Regional

Kathy Freyman, Nassau County economic resources manager, speak April 27 about the Nassau County RISE program, put in place to benefit small local businesses upon startup. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Kathy Freyman, Nassau County economic resources manager, speak April 27 about the Nassau County RISE program, put in place to benefit small local businesses upon startup. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Nassau program to help small businesses RISE

Ashley Chandler
Friday, May 8, 2026
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners has approved a new program which aims at providing “tangible relief” to small businesses.
Taylor Clem discusses potential future uses for the 223 acres the county purchased at the April 27 Board of County Commissioners meeting. Staff says the property will be used mostly for conservation purposes. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Taylor Clem discusses potential future uses for the 223 acres the county purchased at the April 27 Board of County Commissioners meeting. Staff says the property will be used mostly for conservation purposes. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

County OK’s $3.87M land purchase

Ashley Chandler
Friday, May 8, 2026
Nassau County commissioners recently approved a $3,875,000 purchase of 223.67 acres of land staff says will be used mostly for conservation.  County staff say the property provides a unique opportunity to connect conservation with recreation.
Water levels continue to stay down in ponds across Nassau County despite recent rainfall. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

Water levels continue to stay down in ponds across Nassau County despite recent rainfall. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

Nassau County burn ban continues

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Nassau County is still under a burn ban and in a Local State of Emergency, local leaders decided Monday.  Four of the five members of the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners met Monday morning with county staff to consider the extension of the Local State of Emergency and burn ban.
Nassau County Attorney Denise May speaks Monday on the potential moratorium BOCC will vote on in the coming months. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Nassau County Attorney Denise May speaks Monday on the potential moratorium BOCC will vote on in the coming months. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

County proceeds with data center pause

Ashley Chandler
Friday, May 1, 2026
It was a full house in the Nassau Commissioners Chambers on Monday for the last regularly scheduled Board of County Commissioners meeting of April.
The Board of County Commissioners meets in the Commissioner's Chambers on April 27 at the James S. Page Governmental Complex. Photo by Ashley Chandler

The Board of County Commissioners meets in the Commissioner's Chambers on April 27 at the James S. Page Governmental Complex. Photo by Ashley Chandler

Nassau extends burn ban, Local State of Emergency

News Staff
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Nassau County Board of County Commissioner extended its Local State of Emergency and burn ban for another week at Monday’s regularly scheduled meeting.  The board will meet again on May 4 to determine if it will be extended another week.
Brandon Olsen (Wild Yulee) performs at local open mic nights in Nassau County. Submitted photo 

Brandon Olsen (Wild Yulee) performs at local open mic nights in Nassau County. Submitted photo 

Music speaks 

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Brandon Olsen, a musician based in Yulee took an alternative route to stating his opinion on the recent paid parking initiative in downtown Fernandina Beach. In a video posted to Facebook and Tiktok, Olsen performed a song he wrote called Goin’ Back to Yulee under his stage name Wild Yulee.

Some Chester Road properties to receive new addresses

News Staff
Friday, April 24, 2026
To support clear and accurate emergency response, some properties on Chester Road are set to receive new home addresses.  The address change is to be applied to the portion of Chester Road between State Road 200 and the newly constructed roundabout at Heron Isles Parkway.
Nassau County first responders assisted in transporting an injured woman on the water Sunday at Boneyard Beach. Submitted

Nassau County first responders assisted in transporting an injured woman on the water Sunday at Boneyard Beach. Submitted

NCSO, NCFR help injured woman on water

News Staff
Friday, April 24, 2026
Nassau County first responders assisted in transporting an injured woman on the water Sunday at Boneyard Beach. On April 19 at approximately 5 p.m.
DROUGHT MONITOR MAP FROM WWW.WEATHER.GOV/TBW/DROUGHTINFO

DROUGHT MONITOR MAP FROM WWW.WEATHER.GOV/TBW/DROUGHTINFO

‘You’re gonna smell smoke:'

Ashley Chandler
Friday, April 24, 2026
Over the weekend, flames engulfed hundreds of acres of woodlands in Nassau County and destroyed a residents pole barn. On Wednesday, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners extended its county-wide burn ban until at least Wednesday, April 29.