Today's Showcase
Digital Compass

HEY Email: The Ideal Service for Seniors and Those Battling Email Overload

By Deryck Burnett
3 hours ago

In today's digital landscape, email has become both essential and exhausting. For seniors navigating technology and anyone drowning in a sea of promotional clutter, finding an email service that …

Off the Porch

Architectural Treasures of Amelia Island

Florida House Inn at 20 and 22 South Third St. in Fernandina Beach.

By Dickie Anderson
Yesterday at 8:48 AM

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 …

From the HeART

Waitin’ for the Mornin’

By Linda Hart Green
5 days ago

The last song in my choir's Lenten cantata was entitled, “Waitin’ for the Mornin’.” The final song had a different vibe. The previous songs told the story of the last week of …

Top stories
Tentative agreement reached

Buffer zone will separate port storage tent from historic neighborhood

Attorney Courtney Gaver makes opening remarks during the city/port mediation hearing April 22.
By Mike Lednovich
Yesterday at 3:30 AM
The city of Fernandina Beach and the operators of the Port of Fernandina reached a tentative agreement that would establish buffer zones between the facility's huge fabric storage tent and the …

RYAM Ethanol Exemption Bill Advances to House Vote

By Mike Lednovich
3 days ago
A proposed state legislative definition of bioethanol production as 'fermentation' that would nullify Fernandina Beach's denial of Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) plans to build a production plant …

Right Whale Season Update: Calves, Collaborations, and Curious Journeys

By Lauri Holton
5 days ago
As the 2024-2025 North Atlantic right whale calving season ends, I am grateful for the 11 baby whales delivered this year in the warm waters of the coastal southeast. Four of the calves born this …

Holmes Named Fernandina Fire Chief

Friday, April 18
Jeremy Holmes has been named fire chief for Fernandina Beach following 26 years of service at the Covington, Georgia fire department.
From the HeART
Rev. Dawn Mays, Rev. Tiffany Gulama, Rev. Rachel McElwee, Rev. Dr. Mark Charles, Fr. Eric Stelzer, Rev. Granardo Felix, Rev. Doug Hodsdon, Rev. Julie Higbee and Rev. Ben Mandrick.

Stronger Together

By Linda Hart Green
Sunday, April 6

The last four Wednesdays, I stepped away from my normal routine and went to church at noon. It wasn’t going to church that was outside my routine. I have attended church all my life. I am in …

The Right to Have Rights

By Linda Hart Green
Sunday, March 30
Have you ever been in the minority? Maybe you traveled abroad and visited where no one spoke English. It can be frustrating and even a little scary. I am part of the 10% of the global population …
Off the Porch

Resort Casual?

By Dickie Anderson
Wednesday, April 16

The term "resort casual" always strikes me as funny when the question comes up about what to wear to a social event. The quick and sometimes flip answer is resort casual. Is there a resort formal? …

France On a Bike

By Dickie Anderson
Wednesday, April 9
People often ask me about some of my adventures on foot and on a bicycle. One of my most memorable trips was to Provence, France, on a bicycle. Big Guy and I have long hung up our wheels but remember …
Digital Compass

Understanding Patch Tuesday

By Deryck Burnett
Thursday, April 17

Every second Tuesday of the month, Microsoft releases a batch of software updates known as Patch Tuesday. These updates primarily focus on security vulnerabilities, bug fixes, and performance …

The power of custom AI: Enhancing workplace efficiency without replacing humans

By Deryck Burnett
Thursday, April 10
Artificial intelligence (AI) has come a long way from being a futuristic concept to an essential tool in our daily work lives. However, contrary to fears of AI replacing humans, its real value lies …
Pat's Wildways
Sometimes fiddler crabs migrate in an “army.”

Pat's Wildways: Fiddler Crabs

By Pat Foster-Turley
Friday, April 18

Low tides are my favorite times to go to the seashore, wherever I am. On the West Coast of the United States, the pools left behind the retreating tides are full of anemones, urchins, sea stars, and …

Pat's Wildways: Support Local Shrimpers

By Pat Foster-Turley
Friday, April 11
Whenever I get a hankering for fresh live caught local shrimp I wait for Friday, Saturday, or Sunday mornings when Martin Holton is manning his pickup truck on Eighth Street near T.J. Courson Road. …
Dining With Dylan

Magic Not Included, But the Shrimp’s the Real Spell

By Dylan Bailey
Saturday, April 12

Nassau County is crawling with seafood. Shrimp, lobster, and whatever else you can drag out of the Atlantic — it’s all here, on backroads, street corners, in Styrofoam coolers and …

The Back Porch Southern Eats – Fernandina’s Not-So-New Kid on the Block

By Dylan Bailey
Saturday, April 5
There’s a Southern saying that goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The Back Porch Southern Eats took that to heart — heck, they didn’t even bother …

FEMA Insurance Waiver Saves City Marina $448,000

By Mike Lednovich
Thursday, April 17
The city of Fernandina Beach will not be required to carry hurricane damage insurance on its marina, a savings of $448,000 thanks to a waiver obtained from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). …

Shrimping Industry Community Meetings Coming Up

Tuesday, April 15
For those who may have missed the Northeast Florida Shrimping Industry Market Study workshop in February held in Fernandina Beach, the Northeast Florida Regional Council has scheduled a final round …
County News

Publix closing: longer lines, fewer choices, shopping center disruption

By Mike Lednovich
Monday, April 14
As one of the major holidays nears, the owner of the Peterbrooke Chocolatier store at Island Walk Shopping Mall is concerned.
Nature

The Poker Amendment

Christ of the Abyss statue at John Pennekamp Underwater State Park.
By Lauri Holton
Sunday, April 6
Recently, I moaned about the three “P’s" - pollution, politics, and policies in an article I wrote. Today, I find myself still moaning about the three “P’s” as we are …
Pat's Wildways

Pat's Wildways: Home Again

Lone willets were spaced along the shore.
By Pat Foster-Turley
Friday, April 4
I just returned from our special place in Belize with my heart and soul filled with the tropical beach scenes there. But here I was at home again on Amelia Island, it was low tide, and I started my …

Right Whale Baby Shower - Celebrating our Babies!

Artwork by Debra Strobel.
Monday, March 31
Join Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors to celebrate our babies on April 10, 2025, at the Florida House Inn, Mermaid Bar, from 5-7 p.m. 
Pat's Wildways

Pat’s Wildways: Eating Iguana

A green iguana oversees our rooftop breakfast from a perch on a tall tree.
By Pat Foster-Turley
Friday, March 28
Ever since we started routinely going to Belize, I’ve been wanting to eat an iguana. As all my friends know, I love to try different exotic foods — tarantulas in Cambodia, monkey stew in …
City News

Historic Fernandina Landmark, The Anchor, Undergoes Transformative Remodel

Rendering of the Anchor remodel
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 …
Health
Darren and Stephanie Grubb with their daughter Erica, and their son, Logan, who died in 2019.
By Shari Roan
Tuesday, April 8
In those excruciating minutes and hours after learning their 16-year-old son had died in an automobile accident, Darren and Stephanie Grubb had the strength and presence of mind to think about …
Read more.
By Shari Roan
Tuesday, April 1
Each month, the Observer brings you a roundup of some recent health news. Study casts doubt on Paxlovid’s impact Paxlovid is the medication often prescribed to lessen the most severe …
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 …

It’s a Wonderful Life

Ken and Elizabeth Wilson at their old house in 1987.
By Shari Roan
Monday, December 23, 2024
Last September, when Elizabeth and Ken Wilson drove up to the Maplewood, New Jersey, house they owned over 35 years ago, memories overwhelmed them. The retired Fernandina Beach couple were in New …
Community
Community
Brown Bag Lunch

Shrimp Festival 60th Anniversary: Celebrating the Legacy

2 days ago
2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the Amelia Island Shrimp Festival. What began as a gathering of local shrimpers to celebrate their passion and industry has grown into a beloved community event …

Braille Across America Challenge

4 days ago
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 …
Former Church Financial Secretary Arrested for Embezzlement
Thursday, April 10
The Nassau County Sheriff's Office has arrested  44-year-old Melissa Ganey English (formerly known as Melissa Ganey Rhoden) on …
Honoring the Heroes of our Nation
Tuesday, April 8
Did you know the Amelia Island Museum of History conducts veteran interviews inside its historic jail? As part of the Veterans History Project, these powerful stories are preserved both locally and …
Churches & Charities
Friday, November 15, 2024
Thursday, June 13, 2024
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 …
5-Day Forecast
Friday
Mostly Sunny
High: 76°F
(-18°C)
Saturday
Sunny
High: 79°F
(-18°C)
Sunday
Sunny then Chance Showers
High: 80°F
(-18°C)
Monday
Chance Showers
High: 74°F
(-18°C)
Tuesday
Sunny then Slight Chance T-storms
High: 76°F
(-18°C)