Regional

Two replica ships will visit in April. ST. MARYS TALL SHIP ALLIANCE

Controversy over tall ships’ dock fee

News Staff
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Authentic replicas of the Niña and the Pinta, two of the three ships Christopher Columbus used on his voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, will be returning to the Fernandina Harbor Marina during this year’s Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, but the visit won’t be without some controversy. ...
The historic Standard Marine building on North Second Street is part of a parcel currently being considered for development by Gillette & Associates. The plan includes building townhomes on the lot but keeping the original building, although its planned use is still unknown. CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH

More big projects slated for the city

News Staff
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Three more large construction projects are proposed for the city of Fernandina Beach: another hotel and two townhouse developments. Historic District Council members talked about one of the sites that would be affected by the new construction, the old Standard Marine building, at a Feb. 18 joint...
A North Atlantic right whale mother named Calvin and her calf were spotted Feb. 13 swimming in the ocean near Seaside Park in Fernandina Beach. Calvin is 28 years old and this is her fourth calf. FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

A rare right whale sighting from the beach

News Staff
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
CANDIS WHITNEY Special to the News-Leader Sunbathers and beachcombers delighted Thursday, Feb. 13, in the beautifully sunny beach day at Seaside Park in Fernandina Beach. Beyond them, a rare right whale mother and her newborn calf were leisurely swimming offshore. On the observation deck above...
Robert Gibbs, president of Dixie Towing, told Ocean Highway and Port Authority commissioners that he believes his company faces unfair competition a the Port of Fernandina. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Head of tugboat company wants in on jobs at port jobs

News Staff
Friday, February 21, 2020
The president of a tugboat company recently told the Ocean Highway and Port Authority that his business is being unfairly shut out of ship towing jobs at the Port of Fernandina. But Worldwide Terminals Fernandina CEO and Port Director Chris Ragucci said Robert Gibbs’ boats are simply not powerful...
Fernandina Beach City Attorney Tammi Bach told the City Commission that a bill to regulate short-term rentals in the state that's pending in the Florida Legislature won't change much in the city. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Short-term rental bill won’t affect city much

News Staff
Friday, February 21, 2020
At Tuesday’s meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission, City Attorney Tammi Bach gave a rundown of some bills currently under consideration in Tallahassee that could affect the city, beginning with short-term rentals, which Bach says the city will keep controlling for the most part, thanks...
Kelly Gibson, director of the Fernandina Beach Planning & Conservation Department, announced Tuesday that the city has received a $100,000 donation to its land conservation efforts. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

$100k donated to city for land conservation

News Staff
Friday, February 21, 2020
A family wishing to remain anonymous jumpstarted the city of Fernandina Beach’s Land Conservation Trust Fund this week with a donation of $100,000 and a pledge to donate up to another $100,000 to match public donations to the fund. Kelly Gibson, the city’s Conservation & Planning...
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New beach ordinance set for review on Monday, March 23

News Staff
Friday, February 21, 2020
County Manager and Attorney Michael Mullin has advised the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners that a draft of a new beach ordinance is near completion and requested a public hearing be set for its review. The board selected Monday, March 23, at 6 p.m. In other beach-related news, on Feb....
Several people join together to celebrate the opening of Barnabas’ new service center in Callahan, which is open by appointment to assist local residents. Call 904-261-7000 for assistance.

Barnabas opens in Callahan

News Staff
Friday, February 21, 2020
Barnabas Center now has a service center in western Nassau. The non-profit held a community open house at First United Methodist Church of Callahan in honor of opening its service center to help people in need in western Nassau County. The open house included a luncheon and a tour of the new...
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Historic A.L. Lewis house continues to disappear

News Staff
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Residents have expressed indignation over the demolition work now underway at 5456 Gregg St. in American Beach, the site of the original home of the historic community’s founder, Abraham Lincoln Lewis. Lewis, an African American millionaire, constructed his home there after creating American Beach...
The circled area is a piece of property near Old Town that Vice Mayor Len Kreger is working to obtain from WestRock so the city can put it into conservation. CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH

Kreger seeks a deal with WestRock on Old Town land

News Staff
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Fernandina Beach Vice Mayor Len Kreger said at a City Commission meeting earlier this month that he is working on behalf of the city to obtain property owned by WestRock for the city’s conservation efforts. Kreger said the waterfront property, located southwest of Garden and Estrada streets, is...