Local

The Miss Shrimp Festival pageant was held Friday. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Miss Shrimp Festival pageant was held Friday. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

IN PHOTOS: 61st Annual Isle Eight Flags Shrimp Festival

News Staff
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Follow the link to view the different News-Leader photo galleriesTHURSDAYShrimp Festival ParadeFRIDAYOpening CeremonyMiss Shrimp Festival pageant Shrimp Festival Parade awardsPirate InvasionDrone ShowSATURDAYShrimp Eating ContestSUNDAYBlessing of the FleetGENERAL GALLERIESLive music at Shrimp...
Nick Drakus, co-owner of Ice House Antiques, holds a MacGregor Medallion and the book he came across that tells the history of the medals. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Nick Drakus, co-owner of Ice House Antiques, holds a MacGregor Medallion and the book he came across that tells the history of the medals. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

A piece of history returns home

Ashley Chandler
Friday, May 1, 2026
A small piece of Amelia Island history has recently made its way to Eighth Street: One of 11 bronze medallions from the 1800s. The rare medallions memorialize the ruling of Gregory MacGregor who planted the shortest-lived flag of the island’s eight-flag history — the Green Cross of Florida.
A hatchling finds its way to the Atlantic in a previous sea turtle nesting season on Amelia Island. File photo

A hatchling finds its way to the Atlantic in a previous sea turtle nesting season on Amelia Island. File photo

’Tis the season for sea turtles

Ashley Chandler and Marisa DeMar
Friday, May 1, 2026
Today marks the start of the sea turtle nesting season in the Northern Hemisphere which spans from May to October each year.
Diane Hishta, left, regent for the Amelia Island Chapter of the National Society Daughters of American Revolution, leads the wreath-laying ceremony Saturday at the Veterans Memorial at Central Park in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Diane Hishta, left, regent for the Amelia Island Chapter of the National Society Daughters of American Revolution, leads the wreath-laying ceremony Saturday at the Veterans Memorial at Central Park in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Honoring those who fought for the birth of a nation

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
“Hear the sounds of scuffing soldiers’ feet. Tired, weary, marching from Lexington. Marching home in victory not defeat. It was done; a nation was born.” These award-winning words written by a local poet were recited this weekend at the Veterans Memorial in Central Park.
Art work painted by the FBHS National Art Honor Society on the downtown businesses as part of their annual fundraiser with the Fernandina Beach Main Street organization. By Marisa DeMar News-Leader

Art work painted by the FBHS National Art Honor Society on the downtown businesses as part of their annual fundraiser with the Fernandina Beach Main Street organization. By Marisa DeMar News-Leader

Painting the town 

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Students from the Fernandina Beach High School art department prepared the downtown district for The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival by painting festive scenes on the windows of businesses along Centre Street.
Robert Pakozdi, The Boat House employee who passed away after enduring a heart attack at work. Submitted photo 

Robert Pakozdi, The Boat House employee who passed away after enduring a heart attack at work. Submitted photo 

The Boat House rallies around employee’s family 

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Robert Pakozdi, a long-standing employee of The Boat House in Fernandina Beach, died on Thursday from complications of a heart attack he had on April 14 while working at the restaurant.
Cold Tide is a crime thriller set in Fernandina Beach and Jacksonville in 1994.

Cold Tide is a crime thriller set in Fernandina Beach and Jacksonville in 1994.

Author pens Fernandina thriller

Nick Blank
Friday, April 24, 2026
A recently released thriller based in Fernandina Beach examines the relationship between justice and reputation when a decades-old crime resurfaces in a small coastal town, according to its author. With a background in public relations, author Archie Royce said image and reputation shape reality.
Visitors at the Midweek Farmers Market in Fernandina Beach earlier this year. The market is on a hiatus while parking requirements are sorted out. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Visitors at the Midweek Farmers Market in Fernandina Beach earlier this year. The market is on a hiatus while parking requirements are sorted out. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Midweek market comes to temporary halt

Marisa DeMar
Friday, April 24, 2026
The Fernandina Beach midweek market at the corner of South 14th Street and Lime Street usually attracts a bustling crowd of customers during the hours of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday.
Tasty’s Fresh Burgers and Fries at 8th and Centre streets. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

Tasty’s Fresh Burgers and Fries at 8th and Centre streets. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

Invasive tree replaced by native tree downtown

Ashley Chandler
Friday, April 24, 2026
A collaborative effort between several local groups brings a special Arbor Day event to Downtown Fernandina Beach today. On Monday, an invasive tree was removed downtown to make way for the native tree to be planted this morning around 10 a.m., on National Arbor Day.
The Book Loft and Story & Song Bookstore Bistro are joining more than 2,000 stores across the nation in celebrating Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday.

The Book Loft and Story & Song Bookstore Bistro are joining more than 2,000 stores across the nation in celebrating Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday.

Local shops join in Indie Bookstore Day

Amy Mulligan
Friday, April 24, 2026
Two local book stores — The Book Loft and Story & Song Bookstore Bistro — are joining the more than 2,000 stores across the nation to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday.