New band uniforms will strike a chord with the Flashes next fall. 

Seventy coats and gauntlets should arrive in August. The cost is $18,000. 

Hilliard Middle-Senior High School’s band members have utilized the same coats since 2006, according to Director of Bands William Hazlett.

“They’re just starting to look a little shabby,” he said.  

The new coats will feature a left white shoulder and sleeve with red shoulder and sleeve on the right side. The back of the coat is all black. Band students currently wear a coat that is black, white and red. New gauntlets will also be worn this year, with the bibbers and hats reutilized for another season. 

Hazlett said that with $13,000 already available in savings, $10,000 would be paid through a three-year installment loan from the Nassau County School Board. 

 “We don’t want to deplete our capital,” Hazlett said of keeping $5,000 in savings.

Band students will also hold fundraisers to assist the overall budget to support future purchases as needed. R and R Wings and Seafood will donate a portion of the proceeds from sales March 5. A yard sale is planned April 6 in the empty parking lot at U.S. 1 South and County Road 108. 

The HMSHS Jazz Band performs with a “Swing into Spring” concert April 25. A small admission fee will be charged. Light refreshments will also be available. Donations are welcome at all functions.

On another note, the jazz band earned a superior rating during a musical performance assessment at Jacksonville University Feb. 14. 

Solo and ensemble students were assessed at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, scoring superior and excellent Feb. 15. 

Solo musicians Cheyenne Tyrrell earned superior rating for mallet; Drew Bunkley earned a superior rating for his euphonium solo while clarinetist Olivia Cagle earned an excellent rating. 

Trumpet duet Mya Roe and Christian Cagle received an excellent rating while Lacey Lewis achieved a superior rating for her alto saxophone solo. Percussion trio Andrew Huber, Griffin Underwood and Carrington Smith also received a superior rating. Tristen Roddenberry received an excellent rating for clarinet solo. Amelia Underwood earned a superior rating for her alto saxophone solo. 

Lucas Moore earned a superior rating for trombone. He also served as an accompanist on keyboard as did Shelli Long. Clarinet trio Kayla Guinn, Jade Miller and Hannah Hessong earned a superior rating as well.  

Hilliard color guard members Mya Roe, Addisen Brackeen, Madina Westerman and Trinity Jordan recently received an excellent rating.  

The concert band will be assessed at Mandarin High School Friday. 

Hazlett is proud of the students’ progress this year. 

“It’s going very well,” he said. “Their hard work is producing positive results.” 

The musicians will travel to Orlando to perform during the Music USA Festivals March 29.

Lisa Graves turns frowns upside down as Skittles the Clown. 

“I always wanted to be a clown growing up,” the former Callahan resident said. “I was intrigued with clowns whenever we went to the circus.” 

As Skittles, Graves dons brightly-colored wigs and a red nose and dresses in vivid colors all the way down to her Converse sneakers. She occasionally wears clown shoes. 

She can apply the mostly flesh-toned and white-accented Auguste Clown makeup, put on a wig and finish all the details to reveal Skittles within 30 minutes.

After initially creating a character named Scrubs, a nod to her part-time career as a surgical nurse, Graves chose to adopt Skittles – named for the rainbow-colored candy. Her colorful interactions that include candy Skittles caught on with young audiences. 

“Now I’m Skittles and the kids relate to it very well,” Graves said. 

Skittles performs at children’s birthday parties, corporate events, wedding receptions and community and church happenings. 

“The kids think I’m hilarious,” Graves said. “I always try to make sure they feel special, because a lot of kids don’t always have support at home.”

After graduating from Jacksonville’s Gator Clown School in 2011, Graves began performing. 

“I was just overjoyed with excitement,” she said of receiving her certificate. “I was just like a little kid, because it was something I always wanted to do. And it was finally coming to fruition.” 

Although the art of clowning and circus life may be on the wane, Graves is in tune with her profession. 

“They say that clowning is an art of the heart and I would agree,” she said. “And sadly, today’s generation doesn’t have the love of clowning that previous generations did.” 

Graves continuously hones her art with fellow clown Bill Gillespie. She learns new routines and watches videos online to stay updated on clowning techniques. 

She has also perfected her ability to twist balloons into animals of all kinds.

“I sometimes joke with people and tell them that my superpower is I can turn balloons into animals,” she said. 

Skittles presents magic shows that feature bunnies, hamsters and doves. 

Sometimes her friends the Easter Bunny, Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Santa Claus join in the fun. She’s appeared in many events in Callahan and also works off-clown-duty at Gator’s Discount Outlet. She is also an active volunteer with Be the Change Northeast Florida. Joel Pace heads the group’s efforts to assist the community. 

