Local

The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners approved Taco Pope, left, as the new county manager. Mike Mullin, right, will remain the county attorney. FILE PHOTOS

Pope replaces Mullin as Nassau County manager

John Schaffner

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Wednesday was the day for officially changing the guard in the Nassau County Manager’s Office as the Board of County Commissioners officially approved a contract hiring Assistant County Manager Taco Pope to replace Michael Mullin, who had been serving the dual roles of county attorney and county manager. Pope’s contract, which became effective Wednesday, is for three years at an annual salary of $166,502.

Nassau County Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathy Burns said teachers who have been laid off due to funding cuts based on a loss of enrollment in the district might be eligible for some unfilled positions in the district. “We are providing all that information for them,” Burns said. “These are difficult days with a lot of challenges ahead of us. This is not anything different than a lot of districts around us are facing.” JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

School district lays off teachers, paraprofessionals

Julia Roberts

Thursday, September 17, 2020

The Nassau County School District laid off 27 teachers and 10 paraprofessionals as a result of decreased enrollment in the district leading to a loss of funding from the Florida Department of Education.

Fernandina Beach Vice Mayor Len Kreger says the city is not following its own policies regarding purchases. Kreger says the city may not be getting the best price for products and services because it doesn't seek bids from vendors. METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Once again, Kreger questions city purchasing

Julia Roberts

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Fernandina Beach Vice Mayor Len Kreger has again questioned whether the city follows its own purchasing policies. The issue this time is the process it followed to buy some water meters.

City Commission candidates sound off at forum

Julia Roberts

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Concerned Friends of Fernandina held a forum Friday to give the candidates for the Fernandina Beach City Commission a chance to answer questions about some major issues facing the city.

Main Street treasurer resigns, mayor criticized after Facebook posts are shared beyond ‘group’

John Schaffner

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Fernandina Beach Main Street – the mission of which is promoting economic vitality of downtown businesses – found itself in a damage control position recently due to a social media comment by one of its board members about downtown businesses that display signs supporting President Donald Trump and selling Trump-related items.

County beach ordinance delayed, millage is set

Gary D. Morgan

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

With an ambitious agenda packed with a number of complicated topics, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners decided Monday night to continue its action on a long-awaited ordinance that wou

Customers of The Patio Place, located at South Fifth and Ash Streets, enjoy sitting outside to eat. When someone walks through the door, they grab their own silverware and their own menu. DILLON BASSE/FOR THE NEWS-LEADER

The Patio Place keeps a positive attitude

News Staff

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

At 50, Amy Petroy had her midlife crisis. For 27 years prior, her job in computers allowed her to travel the world, marry the love of her life, and live a comfortable lifestyle doing so. Even with all Petroy had accomplished, she still felt like there was something missing from her life.

Fernandina Beach police respond to report of a suicide

News Staff

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Fernandina Beach police officers and firefighters responded to a report of a suicide Monday night at a home on Whitfield Drive. The victim was a 62-year-old woman. No other details about the person are available at this time.

Juvenile arrested on felony charge of taking guns to school

News Staff

Friday, September 11, 2020

A 12-year-old boy attending the Lighthouse Christian School located at the Anchor Church of God in Callahan has been arrested on a felony charge for allegedly taking three guns to school on Thursda

County’s death count related to COVID-19 reaches 29

Gary D. Morgan

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Dr. Eugenia Ngo-Seidel, director of the county health department, started back-to-back meetings of the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners Wednesday by providing an update on the county’s coronavirus pandemic statistics as of that morning.