All Categories - The County Insider

The County Insider

National Emergency Medical Services Week

5/16/2025

5/16/25 @ 11:30 a.m. - At the Monday, May 12, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners issued a Proclamation declaring May 18 - May 24, 2025 as National Emergency Medical Services Week in Nassau County, Florida.

EMS services are a vital public service and members of EMS teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. Access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury. EMS services have grown to fill a gap by providing important out of hospital care, including preventative medicine, follow-up care, and access to telemedicine.

This year's theme is "EMS: We Care. For Everyone". It is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of emergency medical services providers.

Nassau County Fire Rescue serves Nassau County with pride, integrity and compassion to anyone in need. During the last fiscal year, NCFR responded to 8,629 medical calls including car accidents, cardiac arrest, drug overdoses, and other emergency situations where they provided quick and efficient care, often saving the lives of residents and guests of Nassau County. We greatly appreciate their service and dedication.

We also extend a special thank you to the Fernandina Beach Fire Department (FBFD) for their service to City residents and providing support to NCFR when needed. We are grateful for the partnership and the ability to work together for the betterment of the community.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

TEAM for Girls Day Camp

5/16/2025

Nassau County Emergency Management has announced a new FREE summer day camp for girls in 7th to 9th grade. "Team for Girls" (Training, Education, Activities, and Mentorship for Girls Interested in Response Leadership and Safety) offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and insight into the vital roles women play in keeping our communities safe.

Throughout the week, participants will engage in interactive workshops, meet inspiring female professionals from various public safety fields — including law enforcement, fire services, emergency management, and emergency medical services — and take part in simulated real-world activities to build confidence and skills. This camp is designed to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of women as leaders in public safety.

The camp will take place from June 23 - June 27 from 9am-4pm daily at the Emergency Operations Center located at 77150 Citizens Circle, Yulee.

To register, please visit www.onenassau.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

Opening of the Beaches is Tomorrow

5/16/2025

5/16/25 @ 9:00 a.m.

It's finally time for our Second Annual Opening of the Beaches Event! Taking place tomorrow, Saturday, May 17, 2025, this event will feature a variety of activities for all ages and interests. Below is a breakdown of everything taking place.

MAIN BEACH from 10am-7pm
Food trucks, kid's activities , live music and the Vision 2050 tent. Also at Main Beach from 10am-3pm is the Wild Amelia Nature Festival featuring a Children's Entrepreneur's Market, live animals, and exhibits that focus on Nassau County's diverse ecosystem and creatures that inhabit them.

Music Schedule:
10:30 a.m. - Laid Back
12:15 p.m. - Brian Ernst
1:45 p.m. - The Sean McCarthy Band
3:30 p.m. - Gilberto '77
5:30 p.m. - The Honey Badgers

Food Trucks on site: Rosita's Latin Flavor, Eadtery, Jax Taco Truck, Kaleidoscope, Philly Boyz Cheesesteaks, King of Pops and Mr. Softee Ice Cream

PETERS POINT from 10am-4pm
Food trucks, vendors market and a DJ

Food Truck on site: Raphael's Italian Pizzeria, Sup Dawg, Mariah's Lemonade, and Kona Ice

We can't wait to celebrate with everyone tomorrow!

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

Peace Officers Memorial Day

5/15/2025

5/15/25 @ 6:00 a.m. - It's Peace Officers Memorial Day. Today, we honor the brave officers who serve on the front lines to protect our families and safeguard our communities from violence and disorder. Their oath to serve and protect comes with extraordinary risk and sacrifice. Sadly, hundreds of law enforcement officers die in the line of duty each year. Residents are encouraged to take time today to pray for those who grieve the fallen and to pay tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

Flags at Half-Staff Thursday

5/14/2025

5/14/25 @ 6:00 p.m. - Thursday, May 15, 2025 is Peace Officers Memorial Day. In accordance with a Presidential Proclamation, all flags shall be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday as we honor of the brave officers who protect our families and safeguard our communities, as well as the courageous men and women who have died in the line of duty. To view the Presidential Proclamation, please click here.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

County Earns Gold Level Accreditation for Safety

5/13/2025

5/13/25 @ 7:00 p.m.

Pursuant to the adopted Interim Strategic Plan, the Board of County Commissioners remains committed to ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability and creating a culture where employees are proud to work. This includes a commitment to a proactive and effective safety management.

The BOCC is pleased to announce that they have successfully achieved the Gold level Accreditation in the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust's Safety Excellence Initiative (SEI) for having the highest level of safety excellence. Reaching this milestone required scoring at least 85% on the safety comprehensive assessment. The SEI Program not only benchmarks our safety practices against industry best standards, it also enables the County to continually improve and reduce workplace injuries, losses, and claims.

As a result of earning the Gold level accreditation, the BOCC is now eligible to receive reimbursement of up to $6,000 for purchase of qualifying safety-related purchases to further increase safety within the organization. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team in fostering a culture of safety throughout the County departments.

We are grateful to the Safety Committee for all their efforts in providing quarterly safety training for safety sensitive positions. A special thank you to Public Works and Human Resources/Risk Management for leading the safety committee and for providing the data necessary to qualify the BOCC for this prestigious award.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

Upcoming Closure at Wildlight and Curiosity Avenue

5/13/2025

5/14/25 @ 2:00 p.m.

Nassau County has been made aware of upcoming work in the Wildlight Community that will require a closure to the intersection of Wildlight Avenue and Curiosity Avenue beginning on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Improvements will include the demolition of the existing intersection, placement of a temporary access road, and construction of the new roundabout.

All work will be performed by Vallencourt Construction Company, Inc. and is anticipated to be complete by Friday, August 8, 2025. According to the notice, traffic will be maintained in accordance with Florida Department of Transportaiton (FDOT) Design Standards throughout the process.