“My overall effort is to cheer people and make them happy and forget, at least momentarily, all the unpleasant things in their life,” Graves said. 

She even has a strategy to help children combat their fear of clowns. 

“If somebody tells me, ‘Oh, she’s scared of clowns,’ I try to stay away from them – yet keep eye contact with them and wave and smile and, eventually, they’ll see that you’re not creepy or scary and they’ll come around,” Graves said. “I find that more adults are afraid of clowns.” 

Skittles gets a lot of attention when she’s driving a vehicle. 

“When you’re down the road and you’re in clown – people are taking pictures and waving and hanging out of their car windows to look at you,” Graves said. 

Be the Change Northeast Florida volunteers and Joel Pace Piano and Music students host their monthly clothing giveaway, yard sale and open house amidst steady rain showers Saturday. The next giveaway and yard sale will be April 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the studio, 14244 Pace Rd., Jacksonville. The students also perform at the historic Callahan Train Depot March 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. during the West Nassau Historical Society’s St. Patrick’s Day ice cream social. The students also host a community Easter egg hunt April 20, 10 a.m. to noon at the depot. The community is welcome at all events. 

Callahan Elementary School second grade students walk to Brandies Ace Hardware on a field trip each year. Co-owner Raymond Fachko demonstrates key cutting. The tour included historical facts. The building was built in 1915 and once housed a silent movie theatre and boxing ring. A hardware store first opened at the location July 5, 1945, during World War II. The small building just west of the store, behind the parking lot, was once the Callahan Jail.

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office offers “Drive Like Your Kids Live Here” yard signs to homeowners to remind motorists to drive safely, especially where kids live and play. 

The signage is part of the NCSO’s continuing crime prevention and education efforts.

This durable sign and stand, which is purchased with crime prevention funds, is free to people who live in Nassau County and will serve as a subtle reminder for motorists to observe and obey all traffic laws, according to a press release from the NCSO.

Nassau County is growing rapidly and more traffic is on the roadways, the release notes.

Rules for requesting a sign include:

• Limit one per household

• Available for homeowners in Nassau County

• Must comply with any Nassau County, town or city sign ordinances 

• Respect homeowner association rules

• Do not place signs on public rights-of-way, near intersections that might affect visibility, or in every yard in the neighborhood.

• Make sure signs do not interfere with visibility for backing out of driveways.

To request a sign, email boleary@nassauso.com or call 904-548-4030 and provide your name, address and phone number. Once approved, the NCSO Traffic Unit will deliver a sign to the residence.

The Nassau County School District implemented the Guardian Program to bolster school security efforts, beginning with three new hires. 

Kyle Lane, Laurie Baughan and William Schmelling completed certification requirements Feb. 8 to become the first-ever members of the program, according to a Nassau County Sheriff’s Office press release. 

They will be armed and assigned to elementary schools across the county. The NCSO will continue to provide armed school resource officers at middle and high schools as contracted by the school board. Guardians will not have arrest powers that SROs and school safety officers have. 

School resource officers are NCSO and City of Fernandina Beach Police Department personnel who are contracted by the school district. Safety officers, who are certified law enforcement officers, and school guardians are employed by the school district. 

The school district currently pays for nine school resource officers under contract with the City of Fernandina Beach and NCSO, according to J. Ray Poole, chief of legal services, Nassau County School District. 

“We have an armed SRO, school safety officer or guardian at each school in the school district,” Poole wrote via email. “Our focus is primarily upon staffing schools with SROs and school safety officers, since people in those positions are sworn law enforcement officers. However, where an applicant is not a sworn law enforcement officer but has a military background, we will consider hiring them as a guardian.”

The school board’s long-range goal is to phase out the utilization of officers from the City of Fernandina Beach Police Department and hire either school safety officers or guardians for schools on the island, according to Poole. 

Executive Director of Business Services Susan Farmer provided the budgetary outlay. 

“Our projections for the current year are $293,105 for the City of Fernandina Beach and $238,691 for the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office,” she wrote via email. “We reimburse the city and sheriff in full for salaries and benefits that they provide to their officers who serve as SROs at our schools. Additionally, we pay the sheriff’s office to provide training to our school safety officers and guardians.”

The school district’s Office of Safety and Security oversees protection services supplied to campuses, including the Guardian Program. 

Farmer continued, “Funding for this program comes from (Florida Education Finance Program) Safe Schools funding and local taxpayer dollars.” 

The starting salary for school safety officers ranges from $28,144 to $30,742 depending on the amount of experience. 

