Local

The Winn-Dixie store located at 947 Amelia Plaza in Fernandina Beach will close in July and convert to a new ALDI store. Photo by Beth Jones/News-Leader

The Winn-Dixie store located at 947 Amelia Plaza in Fernandina Beach will close in July and convert to a new ALDI store. Photo by Beth Jones/News-Leader

Island Winn-Dixie will rebrand to ALDI

Julia Roberts
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Winn-Dixie on Amelia Island will close in late July and open later this year rebranded as an ALDI grocery store, according to reports.
The 2025 Shrimp Fest Parade was held Thursday. The Ritz-Carlton's float, pictured, won Best Large Business. Photo by Penny Glackin/Special to the News-Leader

The 2025 Shrimp Fest Parade was held Thursday. The Ritz-Carlton's float, pictured, won Best Large Business. Photo by Penny Glackin/Special to the News-Leader

Shrimp shine at 60th Shrimp Fest

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
The 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival was a huge success according to organizers. Maria Coppola of Coppola PR told the News-Leader the festival was attended by an estimated 150,000 people.
A loggerhead Sea Turtle was the first to nest on Amelia Island this year. Submitted photos

A loggerhead Sea Turtle was the first to nest on Amelia Island this year. Submitted photos

Sea turtle season arrives early

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, May 1, 2025
A loggerhead Sea Turtle is the first to nest on Amelia Island this year. “It is the earliest loggerhead that we’ve ever had,” Mary Duffy of Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch said.  The nest was discovered and marked off Wednesday.
Baptist Nassau is building a new primary care office in Fernandina Beach. The construction is expected to be finished in November. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

Baptist Nassau is building a new primary care office in Fernandina Beach. The construction is expected to be finished in November. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

Baptist opening new primary care office in city

Julia Roberts
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Baptist Nassau patients will have better access to their doctor when the new primary care office in Fernandina Beach opens its doors.
“It’s about time," Fernandina Beach City Commissioner Tim Poynter said as Officer Tina Smith drove a city cruiser over the railroad tracks at the intersection of Alachua and Front streets. The crossing has been closed to vehicular traffic for decades, and was opened in time for the 60th Shrimp Festival. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

“It’s about time," Fernandina Beach City Commissioner Tim Poynter said as Officer Tina Smith drove a city cruiser over the railroad tracks at the intersection of Alachua and Front streets. The crossing has been closed to vehicular traffic for decades, and was opened in time for the 60th Shrimp Festival. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

Alachua Street railroad crossing opened

Julia Roberts
Thursday, May 1, 2025
A long awaited, and often postponed, project came to fruition just in time for the 60th Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival when the railroad crossing at Alachua and Front streets opened Wednesday to vehicular traffic.
Fernandina Beach employee Chad Manning hand crafted and sealed the time capsule that was buried at the visitor’s center on Centre Street, and helped bury it Wednesday. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

Fernandina Beach employee Chad Manning hand crafted and sealed the time capsule that was buried at the visitor’s center on Centre Street, and helped bury it Wednesday. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

A message to the 2075 Fernandina Beach, city buries time capsule

Julia Roberts
Thursday, May 1, 2025
The city of Fernandina Beach wrapped a present that will be opened by future Fernandinans Wednesday when it buried a time capsule. The time capsule burial marks the city’s 200th year, City Manager Sarah Campbell said. “Cities that reach their 200th birthday are few and far between,” Campbell said.
The Fernandina Beach Putt-Putt was taken down Monday to make way for a new building, which is slated to open at the end of May. Submitted

The Fernandina Beach Putt-Putt was taken down Monday to make way for a new building, which is slated to open at the end of May. Submitted

Main Beach landmark getting a makeover

Julia Roberts
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
A Fernandina Beach landmark, the Putt-Putt golf course at Main Beach, is receiving a facelift. At 66 years old, the city-owned building is showing its age, and Tom Miller, who holds the lease for it, said he has done all he can do to improve the building since taking it over in 2018.