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The Mayor of Fernandina Beach, center in bow tie, poses with others in attendance at the Fernandina Fiesta in 1956. The Fiesta is the precursor to the Shrimp Festival. Finalists in the 1956 Fernandina Beach beauty contest pose on the beach. Photo courtesy of Amelia Island Museum of History

The Mayor of Fernandina Beach, center in bow tie, poses with others in attendance at the Fernandina Fiesta in 1956. The Fiesta is the precursor to the Shrimp Festival. Finalists in the 1956 Fernandina Beach beauty contest pose on the beach. Photo courtesy of Amelia Island Museum of History

Local history shines through bicentennial events, Shrimp Fest

Ashley Chandler
Friday, May 3, 2024
This year, events flood the city and county in celebration of the 200-year bicentennial of Nassau County and Fernandina Beach. These festivities preserve our history in the ways we celebrate them.  History is built from the actions and lives of the individuals who have made up these communities.
The first quarter 2024 general election and municipal election campaign filings.

The first quarter 2024 general election and municipal election campaign filings.

Who is filling their campaign coffers?

Tracy Dishman
Thursday, May 2, 2024
The first quarter 2024 general election and municipal election campaign filings reveal races for Superintendent of Schools and District 5 county commissioner have raised significant campaign contributions so far.
A graph showing overdose mortality in the U.S. from 1991-2021 demonstrates how deadly Fentanyl has become. Submitted

A graph showing overdose mortality in the U.S. from 1991-2021 demonstrates how deadly Fentanyl has become. Submitted

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Opioid settlement money expands treatment sites in Nassau County

Pamela Bushnell
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Over the next 18 years, Florida will receive $3.1 billion in opioid settlement monies to combat drug addiction and deaths. The first installment began arriving in February 2023 and, as of December, the state had received $550 million for distribution.
Deputy Joshua Moyers is pictured with his fiancée, Ivy Carter. The two were ready to take the next step in their life together before Moyers was killed in the line of duty. Submitted photo

Deputy Joshua Moyers is pictured with his fiancée, Ivy Carter. The two were ready to take the next step in their life together before Moyers was killed in the line of duty. Submitted photo

McDowell jury encourages judge to proceed with death sentence

Kathie Sciullo
Thursday, May 2, 2024
After less than three hours of deliberation, a Nassau County jury recommended the death penalty for Patrick McDowell. The count was 11-1 Thursday, with a lone juror favoring life in prison.
Volunteer Debbie Wasdin fills in a huge hole and flattens a sandcastle two weeks ago at Fort Clinch State Park. Sea turtle advocates say holes have become a huge issue on our beaches. Submitted

Volunteer Debbie Wasdin fills in a huge hole and flattens a sandcastle two weeks ago at Fort Clinch State Park. Sea turtle advocates say holes have become a huge issue on our beaches. Submitted

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Today sea turtle season begins; digging a huge threat

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
In the next couple of weeks, pregnant sea turtles will begin to come in from the Atlantic Ocean and nest along the beaches of Amelia Island. Sea turtles are always a topic of discussion, especially around this time of year.
Treasures of Nassau: Statehood

Treasures of Nassau: Statehood

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Treasures of Nassau: Statehood

Pamela Bushnell
Friday, April 26, 2024
The News-Leader is running a series throughout the year on the history of Fernandina and Nassau County in celebration of our 200th anniversary.
Cooper

Cooper

Chase leads to arrest of two on multiple charges

Julia Roberts
Friday, April 26, 2024
Two people, a Hilliard man and a woman, were arrested following a high-speed chase on Barnwell Road. According to the arrest report, the incident began when the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office contacted Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) regarding a possibly stolen pickup truck traveling on SR 200.
The county commissioners stand before the invocation and pledge at the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meeting Monday. From left, Commissioner A.M. “Hupp” Huppman, Klynt Farmer, John Martin, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough. Submitted

The county commissioners stand before the invocation and pledge at the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meeting Monday. From left, Commissioner A.M. “Hupp” Huppman, Klynt Farmer, John Martin, Jeff Gray and Alyson McCullough. Submitted

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County approves lengthy consent agenda at Monday meeting

Ashley Chandler
Friday, April 26, 2024
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners met for its last meeting of the month Monday at 6 p.m. and had a lengthy consent agenda it approved without concern.
The event coordinators, from left, Jackie Pagnucco, Jenn Burns, Vanessa Muzayen, Kim Galvin, Amy Beach, Vicky Strommen and Kandra Wells pose next to the Turtle Fest Earth Day sign that was donated by Card My Yard for the Earth Day Turtle Fest event held Saturday at Main Beach Park in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The event coordinators, from left, Jackie Pagnucco, Jenn Burns, Vanessa Muzayen, Kim Galvin, Amy Beach, Vicky Strommen and Kandra Wells pose next to the Turtle Fest Earth Day sign that was donated by Card My Yard for the Earth Day Turtle Fest event held Saturday at Main Beach Park in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Earth Day Turtle Fest has great turnout, spreads sea turtle education

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Music filled the warm ocean air while more than 40 canopies were placed in rows at Main Beach Park in Fernandina Beach on Saturday.
Arts and Culture Nassau partnered with the foundation Hearts for Minds to facilitate the creation of this mural in Hilliard. Photo courtesy Nassau Council of Arts and Culture

Arts and Culture Nassau partnered with the foundation Hearts for Minds to facilitate the creation of this mural in Hilliard. Photo courtesy Nassau Council of Arts and Culture

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Nassau Council of Arts and Culture: A fresh advocate for the county arts scene

Julia Roberts
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Arts and Culture Nassau has been sunsetted by both the Nassau County and Fernandina Beach commissions. However, instead of limiting the work that can be done to promote arts and culture in the county, the organization’s reinvention of the Nassau Council of Arts and Culture Inc.