Fernandina Beach

Fernandina Beach Fire Department Chief Jeremy Holmes, who took over in May 2025, provides a rundown of the agency’s statistics. Photo by Nick Blank/News-Leader

Fernandina Beach Fire Department Chief Jeremy Holmes, who took over in May 2025, provides a rundown of the agency’s statistics. Photo by Nick Blank/News-Leader

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FBFD report highlights incidents covered, ’25 accomplishments

Nick Blank
Friday, March 13, 2026
Fernandina Beach Fire Department Chief Jeremy Holmes provided a breakdown of the agency’s statistics and accomplishments for 2025 to city commissioners last week. The Fernandina Beach Fire Department experienced a leadership change last year, with Holmes taking over in May.
Workers from White’s Clock & Carillon removed the bell from the belfry at First Presbyterian Church on 6th Street in downtown Fernandian Beach. The bell was first hung in 1859. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Workers from White’s Clock & Carillon removed the bell from the belfry at First Presbyterian Church on 6th Street in downtown Fernandian Beach. The bell was first hung in 1859. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Chime in to history: Historic church bell to be restored

Ashley Chandler
Friday, March 13, 2026
Susan Steger stood just outside the front steps of the First Presbyterian Church on 6th Street. Beside her was a crane attached to a construction vehicle, parked on the sidewalk.  She carefully placed her hand on the outside of the church’s historic bell, inspecting it closely.
The fate of the Penny Press machine in Ship's Lantern is uncertain as pennies fade out of circulation. Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

The fate of the Penny Press machine in Ship's Lantern is uncertain as pennies fade out of circulation. Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

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End of pennies changes payments

Amy Mulligan
Friday, March 13, 2026
Don’t expect exact change when you’re paying with cash if Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a bill that will allow retailers and consumers to round up or down to the nearest nickel. The House voted 111-1 Tuesday on the measure (SB 1074). Jacksonville Democratic Rep. Angie Nixon voted against it.
The Burger King building, located on 8th Street, has been sold for just over $2 million. Submitted photo

The Burger King building, located on 8th Street, has been sold for just over $2 million. Submitted photo

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Fernandina Beach Burger King sells for $2M

News Staff
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The closed Burger King on 8th Street in Fernandina Beach changed hands for $2,050,000 on Feb. 26, records show. The buyer is Miami Beach-based 1940 Fernandina Beach LLC.
The Classic Motors Amelia Island Kickoff and the Concours d’Lemons, hosted simultaneously Friday at Main Beach Park. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Classic Motors Amelia Island Kickoff and the Concours d’Lemons, hosted simultaneously Friday at Main Beach Park. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Multitude of car events boost appeal to visitors of concours

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The Amelia Concours, formerly the Concours d’Elegance, has been regarded as one of the best car shows in the country over the years.  The prestigious car show features vehicles flown in from around the world. Attendees of this year’s event faced a $180 ticket with discounts for seniors and children.
Commissioner Genece Minshew

Commissioner Genece Minshew

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Commissioners push back on parks and rec proposal

Nick Blank
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Fernandina Beach city commissioners balked at a proposal from a firm that would study the city’s parks and recreation facilities, asking the consultants to reduce the proposal’s cost and focus on long-term plans for the facilities.
A local signs a recall petition in February at the Fernandina Beach Farmers Market - Mid-week Market. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

A local signs a recall petition in February at the Fernandina Beach Farmers Market - Mid-week Market. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Recall advances to next stage

Nick Blank
Friday, March 6, 2026
A pair of recall petitions for two Fernandina Beach city commissioners who voted for paid parking downtown have acquired a suitable number of signatures and have been delivered to Nassau County election officials.
Julia Lizza, Vida Walden and Peggy Roselle plant flowers in a container in Downtown Fernandina Beach’s Pocket Park on Thursday. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

Julia Lizza, Vida Walden and Peggy Roselle plant flowers in a container in Downtown Fernandina Beach’s Pocket Park on Thursday. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

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Volunteers help downtown bloom

News Staff
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Downtown Fernandina has a morning routine of sorts — boats set out for fishing, residents jog down Centre Street, shop owners flip their signs to open, and volunteers with Flowering Fernandina make their quiet rounds, stopping at each container pot to tend the plants that brighten the historic...
Workers pour concrete outside the front entrance of the new ALDI on Wednesday, set to open at the Amelia Plaza this spring. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Workers pour concrete outside the front entrance of the new ALDI on Wednesday, set to open at the Amelia Plaza this spring. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

ALDI postpones opening

News Staff
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
ALDI confirmed it is postponing the opening of its store on Amelia Island.The company previously announced that the store at 947 Amelia Plaza would open tomorrow. Due to a shift in "construction timing," the location may not open this month.