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Monarch caterpillars depend on Milkweed plants as their host, despite the toxic sap. While Monarchs have evolved to tolerate the plant's toxicity, if Milkweed doesn’t die back in the winter, the toxins can build up to levels that surpass the caterpillars' tolerance, leading to their death. Submitted photo

Monarch caterpillars depend on Milkweed plants as their host, despite the toxic sap. While Monarchs have evolved to tolerate the plant's toxicity, if Milkweed doesn’t die back in the winter, the toxins can build up to levels that surpass the caterpillars' tolerance, leading to their death. Submitted photo

A Monarch's journey begins with native milkweed

Taylor Clem
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Monarch butterflies are more than just beautiful visitors fluttering through our gardens—they are essential pollinators that play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting agricultural production. Unfortunately, Monarch populations are declining, and their survival is at risk.
The Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking held a training session Jan. 27 at the Florida Department of Health, 1620 Nectarine St, to train those interested in becoming Human Trafficking Prevention Ambassadors. Submitted photo

The Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking held a training session Jan. 27 at the Florida Department of Health, 1620 Nectarine St, to train those interested in becoming Human Trafficking Prevention Ambassadors. Submitted photo

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‘See something, say something’: Human Trafficking Prevention training comes to Nassau

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Some locals are getting savvy on what to look for to prevent human trafficking. Nassau County recently hosted its first-ever Human Trafficking Prevention Training. Individuals who attended the event Jan.
On Tuesday the Board of County Commissioners held a joint session with the Nassau County School District. From left: District board members Kristi Simpkins, Gail Cook, Superintendent Dr. Kathy Burns, County Manager Taco Pope, County Attorney Denise May, County commissioners John Martin, Klynt Farmer, A.M. "Hupp" Huppmann, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

On Tuesday the Board of County Commissioners held a joint session with the Nassau County School District. From left: District board members Kristi Simpkins, Gail Cook, Superintendent Dr. Kathy Burns, County Manager Taco Pope, County Attorney Denise May, County commissioners John Martin, Klynt Farmer, A.M. "Hupp" Huppmann, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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BOCC meets with School Board: Leaders share vision

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Nassau County commissioners came together with the Nassau County School Board to continue collaboration efforts. The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners met Tuesday with the Nassau County School Board (NCSB) for its annual meeting.
County commissioners meet Feb. 10 for the Board of County Commissioner meeting in the James S. Page Governmental Complex. From left, John Martin, Klynt Farmer, A.M. “Hupp” Huppmann, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

County commissioners meet Feb. 10 for the Board of County Commissioner meeting in the James S. Page Governmental Complex. From left, John Martin, Klynt Farmer, A.M. “Hupp” Huppmann, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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BOCC contributes $5,000 to Hilliard's Vietnam Voices

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
On Monday, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met for a short first regular session of February to give $5,000 to the Town of Hilliard and clear a couple of 20-year code enforcement liens.
YETies from the 4-H Yet program were joined by members of Fire Rescue Station 30 on Thursday to learn search and rescue tactics. Photo by Nassau County 4-H

YETies from the 4-H Yet program were joined by members of Fire Rescue Station 30 on Thursday to learn search and rescue tactics. Photo by Nassau County 4-H

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YETies in Nassau: YET program teaches kids emergency, safety skills

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
A local 4-H safety and emergency management course that preps kids for emergency situations is gaining attention on the national stage. The YET Program was founded in 2017 by Nassau County’s 4-H program and Nassau County Emergency Management.
County Manager Taco Pope, left, and City Manager Sarah Campbell at the joint meeting between the Fernandina Beach City Commission and the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday at the James S. Page Governmental Complex. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

County Manager Taco Pope, left, and City Manager Sarah Campbell at the joint meeting between the Fernandina Beach City Commission and the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday at the James S. Page Governmental Complex. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

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City, county joint meeting covers parks, trails, stormwater, future

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Nassau County and Fernandina Beach commissioners held a joint meeting last week to discuss projects the two governments have a vested interest in.

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State recommends merging Callahan schools

News Staff
Friday, February 7, 2025
Callahan schools may soon consolidate from four schools to two. During a joint meeting Monday night between the Nassau County School Board and the Callahan Town Council, Assistant Superintendent Mark Durham presented an update on the state of the school district.
No Ethanol Fernandina group photo
Elsa Liebenberg, Sandra Carey and Bryn Byron began protesting a bioethanol plant proposed for RYAM’s Fernandina Beach campus last year. This week, Fernandina Beach City Manager Sarah Campbell ruled the plant cannot be allowed under the city’s Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan. RYAM has 30 days to appeal that decision. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

No Ethanol Fernandina group photo
Elsa Liebenberg, Sandra Carey and Bryn Byron began protesting a bioethanol plant proposed for RYAM’s Fernandina Beach campus last year. This week, Fernandina Beach City Manager Sarah Campbell ruled the plant cannot be allowed under the city’s Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan. RYAM has 30 days to appeal that decision. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

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CITY MANAGER REJECTS BIOETHANOL

Julia Roberts
Friday, February 7, 2025
Fernandina Beach City Manager Sarah Campbell has drawn a line in the sand, informing Rayonier Advanced Materials the bioethanol plant proposed for the city cannot be built under the city’s code.
A member of the Jacksonville-based Goats on the Go herd forages for food in the tree branches in December on a parcel of conservation land owned by Fernandina Beach. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

A member of the Jacksonville-based Goats on the Go herd forages for food in the tree branches in December on a parcel of conservation land owned by Fernandina Beach. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Nassau County's Wild Neighbors: Sustainable vegetation management on the rise locally

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, February 6, 2025
A sustainable option used for thousands of years for clearing vegetation is amassing interest in the area. Locals in Nassau County are buying or renting goats. Nikki Gunter owns Goats on the Go, a Jacksonville-based business that focuses on sustainable vegetation management.
The leaders of Nassau County's nonprofit, Imagine Nassau, pose for a photo. From left, Tim Maguire, vice-president (Animal Services director); Holly Coyle, secretary (economic resources manager); Brandy Carvalho, acting executive director (director of strategic advancement); Jay Robertson, treasurer (Parks & Recreation director); and Chief Brady Rigdon, president (Nassau County Fire Rescue fire chief). Submitted photo

The leaders of Nassau County's nonprofit, Imagine Nassau, pose for a photo. From left, Tim Maguire, vice-president (Animal Services director); Holly Coyle, secretary (economic resources manager); Brandy Carvalho, acting executive director (director of strategic advancement); Jay Robertson, treasurer (Parks & Recreation director); and Chief Brady Rigdon, president (Nassau County Fire Rescue fire chief). Submitted photo

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Imagine Nassau

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Nassau County has taken on a unique initiative that staff says will alleviate the burden on tax dollars.