Local

Courtesy of World's Toughest Row

Courtesy of World's Toughest Row

Conquering the Atlantic 

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
After 42 days on the open ocean, local rower Paul Lore and partner Dawn Smith have completed the first leg of their charitable rowing journey known as the Hometown Row.
The Veteran's Day parade in City of Fernandina Beach. By Marisa DeMar

The Veteran's Day parade in City of Fernandina Beach. By Marisa DeMar

Quantifying community impact 

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
With the influx of special events in downtown Fernandina Beach, the City of Fernandina Beach commissioners asked parks and recreation staff for more defined criteria for the selection process of which events obtain fee waivers.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Rec Center on Monday. The emergency cold weather shelter is located in the auditorium of the MLK Jr. Rec Center on Elm Street in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

The Martin Luther King Jr. Rec Center on Monday. The emergency cold weather shelter is located in the auditorium of the MLK Jr. Rec Center on Elm Street in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Cold weather shelter to be open all week in Fernandina

News Staff
Monday, January 26, 2026
The cold weather shelter in the auditorium of the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreational Center on Elm Street will be open for the duration of the week from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. starting tonight.
Upadated rendering of the Fernandina Harbor Marina. Courtesy of the City of Fernandina Beach

Upadated rendering of the Fernandina Harbor Marina. Courtesy of the City of Fernandina Beach

City commission supports updated marina plan

Marisa DeMar
Friday, January 23, 2026
The city commission showed support Tuesday for a new plan to reconstruct the Fernandina Beach Harbor Marina.  Passero Associates, the engineering firm in charge of the redevelopment, presented a revised plan for the structure during the Fernandina Beach City Commission’s regular meeting Tuesday.
Darron Ayscue the Vice Mayor of the City of Fernandina Beach at the City Hall commission chambers on Jan. 16. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Darron Ayscue the Vice Mayor of the City of Fernandina Beach at the City Hall commission chambers on Jan. 16. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Q&A with Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue 

Marisa DeMar
Friday, January 23, 2026
The News-Leader sat down with Darron Ayscue, the Vice Mayor of the City of Fernandina Beach as he prepares to run for re-election in the 2026 city elections.  Ayscue has served as vice mayor for one term and aims to maintain his seat for four more years.

Whodunit Players Theatre hosts interactive night of intrigue

Nick Blank
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Every character is a suspect in “Mystery at Upton House,” the first production of Whodunit Players Theatre. The immersive live theatre show takes place on Thursday and Saturday at Fernandina Beach Golf Club, 2800 Bill Melton Drive. Guests are asked to arrive by 7 p.m.
Nicole Saunders

Nicole Saunders

Governor appoints 2 judges to serve Nassau County

Nick Blank
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Gov. Ron DeSantis made two judicial appointments last week, filling the newly-created Nassau County Court judge seat and a vacant Fourth Judicial Circuit Court seat. Sarah Bell, who works in the state Office of the Attorney General, was nominated to serve in Nassau’s second County Judge seat.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade was held in downtown Fernandina Beach on Monday, Jan. 19. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade was held in downtown Fernandina Beach on Monday, Jan. 19. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Fernandina Beach honors MLK Legacy

News Staff
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Stationed around the Joan Bean Auditorium at the Atlantic Recreation Center on Saturday were several portraits of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  The portraits were part of the decor for the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Prayer and Breakfast.
The conceptual vision for the new fields at the MLK Jr. recreational center in Fernandina Beach. Courtesy of the City of Fernandina Beach 

The conceptual vision for the new fields at the MLK Jr. recreational center in Fernandina Beach. Courtesy of the City of Fernandina Beach 

New MLK softball fields 

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
  The Parks and Recreation department of the City of Fernandina Beach is moving forward with future plans to construct two new softball fields at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreational Center on Elm Street.