amelia island

The Gumball 3000 rolls through Main Beach Park. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Gumball 3000 rolls through Main Beach Park. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Supercars, superstars stop in Fernandina

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Thousands swelled Fernandina Beach as high-end cars shot down the road for an international annual event catering to a cross-section of car and celebrity lovers. Each year, the Gumball 3000, a nationwide 3,000-mile road rally that raises money for charity, takes place across the country.
From left, Ryan Mack, Scott Kellogg, Brian Bowen and Ben Gravy at the festival in 2025. Submitted photo

From left, Ryan Mack, Scott Kellogg, Brian Bowen and Ben Gravy at the festival in 2025. Submitted photo

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Amelia Island skate and surf film festival goes international

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Amelia Island officially has another international event.From 1 p.m. until late at night on June 20, skaters, surfers, film-makers and celebrities will converge on Amelia Island to celebrate the culture around skate and surfing films and the sports themselves.
Donald Johnson, right, and Dalton Pinner of Duval Asphalt put finishing touches on the Publix parking lot Thursday. Johnson said they did all the paving and printing of the lot. Publix has officially announced it will open on July 2. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Donald Johnson, right, and Dalton Pinner of Duval Asphalt put finishing touches on the Publix parking lot Thursday. Johnson said they did all the paving and printing of the lot. Publix has officially announced it will open on July 2. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Publix to open July 2

Nick Blank
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Residents can patronize Amelia Island’s renovated Publix in less than a month, a company spokesperson told the News-Leader.Publix will reopen on July 2, about a year after its closure.
A foursome competes during Par for a Purpose. Submitted

A foursome competes during Par for a Purpose. Submitted

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Micah’s Place hosts second annual ‘Par for a Purpose’

Nick Blank
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Thirty-six golfers made their way to the Omni last month to participate in a charity golf tournament to raise money for a local domestic violence nonprofit. On May 22, Micah’s Place hosted its second annual “Par for a Purpose” held at the Golf Club of Amelia Island.
Mikaela Nichols, left, Breanna Rodriguez-Rollins, middle, and Talia Anassis, right, were awarded scholarships from the Island Art Association. The local art group says the scholarships were awarded based on the quality of their submitted art portfolios.

Mikaela Nichols, left, Breanna Rodriguez-Rollins, middle, and Talia Anassis, right, were awarded scholarships from the Island Art Association. The local art group says the scholarships were awarded based on the quality of their submitted art portfolios.

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Island Art Association awards scholarships to three local seniors

News Staff
Friday, May 29, 2026
Three local high school seniors were recently awarded scholarships from the Island Art Association. In total, IAA gave away $6,000 to the seniors. Mikaela Nichols, who recently graduated from Fernandina Beach High School, is the winner of the Island Art Association $3,000 College Scholarship.
Satellite imagery of Hurricane Erin in 2025. From NOAA

Satellite imagery of Hurricane Erin in 2025. From NOAA

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Six-month hurricane season starts June 1

Amy Mulligan
Friday, May 29, 2026
As the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1, forecasters are urging residents not to let predictions of a quieter season lead to complacency.
Leo Radkowski shows safety equipment on his boat at the Amelia Island Marina on Wednesday.

Leo Radkowski shows safety equipment on his boat at the Amelia Island Marina on Wednesday.

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Float your boat safely

Nick Blank
Friday, May 29, 2026
On a baking Wednesday afternoon, Leo Radkowski looked over his boat in the Amelia Island Marina. The water is a dangerous place and will see increased traffic with the summer and Boater Skip Day arriving soon.

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Six nests spotted in first two weeks of sea turtle season

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch said Tuesday that six loggerheads have nested along Amelia Island, less than two weeks into sea turtle nesting season.  “It’s a great start,” said Ronda Bokram, the president of the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch.
Maverick Marine Services brings the vessel, Coco, onto the beach on Fernandina Beach near Beach Access 16N. Nick Blank/News-Leader

Maverick Marine Services brings the vessel, Coco, onto the beach on Fernandina Beach near Beach Access 16N. Nick Blank/News-Leader

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Steer clear

Nick Blank
Friday, May 8, 2026
North Beach saw more heavy machinery than usual this week, as passersby approached a crane attempting to remove a boat that grounded on Saturday from the beach.