Regional

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

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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

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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.

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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.
Gannon Woods, a member of Amelia Baptist Church, helps to clean up the church's parking lot Friday. Woods and others volunteered to clean up debris on the church's property after Hurricane Helene spread Tropical Storm force winds into Nassau County in the early hours of Friday morning. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Gannon Woods, a member of Amelia Baptist Church, helps to clean up the church's parking lot Friday. Woods and others volunteered to clean up debris on the church's property after Hurricane Helene spread Tropical Storm force winds into Nassau County in the early hours of Friday morning. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Hellacious Helene

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
In the late hours Thursday night, a monster of a storm smashed into Florida's Big Bend region, roaring inland causing deadly conditions across the southeast United States.
Taken by News-Leader Publisher, Foy Maloy, on Glenwood Road, off Blackrock Road in Yulee. "These fallen trees stripped the power lines down," said Maloy.

Taken by News-Leader Publisher, Foy Maloy, on Glenwood Road, off Blackrock Road in Yulee. "These fallen trees stripped the power lines down," said Maloy.

Picking up after Helene

News Staff
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Sept. 28, 4:15 p.m. —  Interim City Manager Jeremiah Glisson announced that city staff have cleared all roadways after Hurricane Helene. They will temporarily shift from the regular yard waste collection to focus on removing storm debris, which is expected to take a few weeks.
Assistant County Manager Marshall Eyerman speaks at the Final Public Legislative Hearing regarding the Fiscal Year 2024-'25 Budget and millage rates on Monday at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Assistant County Manager Marshall Eyerman speaks at the Final Public Legislative Hearing regarding the Fiscal Year 2024-'25 Budget and millage rates on Monday at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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County holds final public hearing regarding budget, millage

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, September 26, 2024
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners held its second Legislative Public Hearing regarding the Fiscal 2024-'25 Budget and millage rates at the Monday Sept. 23 BOCC meeting.
Ashley Murray, left, is surprised with a check from TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, as a part of the Most Valuable Teacher Initiative. The check, for $1,000, is to use in her classroom. Also pictured, Kayla Vanderlaan, middle, Director of Marketing and Community Relations for Gator Bowl. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Ashley Murray, left, is surprised with a check from TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, as a part of the Most Valuable Teacher Initiative. The check, for $1,000, is to use in her classroom. Also pictured, Kayla Vanderlaan, middle, Director of Marketing and Community Relations for Gator Bowl. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Yulee teacher honored by TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
On Wednesday, Ashley Murray, a teacher at Yulee High School, was surprised with a check from TaxSlayer Gator Bowl as a part of the Most Valuable Teacher Initiative.  The check, for $1,000, is to use in her classroom.  Murray told the News-Leader she felt "blessed" by the recognition.
YMCA

YMCA

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YMCA’s EnhanceFitness aims to lower risk of falls

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
This week, Sept. 23 through 27 is National Falls Prevention Awareness Week.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says every year more than one in four older adults reported falling and about 41,000 older adults die as a result of a fall.
County Manager Taco Pope speaks Wednesday at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

County Manager Taco Pope speaks Wednesday at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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BOCC proceeds with city partnership to obtain recreation land

Ashley Chandler
Friday, September 20, 2024
The Board of County Commissioners moved forward with a partnership with Fernandina Beach on Wednesday at the BOCC meeting. The county will supply $1.7 million for the Ybor Alvarez Sports Complex.