Regional

Residents were briefly evacuated when Nassau County Fire Rescue responded to a large brush fire active near Keel Court in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Residents were briefly evacuated when Nassau County Fire Rescue responded to a large brush fire active near Keel Court in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

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Countywide burn ban in place

Ashley Chandler
Friday, April 17, 2026
Nassau County is officially in a Local State of Emergency with a countywide burn ban in place following Wednesday’s regularly scheduled Board of County Commissioners meeting.
Left: A manhole, put in as part of the American Beach Water and Sewer District Project, is shown in December 2024 in American Beach. Right: A fire-hydrant is pictured Monday in front of a U.S. Water Services Corporation pickup in American Beach. U.S. Water Service Corporation was contracted for the construction of the American Beach Water and Sewer Project. Photos by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Left: A manhole, put in as part of the American Beach Water and Sewer District Project, is shown in December 2024 in American Beach. Right: A fire-hydrant is pictured Monday in front of a U.S. Water Services Corporation pickup in American Beach. U.S. Water Service Corporation was contracted for the construction of the American Beach Water and Sewer Project. Photos by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Sewer project earns national awards

Ashley Chandler
Friday, April 17, 2026
A Nassau County project spearheaded by the citizens of American Beach and county staff has earned two national awards for the state of Florida. The awards were presented April 8 by the U.S.
The Board of County Commissioners at a meeting earlier this year. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Board of County Commissioners at a meeting earlier this year. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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BOCC seeks moratorium on data centers

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
A particular topic has been all over the feeds of locals’ social media: Data Centers. The conversations were sparked by a press release from a company called NextNRG in September 2025 which stated it solidified a longterm lease on a county property that would be ideal for such a center.
The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island x Kilometre in Paris pop-up shop at their Maison 1562 boutique on Thursday. Submitted photo 

The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island x Kilometre in Paris pop-up shop at their Maison 1562 boutique on Thursday. Submitted photo 

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Stories in the palm of your hand

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
When creating her line of hand woven bags, French designer Alexandra Senes wanted each item to tell a unique story.
Staff at the Florida Autism Center in Yulee focus on individual treatment of their clients — children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. From left, Jennifer Zambrano, RBT, Operations Supervisor; Sophia Campos, BCBA; Carley Sheppard, BCBA; Rachel Sheppard, BCBA and Mckenzee Campbell, BCBA and Clinical Director. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Staff at the Florida Autism Center in Yulee focus on individual treatment of their clients — children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. From left, Jennifer Zambrano, RBT, Operations Supervisor; Sophia Campos, BCBA; Carley Sheppard, BCBA; Rachel Sheppard, BCBA and Mckenzee Campbell, BCBA and Clinical Director. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Personalized treatment key for ASD

Ashley Chandler
Friday, April 10, 2026
Those who travel State Road 200 most likely have noted the building situation at 464099 State Road 200. The building’s curved facade faces 200 and is decorated with window stickers — colorful silhouettes of children at play.
The historic Evans Rendezvous building, seen from the beach at American Beach. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The historic Evans Rendezvous building, seen from the beach at American Beach. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Restoration of historic jazz club, Evans Rendezvous, to begin soon

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
At the March 23 Board of County Commissioners meeting, the BOCC approved a $383,000 contract with KBT Contracting Corp for the construction of Evans Rendezvous Infrastructure Repairs. The restoration is set to begin in the coming weeks. The project has been a long time coming.
Nassau County School District board members at a workshop in March. Nick Blank/News-Leader

Nassau County School District board members at a workshop in March. Nick Blank/News-Leader

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District closer to sending millage to BOCC

News Staff
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Nassau County School District board members further dicussed implementing the 1 mill at an agenda workshop on Monday, before Thursday’s vote that could send ballot language to Nassau County commissioners.
Laylah Saylor Leopold poses in her queen crown and sash which were awarded to her when she took first place in the Sunburst Pageant in Orange Park in Feb.  By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Laylah Saylor Leopold poses in her queen crown and sash which were awarded to her when she took first place in the Sunburst Pageant in Orange Park in Feb.  By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

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Nassau's Sunburst

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
After being crowned Little Miss Orange Park in Feb, 8-year-old Laylah Saylor Leopold will be taking on the statewide Sunburst Pageant representing Nassau County in May.
Resident captures photo of thick smoke from the wooded area behind homes in Harbor Concourse. Submitted photo

Resident captures photo of thick smoke from the wooded area behind homes in Harbor Concourse. Submitted photo

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Harbor Concourse faces blaze 

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Residents of Harbor Concourse in Fernandina Beach were beginning their Easter weekend festivities on Saturday when a blaze grew out of control in a wooded area along Harbor Concourse Circle. Around noon Sarah Susan pulled into her driveway and noticed smoke rising from the backyard.