Regional

In the face of a global pandemic, local first response teams are taking precautions and advising residents to do likewise, and to stay calm. The News-Leader checked in with the chiefs of the Fernandina Beach fire and police departments as well as Nassau County Fire Chief Brady Rigdon and Sheriff...

Harry Harrison, the chairman of the 2020 Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival said Monday morning that the annual event that draws thousands to Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island has been canceled for 2020. In a letter to vendors and supporters, Harrison wrote: “Because of the unexpected...

A 62-foot yacht struck the jetties near Fort Clinch Sunday morning, putting “about a 6 foot gash and hole in the hull,” according to Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper. Leeper said in an email sent Monday that the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office received a call at approximately 5 a.m. “from...

Nassau County residents were recently invited by the county’s Planning & Economic Opportunity Department to review data projecting the impact of flooding, storm surge, and sea-level rise on property, homes, and businesses. The News-Leader attended a Feb. 5 meeting on Amelia Island. Another...

As the World Health Organization officially declared the new coronavirus to be a pandemic Wednesday, Nassau County’s first travel-related case of COVID-19 was reported in a 68-year-old man who reportedly contracted the disease while traveling “out-of-state,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a...

A number of organizations have announced the cancellation or postponement of upcoming events due to federal, state, and local guidelines meant to limit gatherings so that the novel coronavirus is not spread:  Author Kristin Harmel’s discussion about her book, The Winemaker’s Wife,...

A special meeting of the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners was held late Monday afternoon to address more public and private closures in response to the coronavirus pandemic and to streamline the county’s “messaging” strategy. Late Tuesday afternoon, Nassau County Schools...

In the wake of COVID-19, the Nassau County Council on Aging is helping make sure seniors throughout Nassau County have balanced, nutritious meals, according to a news release. “Our ‘boots on the ground’ effort is ready to deliver meals to Nassau County seniors,” said Janice Ancrum, NCCOA...

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey to assess the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19, the disease it causes, on Florida’s local business operations, according to the state Department of Economic Opportunity. DEO is the lead agency for...