Regional

From left, Sandi Fallin, Captain Jack Fallin and Jessica Childers provide curbside service at Captain Jack’s Smokehouse in Fernandina Beach. BETH JONES/NEWS-LEADER

From left, Sandi Fallin, Captain Jack Fallin and Jessica Childers provide curbside service at Captain Jack’s Smokehouse in Fernandina Beach. BETH JONES/NEWS-LEADER

Businesses struggle with new mandates

News Staff
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
A drive around Amelia Island shows a much different community since an order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis last week devastated bars and turned diners out of restaurants.
Nassau County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Danny Leeper asked county residents to stop buy excessive amounts of supplies during a board meeting Monday. FILE PHOTO

Nassau County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Danny Leeper asked county residents to stop buy excessive amounts of supplies during a board meeting Monday. FILE PHOTO

Leeper: Stop panic buying

News Staff
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Taking the next step to prevent the spread of coronavirus, most Nassau County county commissioners participated in a board meeting Monday evening by conference call.
The Florida Department of Health's COVID-19 dashboard as of Thursday evening.

The Florida Department of Health's COVID-19 dashboard as of Thursday evening.

County and city declare states of emergency over COVID-19

News Staff
Friday, March 20, 2020
Despite a reluctance earlier in the week to declare a state of emergency, given that the state and federal government have already done so, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners approved at Wednesday’s meeting a state of emergency for seven days, giving the county manager and his...
The Sadler Road-Seaside Park vehicle access point to beach parking is closed until further notice. Robert Fiege/News-Leader

The Sadler Road-Seaside Park vehicle access point to beach parking is closed until further notice. Robert Fiege/News-Leader

Sadler Road-Seaside Park vehicle access to beach parking is closed

News Staff
Friday, March 20, 2020
Per City Manager Dale Martin, the city has closed the vehicle access to beach parking at Sadler Road-Seaside Park as of noon today: "Despite continuing public awareness efforts related to Covid-19 and social distancing, people continue to congregate.
The lobby at the Fernandina Beach Police Department has closed to help limit the potential spread of coronavirus, according to Chief Jim Hurley. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

The lobby at the Fernandina Beach Police Department has closed to help limit the potential spread of coronavirus, according to Chief Jim Hurley. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Chiefs say stay calm and wash your hands

News Staff
Friday, March 20, 2020
In the face of a global pandemic, local first response teams are taking precautions and advising residents to do likewise, and to stay calm.
Callahan resident Jenny Peale receives non-perishable food items from Callahan First Baptist Church volunteers Connie Krug and Peggy Hyatt Tuesday morning. Food will be distributed 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through March 20 while supplies last.

Callahan resident Jenny Peale receives non-perishable food items from Callahan First Baptist Church volunteers Connie Krug and Peggy Hyatt Tuesday morning. Food will be distributed 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through March 20 while supplies last.

Events end, aid begins due to virus

News Staff
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Shutdowns, school closures and restricted public access have occurred across Nassau County amid COVID-19 concerns.  Public schools in Nassau County closed Friday for spring break. Schools will be closed for an additional week and reopen April 15.
A pirate snarls at the 2019 Pirate parade to kick of Shrimp Festival weekend. Peg Davis/News-Leader

A pirate snarls at the 2019 Pirate parade to kick of Shrimp Festival weekend. Peg Davis/News-Leader

Arrgh! There will be no Shrimp Festival this year

News Staff
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Harry Harrison, the chairman of the 2020 Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival said Monday morning that the annual event that draws thousands to Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island has been canceled for 2020.
A yacht hit the jetties on Sunday morning. Everyone aboard was rescued. Nassau County Sheriff's Office

A yacht hit the jetties on Sunday morning. Everyone aboard was rescued. Nassau County Sheriff's Office

Yacht hits jetties, sinks

News Staff
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
A 62-foot yacht struck the jetties near Fort Clinch Sunday morning, putting “about a 6 foot gash and hole in the hull,” according to Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper. Leeper said in an email sent Monday that the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office received a call at approximately 5 a.m. “from the U.S.
Using data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this map identifies those areas that are anticipated to be inundated by sea-level rise of 1, 3 and 6 feet. Areas close to the St. Marys River and the Intracoastal Waterway would the most impacted. As with storm surge, large portions of Amelia Island are impacted by the minimum 1-foot sea-level rise scenario predicted to occur by 2050, if not sooner. NASSAU COUNTY PLANNING & ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

Using data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this map identifies those areas that are anticipated to be inundated by sea-level rise of 1, 3 and 6 feet. Areas close to the St. Marys River and the Intracoastal Waterway would the most impacted. As with storm surge, large portions of Amelia Island are impacted by the minimum 1-foot sea-level rise scenario predicted to occur by 2050, if not sooner. NASSAU COUNTY PLANNING & ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

Residents hear sea level, storm surge predictions

News Staff
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Nassau County residents were recently invited by the county’s Planning & Economic Opportunity Department to review data projecting the impact of flooding, storm surge, and sea-level rise on property, homes, and businesses. The News-Leader attended a Feb. 5 meeting on Amelia Island.
Nassau County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Danny Leeper and Dr. Eugenia Ngo-Seidel, director of the Florida Department of Health – Nassau County, at Wednesday afternoon’s special BOCC meeting held at the county’s Emergency Management Center. PAMELA BUSHNELL/NEWS-LEADER

Nassau County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Danny Leeper and Dr. Eugenia Ngo-Seidel, director of the Florida Department of Health – Nassau County, at Wednesday afternoon’s special BOCC meeting held at the county’s Emergency Management Center. PAMELA BUSHNELL/NEWS-LEADER

First person in Nassau diagnosed with COVID-19

News Staff
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
As the World Health Organization officially declared the new coronavirus to be a pandemic Wednesday, Nassau County’s first travel-related case of COVID-19 was reported in a 68-year-old man who reportedly contracted the disease while traveling “out-of-state,” Florida Gov.