Top stories
Dark money GOP political operative Stafford Jones, the source of a disinformation mailer against city commission candidate Genece Minshew, posted related comments Saturday on Fernandina Beach …
By Mike Lednovich
Yesterday at 3:30 AM
Read more.
The Fernandina Observer will host a city commission candidate forum this Monday at City Hall. Former Fernandina Mayor Robin  Cocchi Lentz will be the moderator for the event. …
By Mike Lednovich
4 days ago
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GOP-linked PAC sent out this mailer Thursday.
Dark money and smear tactics have emerged in the Fernandina Beach City Commission election as voters Thursday received a campaign mailer positioning Genece Minshew as a pro-development candidate. …
By Mike Lednovich
5 days ago
Read more.
City news
Vice Mayor David Sturges said he will not participate in Monday's Observer city commission candidate forum just hours following the publication of a story about a smear campaign against his opponent …
By Mike Lednovich
4 days ago
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Amelia Tree Conservancy has become aware of the lack of protection that the city of Fernandina Beach offers its Heritage Trees. Case in point: right now at 311 Elm St., a beautiful Heritage Tree is endangered …
By Lyn Pannone
Tuesday, October 8
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City Manager Sarah Campbell
Sarah Campbell is the first woman city manager of Fernandina Beach but arrives without the full backing of all five city commissioners. Campbell, the town manager of Orange Park, was first hired …
By Mike Lednovich
Thursday, October 3
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County News

Nassau EM Issues Evacuation Order for Portions of Zones A and D

As of the latest updated forecast from the National Weather Service, storm surge projections for Nassau County have increased.
Monday, October 7

The JTA Expands Services to Nassau County for Transportation Disadvantaged Residents

As of Tuesday, October 1, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) has assumed all responsibility as the Community Transportation Coordinator for the transportation disadvantaged residents of …
Sunday, October 6

An update on Citizens v. Riverstone & Nassau County

This litigation, like most, has gone through a period where there has been little to report. Nevertheless, we would like to bring you up to speed on where we are.
By Lyn Pannone and Corky Hoffman
Tuesday, September 3
Showcase: Dining with Dylan

Yo Quiero Taco Bell?

The long-fabled Yulee Taco Bell has come to fruition. I still remember the first time someone told me Yulee was getting a Taco Bell — that was over five years ago. And now with the restaurant …

By Dylan Bailey
3 days ago
    • Scully’s - A Unique Take on an Irish Pub

      Scully’s Irish Pub & Eatery opened recently and was greeted with none other than Hurricane Helene. And it wasn’t until after the storm I …

      By Dylan Bailey
      Saturday, October 5
    • Down Under - Savoring the Nautical Charm

      As the aromas of Amelia Island’s dining month sail through the salty air, there’s no shortage of tasty meals. Among the island’s iconic …

      By Dylan Bailey
      Saturday, September 21
Showcase: From the HeART by Linda Hart Green

From Katrina to Helene

A Surreal Time. Main Street, Chimney Rock, North Carolina

My home of 12 years is for sale. I supervised the building of it from New Jersey as I was concluding my ministry of 13 years in that location. I was excited to have a home of my own in a beautiful …

By Linda Hart Green
Sunday, October 6
    • From the Mouths of Babes: Wisdom

      I had a busy day and was tired. I took a nap. I slept longer than I had planned. I had to go to the grocery store before the day’s end. I got …

      By Linda Hart Green
      Sunday, September 29
    • Musings That No Child Should Encounter

      My old glasses were pranksters. They hid on an obscure shelf in the garage, snickering gleefully while I looked for them in the house and in the …

      By Linda Hart Green
      Sunday, September 22
Showcase: Off the porch

Not Our First Rodeo

Utility workers, most from North Carolina, wait at Main Beach to be deployed to Tampa after Hurricane Milton passes.

As we await yet another hurricane, we are faced with the waiting game. Yes, it is familiar and we know what we need to do, but still awaiting the unknown is frustrating. Accidents happen with no warning …

By Dickie Anderson
Wednesday, October 9
Showcase: Digital Compass

Better notes from doctor visits

As a patient, I’ve often found it challenging to remember everything discussed during a doctor’s appointment. Whether it’s a diagnosis, new medication instructions, or long-term …

By Deryck Burnett
Thursday, October 10
Showcase: Pat's Wildways

Anniversary in the City

The view of the St. Johns River from the River and Post shows off the city’s bridges.

