Category Archives: Featured Story

City Opens Up Path to Bigger Shopping Centers

By Mike Lednovich By votes of 4-1, the Fernandina Beach City Commission Tuesday paved the [...]

Florida’s ‘Worst Legislative Session Ever’ Attacks Personal Freedom, Some Laws Go into Effect Today

By April L. Bogle Experts on some of Florida’s most contentious public policy issues – [...]

When a Cigar-Lover Becomes an Institution

By Dylan Bailey Scott Weaver, a retired Navy man, is an institution of sorts. His [...]

Team Ohana Rows for a Cure and for Veterans

By Mike Lednovich Fernandina Beach-based Team Ohana began its 2,800-mile journey Monday to row from [...]

She Was Many Things, but First a Great Teacher

By Raymond Arsenault Carolyn Phanstiel, who died earlier this week at the age of 85, [...]

Commentary: A Church Where ALL means ALL

By Rev. Dr. Mark Charles I was told a story today about an individual in [...]

The Uses, and The Magic, of Our Sands

By Lauri deGaris North Florida’s beaches are made up of three common types of sand [...]

Old Town Home Tour April 8, 10-4

By Jennifer Harrison Old Town Fernadina was the last Spanish town platted in the New [...]

As Expected, City Manager Fired

By Mike Phillips Was it a done deal? Of course it was. Well before the [...]

Commentary: Cement Dust and Nassau’s Waterways

  Editor’s note: St Marys Riverkeeper — one of 15 Riverkeeper units in Florida — [...]

Big, Mysterious Surprise on Townhouse Proposal

By Mike Phillips City Hall was packed last night. Standing room only of citizens, many [...]

Huge Concrete Dust Bags Rupture at Port

By Mike Lednovich       Residents of the historic downtown neighborhood near the Port [...]

It’s a Non-Partisan City Government — But Are You Sure?

By April L. Bogle I don’t know anyone who wants the political battles being fought [...]

Welcome to Fernandina Beach: A Kerfuffle Over the Sign

By Wes Wolfe Florida Politics Those wanting to turn Amelia Island into the sort of [...]

Starting Point Gets $4 Million Grant

Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare has been awarded $4 million in funding from the U.S. Substance [...]

Take Note of a Very Important Referendum on the November Ballot

By Mike Phillips Nassau County has a reputation for disliking bond issues, but it also [...]

A Very Big Saturday for the 7th Street Markets

By Judie Mackie Saturday marks the 10th anniversary of the Fernandina Beach Market Place farmers [...]

City Manager’s Weekly Comments – National Community Survey Results

By Dale Martin September 2, 2022 The data from the City’s recent National Community Survey [...]

Amelia Island revealed . . .

By Darryl Stair July 30. 2022 Editor’s Note: Darryl Stair is a semi-pro photographer from [...]

Pat’s Wildways: The Greenway in Summer

  By Pat-Foster Turley It took some news about ants crawling all over places on [...]

Amelia Island revealed . . .

July 23, 2022 For those of you who have not had the opportunity to walk [...]

Pat’s Wildways: Getting Antsy

By Pat Foster-Turley July 21, 2022 Thanks to Bill Birdsong, with his eyes and camera [...]

Pat’s Wildways: Always Learning

By Pat Foster-Turley, Ph.D. July 14, 2022 Pat’s Wildways: Always Learning Whenever I travel internationally, [...]

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune National Statuary Hall Dedication

Florida House Press Release July 12, 2022      

Amelia Island revealed . . .

By Stephan R. Leimberg unseenimages.com July 9, 2022 “Marsh Madness” Photo courtesy of Stephan R. [...]

Pat’s Wildways: Small World

By Pat Foster-Turley July 7, 2022 Southeast Asia is getting to feel too far away [...]

4th of July Hometown Celebration – Fireworks to launch at 9:00 pm.

July 3, 2022 4th of July Hometown Celebration July 4, 2022 Marina Parking Lot B [...]

Pat’s Wildways: Backyard Barnyard

By Pat Foster-Turley June 30, 2022 During our early years in our home bordering a [...]

Cargo Ship Fire at Port of Fernandina

Fernandina Beach Fire Department Ty Silcox, Fire Chief Press Release www.fbfl.us June 27, 2022 At [...]

Amelia Island revealed . . .

By Buddy Price Buddy Price Photography June 25, 2022 Editor’s Note: Buddy Price is from [...]

Pat’s Wildways: Retirement Home for Horses

By Pat Foster-Turley June 23, 2022 Like many girls, I grew up enamored with horses. [...]

Amelia Island revealed . . .

Photographs by Hal and Kirsten Snyder Information from Bill George June 18, 2022 The Snyder [...]

Pat’s Wildways: Amelia River Cruising

By Pat Foster-Turley June 13, 2022 It’s good to be back again writing my columns [...]

Amelia Island revealed . . .

By Dan Kossman June 10, 2022     Editor’s Note:  The Amelia Island Bird Club [...]

Clay, Nassau Sheriffs endorse Aaron Bean for CD 4

By Wes Wolfe FloridaPolitics.com June 10, 2022 Bean also reiterated his support for law enforcement. [...]

Amelia Island revealed . . .

By Wayne Howard June 4, 2022 Editor’s Note: For our readers who miss the pier [...]

VFW Post 4351 to host Memorial Day Ceremony – May 30

City of Fernandina Beach May 27, 2022 Memorial Day Ceremony Monday, May 30, 2022 11:00 [...]

Amelia Island revealed . . .

By Brett Lupfer May 21, 2022 Editor’s Note: Brett Lupfer is a professional photographer/videographer who [...]

Amelia Island revealed . . .

