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title: "Fernandina Observer - Local News and Community Updates"
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# Fernandina Observer - Local News and Community Updates

Skip to main content Monday, August 17, 2026 Donate ° Forecast > Advanced search Today's Showcase From the HeART Road trip 2: The Obama Presidential Center By Linda Hart Green Yesterday at 3:30 AM The main purpose of our stop in Chicago was to visit this recently opened museum and center. My commentary about our visit is not just for those who voted for this person. It is to tell you about the … Dining With Dylan Get the booty fries: Amelia's Latin American Grill brings real flavor to South Eighth Street By Dylan Bailey 2 days ago The building at 320 S. Eighth Street has lived a few lives. Longtime locals will remember it as Overtime Sports Bar and, more recently, as O'Brien's Irish Pub, which I reviewed in its day. Its newest … Pat's Wildways Pat’s Wildways: Drought By Pat Foster-Turley 3 days ago It is one thing to see signs in Fernandina Beach announcing the drought and water conservation mandates, but it is another to see the water bodies I love dry up. My recent trip to Gainesville in the … Fernandina rowers' Atlantic record bid ends 8 miles short after grueling battle with tides By Mike Lednovich Yesterday at 7:36 AM Fernandina Beach ocean rower Paul Lore and British rowing partner Dawn Smith were only 8 miles from completing a 2,500-nautical-mile North Atlantic crossing when exhaustion, dangerous currents … Fernandina couple sues city to stop construction, demolish neighboring house By Mike Lednovich Yesterday at 6:57 AM A Fernandina Beach couple is asking a judge to stop construction of a neighboring house, prohibit the city from issuing a certificate of occupancy and ultimately order the partially completed … Louise Atchison Bowers, 106 3 days ago Louise Bowers died peacefully at home on Aug. 10, 2026 with family by her side. Louise was born in Milledgeville, Georgia, on July 11, 1920, one of four children. As a child of the Depression, she learned early in life what it was to struggle, an experience that left her with an … Top stories Surf Restaurant property proposed as 13-home redevelopment By Mike Lednovich 5 days ago FERNANDINA BEACH — An Amelia Island beachside landmark could give way to residential development under a concept plan headed to the city's Technical Review Committee this Thursday. Proposed budget positions Fernandina Beach for uncertain future as tax, paid parking decisions loom By Mike Lednovich Wednesday, August 5 FERNANDINA BEACH — City Manager Sarah Campbell on Tuesday presented a proposed $226 million budget designed to protect the city against a series of financial uncertainties, including next month's … The photo gallery Pat's Wildways: Mango Time! By Pat Foster-Turley Friday, June 19 I usually don’t go for fruit if given a choice, but for me, mangos are something different. They are the best of the fruiting world, in my opinion at least. And am I in luck! This trip to Belize, … Florida cacti By Angela Ray Saturday, July 4 I always get a kick out of seeing cacti in the salt marsh, for example in the Ron Sapp Egans Creek Greenway, because I think of cacti as living in dry areas like the desert. But it turns out there … Digital Compass The productivity trap Steve Jobs spotted in 1992 By Deryck Burnett 4 days ago In 1992, Steve Jobs stood in front of a room of business students at MIT and did something you almost never see a tech legend do. He admitted he'd wasted 10 years ... Could your old computer have a second life? By Deryck Burnett Thursday, August 6 Every week, someone comes into our office with the same question: "Do I really need a new computer?" Sometimes the answer is yes. Hardware wears out, and older machines eventually fall behind … Read more "Digital Compass" columns From the HeART Road trip By Linda Hart Green Sunday, August 9 I am traveling very OTB (over the bridge). A friend and I are on a long road trip. The first two days, we drove all the way to Chicago. Yes, on purpose. We drove through or around various cities … Wonder water By Linda Hart Green Sunday, August 2 Plants in containers do not like summer heat. Hot summer weather with water restrictions in place means containers need hand watering once or twice a day. They dry out very quickly. Plants go limp in … More "From the HeART" columns Off the Porch The Amazon – a mighty river By Dickie Anderson 5 days ago One of the many adventurous trips my sister and I experienced together involved traveling the length of the Amazon. We were intrigued by the uniqueness of the journey. Traveling by small cruise ship … Blue jeans, bras and bathing suits By Dickie Anderson Wednesday, August 5 Blue jeans, bras, and bathing suits. What do they have in common? Most women dread shopping for any of the three. Even those with advanced degrees in shopping avoid this loathsome trio. Read more "Off the Porch" columns Pat's Wildways Pat's Wildways: A dip in the St. Marys River By Pat Foster-Turley Friday, August 7 It’s been far too long since I took a dip in the St. Marys River. This urge hits me most summers — a throwback to my days as a grad student at the University of Florida, when my friends and I … Pat’s Wildways: Spoonbills By Pat Foster-Turley Friday, July 31 The pink birds are back! Roseate spoonbills that rival flamingos with their bright pink coloration are back in force along Heritage River Road off Heckscher Drive just a bit beyond the Sisters Creek … Read more "Pat's Wildways" columns Proposed budget boosts property taxes while expanding marina, public safety spending By Mike Lednovich Tuesday, August 4 FERNANDINA BEACH – City Manager Sarah Campbell has proposed a 2026-27 budget that increases the city's operating property tax rate, adds six