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A total solar eclipse will slice a diagonal line across North America today, April 8, 2024. Photo courtesy of NASA

A total solar eclipse will slice a diagonal line across North America today, April 8, 2024. Photo courtesy of NASA

2024 solar eclipse: What will we see in Florida?

A total solar eclipse will slice a diagonal line across North America today, April 8, 2024. The Sunshine State, true to its name, will not be in the path of totality, but that doesn't mean we won't see anything at all. The sun will be obscured 57% at the maximum eclipse visible in Florida.

Split vote over bank contract

In a split vote, the Fernandina Beach City Commission opted to maintain a relationship with a local bank for only one year in order to allow the city to consider its options after that year.
The Yulee High School winning team, from left, Mayor of Fernandina Beach, Bradley Bean, Lyla Johnson, Reagan Jeffers, Jacob Clayton, Richard Guo, Dean of the University of US Howard Pines and Superintendent of Schools, Kathy Burns. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Yulee High School winning team, from left, Mayor of Fernandina Beach, Bradley Bean, Lyla Johnson, Reagan Jeffers, Jacob Clayton, Richard Guo, Dean of the University of US Howard Pines and Superintendent of Schools, Kathy Burns. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Yulee High wins third straight annual Constitution Bowl

Yulee High School dominated the Constitution Bowl on Wednesday, leading the five-team competition wire to wire to claim the title. In the first 30-minute round, Yulee scored 108 points, while a team of home-educated students finished second with 86.
Pro tennis legend Billie Jean King and Elina Svitolina are pictured after Svitolina won the 2018 WTA Finals in Singapore. Svitolina will be on Amelia Island April 12-13 for the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifying Tie between Ukraine and Romania. The Svitolina Foundation, which manages the Ukrainian women’s national team in the Billie Jean King Cup, selected Omni Amelia Island Resort as the new host site for the tie. Photo courtesy of Bush Tennis Center

Pro tennis legend Billie Jean King and Elina Svitolina are pictured after Svitolina won the 2018 WTA Finals in Singapore. Svitolina will be on Amelia Island April 12-13 for the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifying Tie between Ukraine and Romania. The Svitolina Foundation, which manages the Ukrainian women’s national team in the Billie Jean King Cup, selected Omni Amelia Island Resort as the new host site for the tie. Photo courtesy of Bush Tennis Center

Ukraine takes on Romania at Omni

Omni Amelia Island Resort will be the location for the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifying Tie between Ukraine and Romania from April 12-13.
Pictured are replicas of how a middle-class couple and a slave might have dressed in the 1820s. Muslin had replaced the heavy brocade and silks fabrics of previous decades in favor of comfort and breathability. Some men felt the new fabric scandalous for women because it was too sheer and conformed too closely to the female figure. Twenty years later, the fashion trend would return to confining garments for women. Submitted photos

Pictured are replicas of how a middle-class couple and a slave might have dressed in the 1820s. Muslin had replaced the heavy brocade and silks fabrics of previous decades in favor of comfort and breathability. Some men felt the new fabric scandalous for women because it was too sheer and conformed too closely to the female figure. Twenty years later, the fashion trend would return to confining garments for women. Submitted photos

Treasures of Nassau: Antebellum Florida Part III

The News-Leader is running a series throughout the year on the history of Fernandina and Nassau County in celebration of the 200th anniversary of both. After Florida was annexed as a U.S. territory in 1821, Nassau County was set apart as a separate entity from Duval County in 1824.
From left, top, Melissa Moss, April Bogle, Noah and Suzanne Sapp, (from left, bottom) Sheila Cocchi, Sharon Roan and Linda Hart-Green speak to the NCSB about concerns of book banning in Nassau County schools. Photos by Tracy McCormick-Dishman/News-Leader

From left, top, Melissa Moss, April Bogle, Noah and Suzanne Sapp, (from left, bottom) Sheila Cocchi, Sharon Roan and Linda Hart-Green speak to the NCSB about concerns of book banning in Nassau County schools. Photos by Tracy McCormick-Dishman/News-Leader

Concerned Democrats, parents and citizens unite against book bans

In a powerful display of unity and advocacy, a local Democratic club, concerned parents and citizens filled the room at a recent school board meeting, raising their voices against the threat of book bans in the community.  On April 22, 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill (HB) 7 into law.
The turtle nesting season on Amelia Island takes place annually from May to October. Amelia Island is a popular nesting site for several species of sea turtles, including the Loggerhead, Green and Leatherback turtles. Submitted photo

The turtle nesting season on Amelia Island takes place annually from May to October. Amelia Island is a popular nesting site for several species of sea turtles, including the Loggerhead, Green and Leatherback turtles. Submitted photo

Sea turtle Earth Day: Beach Junki Earth Day event to focus on sea turtles

Earth Day began in 1970 and has evolved into the largest civic event on Earth, activating billions of people in 192 countries.
A proclamation was presented to Betty Berkman and her family by board Chairman John Martin.

A proclamation was presented to Betty Berkman and her family by board Chairman John Martin.

Proclamation honoring the life of David Berkman

At the March 11 meeting, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners approved Proclamation No. 2024-009 honoring the life of David Berkman, a Nassau County resident who passed away in 2021.
From left, Assistant Supervisor of Elections Maria Pearson, Alternate Canvassing Board member Teresa Prince, Supervisor of Elections Janet Adkins and Judge Jenny Higginbotham, elections staff, election workers and the Nassau County Canvassing Board complete the Logic and Accuracy Test on the voting and audit equipment in preparation for the March 19 Presidential Preference Primary Election. Submitted

From left, Assistant Supervisor of Elections Maria Pearson, Alternate Canvassing Board member Teresa Prince, Supervisor of Elections Janet Adkins and Judge Jenny Higginbotham, elections staff, election workers and the Nassau County Canvassing Board complete the Logic and Accuracy Test on the voting and audit equipment in preparation for the March 19 Presidential Preference Primary Election. Submitted

High voter turnout as community flocks to the polls

On Tuesday, March 19, Nassau County stood in line to cast their votes in the presidential preference primary election. “After completing 11 days of early voting, eight of which are statutorily mandated, followed by election day on March 19, Nassau County had a 22.