Regional

Kate Vitori with her school team and family at recent school board meeting after receiving recognition as a representative for the 2024 Sunshine State Scholar program. From left, Superintendent of Nassau Schools Kathy Burns, FBHS school counselor Sarah Coombs, mathematics instructor James Glackin, Vitori’s mother, Carrie Vitori, scholarship winner Kate Vitori, Vitori’s father, David Vitori, Vitori’s grandmother, Marlene Kozak, Vitori’s grandmother, Marsha Abernathy, grandfather, Bob Abernathy. Submitted

Kate Vitori with her school team and family at recent school board meeting after receiving recognition as a representative for the 2024 Sunshine State Scholar program. From left, Superintendent of Nassau Schools Kathy Burns, FBHS school counselor Sarah Coombs, mathematics instructor James Glackin, Vitori’s mother, Carrie Vitori, scholarship winner Kate Vitori, Vitori’s father, David Vitori, Vitori’s grandmother, Marlene Kozak, Vitori’s grandmother, Marsha Abernathy, grandfather, Bob Abernathy. Submitted

School board reviews millage update and discusses labor issues

Tracy Dishman
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
In the regular meeting of the Nassau County School Board on Thursday, a question was asked about the millage thus far and what was in the December budget.
Florida Commerce President of Business Development Laura DiBella, left, highlights the challenges of attracting businesses in Nassau County. She is joined by Nassau County Economic Development Board Executive Director Sherri Mitchell. Photo by Kathie Sciullo

Florida Commerce President of Business Development Laura DiBella, left, highlights the challenges of attracting businesses in Nassau County. She is joined by Nassau County Economic Development Board Executive Director Sherri Mitchell. Photo by Kathie Sciullo

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Nassau economic development forum: ‘Money follows the innovation’

News Staff
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Western Nassau still lacks wastewater infrastructure to support big industry at Crawford Diamond Industrial Site, but that should change by summer. The town of Callahan has a water and wastewater facility under construction at the site.
Deirdre A. Wallace spoke at her swearing-in ceremony to become the county’s first full-time magistrate as judges Lance Day and Jenny Higginbotham look on from the bench. Images Courtesy 4th Judicial Circuit

Deirdre A. Wallace spoke at her swearing-in ceremony to become the county’s first full-time magistrate as judges Lance Day and Jenny Higginbotham look on from the bench. Images Courtesy 4th Judicial Circuit

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Deirdre Wallace sworn in as magistrate

Pamela Bushnell
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Nassau County welcomed its first full-time court magistrate this week. A swearing-in ceremony was held for Magistrate Deirdre A. Wallace on Wednesday afternoon before a packed courtroom in downtown Fernandina’s historic courthouse.
William Johnson, center, of the Road and Bridge Department was acknowledged at Wednesday’s Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meeting for 30 years of service to the county. Presenting the award were Darren Marsh, interim road director, left, and Taco Pope, county manager, right. Photo courtesy of Sabrina Robertson/Nassau County Board of Commissioners

William Johnson, center, of the Road and Bridge Department was acknowledged at Wednesday’s Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meeting for 30 years of service to the county. Presenting the award were Darren Marsh, interim road director, left, and Taco Pope, county manager, right. Photo courtesy of Sabrina Robertson/Nassau County Board of Commissioners

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Nassau County recognizes employees for their service

Pamela Bushnell
Thursday, January 18, 2024
At its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, Jan.
Nassau County kicks off bicentennial year with celebration at Wildlight. Photo by Sabrina Robertson

Nassau County kicks off bicentennial year with celebration at Wildlight. Photo by Sabrina Robertson

Nassau County kicks off bicentennial year with celebration at Wildlight

News Staff
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Nassau County kicked off a year-long celebration of its 200th year Saturday with a bicentennial celebration with music, food and several organizations that set up to share information and seek input from the community. The event was cohosted by the Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The North Atlantic right whale Juno, with her latest calf, as seen on Dec. 9 near Amelia Island. Biologists believe a ship propeller struck the calf in the following days before anglers spotted it Jan. 6. Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

The North Atlantic right whale Juno, with her latest calf, as seen on Dec. 9 near Amelia Island. Biologists believe a ship propeller struck the calf in the following days before anglers spotted it Jan. 6. Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Struck right whale calf raises vessel speed concerns

Wes Wolfe
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
The appearance of propeller injuries suffered by the first North Atlantic right whale calf of the season kicked off another round of demands by conservation organizations for action by the federal government and ocean-going companies.
From left, Superintendent of Nassau County School District Kathy Burns, Ryan Peterson, Ryan’s grandfather, Coach Pete, and Anna Crawford, Fernandina Beach Middle School principal, stand with Peterson to share his accomplishments during a recent school board meeting. Submitted

From left, Superintendent of Nassau County School District Kathy Burns, Ryan Peterson, Ryan’s grandfather, Coach Pete, and Anna Crawford, Fernandina Beach Middle School principal, stand with Peterson to share his accomplishments during a recent school board meeting. Submitted

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Every story, every student, expect success

Tracy Dishman
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
During a summer meeting of the Nassau County School District Leadership Team, a theme for the 2023-24 school year was decided: Every story, every student, expect success.

Chris Bryan passes away

News Staff
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Fernandina Beach is feeling the loss of one of its own, Chris Bryan, a native who worked tirelessly to give to the community she called home. Born in Fernandina Beach, she graduated from Fernandina Beach High School and then the University of Florida.
Martin Luther King Jr. honored in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Beth Jones/News-Leader

Martin Luther King Jr. honored in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Beth Jones/News-Leader

Martin Luther King Jr. honored in Fernandina Beach

News Staff
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
The 47th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in Fernandina Beach was held on Monday, Jan. 15, and traveled throughout the historic downtown. The family-friendly community event ended at the Martin Luther King Jr.
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners changed an ordinance this month, allowing Municipal Service Taxing Unit funds, commonly known as the sand tax, to be used to build and maintain dune walkovers. The walkovers allow access to Amelia Island beaches while protecting the dunes from damage due to people walking over them. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners changed an ordinance this month, allowing Municipal Service Taxing Unit funds, commonly known as the sand tax, to be used to build and maintain dune walkovers. The walkovers allow access to Amelia Island beaches while protecting the dunes from damage due to people walking over them. Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

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Dollars for dunes: County will use MSTU funds for beach walkovers

Julia Roberts
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Nassau County beaches will benefit from a change in an ordinance governing how Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) funds are spent, which was approved by the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners at its Jan. 8 meeting.