full-time employees, launches a new marina department … 23 restaurants that didn't pass the first inspection Sunday, August 2 Nassau County Restaurant Inspections at a Glance - July 2026 Disclaimer: These records are sanitation and safety inspections conducted by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants on public … Read more city news Nature Coastal waters of Nassau and Duval counties test positive for the organism that causes red tide By Angela Ray 2 days ago On Aug. 6, the Fort George Inlet tested positive for the presence of red tide, which led the Duval County Health Department to issue a health alert due to the potential for a toxic algal bloom and … Nature's Reflection Why is the water red? By Angela Ray Tuesday, August 11 The St. Marys River has been mentioned in several recent articles for the Fernandina Observer — let’s add one more! Why is the water in the St. Marys River red? That was definitely my … Today is International Cat Day By Angela Ray Saturday, August 8 My mother claimed that my first word was “cat.” By the time I was 5 years old, we had three pet cats in our home. Additionally, one of those cats had kittens, which was an unforgettable … Nature's Reflection Coastal water quality concerns — it is in our hands By Angela Ray Tuesday, August 4 This is the last article in the series on coastal water quality concerns around Amelia Island. What is the overall health of our natural waterways? Who is responsible for ensuring that our waterways … See more Nature stories County News Nassau County property values now available online Thursday, August 6 NASSAU COUNTY, FL - Nassau County Property Appraiser Kevin Lilly announced updated real property values for the 2026 tax year are now available for review online at www.ncpafl.com. Read more county news City News Watch the Observer's City Commission Candidates Forum Thursday, July 30 The Observer held its City Commission Seat 4 Candidates Forum Wednesday, July 29. Watch what the candidates had to say on key city issues: Observer Candidates Forum Health Facebook Local families suffer from state’s KidCare expansion delay By Shari Roan Friday, July 17 Adelynne LeBlanc is a sweet, 11-year-old who loves the beach and drawing. But her parents, Andrew and Amy LeBlanc, worry about their daughter’s future. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Adelynne has … Read more. Sunscreen safety — for our health and the health of our oceans By Angela Ray Saturday, July 11 Here in the Sunshine State, many people rely on sunscreen to protect their skin from solar radiation. We trust that when we buy sunscreen in stores, the manufacturers have our best interests in mind. … Read more. Read more health news Business Golf Pub Social Announces New Ownership Tuesday, April 7 FERNANDINA BEACH, FL — Golf Pub Social, Amelia Island’s go-to destination for indoor golf, live music, and community gathering, is entering an exciting new chapter. The venue has been … Liberty Academy: The Buzz on Beekeeping Saturday, February 21 Liberty Landscape Supply has announced a new event series titled "Liberty Academy," which offers continuing education, expert guidance, and community engagement for area homeowners, contractors, and … 'Downtown Dollars' promotes Main Street shopping Friday, February 6 Downtown Dollars is a new local gift certificate program designed to increase foot traffic and support small businesses within the Fernandina Beach Main Street District. The gift certificates can be … Read more business news Special Features 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 By Lauri Holton Monday, February 17, 2025 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 Local author Raffaela Marie Rizzo (Fenn) receives national recognition 2 days ago The Annual Florida Authors and Publishers Association President’s Book Awards recognized “Thank You for the Shoes,” anniversary edition by Raffaela Marie Rizzo (Fenn) in the category of Biography as a gold medal winner. Free Biscuits Foundation to host Puppy Palooza, a family-friendly fundraiser to keep dogs and families together Thursday, August 6 FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. -- Free Biscuits Foundation, a Nassau County-based nonprofit dedicated to keeping dogs with the families who love them, will host its flagship fundraising event, Puppy … FBHS Foundation surprises every FBHS teacher and staff member with back-to-school classroom cash Wednesday, August 5 As Fernandina Beach High School prepares to welcome students back on Aug. 10, the Fernandina Beach High School Foundation gave every FBHS teacher a little extra support to … Giving back to the Nassau County, Florida community By Cynthia Jones-Jackson Monday, August 3 A group of artistic American Beach ladies and children met recently at Barnabas Center, Inc., a non-profit organization in Fernandina Beach, to paint bowls in preparation for the Center's … Read more community news Churches & Charities Ticket sales open Oct. 1 for Barnabas Center's 13th annual Empty Bowls Luncheon Monday, August 3 FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — Barnabas Center invites the community to a simple but meaningful meal supporting neighbors in need. The 13th annual Empty Bowls Luncheon will take place Tuesday, Nov. 24, … Local author Lynette Ebberts donates all proceeds from new memoir to Mayo Clinic’s Poverello Foundation Friday, July 24 FERNANDINA BEACH – Local Author Lynette Ebberts is proud to announce the release of her long-awaited memoir, "What Are The Chances? A Faith-Led Journey of Hope, Healing, and Hell on Earth," … Read more ERROR: Weather station not configured Get the full forecast © Copyright 2026 Fernandina Observer Contributions or gifts to the Fernandina Observer are tax-deductible. Our federal EIN is 88-2158428. Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions