5/30/25 @ 3:45 p.m. - Below are pictures from the week of May 23 - May 30, 2025. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer

5/30/25 @ 9:00 a.m. - Nassau Council of Arts & Culture recently announced the first annual Make Music Day Nassau which will debut on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Make Music Day Nassau is part of Make Music Day, a global music celebration that takes place on summer solstice each year and brings people of all ages and skill levels together to make music. This year, over 150 U.S. cities will host thousands of Make Music performances across the country as part of the world's largest annual music event. 

Make Music Day Nassau will include free events in downtown Fernandina Beach in various venues such as the Train Depot, Pocket Park, Island Art Association, by the fountain at the Historic Courthouse, and the Marina. 

Any musician, amateur or professional, is invited to take part by signing up at www.makemusicday.org/nassaucounty. Registration closes on June 19, 2025. 

Any businesses, buildings, schools, churched, or other institutions that would like to offer outdoor spaces as a concert location can also visit the website above to make that request. 

A full schedule of events will be posted prior to the event. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer 

5/29/25 @ 12:30 p.m.

May is National Foster Care Month. Designated by President Ronald Reagan by Proclamation in 1988, National Foster Care Month is meant to raise awareness about foster care and acknowledge the contributions of foster parents.  Statistics show that as of September 30, 2023, there are over 343,077 children and youth in foster care through the United States.(1)

As of May 26, 2025, there are currently 31 children and teens in foster care here in Nassau County, Florida (2). Family Support Services of North Florida (FSSNF) is the lead agency in preservation, foster care and adoption services in both Duval and Nassau County. They provide a variety of services for families including in-home training and support to keep families together, ongoing support and resources to families and children, and programs for teens to help them prepare for adulthood. Another important service FSSNF provides is finding homes for children and teens in need. Whether it’s locating safe and loving foster homes for children or finding forever families for them through adoption, FSSNF strives to ensure that children have a chance to thrive, receive essential resources and find permanent, caring homes.

Foster care is crucial for children who for whatever reason cannot live with their biological families. Whether it’s abuse or neglect that prevent them from receiving proper care, having a safe place for them to heal from trauma and gain access to resources is very important. Further, it provides them with a place to live while their families receive support and resources to address these challenges and hopefully allow the child to return home to their families in the future.

Over the past 5 fiscal years, FSSNF has found permanent homes (through Reunification, Guardianship, or Adoption) for 179 children in Nassau County. Over the past 5 fiscal years, FSSNF has provided out-of-home care to an average of 81 children per year. By providing them with stable and supportive care, they are able to grow into successful, responsible adults and are able to break the cycle of poverty and other challenges they have experienced. 

Tiffany Ball, Director of Licensing and Kinship for FSS stated, “Family Support Services of North Florida is committed to ensuring the safety, stability, and well-being of children and families in Duval and Nassau Counties. Through foster care, prevention, adoption, and comprehensive support services, we partner with the community to protect children, strengthen families, and build brighter futures. Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and valued. At Family Support Services, we work every day to ensure children in our community have the stability and care they need to thrive. Foster parents play an essential role in this journey—they provide not just a home, but also hope and healing.  We celebrate our foster parents during National Foster Care Month each year and we are very grateful for the part they play in the child welfare system. Foster parents serve a critical role in our system of care and receive extensive training to be properly educated and equipped to understand the trauma our children have encountered and how to be compassionate and helpful to them during their time in out of home care. We’re grateful for the families who open their hearts and homes, and we encourage others to consider the incredible impact they can make in a child’s life.”

FSSNF seeks understanding, compassionate and patient individuals who are interested in helping a child in need. As a foster parent, you can join a network of families and professionals who offer support and encouragement to assist you throughout the process. More importantly, you can leave a lasting impression on a young person and help prepare them for success in the future.
If you’re unable to foster, you can still make an impact through financial contributions, in-kind gifts, and by volunteering at community and fundraising events. Visit www.fssjax.org to learn how you can make a difference in a child’s life today!

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer
 
 Sources:

1. Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System,  https://tableaupublic.acf.gov/views/afcars_dashboard_main_page, retrieved 05/26/25.
2. Children Active Receiving In-Home or Out-of-Home Services, Florida Safe Families Network Daily Reporting, 05/26/25 update.

