Fernandina Ukulele Network members
Nice to know uke
Nick Blank
A group of about 10 tunes their ukuleles, opens their songbooks, and strums away.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Fernandina Beach
Atlantic Seafood partially demolished Wednesday at the Downtown Fernandina Beach Marina. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader
Fernandina says so long, to a seafood staple
Marisa DeMar
When the excavator began digging into the former Atlantic Seafood building in Fernandina Beach on Monday, resident Marian Phillips said it was like “watching her husband be buried all over again.” Phillips was married to long time Atlantic Seafood employee Mike Lee.
Friday, February 6, 2026
Mike and Suzanne Doran' power boat, e Pied a Mer. Submitted photo
Fernandina couple completes 6,000-mile North American boating journey
Ashley Chandler
A Fernandina Beach couple has completed a unique boating adventure that they said showed them how capable they truly are.Mike and Suzanne Doran completed America’s Great Loop in January. The loop is a 6,000-mile journey that circumnavigates the eastern part of the U.S.
Friday, February 6, 2026
The Hoyt House on Atlantic Avenue in Downtown Fernandina Beach. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader
A Legacy of Love
Marisa DeMar
Hoyt House Bed and Breakfast will be hosting a Valentines Day Gala in collaboration with the Amelia Island Museum of History to raise money for the museum. The event known as the Love Legacy Gala will be from 6:30 p.m to 10 p.m on Feb. 14 in the newly renovated backyard of the bed and breakfast.
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Whodunit Players Theatre hosts interactive night of intrigue
Nick Blank
Every character is a suspect in “Mystery at Upton House,” the first production of Whodunit Players Theatre.
The immersive live theatre show takes place on Thursday and Saturday at Fernandina Beach Golf Club, 2800 Bill Melton Drive. Guests are asked to arrive by 7 p.m.
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Nicole Saunders
Governor appoints 2 judges to serve Nassau County
Nick Blank
Gov. Ron DeSantis made two judicial appointments last week, filling the newly-created Nassau County Court judge seat and a vacant Fourth Judicial Circuit Court seat.
Sarah Bell, who works in the state Office of the Attorney General, was nominated to serve in Nassau’s second County Judge seat.
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Photo-Ashley Chandler
Bridge tension
Nick Blank
Both Fernandina Beach soccer teams left Yulee with a win in a Battle of the Bridge double header Saturday.
Fernandina Beach girls defeated Yulee 5-1 in the early game and Fernandina Beach’s boys team won 3-1 in a physical matchup.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Police investigate a shooting near South 13th Terrace and Date Street Tuesday. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader
Man arrested, charged with manslaughter in shooting death
Nick Blank
A man is in custody following a shooting that left a man dead, the Fernandina Beach Police Department said Tuesday afternoon.
The agency said Ty William Richardson Jr., 25, was arrested on manslaughter charges. Police have called the shooting an “isolated incident.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Downtown Dollars logo courtesy of Fernandina Beach Main Street
Downtown Dollars
Marisa DeMar
The Fernandina Beach Main Street organization has launched its new initiative “Downtown Dollars” on Monday which aims to increase the economic vitality of downtown businesses.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Meeting attendees hold anti-paid parking signs in their seats at Tuesday's meeting. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader
Paid Parking Passes
Marisa DeMar
The Fernandina Beach City Commission has officially approved paid parking.
The second reading of Ordinance 2025-13, which outlines the paid parking program, was approved by commissioners in a 4-1 vote at the meeting Tuesday evening.
Thursday, January 8, 2026