Local

Bowls of soup are served up during Barnabas Center’s 12th annual Empty Bowls event Nov. 25. The event raised $50,000, including the online auction of several locally hand-painted bowls, pictured above right. Photos by Marisa DeMar

Bowls of soup are served up during Barnabas Center’s 12th annual Empty Bowls event Nov. 25. The event raised $50,000, including the online auction of several locally hand-painted bowls, pictured above right. Photos by Marisa DeMar

Empty Bowls fill donation goal

News Staff
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Marisa DeMar News-Leader   The Barnabas Center reached its goal of raising at least $50,000 through the 12th annual Empty Bowls event Nov. 25, which was created to further the mission of combatting food insecurity in Nassau County.
Buford’s grave received a U.S. Lighthouse Service grave marker in honor of his career, during which he manned the St. Johns River Lighthouse. Photos submitted and by Anna Newhoff

Buford’s grave received a U.S. Lighthouse Service grave marker in honor of his career, during which he manned the St. Johns River Lighthouse. Photos submitted and by Anna Newhoff

Buford honored for light service

News Staff
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Anna Newhoff NCR Reporter   A Nassau County man was honored posthumously with a U.S. Lighthouse Service grave marker. A dedication ceremony was held Nov. 22 at Jones Cemetery in Callahan to honor Amos Beauregard Buford. He was born Oct. 20. 1862 in Boulogne. In 1888, he married Viola L.
Mariah Riley lifts his arms in triumph while competing in the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Eating Contest at Hallmark Our Hilliard Saturday. He won the adult division while Riley Savord, above center, won the kids’ competition. They each received Little Debbie boxes filled with donations from local vendors who were selling wares at the town’s market. Santa Claus and the Grinch arrived in the evening for the town’s annual tree lighting ceremony, with carols sung as attendees enjoyed cookies, coffee and

Mariah Riley lifts his arms in triumph while competing in the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Eating Contest at Hallmark Our Hilliard Saturday. He won the adult division while Riley Savord, above center, won the kids’ competition. They each received Little Debbie boxes filled with donations from local vendors who were selling wares at the town’s market. Santa Claus and the Grinch arrived in the evening for the town’s annual tree lighting ceremony, with carols sung as attendees enjoyed cookies, coffee and

Hallmark Christmas

News Staff
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Mariah Riley lifts his arms in triumph while competing in the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Eating Contest at Hallmark Our Hilliard Saturday. He won the adult division while Riley Savord, above center, won the kids’ competition.
Logs spill onto the ground near the Circle K gas station across from the Marathon at the intersection of County Road 108 and U.S. 1 in Hilliard Monday morning. The driver was not injured. Photo by Amanda McCullough

Logs spill onto the ground near the Circle K gas station across from the Marathon at the intersection of County Road 108 and U.S. 1 in Hilliard Monday morning. The driver was not injured. Photo by Amanda McCullough

Log truck overturns in Hilliard Monday

News Staff
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Anna Newhoff NCR Reporter A semi-truck carrying logs overturned in the middle of Hilliard Monday morning, halting traffic and drawing an emergency response. According to Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Robert Grant, a call came in at 10:30 a.m.
Students from the fifth grade classes of Stephen Simmons and Heather Drury participate in the Warrior Run at Callahan Intermediate School Nov. 21.

Students from the fifth grade classes of Stephen Simmons and Heather Drury participate in the Warrior Run at Callahan Intermediate School Nov. 21.

CIS exceeds Warrior Run donation goal

News Staff
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Students from the fifth grade classes of Stephen Simmons and Heather Drury participate in the Warrior Run at Callahan Intermediate School Nov. 21. The school’s annual fundraising color run had received nearly $31,000 in donations by 10:45 a.m.
Fernandina Beach High School students Passion Roberts and Myo Magyari practice bathing a mannequin. Medical programs of various degrees now exist within all four county high schools. Photo by Nick Blank

Fernandina Beach High School students Passion Roberts and Myo Magyari practice bathing a mannequin. Medical programs of various degrees now exist within all four county high schools. Photo by Nick Blank

Baptist helps YHS students tip the scale

News Staff
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Pam Bushnell For the Record   Local students exploring a career in healthcare can now take relevant courses and gain insights into the many job options in the field while still in high school through programs offered by Baptist Medical Center Nassau and Yulee High School.
Members of the Future Educators of America from West Nassau High School visit Callahan Elementary School Nov. 17.

Members of the Future Educators of America from West Nassau High School visit Callahan Elementary School Nov. 17.

Future educators visit CES classes

News Staff
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Members of the Future Educators of America from West Nassau High School visit Callahan Elementary School Nov. 17. The students spent time in first and second grade classrooms, assisting teachers and seeing what makes CES a special place to learn and grow.
Hilliard Public Works Department employees repair a water service line on Front Street between Illinois and Florida streets Monday morning. Photo courtesy of the Town of Hilliard

Hilliard Public Works Department employees repair a water service line on Front Street between Illinois and Florida streets Monday morning. Photo courtesy of the Town of Hilliard

Sewer, water rates increase

News Staff
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Anna Newhoff NCR Reporter   Residents flooded Hilliard Town Hall to speak about water and sewer rate increases at the Hilliard Town Council meeting Nov. 20. However, Ordinance No. 2025-08 passed unanimously, raising the water rate by 12% and the sewer rate by 49% effective Jan. 1.
A brush fire ignited in Hilliard Nov. 22, burning 43 acres. According to a Florida Highway Patrol press release, the fire started at 1:09 p.m. near U.S. 1 and Murrhee Road.

A brush fire ignited in Hilliard Nov. 22, burning 43 acres. According to a Florida Highway Patrol press release, the fire started at 1:09 p.m. near U.S. 1 and Murrhee Road.

Hilliard wildfire sparks Saturday

News Staff
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
A brush fire ignited in Hilliard Nov. 22, burning 43 acres. According to a Florida Highway Patrol press release, the fire started at 1:09 p.m. near U.S. 1 and Murrhee Road.
Old Town Hall in Hilliard

Old Town Hall in Hilliard

Hilliard relocates various departments

News Staff
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Anna Newhoff NCR Reporter   The old Hilliard Town Hall is coming back into service. A few departments will now be working out of the old building, located at 15879 W. County Road 108.  Town hall moved in July 2007 to its current location, 15859 W. County Road 108.