Photo of the week
St. Peter's Adds Another Tour Opportunity
Are you interested in Fernandina's history and historic buildings? Join a free 45-minute tour sponsored by The Foundation of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church to learn about the "Jewel of Centre …
Commentary: "Getting Older" Doesn't Have to be "Getting Old"
By Dickie Anderson Approaching my 80th birthday this spring, I am determined to do everything possible to keep the engine running. The Big Guy and I both read and watch any programming that focuses …
Top stories
Yet Again, City Candidate Switches Seats
By Mike Lednovich City Commission candidate Charles A. (Tony) Morris has changed again to a new seat and opponent for the August city election. According to City Clerk Caroline Best, Morris filed to …
Rollback tax rate will increase by $540,000
Rising taxable values will generate an additional $548,000 in revenue for the city of Fernandina Beach for the 2024-2025 budget under the rollback rate, according to a preliminary forecast by the Nassau County Property Appraiser.
City news
City-Port Fuss Takes Another Step Toward Resolution
By Mike Lednovich The City of Fernandina Beach is done haggling with the Ocean Highway and Port Authority (OHPA) regarding $250,000 it claims is owed in payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) collections. …
RYAM Invited to Tell Commission About Bioethanol Plans
By Mike Lednovich Interim City Manager Charlie George has been instructed to invite Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) to a future city commission meeting to provide information about the company's …
Sturges Gets Indefinite Delay in Proposed Subdivision Changes
By Mike Lednovich At the urging of Vice Mayor David Sturges, the Fernandina Beach City Commission did an abrupt about-face and agreed to suspend efforts to change sections of the city's Land …
County News
It's That Time to Build a Lifeguard Team
By Wilma Allen
As days get longer and temperatures rise, Fernandina Beach’s Ocean Rescue Division is actively recruiting and training lifeguards for what could be their busiest summer ever.
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Commentary: Six Short Lessons for Our School Board
By Mike Phillips The Nassau County School Board was treated Thursday evening to a lesson on what literate citizens can do, something that a lot of people who’ve been behind book bans can’t do: …
St. Marys Mine Hearing Available Via Zoom
By Paula Alford The quality of life for all of us living near the St. Marys River may be at risk if titanium oxide mining operations at the river’s headwaters near the Okefenokee National Wildlife …
Most read stories
Arts & Culture
A Magical Day in a Very Hot Swamp
By Lauri deGaris Last week, my friend Charlotte invited me to join her and a few others on a boat trip through the Okefenokee Swamp. My first thought was yes, I would love to go on a boat trip …
ACT Comedy "First Date" Opens June 7
By Linda McLane Amelia Community Theatre invites you to the romantic musical comedy “First Date,” opening on June 7. Audiences will have the fun of watching a first date/blind date unfold in real …
'Odd Couple' Bringing Loads of Laughs to Playhouse
AMP owner Gregg Dillingham puts the finishing touches on “The Odd Couple” set with box office volunteer Beth Perkins.[/caption] By Wilma Allen Amelia Musical Playhouse is known for its fun …
Marlene Marie Chapman (71), of Fernandina Beach, passed away peacefully at Community Hospice Jane and Bill Warner Center for Caring on February 17, 2024, following a courageous battle against cancer. …
Guy Petty Guy Edmund Petty died on May 9, 2023. With great dignity and a Guy-like sense of humor, he suffered the ravages of Parkinson’s disease for over 15 years. But that’s not what we remember …
Carolyn Edna Phanstiel was born in Queens, New York, February 28, 1938, and died peacefully at home April 30, 2023, surrounded by loved ones and gazing upon the Atlantic Ocean. Carolyn was …
Editor’s note: We were saddened to learn of the death of Malcolm “Mac” Noden. While serving as a writer for the Fernandina Observer, Mac wrote articles on various aspects of tourism. He served …
By Jo-Ann Leimberg & Jay Kayne Stephan Robert Leimberg On Dec. 1, 2022, Amelia Island lost a true “Renaissance Man” in the tradition of Leonardo da Vinci and Thomas Jefferson. Steve Leimberg …
Community
Coming Soon: A Coffee Place With a Mission
By Dylan Bailey If you’re a coffee connoisseur, there’s a new coffee shop on the horizon. Holy Grounds Coffee House is not just another charming cafe – it's a ministry dedicated to fostering …
By Lyn Panone On April 23, 2023, Nassau County Commissioners Martin, Huppman, Gray and Farmer agreed to give Riverstone the green light to build 11 condominium towers, at least 85 feet high, next to …