OK, those who follow my stories know that Bucko is not a big fan of celebrations, cities, and social gatherings but I am always up for anything. And when it comes to our shared anniversaries, I am …

By Pat Foster-Turley
5 days ago
    • Otter Introductions

      Some of you already know my fascination with river otters. For a few decades, international conservation of otters was a cornerstone of my …

      By Pat Foster-Turley
      Friday, October 4
    • Pat’s Wildways: Evolution Beach Gym

      Bucko and I have been returning to Placencia, Belize, again and again for two-week stretches three or four times a year. The same room in a …

      By Pat Foster-Turley
      Friday, September 27
Community
Community

Help in Times of Grief and Trouble

Piles of debris line our streets. Chainsaws roar and hammers bang. We are cleaning up. The howling wind was scary. We were brushed by the outer bands of Hurricane Helene as it tore northward on its destructive path.
By Linda Hart Green
Wednesday, October 2

St. Marys Riverkeeper Annual Lowcountry Boil

The St. Marys Riverkeeper is proud to announce a sneak peek of a short documentary about federally endangered Atlantic sturgeon in the St. Marys River. The premiere will take place at the annual …
Monday, September 30
Trust is the Secret Sauce of All Relationships
In 1986, the popular singer-songwriter Billy Joel released his album’s title song, “A Matter of Trust," as a single. It was an instant hit. Listeners related …
By Linda Hart Green
Sunday, September 8
Ship's logbook with whale stamps.
Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors to Dive into Fernandina Beach's Whaling History
The Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors join the city of Fernandina Beach in celebrating its 200-year anniversary. And, you are invited to participate in the celebration by joining the whale ambassadors …
By Lauri deGaris
Saturday, August 31
Churches & Charities
Nassau County Council on Aging (NCCOA)  has received a gift of $4.9 million from Tom and Julie Wood Family Foundation to support, enhance and create …
Thursday, June 13
If you're curious about the increase in the number of unhoused people in our county and what is being done, learn more about what the nonprofit Coalition for the Homeless is doing. An open community …
Tuesday, February 6
Health

Health insurance advisors have an important piece of advice for Medicare recipients. When you receive your Medicare plan renewal notice this fall, don’t toss it in the trash! With several …
By Shari Roan
2 days ago
Read more.

Few people would look back on the COVID-19 pandemic and find anything good about those difficult years. But on Amelia Island, there was a silver lining. A robust beach yoga community was founded that …
By Shari Roan
Tuesday, October 1
Read more.
Cara Gluck, Health Officer for Nassau County.

This time of year, health journalists typically write stories focusing on the upcoming cold and flu season. We ask about predictions for various respiratory illness outbreaks and detail changes in …
By Shari Roan
Tuesday, September 24
Read more.
Nature
Hurricane Milton.

Our Spiraling Universe

When I was a teenager, one of my favorite hobbies was making macrame cord necklaces following a helix spiral pattern. Decades later, I still make spiral decorative macrame necklaces. I add spiral-shaped moon snail shells …
By Lauri Holton
3 days ago
NIkki Gunter, Owner of Goats On The Go

Goats to Go

Several years ago, the city of Fernandina Beach, with assistance from the North Florida Land Trust, purchased a 5-acre conservation parcel not far from the Ron Sapp Egans Creek Greenway. And recently, a herd of goats were called in to help maintain the conservation land.
By Lauri Holton
Tuesday, October 1

The Story of NaNa and the People Who Have Saved Her

In 1935, the Afro-American Life Insurance Co., Florida’s first life insurance company, built American Beach on the south end of Amelia Island. A.L. Lewis, founder of the Afro-American Life …
By Lauri deGaris
Tuesday, September 24
Snorkeling in mangroves usually means poor visibility.

Pat’s Wildways: Snorkeling

For most of my years of traveling, I have aimed at coral reefs to snorkel in. In the past years, I was astounded by all the colors of the corals, tropical fish, and invertebrates that live in this …
By Pat Foster-Turley
Friday, September 20
Special Features
Bottle with message inside.

A Message in a Bottle Leads to Stories From Everywhere

Recently, my friend Cathy showed me a plastic Coke bottle she found on the beach. Inside the bottle was a neatly folded letter. The cap was tight, and no water had penetrated the bottle. The message …
By Lauri deGaris
Wednesday, August 21

The Story of Horses and People

A Meditation by Lauri deGaris   Horses have grazed the plains and pastures of Mother Earth for 50 million years. For at least 30,000 of those years, humanity has held these magnificent creatures in …
Saturday, July 29, 2023
Business
Connor and his mom, Christine, hold Connor's book and microgreen kit.

He Makes It Easy to Be Green

Despite having come into this world with a myriad of debilitating medical issues, teen entrepreneur Connor Hiebel, radiates an aura of tenacious positivity. The 19-year-old founder of Amelia …
By Pam Green
Monday, September 16

Start-Ups Grads Venture Forth

The latest graduates of the $1,000 Start-Ups program have completed a 9-month program on entrepreneurship, financial management and life skills. This fairly new program has now graduated 43. The …
Tuesday, February 6

Panama Woes Becoming Fernandina Woes

The Panama Canal By Mike Lednovich A year-long drought is limiting the number of ships able to pass through the Panama Canal and thus is reducing the number of ships coming into the Port of …
Monday, January 29
5-Day Forecast
Wednesday
Mostly Sunny and Breezy
High: 67°F
(-18°C)
Thursday
Sunny and Breezy
High: 67°F
(-18°C)
Friday
Mostly Sunny and Windy
High: 72°F
(-18°C)
Saturday
Mostly Sunny and Windy
High: 74°F
(-18°C)
Sunday
Mostly Sunny and Windy
High: 74°F
(-18°C)