as part of a seven-month undercover drug and gang investigation called “Operation Red Light.”
The Williams family is accusing JSO of using unnecessary force in the arrest after a badge cam of the arrest was published on Instagram.