Local

Look for a special publication in the Wednesday, Oct. 23, edition of the News-Leader with a schedule of events.

Look for a special publication in the Wednesday, Oct. 23, edition of the News-Leader with a schedule of events.

Right Whale Festival Returns to Amelia Island Nov. 2-3

News Staff
Thursday, October 24, 2024
The annual Right Whale Festival will return to Amelia Island, Florida, with more than 100 exhibitors and many new fun and educational events. The festival will be held Nov 2-3 at Main Beach Park in Fernandina Beach beginning at 10 a.m.
From left, Commissioner Jeff Gray presents the proclamation dedicating the week of Oct. 25 through Nov. 2 as Mobility Week to Deputy County Manager and County Engineer Robert Companion and Barb Baptista, member of the Transportation Disadvantaged Board on Oct. 16 at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

From left, Commissioner Jeff Gray presents the proclamation dedicating the week of Oct. 25 through Nov. 2 as Mobility Week to Deputy County Manager and County Engineer Robert Companion and Barb Baptista, member of the Transportation Disadvantaged Board on Oct. 16 at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Floridians, Locals explore alternative means of travel this week

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, October 24, 2024
If there is a good time to try out a new method of transportation, now is the time.  Today is the first day of Mobility Week.  At the Oct. 16 Board of County Commissioners meeting, commissioners declared Oct. 25 through Nov. 2 Mobility Week.
Director of Planning and Sustainability for Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Alexander Traversa, gives a presentation on the Nassau County Transit Study 2024 Update on Oct. 16 at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Director of Planning and Sustainability for Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Alexander Traversa, gives a presentation on the Nassau County Transit Study 2024 Update on Oct. 16 at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

JTA presents future public transportation recommendations to BOCC

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Public transportation is changing in Nassau County.  Last week, the community got a peek into what the future could hold in public transportation with its new Community Transit Coordinator (CTC), Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA).  At the Oct.
Nassau County Commissioner Alyson McCullough, left, greets Breast Cancer Survivors Shanita Burks, middle, and Jose Garcia on Oct. 16 at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. The BOCC declared the week of Oct 20 - 26 as Breast Cancer Awareness Week in the county, and today as Pink Day. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Nassau County Commissioner Alyson McCullough, left, greets Breast Cancer Survivors Shanita Burks, middle, and Jose Garcia on Oct. 16 at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. The BOCC declared the week of Oct 20 - 26 as Breast Cancer Awareness Week in the county, and today as Pink Day. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Nassau County dressed in pink

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
The color pink is the most popular color today in Nassau County.  County leaders have asked locals to wear the color because today is Pink Day and this week is Breast Cancer Awareness Week. Last week the Board of County Commissioners made an annual presentation, proclaiming the awareness week Oct.
Doug Adkins, right, talks Oct. 16 at the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meeting after the board proclaimed October 2024 as Emily Adkins Blood Clot Awareness Month. Janet Adkins, Supervisor of Elections, right, listens. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Doug Adkins, right, talks Oct. 16 at the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meeting after the board proclaimed October 2024 as Emily Adkins Blood Clot Awareness Month. Janet Adkins, Supervisor of Elections, right, listens. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Emily’s Promise works to educate, advocate for treatment of blood clots

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Emily Adkins never had a chance.  That’s what her father Doug Adkins said when he spoke Oct. 16 at the Board of County Commissioners meeting following the proclamation of Emily Adkins Blood Clot Awareness Month, the month of October. “Emily died within an hour of onset of symptoms.
This mural is slated to be installed at the Poe Pinson Skate Park at Main Beach in time for the Right Whale Festival Nov. 2 and 3. The other three sides of the building, which is used to store skateboard equipment, will have murals installed after the project is approved by the city. Photo courtesy of the city of Fernandina Beach

This mural is slated to be installed at the Poe Pinson Skate Park at Main Beach in time for the Right Whale Festival Nov. 2 and 3. The other three sides of the building, which is used to store skateboard equipment, will have murals installed after the project is approved by the city. Photo courtesy of the city of Fernandina Beach

Skate park mural causes concern about public art installations

Julia Roberts
Friday, October 18, 2024
The Poe Pinson Skate Park will have a new mural on one side of the skate park shack, created by local artist Brian Barnard, but city officials are questioning the process of installing public art in Fernandina Beach.
David Sturges. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

David Sturges. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

Questions swirl regarding campaign advertisements

Julia Roberts
Friday, October 18, 2024
As the Nov. 5 election looms closer, politics reared its head at the Fernandina Beach City Commission meeting this week, with a constituent asking why a city police officer is in a political campaign ad and a city commissioner addressing what he believes is misleading campaign literature.
The Board of County Commissioners meets Wednesday for its' regular session. From left, commissioners A.M. "Hupp" Huppmann, Klynt Farmer, John Martin, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough.

The Board of County Commissioners meets Wednesday for its' regular session. From left, commissioners A.M. "Hupp" Huppmann, Klynt Farmer, John Martin, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough.

BOCC sees full week of actions, presentations

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, October 17, 2024
No emergency meetings were added this week, but the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners was busy.  The second Monday of October and third Wednesday occurred this week, placing two regular sessions within three days of one another.
Jaybird Hammock Farm offers a variety of activities to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit, including goat yoga, moonlit meditation and sound bath in Pine Forest hammocks and stand up paddle board yoga. Submitted photo

Jaybird Hammock Farm offers a variety of activities to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit, including goat yoga, moonlit meditation and sound bath in Pine Forest hammocks and stand up paddle board yoga. Submitted photo

Local couple's oasis of nature and wellness celebrates one year

Guest Columnist
Thursday, October 17, 2024
It will be one year in October for fourth generation Nassau County natives Jay Jenkins and his wife, Tina Shulman, opened Jaybird Hammock Farm to the public as, according to its website, “a tranquil sanctuary where wellness, nature and animal encounters come together.
Joshua Macbeth, senior planner/designer in the Nassau County Planning Department presents during a Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing on Monday at the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meeting. The graphic behind him shows Parcel B. The Final Development Plan approved at the hearing was for Nassau Crossing Planned Unit Development Parcel B. Photos by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Joshua Macbeth, senior planner/designer in the Nassau County Planning Department presents during a Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing on Monday at the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meeting. The graphic behind him shows Parcel B. The Final Development Plan approved at the hearing was for Nassau Crossing Planned Unit Development Parcel B. Photos by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

BOCC approves final plans for PUD

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Development plans for more residential units, retail space and office space were approved for Nassau Crossing.  The Board of County Commissioners on Monday, approved a Final Development Plan for the Nassau Crossing Planned Unit Development (PUD) for Parcel B during a Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing.