Local

Fernandina 200 committee members, from left, Mike Harrison from the Historic District Council, Julie McAfee Main Street volunteer, Phyllis Davis from the Museum of History, Lisa Finkelstein, Fernandina Beach Main Street executive director, Mary Hamburg, Fernandina Beach Digital Communications manager, Bryan Campbell, representing Congressman Aaron Bean, and Mayor Bradley Bean. Submitted by Julia Roberts

Fernandina 200 committee members, from left, Mike Harrison from the Historic District Council, Julie McAfee Main Street volunteer, Phyllis Davis from the Museum of History, Lisa Finkelstein, Fernandina Beach Main Street executive director, Mary Hamburg, Fernandina Beach Digital Communications manager, Bryan Campbell, representing Congressman Aaron Bean, and Mayor Bradley Bean. Submitted by Julia Roberts

City kicks off bicentennial celebration

Julia Roberts
Thursday, January 4, 2024
The city of Fernandina Beach kicked off 2024 by recognizing the 200th year of its existence at the Jan. 2 city commission meeting. Bryan Campbell, representing U.S.
Whale calf No. 6: Catalog #3546 “Halo” was sighted with a newborn calf on Dec. 28 off Cumberland Island, Ga. “Halo” is 19 years old, and this is her third calf. She last gave birth four years ago during the 2020 calving season. Photo FWC Wildlife Research Institute

Whale calf No. 6: Catalog #3546 “Halo” was sighted with a newborn calf on Dec. 28 off Cumberland Island, Ga. “Halo” is 19 years old, and this is her third calf. She last gave birth four years ago during the 2020 calving season. Photo FWC Wildlife Research Institute

Right whale calves spotted nearby

News Staff
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
The holidays were busy for right whales in local waters, as three right whale calves were spotted nearby. Many whales have been sighted off Northeast Florida in recent surveys, and boaters are reminded to post a lookout and use caution.
Operation Fail Festival nets unregistered sex offenders in Nassau County. Submitted

Operation Fail Festival nets unregistered sex offenders in Nassau County. Submitted

Operation Fail Festival nets unregistered sex offenders in Nassau County

Julia Roberts
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper announced Operation Fail Festival, which resulted in the arrest of several people in the county for their failure to register, or re-register, as a sexual offender. “Several of these sick individuals … failed to comply with sexual offender requirements.
Shrimp Drop 2024. Photo courtesy of Fernandina Main Street

Shrimp Drop 2024. Photo courtesy of Fernandina Main Street

NYE Shrimp Drop rings in 2024

News Staff
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Hundreds of people gathered to watch a giant shrimp covered in lights fall from the sky as part of the annual tradition to welcome a new year, the New Year’s Even Shrimp Drop.
North Atlantic right whale Braces swims with her calf off Nassau Sound on Dec. 23. Photo courtesy of Clearwater marine Aquarium Research Institute.

North Atlantic right whale Braces swims with her calf off Nassau Sound on Dec. 23. Photo courtesy of Clearwater marine Aquarium Research Institute.

Fifth right whale calf of season spotted

Wes Wolfe
Thursday, December 28, 2023
The numbers aren’t close to what’s needed for the survival of the species, but North Atlantic right whale calving season continues with the fourth and fifth calves of the year spotted recently off Florida.
The Tringali homes, Historic District Chair Mike Spino said, were built by Italian immigrants who helped build the shrimping industry. Julia Roberts/News-Leader

The Tringali homes, Historic District Chair Mike Spino said, were built by Italian immigrants who helped build the shrimping industry. Julia Roberts/News-Leader

Judge rules Tringali case will go to Board of Adjustment; city commission vote quashed

Julia Roberts
Thursday, December 28, 2023
A judge has ruled the Land Development Code of city of Fernandina Beach requires a case concerning underlying lots of record must be decided by the city’s Board of Adjustment, reversing the matter’s approval by the city commission.
Carlene McDuffie, president of the Coalition for the Homeless of Nassau County, welcomes all to a vigil on National Homeless Persons’ Remembrance Day to honor those who have passed while experiencing homelessness. Submitted

Carlene McDuffie, president of the Coalition for the Homeless of Nassau County, welcomes all to a vigil on National Homeless Persons’ Remembrance Day to honor those who have passed while experiencing homelessness. Submitted

National Homeless Persons' Remembrance Day

Sean Rosenthal
Thursday, December 28, 2023
Coalition for the Homeless of Nassau County (CHNassau) held a vigil at the courthouse in downtown Fernandina Beach to honor National Homeless Persons’ Remembrance Day held annually on Dec. 21.
Walldog mural in Croydon, Iowa.

Walldog mural in Croydon, Iowa.

CVB working to bring art project to bicentennial celebrations

Julia Roberts
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
The city of Fernandina Beach is gearing up for its bicentennial in 2025 that could include permanent art installations throughout the city in the form of murals in the style of advertisements that used to be found on barns and buildings during the early part of the 20th century.
The 2024 Keep Nassau Beautiful reusable aluminum cup design. Submitted

The 2024 Keep Nassau Beautiful reusable aluminum cup design. Submitted

Award winning cup keeps Nassau beautiful

Sean Rosenthal
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) recognized Keep Nassau Beautiful for its 2023 Outstanding Project Award winning aluminum cup program. In one year, more than 59,000 reusable and recyclable cups have been distributed to more than 25 local restaurants and partner organizations.
Shrimp Drop time! Submitted

Shrimp Drop time! Submitted

NYE shrimp drop on Amelia Island

News Staff
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
A unique local tradition, locals and visitors alike gather along the riverfront in downtown Fernandina Beach (North Front Street) to watch a giant shrimp covered in lights fall from the sky as part of an annual tradition to welcome a new year. It happens at a family-friendly 7 p.m.