Rabies Alert
Nancy Mills, the Administrator of Clay County Health Department has issued a rabies alert for the Middleburg 32668 zip code, south of County Road 218 to County Road 16. This is in response to a raccoon that recently tested positive for rabies.

Residents and visitors in Clay County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Clay County. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public. This alert should not give a false sense of security to areas that have not been named as under this alert.

• This recent rabies alert is for 60 days.

An animal with rabies could infect other wild animals or domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies. All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and all wildlife contact should be avoided, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes.

Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm blooded animals and humans. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure, will protect an exposed person from the disease.
The following advice is issued:

• All pets should have current rabies immunizations.
• Secure outside garbage in covered containers to avoid attracting wild animals.
• Do not leave pet food outside. This also attracts other animals.
• For questions regarding the health of an animal, contact a veterinarian.
• Veterinarian staff and animal control staff should be alert for animals encountered with signs suspicious for rabies and use appropriate precautions, especially when working with unvaccinated animals.
• Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the Clay County Animal Control at 904-269-6342
• Rabies is preventable when treatment is provided in a timely manner.
• Avoid contact with all wildlife, especially raccoons, bats, and foxes.
• No animal is too young to have rabies.
• For general questions pertaining to animals, contact the Clay County Animal Control.

For further information on rabies, go to the Florida Department of Health website:  http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/community/rabies/rabies-index.html or contact Clay County Health Department (904)529-2801 ext. 2834.

Library Board of Trustees
The Library Board of Trustees (LBT) is seeking several individuals interested in volunteering their service as a member. There are two At-Large vacancies; one for Penney Farms, and the other for Keystone Heights. The LBT is an advisory board with no power to commit the County to any policies, or to incur any financial obligation, or to create a liability on behalf of the County.

BCC Seeks Volunteers for Planning District Citizens Advisory Committees (CAC)
Clay County is geographically divided into seven planning districts: 1) Doctor's Inlet/Ridgewood; 2) Fleming Island; 3) Green Cove Springs; 4) Keystone Heights; 5) Middleburg/Clay Hill; 6) Orange Park and 7) Penney Farms. The Board of County Commissioners and Clay County Planning Commission are currently seeking six to ten volunteers for openings on Citizen Advisory Committees (CAC) for six of the seven districts listed above. The Fleming Island CAC currently has full membership. If you are interested in participating in the county comprehensive growth management plan for the district in which you reside, please submit your application on-line by clicking the above link.

Citizen Advisory Boards
Clay County offers a wide variety of voluntary citizen Advisory Boards that enable citizens to get involved in their community. The goal of the boards and committees is to ensure that Clay County continues to grow economically and that our communities continue to prosper. If interested, you may submit our online application.

Clay County Division of Engineering Lane Closures
Week of February 07, 2010 to February 13, 2010

CR 315B & CR 209 (Russell RD) Intersection Improvements – Starting February 08, 2010, from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M., Monday thru Friday, lane closures will be in effect on CR 209 and on CR 315B, in the immediate vicinity of the intersection. Traffic will be controlled by Flagman. Expect moderate delays during these hours.

CR 220 Road Improvements – Starting February 08, 2010, from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M., Monday thru Friday, lane closures will be in effect on CR 220 (east and west bound inside lanes), between College Drive and Tomahawk Drive. Expect moderate delays during these hours.

Loch Rane SW Improvements – Starting February 08, 2010, from 7 A.M. to 5 P.M., Monday thru Friday, lane closures will be in effect on Loch Rane Blvd. Traffic will be controlled by Flagman. Expect moderate delays during these hours.

FDOT Lane Closures
February 6 thru February 12

Blanding Boulevard resurfacing from the Duval County line and Kingsley Avenue (Clay County)
Single lanes will be closed in both directions from Sunday, February 7 through Saturday, February 13 between 9:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. nightly. The project should finish in February.

U.S. 17/Doctors Inlet Bridge widening between Milwaukee Avenue and Creighton Road (Clay County)
Single lanes northbound lane closings will occur between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m., and single southbound lane closings will occur between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. from Sunday, February 7 through Saturday, February 13. The estimated completion time for this project is the fall of 2010.

Black Creek Bridge replacement project on S.R. 21 in Middleburg (Clay County)
No lane closings are scheduled for next week. This project should be finished in the spring of 2010.

C.R. 209 bridge replacement project over Black Creek (Clay County)
Single lanes will be closed daily (Monday through Friday) between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Two-way traffic will be maintained using flaggers.

S.R. 21 widening project between Old Jennings Road and Knight Boxx Road (Clay County)
Lanes are scheduled to be closed next week from Monday, February 8 through Friday, February 12. Northbound lane closings can occur from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and southbound lane closings can occur from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This project is scheduled to be finished in the spring of 2011.

S.R. 23 overpass construction at Plantation Oaks (Clay County)
No lane closings are scheduled for next week. The project is scheduled to be finished near the end of this year.

Kingsley Avenue traffic signal project between Debarry Avenue and Doctors Lake Drive (Clay County)
Single lanes will be regularly closed in both directions daily (Monday through Friday) between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. This project should be finished in May.
 

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