Regional

Justin Taylor

Former county commissioner tapped to lead hotel’s sales, marketing

News Staff
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Former Nassau County Commissioner Justin Taylor has joined the Residence Inn by Marriott team on Amelia Island as their new director of sales and marketing. Taylor brings more than 15 years of sales and public relations experience, having worked in both private industry and government agencies....
Fernandina Beach

37-year-old man dies in beach incident

News Staff
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
A 37-year-old man died Monday afternoon after he was caught in a rip current and pulled away from shore, according to a news release from the Fernandina Beach Fire Department. The news release said the fire department’s Division of Ocean Rescue was dispatched to the beach after “a report of a...
Nassau County Board of County Commissioners

More apartments in Wildlight?

News Staff
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
A new Wildlight apartment complex – owned by Raydient LLC – was proposed at a Nassau County Development Review Committee meeting May 11. The project – “Hathaway, Parcel 5B(s)” – would be built on 21.73 acres and consist of about 300 garden-style apartments. Rayonier spokesman...
Nan Voit will continue with one of her favorite parts of her job, teaching a few lessons, after she retires from her position as Fernandina Beach Parks and Recreation director. “If you watch a child that doesn’t want to go to a swimming lesson, or summer camp or aquatics camp, and to see them become more comfortable and grow and come out of their shell, it’s really rewarding. When they do what they are supposed to do, you can’t help but get excited.”

‘It’s a happy place’

News Staff
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
After spending a career creating an environment where people can have fun and be healthy, Fernandina Beach Parks and Recreation Director Nan Voit is retiring June 1. “I just enjoy that type of environment, where you see other people having a good time and you are helping to provide them with a...
Fernandina Beach

Fernandina Beach Commission backs off e-bikes on the greenway

News Staff
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
The Fernandina Beach City Commission put the issue of electric bikes on the Egans Creek Greenway to rest – for now, at least – Tuesday, when commissioners decided, by a split vote, to indefinitely table an ordinance that would have set a 10 mph speed limit on the greenway and prohibit Class 2...
Annette Acosta lives in close proximity to several live music venues in downtown Fernandina Beach. She said she is tolerant of live music at events, such as Sounds on Centre, “but I just don’t want it in my home every night until 10 or 11 so I can’t function.”

Noise ordinance remains unsettled

News Staff
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
While City Manager Dale Martin called for downtown venues, musicians and residents to “respect thy neighbor,” the Fernandina Beach Commission did not appear inclined to trust them to do so, and flipped – again – the direction in which it will go to address the problem of “loud and...
Shawn Lee Blitchington

Man found guilty in fatal crash that killed couple, unborn child

News Staff
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
A 48-year-old Jacksonville man was found guilty of five felony charges in connection to a hit-and-run crash that killed two adults and an unborn child. Shawn Lee Blitchington, 48, of 1431 Danbury Road in Jacksonville, was charged with three counts of driving under the influence manslaughter and...