Regional

A loggerhead Sea Turtle was the first to nest on Amelia Island this year. Submitted photos

A loggerhead Sea Turtle was the first to nest on Amelia Island this year. Submitted photos

Sea turtle season arrives early

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, May 1, 2025
A loggerhead Sea Turtle is the first to nest on Amelia Island this year. “It is the earliest loggerhead that we’ve ever had,” Mary Duffy of Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch said.  The nest was discovered and marked off Wednesday.
Fernandina Beach employee Chad Manning hand crafted and sealed the time capsule that was buried at the visitor’s center on Centre Street, and helped bury it Wednesday. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

Fernandina Beach employee Chad Manning hand crafted and sealed the time capsule that was buried at the visitor’s center on Centre Street, and helped bury it Wednesday. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

A message to the 2075 Fernandina Beach, city buries time capsule

Julia Roberts
Thursday, May 1, 2025
The city of Fernandina Beach wrapped a present that will be opened by future Fernandinans Wednesday when it buried a time capsule. The time capsule burial marks the city’s 200th year, City Manager Sarah Campbell said. “Cities that reach their 200th birthday are few and far between,” Campbell said.
Deputy County Manager Robert Companion speaks at the April 14 Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meeting, in the Commission Chambers. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Deputy County Manager Robert Companion speaks at the April 14 Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meeting, in the Commission Chambers. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

CR121 reconstruction begins this summer

Ashley Chandler
Friday, April 25, 2025
This month, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners has allocated millions of dollars, including just under $4.5 million to go to the reconstruction of County Road 121. Construction on CR 121 is set to begin this summer with Phase 1, reconstruction of CR 121 from County Road 119 to US 1.

Tallahassee considering dissolving TDCs

Julia Roberts
Friday, April 25, 2025
Legislation currently under consideration in Tallahassee would eliminate Tourism Development Councils, allow Tourism Development Tax (TDT) money to be spent as seen fit by the county and require future tourism dollars be applied to county ad valorem tax bills.
Cezar Gonzalez, who completes his 37-year YMCA career on May 16, with Melissa Yuchasz, who will lead both the McArthur and Wildlight locations serving Nassau County’s expanding population. Photo by Tracy McCormick-Dishman/News-Leader

Cezar Gonzalez, who completes his 37-year YMCA career on May 16, with Melissa Yuchasz, who will lead both the McArthur and Wildlight locations serving Nassau County’s expanding population. Photo by Tracy McCormick-Dishman/News-Leader

Cezar Gonzalez retires after 37 years of service with YMCA

Tracy Dishman
Friday, April 25, 2025
After nearly four decades of dedicated service to the YMCA, Cezar Gonzalez, district executive of the McArthur Family and Wildlight YMCA of Florida’s First Coast, will retire on May 16. His career spans multiple states and positions, culminating in five years of leadership on Amelia Island.
Dee Dee Bartels has published three books of poetry. Shown is Bartels and her second book, Island Rhythms, about the 11 years she spent living in Carriacou, Grenada, which began as a USAID project to develop additional sources of dietary protein for islanders. She stayed when the project ended because she grew to love the people there. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Dee Dee Bartels has published three books of poetry. Shown is Bartels and her second book, Island Rhythms, about the 11 years she spent living in Carriacou, Grenada, which began as a USAID project to develop additional sources of dietary protein for islanders. She stayed when the project ended because she grew to love the people there. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Founding Spirit: Dee Dee Bartels, 102, reflects on founding Fernandina’s Shrimp Festival

Pamela Bushnell
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Ever wonder why the Shrimp Festival takes place off season, before the local shrimping season begins? Dee Dee Bartels can tell you. At age 102, Bartels, a resident at The Lakeside in Fernandina Beach, reviewed with the News-Leader her role as one of the early organizers of the festival.
Pita bread, chips, hummus, garlic spreads and other Halal-friendly foods will be available alongside blooming shrubs from Ever Blooming Gardens and live music by Driftwood, featuring founder Jim Herrington and his son, Wesley, at the Fernandina Beach Market Place this Saturday. Submitted

Pita bread, chips, hummus, garlic spreads and other Halal-friendly foods will be available alongside blooming shrubs from Ever Blooming Gardens and live music by Driftwood, featuring founder Jim Herrington and his son, Wesley, at the Fernandina Beach Market Place this Saturday. Submitted

Fresh finds and festive vibes at Fernandina and Wildlight

Judie Mackie
Friday, April 18, 2025
Hop into spring this Saturday, at not one but two lively local markets, the Fernandina Beach Market Place on North Seventh Street and the Wildlight Market Place at 123 Tinker Street in Yulee! Both markets are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine.