By Bethany Blankley The Center Square September 18, 2021 Hurricane Ida has already caused oil…
Author: Suanne Thamm
Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.
Survey finds bipartisan opposition to gerrymandering
By Anne Geggis FloridaPolitics.com September 17, 2021 Voters would give up their party’s advantage for more…
Nassau County Seeking Volunteer to Serve on Planning & Zoning Board
from The County Insider Office of the Nassau County Manager September 17, 2021 9/16/21 @ 10:15…
DeSantis hits bipartisan ‘sweet spot’ with proposed slash in Florida K-12 standardized testing
By John Haughey The Center Square September 16, 2021 Gov. Ron DeSantis spearheaded the effort to…
Island Hop Craft Beer Fest is SOLD OUT!
BREAKING NEWS September 16.2021 If you were planning to buy tickets at the door Saturday,…
FBCC proclaims Constitution Week September 17–23, 2021
Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm Reporter – News Analyst September 8, 2021 Daughters of the American…
Florida Universities continue to rise in national rankings led by UF
By Peter Schorsch Sunburn September 14, 2021 The University of Florida keeps climbing. A decade…
Fernandina Beach to begin charging Service Fees for credit, debit card payments October 1
City of Fernandina Beach Media Release September 14, 2021 The City of Fernandina Beach will begin…
CAP Mission Statement: Volunteers serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.
Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm Reporter – News Analyst September 14, 2021 Fernandina Beach’s Municipal Airport…
9/11 20th Anniversary Tribute Event
from The County Insider Office of the Nassau County Manager September 13, 2021 Over 100 people…
Ron DeSantis bashed for making Florida ‘only state’ not using federal child food aid program
By Jesse Scheckner FloridaPolitics.com September 11, 2021 Florida’s neediest families are missing out on about $820…
Tommy Hazouri, lion of Jacksonville politics, passes away at 76
By A. G. Gancarski FloridaPolitics.com September 11, 2021 A legacy like no other in Jacksonville politics.…
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) answers Covid-19 related questions
Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm Reporter – News Analyst September 11, 2021 [The EPA website…
Florida’s summer surge of COVID-19 worse than any Democratic-led state
By Scott Powers FloridaPolitics.com September 11, 2021 Democrats fully control 15 states. Here’s how they compare…
Outlier? Poll shows voters still favor Charlie Crist over Ron DeSantis
By Jacob Ogles FloridaPolitics.com September 10, 2021 And they don’t want the GOP incumbent to run…
Nassau County Survey Regarding Beach Access and Parking
from The County Insider Office of the Nassau County Manager September 9, 2021 As previously announced,…
Sabatini vows to be first Florida lawmaker to file a ‘Texas Heartbeat Bill’
By John Haughey The Center Square September 10, 2021 With the U.S. Supreme Court opting…
Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau Wins Six Statewide Awards for Outstanding Tourism Marketing
= MEDIA RELEASE AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. (Sept. 9, 2021) – During the Florida Governor’s Conference on…
FBCC discusses City fee changes
Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm Reporter – News Analyst September 9, 2021 Fernandina Beach City Commissioners…
Florida’s long, hot, ‘sad’ COVID-19 summer
By Scott Powers FloridaPolitics.com September 9, 2021 On Memorial Day, the summer looked really good. It…
Nassau County Conservation Land Acquisition and Management Committee to Meet September 16
from The County Insider Office of the Nassau County Manager September 9, 2021 In January 2021,…
FBCC considers 2 voluntary annexation requests, approves only one
Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm Reporter – News Analyst September 8, 2021 The Fernandina Beach City…
The “Case of the Lost FEMA Document” is solved
Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm Reporter – News Analyst September 8, 2021 At the end of…
September 2021 FBCC Dog of the Month: Petey
Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm Reporter – News Analyst September 8, 2021 Petey made his public…
FBCC holds first Public Hearing on FY2021/22 proposed millage rate
Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm Reporter – News Analyst September 8, 2021 The Fernandina Beach City…
Surge of uncertainty hits some of fall’s biggest events
By Anne Geggis FloridaPolitics.com September 7, 2021 Miami Book Fair, Fantasy Fest and the return of…
Florida suit seeking retroactive federal unemployment benefits fails as program sunsets
By John Haughey The Center Square September 10, 2021 The last payments under federal Pandemic Unemployment…
Report: Mexican imports cost Florida farmers up to $4B in annual ‘lost’ sales
By John Haughey The Center Square September 5, 2021 Congressional representatives and state officials are stepping…
Nassau County Road & Lane Closures: Week of September 4-10, 2021
I-95 at Tide Creek Daytime lane closures Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.…
Gov. DeSantis: Rising COVID-19 deaths in Florida ‘a really terrible thing’
By Scott Powers FloridaPolitics.com September 2, 2021 But he expressed no direct sympathy or remorse. Gov.…
Florida Hospital Association’s Mary Mayhew touts ‘very encouraging trends’ for COVID-19
By Scott Powers FloridaPolitics.com September 2, 2021 But it’s not over. ‘Our hospitals are still…
Cord Byrd to seek reelection after abandoning Senate run
By A.G. Gancarski FloridaPolitics.com September 2, 2021 Byrd abandoned a Senate bid weeks back. Rep.…
The FEMA agreement to settle the City’s compensation dispute over Matthew-related damages
[City of Fernandina Beach Manager Dale Martin has furnished a copy of the arbitration agreement which…
DeSantis says state will win on appeal after ruling nixes ban on school mask mandates
By John Haughey The Center Square September 1, 2021 Parents have the right to opt their…
Beach Cleanup and Volunteer Appreciation Cookout September 7
Keep Nassau Beautiful is hosting a beach clean-up event on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 from…
John Rutherford calls for Joe Biden’s resignation
By A. G. Gancarski FloridaPolitics.com August 31, 2021 The Congressman also wants Pelosi gone. A Republican…
Which Florida school boards and other jurisdictions impose mask mandates?
Editorial Board FloridaPolitics.com August 31, 2021 As the delta variant surges, will you be required…
‘Virus politics’: Carlos Smith, government accountability group sue Ron DeSantis admin for COVID-19 data
By Jesse Scheckner FloridaPolitics.com August 31, 2021 ‘Virus politics should not dictate what information is…
Facebook COVID-19 alerts are making an impact in Florida communities
FloridaPolitics.com Staff Report August 30, 2021 Facebook data also shows a 3% decrease in vaccine reluctance…
Nikki Fried: Cow dewormer sold out in Florida because people are taking it for COVID-19
By Jesse Sheckner FloridaPolitics.com August 30, 2021 It’s a problem for animals that need the drug…
Portion of I-95 in Nassau County Designated as Purple Heart Memorial Highway
from The County Insider Office of the Nassau County Manager August 30, 2021 8/30/21 @ 10:30…
Hurricane Ida likely to ravage Florida gas prices
By Scott Powers FloridaPolitics.com August 30, 2021 Pump prices could climb 10-20% because of Ida’s impact…
Staffing shortages forcing Florida to ‘temporarily’ close three state prisons
By John Haughey The Center Square August 28, 2021 During their 2021 legislative session, Florida lawmakers…
“It takes an island to cross an ocean.” — Paul Lore
Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm Reporter – News Analyst August 28, 2021 Saturday, August 21,…
Florida Poison Control sees uptick in ivermectin cases, Nikki Fried urges Gov. DeSantis to disavow use
By Kelly Hayes FloridaPolitics.com August 29, 2021 Florida’s Poison Control Center has treated 27 ivermectin-related cases…
Florida Chamber: State has ‘recovered’ 950,000 of 1.3 million jobs lost last year
By John Haughey The Center Square August 26, 2021 Florida has recovered more than 950,000 jobs…
DeSantis demands Feds account for all people ‘resettled’ in Florida
By John Haughey The Center Square August 27, 2021 During the first six months of 2021,…
Judge rules Florida school mandatory mask ban is unconstitutional
By John Haughey The Center Square August 28, 2021 Leon County Circuit Court Judge John Cooper…
Blueline tilefish recreational season closes Sept. 1 in Atlantic state waters
Media Release August 26, 2021 Blueline tilefish closes for recreational harvest in Atlantic state waters…
Nassau County Road and Lane Closures August 28-September 3, 2021
I-95 at Tide Creek Daytime lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and nighttime lane…
Florida restaurants alarmed as resurgent pandemic leaves tables empty
By John Haughey The Center Square August 26, 2021 Just as post-pandemic normalcy appeared within reach,…
Second budget workshop results in balanced FY2021/22 budget for Fernandina Beach
Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm Reporter – News Analyst August 26, 2021 The Fernandina Beach City…
Nassau Board of County Commissioners Adopts New Pavement Management Plan
Nassau County, FL Media Release August 26, 2021 Nassau County, Florida, August 26, 2021 –…
Godspeed and good luck, Debbie McCullough!
Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm Reporter – News Analyst August 26, 2021 More than two dozen…
Florida Elections Commission gearing up for looming challenges
By John Haughey The Center Square August 24, 2021 Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed three members…
Notice of Proposed Property Taxes for Nassau County property owners
from The County Insider Office of the Nassau County Manager August 24, 2021 8/23/21 @ 4:00…
Florida argues ‘masks are unnecessary’ in public K-12 schools
By John Haughey The Center Square August 24, 2021 With at least seven school boards defying…
City retracts support for OHPA grant requests
Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm Reporter – News Analyst August 23, 2021 Fernandina Beach City Clerk…
FBCC discusses a General Obligation Bond referendum for 2022
Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm Reporter – News Analyst August 22, 2021 At their August…
Domestic visitors pacing Florida tourism industry’s recovery
By John Haughey The Center Square August 21, 2021 Domestic travel to Florida between April and…
FBCC wants changes to proposed City fee schedule for FY 2021/22
Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm Reporter – News Analyst August 20, 2021 Each year prior to…
FTC Alleges Facebook Resorted to Illegal Buy-or-Bury Scheme to Crush Competition After String of Failed Attempts to Innovate
Media Release Federal Trade Commission August 20, 2021 Agency’s amended complaint details how the monopolist survived…
Online sales taxes, gambling pact boost two-year Florida revenue forecast by $2.6B
By John Haughey The Center Square August 20, 2021 Citing anticipated revenue boosts from online sales…
Nassau County Newsletter for July 2021 now available
from The County Insider Office of the Nassau County Manager August 17, 2021Click here for the…
City votes 5-0 to withdraw support for OHPA grant requests
Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm Reporter – News Analyst August 19, 2021 A larger audience than…
Nassau County BOCC Approves New Tree Ordinance for Unincorporated Amelia Island
from The County Insider Office of the Nassau County Manager August 18, 2021 At the August…
City declares International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31
Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm Reporter – News Analyst August 18, 2021 International Overdose Awareness…
City of Fernandina Monthly Budget Report: July, 2021
by Pauline Testagrose City Comptroller August 18, 2021 Fernandina Beach Comptroller Pauline Testagrose provided the July…
Florida universities to assume ‘normal, pre-pandemic operations’ when fall semesters begin
By John Haughey The Center Square August 17, 2021 More than 300,000 full-time students and 60,000…
Cars & Cannons Vintage Car Show at Fort Clinch September 25
Friends of Fort Clinch Media Release from Tom Linley (850) 510-7818; [email protected] August 17, 2021 Cars…
Judge to hear Florida parents’ suit against DeSantis’ mask mandate ban Thursday
By John Haughey The Center Square August 17, 2021 Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper on…
North Florida Land Trust cancels Sept. 16 Jazz’N to Save Little NaNa due to COVID concerns
Media Release August 17, 2021 Jacksonville, Fla., Aug. 17, 2021 – North Florida Land Trust has…