Regional

Leslie Diaz holds her Hospitality Business of the Year award at the annual Chamber Awards & Gala on Jan. 15. Courtesy of the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce 

Leslie Diaz holds her Hospitality Business of the Year award at the annual Chamber Awards & Gala on Jan. 15. Courtesy of the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce 

Luxe Picnics by Les wins Chamber award

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Luxe Picnics by Les was awarded the honorary title of Hospitality Business of the Year at the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce award ceremony and gala on Jan. 15. Leslie Diaz, owner of the cafe and retail store said that the news came as a surprise.
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioner meet in January. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Nassau County Board of County Commissioner meet in January. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

County OK’s purchase of 134 acres on St. Marys River

Ashley Chandler
Friday, January 30, 2026
Nassau County officially approved the purchase of the 134-acre property known as Callie’s on the River.  At Monday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting commissioners voted 5-0 to move forward with the purchase, sale agreement and closing documents related to property located along the St.
Janice Ancrum, President and CEO of NCCOA speaks at the annual meeting on Tuesday at the Janice Ancrum Senior Life Center. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Janice Ancrum, President and CEO of NCCOA speaks at the annual meeting on Tuesday at the Janice Ancrum Senior Life Center. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

2025 record-breaking year of NCCOA

Marisa DeMar
Thursday, January 29, 2026
 Nassau County Council on Aging (NCCOA) hosted their annual meeting on Tuesday to discuss the organization’s various accomplishments throughout 2025 and their goals moving forward. Janice Ancrum, President and CEO of NCCOA led the meeting with a recap of statistics from the last year.

Baby boom! 

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Six North Atlantic right whale calves have been born in January. The new additions raise the total number of calves spotted this season to 21 which is the highest number of births recorded in the last 15 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). On Jan.
The Board of County Commissioners meets earlier this month in the commission chambers at the James S. Page Governmental Complex. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Board of County Commissioners meets earlier this month in the commission chambers at the James S. Page Governmental Complex. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

BOCC wants data, meeting with Ingoglia

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Nassau County is requesting that Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia send data and meet with county leaders, following a press conference Ingoglia held last week in Fernandina Beach in which he said Nassau County’s 2024-’25 budget included $53,031,730 of “wasteful spending.
Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said Nassau County spent more than $53,000,000 more than it should have in the 2024-25 Fiscal Year at a press conference Wednesday in Fernandina. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said Nassau County spent more than $53,000,000 more than it should have in the 2024-25 Fiscal Year at a press conference Wednesday in Fernandina. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

BOCC gives ‘unified’ response to CFO comments on ‘wasteful spending’ in Nassau County

Ashley Chandler
Friday, January 23, 2026
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners said Friday it is “unified” in disputing claims made by Florida’s Chief Financial Officer on Wednesday.
Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia speaks at a press conference Wednesday regarding Nassau County spending. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia speaks at a press conference Wednesday regarding Nassau County spending. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Ingoglia weighs in on Nassau County impact fees

Ashley Chandler
Friday, January 23, 2026
A couple of local issues were brought up at the Wednesday press conference held at the Residence Inn by Marriott: Downtown paid parking in Fernandina Beach and Nassau County impact fees.
Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said Nassau County spent more than $53,000,000 more than it should have in the 2024-25 Fiscal Year at a press conference Wednesday in Fernandina. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said Nassau County spent more than $53,000,000 more than it should have in the 2024-25 Fiscal Year at a press conference Wednesday in Fernandina. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

CFO says Nassau County overspent $53M in '24-25

Ashley Chandler
Friday, January 23, 2026
Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia was in Fernandina Beach on Wednesday to give a preliminary report on his office’s audit of Nassau County spending.
Nick Williams leads the dolphin excursion at the Ritz Carlton Resort on Amelia Island.  Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton 

Nick Williams leads the dolphin excursion at the Ritz Carlton Resort on Amelia Island.  Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton 

Immersive education: Ritz-Carlton’s Naturalist spreads love for nature

Marisa DeMar
Friday, January 23, 2026
  The Ritz-Carlton Resort on Amelia Island offers more than just a luxury vacation on the beach. Its specialized nature program, launched shortly after the pandemic, teaches guests about the unique ecosystems and natural beauty found on Amelia Island.
Sarah Twardy

Sarah Twardy

FBHS history teacher takes top honor

Nick Blank
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Sarah Twardy said she couldn't believe it on the Ritz-Carlton stage Friday night when Superintendent Kathy Burns announced the Fernandina Beach High social studies teacher as Nassau County School District’s Teacher of the Year.