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FILE AND SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Former island businessman, mayor dies

News Staff
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Friends who knew Franz Mitchell describe a gentleman who never lost his cool. But it was his vision for Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island that might resonate with many who never met the former Fernandina Beach commissioner and mayor. Mitchell, 87, died Nov. 24 at Community Hospice. A...
Inmates at the Nassau County Jail have not seen visitors since March and it’s unclear when they will again with coronavirus numbers rising. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Visitation in limbo for inmates

News Staff
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
People with families and friends in the Nassau County Jail and Detention Center have had to forgo visits with their loved ones since March due to the coronavirus, and now rising numbers in the county have officials questioning when those visits will be reinstated. “COVID has thrown everyone...
Nassau County Emergency Management Director Greg Foster addresses the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meeting Monday. GARY D. MORGAN/FOR THE NEWS-LEADER

Nassau positivity rate continues to rise

News Staff
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Three more people in Nassau County have died from COVID-19 in the past week as the county’s positivity rate jumped nearly 45%, according to statistics presented at the Nassau County Board of County Commissioner’s regular meeting Monday. Speaking in place of Florida Department of Health –...
The West Nassau Band Boosters present the “A Superheroes Christmas” parade in conjunction with the Town of Callahan Saturday at 11 a.m. The parade departs Dixie Avenue and heads south on U.S. 1 before turning right onto Fifth Avenue.

Parade Saturday

News Staff
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
The West Nassau Band Boosters present the “A Superheroes Christmas” parade in conjunction with the Town of Callahan Saturday at 11 a.m. The parade departs Dixie Avenue and heads south on U.S. 1 before turning right onto Fifth Avenue. Vendors will be set up from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for...
The Amelia Island Museum of History recently reopened with limited hours after closing due to the pandemic.

Virus causes significant loss

News Staff
Monday, November 30, 2020

To communicate the pandemic’s effect on our arts and culture organizations, Arts and Culture Nassau has collected a series of articles written by the organizations.

Art is displayed at the 2020 show. The next show is Jan. 30 and artists are encouraged to enter.

Artists sought for 2021 show

News Staff
Monday, November 30, 2020
The West Nassau Historical Society actively seeks artists and middle and high school students from Nassau County to participate in the ninth annual Nassau Art at the Callahan Depot art show.  The judged event is designed to showcase the many talented adult artists as well as middle and high...
The Blank Check Society’s Fifth Annual Pork Butt Cook-Off judges are Judge Steve Fahlgren, Dennis Morris and Sheriff Bill Leeper. The BCS wrote a $7,900 check to Wreaths Across America to assist in placing wreaths on graves at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

BCS raises $7,900 for Wreaths Across America

News Staff
Monday, November 30, 2020
The Blank Check Society of America, Nassau County Chapter, raised $7,900 for Wreaths Across America.  The BCS recently held its Fifth Annual Pork Butt Cook-Off and Blood Drive. Also taking place on this day was the annual wine, liquor and art auction and Wreaths Across America basket raffle...
Genece Minshew and David Sturges will meet Dec. 8 in a runoff election for the Group 2 seat on the Fernandina Beach City Commission. FILE PHOTOS

Runoff candidates answer questions ahead of Dec. 8

News Staff
Monday, November 30, 2020
The race for the Group 2 seat on the Fernandina Beach City Commission will end Dec. 8, when candidates Genece Minshew and David Sturges meet in a runoff election. In the general election held Nov. 3, Sturges garnered 3,744 votes (43.45%), while Minshew came away with 2,566 (29.78%). Another...
Joe Springer will end his career as marina manager at the Fernandina Harbor Marina when Oasis Marinas takes over operations Dec. 1. Springer said he has enjoyed his time in the city, and does not yet know what the immediate future holds. “I really don’t have plans,” he told the Marina Advisory Board. “I find every time the situation presents itself, if I stay out of the way, something great comes along.” JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Marina board bids Springer farewell and looks toward the future

News Staff
Monday, November 30, 2020
Fernandina Beach’s Marina Advisory Board held its last meeting on Monday with Joe Springer acting as marina manager of the Fernandina Harbor Marina. Springer is an employee of Westrec Marinas, the marina management company whose contract to manage the marina ends Tuesday, Dec. 1, when Oasis...