News

State Sen. Aaron Bean and former state Rep. Cord Byrd

State Sen. Aaron Bean and former state Rep. Cord Byrd

Governor’s vetoes hit Fernandina, Nassau hard

Julia Roberts and Marissa Mahoney News-Leader   The city of Fernandina Beach submitted funding requests for four projects in the 2022 session: improvements to City Hall, repointing bricks on the Peck Center, funds to repair and construct beach walkovers and design and permitting of the remaining...
Ken Meyer, right, tells the story of how he got into swallow-tailed kite research, something he’s been doing for more than 30 years now. With Meyer is Story & Song Bookstore Bistro co-owner Mark Kaufman.

Ken Meyer, right, tells the story of how he got into swallow-tailed kite research, something he’s been doing for more than 30 years now. With Meyer is Story & Song Bookstore Bistro co-owner Mark Kaufman.

Amelia Island bookstore ‘gone to the birds’ in presentations

Avian Research and Conservation Institute Executive Director Ken Meyer visited Story and Song Bookstore Bistro to share some fun facts about swallow-tailed kites and efforts to protect them. Bird enthusiasts and community members alike came together to hear Meyer speak.
Brooks Rohe, 17, a star athlete at Fernandina Beach High School, will attend a highly-competitive orientation program run by the United States Coast Guard Academy this July.

Brooks Rohe, 17, a star athlete at Fernandina Beach High School, will attend a highly-competitive orientation program run by the United States Coast Guard Academy this July.

Leader of the pack

Brooks Rohe is no stranger to pressure. The 17-year-old is entering his senior year at Fernandina Beach High School as captain of the football and wrestling teams, all while maintaining a near-perfect 4.
This property on the Amelia River waterfront is owned by Amelia Island Development Company, which says it has laid undeveloped due to undue encumbrances on using wetland property, including a prohibition on fill of any kind.

This property on the Amelia River waterfront is owned by Amelia Island Development Company, which says it has laid undeveloped due to undue encumbrances on using wetland property, including a prohibition on fill of any kind.

Owners: Restrictions preventing development

A man whose company owns property on the Amelia River waterfront in Fernandina Beach is hoping that, with the dissolution of a Planned Unit Development and a newly-formed Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Board (CRAAB), changes can be made that will enable him to develop the property.
Property values continue to rise in Nassau County.

Property values continue to rise in Nassau County.

Nassau property values hit record high

Nassau County Property Appraiser Mike Hickox said property values in the county as of Jan. 2, 2022, have reached a record high for a total market value of $20.5 billion, a 18% increase from 2021. The taxable value has surpassed the previous year exceeding $12.6 billion, almost 14% above last year.
Fernandina Beach High School graduate Kallie Johns acknowledges Teacher of the Year James Glacklin before collecting her diploma Saturday morning.

Fernandina Beach High School graduate Kallie Johns acknowledges Teacher of the Year James Glacklin before collecting her diploma Saturday morning.

‘Always a pirate’

The Fernandina Beach High School class of 2022 finally made it to the finish line. Graduation was held Saturday on the school’s football field.
Yulee High School principal Roody Joinville leads a procession prior to the school’s graduation May 25.

Yulee High School principal Roody Joinville leads a procession prior to the school’s graduation May 25.

District to replace Yulee High principal

Community members spoke out at the Nassau County School Board meeting May 26 against the removal of Roody Joinville from his position as principal at Yulee High School. News of Joinville’s potential departure first came at the May 12 meeting when the Rev.
The .76-acre parcel the city of Fernandina Beach is considering is near the Egans Creek Greenway.

The .76-acre parcel the city of Fernandina Beach is considering is near the Egans Creek Greenway.

City eyes .76-acre purchase

At the May 17 Fernandina Beach City Commission meeting, city commissioners unanimously approved an option agreement to purchase a small parcel of land adjacent to the Egans Creek Greenway in order to put the property in conservation.
Yulee High School valedictorian Nick Emerson speaks to his fellow seniors during Wednesday’s graduation ceremony.

Yulee High School valedictorian Nick Emerson speaks to his fellow seniors during Wednesday’s graduation ceremony.

‘Let’s do this, man’

After persevering through more “unprecedented times” than any class in recent history, the Yulee High School class of 2022 made it to the finish line at graduation Wednesday.
Ocean Highway and Port Authority

Ocean Highway and Port Authority

Additional warehouse coming to Port of Fernandina

The Port of Fernandina is moving forward with providing more warehouse space to shipping customers with the addition of a fabric warehouse, but one Ocean Highway and Port Authority commissioner said she doesn’t know if the warehouse is needed and if the port authority will receive its share of...