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American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten told local union members that, when they are faced with something that is unfair, they should ask themselves what her mother asked her when she was faced with unfair treatment, “What are you going to do about it?” Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten told local union members that, when they are faced with something that is unfair, they should ask themselves what her mother asked her when she was faced with unfair treatment, “What are you going to do about it?” Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

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National teacher union president addresses local educational union members

Julia Roberts
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten blasted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis when she spoke to members of the Nassau Educational Support Personnel Association (NESPA), saying the governor is afraid of unions and “not used to people speaking their minds.
Photo by Jim Pancero/Special

Photo by Jim Pancero/Special

Bird watchers paradise

Beth Jones
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Pink rosette spoonbills offer plenty of vivid colors, giving lots of photo opportunities for local bird watchers and outdoorsmen, too. More information, see Outdoors column in Sports.
The future site of Nassau Habitat for Humanity’s Berkman Place, a landscaped mini-community on South 11th Street. Photo by Sean Rosenthal/News-Leader

The future site of Nassau Habitat for Humanity’s Berkman Place, a landscaped mini-community on South 11th Street. Photo by Sean Rosenthal/News-Leader

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County updates plan for housing market

Sean Rosenthal
Friday, December 1, 2023
A new strategy to assist in the construction of homes sold by not-for-profit homebuilders has been added to the Nassau County Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP).
Taco Pope, Nassau County Manager. File photo

Taco Pope, Nassau County Manager. File photo

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Taco Pope ‘Tom Brady of Florida politics’

Sean Rosenthal
Friday, December 1, 2023
Nassau County Manager Taco Pope had his employment contract with the county renewed through Dec. 31, 2027. The unanimous vote to keep Pope local came at the Nov.
Catalog #1612 Juno is the first right whale sighted with a newborn calf this winter. The calf is no more than four days old and the pair was sighted near the entrance to Winyah Bay in South Carolina on Nov. 28. Catalog #1612 is at least 38 years old and this is her eighth calf documented by researchers. Photo Credit: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, taken under NOAA permit #26919. Funded by United States Army Corps of Engineers.

Catalog #1612 Juno is the first right whale sighted with a newborn calf this winter. The calf is no more than four days old and the pair was sighted near the entrance to Winyah Bay in South Carolina on Nov. 28. Catalog #1612 is at least 38 years old and this is her eighth calf documented by researchers. Photo Credit: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, taken under NOAA permit #26919. Funded by United States Army Corps of Engineers.

Big baby born: First North Atlantic right whale calf of the season sighted

Julia Roberts
Friday, December 1, 2023
Along with the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI), the Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors are celebrating the first calf sighting of the North Atlantic right whale calving season.
Fernandina City Manager, Ty Ross. File photo

Fernandina City Manager, Ty Ross. File photo

City manager apologizes for bicycle incident

Julia Roberts
Thursday, November 30, 2023
The Fernandina Beach City Manager is asking the community for understanding following an incident where he wrecked his bicycle following an evening of drinking downtown.
The City of Fernandina Beach and Nassau County Board of County Commissioners came together to proclaims the week of July 28 through August 5, 2023 as “Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week.” Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

The City of Fernandina Beach and Nassau County Board of County Commissioners came together to proclaims the week of July 28 through August 5, 2023 as “Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week.” Photo by Julia Roberts/News-Leader

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Gullah/Geechee cemetery protection grant

Sean Rosenthal
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
The Gullah/Geechee Cultural Community Trust is including a letter of support from Nassau County in its application for the Abandoned African-American Cemeteries Grant through the state of Florida, Division of Historic Resources, for their project “Restoring Crandall Cemetery: Life, Culture and...
Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper. File photo

Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper. File photo

Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper clarifies details surrounding what led to a deputy’s pursuit of theft suspects in Yulee on Wednesday afternoon.

News Staff
Friday, November 24, 2023
The following is a message from Sheriff Bill Leeper regarding the recent vehicle pursuit and traffic crash on State Road 200: “First and foremost my heart and prayers goes out to the innocent victim that was seriously hurt by reckless criminals that have no regard for human life.
Agent Doug Smith listens to public comment in opposition of his company’s application for a conditional use permit for the sale of beer and wine at a site at the southeast corner of Meadowfield Bluffs Road and SR 200. Photo by Sean Rosenthal/News-Leader

Agent Doug Smith listens to public comment in opposition of his company’s application for a conditional use permit for the sale of beer and wine at a site at the southeast corner of Meadowfield Bluffs Road and SR 200. Photo by Sean Rosenthal/News-Leader

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Alcohol permit hearing gets tipsy

Sean Rosenthal
Thursday, November 23, 2023
A permit to sell alcohol in a Commercial General zone was not granted by a unanimous vote of the Conditional Use and Variance Board (CUBA), despite county staff recommendation for approval. Cross Regions Real Estate addressed the CUVB at it Nov.
Bobbie Walker speaks to the Conditional Use and Variance board on Nov. 16, and some family members can be seen behind her. Photo by Sean Rosenthal/News-Leader

Bobbie Walker speaks to the Conditional Use and Variance board on Nov. 16, and some family members can be seen behind her. Photo by Sean Rosenthal/News-Leader

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Wineries, agritourism coming to Nassau County

Sean Rosenthal
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Bobbie Walker’s family has been farming muscadine grapes at Tuscan Rose Vineyards in Callahan for 75 years. Until last week they could not sell wine.