Regional

City leaders spar about millage rate

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Fernandina Beach taxpayers will pay a lower property tax rate than was recommended by City Manager Dale Martin and city staff, but the tentative millage rate set Tuesday is higher than the rollback rate City Commissioner Bradley Bean was championing. ...

Hank NCSO comfort K-9

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The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office introduces its first comfort dog, Tank. He is a 2.5-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog. His purpose is to comfort employees after stressful situations and also comfort community members on calls and at events.

Could judge send Ragucci to jail?

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Nassau Terminals CEO Christopher Ragucci could face criminal charges Monday if he does not hand over records requested under Florida’s Open Records laws, and if a former Ocean Highway and Port Authority commissioner and attorney acts as Ragucci’s attorney, that attorney could face action from The Florida Bar.

Woman files lawsuit vs. city, restaurant

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A lawsuit filed earlier this month seeks damages from the city of Fernandina Beach and a local restaurant stemming from a horrific incident in which a drunk man drove over a beachgoer more than two years ago. Susan Jakuszewski, 53, filed a lawsuit July 2 against the city and Sliders Seaside Grill.

New wave of COVID-19 cases sweeping through Nassau County

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COVID-19 cases are increasing drastically in the county, and Nassau County Emergency Management Director Gregory Foster said cases are up 100% from three weeks ago to last week. As of Wednesday, Baptist Medical Center is at maximum capacity, and the Florida Department of Health – Nassau County is seeing the Delta variant in the local community, although it is not the predominant version of the virus, Foster said.  

Mobility plan to offset county growth costs

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A mobility plan workshop was held at the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meeting Monday. The workshop was the first of two mandatory meetings to discuss the implementation of a revised mobility plan. County Engineer Robert Companion said this is an update to the original mobility plan that was adopted Aug. 25, 2014. At that time, Companion said, commissioners determined the county’s population was growing exponentially, and new growth should pay for itself.

Fewer horseshoe crabs problematic for shorebirds

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They’re not really crabs, their species is more than 300 million years old and they can look extremely creepy to some people. But, horseshoe crabs are a vital part of northeast Florida’s coastal ecosystem, especially as their eggs provide necessary food for endangered migratory shorebirds. Fewer horseshoe crabs showed up around Amelia Island in the past months, which may be of some concern.

City of Fernandina Beach warns garbage collector

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The city of Fernandina Beach has given notice to Advanced Disposal Services that its service in garbage and recycling collection and its customer support leave much to be desired, and the company is in danger of defaulting on its contract with the city.