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Nassau County School District

Nassau County School District

Banned books have returned to shelves in Nassau County

Dozens of books returned to school library shelves in Nassau County schools following a settlement in a First Amendment lawsuit against the Nassau County School Board. The agreement resolves accusations of unconstitutional censorship in a state that has become a hotbed for book bans.
Volunteers of the Hope Closet include mothers who have lost children to drug addiction, their friends and families. Michele Holbrook founded the charity in December 2023.  From top L –Colleen Perry, Joan Shelley and Connie Bryant. Bottom L -  Marcie Hamilton, Michele Holbrook and Jess McCabe. Photo by Pamela Bushnell/News-Leader

Volunteers of the Hope Closet include mothers who have lost children to drug addiction, their friends and families. Michele Holbrook founded the charity in December 2023.  From top L –Colleen Perry, Joan Shelley and Connie Bryant. Bottom L -  Marcie Hamilton, Michele Holbrook and Jess McCabe. Photo by Pamela Bushnell/News-Leader

Chandler's Hope: A mother's grief gives solace to homeless

After the loss of her son, Chandler, at age 28 to drug addiction, Michele Holbrook felt compelled to do something positive with her grief.  “It had been a long battle with Chandler,” said Holbrook. “We tried everything, but the disease is just so powerful.
The city of Fernandina Beach shared this photo on social media Thursday with a resolution declaring a Local State of Emergency. The state of emergency is due to “extraordinary and unprecedented” rainfall that “overwhelmed the city’s stormwater system and entered the city’s wastewater system,” a news release from Interim City Manager Jeremiah Glisson said. Submitted photo

The city of Fernandina Beach shared this photo on social media Thursday with a resolution declaring a Local State of Emergency. The state of emergency is due to “extraordinary and unprecedented” rainfall that “overwhelmed the city’s stormwater system and entered the city’s wastewater system,” a news release from Interim City Manager Jeremiah Glisson said. Submitted photo

City, County face flood waters

Flooding has been consistent in some areas across Nassau County for weeks and Fernandina Beach is in a State of Emergency.  The county told the News-Leader that rain totals in Nassau County were up 204% above average in the month of August.
Mayor Bradley Bean declares a state of emergency for Fernandina Beach in response to severe weather conditions which have inundated stormwater and wastewater sewer systems. Submitted photo

Mayor Bradley Bean declares a state of emergency for Fernandina Beach in response to severe weather conditions which have inundated stormwater and wastewater sewer systems. Submitted photo

UPDATE: Mayor declares state of emergency

9-13-24: Following prolonged and intense rainfall, the city of Fernandina Beach declared a Local State of Emergency at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12.
Nassau County has announced it received the highest credit rating possible from Fitch Ratings, Inc.

Nassau County has announced it received the highest credit rating possible from Fitch Ratings, Inc.

Nassau County receives highest Fitch Credit Rating

Nassau County announced it has received the highest credit rating possible from Fitch Ratings, Inc. The county’s media release said it had recently received a notification that its rating has been increased to “AAA” up from its previous rating of “AA.
Students in the 2023-24 University of US classes listen to a lecture at the Bean Center at FSCJ in Yulee. University of US will welcome 93 Nassau County students for the 2024-25 session.  Submitted photo

Students in the 2023-24 University of US classes listen to a lecture at the Bean Center at FSCJ in Yulee. University of US will welcome 93 Nassau County students for the 2024-25 session. Submitted photo

USCSF announces beginning of University of US classes for 2024-25

U.S. Constitution Scholarship Foundation announced that on Monday, Sept. 23 at 4:45 p.m., the University of US will welcome 93 students from Nassau County to begin the semester.
Assistant County Manager Marshall Eyerman presents the now-adopted budget and millage rates Monday at the Board of County Commissioners Meeting. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Assistant County Manager Marshall Eyerman presents the now-adopted budget and millage rates Monday at the Board of County Commissioners Meeting. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

BOCC adjusts budget, adopts millage rates

The Board of County Commissioners held its first Legislative Public Hearing regarding the Millage Rates and Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget on Monday.  Assistant County Manager Marshall Eyerman made the presentation on the millage rate and budget.
The Fernandina Press Association recruited the accomplished George R. Fairbanks to become editor of The Florida Mirror in 1879. The Fernandina publication was conceived to bring a new kind of journalism to the industry.  Photo courtesy of Amelia Island Museum of History

The Fernandina Press Association recruited the accomplished George R. Fairbanks to become editor of The Florida Mirror in 1879. The Fernandina publication was conceived to bring a new kind of journalism to the industry. Photo courtesy of Amelia Island Museum of History

Treasures of Nassau: Newspapermen of the Golden Age

The News-Leader is running a series throughout the year on the history of Fernandina Beach and Nassau County in celebration of our 200th anniversary. Our series began with Florida becoming a U.S.
IAA artist Paul DiRito. Submitted photo

IAA artist Paul DiRito. Submitted photo

Art for the community

The oldest art gallery in Fernandina Beach has a full slate of community events coming up, including workshops such as landscape painting and, on Oct. 19, the annual Plein Air Paint Out that will make the streets of Fernandina Beach seem like Paris.
Assistant County Manager Marshall Eyerman presents the now-adopted budget and millage rates Monday at the Board of County Commissioners Meeting. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Assistant County Manager Marshall Eyerman presents the now-adopted budget and millage rates Monday at the Board of County Commissioners Meeting. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

County Commissioners kick off September

The first September meeting for the Board of County Commissioners was of stark contrast to the last meeting of August, which lasted only 15 minutes.