Regional

From left, commissioners Klynt Farmer, John Martin, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough listen as Assistant County Manager Marshall Eyerman, far left, talks Monday at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. Eyerman said a grant the county accepted Monday will cover most of the cost of a 48–foot Coastal Fast Response Boat Fire Rescue vessel. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

From left, commissioners Klynt Farmer, John Martin, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough listen as Assistant County Manager Marshall Eyerman, far left, talks Monday at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. Eyerman said a grant the county accepted Monday will cover most of the cost of a 48–foot Coastal Fast Response Boat Fire Rescue vessel. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

BOCC receives nearly $1M grant to assist in cost of new fire rescue boat

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Nassau County officially accepted a grant that will assist in the cost of a new fire rescue boat.  The county approved the Department of Homeland Security 2024 Port Security Grant Award on Monday at the Board of County Commissioners meeting.
The beach access at Seaside Park, at the intersection of South Fletcher Avenue and Sadler Road, was closed to traffic, and a dune erected to protect from storm surge. Julia Roberts/News-Leader

The beach access at Seaside Park, at the intersection of South Fletcher Avenue and Sadler Road, was closed to traffic, and a dune erected to protect from storm surge. Julia Roberts/News-Leader

Hurricane Milton preparation and recovery

Julia Roberts
Friday, October 11, 2024
As the News-Leader went to press Wednesday afternoon, Nassau County was preparing for Hurricane Milton. It is expected the worst of the storm will have passed by today.
Nassau County Fire Rescue Fire Chief Brady Rigdon shows County Manager Taco Pope some of the functionality of the outdoor grill on the new Fire Safety Education Trailer recently procured by Nassau County Fire Rescue and the Fernandina Beach Fire Department. Photos by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Nassau County Fire Rescue Fire Chief Brady Rigdon shows County Manager Taco Pope some of the functionality of the outdoor grill on the new Fire Safety Education Trailer recently procured by Nassau County Fire Rescue and the Fernandina Beach Fire Department. Photos by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Local kids get a unique experience to learn fire safety

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Don’t be fooled by the big red trailer at the touch-a-truck event where someone appears to be grilling — the food and smoke are artificial.  It’s not a prank. It’s the new Fire Safety Education Trailer recently procured by Nassau County Fire Rescue and the Fernandina Beach Fire Department.
From left: Jeff Householder, Ray Martin and Emily Marell, state trooper, fill bags of sand Monday at the Yulee Ballpark in preparation for Hurricane Milton. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

From left: Jeff Householder, Ray Martin and Emily Marell, state trooper, fill bags of sand Monday at the Yulee Ballpark in preparation for Hurricane Milton. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Monstrous Milton heads ashore

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Hurricane Milton has outdone Historic Helene. The storm reached Category Five status Monday, and forecasts show the storm passing over the entire peninsula of Florida as a hurricane.
Melissa Hall filled up sandbags in advance of Hurricane Milton. She said she has lived on Amelia Island since 1993, and her home was flooded during recent heavy rains, and she wants to be prepared for Milton. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

Melissa Hall filled up sandbags in advance of Hurricane Milton. She said she has lived on Amelia Island since 1993, and her home was flooded during recent heavy rains, and she wants to be prepared for Milton. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

Menacing Milton: Hurricane at Category Five strength

News Staff
Monday, October 7, 2024
Nassau County and the City of Fernandina Beach have both declared a Local State of Emergency ahead of another monsterous storm heading for Florida's west coast. Nassau County schools are closed for Wednesday and Thursday and the Emergency Operations Center and sandbag operations are in full-force.
Sea Oats and Railroad Vine are thriving Sept. 17 behind Dave Bowman’s house on the south end of Amelia Island. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Sea Oats and Railroad Vine are thriving Sept. 17 behind Dave Bowman’s house on the south end of Amelia Island. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Nassau County's Wild Neighbors: Sea Oats provide foundation for dunes, protection for locals

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Amelia Island has been recognized again and again as a beautiful place to visit. The wild nature of the island and the organisms that live here play a major role in its beauty. One type of grass that grows on local beaches is particularly recognizable among Florida’s native species.
Koa, a fennec fox from The Salty Fox Sanctuary, wakes up from a nap at the flash-tattoo event held at The Salty Fox Tattoo & Apothecary on Sunday in Downtown Fernandina Beach. The event was held to raise money for the local sanctuary. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Koa, a fennec fox from The Salty Fox Sanctuary, wakes up from a nap at the flash-tattoo event held at The Salty Fox Tattoo & Apothecary on Sunday in Downtown Fernandina Beach. The event was held to raise money for the local sanctuary. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Foxy Lady: Local tattoo shop holds fundraiser for fox sanctuary

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Downtown Fernandina Beach was host to a unique event Sunday — a flash tattoo fundraiser, proceeds going to a local fox sanctuary. The event was held at The Salty Fox Tattoo & Apothecary downtown and featured two special guests, Koa, a fennec fox, and Finnegan, a red fox.
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meet Sept. 23 in the Commissioners' Chambers.

The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meet Sept. 23 in the Commissioners' Chambers.

Last week’s BOCC recap

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
The Board of County Commissioners approved several big items at its’ Sept. 23 meeting including a budget transfer from its’ emergency budget; the final approvals for the budget and millage rates for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025; and a $1M grant agreement.