News

Brett's Waterway Cafe at the Downtown Harbor Marina is shown in July. The store has had 'Store Closing' signs up for several months. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Brett's Waterway Cafe at the Downtown Harbor Marina is shown in July. The store has had 'Store Closing' signs up for several months. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Brett’s Waterway Cafe announces official closure

Marisa DeMar
Friday, October 3, 2025
After months in limbo, Brett’s Waterway Cafe in Fernandina Beach has officially announced its closure. In a Facebook post made by the restaurant Thursday, they shared their plan to stop operations this weekend with their final day of service being tomorrow, Oct. 4.

Story & Song is one for the books

Jim Luksic
Friday, August 8, 2025
To this day, I insist one of the most relaxing and gratifying hobbies is to visit brick-and-mortar bookstores. Call me old-fashioned. Just don’t call me late for coffee. Sure, it’s quicker and sometimes more economical to order books online.
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.
Emergency Management Director Tim Cooper speaks Monday at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on the Local State of Emergency that was established ahead of the Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine that has been forecasted to make landfall in Florida on Thursday as Hurricane Helene. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Emergency Management Director Tim Cooper speaks Monday at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on the Local State of Emergency that was established ahead of the Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine that has been forecasted to make landfall in Florida on Thursday as Hurricane Helene. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Local leaders anticipate birth of Hurricane Helene

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Nassau County has declared a Local State of Emergency ahead of another storm expected to make landfall in Florida.
Rain has prompted the postponement of the Chester Road closure another day. The railroad reconstruction work on the Pages Dairy and Chester Road Intersection Improvements project that is set to close a portion of Chester Road has now been postponed to Sept. 20. File photo/News-Leader 

Rain has prompted the postponement of the Chester Road closure another day. The railroad reconstruction work on the Pages Dairy and Chester Road Intersection Improvements project that is set to close a portion of Chester Road has now been postponed to Sept. 20. File photo/News-Leader 

Chester Road closure postponed another day

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
The rain has prompted another postponement of the railroad reconstruction work on the Pages Dairy and Chester Road Intersection Improvements project that is set to close a portion of Chester Road.
Assistant County Manager Marshall Eyerman presents the now-adopted budget and millage rates Monday at the Board of County Commissioners Meeting. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Assistant County Manager Marshall Eyerman presents the now-adopted budget and millage rates Monday at the Board of County Commissioners Meeting. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

County Commissioners kick off September

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
The first September meeting for the Board of County Commissioners was of stark contrast to the last meeting of August, which lasted only 15 minutes.
Sarah Campbell will take the helm of city government if contract negotiations are successful.

Sarah Campbell will take the helm of city government if contract negotiations are successful.

City commission selects Sarah Campbell as new city manager

Julia Roberts
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
The City of Fernandina Beach will be managed by Sarah Campbell, if employment negotiations with the candidate are successful. The city has been administered by Operations Director Jeremiah Glisson since Charles George took a medical leave.