Regional

Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper and Director of Nassau County Animal Services Steve MacKinnon

Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper and Director of Nassau County Animal Services Steve MacKinnon

Report: Bryceville man accused of sexual activity with dog

News Staff
Monday, March 2, 2026
A 68-year-old Bryceville man has been accused of sexually abusing his dog, according to the Nassau County Sheriffs Office.James Piner was arrested Thursday on a charge of sexual activities involving animals.
An aerial view of Westside Regional Park construction. Submitted

An aerial view of Westside Regional Park construction. Submitted

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Nassau County’s Westside Regional Park takes shape

Ashley Chandler
Friday, February 27, 2026
New aerial photographs of the construction progress of Westside Regional Park show the highly-anticipated park is taking form. Jay Robertson, Parks & Recreation director for Nassau County, said phase one of the project is “on schedule and in line for an early summer opening.
County Manager Taco Pope presents at the Winter Strategic Planning Session on Thursday. Nick Blank/News-Leader

County Manager Taco Pope presents at the Winter Strategic Planning Session on Thursday. Nick Blank/News-Leader

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County: CFO gave ‘incomplete review’

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Nassau County has released its budget analysis in response to Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia’s initial report that Nassau County’s Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget included more than $50 million of wasteful spending.
Members of the Nassau County Boys and Girls Club Choir perform for attendees of their 19th annual gala at the Ritz Carlton on Saturday.  By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader 

Members of the Nassau County Boys and Girls Club Choir perform for attendees of their 19th annual gala at the Ritz Carlton on Saturday.  By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader 

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Moonlight in Paris

Marisa DeMar
Thursday, February 26, 2026
The Nassau County chapter of the Boys and Girls Club raised significant funds at its 19th annual gala on Saturday. The event “Moonlight in Paris” was held at the Ritz Carlton Resort on Amelia Island and marks one of its biggest fundraisers of the year.
Commissioner John Martin presents a proclamation designating Thursday as Human Trafficking Awareness and Identification Day in Nassau County to Dea Sims, Chair of the Jacksonville Women’s Network Speaker’s Forum, and Cheryl Munn, communications committee of the Jacksonville Women’s Network, at Monday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Commissioner John Martin presents a proclamation designating Thursday as Human Trafficking Awareness and Identification Day in Nassau County to Dea Sims, Chair of the Jacksonville Women’s Network Speaker’s Forum, and Cheryl Munn, communications committee of the Jacksonville Women’s Network, at Monday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Nassau County raises awareness of human trafficking

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Nassau County declared Thursday as Human Trafficking Awareness and Identification Day in the county.
The Board of County Commissioners meets Monday in the Commission Chambers at the James S. Page Governmental Complex. From left, County Attorney Denise May and commissioners John Martin, Klynt Farmer, Alyson McCullough, Jeff Gray and A.M. ‘Hupp’ Huppmann. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Board of County Commissioners meets Monday in the Commission Chambers at the James S. Page Governmental Complex. From left, County Attorney Denise May and commissioners John Martin, Klynt Farmer, Alyson McCullough, Jeff Gray and A.M. ‘Hupp’ Huppmann. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Tourism Development Tax updates continue

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
At Monday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board terminated its agreement with the Amelia Island Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. The termination was just one step in creating the new agreement with the CVB — the Tourism Promotion Services contract.
Baptist Health, in collaboration with Life Flight, has stationed a medical transport helicopter at Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, a strategic move designed to enhance response times and improve access to life-saving care throughout Northeast Florida.

Baptist Health, in collaboration with Life Flight, has stationed a medical transport helicopter at Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, a strategic move designed to enhance response times and improve access to life-saving care throughout Northeast Florida.

Baptist Health boosts critical care in Nassau

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Medical transport helicopter based out of Fernandina Beach airport will cut response timesWith a Life Flight medical transport helicopter now stationed at Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, Baptist Health is improving life-saving care capabilities for area residents.
Drought conditions in North Florida are shown. From drought.gov

Drought conditions in North Florida are shown. From drought.gov

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Drought persists in Nassau

News Staff
Friday, February 20, 2026
Freezing temperatures and low precipitation hit Florida’s agriculture industry and rural communities harder than normal this year. Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency last week for all 67 counties to help Floridians recover from prolonged cold snaps and drought in January and February.
The county purchased the property at 86067 Pages Dairy Road, which will eventually be used to expand the Yulee Sports Complex which touches the property on two sides. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The county purchased the property at 86067 Pages Dairy Road, which will eventually be used to expand the Yulee Sports Complex which touches the property on two sides. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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County closes on land to expand Yulee Sports Complex

Ashley Chandler
Friday, February 20, 2026
At Wednesday’s Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board approved the closing of a purchase of land next to the Yulee Sports Complex.  The county approved the purchase in December, of the property at 86067 Pages Dairy Road from Coalition for the Homeless of Nassau County, Inc.