Local

Theresa Hartz, member of the Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors, speaks during the Brown Bag Lunch held Wednesday at the Amelia Island Museum of History. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Theresa Hartz, member of the Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors, speaks during the Brown Bag Lunch held Wednesday at the Amelia Island Museum of History. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Right whales see most new calves in 15 years

Ashley Chandler
Friday, March 6, 2026
Members of the Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors teamed up with the Amelia Island Museum of History on Wednesday to bring the public an informative presentation on the North Atlantic right whale calving season.
Nate Parsons speaks during the City of Fernandina Beach Commission meeting on Tuesday. Nick Blank/News-Leader

Nate Parsons speaks during the City of Fernandina Beach Commission meeting on Tuesday. Nick Blank/News-Leader

Commissioners approve city control of downtown marina

Nick Blank
Friday, March 6, 2026
The City of Fernandina Beach will operate its marina after a 4-1 vote to terminate its agreement with Oasis Marina LLC on Tuesday evening. Operator Oasis Marina LLC recently informed the city it would no longer run marinas it did not own, which included the Fernandina Harbor Marina.
Julia Lizza, Vida Walden and Peggy Roselle plant flowers in a container in Downtown Fernandina Beach’s Pocket Park on Thursday. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

Julia Lizza, Vida Walden and Peggy Roselle plant flowers in a container in Downtown Fernandina Beach’s Pocket Park on Thursday. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

Volunteers help downtown bloom

News Staff
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Downtown Fernandina has a morning routine of sorts — boats set out for fishing, residents jog down Centre Street, shop owners flip their signs to open, and volunteers with Flowering Fernandina make their quiet rounds, stopping at each container pot to tend the plants that brighten the historic...
Above: Wiggle Worms children’s consignment store on South 8th St. in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Above: Wiggle Worms children’s consignment store on South 8th St. in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Wiggle Worms creates ‘one big family’

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Wiggle Worms is a children’s consignment store which operates with the intention of fostering community in Nassau County. The process of selling clothing that children outgrow works similarly to sharing hand-me-downs with loved ones in the way it benefits both the giver and receiver of the items.
An aerial view of the Amelia Concours in a previous year. Submitted photo

An aerial view of the Amelia Concours in a previous year. Submitted photo

Guide to The Amelia Concours

Brian Douglas
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
If you’ve been paying close attention you’re well aware that our island’s famous Concours d’Elegance has moved from its decades-long Sunday classic car display to Saturday. The show day was moved last year to avoid a Sunday rainstorm and apparently the presenting Hagerty executives liked the result.
Workers pour concrete outside the front entrance of the new ALDI on Wednesday, set to open at the Amelia Plaza this spring. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Workers pour concrete outside the front entrance of the new ALDI on Wednesday, set to open at the Amelia Plaza this spring. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

ALDI postpones opening

News Staff
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
ALDI confirmed it is postponing the opening of its store on Amelia Island.The company previously announced that the store at 947 Amelia Plaza would open tomorrow. Due to a shift in "construction timing," the location may not open this month.
The Amelia Island Book Festival was held over the weekend. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

The Amelia Island Book Festival was held over the weekend. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

Stories take center stage

News Staff
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
The Amelia Island Book Festival marked its 25th year — the silver anniversary — with a weekend that felt equal parts celebration, reunion and reminder of why books still matter in a digital world.
Jill Vozza, the owner of Sand and Sage Mystic Shoppe, stands in front of the wall of herbal teas at the store on Atlantic Avenue. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Jill Vozza, the owner of Sand and Sage Mystic Shoppe, stands in front of the wall of herbal teas at the store on Atlantic Avenue. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Sand and Sage Mystic Shoppe promotes 'holisitic wellness'

Marisa DeMar
Friday, February 27, 2026
When Jill Vozza told others she was going to be opening a metaphysical shop in Fernandina Beach she was met with confused looks and a handful of doubtful replies.
A magnolia tree is placed in the ground by workers from Liberty Landscape Supply on Thursday at Amelia River Waterfront Park. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

A magnolia tree is placed in the ground by workers from Liberty Landscape Supply on Thursday at Amelia River Waterfront Park. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

Waterfront park opening date set

News Staff
Friday, February 27, 2026
With the installation of trees, the Amelia River Waterfront Park is one step closer to opening to the public. Magnolias, trident red maples, live oaks, palms, red cedars and more have made their way into the park’s grounds.