Top stories

Utility cables likely prevented tragedy in gangway collapse

By Mike Lednovich
10 hours ago
The collapse of a city marina gangway during the Fernandina Beach's Fourth of July fireworks celebration last Friday could have ended in catastrophe if not for a bundle of utility cables and steel …

City faces renewed Tringali controversy over triplex building permits

Two of the former Tringali lots on 4th Street
By Mike Lednovich
Yesterday at 6:51 AM
The long-running saga over the controversial downtown Tringali property reached a new flashpoint Thursday, as the city of Fernandina Beach issued building permits for a series of triplexes — …

City commission to vote on $380K settlement with Brett’s Waterway Cafe owners

By Mike Lednovich
3 days ago
City commissioners will vote Tuesday on a proposed legal settlement that would pay $380,000 to the leaseholders of Brett’s Waterway Cafe, resolving a lengthy legal dispute over the soon …

Damaged marina gangway removed as investigation into July 4 collapse continues

By Mike Lednovich
4 days ago
Crews on Tuesday successfully removed the damaged section of the Fernandina Harbor Marina gangway that collapsed into the Amelia River during the city’s annual Independence Day fireworks celebration.

City Paid Parking Proposals: A Side-by-Side Comparison

By Mike Lednovich
5 days ago
The Fernandina Observer leveraged the horsepower of artificial intelligence to produce a side-by-side comparison of the three paid parking proposals submitted to the City of Fernandina …
Today's Showcase
Pat's Wildways

Pat’s Wildways: not like our shrimp festival

Giant lobsters on the grills

By Pat Foster-Turley
Yesterday at 3:30 AM

Bucko and I are back in our happy place in time for the Placencia Lobster Festival just down the beach from our usual hotel in Belize. We were still reeling from the overcrowded, heavily touristed …

Digital Compass

Using two email addresses: a smart strategy for digital security

By Deryck Burnett
3 days ago

In today's digital landscape, your email serves as the gateway to your most sensitive information. Creating a two-email system — one for sensitive communications and another for everyday use …

Off the Porch

American flag

By Dickie Anderson
4 days ago

Another holiday is behind us. Decorations put away. This holiday, the decor is red, white and blue. Driving around the island this last Fourth of July weekend, it made me smile when I saw so many …

From the HeART

A small kindness with a big benefit

By Linda Hart Green
Sunday, July 6

I was a nerdy kid who loved school. While my friends bemoaned the start of school in the late summer, I kept my mouth shut. I was looking forward to it. I loved shopping for a new outfit and getting …

The role of media then and now

By Linda Hart Green
Sunday, June 29
We watched the news for 30 minutes in the evening when I was growing up. The broadcast consisted of one person, Walter Cronkite, in black and white. We assumed what he reported was factual because it …
Off the Porch

Clutter – Can't live with it, can't live without it

By Dickie Anderson
Wednesday, July 2

It is not easy to avoid clutter. It doesn't take long to have piles. Big Guy and I fight piles. We tend to cover our tables and open surfaces with bits and pieces of our lives. One person's clutter …

From Penguins to Elephants

By Dickie Anderson
Wednesday, June 25
A while ago, I wrote about my first trip to Africa. It was a life-changing experience, and my sister and I were quick to plan another trip to explore further the country that has seduced us with its …
Digital Compass

How Blinkist can support cognitive health

By Deryck Burnett
Thursday, July 3

Keeping your mind sharp is essential for memory, problem-solving, and overall mental agility. Blinkist, an app offering 15-minute summaries of non-fiction books, provides a practical and efficient …

My favorite new browser for Mac and PC

By Deryck Burnett
Thursday, June 26
For years, I stuck with Google Chrome because no other browser fully measured up. Some were fast but lacked essential features, while others offered customization but struggled with performance. …
Dining With Dylan

Still Looping: A local spot that refuses to change (and that’s okay)

By Dylan Bailey
Saturday, June 21

The Loop in Fernandina Beach has been around forever — or at least long enough to feel like it. I still remember coming here on a field trip from Paks Karate, sitting at one of the booths, …

Shuckers Oyster Bar & Grill: Where the view slaps harder than the gator tail

By Dylan Bailey
Saturday, June 7
If you’ve ever crossed the bridge heading toward the island, you’ve passed Shuckers. If you’ve lived here longer than a weekend, you’ve probably been there — or at least …
Pat's Wildways
My zinnias are the highlight of my gardening these days.

Pat’s Wildways: Backyard Bliss

By Pat Foster-Turley
Friday, July 4

It seems like many of my weekly stories are about adventures in far-off places, but really enjoying my own backyard is its own adventure. Now it is clearly spring, nearing summer, and my yard has …

Pat’s Wildways: Lizard Tails

By Pat Foster-Turley
Friday, June 27
When I travel anywhere I am always on the lookout for sights and experiences that I can relate to my local readers in Florida. And there is always something. This time, I’m reminiscing about …

Commission rescinds $175K trolley pilot with JTA, citing cost and limited resident benefit

By Mike Lednovich
5 days ago
In a unanimous 5–0 vote last Tuesday, the Fernandina Beach City Commission reversed its earlier approval of a $175,000 three-month pilot program with the Jacksonville Transit Authority (JTA) to …

Big Beautiful Bill protest at Bean's office

5 days ago
 A spirited but peaceful protest unfolded outside Congressman Aaron Bean’s Fernandina Beach office Monday, organized by Unified Nassau—a non-partisan coalition of concerned local citizens.
Nature
Pride by Jamie Wyeth in 2005

Jamie Wyeth’s gulls and the human condition

By Lauri Holton
5 days ago
In the summer of 2007, the exhibition of Jamie Wyeth’s “The Seven Deadly Sins” was on exhibit at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland, Maine. I happen to be visiting Rockland at the …

'Jaws' 50th anniversary

OCEARCH researcher with shark.
By Lauri Holton
Saturday, June 28
I was a teen living in North Florida during the summer of 1975. Some of my favorite memories from that time include the two-story slide behind Regency Square shopping mall and listening to “The …
Swamp lily.