If you have any questions, please contact Zach Brecht, Senior Project Manager for England-Thims & Miller, Inc.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day

5/13/2025

5/13/25 @ 1:30 p.m. - May 15th was designated by Presidential Proclamation in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy as Peace Officer Memorial Day and the week on which it falls as National Police Week. This was designated to honor those officers, Federal, State and local, who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty.

National Police Week has become widely recognized throughout the United States of America as a new way for citizenry to pay tribute and express their gratitude to those who serve, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. At the Monday, May 12, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) issued a Proclamation proclaiming May 11 - May 17, 2025 as National Police Week and Wednesday, May 15, 2025 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in Nassau County, Florida.

There are currently over 800,000 law enforcement officers nationwide, including the dedicated members of the Nassau County Sheriff's Office and the City of Fernandina Beach Police Department. Since the first recorded death in 1786, there are currently more than 24,000 law enforcement officers in the United States who made the ultimate sacrifice and have been killed in the line of duty, including thirteen Law Enforcement Officers from Nassau County: 8 from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, 1 from the City of Fernandina Beach Police Department, 1 Florida Highway Patrol Officer, 2 from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Law Enforcement, and 1 Hilliard Constable.

Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper and various personnel from the Sheriff's Office were in attendance to accept the Proclamation, as well as Commander Jim Norman accepting on behalf of the FBPD.

The BOCC acknowledges and commends all law enforcement personnel in Nassau County for their service and dedication to the residents. The BOCC also encourages citizens to know and understand the duties, responsibilities, and sacrifices our local law enforcement officers make for our community and to credit them for their efforts in safeguarding life and property and protecting us from violence and disorder.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

Vision 2050 Open House in Hilliard This Week

5/13/2025

5/13/25 @ 9:30 a.m. - Vision 2050 is here—make your voice heard!

After two years of community input and collaboration, from surveys to pop-up events to Bicentennial Celebrations, the County is proud to unveil the Draft Vision 2050 Plan: a roadmap for guiding growth, policies, and programs over the next 25 years.

This plan reflects your priorities for a vibrant, high-quality future in Nassau County.

Explore the Vision 2050 components, including the Growth Plan, actions, and strategies, and then share your feedback! Visit the project website to explore the interactive StoryMap before May 23, 2025.

Prefer to give feedback in person? Join us at one of our Open House events to connect with County planners and neighbors and make your voice heard. The next one is scheduled for this Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 6pm at Hilliard Town Hall.

This is the final opportunity to share your input on the Draft Vision 2050 Plan before it’s finalized. Don’t miss out!

To learn more about the Nassau Florida Vision Plan and ways to get involved, please visit www.nassaufl2050.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

Turtle Talk Tuesday: Sea Turtle Nesting on Amelia Island

5/13/2025

5/13/25 @ 6:00 am.

Sea turtle nesting season takes places annually from May 1st to October 31st. During this time, we will share week messages regarding sea turtles and what is being done to protect them.

Week Two:
Mary Duffy, Executive Director for the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch, has provided a beginning of the season update. Please see below.

"Turtle season 2025 has started off with a bang. Historically, the island’s first nest occurs around Mother’s Day. This year, all species have started nesting earlier throughout the state. Amelia Island’s first nest in 2025 was April 30! The earliest nest recorded was in 2013, on April 29. Prior to 2013, the turtles arrived during the first and second weeks of May. FWC (Fish and Wildlife Commission) has no definite reason other than the speculation that temperature changes might be getting them started earlier. At any rate, the nesting season has begun.

Beach renourishment is alive and well on our island and around the state. In 2021, the South Amelia Island Shore Stabilization Association (SAISSA) conducted a project on the south end of Amelia Island during nesting season. Also, each winter, the Navy contracts the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) to perform a maintenance dredge of the St. Mary’s River Channel. Material dredged from the channel is placed on the north end of the island in an arrangement with the Navy, the ACE, and the City of Fernandina Beach. This maintenance dredge is not considered beach renourishment because the purpose of the work is to maintain the width and depth of the channel for the navy submarines. The sand that comes from the channel is considered sand deposition. There are no requirements for AISTW to monitor the beach during this maintenance dredge work because it is outside of nesting season.

As the 2025 nesting season begins, we have another project happening on the island. This project is also coordinated by the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE), and is considered renourishment because the borrow pit is south of the jetties and will not affect the channel used for submarines. It is a project that was funded several years ago but was postponed due to Covid. The purpose is to restore the beach after impact from numerous hurricanes. When the project begins, sand will be pumped onto the island beginning about 2 blocks north of Dolphin Street at Main Beach and will travel south to access 24, south of Sadler Rd. As with the project on the south end in 2021, AISTW is monitoring and relocating nests from the impacted area.

Mother’s Day brought the first nest to the project area and was relocated to a safe location.

AISTW has identified areas of the island where nests are safe from lights, vehicles, and normal erosion. This and future nests from the path of the project will be carefully dug up, carried to the new location, and carefully reburied. A new cavity is dug and designed to replicate (as much as possible) the original nest cavity. Sand from the original nest is used to line the new nest because it contains body fluid from the mother turtle. AISTW permitted volunteers are trained to dig up and relocate the eggs.

This is the only condition under which relocation can occur based on the AISTW permit issued by FWC and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (MTP 088). Nest relocation is considered by FWC to be a viable solution to issues created by such projects occurring during nesting season.

Hopefully, the turtles will choose less active and quieter places on the island to nest once construction is fully underway. This is another example of how adaptable these ancient mariners have proven to be."

Thank you, Mary, for this very exciting and informative update. We look forward to hearing more as the season goes on.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer