Local

This site, just over the Shave Bridge on Amelia Island, has been found in violation of the codes of Fernandina Beach; the owner has been put on notice by Code Enforcement to clean it up or pay fines. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

This site, just over the Shave Bridge on Amelia Island, has been found in violation of the codes of Fernandina Beach; the owner has been put on notice by Code Enforcement to clean it up or pay fines. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

Hotel Ruins Fined: Owner of construction site fined by FB Code Enforcement

Julia Roberts
Friday, February 28, 2025
The owner of a construction site at Gateway to Amelia business park will pay $100 per day in code violations if the property is not cleaned up. Gateway to Amelia Hospitality, LLC, owns the property located at 960108 Gateway Boulevard, adjacent to Cantina Louie Mexican restaurant.
Protesters were Downtown on Thursday to voice their opinion on Social Security, DOGE and Elon Musk to Congressman Aaron Bean and his staff. On left, is Nassau County Democratic Party Chair Suzanne Sapp. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Protesters were Downtown on Thursday to voice their opinion on Social Security, DOGE and Elon Musk to Congressman Aaron Bean and his staff. On left, is Nassau County Democratic Party Chair Suzanne Sapp. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

March against DOGE: Protesters demand Bean protect Social Security

Julia Roberts
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Dozens of people gathered at the Fernandina Beach office of Congressman Aaron Bean to protest what they fear will be cuts to Social Security benefits under the Trump administration’s Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency Caucus (DOGE).
County Manager Taco Pope, left, and City Manager Sarah Campbell at the joint meeting between the Fernandina Beach City Commission and the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday at the James S. Page Governmental Complex. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

County Manager Taco Pope, left, and City Manager Sarah Campbell at the joint meeting between the Fernandina Beach City Commission and the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday at the James S. Page Governmental Complex. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

City, county joint meeting covers parks, trails, stormwater, future

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Nassau County and Fernandina Beach commissioners held a joint meeting last week to discuss projects the two governments have a vested interest in.
Kelly Yates shows photos of what she says are events targeting children by the LBGTQ community. In response to what they believe is hate speech, people attending the meeting stood with their backs to the speaker. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

Kelly Yates shows photos of what she says are events targeting children by the LBGTQ community. In response to what they believe is hate speech, people attending the meeting stood with their backs to the speaker. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

Residents turn their back on anti-Pride speaker

Julia Roberts
Friday, February 7, 2025
Attendees at the last Fernandina Beach City Commission meeting staged a silent protest against what they see as hate speech by a woman protesting LBGTQ events in the city.
Developers wanted to build a luxury garage space complex on city-owned property at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, theoretically partnering with The Amelia car show. However, the city commission stopped the project, as it would have clear cut three acres at the location. Submitted photo

Developers wanted to build a luxury garage space complex on city-owned property at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, theoretically partnering with The Amelia car show. However, the city commission stopped the project, as it would have clear cut three acres at the location. Submitted photo

City rejects luxury garage project

Julia Roberts
Friday, February 7, 2025
The Fernandina Beach City Commission stopped a project to bring luxury garage spaces to property at the airport, saying conservation is more important than development on the city-owned parcel.
No Ethanol Fernandina group photo
Elsa Liebenberg, Sandra Carey and Bryn Byron began protesting a bioethanol plant proposed for RYAM’s Fernandina Beach campus last year. This week, Fernandina Beach City Manager Sarah Campbell ruled the plant cannot be allowed under the city’s Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan. RYAM has 30 days to appeal that decision. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

No Ethanol Fernandina group photo
Elsa Liebenberg, Sandra Carey and Bryn Byron began protesting a bioethanol plant proposed for RYAM’s Fernandina Beach campus last year. This week, Fernandina Beach City Manager Sarah Campbell ruled the plant cannot be allowed under the city’s Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan. RYAM has 30 days to appeal that decision. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

CITY MANAGER REJECTS BIOETHANOL

Julia Roberts
Friday, February 7, 2025
Fernandina Beach City Manager Sarah Campbell has drawn a line in the sand, informing Rayonier Advanced Materials the bioethanol plant proposed for the city cannot be built under the city’s code.
A member of the Jacksonville-based Goats on the Go herd forages for food in the tree branches in December on a parcel of conservation land owned by Fernandina Beach. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

A member of the Jacksonville-based Goats on the Go herd forages for food in the tree branches in December on a parcel of conservation land owned by Fernandina Beach. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Nassau County's Wild Neighbors: Sustainable vegetation management on the rise locally

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, February 6, 2025
A sustainable option used for thousands of years for clearing vegetation is amassing interest in the area. Locals in Nassau County are buying or renting goats. Nikki Gunter owns Goats on the Go, a Jacksonville-based business that focuses on sustainable vegetation management.
Lisa Finkelstein will be spending more time at Fernandina Beach City Hall after she takes over as Downtown District Manager. "The Downtown Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of our Downtown and this position has been a need for some time," Deputy City Manager Jeremiah Glisson said. Finkelstein begins her new position with the city Jan. 27.

Lisa Finkelstein will be spending more time at Fernandina Beach City Hall after she takes over as Downtown District Manager. "The Downtown Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of our Downtown and this position has been a need for some time," Deputy City Manager Jeremiah Glisson said. Finkelstein begins her new position with the city Jan. 27.

Finkelstein to manage downtown Fernandina Beach

Julia Roberts
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
The city of Fernandina Beach has many moving parts that make it unique. The city owns a marina, golf course and airport and hosts numerous festivals.
Fernandina Beach Conservation and Environmental Manager Kathy Russell and Jack Imber remove the cover from the Conservation Land sign, dedicating the city’s land on North 11th Street to Bishop John Freeman Young. Photos by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Fernandina Beach Conservation and Environmental Manager Kathy Russell and Jack Imber remove the cover from the Conservation Land sign, dedicating the city’s land on North 11th Street to Bishop John Freeman Young. Photos by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

In the name of conservation: City unveils sign on North 11th Street

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Last week, Fernandina Beach unveiled official signage on the city’s North 11th Street conservation land. It was dedicated to Bishop John Freeman Young.