This year’s 3rd annual Barnabas Center Fashion Show Honoring Hometown Heroes, which takes place on Monday, Feb. 26, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Host Sponsor Mocama Beer Company, is officially sold out. The …
The Amelia returns in 2024 with a week-long celebration of motoring excellence. Attendees will enjoy activities across Amelia Island , including opportunities to get behind the wheel of enthusiast …
Churches & Charities
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 …
As you travel along Atlantic Avenue and N. 10th Street at the east end of the historic district in Fernandina Beach, you will see a sign that reads: New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Exterior …
Schools
Big Raise Approved for Nassau Teachers
By Wes Wolfe Florida Politics Nassau County is making moves, working to better compensate the school district’s teachers. A new agreement with the local teachers’ union is headed in that …
It's Time Again to Get Books to Children
Ferst Readers of Nassau County is once again partnering with Nassau County Public Schools for our 4th Annual Coin Drive Fundraiser during Florida Literacy Week, Jan. 23-27. This is one of our …
Nassau K-12 Closures
Nassau County Schools closed in anticipation of Hurricane Ian Nassau County School District has announced that classes will be closed Thursday and Friday, and that all after-school activities …
Business
Bretts and the City: No Love Lost
By Mike Lednovich While the owners of Brett's Waterway Cafe want a big payday over damages they claim were a result of engineering experts declaring the restaurant's substructure unsafe, the city has …
Want to Know More about the Bioethanol Proposal?
RYAM has issued an invitation to an open house at its 10 Gum St. facility for people to learn more about its proposed bioethanol process addition to its facility. The time is Wednesday, March 6, 4-7 …
Coastal Furnishings Closing for Good
After almost a decade of serving the coastal communities of Nassau County, independent furniture retailer Coastal Home Furnishings will close permanently. The family-owned home furnishings and …
5-Day Forecast
Thursday
Sunny then Chance T-storms
High: 94°F
(-18°C)
(-18°C)
Friday
Slight Chance T-storms then Chance T-storms
High: 91°F
(-18°C)
(-18°C)
Saturday
Chance Showers then Chance T-storms
High: 91°F
(-18°C)
(-18°C)
Sunday
Chance T-storms
High: 91°F
(-18°C)
(-18°C)
Monday
Chance Showers then T-storms Likely
High: 91°F
(-18°C)
(-18°C)
Backyard Bliss
My outdoor office in spring is enhanced with the sight and scent of a blooming wisteria vine. It’s my favorite time of year in our backyard. The air is warmish, but not hot and …
A Journey Into the World of Falconry
Rough-Legged Hawk. Print by John James Audubon. Courtesy of Harvard Art Museums. By Lauri deGaris Over the past few years, I have enjoyed sharing numerous picnics on Cumberland Island with …
Pat’s Wildways: Warming Up
By Pat Foster-Turley Turtles line the sunny banks on a cool day on the Greenway. There is always something to catch my eye when I walk on the Egans Creek Greenway. This time, it was reptiles. Spring …
Pat’s Wildways: Arizona Skies
By Pat Foster-Turley The sun sets over the Sonora Desert cacti. One of my main motivations for visiting southern Arizona with my brother recently was the attraction of the night skies. Arizona has a …
Titanium Mine Hearing Finds Not a Single Supporter
By Paula Alford Not one supportive comment was heard on March 5, when more than 200 organizations and individuals testified in strong opposition to the draft air, groundwater and surface mining …
Mays, who died on June 18, 2024, at the age of 93, was not only the greatest baseball player of the last 80 years, and quite possibly ever, but he was an enormously important figure in American sports, culture and history. …
(Family Features)
Fourth of July fun calls for favorite snacks that complement the excitement. Whether you're a pyro or prefer to leave the fiery entertainment to the experts, one thing you can take charge of is the dessert table with recipes like Apple and Berry Cream Cheese Tarts and Patriotic Apple "Donuts."
(BPT) - Has your dog been acting differently? Do they seem to be slowing down? What many pet owners don’t realize is that changes in behavior can also mean your four-legged friend is in pain. …
(BPT) - Summer has arrived! If you're lucky enough to find a pool to spend the summer by, a pool party is a must. Whether you're taking advantage of the sunshine and hot weather during the day or …
(BPT) - Do you regularly experience headaches or migraines? You’re not alone. Headache disorders, including migraines, tension headaches and cluster headaches, are some of the most common …