Okefenokee mining threat no more

By Lauri Holton
Sunday, June 22
I could sense the tears building up in my eyes as I read the news. Then, the tears began to stream down my cheeks. I could no longer hold back the river of relief and pure joy that I was feeling. …

Manatees and the Indian River Lagoon

Dead manatees pile up inside a large trash bin near the Indian River Lagoon. A federal judge ordered the state to stop allowing the water pollution that leads to these deaths, but Florida has decided to fight the order.
By Lauri Holton
Saturday, June 21
From 2020 to 2022, more than 1,200 manatees starved to death in Florida. The manatee mortality event was caused by the destruction of the coastal, seagrass, and warm-water habitats upon which they …
County News
First responders act quickly

Fire Chief describes gangway collapse

By Mike Lednovich
Sunday, July 6
A structural collapse of a gangway at the city marina during Friday night’s Fourth of July fireworks display triggered initial panic among spectators, with fears of an active shooter later …
City News
Spectators thought it was gunfire

Marina gangway collapses during fireworks

By Mike Lednovich
Saturday, July 5
A large gangway at the Fernandina Beach Harbor Marina collapsed during Friday’s fireworks display. While a few individuals sustained minor injuries, all were treated at the scene and none …
Health
First Missionary Baptist Church at Ninth and Ash streets, Fernandina Beach. The Fellowship Hall houses a cooling center, open when the heat index prediction is 103 degrees or higher.
By Shari Roan
5 days ago
Cases of heat-related illness are occurring more often as U.S. summers get hotter and longer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Already this year, Jacksonville recorded the hottest …
Read more.
Tireless work in Tallahassee led to the successful passage of the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act. The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Dean Black and supported by the National Blood Clot Alliance. From left: Leslie Lake, president of the National Blood Clot Alliance; Rep. Dean Black; Emily’s parents, Janet and Doug Adkins; and her brother, Douglas Adkins.
By Shari Roan
Tuesday, July 1
A new Florida law may soon provide greater awareness and protection against dangerous blood clots, an under-recognized medical problem that kills an estimated 100,000 Americans each year.
Read more.
Business

10 restaurants failed first inspections last week

Wednesday, February 5
Readers can view the full report for each establishment at https://data.jacksonville.com/restaurant-inspections/nassau/   BANTAM AND BIDDY Administrative complaint …

Sparkling Event Venue Opens at Amelia River Golf Club

By Shari Roan
Tuesday, February 4
Engaged couples, vendors and invited guests celebrated the grand opening of a 6,000-square-foot event center Jan. 25 at Amelia River Golf Club. The venue is the brainchild of Tom and Michelle Miller. …

Inspectors Cite 23 Restaurants

Wednesday, January 29
These records are sanitation and safety inspections conducted by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants on public food service establishments. Each inspection report is a "snapshot" of conditions …
Special Features
Bottle with message inside.

A Message in a Bottle Leads to Stories From Everywhere

By Lauri deGaris
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
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 …

The Remarkable Journey of Cumberland Island Museum's Collection

Carol Ruckdeschel in the Cumberland Island Museum.
By Lauri Holton
Monday, February 17
In December 1990, the 5-log schooner Behemoth made two trips from Fernandina Beach to Brickhill​ Bluff. The 100-year-old nonmotorized vessel was owned, maintained and operated by Les Johnson. The …
Community
Community
6 employees terminated

Sheriff arrests deputies for 'double-dipping' pay

By Mike Lednovich
Friday, July 4
Following a month-and-a-half-long investigation, the Nassau County Sheriff's Office said they have arrested three employees - two sergeants and one deputy - and have warrants for two additional sergeants.
A video report

Sadler Publix comes down!

By Mike Lednovich
Thursday, July 3
The massive Publix supermarket on Sadler Road is almost no more.  Demolition crews worked into the early evening Wednesday taking down the structure. Watch our video report below:
7 restaurants didn't pass the first inspection
Monday, June 30
Disclaimer: These records are sanitation and safety inspections conducted by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants on public food service establishments. Each inspection report is a "snapshot" …
Churches & Charities
Sunday, April 20
National Braille Press (NBP) announced its 5th Braille Across America Challenge, where Kristin Robar of Yulee, Florida, is among the 70 participants from 21 states who are raising funds and spreading …
Tuesday, April 15
First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach, established on May 22, 1858, is delighted to announce the launch of a significant remodeling project for The Anchor, a cherished community landmark and …
5-Day Forecast
Sunday
Slight Chance T-storms then T-storms Likely
High: 89°F
(-18°C)
Monday
Slight Chance T-storms then T-storms Likely
High: 87°F
(-18°C)
Tuesday
Chance T-storms then T-storms Likely
High: 84°F
(-18°C)
Wednesday
Chance Showers then T-storms and Breezy
High: 84°F
(-18°C)
Thursday
Chance Showers then T-storms
High: 85°F
(-18°C)