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Judge halts recall efforts

Nick Blank
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
A Nassau Circuit Court judge has ruled in favor of two Fernandina Beach city commissioners seeking to halt a recall effort against them. Judge Marianne Aho on Wednesday granted a temporary injunction on behalf of commissioners Genece Minshew and Tim Poynter against the recall.
Nassau County Fire Rescue responded to a large bush fire active near Keel Court in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Nassau County Fire Rescue responded to a large bush fire active near Keel Court in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Keel Court residents evacuated due to brush fire

News Staff
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Residents in a local neighborhood were forced to evacuate for a short time today, when a brush fire broke out.Early this afternoon, Nassau County Fire Rescue responded to a large brush fire active near Keel Court in Fernandina Beach.
Officers on the scene of an incident invovling an SUV and a bicycle March 27 on South Fletcher Avenue. Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

Officers on the scene of an incident invovling an SUV and a bicycle March 27 on South Fletcher Avenue. Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

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FHP: Bicyclist hospitalized after collision with SUV

News Staff
Friday, April 3, 2026
A 75-year-old Fernandina Beach man suffered “incapacitating injuries” while riding a bicycle March 27 after a car swerved into the bike lane on South Fletcher Avenue knocked him off the bike and ran over him, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.
Ron Whitesides, of Purvis, Gray & Co., presents Wednesday to the Board of County Commissioners on the companies’ most recent audit of the BOCC and constitutional offices. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Ron Whitesides, of Purvis, Gray & Co., presents Wednesday to the Board of County Commissioners on the companies’ most recent audit of the BOCC and constitutional offices. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Audit firm reports county in ‘good, healthy financial condition’

Ashley Chandler
Friday, March 20, 2026
Nassau County received an assuring report on its last Fiscal Year from an external auditor. The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners heard an update from Ron Whitesides with Purvis, Gray & Co., following the company’s audit for Fiscal Year 2024/2025, which ended on Sept. 30.
The fate of the Penny Press machine in Ship's Lantern is uncertain as pennies fade out of circulation. Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

The fate of the Penny Press machine in Ship's Lantern is uncertain as pennies fade out of circulation. Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

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End of pennies changes payments

Amy Mulligan
Friday, March 13, 2026
Don’t expect exact change when you’re paying with cash if Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a bill that will allow retailers and consumers to round up or down to the nearest nickel. The House voted 111-1 Tuesday on the measure (SB 1074). Jacksonville Democratic Rep. Angie Nixon voted against it.
Gov. Ron DeSantis makes an announcement about newly proposed red snapper fishing laws during his conference at the Amelia Island Marina in Fernandina Beach on Monday morning.  Photos by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Gov. Ron DeSantis makes an announcement about newly proposed red snapper fishing laws during his conference at the Amelia Island Marina in Fernandina Beach on Monday morning.  Photos by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

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Snap to it

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis came to the Amelia Island Marina in Fernandina Beach to hold a news conference regarding the proposal of new recreational fishing laws surrounding the Atlantic red snapper.

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Despite healthy staffing, schools seeking hires

Nick Blank
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
By Nick Blank News-Leader   More than two months into the school year, the Nassau County School District still has positions to fill.   The district has approximately 1,700 employees.
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.