Local

Barb Looney’s Halloween village aligned across her dining room and living room space. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Decor galore, in a manor of spooking

Marisa DeMar

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

If decorating for Halloween was an Olympic sport, Fernandina Beach resident Barb Looney would take the gold every year.

Puppy love at the Nassau Humane Society's Barktoberfest at Mocama Beer Company on Saturday. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Barktoberfest shows some bite

Marisa DeMar

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

The Nassau Humane Society hosted their first Barktoberfest at Mocama Beer Company on Saturday. The event had activities for all ages including a silent auction, face painting, live music, balloon twisting, and the typical Oktoberfest tradition of a stein-hoisting competition.

Runner crosses the finish line at the Amelia Island Half Marathon on Sunday By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Amelia Island Half Marathon moves along

Marisa DeMar

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

The Amelia Island Half Marathon race took place on Sunday morning, which included the full 21.1K, 12K, and 5K routes. All of the courses finished in front of Main Beach, where runners were greeted by family, friends and vendors giving out snacks and champagne to toast in celebration.

Arlene Filkoff portraying Estelle Rogers, one of the first female funeral directors in the state during the museum’s Graveside Chronicles. Photos by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Graveside Chronicles

Marisa DeMar

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

As one enters the thick of the spooky season, a stroll through Fernandina Beach’s historic Bosque Bello Cemetery will send shivers down your spine.

The Amelia River Waterfront Park construction on Aug. 29. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

City gets 50K grant for waterfront park play structure

Ashley Chandler

Friday, October 10, 2025

Fernandina Beach was awarded $50,000 over the weekend to go toward the construction of the children’s play structure at the waterfront park currently being constructed at the Fernandina Beach Downtown Harbor Marina.

A school bus sits in the garage at the Nassau County School District Transportation Office in Yulee. Nick Blank/News-Leader

Rubber meets the road

Nick Blank

Friday, October 10, 2025

Every weekday morning and afternoon during the school year, bus drivers navigate a complex web of pickups and drop-offs for approximately 6,500 students. Brad Underhill, the Nassau County School District transportation director, described his job of organizing routes and drivers as a puzzle.

The entrance to RYAM in Fernandina Beach on Wednesday. By Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Wrestling with RYAM

Marisa DeMar

Friday, October 10, 2025

The City of Fernandina Beach Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to table the discussion on how to proceed against the pending lawsuit from Rayoiner Advanced Materials (RYAM) for another two weeks.

Photo courtesy of City of FB Facebook page Members of the Fernandina Pirates Club and the city move Peg Leg Pete at the crack of dawn Thursday.

Pete on the move

Marisa DeMar

Friday, October 10, 2025

After inspectors officially deemed it unsafe, the beloved Peg Leg Pete statue was removed from its post Thursday in front of the welcome center in downtown Fernandina Beach. At 5:30 a.m., Pete was uprooted and taken to the Amelia Island Museum of History.

Marisa DeMar/News-Leader Sarah Campbell reiterates the reasoning for paid parking at the workshop on Tuesday.

Paid parking progresses

Marisa DeMar

Friday, October 10, 2025

Despite persistent pushback from residents, the City of Fernandina Beach Board of Commissioners took another step toward the implementation of paid parking downtown during their workshop on Tuesday.

Island Hop Festival

Hop to it

Nick Blank

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

About 1,200 people sampled craft alcohol from several vendors and listened to live music for the Hop Island Craft Beer & Spirits Festival Saturday at Central Park. Fernandina Beach Main Street Executive Director Lulu Huppmann said spirits and wine were added to the festival.