News

Aaron Bell

Aaron Bell

County commissioner accused of DUI

A Nassau County Commissioner was arrested and charged with driving under the influence Tuesday after the Fernandina Beach Police Department said it received a tip about someone driving erratically on South Eighth Street.
The Amelia Hotel on Sadler Road was purchased by RREAF Holdings and Innisfree Hotels, which already own the Courtyard and SpringHill Suites by Marriott.

The Amelia Hotel on Sadler Road was purchased by RREAF Holdings and Innisfree Hotels, which already own the Courtyard and SpringHill Suites by Marriott.

Two hotels sold

Two Fernandina Beach hotels have been sold to the same owner, and have come under management by the same company that manages Courtyard and SpringHill Suites by Marriott.
City of Fernandina Beach

City of Fernandina Beach

City beach smoking ban gets first OK

Despite impassioned pleas from residents who enjoy a smoke on the beach, the Fernandina Beach City Commission passed, on first reading, an ordinance banning smoking on the city’s beaches. Five members of the public addressed commissioners about the issue.
A request to remove travel trailers and campgrounds from Commercial zoning districts was denied by the Planning and Zoning Board Tuesday.

A request to remove travel trailers and campgrounds from Commercial zoning districts was denied by the Planning and Zoning Board Tuesday.

Zoning board rejects county staff proposal

Two requests to amend Nassau County’s Land Development Code (LDC) affecting permitted uses of travel trailers and campgrounds were rejected by the Planning and Zoning Board on Tuesday.
A plane takes off from the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport. A local resident says he has a plan to help the airport receive revenue from takeoffs and landings by fight schools, but the airport manager says that plan may not be as simple as it appears.

A plane takes off from the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport. A local resident says he has a plan to help the airport receive revenue from takeoffs and landings by fight schools, but the airport manager says that plan may not be as simple as it appears.

Summer Beach residents presents plan to reduce airport noise

A local resident presented a plan to the Fernandina Beach Airport Advisory Commission to reduce noise at the city-owned municipal airport, which he called a win-win for the airport, the city and people living near the facility.
Gov. Ron DeSantis visits Callahan on Monday to present the town with a $4 million grant to fund the extension of the town’s water lines to the Crawford Diamond Industrial Park.

Gov. Ron DeSantis visits Callahan on Monday to present the town with a $4 million grant to fund the extension of the town’s water lines to the Crawford Diamond Industrial Park.

DeSantis’ visits Nassau with $4 million check

With a message strong on economic development, Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded the town of Callahan $4 million toward a new water plant at Crawford Diamond Industrial Park. DeSantis held a press conference Monday morning in The Pig Bar-B-Q with a standing-room-only crowd in attendance.
Chick-fil-A revealed plans to undergo major renovations to its building, parking lot and dual approach drive-thru by expanding its perimeter more than 400 square feet.

Chick-fil-A revealed plans to undergo major renovations to its building, parking lot and dual approach drive-thru by expanding its perimeter more than 400 square feet.

Chick-fil-A planning renovations at Yulee eatery

Nassau County’s sole Chick-fil-A just indicated at a Development Review Committee meeting that it intends to do major renovations to its restaurant building, parking lot and drive-thru.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, along with other agencies and groups, have helped increase the number of grasshopper sparrows in Florida.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, along with other agencies and groups, have helped increase the number of grasshopper sparrows in Florida.

Eyes on the sparrows

It was not the most dramatic animal release of all time, but it was a dramatic milestone for one of North America’s most endangered birds.
Ruby Coleman falls through the clouds at 125 mph with Skydive Amelia Island tandem instructor Gregory Meyer.

Ruby Coleman falls through the clouds at 125 mph with Skydive Amelia Island tandem instructor Gregory Meyer.

Jumping for joy

Ruby Coleman was thrilled when her paratrooper grandson came to see her. She hadn’t expected to see him here at Skydive Amelia Island, but there he was, ready to watch his 90-year-old grandmother jump out of a plane. “He’s always telling people, ‘I got a bad-ass skydiving grandmother,’” she said.