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FBI Operation Cross Country leads to local rescues, arrests

Holly Dorman
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
The FBI Jacksonville Division announced the outcome of Operation Cross Country XIII on Monday. Operation Cross Country is the FBI-led initiative aimed at locating and rescuing victims of human trafficking and carrying out investigations to arrest and charge those responsible.
Patrick McDowell. Photo courtesy of Nassau County Sheriffs Office

Patrick McDowell. Photo courtesy of Nassau County Sheriffs Office

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McDowell’s sentencing moves to April

Kathie Sciullo
Sunday, August 6, 2023
Patrick McDowell’s sentencing trial in the 2021 shooting death of Nassau County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Moyers will be pushed back to April 2024.  The Jacksonville man pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the Nassau County Courthouse March 10.

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Additional revenue will fund city capital projects

Julia Roberts
Friday, August 4, 2023
The Fernandina Beach City Commission got some good news at a budget workshop held this week – there is more money than anticipated coming into the city’s coffers to be used for capital projects. The commission voted to tax property owners at the rollback millage rate, 4.
Photo courtesy of Escape Tampa Bay Village, a tiny home community in Sarasota County.

Photo courtesy of Escape Tampa Bay Village, a tiny home community in Sarasota County.

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Tiny home tool kit

Sean Rosenthal
Friday, August 4, 2023
Of the approximately 12,000 people that live and work in Nassau County, 73.5% of those people work in the service industry. A local service industry average of $15 an hour yields a salary of $31,200, not nearly enough to buy a house.
The closure of fuel pumps, both for unleaded and diesel fuel, has cost the Fernandina Harbor Marina, and in turn the City of Fernandina Beach, hundreds of thousands of dollars this year. Repairs are underway, and it is hoped the pumps will be operating this week. Photo by Julia Roberts

The closure of fuel pumps, both for unleaded and diesel fuel, has cost the Fernandina Harbor Marina, and in turn the City of Fernandina Beach, hundreds of thousands of dollars this year. Repairs are underway, and it is hoped the pumps will be operating this week. Photo by Julia Roberts

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Marina fuel sales loss expected to top half a million

Julia Roberts
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
The Fernandina Harbor Marina has been without fuel service for more than 140 days in the past two years, resulting in a loss of $671,500 to the city-owned asset.
Brett's Waterway Cafe. File photo

Brett's Waterway Cafe. File photo

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Brett’s: Arbitration or we will sue

Julia Roberts
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
The latest development between the city of Fernandina Beach and Centre Street Restaurant Group is a threat from the company to sue the city unless “the City is agreeable to attend a confidential mediation” to resolve issues regarding Brett’s Waterway Cafe. In a letter from attorney John A.
NCSB appoints Oversight Committee members. Submitted

NCSB appoints Oversight Committee members. Submitted

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NCSB appoints Oversight Committee members

Holly Dorman
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
The Nassau County School Board approved eight members for its Millage Referendum Citizens Oversight Committee at the July 27 meeting.
Nassau County School District Director of Transportation Brad Underhill said that with 63 routes and 64 bus drivers, NCSD is "on the edge," but he doesn't expect unusual amounts of delays this year. File photo

Nassau County School District Director of Transportation Brad Underhill said that with 63 routes and 64 bus drivers, NCSD is "on the edge," but he doesn't expect unusual amounts of delays this year. File photo

NCSD buses ready for action

Holly Dorman
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
As parents are prepping their kids to go back to school next week, the Nassau County School District is readying its bus fleet as well. The subject of bus routes and bus drivers was added to the agenda at the July 27 meeting.
Fernandina Beach City Hall. File photo

Fernandina Beach City Hall. File photo

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Millage mayhem

Julia Roberts
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Despite pleas from the public, the Fernandina Beach City Commission approved a rollback millage rate for the 2023-24 fiscal year, which will put $2 million less in the city’s coffers than the current rate.   Mayor Bradley Bean and Vice Mayor David Sturges have advocated for the rollback rate, 4.