Regional

From left, commissioners A.M. "Hupp" Huppmann, John Martin, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough meet Wednesday for the Board of County Commissioners meeting in the Commission Chambers. Commissioner Klynt Farmer was absent from votes this week. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

From left, commissioners A.M. "Hupp" Huppmann, John Martin, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough meet Wednesday for the Board of County Commissioners meeting in the Commission Chambers. Commissioner Klynt Farmer was absent from votes this week. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

This week’s BOCC recap: Commissioners busy with clean-up, pre 2025 actions this week

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, November 21, 2024
This week was busy for Nassau County officials.  Among several county committee and board meetings held this week, the Board of County Commissioners met twice. Commissioners made numerous approvals including the third and fourth purchases in the Thomas Creek Implementation Plan.
Nassau County says the Third Annual Tree Lighting will be "bigger and better" in recognition of the Bicentennial. Submitted

Nassau County says the Third Annual Tree Lighting will be "bigger and better" in recognition of the Bicentennial. Submitted

A bright end to a celebratory year

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Nassau County’s Bicentennial will close out with a “bigger and better” tree lighting event. The county announced last week the 3rd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, scheduled for Dec. 6 will close-out the Bicentennial year. The free event will be from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Robert M.
The surface of this stretch of State Road 200 shown is beyond its end of life. The resurfacing project, originally slated for Fall of 2025, is set to begin Monday, with night closures expected. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The surface of this stretch of State Road 200 shown is beyond its end of life. The resurfacing project, originally slated for Fall of 2025, is set to begin Monday, with night closures expected. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

State Road 200 resurfacing set to begin Monday

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, November 21, 2024
State Road 200 travelers soon will be able to drive to and from the island without worries of losing a windshield.  The highly-anticipated resurfacing of SR 200 project is set to begin next week, much earlier than originally scheduled by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
Superintendent Dr. Kathy Burns, Principal Tammy Smith, and teacher Pam Ploegert accept the National Blue Ribbon School award in Washington, D.C. Submitted photo

Superintendent Dr. Kathy Burns, Principal Tammy Smith, and teacher Pam Ploegert accept the National Blue Ribbon School award in Washington, D.C. Submitted photo

Bryceville Elementary earns National Blue Ribbon School honor

News Staff
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
The Nassau County School District announces that Bryceville Elementary School has been recognized as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
A federal judge recently dismissed a lawsuit on behalf of Cumberland Island horses. Photo courtesy Jay Smith/Special

A federal judge recently dismissed a lawsuit on behalf of Cumberland Island horses. Photo courtesy Jay Smith/Special

Judge dismisses complaint brought on behalf of horses

Wes Wolfe
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
While horses on Cumberland Island date back more than 400 years, the present population is both feral and, in large part, starving. They’re also causing environmental damage to the island.
A hunter found human remains Friday afternoon while walking along the Old Wood Shingle Mill Trail in Callahan. Submitted photo

A hunter found human remains Friday afternoon while walking along the Old Wood Shingle Mill Trail in Callahan. Submitted photo

Human remains found in Callahan

News Staff
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Human remains were discovered last week at Four Creeks State Forest in Callahan.  On Friday, the Nassau County Sheriff's Office said a hunter reported finding skeletal remains Friday afternoon while walking along the Old Wood Shingle Mill Trail.
Commissioner Alyson McCullough expresses her excitement about the final two purchases in Phase 1 of the Thomas Creek Implementation Plan on Monday at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Commissioner Alyson McCullough expresses her excitement about the final two purchases in Phase 1 of the Thomas Creek Implementation Plan on Monday at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

County makes two more purchases in Thomas Creek Implementation Plan

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Nassau County continued Phase 1 of the Thomas Creek Implementation Plan on Monday with two more purchases. The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners approved the third and fourth property purchases in the Thomas Creek Implementation Plan.
From left, Representative Dean Black, Senator Clay Yarborough and Nassau County Commissioner A.M. “Hupp” Huppmann meet on Nov. 18 in the Commissioners Chambers for the annual Nassau County Legislative Delegation meeting. Submitted photo

From left, Representative Dean Black, Senator Clay Yarborough and Nassau County Commissioner A.M. “Hupp” Huppmann meet on Nov. 18 in the Commissioners Chambers for the annual Nassau County Legislative Delegation meeting. Submitted photo

Yarborough, Black hear local input

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Last week, Senator Clay Yarborough and Representative Dean Black heard funding needs and local concerns from Nassau County. The annual Nassau County Legislative Delegation meeting was held Nov. 18 to select a chairman and vice chairman of the delegation.
A North Atlantic right whale named Horton is pictured with her newborn calf. Photo by Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, taken under NOAA permit #26919

A North Atlantic right whale named Horton is pictured with her newborn calf. Photo by Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, taken under NOAA permit #26919

Nassau County's Wild Neighbors: Right whale calving season begins

Ashley Chandler
Friday, November 15, 2024
Nassau County holds the North Atlantic right whale near and dear, advocating for them more than almost any other creature in the area. Visitors and locals of the island, during the months of November through April, have a unique opportunity to see a right whale cow with her calf just off the shore.
The Opioid Settlement Task Force meets on Nov. 7 to review Opioid Settlement Project Submissions for Opioid Settlement Funds from Starting Point Behavioral Health; The Coalition for Community Health; and Inspire to Rise, all totaling $615,497 in funding requests. From left, Laureen Pagel, Greg Roland, Vice Chairman Cara Gluck, Chairman Chris LaCombre, Alissa Myatt and Deborah Babin.

The Opioid Settlement Task Force meets on Nov. 7 to review Opioid Settlement Project Submissions for Opioid Settlement Funds from Starting Point Behavioral Health; The Coalition for Community Health; and Inspire to Rise, all totaling $615,497 in funding requests. From left, Laureen Pagel, Greg Roland, Vice Chairman Cara Gluck, Chairman Chris LaCombre, Alissa Myatt and Deborah Babin.

Opioid Task Force hears requests for settlement funding

Ashley Chandler
Friday, November 15, 2024
The Opioid Settlement Task Force has some decisions to make.  On Nov.