8/29/17 @ 11:30 a.m. - For the past 12 years, Nassau County Firefighters have participated in the Muscular Dystrophy Association's annual Fill the Boot Campaign to help raise money and awareness in the fight against Muscular Dystrophy. Since then, more than $366,530 has been raised by local firefighters who selflessly give their time and energy for the MDA.

This year's Fill the Boot event will take place September 1-4, 2017. To kick off the event, MDA's ambassador, Ben, was escorted around to all the County fire stations with George Faucher, Engineer for Nassau County Fire Rescue. Ben was able to climb aboard fire engines and was able to meet dozens of our local heroes, including Nassau County Fire Chef, Brady Rigdon! To finish his day, Ben attended the Board of County Commissioner's meeting and was presented with a Resolution proclaiming Sept. 1-4, 2017 as "Fill the Boot Days". To watch this heartwarming event, please visit the County's website. Once there, click on the video link for the August 28, 2017 Board of County Commissioner's meeting.

We urge all Nassau County residents to help fill the boot this Labor Day weekend and to join Nassau County in the fight against muscular dystrophy!

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

8/28/17 @ 4:30 p.m. - Nassau County received an email this afternoon from Bryan Koon, Director for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, regarding early fundraising efforts related to Hurricane Harvey survivors. "Texas has yet to identify any needs at this point and has no ability to deal with donations they receive, no matter how well-intended. The best way to assist is through cash donations to a recognized charity". Here is a link to the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website where you can locate information on the Hurricane Harvey Response efforts, including links to make donations.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

8/28/17 @ 10:15 a.m. - Did you know that the several departments under the Board of County Commissioners provide monthly status updates on activities that were completed the previous month, as well as a timeline of ongoing projects? For example, in the below report for Public Works, the Board was provided information on active projects such as the Pages Dairy/Chester Road Intersection Project, resurfacing and widening of CR 115, the paving of Crawford Road, the resurfacing of Andrews Road and Thomas Creek Road, as well as many other projects currently underway and a list of recently completed projects.

Below you can also find the most recent reports from the Building Department/Code Enforcement, the County Extension Office, Facilities Maintenance, Nassau County Fire/Rescue, and the Library. These reports are submitted to the Board at their monthly day meeting which falls on the third Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. In lieu of having to locate the appropriate agenda to find the monthly reports, we will begin posting them here for your information.

August Status Reports:
Building Department/Code Enforcement
County Extension
Facilities Maintenance
Fire/Rescue
Library
Public Works

If you have any questions about these reports, please contact those departments directly. Their contact information can be located on the County's website under the "Departments" tab.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office  

8/25/17 @ 10:45 a.m. - There will be a daytime lane closure on State Road 200/A1A this Saturday, August 26th from 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Said closure will be in the right, eastbound lane between St. Peter Blvd. and the Lofton Creek Boat Ramp. There are no other lane closures scheduled for the week of August 26-September 1, 2017 at this time.

If you have any questions, please contact Carrie Smithheart, Project Engineer for England, Thims & Miller at (904) 509-9007.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager

8/24/17 @ 10:00 a.m. - Now that the solar eclipse is over, are you wondering what to do with your new glasses? According to Waste Advantage Magazine, if you purchased the cardboard kind, you can remove the solar filter lenses and toss the cardboard frames into the recycling bin. If you can find a location that processes film, you can take the lenses there for recycling. Otherwise, you can toss those into the trash. If you purchased the fancier plastic frame, those cannot be recycled.

If you want to pass them along to someone else who could use them, Astronomers Without Borders announced a plan to collect glasses and send them to Asia and South American for a 2019 eclipse. The details haven't been released yet, however the information will be shared on their FaceBook page or their website in the near future.

If you decide you would like to hold onto your glasses for a future eclipse, NASA has announced that as long as the filters aren't scratched, punctured or torn, you may reuse them indefinitely. Some glasses are printed with a warning that you should discard them after three years, however NASA has indicated these warnings are outdated and do not apply to glasses with the ISO 12312-2 standard adopted in 2015.

For more information, please visit Waste Advantage Magazine's website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

8/24/17 @ 9:40 a.m. - Please see the below Press Release from the Florida Department of Transportation regarding a lane shift to the westbound lane of State Road 200/A1A between I-95 and Still Quarters Road which will go into effect on Saturday, August 26th.

Westbound lane shift in Yulee planned for 8/26
From I-95 to Still Quarters Road on A1A/SR 200 in Nassau County
 
Yulee – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to shift westbound traffic onto the newly constructed temporary westbound pavement on A1A/State Road 200 from Still Quarters Road to west of Interstate 95 Saturday, August 26, depending on weather. Eastbound traffic will remain in its present configuration for about another two weeks when crews will plan to make another shift for eastbound traffic to move into the former westbound lanes (see map attached). These lane shifts will allow the contractor to construct the new eastbound lanes.
 
This project in Yulee consists of reconstruction and widening of 2.2 miles of A1A from west of I-95 to west of Still Quarters Road, widening of ramps at Interstate 95/A1A exit 373 (to Yulee/Callahan/Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach), and the reconfiguration of the interchange under Interstate 95 into the region’s first *diverging diamond interchange (DDI).
 
The widening project increases the roadway from four lanes to six lanes and includes raised medians, bicycle lanes, curbs and gutters, sidewalks and high mast lighting.
 
The project costs approximately $40 million and is expected to be completed by summer 2020 depending on weather and unforeseen delays. 
 
J.B. Coxwell Contracting, Inc. of Jacksonville has been hired to complete the work for FDOT.
*A diverging diamond interchange (DDI) is a type of interchange where the two directions of traffic below I-95 briefly drive on the opposite side of the road. This will be a significant improvement in safety, since long left turns crossing traffic lanes to enter or exit the Interstate will be eliminated. Additionally, the DDI promotes added efficiency with only two clearance intervals (the time for traffic signals to change from green to yellow to red) instead of the six or more found in other interchange designs. For more information about the DDI and to watch a video of how it will work for this project, visit: www.nflroads.com/DDI

If you have any questions, please contact Odette Struys, Public Information Officer for FDOT, at (904) 360-5582 or via e-mail at Odette.struys@dot.state.fl.us.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

8/18/17 @ 4:00 p.m. - The Florida Department of Transportation has provided the attached monthly status report for the State Road 200/A1A Widening Project. The report gives an overview on activities that have taken place since the project began in September 2014, as well as the activities that are expected to take place this month.

If you have any questions, please contact Odette Struys, Public Information Officer for FDOT, at (904) 360-5582 or via e-mail at Odette.Struys@dot.state.fl.us.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

8/18/17 @ 3:30 p.m. - We are currently seeking players and sponsors for the 6th Annual City of Fernandina Beach vs. Nassau County Charity Golf Tournament taking place on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club. The tournament will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will consist of a shot-gun start and a scrambled format. Team entry is $300 per foursome or $75 per player and includes 18 holes of golf, lunch and prizes.

Sponsorship opportunities:

- Lunch sponsorship is $500 and includes entry for 4 into the tournament, recognition at each lunch table, and recognition on the tournament sign.

- Hole sponsorship is $400 and includes entry for 4 into the tournament, recognition at the tee box, recognition on the tournament sign, and a personalized sign to be located at your sponsored hole.

- You can also become a sponsor by contributing prizes and/or gift cards and gift certificates to be used in our raffle. Golf balls, golf clubs, certificates for store merchandise, and restaurant gift certificates all make wonderful prizes and are greatly appreciated!

All donors will receive a confirmation letter and receipt for tax purposes. All donations must be received prior to Friday, October 27th in order for your name to be included on the recognition signs displayed at the tournament. If you have any questions about becoming a sponsor, please contact Sabrina Robertson or Megan Sawyer at (904) 530-6010 ext. 6003 or via e-mail at contact@nassaucountyfl.com. 

The tournament is open to any and everyone, not just City and County employees. So if you like to golf, please considering joining us for what is sure to be an exciting game. You can sign up by contacting the City Golf Course at (904) 310-3175.

All proceeds will benefit the United Way of Northeast Florida.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

8/17/17 @ 11:30 a.m. - In January 2016, the Board approved a resolution in support of a request to the Florida Department of Transportation to create and place customized signs in Yulee along State Road 200 and US 17 in honor of 2015 Heisman Trophy Winner, Derrick Henry. The estimated cost for permitting and construction of both signs was $27,490. The Board has been seeking donations to assist with the costs.

To date, only $5,685 has been raised. The Board is looking for help from the public to bring this project to fruition so Mr. Henry can get the recognition he deserves. If you are interested in making a donation, please make a check payable to the Board of Commissioners with a note in the memo for Derrick Henry and mail the check to 96135 Nassau Place, Suite 1, Yulee, FL. Cash payments can also be made at this location or you can make a payment online.

The Board would also like to take this opportunity to thank individuals and businesses that have made donations so far:

• Peggy Snyder
• Vivian Hardy
• Charles Langley
• Roger & Brenda Linville
• R.N. and G.M. Murff
• George & Marilyn Spicer
• David C. Howard
• Springer Controls, Co.
• Isadore Singleton and Wayne DeArman
• Judith Clance Lynch
• Johnnie & Gerald Enter, Jr.
• Gerard & Erika Jackson
• Ann Gaskin
• Beverly R. Hall
• Paul & Susan Borge
• Caroline W. Wyatt
• John & Laura Nicholson
• Florida Public Utilities
• R.P.M. Wood Products, Inc.

We will continue to post updates here to keep the public informed about our progress. If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager's Office at (904) 530-6010.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

8/16/17 @ 9:15 a.m. - Please see the below Press Release issued today by the Florida Department of Health. It includes tips on protecting your eyes during the solar eclipse, as well as a list of vendors selling approved eclipse glasses.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2017
Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Florida - On Monday, August 21, Florida will experience a partial solar eclipse, and the Florida Department of Health reminds all Floridians to enjoy this rare event safely by following simple precautions and using proper protection. Severe retinal damage can occur from looking directly at the sun.

"The solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime event that I'm sure many of us will want to experience,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary Dr. Celeste Philip. "I look forward to viewing the eclipse safely using approved solar eclipse glasses, and I encourage all of Florida's residents and visitors to practice caution while driving or walking outdoors during the period of darkness.”

Because Florida will not experience a total solar eclipse, it will not be safe the view the eclipse without the use of special solar filters like eclipse glasses. Sunglasses are not eclipse glasses. Not all glasses that market themselves as "eclipse glasses” are safe. Approved glasses have filters that meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for safety. A list of vendors for approved eclipse glasses can be viewed on the American Astronomical Society (AAS) website. During the eclipse, be sure to take breaks and avoid staring at the sun for long periods of time, even with eclipse glasses.

Take simple precautions to protect your vision before, during and after the solar eclipse:

• Always inspect your solar filter before use; if scratched or damaged, discard it. Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter;
• Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device;
• Always supervise children using solar filters; and
• Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright sun. After looking at the sun, turn away and remove your filter — do not remove it while looking at the sun.

You can read more about solar eclipse safety on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Eclipse 101 website.
If you experience eye damage during the solar eclipse, please contact your health care provider.

About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov
 
-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office