Regional

Mike “MJ” Gaylor showcases his novel. He will have a booth at the Callahan Community Market Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Callahan Depot. Photo by Lorelai Bryan Photography

Mike “MJ” Gaylor showcases his novel. He will have a booth at the Callahan Community Market Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Callahan Depot. Photo by Lorelai Bryan Photography

Gaylor’s book wins award

News Staff
Thursday, October 1, 2020
The annual 2020 Florida Authors and Publishers Association President’s Book Awards recognized “The Seventh Trail: Journey to the Well of Chayah” by MJ Gaylor in the category of Young Adult Fiction as a bronze medal winner. This prestigious award is open to books published between 2018 and 2020.
The Callahan Garden Club resumes meetings with installation of new officers Sept. 2.

The Callahan Garden Club resumes meetings with installation of new officers Sept. 2.

Garden club resumes meetings

News Staff
Thursday, October 1, 2020
The Callahan Garden Club resumes meetings with installation of new officers Sept. 2. Member Kathleen Lunman gave a lecture about butterflies and also gave a framed butterfly to each new member. Members brought their own bagged lunches. The next meeting of the Callahan Garden Club is Oct. 7 at 10 a.
Josh Bass, the father of a student at Callahan Middle School, told the Nassau County School Board students are sitting three to a seat on buses in violation of guidelines set forth in the school district’s reopening plan. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Josh Bass, the father of a student at Callahan Middle School, told the Nassau County School Board students are sitting three to a seat on buses in violation of guidelines set forth in the school district’s reopening plan. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Nassau County School Board discusses pandemic

News Staff
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Once again, the coronavirus pandemic took center stage at the Sept.
Clockwise, BOCC Chair Danny Leeper, County Attorney Mike Mullin, Office of Management and Budget Director Megan Diehl, and County Manager Taco Pope.

Clockwise, BOCC Chair Danny Leeper, County Attorney Mike Mullin, Office of Management and Budget Director Megan Diehl, and County Manager Taco Pope.

BOCC passes millage, budget; delays beach item

News Staff
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners met Monday and passed the fiscal year 2020-21 millage rate and budget, among the other major items discussed.
Joshua Hicks

Joshua Hicks

Hicks takes on Byrd in Florida’s 11th District

News Staff
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Joshua Hicks has been in politics since he was a teenager, running for the Tallahassee City Commission when he was 18 and losing to Andrew Gillum, who would become that city’s mayor as well as a candidate for governor of Florida.
Gov. Ron DeSantis

Gov. Ron DeSantis

Governor lifts restaurant capacity restriction, suspends mask penalties

News Staff
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Saying in an executive order issued Friday that “the State of Florida has suffered economic harm as a result of COVID- 19-related closures, exacerbating the impacts of the State of Emergency, and Floridians should not be prohibited by local governments from working or operating a business,” Gov.
Johnal Jones, 77, was found dead on Monday evening. Photos courtesy Fernandina Beach Police Department

Johnal Jones, 77, was found dead on Monday evening. Photos courtesy Fernandina Beach Police Department

Missing resident found dead

News Staff
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
A Fernandina Beach man reported missing Sunday evening was found dead Monday night, according to information from the Fernandina Beach Police Department.
The Pirate defense wraps up a Blue Devil Friday night at Pirate Field. BETH JONES/NEWS-LEADER

The Pirate defense wraps up a Blue Devil Friday night at Pirate Field. BETH JONES/NEWS-LEADER

Third shutout in a row for Pirates

News Staff
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
The Pirates recorded their third shutout in a row after Friday night’s 34-0 win over visiting Stanton College Preparatory School. The Fernandina Beach High School football team improved to 3-1 on the season. Three different Pirates scored in the first quarter as the home team took a 20-0 lead.
City Commission Group 2 candidate Genece Minshew said she believes the Fernandina Beach City Commission should keep funds in the 2020-21 fiscal year budget to overhaul the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code. “We all talk about managing growth and development, and this is the only way that you can affect meaningful change,” she said. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

City Commission Group 2 candidate Genece Minshew said she believes the Fernandina Beach City Commission should keep funds in the 2020-21 fiscal year budget to overhaul the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code. “We all talk about managing growth and development, and this is the only way that you can affect meaningful change,” she said. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

City sets millage, approves budget despite warnings

News Staff
Friday, September 25, 2020
At its final public budget hearing on the 2020-21 fiscal year millage rate and budget, the Fernandina Beach City Commission approved an “adjusted” rollback millage rate by a 3-2 vote, with two commissioners urging caution due to the downturn in the economy caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Nassau County Emergency Services Director Greg Foster. “Nobody’s going to guarantee that you are going to be totally safe and you’re not going to get the virus, but at least (a mask) gives a block, a certain amount of safety to keep people from getting the virus, which is our goal in emergency management. My goal is to make sure people don’t have to suffer. I’ll do anything I can so people don’t have to suffer,” Foster said. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Nassau County Emergency Services Director Greg Foster. “Nobody’s going to guarantee that you are going to be totally safe and you’re not going to get the virus, but at least (a mask) gives a block, a certain amount of safety to keep people from getting the virus, which is our goal in emergency management. My goal is to make sure people don’t have to suffer. I’ll do anything I can so people don’t have to suffer,” Foster said. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Foster continues to support masks

News Staff
Friday, September 25, 2020
At its Wednesday, Sept. 23, meeting, the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council’s Board of Directors heard from Nassau County Emergency Services Director Greg Foster, who urged following CDC guidelines and wearing masks to help slow the spread of coronavirus.