Regional

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

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'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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.
Alberto Vanegas and Kenneth Raby are pictured with the first-ever great white shark catch made from the beaches of Amelia Island and maybe the entire state of Florida. The historic shark catch was made Tuesday and measured 9.5 feet long. Submitted photo

Alberto Vanegas and Kenneth Raby are pictured with the first-ever great white shark catch made from the beaches of Amelia Island and maybe the entire state of Florida. The historic shark catch was made Tuesday and measured 9.5 feet long. Submitted photo

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Amelia Island great white shark encounter

Guest Columnist
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Alberto Vanegas and his best friend, Kenneth Raby, drove onto American Beach Tuesday and backed his pickup truck down to the water’s edge. A fresh-caught blackfin tuna was soon barbed to a large 24/0 circle hook and carried some 400 yards offshore with a large drone.
Fireworks explode behind the Robert M. Foster Justice Center as the Christmas tree is lit Friday at Nassau County's Annual Tree Lighting. This year the event was held as part of the yearlong bicentennial celebration. Photos by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Fireworks explode behind the Robert M. Foster Justice Center as the Christmas tree is lit Friday at Nassau County's Annual Tree Lighting. This year the event was held as part of the yearlong bicentennial celebration. Photos by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Historic Holiday Celebration

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Nassau County's Annual Tree Lighting was held Friday at the Robert M. Foster Justice Center. This year the event was held as part of the yearlong bicentennial celebration.