Regional

Assistant Director Valerie Feinberg, AICP, will be serving as interim director of the county’s Planning & Economic Opportunity Department beginning March 2. PAMELA BUSHNELL/NEWS-LEADER

Assistant Director Valerie Feinberg, AICP, will be serving as interim director of the county’s Planning & Economic Opportunity Department beginning March 2. PAMELA BUSHNELL/NEWS-LEADER

Expansion at Summer Beach approved by county board

News Staff
Monday, March 2, 2020
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners approved the final development plan for phase two of The Enclave at Summer Beach on Amelia Island this week amid citizen concerns about its impact on the tree canopy and traffic on Amelia Parkway.
An evidence photo shows the gun used by Skylor Cole Johnson in the shooting of Benjamin Crews. NASSAU COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

An evidence photo shows the gun used by Skylor Cole Johnson in the shooting of Benjamin Crews. NASSAU COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

State drops murder charge against Skylor Johnson

News Staff
Monday, March 2, 2020
WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM AMANDA REAM, COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS INC. The State Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit has dropped a charge of second-degree murder against Skylor Cole Johnson of Hilliard, according to a court filing on Feb. 26 by Assistant State Attorney Donna Gregory Thurson.
Two replica ships will visit in April. ST. MARYS TALL SHIP ALLIANCE

Two replica ships will visit in April. ST. MARYS TALL SHIP ALLIANCE

Controversy over tall ships’ dock fee

News Staff
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Authentic replicas of the Niña and the Pinta, two of the three ships Christopher Columbus used on his voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, will be returning to the Fernandina Harbor Marina during this year’s Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, but the visit won’t be without some controversy.
The historic Standard Marine building on North Second Street is part of a parcel currently being considered for development by Gillette & Associates. The plan includes building townhomes on the lot but keeping the original building, although its planned use is still unknown. CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH

The historic Standard Marine building on North Second Street is part of a parcel currently being considered for development by Gillette & Associates. The plan includes building townhomes on the lot but keeping the original building, although its planned use is still unknown. CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH

More big projects slated for the city

News Staff
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Three more large construction projects are proposed for the city of Fernandina Beach: another hotel and two townhouse developments. Historic District Council members talked about one of the sites that would be affected by the new construction, the old Standard Marine building, at a Feb.
A North Atlantic right whale mother named Calvin and her calf were spotted Feb. 13 swimming in the ocean near Seaside Park in Fernandina Beach. Calvin is 28 years old and this is her fourth calf. FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

A North Atlantic right whale mother named Calvin and her calf were spotted Feb. 13 swimming in the ocean near Seaside Park in Fernandina Beach. Calvin is 28 years old and this is her fourth calf. FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

A rare right whale sighting from the beach

News Staff
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
CANDIS WHITNEY Special to the News-Leader Sunbathers and beachcombers delighted Thursday, Feb. 13, in the beautifully sunny beach day at Seaside Park in Fernandina Beach. Beyond them, a rare right whale mother and her newborn calf were leisurely swimming offshore.
Robert Gibbs, president of Dixie Towing, told Ocean Highway and Port Authority commissioners that he believes his company faces unfair competition a the Port of Fernandina. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Robert Gibbs, president of Dixie Towing, told Ocean Highway and Port Authority commissioners that he believes his company faces unfair competition a the Port of Fernandina. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Head of tugboat company wants in on jobs at port jobs

News Staff
Friday, February 21, 2020
The president of a tugboat company recently told the Ocean Highway and Port Authority that his business is being unfairly shut out of ship towing jobs at the Port of Fernandina.
Fernandina Beach City Attorney Tammi Bach told the City Commission that a bill to regulate short-term rentals in the state that's pending in the Florida Legislature won't change much in the city. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Fernandina Beach City Attorney Tammi Bach told the City Commission that a bill to regulate short-term rentals in the state that's pending in the Florida Legislature won't change much in the city. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Short-term rental bill won’t affect city much

News Staff
Friday, February 21, 2020
At Tuesday’s meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission, City Attorney Tammi Bach gave a rundown of some bills currently under consideration in Tallahassee that could affect the city, beginning with short-term rentals, which Bach says the city will keep controlling for the most part, thanks to...
Kelly Gibson, director of the Fernandina Beach Planning & Conservation Department, announced Tuesday that the city has received a $100,000 donation to its land conservation efforts. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

Kelly Gibson, director of the Fernandina Beach Planning & Conservation Department, announced Tuesday that the city has received a $100,000 donation to its land conservation efforts. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER

$100k donated to city for land conservation

News Staff
Friday, February 21, 2020
A family wishing to remain anonymous jumpstarted the city of Fernandina Beach’s Land Conservation Trust Fund this week with a donation of $100,000 and a pledge to donate up to another $100,000 to match public donations to the fund.
.

.

New beach ordinance set for review on Monday, March 23

News Staff
Friday, February 21, 2020
County Manager and Attorney Michael Mullin has advised the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners that a draft of a new beach ordinance is near completion and requested a public hearing be set for its review. The board selected Monday, March 23, at 6 p.m. In other beach-related news, on Feb.
Several people join together to celebrate the opening of Barnabas’ new service center in Callahan, which is open by appointment to assist local residents. Call 904-261-7000 for assistance.

Several people join together to celebrate the opening of Barnabas’ new service center in Callahan, which is open by appointment to assist local residents. Call 904-261-7000 for assistance.

Barnabas opens in Callahan

News Staff
Friday, February 21, 2020
Barnabas Center now has a service center in western Nassau. The non-profit held a community open house at First United Methodist Church of Callahan in honor of opening its service center to help people in need in western Nassau County.