Top stories

ICE conducts immigration raid on the island

3 hours ago
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began raids on numerous Amelia Island locations this morning. City officials say they were notified by U.S. Customs of the action earlier today. …

Letter from the Editor

By Mike Phillips
Today
I don't know whether to be angry or embarrassed. Angry that a member of my profession would do such a stupid thing. Embarrassed because I know that some people in this lovely town agree with the guy. …

News-Leader backs down on ban of coverage of PRIDE events

By Mike Lednovich
3 days ago
Mounting public pressure Tuesday led to the Fernandina News-Leader doing an about-face  on the publisher's decision to ban coverage of the local Pride organization. The newspaper printed ... …

39 parking spaces to be added to riverfront area

By Mike Lednovich
4 days ago
The city of Fernandina Beach plans on more riverfront improvements, including adding 39 more parking spaces along Front Street and adjoining areas.

Child drowns near seaside park despite rescue efforts

Saturday, June 7
A 5-year-old child has died following a drowning incident Saturday morning just north of Seaside Park, despite rapid intervention by bystanders, lifeguards, and emergency responders.
Today's Showcase
Digital Compass

Mastering email: a Cal Newport approach to productivity

By Deryck Burnett

In today’s world, email is both a blessing and a curse. It’s quick, convenient, and allows us to communicate across the world in seconds, yet it’s also a major source of distraction …

Off the Porch

Google That

By Dickie Anderson
Yesterday at 3:30 AM

What did we do before the internet? Guess we went to the library and used dictionaries and the thesaurus. Remember phone books? Gone forever. The internet is great, but I do miss hunkering down in …

The importance of using the right name

By Linda Hart Green
5 days ago

An article in the Times-Union of Jacksonville from May 25, 2025 was titled, “Don’t you ‘Sweetie’ me!” by Paula Span. The article was about “elderspeak.” It …

From the HeART

You are not alone

By Linda Hart Green
Sunday, June 1

Grief is difficult in every way. We don’t know what grief will be like until we are plunged into it. We may have a few role models, but good ones are hard to find. As a culture, Americans are …

Spring cleaning

By Linda Hart Green
Sunday, May 25
Spring is already sliding into summer. Maybe you, like me, are thinking of the spring cleaning projects you envisioned completing by now. Maybe your cleaning list stayed on a Post-it note or inside …
Off the Porch
Prescott House on North Sixth Street, Fernandina Beach, Fla., completed in 1876.

Architectural treasures of Amelia Island

By Dickie Anderson
Wednesday, June 4

Architectural Treasures of Amelia Island Amelia Island offers a unique opportunity to experience history. Fernandina Beach's Historic District is a living museum. Like sleeping beauties, the …

Beach magic

By Dickie Anderson
Wednesday, May 28
Plato said, “The sea cures all ailments of man.”   My middle son and his 6-year-old son recently visited. There is only one thing my youngest grandson wanted to do. Go to …
Digital Compass

Skip the cloud: This free app makes file sharing between devices lightning fast

By Deryck Burnett
Thursday, June 5

Local solution eliminates the need for internet uploads and downloads In our increasingly connected world, transferring files between different devices can be surprisingly frustrating. Whether …

Antivirus alone won't protect you: The real danger is social engineering

By Deryck Burnett
Thursday, May 29
In today's digital world, we hear a lot about the importance of antivirus software. And yes, it's essential — it acts like a security guard at the door, scanning for malicious programs like …
Dining With Dylan
Crab queso dip with wonton chips.

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 …

Foxtail Coffee: Sleek, sweet, and worth the return trip

By Dylan Bailey
Monday, May 19
There’s a new contender in the Wildlight caffeine scene. Mocama may have planted its roots first, but Foxtail Coffee has rolled into town with some serious steam, and faster than you’d …
Pat's Wildways
Picking blueberries at Vacuna Farms.

