Top stories
Legion Won't Be Marching With Exclusive Group
Fallout from the Christian Heritage parade's requirement that marchers sign a "Statement of Shared Convictions" continues with the latest revelation involving Fernandina Beach American Legion Post …
City news
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.
Baptists Abandon Condo Plans Near Buccaneer Trail
Amelia Baptist Church has abandoned plans to build two condominium buildings with 24 total units along the Amelia River on an oak-lined street of residential homes off Buccaneer …
Speakers, Not Christian Enough, Tell City That Parade is a Warning Sign
Local entertainer Brian Ernst said all he wanted to do was to march shoulder-to-shoulder with his Christian brothers at the Christian Heritage parade …
Antun and Ross Force an Airing on Public Comments
Two weeks ago, city commissioners spent an hour debating whether they should hold a monthly town hall meeting for citizens and if the public comment …
County News
Sapp Is the New Dem Director
The Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) of Nassau County has elected Suzanne Sapp to lead the committee through the coming election year.
As DEC Chair, Sapp is responsible for …
School Board Rejects Knocke View of History Textbook
The Nassau County School Board was unanimous in voting to deny Citizens Defending Freedom's (CDF) objections to a world history textbook …
City-Port Fuss Takes Another Step Toward Resolution
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. …
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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Most read stories
Arts & Culture
A Magical Day in a Very Hot Swamp
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 …
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 …
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
Stronger Together: How No Ethanol Fernandina Was Born
Amelia Island is blessed with many volunteer groups protecting its heritage trees and beaches and ensuring turtles are kept in the dark. In addition to the environment, citizens are …
Want to Be in the New Parade? Have the Right Beliefs
Fernandina Beach is a parade-loving town! There will be a new parade in town on June 29, a Christian Heritage parade. As a Christian, I wondered what it was about. I looked …
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 …
RV Service for the Homeless
The Coalition for the Homeless of Nassau County has a mobile RV that offers showers, laundry, a restroom, food and drinks and other resources. Here is the RV’s June schedule: Yulee Baptist, 463056 …
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
Friday
Chance T-storms then T-storms Likely
High: 88°F
(-18°C)
(-18°C)
Saturday
Chance T-storms then T-storms Likely
High: 88°F
(-18°C)
(-18°C)
Sunday
Chance T-storms then T-storms
High: 88°F
(-18°C)
(-18°C)
Monday
Chance T-storms then T-storms
High: 87°F
(-18°C)
(-18°C)
Tuesday
Chance T-storms then T-storms
High: 86°F
(-18°C)
(-18°C)
Pat’s Wildways: My Birthday This Time
Bucko and I were in a challenge this year: Who could come up with the best birthday outing for one another? A few weeks ago, we celebrated his milestone birthday in our favorite …
Zoo and FWC Partnering to Expand Manatee Care
Tucked away behind the scenes of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is the Northeast Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) Marine Mammal Response Field Laboratory. FWC is part of the …
Pat’s Wildways: Romeo, O Romeo
I had a big desire for my birthday this year. I wanted Bucko to go with …
Take It from Chessie the Manatee: You Can Help
In the fall of 1994, reports began to surface that a West Indian manatee was swimming in the Chesapeake Bay. The West Indian manatee is typically found in the warm waters of Florida …
Pat’s Wildways: Congaree and Penn
The entrance walkway at Congaree and Penn. If you are looking for an interesting nearby Saturday or Sunday day trip, you might want to check out Congaree and Penn , a …
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 …