 

5/28/25 @ 4:30 p.m. - In January 2022, County Manager Taco Pope, instituted new Customer Care Standards to govern both internal and external interactions and to create a more positive work environment. Part of this initiative includes an Employee Recognition Program in which employees can nominate co-workers who have demonstrated Nassau County's Customer Care Standards and/or has provided exceptional performance beyond established duties and responsibilities.

We are pleased to announce that we currently have two new Employees of the Quarter, both of which were recognized at the Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Board of County Commissioner's meeting.

The first recognized was Code Enforcement Officer Margie Camacho who was selected due to her dedication to the department and the residents.  The Code Enforcement Department has experienced staffing challenges recently, particularly after the passing of Code Enforcement Manager Ray Lettsome. Marjorie has gone above and beyond by taking on duties of vacant positions, in addition to her own cases. The Code Department has very strict requirements for noticing public hearings and she has been instrumental in ensuring everything is taken care of timely, while providing the most accurate data for the County Attorney's Office and the Special Magistrate. Margie has been key in keeping the department functioning through this challenging time. 

Robyn Mobley was selected for her great service in Nassau County Human Resources.  Robyn is kind and calm, even in trying situations.  She maintains her compassion and composure when handling difficult situations and is always willing to make the extra effort in every task for not only the employees of Nassau County, but all individuals she comes in contact with. Robyn is particularly excellent in communicating with new employees, answering many questions, patiently, quickly, truthfully, and kindly. By communicating with new hires professionally, she makes a positive first impression for the new employee from the beginning. Robyn brings an abundance of hard work, dedication, talent and experience to her position of Human Resource Specialist for Nassau County. 

The BOCC is proud of Margie and Robyn for their professionalism and dedication and is glad to have both serving Nassau County and its residents. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

5/28/25 @ 1:30 p.m. - The Yulee Library is hosting a class on strategies for cutting grocery costs. Come hear Vystar Representatives Ted Doss and David Aubuchon share tips on how to save money at the grocery store and effective strategies to avoid scams.  

This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Yulee Library and is free to attend. 

WHAT:   Clever Strategies for Cutting Grocery Costs
WHEN:   Tuesday, June 17, 2025 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. 
WHERE:  Yulee Library Branch (inside FSCJ Campus), 76346
        William Burgess Blvd., Yulee, FL 32097

If you have any questions, please contact the Nassau County Public Library System at (904) 530-6500. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer

5/28/25 @ 9:00 a.m. 

The Nassau Prosperity Alliance serves as a think-tank and unified coalition in facilitating certain strategic initiatives, as requested by the County’s Office of Strategic Advance­ment and Economic Resources related to the local economic ecosystem. Membership shall consist of representatives from the following organizations, and may be amended as needed. Individuals representing the organizations should have executive decision-making authority.

Established in November 2022, the NPA consists of representatives from the Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce, Nassau County Economic Development Board, Small Business Development Center at UNF and Prosper Nassau, and serves as a unified coalition to facilitate strategic initiatives that promote economic development and support the local economic ecosystem.

The NPA has released their Annual Report for 2024.  This serves as a State of the Local Economic Ecosystem and covers a variety of topics including, but not limited to, labor force and unemployment, economic development, infrastructure and growth leadership, business climate, governance, quality-of-life, and quality-of-place. 

Additional information on the NPA can be found here. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

5/27/25 @ 3:15 p.m. - The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) invites you to a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Monday, June 16, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. as we celebrate the completion of Phase Two of the Nassau County Public Safety Training Complex. 
 
Phase Two includes an indoor training facility that will allow for enhanced capabilities of Nassau County’s public safety and first responders. This $7.95 million facility was funded through a $5.95 million State Legislative Grant received by the BOCC, along with use of $2 million in impact fees paid by new developments.
 
Phase One, completed in March 2021, consisted of a gun range and a temporary parking area. This initial $1.6 million investment was made possible through investments by the BOCC and through federal funds. 
 
Upon final completion, the Public Safety Training Complex will serve as a site where our local public safety and first responders can maximize their skills through training and participate in exercises consisting of realistic events to help them prepare for future incidents.
 
The BOCC is currently designing a new K-9 training facility, also funded by Legislative Grants.  With the Sheriff’s Department utilizing the first improvements at the site, the remaining portions of the Public Safety Training Complex buildout will include future site improvements to support Nassau County Fire Rescue and other local public safety services.
 
