Local

Generated photo of the future vision for the downtown marina. Photo from Sarah Campbell’s Tuesday presentation

Generated photo of the future vision for the downtown marina. Photo from Sarah Campbell’s Tuesday presentation

City to accept $7M loan from Pinnacle for Brett’s demolition

Marisa DeMar
Friday, November 7, 2025
The City of Fernandina Beach commissioners voted to select Pinnacle Financial Partners as their financial institution to provide them with the $7 million loan required to demolish and reconstruct the downtown marina.
The RYAM facility in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Ashley Chander/News-Leader

The RYAM facility in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Ashley Chander/News-Leader

No need to negotiate 

Marisa DeMar
Friday, November 7, 2025
The City of Fernandina Beach commissioners unanimously voted against any potential settlement agreements with Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) during their meeting on Tuesday.  After RYAM filed a Bert J.
A full house at the Nov 4. meeting at City Hall in downtown Fernandina Beach. Marisa DeMar/News-Leader 

A full house at the Nov 4. meeting at City Hall in downtown Fernandina Beach. Marisa DeMar/News-Leader 

Citizens committee sues

Marisa DeMar
Friday, November 7, 2025
Fernandina Beach moved forward with the paid parking program Tuesday, despite the lawsuit officially filed just days before.  The board of commissioners approved a contract with One Parking to create a paid parking program at the latest City of Fernandina Beach meeting.
Photo by Marisa Demar/News-Leader City Hall in Fernandina Beach

Photo by Marisa Demar/News-Leader City Hall in Fernandina Beach

City haul: Two crucial decisions, one meeting 

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
The City of Fernandina Beach meeting on Tuesday evening was expected to include two pivotal decisions made by the five commissioners on their lawsuit with Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) and furtherance of the Paid Parking initiative.
No. 55, 18-year-old Daniel Byers, was arrested for misdemeanor battery. According to MaxPreps, Byers, jersey number 55, is a senior and listed as a tackle and defensive tackle. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

No. 55, 18-year-old Daniel Byers, was arrested for misdemeanor battery. According to MaxPreps, Byers, jersey number 55, is a senior and listed as a tackle and defensive tackle. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

High School football player arrested in FBHS helmet incident

News Staff
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
The 18-year-old Bell High School player involved in an incident at the conclusion of Friday's Pirate football game has been arrested, the Fernandina Beach Police Department confirmed. Chief Jeffrey Tambasco told the News-Leader on Tuesday evening, Daniel Byers, 18, was arrested around 2:30 p.m.
The outside of the Disco Witch Brewing taproom in Yulee on Monday, Oct 27. Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

The outside of the Disco Witch Brewing taproom in Yulee on Monday, Oct 27. Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Witch way: Disco Witch Brewing in Yulee to shut its doors for good

Marisa DeMar
Friday, October 31, 2025
Disco Witch Brewing announced their impending closure in a heartfelt social media post made on Oct. 17.  “After a lot of thought (and a few tears), I’ve decided it’s time to close the Disco Witch Brewing taproom and at the end of December,” the Facebook post stated.
Photo 1: A sea turtle nest on Peters Point Beach marked by Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch in July. Photos by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader 

Photo 1: A sea turtle nest on Peters Point Beach marked by Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch in July. Photos by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader 

Sea turtle season comes to an end after final nest excavation

Marisa DeMar
Friday, October 31, 2025
The 2025 sea turtle nesting season has officially come to an end after volunteers from the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch (AISTW) excavated the final nest on Oct. 25.
Spooky scenes Thursday at The Timber Farm. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Spooky scenes Thursday at The Timber Farm. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Timber Farm terror

Marisa DeMar
Friday, October 31, 2025
In the forest depths alongside SR 200 lies an array of strange houses and disgruntled figures meant to terrorize the area.  The spooky setting is part of the event known as Terror on The Timber Farm, which is a haunted attraction in Yulee that opens every fall just ahead of Halloween night.