Regional

Director of Strategic Advancement and Economic Resources Brandy Carvalho presents plans for the new animal services campus at Wednesday's Board of County Commissioner meeting. A more-than $3-million dollar contract for design services was approved. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Director of Strategic Advancement and Economic Resources Brandy Carvalho presents plans for the new animal services campus at Wednesday's Board of County Commissioner meeting. A more-than $3-million dollar contract for design services was approved. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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$3.2M contract for design of animal services campus OK’d 

Ashley Chandler
Friday, September 19, 2025
The Board of County Commissioners approved a $3,220,000 contract at Wednesday morning’s meeting for Professional Design Services for the upcoming Animal Resource Center and Campus. The contract was awarded to FMD Architects, Inc., doing business as Shelter Planners of America.
During the first weekend of September, Nassau County Animal Services partnered with the International Association of Firefighters – Local 3101 (Nassau County Fire Rescue) for an adoption event at Petco in Yulee. Ten animals were adopted during the event. Submitted

During the first weekend of September, Nassau County Animal Services partnered with the International Association of Firefighters – Local 3101 (Nassau County Fire Rescue) for an adoption event at Petco in Yulee. Ten animals were adopted during the event. Submitted

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Animal Services to replace volunteer program, adjust leadership

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Nassau County is making changes to Animal Services. Most recently, the county said it has implemented changes to leadership roles and eyes a big update to its volunteer program.
Assistant County Manager Marshall Eyerman gives a presentation to the Board of County Commissioners regarding the 2025-2026 proposed budget and millage rates. Submitted

Assistant County Manager Marshall Eyerman gives a presentation to the Board of County Commissioners regarding the 2025-2026 proposed budget and millage rates. Submitted

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Changes made to proposed Nassau County budget

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
The county is in the final stages of approving this upcoming Fiscal Year’s budget and millage rates.  The first hearing on the millage rates and budget was held at Monday’s regularly scheduled Board of County Commissioners meeting.
A customer walks into the tunnel entrance to Madison Scare Park 31st Street Station on Aug. 20 at the front entrance of Spirit Halloween in Yulee. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

A customer walks into the tunnel entrance to Madison Scare Park 31st Street Station on Aug. 20 at the front entrance of Spirit Halloween in Yulee. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Frights and delights: Locals stock up for spooky season at Spirit Halloween in Yulee

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Through the automatic doors of the old Joann Fabrics that recently closed at the Shoppes at Amelia, visitors are no longer greeted with bright-colored fabrics but by creepy noises, spooky faces and a tunnel entrance to Madison Scare Park 31st Street Station.
From left: Janice Ancrum, Chef Davron Wright, Chef Cavon Norris and Donna Granieri in the kitchen at Nassau County Council on Aging. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

From left: Janice Ancrum, Chef Davron Wright, Chef Cavon Norris and Donna Granieri in the kitchen at Nassau County Council on Aging. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Taking on food insecurity: Council on Aging seeks sponsors for more impactful Thanksgiving lunch

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
This year, the Nassau County Council on Aging aims to counteract food insecurity, a rising concern for Amelia Island seniors. The local nonprofit is postponing its 2026 annual Gala to focus its efforts on its upcoming Thanksgiving fundraiser and luncheon, Giving Seniors Hope.
Commissioner Klynt Farmer gives remarks Monday, Aug. 25 regarding public comments made about the county’s animal shelter. Farmer said he has received multiple threats following his comments that “the loudest boos come from the cheapest seats,” and “I'm not in the business of wallowing with the hogs.” Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Commissioner Klynt Farmer gives remarks Monday, Aug. 25 regarding public comments made about the county’s animal shelter. Farmer said he has received multiple threats following his comments that “the loudest boos come from the cheapest seats,” and “I'm not in the business of wallowing with the hogs.” Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Local outcry paints picture of chaos: Commissioner receives threats following 'disrespectful' comments

Ashley Chandler
Friday, August 29, 2025
Nassau County Animal Services is still under fire. Current and former volunteers and concerned citizens have flooded several Nassau County social media pages with conversations about the shelter.
Lexus Harrison, former Nassau County Animal Services volunteer, speaks at Monday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Lexus Harrison, former Nassau County Animal Services volunteer, speaks at Monday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Shelter, county hounded at BOCC meeting

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
The Commission Chambers were overflowing Monday for the second time in August. This time Nassau County was fired up about its animal care. The discussion at Monday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting was already underway in the weeks prior on social media.
Quinn Ortiz at the Downtown Harbor Marina on Aug. 17. Quinn holds the title of 'Miss Nassau' after placing in the Top 25 at Florida's state competition with National American Miss. She is heading for nationals, set for the week of Thanksgiving. The Yulee native said she spends a lot of time in downtown Fernandina Beach with her friends. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Quinn Ortiz at the Downtown Harbor Marina on Aug. 17. Quinn holds the title of 'Miss Nassau' after placing in the Top 25 at Florida's state competition with National American Miss. She is heading for nationals, set for the week of Thanksgiving. The Yulee native said she spends a lot of time in downtown Fernandina Beach with her friends. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Meet Miss Nassau: Yulee native to represent Nassau, Florida at national pageant competition

Ashley Chandler
Friday, August 22, 2025
Miss Nassau is going to nationals.  Yulee native Quinn Ortiz will travel to the National American Miss Pageant the week of Thanksgiving to compete as Miss Nassau.
Three shrimp trawlers are tied-up at wharves on the Amelia River north of where the current marina is located.  Photo courtesy of Amelia Island Museum of History 

Three shrimp trawlers are tied-up at wharves on the Amelia River north of where the current marina is located.  Photo courtesy of Amelia Island Museum of History 

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Revitalizing the local shrimping industry 

Marisa DeMar
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
A spokesperson for the Northeast Florida Regional Council presented a study to the city of Fernandina Beach Commissioners that proposed a plan for revamping the local shrimping industry.  During the Aug.