Local

Mark Foxworth

Mark Foxworth

The 52-day City Manager

The position of Fernandina Beach city manager will see another unplanned change, as current interim Mark Foxworth will leave earlier than expected to be replaced by City Engineer Charlie George.
Volunteers and members from Conserve Nassau meet at Little Nana Dune to encourage its healing from a blowout by planting native plants. Photo courtesy of Conserve Nassau

Volunteers and members from Conserve Nassau meet at Little Nana Dune to encourage its healing from a blowout by planting native plants. Photo courtesy of Conserve Nassau

Nonprofit Conserve Nassau goes public

Conserve Nassau, a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Nassau County, is ready to go public and hit the ground running.
This plan for reconfiguration of the parking lots at the Fernandina Harbor Marina would have resulted in the loss of 37 parking spaces in order to create green space. The city commission approved the plan without the removal of the spaces in Parking Lot B, which still means a loss of 16 spaces. The matter will be reconsidered by the commission. Submitted photo

This plan for reconfiguration of the parking lots at the Fernandina Harbor Marina would have resulted in the loss of 37 parking spaces in order to create green space. The city commission approved the plan without the removal of the spaces in Parking Lot B, which still means a loss of 16 spaces. The matter will be reconsidered by the commission. Submitted photo

City considers waterfront parking

Unless the matter is revisited, residents and visitors will have fewer places to park in downtown Fernandina Beach after the city commission approved a plan that will remove 16 parking spots from a lot at the Fernandina Harbor Marina.
The 1.5-mile stretch currently being completed is shown above. It stretches from Big Talbot Island just north of Houston Avenue and reaches the entrance to Little Talbot Island State Park.  Map courtesy of Florida Department of Transportation

The 1.5-mile stretch currently being completed is shown above. It stretches from Big Talbot Island just north of Houston Avenue and reaches the entrance to Little Talbot Island State Park. Map courtesy of Florida Department of Transportation

Timucuan Trail segment nearing completion

A new segment of the Timucuan Trail is nearing completion and will finally unite trails stretching across Big Talbot and Little Talbot islands. Project leaders estimate the project is about 95% completed, and is expected to be 100% completed this coming summer, around June.
An aerial view of The Amelia at The Golf Club of Amelia Island. Photos courtesy of Hagerty Media

An aerial view of The Amelia at The Golf Club of Amelia Island. Photos courtesy of Hagerty Media

Amelia Island Concours Week sets new economic impact record

The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau (AICVB) has released data on this year’s Amelia Island Concours Week (March 2-5), which shows a regional economic impact of nearly $40.3 million – a $6.5 million (19.2%) increase over 2022, and the largest impact on record.
Henry Gonzalez, 2023 Park Ranger of the Year. Submitted photo

Henry Gonzalez, 2023 Park Ranger of the Year. Submitted photo

Association announces Park Ranger of the Year

The Florida Park Service Ranger Association congratulates Park Ranger Henry Gonzalez for being selected for the 2023 Park Ranger of the Year Award.

NCSO investigation leads to Texas arrest

An investigation led by the newly formed INTERCEPT Task Force has led to a Texas man being charged with child sex crimes. The Inter-agency Child Exploitation and Persons Trafficking Task Force was announced earlier this year.
Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch, Inc. President Mary Duffy leads the 2023 introductory meeting of the turtle watch. Duffy has more than 30 years of experience in identifying and marking turtle nests with the watch. Photo by Holly Dorman

Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch, Inc. President Mary Duffy leads the 2023 introductory meeting of the turtle watch. Duffy has more than 30 years of experience in identifying and marking turtle nests with the watch. Photo by Holly Dorman

‘Turtley’ that time of year: AISTW holds first organizational meeting of the year

A summer staple on Florida’s coasts, the sea turtles are preparing to return, and the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch is ready to face it head-on. The turtle watch met Tuesday night for its first meeting of the season to give an introductory training for new and veteran volunteers.
Fernandina Beach City Commissioner Chip Ross listens to fellow commissioners as they discuss the role of a citizens committee and a professional executive search firm in the process of hiring a new city manager. He said any potential hires would be watching the city, and would hesitate coming to Fernandina after seeing the “ludicrous” way it is going about the process. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

Fernandina Beach City Commissioner Chip Ross listens to fellow commissioners as they discuss the role of a citizens committee and a professional executive search firm in the process of hiring a new city manager. He said any potential hires would be watching the city, and would hesitate coming to Fernandina after seeing the “ludicrous” way it is going about the process. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

City commission will ‘a la carte’ professional firm search

The April 4 meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission was marked with confusion and frustration as the commission and residents struggled to understand the process of hiring a professional firm to help replace former City Manager Dale Martin.
American Business Womens Association

American Business Womens Association

‘Ungeek your technology' with ABWA

The Eight Flags Charter Chapter of the American Business Women's Association invites all Nassau County Businesswomen to join them Tuesday, April 11, at 5:30 pm for a presentation sharing taking control of electronic correspondence for productivity and stress reduction.