“These officers can earn supplemental pay for certifications and educational degrees,” Farmer notes. 

Guardian starting pay also ranges from $28,144 to $30,742 based on experience. 

The Guardian Program arrived nearly a year after the Feb. 14, 2018 Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School shooting where 14 students and three school personnel were killed. Seventeen people were also injured in the incident. Florida legislators approved the Guardian Program as part of a bill that then-Gov. Rick Scott signed into law. 

The three candidates underwent extensive background checks and psychological examinations before they were hired by the school district. They also participated in an “intensive four-week training program” hosted by the NCSO’s Training Division, which began Jan. 14. 

“A combination of basic firearms instruction, CPR/TECC certification, defensive tactics education, active-shooter scenario-based drills and classroom instruction about diversity, legal issues and concealed carry laws, the training program was designed to prepare trainees to respond to active assailant incidents on school premises,” according to the press release. “The state-mandated curriculum required 144 hours of instruction; however, these new guardians were given 156 hours of training by NCSO deputies to make sure they are more than capable of protecting our schools.”

According to the press release, “After one more week of training with School District Safety Specialist Glenn Virden, who was hired to oversee school security in Nassau County, the guardians took their posts assigned to elementary schools across the county along with school safety officers, who are certified law enforcement officers already hired by the Nassau County School District. The NCSO will continue to provide training in various capacities throughout the year.”

During a recent meeting with other Florida sheriffs, NCSO Sheriff Bill Leeper received a briefing on the Parkland shooting from Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualteri. He served as chairman of a committee assigned to review the shooting. 

“This committee provided their initial 439-page report to the legislature and governor on what happened, why it happened and what if anything can be done to prevent these types of situations from occurring in the future,” the press release notes. “After the briefing, Sheriff Leeper noted there was obvious failure in several areas that need correcting from the mental health treatment to school security, preparedness, communication, policy, procedures and priorities, to the poor response by law enforcement.” 

The group also watched video of the shooting. 

According to the press release, “Leeper said it was difficult to watch, especially knowing that innocent lives were lost because of the many failures that occurred. A school shooting will happen again. The only questions will be where? When? And what have we done to minimize it happening at our schools?” 

For the past year, the NCSO and Leeper have worked closely with the school district to increase school security.

“This is just another step in that direction,” the sheriff noted in the press release. “The training program went really well. Our trainers greatly enjoyed the experience. Being a trainer means taking on new challenges, and this was definitely a large one.”

Superintendent Dr. Kathy Burns attended the graduation. 

She stated her goal was “to make sure the school district was doing everything possible to allow students to learn and teachers to teach in a safe and secure environment,” the press release notes. 

School safety officers and school guardians are still needed. If you or someone you know is interested in one of these positions, call the Nassau County School Board at 904-491-9900.

Lem Turner Road’s travel history tells a tragic story of accidents and deaths and isn’t set for improvement any time soon.

In the past decade, out of around 400 traffic accidents, eight people have died from the intersection of Lem Turner Road and I-295 in Duval County to the intersection of Lem Turner Road and U.S. 1 in Callahan since January 2009. Three of those deaths were within the past three months.

Four of the fatalities are within data collected by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles from the Florida Highway Patrol, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, FHP Public Information Officer Master Sgt. Dylan Bryan wrote via email. 

“DHSMV is the centralized custodian of crash data as other departments report their crash data to us,” Bryan noted. 

The other fatal accidents were reported by the Record through the years, but not within the DHSMV data.

Patricia Trantham, 58, died in a head-on collision on Lem Turner Road near Bell Lane Dec. 7. 

Jacksonville’s Franklin Lee Fox, 58, was struck and killed by a car just north of Braddock Road as he attempted to walk across the road Nov. 20, 2009. 

Two additional fatal crashes occurred within less than 36 hours on the two-lane road, with one of those in Nassau County, claiming the lives of Jacksonville residents Stewart Lee Bowles, 58, and Donald Francis Lewis, 58, Feb. 12 and Feb. 14. 

The Record has reported numerous crashes involving serious injuries and deaths. Kelly Martinez, 11, died Nov. 2, 2007. The Callahan Middle School sixth-grader was struck by a vehicle as she crossed Lem Turner Road to reach her bus stop near her parents home. 

Also in 2007, Kimberly Enlow, 17, died from injuries a little over a month after a head-on collision on Lem Turner Road inside Duval County. The accident also killed Tansi Nickerson, 39, of Jacksonville and her passenger, 2-month-old Alloysivis Murray. 

