Fernandina Beach

From left: Mocama Brewing Company's Matt Crawford, Matt Hare, Elliot Terral, Kim Delnegro, Andrew Batey, Andy Huggins and Cassie McManus.

From left: Mocama Brewing Company's Matt Crawford, Matt Hare, Elliot Terral, Kim Delnegro, Andrew Batey, Andy Huggins and Cassie McManus.

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Mocama owner bullish on expansion, enhancing brand

Nick Blank
Friday, November 14, 2025
Buying Mocama Brewing Co. in April was not on Andrew Batey’s 2025 bingo card. At Mocama on Wednesday, customers are meeting, playing chess and working. A couple of years ago, Batey was a frequent customer and he joked Mocama was the only place his children wouldn’t rip stuff off the walls.
A fire occurred at Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. manufacturing plant Friday. The City of Fernandina Beach shared this photo to social media following the fire.

A fire occurred at Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. manufacturing plant Friday. The City of Fernandina Beach shared this photo to social media following the fire.

Fire at RYAM in Fernandina Beach

News Staff
Friday, November 14, 2025
Update 3:50 p.m.: The Fernandina Beach Fire Department sent out a press release just after 3:30 p.m. Friday, regarding the fire at Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. manufacturing plant earlier in the day. The FBFD said at approximately 9:09 a.m.
No. 55, 18-year-old Daniel Byers, was arrested for misdemeanor battery. According to MaxPreps, Byers, jersey number 55, is a senior and listed as a tackle and defensive tackle. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

No. 55, 18-year-old Daniel Byers, was arrested for misdemeanor battery. According to MaxPreps, Byers, jersey number 55, is a senior and listed as a tackle and defensive tackle. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

High School football player arrested in FBHS helmet incident

News Staff
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
The 18-year-old Bell High School player involved in an incident at the conclusion of Friday's Pirate football game has been arrested, the Fernandina Beach Police Department confirmed. Chief Jeffrey Tambasco told the News-Leader on Tuesday evening, Daniel Byers, 18, was arrested around 2:30 p.m.
Island Hop Festival

Island Hop Festival

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Hop to it

Nick Blank
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
About 1,200 people sampled craft alcohol from several vendors and listened to live music for the Hop Island Craft Beer & Spirits Festival Saturday at Central Park. Fernandina Beach Main Street Executive Director Lulu Huppmann said spirits and wine were added to the festival.
Officials cut the ribbon last week on batting cages at Central Park.

Officials cut the ribbon last week on batting cages at Central Park.

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City opens batting cages at Central Park

Nick Blank
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Fernandina Beach has opened new batting cages at Central Park, which they hope will benefit the development of baseball players. The project cost $176,000. The county provided a $50,000 grant for the project and the Babe Ruth League covered the rest.
Courtesy Kenya Partners

Courtesy Kenya Partners

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Nonprofit benefits, sponsor services for Kenyans in need

Nick Blank
Friday, October 3, 2025
Volunteers of a Nassau County-based nonprofit are assisting Kenyan children with educational and medical services in a region they said experiences a form of poverty most Americans will never encounter. “It changes your heart. There’s no way it doesn’t,” volunteer Beth Smith said.
James and Jenny Shaffer stand in front of the historic Standard Marine building, which they plan to renovate.

James and Jenny Shaffer stand in front of the historic Standard Marine building, which they plan to renovate.

Couple target historic Standard Marine building restoration

Nick Blank
Friday, September 12, 2025
Hoping to add another layer to a downtown building’s rich history, the owners of the Standard Marine building near the Fernandina Beach riverfront say the mixed-use project is closer to construction after a four-year wait.