Regional

The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners is trying to make it easier for more local small businesses to qualify to receive up to $10,000 in grant money. New applications will be available starting at 8 a.m. today. To request applications or to schedule an appointment for in-person assistance, call (904) 530-6800 or email cares@nassaucountyfl.com. For an online application, visit nassaucountyfl.com/1039/Nassau-CARES. METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners is trying to make it easier for more local small businesses to qualify to receive up to $10,000 in grant money. New applications will be available starting at 8 a.m. today. To request applications or to schedule an appointment for in-person assistance, call (904) 530-6800 or email cares@nassaucountyfl.com. For an online application, visit nassaucountyfl.com/1039/Nassau-CARES. METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

BOCC boosts effort to give away money

News Staff
Friday, August 21, 2020
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners met Wednesday and approved changes to its CARES Act Small Business Assistance Program after receiving a report that only 73 applications had been received for the initially announced $5,000 awards by the Aug. 17 deadline.
Children competing in Amelia Island Youth Soccer at play last fall at the soccer fields on Bailey Road. BETH JONES/NEWS-LEADER

Children competing in Amelia Island Youth Soccer at play last fall at the soccer fields on Bailey Road. BETH JONES/NEWS-LEADER

Seasons on, seasons off

News Staff
Friday, August 21, 2020
While there will not be a fall season for the Fernandina Beach Football Association, Yulee Pop Warner will play its season. Amelia Island Youth Soccer, which has 500 children registered, is still waiting confirmation from the city of Fernandina Beach.
FILE PHOTO

FILE PHOTO

Primary voters go to the polls in Nassau

News Staff
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
About a third of Nassau County’s 69,107 registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s primary election, according to the preliminary results available from Supervisor of Elections Vicki Cannon as of Tuesday night. In his bid to represent District 4 in Congress, Dr. Erick J.
Cam Miller hands off to John Kenny Flood, right, during workouts Monday at Fernandina Beach High School. The season kicks off Monday with practices, and the FBHS Pirates open the season Sept. 4 at Yulee. BETH JONES/NEWS-LEADER

Cam Miller hands off to John Kenny Flood, right, during workouts Monday at Fernandina Beach High School. The season kicks off Monday with practices, and the FBHS Pirates open the season Sept. 4 at Yulee. BETH JONES/NEWS-LEADER

Pirates in action Monday, open Sept. 4 at Yulee

News Staff
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
The football season will get underway Monday, the first day of school. “There’s an acclimation period. Three days in helmets and two days in shoulder pads and shells,” said Jude Swearingen, head football coach at Fernandina Beach High School. “That’s what’s weird about the whole situation.
A slide used by Government Servics Group in an update about Nassau County’s CARES Act program. This is the company’s seventh week onsite developing a plan to be submitted to the Florida Division of Emergency Management. NASSAU COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

A slide used by Government Servics Group in an update about Nassau County’s CARES Act program. This is the company’s seventh week onsite developing a plan to be submitted to the Florida Division of Emergency Management. NASSAU COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

County still working on how to spend CARES Act millions

News Staff
Friday, August 14, 2020
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners held a special meeting Wednesday. Emergency Management Director Greg Foster reported that the COVID-19 testing site in the Target parking lot on State Road 200/A1A would close down as of 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14.
Nassau County Commissioner Danny Leeper says that the Florence Point Drive home that he and his wife own, which is outside the district he represents, was purchased as an investment and that he lives in a South Fletcher Avenue apartment located inside his district. NASSAU COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE

Nassau County Commissioner Danny Leeper says that the Florence Point Drive home that he and his wife own, which is outside the district he represents, was purchased as an investment and that he lives in a South Fletcher Avenue apartment located inside his district. NASSAU COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE

It might take the governor to decide where Leeper lives

News Staff
Friday, August 14, 2020
Where does Danny Leeper actually live? He claims it’s officially an apartment located in District 1, which he was elected to represent on the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners. His opponent in Tuesday’s election, John Martin, says Leeper does not, in fact, reside there.
The Ocean Highway and Port Authority, an elected five-member commission, oversees the Port of Fernandina. Two of the positions on that commission will be voted on Tuesday, with both incumbents trying to hold onto their seats. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

The Ocean Highway and Port Authority, an elected five-member commission, oversees the Port of Fernandina. Two of the positions on that commission will be voted on Tuesday, with both incumbents trying to hold onto their seats. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

The Port Authority candidates weigh-in

News Staff
Friday, August 14, 2020
In the interest of helping voters make informed choices, the News-Leader reached out to the candidates for the two contested seats on the Ocean Highway and Port Authority.
Amelia Adventures, owned by Catherine and Thomas Oliver, is open at 432 S. Eighth St., offering kayak, boat and paddleboard excursions. BETH JONES/NEWS-LEADER

Amelia Adventures, owned by Catherine and Thomas Oliver, is open at 432 S. Eighth St., offering kayak, boat and paddleboard excursions. BETH JONES/NEWS-LEADER

Amelia offers adventures for all

News Staff
Friday, August 14, 2020
It housed a dry cleaning service for decades, but now the building at 432 S. Eighth St. in Fernandina Beach is the home of Amelia Adventures. “We opened last February,” said Catherine Oliver, who owns and operates the business with husband, Thomas. “We painted and made it happen very quickly.
The ESA’s First Coast District kicked off the season Saturday with its first contest. STEPHEN NICHOLS/SPECIAL

The ESA’s First Coast District kicked off the season Saturday with its first contest. STEPHEN NICHOLS/SPECIAL

First contest of the season

News Staff
Friday, August 14, 2020
While practicing social distancing guidelines, the Eastern Surfing Association’s First Coast District held its first contest of the 2020 season on Saturday. Waves were small and clean, and ESA welcomed many new competitors for the first event of the season, making it a great kickoff event.