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Florida Department of Health – Nassau County workers tested residents at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in May.

Florida Department of Health – Nassau County workers tested residents at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in May.

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YEAR IN REVIEW

News Staff
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
As the world bids a not-so-fond farewell to 2020, the News-Leader looks back at the stories that shaped our community in the last year. The biggest story of 2020 is perhaps the biggest story of the last 50 years: the coronavirus pandemic.
Gary D. Morgan/For the News-Leader Florida Department of Health – Nassau Director Dr. Eugenia Ngo-Seidel explains to the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners on Monday that Nassau County’s positivity rate and number of cases has dramatically increased in the past few weeks.

Gary D. Morgan/For the News-Leader Florida Department of Health – Nassau Director Dr. Eugenia Ngo-Seidel explains to the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners on Monday that Nassau County’s positivity rate and number of cases has dramatically increased in the past few weeks.

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COVID-19 numbers continue their rise

News Staff
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Gary D. Morgan | News-Leader Nassau County, much like the rest of the nation, is experiencing a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases even as distribution of a much-anticipated vaccine has begun. On Monday, Florida Department of Health – Nassau Director Dr.
People who have a boat slip that is further away from the center of the Fernandina Harbor Marina have traditionally paid a lower slip rental rate. However, when Oasis Marinas took over management of the marina earlier this month, they were unaware of the tiered rates, and raised the rates for “non-premium” slips so all slipholders pay the same.

People who have a boat slip that is further away from the center of the Fernandina Harbor Marina have traditionally paid a lower slip rental rate. However, when Oasis Marinas took over management of the marina earlier this month, they were unaware of the tiered rates, and raised the rates for “non-premium” slips so all slipholders pay the same.

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Oasis faces the music after rate raise

News Staff
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Julia Roberts | News-Leader Oasis Marinas took over management of the city-owned Fernandina Harbor Marina on Dec. 1.  On Dec. 17, the company sent out notices of a 25% increase in the rates some slipholders were paying at the marina.
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co. is scheduled to begin a $15.8 million project that will dredge the U.S. Naval Station Kings Bay entrance channel and place dredged sand on Amelia Island.

Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co. is scheduled to begin a $15.8 million project that will dredge the U.S. Naval Station Kings Bay entrance channel and place dredged sand on Amelia Island.

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DIGGING DEEP

News Staff
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Julia Roberts | News-Leader A $15 million contract to keep the beach on the north end of Amelia Island wide and beautiful is moving forward, as the Jacksonville District of the U.S.
The fuel dock at the Fernandina Harbor Marina has not been operable since Hurricane Matthew damaged the marina in 2016. Taylor Fitzsimmons, the marina’s new manager, hopes fuel will be available to boaters in February as Marina Utilities continues working on repairs to the dock. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

The fuel dock at the Fernandina Harbor Marina has not been operable since Hurricane Matthew damaged the marina in 2016. Taylor Fitzsimmons, the marina’s new manager, hopes fuel will be available to boaters in February as Marina Utilities continues working on repairs to the dock. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

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Some marina slip rates rise; now all pay the same

News Staff
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Some slipholders at the Fernandina Harbor Marina received an early, unexpected and unwelcome Christmas gift — a notice that the rates they pay to keep their boats at the marina will rise in the new year, from $15.50 per foot to $19.25.
The North Pole’s most famous couple has made their home available for an online virtual tour, joining several local homes that were part of the Amelia Island Museum of History’s Holiday Home Tour for 2020. ZILLOW.COM

The North Pole’s most famous couple has made their home available for an online virtual tour, joining several local homes that were part of the Amelia Island Museum of History’s Holiday Home Tour for 2020. ZILLOW.COM

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HO HO HO! Santa’s cabin joins museum’s online home tour

News Staff
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Each year, the Amelia Island Museum of History conducts its Holiday Home Tour, a major fundraiser that takes residents and visitors into some of Fernandina Beach’s most historic homes, which have all been professionally decorated for the season.
The Lesesne House, 415 Centre St. in Fernandina Beach, recently changed owners, and for the first time in 150 years, it does not belong to the family of John Friend. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and is a Florida Heritage site. NASSAU TRUST LLC

The Lesesne House, 415 Centre St. in Fernandina Beach, recently changed owners, and for the first time in 150 years, it does not belong to the family of John Friend. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and is a Florida Heritage site. NASSAU TRUST LLC

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Historic Lesesne House sold for $1.15M to local group

News Staff
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Nassau Trust LLC recently purchased Fernandina Beach landmark Lesesne House for $1,150,000, marking the first time in 150 years the property will not be in the hands of the family of Judge John Friend. The home at the corner of Centre and North Fifth streets was built in 1860 by Dr.
Dr. Alan Miller and physician assistant Keith Rawlinson, both with Coastal Spine and Pain Center, have received a first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. An additional vaccination will be administered 17 to 21 days after the first dose, and immunity takes at least seven days to take effect. ALAN MILLER

Dr. Alan Miller and physician assistant Keith Rawlinson, both with Coastal Spine and Pain Center, have received a first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. An additional vaccination will be administered 17 to 21 days after the first dose, and immunity takes at least seven days to take effect. ALAN MILLER

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VACCINATION TIME: Nassau County health care workers begin receiving vaccine

News Staff
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Heath care providers from Nassau County are getting vaccinated against the coronavirus and urging everyone to do so as soon as they can. Dr. Alan Miller and physician assistant Keith Rawlinson, both with Coastal Spine and Pain Center in Fernandina Beach, received the vaccine Dec. 17, and Dr.
Jeb Branham. FILE PHOTO

Jeb Branham. FILE PHOTO

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Attorney for OHPA appointed to bench

News Staff
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Kathie Sciullo / For the News-Leader Jacksonville Beach attorney and Ocean Highway and Port Authority legal counsel Jeb Branham will serve as a judge in the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court. Gov.