5/31/19 @ 11:15 a.m. - On Wednesday, May 15, 2019, dozens attended a Ground Breaking Ceremony in celebration of the upcoming construction of a new County Extension Facility to be located at 85834 Miner Rd in Yulee. Those in attendance included the Board of County Commissioners, UF/IFAS Extension Staff, master gardeners, community volunteers and extension supporters.

The new 2,000 square foot facility will serve as the administration office for the Extension staff and will feature classrooms for lawn, agriculture, and family consumer classes and training rooms for the master gardeners and extension agents. The property will also feature demonstration gardens, a nature trail with learning stations, an orchard, and an aquatic pond for pond maintenance training.

The new facility will be named the Rebecca L. Jordi Cooperative Extension Office, in honor of our current Extension Director, Ms. Becky Jordi. Anyone who has met Ms. Jordi can attest to her passion for agriculture and horticulture and her determination to make this project a reality. It is anticipated that the project will be completed within the next 16 months.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/31/19 @ 10:00 a.m. -

Nassau County has been awarded a grant from the Florida Department of Health to purchase upgraded reporting software. This new software will improve the department’s ability to report call data to the state in the most current format. The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Data Collection Grant will improve and update Nassau County Fire Rescue's reporting system to meet the criteria needed for the State's Emergency Medical Services Tracking and Reporting System (EMSTARS). Participation in the EMSTARS system is voluntary, however many EMS providers have chosen to participate in this data exchange system for collection of incident level data from other EMS agencies and subsequent analysis for identifying quality improvement initiatives.

Chief Brady Rigdon stated, "NCFR is excited about this grant award. Prior to this award, we were planning to submit this item for consideration in the upcoming budget to improve our reporting capability. We are looking forward to making the reporting process smoother and being better informed about EMS trends across the state by having access to up to date statewide data. Thanks to Chief Roland and Constance Holmes for working diligently to get the application submitted accurately and on time."

After reviewing several products, NCFR selected Image Trend Software as their product format appeared to be best for capturing and storing vital records. Additionally, its features will allow EMS personnel to send information to emergency departments to provide notice that a patient is enroute, thus ensuring the hospital or care center is ready to accept the patient and continue their care as quickly as possible.

The initial cost of the software is $29,467.36 and is fully reimbursable by the grant. The Board of County Commissioners accepted the grant at the April 22, 2019 meeting. 
 
If you have any questions, please contact Nassau County Fire/Rescue at (904) 530-6600.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/30/19 @ 1:50 p.m.

Written by John Drew

She served the citizens of Nassau County for 47 years.

Gwendolyn Miller was born and raised in Fernandina Beach and went on to become the first lady to be elected as a Constitutional Officer in Nassau County. Through the years, she added Little League “Team Mom”, Brownie Scout “Troop Leader” and Sunday School Teacher to her list of duties. In 1996 The Islander Magazine recognized her as one of the 5 most influential women in Nassau County. Even with these accomplishments, she was most proud to have been a wife, mother and grandmother.

She began her career in government service at the Historic Courthouse in Fernandina Beach in 1959 under the leadership of Tax Collector Ira W. Hall. She was elected to succeed Mr. Hall in 1976 and took office in January of 1977.

Ms. Gwendolyn Miller was an icon in the political world of Nassau County for half a century. Her legacy and memory will continue. Thank you, Ms. Miller, for a lifetime of public service.

​

5/29/19 @ 10:20 a.m. - The 2019 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 on Friday, May 31, 2019 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, 2019. During this time, qualifying items related to disaster preparedness are exempt from sales tax. Examples include: 

• Candles, lanterns and flashlights
• Radios
• Batteries
• Reusable Ice
• Coolers and ice chests
• Generators

To see a complete list of qualifying items, please click here. 

The sales tax holiday does not apply to the rental or repair of qualifying items or sales in a theme park, entertainment complex, lodging establishment or airport. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ County Manager's Office

5/28/19 @ 9:00 p.m.

Nassau County Animal Services has over 200 kittens available for adoption. Some are in the shelter and more are in foster homes but will be arriving soon. If you know someone who is looking for a kitten, please tell them about us – Our kitten adoption fee is $25 and includes spay/neuter, vaccines and an ID microchip. Kittens love to play, so consider adopting your new kitten a playmate!

Please spay and neuter your pets. Nassau County Animal Services residents are eligible to have their pets spayed/neutered for free! Call the shelter for details.

Nassau County Animal Services is located at 86078 License Road, Yulee, FL 32034 (near Target, Petco and Home Depot), 904.530.6150.

Kitten Cuddling Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 11 – 4, Wednesday 1 – 6 and Saturday 11 -3.

5/28/19 @ 4:20 p.m. - Below are public meetings scheduled for this week: 

Western Heritage Preservation Committee
Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Callahan County Building, 45401 Mickler Street, Callahan, FL 32011

Beach Community Working Group
Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Agendas can be located on our website. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/24/19 @ 4:30 p.m. - Governor DeSantis has directed all flags in the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff through noon on Monday, May 27, 2019, in honor of our armed forces and to commemorate Memorial Day. 

Attached is a copy of his Memorandum, as well as a copy of a Proclamation for the 151st Anniversary of Memorial Day.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/24/19 @ 1:45 p.m. 

At a Special Meeting today, the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2019-102, declaring a burn ban for the unincorporated areas of Nassau County, effectively immediately.
 
All outdoor burning shall be prohibited except pursuant to permits issued by the Florida Forest Service. The outdoor burn ban would not pertain to cooking on attended and monitored barbeque equipment.
 
The burn ban will remain in effect until it is lifted by the Board of County Commissioners, upon a recommendation of the Nassau County Fire Chief.
 
If you have any questions related to the burn ban, please contact Fire Rescue Headquarters at (904) 530-6600.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ County Manager's Office

5/24/19 @ 11:15 a.m. - Emergency Management Director, Greg Foster, just notified us that the north and south bound lanes of I-95 have reopened as smoke conditions on the interstate have cleared. Should the wind shift and smoke begin to affect the visibility of the road, they may have to close them again. We will keep everyone posted. 

-Sabrina Robertson 
 County Manager's Office

5/24/19 @ 10:00 a.m.

From Nassau County Emergency Management:
​
FIRE UPDATE: Here's the latest on the #YellowBluffFire from Florida Forestry Service-Jax.

-The fire grew a little overnight but still about 450 acres

-Currently, Fire WEST of I-95 is 100% contained

-It's expanding more to the north, where they can’t get fire lines cut

-There is NO ESTIMATE ON WHEN SMOKE WILL CLEAR AND I-95 WILL REOPEN.

-NO THREAT to homes or structures at this time.

-FFS and FHP are in constant contact about traffic and safety and will make decision once it is safe for people to travel through.

-The fire is approximately 30% contained and will likely be weeks before 100% since there is no rain in forecast for a week or more.