Regional

From left, Alyssa Vinson, UF/IFAS Hillsborough County extension agent, Dr. Hector Pérez and Taylor Clem, Nassau County extension agent, pose for a photo together in a traveling studio the duo set up at the state Florida-Friendly Landscaping office in Gainesville to record an episode of Cultivating Curiosity. Vinson and Clem, cohosts, interviewed Pérez for the first episode of 2025, titled A Couple of Seed Geeks. Submitted photo

From left, Alyssa Vinson, UF/IFAS Hillsborough County extension agent, Dr. Hector Pérez and Taylor Clem, Nassau County extension agent, pose for a photo together in a traveling studio the duo set up at the state Florida-Friendly Landscaping office in Gainesville to record an episode of Cultivating Curiosity. Vinson and Clem, cohosts, interviewed Pérez for the first episode of 2025, titled A Couple of Seed Geeks. Submitted photo

UF/IFAS Extension podcast inspires 'curiosity,' 'wonder'

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, January 30, 2025
A podcast hosted by a local educator shares the “endlessly fascinating and inspiring” world of plants through expert’s eyes.
Deputy County Manager Robert Companion speaks Monday at the Board of County Commissioners meeting in the Commission Chambers at the James S. Page Governmental Complex. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Deputy County Manager Robert Companion speaks Monday at the Board of County Commissioners meeting in the Commission Chambers at the James S. Page Governmental Complex. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Potential $400K grant will provide new data on river basins

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
On Monday the Board of County Commissioners approved two grant applications that have local conservationists clapping.
The Board of County Commissioners navigate a new computer program it will be using going forward at meetings. From left: County Attorney Denise May, commissioners John Martin, Klynt Farmer, A.M. “Hupp” Huppmann, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Board of County Commissioners navigate a new computer program it will be using going forward at meetings. From left: County Attorney Denise May, commissioners John Martin, Klynt Farmer, A.M. “Hupp” Huppmann, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

BOCC tests out new computer program at Monday's meeting

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
The Board of County Commissioners had a short meeting Monday and tested out a new computer program it will use at meetings moving forward.  County commissioners used the program to submit votes and indicate their desire to speak on agenda items.
Ice covers trees Wednesday. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Ice covers trees Wednesday. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Nassau handles icy conditions

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Nassau County may get a break from the ice this weekend, but local leaders remain vigilant. Forecasts have fluctuated for upcoming days, but temperatures in some parts of the county could reach the 50s this weekend. The National Weather Service forecasts temperatures reaching the 60s midweek.
The traveling Memorial Wall will make its way to the Northeast Florida Fairgrounds this April. Submitted photo

The traveling Memorial Wall will make its way to the Northeast Florida Fairgrounds this April. Submitted photo

Traveling Memorial Wall comes to fairgrounds in April

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, January 23, 2025
The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will make its way to the Northeast Florida Fairgrounds for the first time this April. The Town of Hilliard is cohosting the free event with the VFW Post 10095 and Hanging With Heroes Monthly Market.
Commissioner A.M. "Hupp" Huppmann and the Board of County Commissioner presented a proclamation to American Beach residents on Jan. 13 declaring Jan. 31 as American Beach Day and recognizing the historic district's 90th anniversary. From left: Huppmann, Beverly Davis, Carolyn Jones, Erving Gilyard and Joe Hayman. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Commissioner A.M. "Hupp" Huppmann and the Board of County Commissioner presented a proclamation to American Beach residents on Jan. 13 declaring Jan. 31 as American Beach Day and recognizing the historic district's 90th anniversary. From left: Huppmann, Beverly Davis, Carolyn Jones, Erving Gilyard and Joe Hayman. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

90 Historic Years: County proclaims Jan. 31 as American Beach Day

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, January 23, 2025
American Beach is celebrating its 90th anniversary. Residents of the historic district say the milestone is a big deal. Erving Gilyard, a Nassau County native and American Beach resident, said, “It’s just exciting to me, it really is.
Fernandina Beach opened a Cold Night Shelter on Sunday at the Martin Luther King Jr Recreation Center, at 1200 Elm St. The city said the shelter will be open until Friday. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Fernandina Beach opened a Cold Night Shelter on Sunday at the Martin Luther King Jr Recreation Center, at 1200 Elm St. The city said the shelter will be open until Friday. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Local leaders prepare for winter weather

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
LATEST UPDATE, 6:45 p.m. "I'll be straight with you, this winter weather is not messing around," Sheriff Bill Leeper said in a video update shared by Emergency Management on Tuesday evening before temperatures dropped below freezing.
From left, commissioners John Martin, Klynt Farmer, A.M. "Hupp" Huppmann, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough work in the Commission Chambers during the Board of County Commissioners regular Wednesday morning meeting. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

From left, commissioners John Martin, Klynt Farmer, A.M. "Hupp" Huppmann, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough work in the Commission Chambers during the Board of County Commissioners regular Wednesday morning meeting. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

This week's BOCC recap: County officially purchases Fire Rescue Boat, approves Lofton Creek PUD final plan for Phase II

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, January 16, 2025
The first actions of 2025 by the Board of County Commissioners was overshadowed by discussions of a claim of bias in relation to choosing a vice-chairperson for the board.
Left: Traffic Sign Technician Lead Nat Russel and Traffic Sign Technician I Jeffrey Bryant install one of two new "Bus Stop Ahead" signs on North Harts Road earlier this month. Right: Chase Scarborough installs a flashing beacon in Nassau County. Submitted photos

Left: Traffic Sign Technician Lead Nat Russel and Traffic Sign Technician I Jeffrey Bryant install one of two new "Bus Stop Ahead" signs on North Harts Road earlier this month. Right: Chase Scarborough installs a flashing beacon in Nassau County. Submitted photos

County adds signage, manages flashing beacons

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Nassau County drivers who take North Harts Road may have noticed a new sign that warns of an upcoming school bus stop.  Sabrina Robertson, Communications Officer for Nassau County said the installation of the signage was prompted by concerns of a citizen about a specific bus stop.
Commissioner Alyson McCullough listens Wednesday to Commissioner John Martin as the two discuss the statement McCullough made Monday that claimed the board showed bias in passing her by for a vice-chair nomination. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Commissioner Alyson McCullough listens Wednesday to Commissioner John Martin as the two discuss the statement McCullough made Monday that claimed the board showed bias in passing her by for a vice-chair nomination. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

BOCC airs vice-chair dispute

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, January 16, 2025
On Wednesday the Board of County Commissioners addressed the elephant in the room, so to speak.  During the Commissioners Comment section of the BOCC agenda, commissioners discussed Commissioner Alyson McCullough’s statement she gave at the previous meeting.