News

The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt is bigger this year than ever before, according to experts. Luckily, Amelia Island is not predicted to bear the brunt of it. Submitted photo

The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt is bigger this year than ever before, according to experts. Luckily, Amelia Island is not predicted to bear the brunt of it. Submitted photo

No need to be 'sargass-tic,' blob not headed for Amelia Island

Holly Dorman
Thursday, March 30, 2023
The blob is coming in from the Sargasso Sea, but not for Amelia Island. Reports of a massive, 5,000-mile long belt of sargassum seaweed heading for Florida have been pouring in, but experts say Northeast Florida has little to fear.

George on deck

Julia Roberts
Thursday, March 30, 2023
If the appointment is approved by the Fernandina Beach City Commission next week, City Engineer Charles George will serve as the interim city manager after the contract with current interim City Manager Mark Foxworth expires.
Fernandina Beach Pride parade 2022. File photo/News-Leader

Fernandina Beach Pride parade 2022. File photo/News-Leader

CCDF director tells city commission Pride events are inappropriate

Julia Roberts
Thursday, March 30, 2023
The head of the local branch of a political group told the Fernandina Beach City Commission he believes events should not be held in the city in conjunction with Pride, a movement that traditionally celebrates and commemorates the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.
Signs on lawns in the Pirates Bay subdivision protest Breakers RV Park. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

Signs on lawns in the Pirates Bay subdivision protest Breakers RV Park. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

County responds to writ filed by Pirates Bay

News Staff
Thursday, March 30, 2023
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners and Intact Construction Management has responded to a writ filed by three county residents objecting to plans to build an RV park on Sadler Road, saying the plan for the park met development guidelines and should not be stopped.
City of Fernandina Beach

City of Fernandina Beach

Ross wants faster action on city manager search

Julia Roberts
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
While one Fernandina Beach city commissioner believes the city needs to move quickly to find a new city manager, the mayor and at least one commissioner say they believe discussing the matter at a meeting next month is fast enough.
The intersection of 8th and Lime streets, which welcomes locals and visitors to Fernandina Beach, will change dramatically in the coming months, while the familiar blue sign will remain. Courtesy Fernandina Beach Main Street

The intersection of 8th and Lime streets, which welcomes locals and visitors to Fernandina Beach, will change dramatically in the coming months, while the familiar blue sign will remain. Courtesy Fernandina Beach Main Street

City will keep old sign, add elements to Eighth Street gateway

Julia Roberts
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
People entering the city of Fernandina Beach via 8th Street will soon be welcomed by a new look, with a sign familiar to locals - the “Pirate blue” sign at the city limits at Lime Street.
Children play on Ybor Alvarez soccer fields. The city of Fernandina Beach wants to secure a lease to retain the fields for use Amelia Island Youth Soccer. Photo by Beth Jones/News-Leader

Children play on Ybor Alvarez soccer fields. The city of Fernandina Beach wants to secure a lease to retain the fields for use Amelia Island Youth Soccer. Photo by Beth Jones/News-Leader

City moving forward to secure lease on Ybor Alvarez fields

Beth Jones
Thursday, March 23, 2023
The Fernandina Beach City Commission will try to work out a lease agreement in order to retain the property that is the Ybor Alvarez Sports Complex after a discussion of the matter at the March 21 city commission workshop.
Photo courtesy of USFWS/Larry Woodward and Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge The Okefenokee Swamp has long served as a home to thousands of animals and a popular tourist spot for people. Leaders of the Muskogee Creek Nation, whose ancestors populated the swamp, have called it “the most blissful spot of the earth.” The name “Okefenokee” means “land of the trembling earth” in the Muskogean language.

Photo courtesy of USFWS/Larry Woodward and Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge The Okefenokee Swamp has long served as a home to thousands of animals and a popular tourist spot for people. Leaders of the Muskogee Creek Nation, whose ancestors populated the swamp, have called it “the most blissful spot of the earth.” The name “Okefenokee” means “land of the trembling earth” in the Muskogean language.

Proposed Okefenokee mine hits home

Holly Dorman
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Local experts have shared how they believe a titanium surface mine near the Okefenokee Swamp would impact the St. Marys River, a staple of Nassau County. Emily Floore, executive director of St.