Pat’s Wildways: U-Pick farms

By Pat Foster-Turley
Friday, June 6

It’s blueberry picking season! Recently, I got a hankering for picking my own blueberries and hopefully other produce from a U-pick farm near us. It took a bit of Googling but I found a few …

Pat’s Wildways: Nature near Darien

By Pat Foster-Turley
Friday, May 30
Last week I wrote about walking around the town of Darien, Georgia and all the historical and scenic sights. But when Bucko and I go to Darien, it is not just about the town, but about the various …

Study says city should lower impact fees

By Mike Lednovich
Friday, June 6
An examination of the city of Fernandina Beach's impact fees collected for new construction recommends lowering the assessment by 11 percent to align with what other cities charge.

Paid parking contract would be for three years

By Mike Lednovich
Friday, June 6
An addendum to the Request for Proposal (RFP) that answers questions from a prospective vendor to run a proposed paid parking program for downtown Fernandina Beach provides key details of the city's …
Nature

Graduation season for the birds

By Lauri Holton
Tuesday, May 27
I am reminded it is graduation season by all the signs and banners in my neighborhood celebrating the occasion. These signs remind me it is time to visit Harris Neck Wildlife Refuge to watch another …
Pat's Wildways

Pat’s Wildways: Darien walkabout

Tabby ruins offset the rear of the new Tabby House Brewery.
By Pat Foster-Turley
Friday, May 23
Darien, Georgia is only an hour north of Fernandina but it is years in the past from the bustling town we now call home. Bucko and I go there for a night or two to savor the quietness and history of …
Pat's Wildways

Pat’s Wildways: around and around

A broad-headed skink sunbathes on the trail.
By Pat Foster-Turley
Friday, May 16
I confess that I’ve been less active these days than I was in years past. Back in the day, I routinely took five-mile walks around our area and led Newcomer’s Club friends on once-a-month …

Crow and raven

American crow.
By Lauri Holton
Monday, May 12
I have become fond of finding benches to rest upon while observing the world passing by. One never knows what entertaining scene one may witness. On Amelia Island we are fortunate to have many …
County News
The May Report

6 restaurants pass, 11 fail inspections

Wednesday, June 4
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" …
City News
City Commission to consider on July 15

Paid parking update: city to review proposals

By Mike Lednovich
Thursday, June 5
The city of Fernandina Beach will begin to evaluate vendor proposals to run a paid parking program in the historic downtown following submittals to its Request for Proposals (RFP) that closed …
Health
By Shari Roan
Saturday, June 7
After a bicycle accident or injury, it can take a bit of courage to get back on a bike. Cyclists often fear reaggravating overuse injuries, such as tendinitis. Returning to cycling after a bicycle …
Read more.
By Shari Roan
Tuesday, May 27
Almost one-third of U.S. adults said they had at least one sunburn within the past year, according to a recent survey from Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. …
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

Last chance to see the shrimp drop at the Amelia Island Museum of History

Tuesday, June 3
If you’ve visited the Amelia Island Museum of History recently, you may have noticed an eye-catching guest in the Temporary Gallery: the Shrimp Drop. This giant metallic framework, sculpted …

Island named among top summer destinations

A group of horse riders pose for photos on the beach.
Monday, June 2
USA Today has named Amelia Island among the top ten "Best Summer Travel Destinations." An expert panel nominated their must-see places for a summer vacation, then readers voted to determine the …
Fabric warehouse can be seen from historic neighborhood
Massive port tent ordered to be moved
By Mike Lednovich
Thursday, May 29
Port Authority Commissioners voted Wednesday to have a 22,000-square-foot fabric tent torn down and relocated to its original designated location within the port.
Regina Maris Studio
Arts Market booted from bank parking lot
By Mike Lednovich
Thursday, May 22
The Fernandina Beach Arts Market, a vibrant open-air marketplace held in historic downtown has been kicked out of its 12-year location by Pineland Bank. Market owners Elizabeth and Joe Lee, …
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
Friday
Partly Sunny then Chance T-storms
High: 85°F
(-18°C)
Saturday
Slight Chance T-storms then T-storms Likely
High: 86°F
(-18°C)
Sunday
Chance T-storms then Showers Likely
High: 86°F
(-18°C)
Monday
Slight Chance T-storms then Showers Likely
High: 88°F
(-18°C)
Tuesday
Mostly Sunny then Chance T-storms
High: 89°F
(-18°C)