Regional

MICHAEL MILLER/NEWS-LEADER AND CDC

MICHAEL MILLER/NEWS-LEADER AND CDC

County reverses mandate on mask wearing

News Staff
Friday, September 25, 2020
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners has reversed its mandate on wearing masks inside county businesses when social distancing is not possible, and is instead “encouraging” the practice via a new executive order dated Thursday.
A clown gives an enthusiastic greeting to customers as they step into the scary experience that is Spirit of Halloween. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

A clown gives an enthusiastic greeting to customers as they step into the scary experience that is Spirit of Halloween. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Pop-up Halloween store provides some ‘horrible’ fun

News Staff
Friday, September 25, 2020
While big parties and trick-or-treating might not be in the cards this year due to precautions taken due to the coronavirus pandemic, Halloween is coming anyway, and the Spirit of Halloween store in the Island Walk Shopping Center is ready to provide everything needed for a scary good time.
Fernandina Beach Middle School’s Devin Murray and Alex Pulwicz wrap up a Callahan Middle School football player Tuesday night in Callahan. AMANDA REAM/COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS INC.

Fernandina Beach Middle School’s Devin Murray and Alex Pulwicz wrap up a Callahan Middle School football player Tuesday night in Callahan. AMANDA REAM/COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS INC.

FBMS Pirates fall to Callahan 22-0

News Staff
Friday, September 25, 2020
The Fernandina Beach Middle School football team traveled to Callahan to take on the Ramblers Tuesday night. The hosts were 22-0 victors. “We had a hard time getting their offense off the field,” FBMS Coach Raleigh Green said.
The wreckage of the small airplane that crashed in Hilliard Monday. Photo courtesy Nassau County Sheriff's Office

The wreckage of the small airplane that crashed in Hilliard Monday. Photo courtesy Nassau County Sheriff's Office

Pilot dies in plane crash

News Staff
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
The 74-year-old pilot of a single-engine airplane died in a crash in Hilliard Monday, according to a news release sent Monday night from the Florida Highway Patrol. The man, who was not named by the FHP, was from Palm Coast and was the only occupant of the aircraft.
Devin Mizell wants an unpaid job – to sit on the board of the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District – in order to educate local farmers how best to care for the environment while growing crops. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Devin Mizell wants an unpaid job – to sit on the board of the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District – in order to educate local farmers how best to care for the environment while growing crops. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Callahan pilot seeking Soil and Water seat

News Staff
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
When Devin Mizell started a farm, he knew a bit about farming; his family has generations of farmers. “I don’t ever remember a time my grandpa or somebody didn’t have cows,” Mizell said. “I grew up on a family farm in Callahan. It didn’t come out of nowhere.
Josh Sheppard has worked for Coastal Pizza for just under four years, coming with the company from Yulee to their new Amelia Island location. Twirling pizza dough into the air, he said he has fun at work, adding, “I love what I do.” JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Josh Sheppard has worked for Coastal Pizza for just under four years, coming with the company from Yulee to their new Amelia Island location. Twirling pizza dough into the air, he said he has fun at work, adding, “I love what I do.” JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Coastal Pizza arrives on Amelia Island

News Staff
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Fans of Italian food made “for locals, by locals” have a new option for dining on Amelia Island – Coastal Pizza, which made the move last month from Yulee to 1916 S. 14th St. in the Villages of Amelia shopping center.
Fernandina Beach High School golfer Eric Brumme. BOSTON PHOTOGRAPHY

Fernandina Beach High School golfer Eric Brumme. BOSTON PHOTOGRAPHY

FBHS golf teams kick off season with wins

News Staff
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
The Fernandina Beach High School golf teams are perfect on the season so far. The girls were 4-0 heading into Saturday’s invitational at Jacksonville Beach, and the boys’ record stands at 6-0. The FBHS Lady Pirates beat Bishop Kenny 162-182 in the opener on Sept. 8 at Deercreek Country Club.
Henry Green sits surrounded by some of the people he has helped through the Grace and Gratitude Sober Living program. He and Dr. Jeff Blyth are both recovering addicts and fighting the city of Fernandina Beach to keep the four houses that comprise Grace and Gratitude’s facilities open. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Henry Green sits surrounded by some of the people he has helped through the Grace and Gratitude Sober Living program. He and Dr. Jeff Blyth are both recovering addicts and fighting the city of Fernandina Beach to keep the four houses that comprise Grace and Gratitude’s facilities open. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

City reviews the health and safety of recovery houses

News Staff
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
No one disputes that Henry Green provides a valuable – some say lifesaving – service in Fernandina Beach. Places for people who have nowhere else to go, due to the life they lived as addicts. But, can Green legally operate a residential recovery facility in the city?
Each member of the staff must wear a mask, there are bottles of hand sanitizer at every table, and there is at least six feet between every possible seating area. DILLON BASSE/FOR THE NEWS-LEADER

Each member of the staff must wear a mask, there are bottles of hand sanitizer at every table, and there is at least six feet between every possible seating area. DILLON BASSE/FOR THE NEWS-LEADER

Amelia Island Coffee fuels the community

News Staff
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
DILLON BASSE / FOR THE NEWS-LEADER Before I moved to Fernandina Beach, I lived in a town just outside of Boston, Mass. called Easton. One of the biggest staples of the Massachusetts lifestyle is Dunkin’ Donuts. The town of Easton has about five Dunkin’ Donuts stores alone.
A $28,623 grant will be used for the purchase of two AeroClave Decontamination Systems for use in decontaminating Nassau County Fire & Rescue rescue units. COURTESY OF AEROCLAVE

A $28,623 grant will be used for the purchase of two AeroClave Decontamination Systems for use in decontaminating Nassau County Fire & Rescue rescue units. COURTESY OF AEROCLAVE

County Fire & Rescue receives two major grants

News Staff
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
The Nassau County Fire & Rescue Department has received two major grants in the past month. The announcement was made Sept. 16 by Fire Chief Brady Rigdon during the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting. A $1.