Local

Aldo Brown stands in front of First Missionary Baptist Church. The Nassau County Extreme Weather Coalition partnered with the church to open the cooling center. Photo by Nick Blank/News-Leader

Aldo Brown stands in front of First Missionary Baptist Church. The Nassau County Extreme Weather Coalition partnered with the church to open the cooling center. Photo by Nick Blank/News-Leader

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Chill out, Nassau

Nick Blank
Friday, July 17, 2026
As Nassau County grapples with a scorching summer, a Fernandina Beach church has opened its doors as a cooling center. The Nassau County Extreme Weather Coalition and First Missionary Baptist Church have partnered to open the cooling center for a second year.
Art of the Book Cover exhibit on display at Fernandina Beach Public Library until Aug. 27.

Art of the Book Cover exhibit on display at Fernandina Beach Public Library until Aug. 27.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Exhibit explores how books hook readers

Amy Mulligan
Friday, July 17, 2026
It’s a common idiom —  “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”But what if the cover is designed to be judged?

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Residents reminded to prep for storms as NWS keeps eye on systems

Amy Mulligan
Friday, July 17, 2026
An area of low pressure is expected to form this weekend over the northeastern Gulf and then move slowly northeast early next week.Kirsten Chaney, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jacksonville said the NWS is monitoring an area of low pressure in the Gulf.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

City brings back Citizens’ Academy

Nick Blank
Friday, July 17, 2026
The City of Fernandina Beach is kicking off its nine-week program aimed at getting residents up to speed with how the city functions. The academy is a way to gain an in-depth understanding of how the City operates, City Manager Sarah Campbell said.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

City mulling stormwater rate increase

Nick Blank
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Fernandina Beach commissioners took the next step to increase stormwater fees for the next fiscal year last week, passing a rate hike on first reading with a 4-1 vote.
Ronda Bokram excavates a nest Friday. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Ronda Bokram excavates a nest Friday. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Promising sea turtle season continues

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Ronda Bokram, president of the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch, led the first public sea turtle nest excavation of the 2026 sea turtle nesting season Friday.
Nicole Stillwell works on a Christmas-themed piece at Bristly Thistle. Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

Nicole Stillwell works on a Christmas-themed piece at Bristly Thistle. Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Stitching in offline mode

Amy Mulligan
Friday, July 10, 2026
In a world of Tik Tok trends and click bait, hobbies that pull people away from screens are having a resurgence. The constant scroll through social media feeds is being replaced by colorful fibers, hand-painted canvases and the simple satisfaction of creating something one stitch at a time.