The BOCC is grateful to the Sheriff and his personnel for taking the lead to bring the training building to completion and is looking forward to celebrating with the NSCO and the community at the Ribbon Cutting on June 16th.
 
-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

5/27/25 @ 8:45 a.m. - 

As you may know, it's turtle nesting season! From May 1st - October 31st each year, sea turtles visit Amelia Island beaches to nest, and it's up to all of us to make their visit as safe as possible! During this turtle nesting season, we are introducing "Turtle Talk Tuesday". Every Tuesday, we will provide you with facts about our local turtle population and what is being done to protect them. 

Week Four: Keep It Flat!

We all love to dig holes at the beach, however did you know that holes can be a danger to both people and sea turtles? People who are walking or running on the beach may not notice the hole and could be injured from falling in. Large holes also create dangerous obstacles that beach rovers and lifeguards must navigate around. Not only does it slow response time, it creates a hazard for their vehicles as well. For sea turtles, these large holes can cause death as nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings can get stuck with no way out. Turtles stuck after sunrise are very likely to die. Enjoy your time at the beach but when you're done, please be sure to fill in your holes before you go.

-Sabrina Robertson 
​ Communications Officer

5/25/25 @ 7:30 p.m. - County Offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025, in observance of Memorial Day. Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday. May we never forget the selfless bravery of the men and women who have laid down their lives to protect their fellow citizens.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer 

5/25/25 @ 7:00 p.m. - Below are pictures from the week of May 16 - May 23, 2025. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer

5/23/25 @ 12:15 p.m. - Fernandina Beach Ocean Rescue sent out this important reminder regarding the beach flag warning system and what the different colored flags mean. Learning their meaning before you hit the beach to keep yourself and your family safe. 

Know Before You Go!

It’s Beach Safety Week! Our beach flag warning system keeps you informed about water conditions to help keep you safe. Make a habit of knowing the flag colors (and their meaning) before you hit the beaches!

red dangerous conditions - high surf
yellow - medium hazard - moderate surf
purple - stinging marine life
double red - water closed to the public

Fernandina Beach Ocean Rescue provides lifeguard services for Amelia Island beaches, including those in the County limits, through a mutual aid agreement. We appreciate all they do to keep residents and visitors safe. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer

5/22/25 @ 9:00 a.m. - Each year in May, Mental Health Awareness Month is recognized to support efforts at fighting the stigma associated with mental illness, providing support, educating and the public, and advocating for equal care. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), studies show that there are an estimated 57.8 million adults aged 18 and older in the United States which represents 1 out of every 5 adult Americans who experience mental illness each year, with 1 in 20 adults experiencing serious mental illness each year. However, due to limited or no knowledge of the need, barriers to care, or fear and shame, 60% of adults and 50% of youth do not receive the treatment necessary for their mental health needs and the average delay between onset of mental illness symptoms and treatment is 11 years.

At the Wednesday, May 21, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners presented a Proclamation declaring May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Nassau County, Florida. Representatives from Starting Point Behavioral Health and NAMI were both in attendance to accept it. NAMI Executive Director Suzanne Mailloux stated, "We recently expanded our services to Nassau County and we're grateful to be here, grateful to serve the community and grateful to guide individuals through peer support, and help them find the treatment and services they need." Dr. Laureen Pagel thanked the Board of County Commissioners to for their continued support and expressed her excitement about having NAMI as a new community partner in Nassau County to help serve the residents.

Recognizing the impact of awareness and education, access to services, and acceptance of the importance of mental health to a person's overall success is important in the fight against the stigma associated with mental illness. The Board of County Commissioners joins the efforts of Starting Point Behavioral Health and NAMI in promoting mental health, wellness and community understanding of support and services with a focus on prevention and early intervention. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer

5/21/25 @ 6:00 a.m. - Hurricane Season takes place yearly from June 1st - November 30th. It's important that residents begin preparing now to ensure you're ready should an emergency occur.

Did you know that Nassau County Emergency Management maintains a handy Preparedness Guide to help you plan for an emergency? It provides information on how to stay informed through AlertNassau, preparing an emergency supply kit, protecting personal property and locating your evacuation zone. Download your free copy today at www.onenassau.com. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer