Fernandina Observer

Your go-to news source for Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island. We deliver the latest updates from Nassau County and nearby regions.

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Rollback Rate May Not Cover Next Year's Tax Needs

Jun 26, 2024 | fernandinaobserver.com | Mike Phillips

By Mike LednovichRising taxable values will generate an additional $548,000 in revenue for the city of Fernandina Beach for the 2024-2025 budget under the rollback rate, according to a preliminary forecast by the Nassau County Property Appraiser. However, the additional $548,962 will be negated by a three percent across the board city employee salary increase and the rising cost of employee benefits such as health insurance.
Nassau Democrats Choose Sapp as New Chair

Jun 25, 2024 | fernandinaobserver.com | Mike Phillips

The Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) of Nassau County has elected Suzanne Sapp to lead the committee through the coming election year. As DEC Chair, Sapp is responsible for fundraising, supporting voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts, identifying candidates, and helping elect candidates up and down the ballot who share Democratic values. Sapp replaces Sheila Cocchi, who stepped down from the role in May.
Stronger Together: How No Ethanol Fernandina Was Born

Jun 24, 2024 | fernandinaobserver.com | Mike Phillips

By Pam GreenAmelia Island is blessed with many volunteer groups protecting its heritage trees and beaches and ensuring turtles are kept in the dark. In addition to the environment, citizens are uniting and forming a larger coalition focused on saving the character and unique sense of place from the blind ambition, greed, and lack of architectural creativity that define some of the city’s commissioners and their developer colleagues.
RYAM Loses Attempt to Quash Bioethanol Challenge

Jun 23, 2024 | fernandinaobserver.com | Mike Phillips

By Mike LednovichA Florida Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) judge has denied Rayonier Advanced Materials’ motion to dismiss a challenge of its air quality permit to build a bioethanol production plant at its Fernandina Beach complex.
Beech Street Grill: It's a Blast!

Jun 23, 2024 | fernandinaobserver.com | Mike Phillips

By Dylan BaileyThe Beech Street Grill is a restaurant in Fernandina Beach that requires little introduction. But I’m still going to give it. The historic, 150+-year-old house has seen Amelia Island change like the ebb and flow of the tide. With so many fantastic food options, how does The Beech Street Grill stack up? Stepping inside The Beech Street Grill is a feast for the eyes. There’s a certain charm that comes with antique houses, especially on Amelia Island, but this stands out.
A Mystical Ode to Peaches (and a Caution About Pits)

Jun 23, 2024 | fernandinaobserver.com | Mike Phillips

By Lauri deGarisRecently, I took a trip to Indian Springs, just north of Macon, Georgia. On my way home I decided to take Georgia County Road 142 from Jackson to Eatonton. When I got to Eatonton, I stopped at a roadside stand and purchased fresh Georgia peaches. I was thrilled to find a peck of ripe peaches for a reasonable price. And, in typical Lauri fashion, I pondered over the natural history of peaches as I devoured several on the drive home.
Will We Exclude, or Will We Pay Attention to What Jesus Said?

Jun 23, 2024 | fernandinaobserver.com | Mike Phillips

By Linda Hart GreenJim Wallis is an evangelical Christian who has worked for peace and social justice all his life. I remember when his book, “God’s Politics” came out in 2005 and caused quite a stir. For many years, I read the magazine “Sojourners,” which originated in the Christian community he founded in Washington, D.C. He has a new book about Christianity and democracy that I am reading now. It is worth getting for the notes and bibliography alone! They are a rich resource.
Baptists Abandon Condo Plans Near Buccaneer Trail

Jun 22, 2024 | fernandinaobserver.com | Mike Phillips

By Mike LednovichAmelia Baptist Church has abandoned plans to build two condominium buildings with 24 total units along the Amelia River on an oak-lined street of residential homes off Buccaneer Trail. In addition, the church also proposed increasing the size and scale of its complex located on Buccaneer Trail and Gerbing Road. Those plans are now under reconsideration.
City Kicks Manager Search Into a Higher Gear

Jun 22, 2024 | fernandinaobserver.com | Mike Phillips

By Mike LednovichThe city’s executive search firm has outlined a timeline that would have a new Fernandina Beach city manager in place by sometime in late September. City commissioners approved the timeline submitted by Colin Baenziger & Associates (CB&A) at a special meeting Thursday addressing the need to hire a new city manager following the resignation of Ty Ross last December.
Speakers, Not Christian Enough, Tell City That Parade is a Warning Sign

Jun 20, 2024 | fernandinaobserver.com | Mike Phillips

By Mike LednovichLocal entertainer Brian Ernst said all he wanted to do was to march shoulder-to-shoulder with his Christian brothers at the Christian Heritage parade on June 29. But parade organizers at the First Baptist Church denied him access. Tarah Dunlop, a successful beachfront hotel owner, wanted to become a sponsor of the event, but then she read the event’s “statement of shared convictions” that is required to be signed by every participant. The statement blocked her participation.