By David Roberts May 14, 2022 Editor’s Note: David Lee Roberts grew up in Fernandina [...]

In honor of Fernandina Observer’s 10 Year Anniversary – Reflections and appreciation

By Susan Hardee Sreger Editor May 11, 2022   Ten years ago, the Fernandina Observer [...]

Steve Leimberg – A look back

By Stephan R. Leimberg unseenimages.com May 11, 2022   Editor’s Note: As we continue to [...]

Swimming with the manatees at Crystal River – A look back

By Karen Thompson Features Reporter Photos courtesy of Kathy Russell May 10, 2022 First posted [...]

“How to create a charter county government” A look back

By Suanne Z. Thamm Reporter – News Analyst Originally posted  July 2015 Editor’s Note: We [...]

Faux Fernandina – A Hurricane Dora photo – A look back

By Susan Hardee Steger May 9,  2022 Originally posted June 2017 Editor’s Note:  This story [...]

Fernandina’s Shrimping Industry: Storied Past, Uncertain Future – A Look Back

By Anne H. Oman Reporter-At-Large May 8, 2022 April 3, 2019 10:30 a.m. Editor’s Note: [...]

Police blotter blast – A look back

By Deborah Lavery Powers May 6, 2020 Originally posted December 2012 Editor’s Note: Deborah Powers [...]

At random – A look back

By Evelyn C. McDonald Arts & Culture Reporter May 6, 2022 Originally posted March 12, [...]

Impact Fees “A Paper Napkin Calculation?” – A look back

By Adam Kaufman Legal Analyst May 5, 2022 Originally posted Dec 5, 2013 Editor’s Note: [...]

Public art on display on Amelia Island – A look back

By Cindy Jackson Reporter Photos courtesy of Lauri deGaris May 5, 2022 Originally posted November [...]

Pat’s Wildways: Southern Forest World

By Pat-Foster Turley, Ph.D. May 5, 2022 Looks like this is my last new column [...]

Pat’s Wildways: Happening at the inlet – A look back

  By Pat Foster-Turley May 2022 First posted June 2021 Editor’s Note: We asked Pat [...]

“You ain’t cool if you ain’t riding a mule!” – A look back

By Gerry Clare Roving Reporter May 2022 First Posted November 08,  2013 Editor’s Note: Gerry Clare [...]

Shrimp Fest 2022 kicks off with an awesome parade!

May 2, 2022 If you weren’t one of the hundreds who lined the parade route [...]

Amelia Island revealed . . .

By Mark Gearis April 30, 2022   Editor’s Note:  For today’s  Amelia Island revealed, we [...]

The best shrimp are ‘Wild-Caught’ – A video

Amelia Island Tourism April 30, 2022   Editor’s Note:  This Shrimp Festival weekend, we decided [...]

Fernandina Port names new Executive Director after 8 months

By Wes Wolfe FloridaPolitics.com April 29, 2022 Chris Ragucci’s removal as Port Director in August [...]

Answers could be coming on Fernandina Port’s unknown tugboat revenue

By Wes Wolfe FloridaPolitics.com April 29, 2022 Commissioners will take up the matter at the [...]

Pat’s Wildways: Heirloom pecans disappearing

By Pat Foster-Turley, Ph.D. April 28, 2022 It seems like just yesterday I was roaming [...]

Judge finds Fernandina Port operator in civil contempt

By Wes Wolfe FloridaPolitics.com April 26, 2022 ASM Capital is to schedule a hearing with [...]

Federal judge dismisses suit by Omni Amelia Island against property owners

By Wes Wolfe FloridaPolitics.com April 26, 2022 Omni didn’t follow proper procedures in first going [...]

“History of Fernandina Waterfront”

By William L. Tilson E.C.”Clinch” Kavanaugh April 25, 2022 The Amelia Island Museum of History [...]

Amelia Island revealed . . .

By Lea Gallardo First posted in 2013 April 23, 2022   Editor’s note: This Sunday [...]

Pat’s Wildways: Leaping Lizards

By Pat-Foster-Turley Ph.D. April 21. 2022 It doesn’t take long for new north Florida residents [...]

‘No beef’ with cruises at Fernandina Port after talks

By Wes Wolfe FloridaPolitics.com April 20, 2022 The belief was WestRock’s deal with the Port [...]

Omni Amelia Island Resort debuts “Little Sandy” short course

Omni Amelia Island Resort Press Release April 19, 2022 (AMELIA ISLAND, Fla.) – Omni Amelia [...]

Amelia Island revealed . . .

By Dana Hermanson April 16, 2022 Editor’s Note:  Dana Hermanson and his wife Heather are [...]

Don’t forget: Federal taxes are due on April 18 this year!

April 16, 2022 Our friends at the IRS have extended this year’s filing deadline from [...]

Upcoming Editor Mike Phillips introduces himself to the community

By Mike Phillips April 14, 2022 Hello, Fernandina, Amelia Island and Nassau County. I fell [...]

Good pond, bad pond

By Pat Foster-Turley April 14, 2022 It’s been a few weeks since I’ve given you [...]

Update to Bonnieview Road bones discovery

Press Release April 14, 2022   Yulee, Fla. – The medical examiner has determined that [...]

Fernandina Observer announces new leadership

By Susan Hardee Steger Editor April 13, 2022     On May 12, after ten [...]

Amelia Island revealed . . .

By Susan Jordan April 9, 2022   Editor’s Note: Susan Jordan and her husband made [...]

Story & Song launches Center for Arts & Culture

Story & Song Bookstore Bistro Press Release April 4, 2022 Amelia Island, Florida — Story [...]

Amelia Island revealed . . .

By Hal and Kirsten Snyder April 2, 2022 Editor’s Note:  First posted in July of [...]