Fernandina Beach

Tasty’s Fresh Burgers and Fries at 8th and Centre streets. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

Tasty’s Fresh Burgers and Fries at 8th and Centre streets. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

Invasive tree replaced by native tree downtown

Ashley Chandler
Friday, April 24, 2026
A collaborative effort between several local groups brings a special Arbor Day event to Downtown Fernandina Beach today. On Monday, an invasive tree was removed downtown to make way for the native tree to be planted this morning around 10 a.m., on National Arbor Day.
The third annual Wings & Wheels & WHY? was held April 10 at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The third annual Wings & Wheels & WHY? was held April 10 at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Wings & Wheels & WHY?

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
A bright sun, warm breeze and music from The Islanders AI greeted visitors as they entered the third annual Wings & Wheels & WHY? held Saturday at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport.
Two week old Ollie: this age requires the adequate care of being bottle fed every two hours if the mother is not present. Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Two week old Ollie: this age requires the adequate care of being bottle fed every two hours if the mother is not present. Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Shelters seek foster families for abundance of kittens

Marisa DeMar
Friday, April 10, 2026
April marks the start of Kitten Season which is classified as the period of time in which an influx of kittens are born.

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.
Nassau County Fire Rescue responded to a large bush fire active near Keel Court in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Nassau County Fire Rescue responded to a large bush fire active near Keel Court in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Keel Court residents evacuated due to brush fire

News Staff
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Residents in a local neighborhood were forced to evacuate for a short time today, when a brush fire broke out.Early this afternoon, Nassau County Fire Rescue responded to a large brush fire active near Keel Court in Fernandina Beach.
Officers on the scene of an incident invovling an SUV and a bicycle March 27 on South Fletcher Avenue. Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

Officers on the scene of an incident invovling an SUV and a bicycle March 27 on South Fletcher Avenue. Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

FHP: Bicyclist hospitalized after collision with SUV

News Staff
Friday, April 3, 2026
A 75-year-old Fernandina Beach man suffered “incapacitating injuries” while riding a bicycle March 27 after a car swerved into the bike lane on South Fletcher Avenue knocked him off the bike and ran over him, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.
The Sounds on Centre concert series is held in downtown Fernandina Beach. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Sounds on Centre concert series is held in downtown Fernandina Beach. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Sounds on Centre returns tonight

Nick Blank
Friday, April 3, 2026
A downtown Fernandina Beach staple returns Friday. The Sean McCarthy Band will start the Sounds on Centre proceedings with a 2-hour concert, 6-8 p.m., on Friday near the Palace Saloon. The event is organized by the nonprofit Friends of Downtown Fernandina Beach.
A line of people formed outside ALDI on Thursday for a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the opening of the new ALDI, formerly Winn-Dixie. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

A line of people formed outside ALDI on Thursday for a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the opening of the new ALDI, formerly Winn-Dixie. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

ALDI now open

Nick Blank
Friday, April 3, 2026
Long lines stretched past the newly opened ALDI on Thursday morning as Fernandina got one of its two closed grocery stores back. Brian Feliciano said he arrived at 1 a.m. when he got there and no one was there, though others started showing up around 5 a.m.
FBHS and YHS students stand in front of their art at the Purple Dove Resale Center in Fernandina Beach on March 30.  By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

FBHS and YHS students stand in front of their art at the Purple Dove Resale Center in Fernandina Beach on March 30.  By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

The Power of Art 

Marisa DeMar
Friday, April 3, 2026
In recognition of Teen Dating Violence Awareness, local domestic violence center Micah’s Place hosted their 5th annual teen art contest called The Power of Art: A Vision of Love and Respect - Imagining A Violence-Free World.
The Memorial United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church hosted the annual Community Easter Celebration on Saturday, which featured face painting, free lunch, crafts, photos with the Easter Bunny and Easter egg hunts. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Memorial United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church hosted the annual Community Easter Celebration on Saturday, which featured face painting, free lunch, crafts, photos with the Easter Bunny and Easter egg hunts. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Local churches join together for Community Easter Celebration, Palm Sunday

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Over the weekend, locals came together for two community-focus events, hosted by several local churches, the annual Community Easter Celebration and the annual Ecumenical Palm Processional down Centre Street.