Regional

Jack Knocke spoke to the Fernandina Beach City Commission about the job performance of City Manager Dale Martin, who he said is responsible for “manufactured emergencies,” such as allowing the city’s contract with Indigo Golf Partners to expire.

Advocacy group founder slams city manager

News Staff
Friday, January 22, 2021
A man who said he represents hundreds of people asked the Fernandina Beach City Commission to consider a vote to declare whether they are confident or not in City Manager Dale Martin’s job performance. But the commission did not vote on the matter. Jack Knocke has been a frequent and vocal critic ...
The southern basin of the Fernandina Harbor Marina is silted, making it impossible for boats to maneuver in parts of the marina during low tide. Passero Associates says its plan for waterfront resiliency will help curb erosion and reduce the need for dredging in the marina. To view artist renderings of the proposed waterfront, visit the News-Leader’s Facebook page.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

News Staff
Friday, January 22, 2021
The development of the Amelia River waterfront in Fernandina Beach was once again discussed at the City Commission meeting Tuesday, when Passero Associates and Marquis Latimer + Halback gave updates on plans for the project.  Passero Associates is the engineering firm tasked with creating a project ...
The staff at Baptist Neurology Group at Baptist Medical Center Nassau celebrates the opening of the new neurological care center during a recent ribbon cutting. From left are Baptist Neurology Group director Jason Kimball, medical assistant Jodi Tauscher-Robinson, referral coordinator Caitlin Kremler-Kuhl, medical assistant Cassidy Clay, Dr. Michael Gebel, Dr. Timothy Lucey, officer manager Kris Lucey, office specialist Jill VanBeek and office specialist Yvonne Foster.

Baptist Neurology Group now in Nassau County

News Staff
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Nassau County residents now have access to the most advanced neurological care without leaving the county with the opening of Baptist Neurology Group at Baptist Medical Center Nassau.  Drs. Michael Gebel and Timothy Lucey have joined Baptist Neurology...
The city of Fernandina Beach, with North Florida Land Trust’s help, recently purchased 5.25 acres of land near Egans Creek for preservation.

North Florida Land Trust helps city close on property

News Staff
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
The city of Fernandina Beach bought 5.25 acres of land near the Egans Creek Greenway, preventing homes from being developed on the property. The North Florida Land Trust facilitated the sale, in which the city paid $675,000 for the land from Pheasant Run LLC.
Ocean Highway and Port Authority

Fernandina Beach, Ocean Highway and Port Authority spat continues

News Staff
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Chris Ragucci said the city of Fernandina Beach is putting up unnecessary roadblocks that keep Worldwide Terminals Fernandina from occupying a $4 million fabric warehouse at the Port of Fernandina.  At the Jan. 13 meeting of the Ocean Highway and Port Authority, Ragucci told the OHPA...
Nassau Teachers' Association

Nassau teachers union rejects contract

News Staff
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
The Nassau Teachers’ Association has rejected the Nassau County School Board’s contract offer for the 2020-21 school year. At the school board’s Thursday meeting, Nassau Teachers’ Association representatives told the board that 84% of union instructional personnel that voted on the...
Former Nassau County Commissioner Justin Taylor is recovering from COVID-19.

Former county commissioner contracts COVID-19

News Staff
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
News travels fast on Facebook.  Within one hour of posting his news about having COVID-19, former Nassau County Commissioner Justin Taylor had 67 responses wishing him good health.  “I’ve dodged the virus long enough, and it...
A potential PUD could bring 72 new homes to Hilliard. The town council viewed a presentation about the proposed project.

72-unit Hilliard PUD possible

News Staff
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
A proposed 72-home planned unit development could be built in Hilliard.  Hilliard Land Use Administrator Janis Fleet outlined the proposal at the town council meeting Jan. 7.  The Hilliard Planning and Zoning Board recommends approval of Whisper Ridge with nine conditions. The...
State Sen. Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach) is a member of the Senate Health Policy Committee, which recently held a hearing about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

Bean chides state’s top medical official

News Staff
Friday, January 15, 2021
A leading Senate Republican from Nassau County on Wednesday chided Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees about the state’s COVID-19 vaccine-distribution efforts, saying Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration hasn’t been forthcoming with the public.