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Submitted photo by Joel Manke  (from left) Concourse crusaders Joel Manke, Jean Stanley and part-time helper Stacey Herrmann pose next to their sign on Amelia Concourse on Thursday. 

Submitted photo by Joel Manke  (from left) Concourse crusaders Joel Manke, Jean Stanley and part-time helper Stacey Herrmann pose next to their sign on Amelia Concourse on Thursday. 

Trash talk

Marisa DeMar
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Every morning just before the sun rises, two residents can be seen strolling down Amelia Concourse sporting neon-yellow vests and trash bags in their hands.  Jean Stanley and Joel Manke are a dynamic duo who call themselves The Concourse Crusaders.
Matt and Alice Henry hold their megalodon pieces found near the North Beach Access Point in Fernandina Beach on Sept. 16.  Submitted by Matt Henry 

Matt and Alice Henry hold their megalodon pieces found near the North Beach Access Point in Fernandina Beach on Sept. 16.  Submitted by Matt Henry 

A real jaw-dropper

Marisa DeMar
Thursday, October 2, 2025
If you've ever wondered about the secret to finding the largest shark teeth in Fernandina Beach, look no further. Matt Henry, avid shark tooth hunter, spilled his top tips and tricks to finding megalodon teeth or at least fragments.
Brian Ernst

Brian Ernst

Nassau’s Got Talent

Nick Blank
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
More than 150 people filled the Atlantic Recreation Center On Saturday to hear 19 performers showcase their musical prowess at Nassau’s Got Talent, which Nassau County Council on Aging hosted.   Brian Ernst’s looping song “Be Brave” took the top honor.

Pirates honor the late Bill O’Leary

Nick Blank
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Fernandina Beach School has honored a longtime supporter of the FBHS Pirates and beloved member of the community. Bill O’Leary died in May. He was 62. The school dedicated a bench near the baseball stadium and will rename the pavilion at the football field’s south end after him.
Donna Scott, owner of Ascendance Pilates, at the studio on Monday. Photos by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Donna Scott, owner of Ascendance Pilates, at the studio on Monday. Photos by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Pilates reforms the way you work out 

Marisa DeMar
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Ascendance Pilates Yoga & Barre provides a variety of workout classes to Fernandina Beach, including the rapidly growing, reformer pilates.  Reformer pilates is a type of strength training done on a machine that uses springs for resistance to simulate weights.
Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest

‘Prost!’

Nick Blank
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Hundreds hit 2nd Street on Saturday as Oktoberfest returned to downtown Fernandina Beach. While live music blared, people visited more than a dozen vendors and sampled German food and beer. Lederhosen and dirndls were a common sight.  Although it was overcast on Saturday, rain eluded the event.
Yulee High School Homecoming King Rodel Bagnes and Queen Myka Gray high five after being crowned during halftime of the Hornets football game Friday. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Yulee High School Homecoming King Rodel Bagnes and Queen Myka Gray high five after being crowned during halftime of the Hornets football game Friday. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Royal Hornets: Yulee High School crowns king and queen

News Staff
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Yulee High School held its homecoming over the weekend. Last week was homecoming week and at Friday’s Hornets football game, YHS Homecoming Court was presented during halftime and the king and queen were crowned. Rodel Bagnes was voted king, and Myka Gray as queen.
ames and Leatrice Bell hold the lock that blocks access to the George Crady Bridge from the Duval County side on Thursday. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader 

ames and Leatrice Bell hold the lock that blocks access to the George Crady Bridge from the Duval County side on Thursday. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader 

Bridging the gap 

Marisa DeMar
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
The George Crady Bridge and Fishing Pier is a mile-long pedestrian bridge that connects Nassau and Duval County.  Since its creation in 1948, the bridge has served as a pillar of both communities in being a significant place for families to gather and catch fish.
Fernandina Beach’s Mikaela Nichols rides a wave at a Main Beach competition, Aug. 24.  Photo by Southern Edge Studios

Fernandina Beach’s Mikaela Nichols rides a wave at a Main Beach competition, Aug. 24.  Photo by Southern Edge Studios

FBHS club makes waves as ‘stoke generator’

Marisa DeMar
Friday, September 26, 2025
Fernandina Beach High School is one of few high schools that offer a surf club for its students.  The program — which has existed since the start of the school year according to leader Michael Gass — consists of monthly meetings and free surf opportunities “when the waves are right.
City Manager Sarah Campbell speaks at the House Select Committee on Property Taxes in the Florida House of Representatives on Tuesday.. photo from screenshot

City Manager Sarah Campbell speaks at the House Select Committee on Property Taxes in the Florida House of Representatives on Tuesday.. photo from screenshot

City manager engages in property tax panel in Tallahassee

Marisa DeMar
Friday, September 26, 2025
Sarah Campbell, city manager of Fernandina Beach, was selected to participate in the House Select Committee on Property Taxes in the Florida House of Representatives on Tuesday.