City of Fernandina Beach

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Developer proposes 9 townhomes near riverfront

Nick Blank
Friday, June 12, 2026
A developer has plans for nine townhomes near the Amelia Riverfront, according to plans heard by Fernandina Beach’s Technical Review Committee. Architect Gulfstream Design Group presented adding the homes at the intersection of Alachua and 2nd Street. The property sits on .
The Amelia River Waterfront Park Grand Opening was held April 10. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Amelia River Waterfront Park Grand Opening was held April 10. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Transforming Fernandina: City celebrates debut of Waterfront Park

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
In true Fernandina fashion, locals brokein the long-awaited Waterfront Park with a celebration featuring pirates, music from the Honey Badgers and a visit from Rep. Aaron Bean. Fernandina Beach staff estimated a few hundred people came downtown Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.

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Judge halts recall efforts

Nick Blank
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
A Nassau Circuit Court judge has ruled in favor of two Fernandina Beach city commissioners seeking to halt a recall effort against them. Judge Marianne Aho on Wednesday granted a temporary injunction on behalf of commissioners Genece Minshew and Tim Poynter against the recall.
A view of the former Brett’s Waterway Cafe across the pier Thursday. Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

A view of the former Brett’s Waterway Cafe across the pier Thursday. Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

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HDC approves Brett’s demolition, discusses new pier

Nick Blank
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Historic District Council board members cleared the certification of approval for the two-phase project to demolish Brett’s Waterway Cafe and build a new pier. Brett’s was a 37-year-old structure and a community staple that closed Oct. 4.
Few cars were parked downtown late Monday morning in downtown Fernandina Beach. Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Few cars were parked downtown late Monday morning in downtown Fernandina Beach. Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Paid parking soft launches

Marisa DeMar
Monday, February 16, 2026
What started out as a quiet morning in Downtown Fernandina Beach ended up with business as usual. The gloomy weather kept many off the streets and had business owners speculating if it could be due to today being the first day of the city’s paid parking program. When it began at 10 a.
Paid parking signs posted in downtown Fernandina Beach. Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Paid parking signs posted in downtown Fernandina Beach. Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

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City to host in-person parking permit registration

News Staff
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Prior to the start of paid parking in downtown Fernandina Beach, the vendor One Parking is hosting registration open houses at City Hall next week.
Darron Ayscue the Vice Mayor of the City of Fernandina Beach at the City Hall commission chambers on Jan. 16. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Darron Ayscue the Vice Mayor of the City of Fernandina Beach at the City Hall commission chambers on Jan. 16. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

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Q&A with Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue 

Marisa DeMar
Friday, January 23, 2026
The News-Leader sat down with Darron Ayscue, the Vice Mayor of the City of Fernandina Beach as he prepares to run for re-election in the 2026 city elections.  Ayscue has served as vice mayor for one term and aims to maintain his seat for four more years.
Jim McCarthy

Jim McCarthy

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McCarthy resigns from North Florida Land Trust

News Staff
Monday, July 11, 2022
North Florida Land Trust announced that Jim McCarthy will be stepping down as its president after eight years of service. “Finishing law school this year caused me to look at things a bit differently.