Regional

The Board of County Commissioners meets in the Commissioner's Chambers on April 27 at the James S. Page Governmental Complex. Photo by Ashley Chandler

The Board of County Commissioners meets in the Commissioner's Chambers on April 27 at the James S. Page Governmental Complex. Photo by Ashley Chandler

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Nassau extends burn ban, Local State of Emergency

News Staff
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Nassau County Board of County Commissioner extended its Local State of Emergency and burn ban for another week at Monday’s regularly scheduled meeting.  The board will meet again on May 4 to determine if it will be extended another week.
Brandon Olsen (Wild Yulee) performs at local open mic nights in Nassau County. Submitted photo 

Brandon Olsen (Wild Yulee) performs at local open mic nights in Nassau County. Submitted photo 

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Music speaks 

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Brandon Olsen, a musician based in Yulee took an alternative route to stating his opinion on the recent paid parking initiative in downtown Fernandina Beach. In a video posted to Facebook and Tiktok, Olsen performed a song he wrote called Goin’ Back to Yulee under his stage name Wild Yulee.

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Some Chester Road properties to receive new addresses

News Staff
Friday, April 24, 2026
To support clear and accurate emergency response, some properties on Chester Road are set to receive new home addresses.  The address change is to be applied to the portion of Chester Road between State Road 200 and the newly constructed roundabout at Heron Isles Parkway.
Nassau County first responders assisted in transporting an injured woman on the water Sunday at Boneyard Beach. Submitted

Nassau County first responders assisted in transporting an injured woman on the water Sunday at Boneyard Beach. Submitted

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NCSO, NCFR help injured woman on water

News Staff
Friday, April 24, 2026
Nassau County first responders assisted in transporting an injured woman on the water Sunday at Boneyard Beach. On April 19 at approximately 5 p.m.
DROUGHT MONITOR MAP FROM WWW.WEATHER.GOV/TBW/DROUGHTINFO

DROUGHT MONITOR MAP FROM WWW.WEATHER.GOV/TBW/DROUGHTINFO

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‘You’re gonna smell smoke:'

Ashley Chandler
Friday, April 24, 2026
Over the weekend, flames engulfed hundreds of acres of woodlands in Nassau County and destroyed a residents pole barn. On Wednesday, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners extended its county-wide burn ban until at least Wednesday, April 29.
Bosque Bello cemetery is one of the latest properties in Nassau County to achieve a Level 1 Arboretum Accreditation from ArbNet. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

Bosque Bello cemetery is one of the latest properties in Nassau County to achieve a Level 1 Arboretum Accreditation from ArbNet. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

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Amelia Island is tree haven all year long

Amy Mulligan
Friday, April 24, 2026
Amelia Island continues to lead the way in tree conservation with the addition of two more arboreta on the island. Simmons Road Park and the Bosque Bello Cemetery’s designation as Level 1 arboretums brings the total number on the island to 11.
A group of volunteers paddled Lofton Creek to clean up litter during the annual St. Marys River cleanup event.

A group of volunteers paddled Lofton Creek to clean up litter during the annual St. Marys River cleanup event.

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River cleanup a 'roaring success'

Amy Mulligan
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
More than 250 volunteers with Keep Nassau Beautiful, St. Marys Riverkeeper, and partners led the annual four-county, watershed-wide St. Marys River cleanup on Saturday at sites along  the 130-mile-long river to pull litter, tires, debris and junk from the water, shores and surrounding areas.
Artist Tina McDaniel shows off her art work "Scout" to education children on plastic pollution at the Sea Turtle Festival. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Artist Tina McDaniel shows off her art work "Scout" to education children on plastic pollution at the Sea Turtle Festival. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Celebrating Sea Turtles

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Thousands of visitors and residents gathered at Main Beach Park for Beach Junki's third annual Sea Turtle Festival on Saturday. The event had over 40 different vendors with immersive activities to educate children on pollution and ways to help critically endangered aquatic species.