Regional

Rebekah Ross, a first-grade student at Southside Elementary School. Ross captured first place with her vibrant crayon drawing of a joyful angel. Submitted photo

Rebekah Ross, a first-grade student at Southside Elementary School. Ross captured first place with her vibrant crayon drawing of a joyful angel. Submitted photo

Young artists ‘Color the News’ with Christmas spirit

Tracy Dishman
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
The spirit of Christmas came alive on the front page of the News-Leader today, thanks to the artistic talent of our community's youngest artists.
Michael Hickox, left, and John A. Crawford, right, were both recognized Dec. 18 for their retirements from Nassau County. Hickox retired as Nassau County Property Appraiser after 12 years of service, and Crawford retired as the Nassau County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller after 28 years of service. Photos by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Michael Hickox, left, and John A. Crawford, right, were both recognized Dec. 18 for their retirements from Nassau County. Hickox retired as Nassau County Property Appraiser after 12 years of service, and Crawford retired as the Nassau County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller after 28 years of service. Photos by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

BOCC recognizes Hickox, Crawford retirements

Ashley Chandler
Monday, December 23, 2024
Last week, the Board of County Commissioners recognized several “dedicated” and “hard working” individuals in Nassau County. The audience was packed at the Wednesday morning meeting as many were in attendance for the day's recognitions.
Dale Green speaks in October at the Board of County Commissioners meeting after the board recognized his retirement from Nassau County Fire Rescue. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Dale Green speaks in October at the Board of County Commissioners meeting after the board recognized his retirement from Nassau County Fire Rescue. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

'Teach one, reach one': Retired firefighter founds nonprofit that will fund students in fire school

Ashley Chandler
Monday, December 23, 2024
A recently-retired Nassau County firefighter with “a heart of gold” plans to give back in a big way. Dale Green has founded The Green and Green Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to fund fire school in Nassau County for young people in need of assistance.
From left, CNI Newspapers President Mark Major, outgoing News-Leader Publisher Foy Maloy and newly appointed interim Publisher Todd Wilson pause for a photo during Tuesday's leader-ship transition announcement at the News-Leader newspaper. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

From left, CNI Newspapers President Mark Major, outgoing News-Leader Publisher Foy Maloy and newly appointed interim Publisher Todd Wilson pause for a photo during Tuesday's leader-ship transition announcement at the News-Leader newspaper. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Wilson named Interim Publisher of News-Leader, promoted to Southeast Regional Publisher

News Staff
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Community Newspapers, Inc., has promoted Todd Wilson to Southeast Regional Publisher, a position that will oversee all of the company’s Florida newspaper holdings plus the newspaper in St. Marys, Ga., CNI President Mark W. Major announced Monday.
Deputy County Attorney Abigail Jorandby presents to the Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 18. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Deputy County Attorney Abigail Jorandby presents to the Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 18. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

County presents ‘how-to’ to residents interested in MSBU

Ashley Chandler
Saturday, December 21, 2024
County staff outlined the process for a resident interested in establishing a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) at last week’s Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meeting. The board adopted the MSBU policies and procedures and authorized the county manager to implement and adjust them.
Left: County Manager Taco Pope, left, speaks Wednesday in the Commission Chambers for the last Board of County Commissioners meeting of the year. Right: Commissioner Jeff Gray speaks Wednesday in the Commission Chambers for the last Board of County Commissioners meeting of the year. Photos by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Left: County Manager Taco Pope, left, speaks Wednesday in the Commission Chambers for the last Board of County Commissioners meeting of the year. Right: Commissioner Jeff Gray speaks Wednesday in the Commission Chambers for the last Board of County Commissioners meeting of the year. Photos by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Board Ok’s $19.5M construction contract for Westside Regional Park

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, December 19, 2024
On Wednesday the Board of County Commissioners officially approved just short of $20 million to fund construction of Westside Park, phase one. The $19,596,450.
Photos from Ashley Chandler/News-Leader From left, commissioners Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough meet Dec. 9 for the Board of County Commissioners meeting in the Commission Chambers. From left, commissioners A.M. "Hupp" Huppmann, Klynt Farmer, John Martin, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough meet Dec. 9 for the Board of County Commissioners meeting in the Commission Chambers. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Photos from Ashley Chandler/News-Leader From left, commissioners Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough meet Dec. 9 for the Board of County Commissioners meeting in the Commission Chambers. From left, commissioners A.M. "Hupp" Huppmann, Klynt Farmer, John Martin, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough meet Dec. 9 for the Board of County Commissioners meeting in the Commission Chambers. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Nassau County approves grant to city for batting cages

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
The Board of County Commissioners approved a grant to the city for new batting cages among other measures last week.  On Dec. 9, the board approved $50,000 to go to the City of Fernandina Beach for new batting cages in Central Park.
From left, commissioners A.M "Hupp" Huppmann, Klynt Farmer, John Martin, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough meet Monday in the Commissioners Chambers. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

From left, commissioners A.M "Hupp" Huppmann, Klynt Farmer, John Martin, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough meet Monday in the Commissioners Chambers. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

County commissioners split vote on code enforcement case

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, December 12, 2024
It’s become an uncommon occurrence for Nassau County’s commissioners to split a vote, but the board did just that on Monday. Commissioners disagreed on how to handle a Code Enforcement Lein reduction case, ultimately passing a motion 3-2 that followed the recommendation given by county staff.
Egan's Creek and the North Florida Land Trust's newly-acquired donation land from the Thornton Family is seen from Atlantic Avenue on Thursday. The nearly 400 acres will be known as the Thornton Family Preserve. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Egan's Creek and the North Florida Land Trust's newly-acquired donation land from the Thornton Family is seen from Atlantic Avenue on Thursday. The nearly 400 acres will be known as the Thornton Family Preserve. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Nearly 400 acres donated to North Florida Land Trust

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, December 12, 2024
The North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) has announced a “big win” for Amelia Island conservation. A family has donated nearly 400 acres of land to NFLT for the sole purpose of retaining its natural state.