The latest accident on Lem Turner Road occurred early Monday near Lannie Road. A Jacksonville bicyclist was critically injured after an SUV struck him at 12 a.m.

Alexander Iglesias, 34, was on his bicycle southbound when James Carl Davis, III, 39, of Callahan was driving a 2011 Chevy Traverse southbound and approached him from behind. The bicycle was traveling at a slower rate of speed when Davis failed to react in time and struck the bicycle with the vehicle’s front end, according to a media release from FHP. 

Following the SUV’s impact, the bicyclist came to a rest in the southbound lane of Lem Turner Road. Davis’ vehicle came to a controlled stop just south of the injured man. 

Iglesias, who was not wearing a helmet, was transported to UF Health Jacksonville.

The FHP covers areas of Lem Turner Road in both Duval and Nassau counties. 

“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to the safety of our community,” Bryan noted via email. “Lem Turner Road is also designated as (State Road) 115. Therefore, it falls within our scope of jurisdiction. We actively patrol that specific stretch of roadway and have numerous troopers that live throughout the area. While our increased visibility is a deterrent in itself, we proactively educate and enforce the traffic laws of our state in order to provide the safest roads possible for our community.”

Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper echoed a similar message, writing, 

“Our traffic unit periodically works traffic details along Lem Turner Road and we will continue to do so. We also receive traffic complaints all over the county and respond to those as well.”

He emphasized the importance of vehicular safety. 

“Driving is one of the most dangerous things most people do every day and that’s why it is very important to make sure motorists obey the posted speed limits, wear seatbelts, don’t drink and drive and don’t drive distracted or when tired. Most vehicle crashes are preventable, so please drive safe,” Leeper noted. 

Area resident Tim Sweat posted on the Record’s Facebook page after learning about the two recent fatalities. 

“Lem Turner is a dangerous road!!! Me and my family avoid it at all cost, a little bit of wasted gas is better than a wasted life in my opinion,” he wrote. 

In an Aug. 11, 2016 story, the Record reported that Lem Turner Road was tapped for road widening within the North Florida TPO’s Path Forward 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan, pending funding and its addition by FDOT into the plan. 

The 12-mile section of the road from I-295 in Duval to U.S. 1 in Nassau was to be widened from two to four lanes. A $1 million planning study that takes 12 to 18 months was also part of the preliminary engineering phase. 

The project was slated to begin as early as 2022, with an $88 million cost estimate, including the $1 million planning study expense, according to TPO Planning Director Denise Bunnewith in 2016. 

The project is still considered a priority, but funding affects its outcome. 

Because it is an illustrated project, it “can only be included in the transportation plan if additional eligible funds beyond those in the existing financial plan become available,” wrote Samantha Rambeau, FDOT public information officer. “Currently, there are not enough eligible funds to pay for this proposed $88 million project. It is not part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s current five-year plan and will not begin construction in 2022.”

She continued, “Accord-ing to the long range plan, the expansion is considered a priority. If eligible funds above those included in the yearly financial plan became available, the department will evaluate this project as well as other projects and decide how to best move forward at that time.”

The Nassau County 4-H is full of activity.

The Nassau County 4-H Council hosted a Mad Scientist Fun Shop Jan. 24 for about 30 local kids. They spent the evening performing hands-on science experiments. The council members planned and led activities such as car races, slime making, ways to protect eggs when dropping them from a ladder, invisible ink writing and Mentos soda explosions. The 4-H County Council next hosts a Wilderness Survival Fun Shop March 19. 

Buggin’ Out 4-H Club hosted a successful shoe drive, distributing shoes Feb. 2. 

For the last few months, the club collected shoes to be distributed. Then the members and parents cleaned and sorted the shoes to get them ready to give out to the community. Members set up an area at Be the Change Northeast Florida’s clothing giveaway and gave out 103 pairs of shoes to those in need. 

To learn more about local 4-H opportunities for your children, call 904-530-6353 or visit www.facebook.com/nassaucounty4h.

A white male with sandy blonde hair displays a handgun while demanding money from a bank teller at Synovus Bank, 463719 S.R. 200, Yulee just after 3 p.m. March 1. The man was wearing a hat, sunglasses, a pink and blue checkered long-sleeved shirt, black vest, black and yellow gloves and jeans. He left in a silver Lexus SUV. Anyone with any information should call the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office at 904-225-5174.

West Nassau High School students have trimmed more than 8,000 pounds of recyclables from campus waste containers. Other area schools are also on a mission to go green. 

Since September, students have collected 4 tons of paper, plastic, aluminum cans and cardboard with the goal to collect 10,000 pounds before the school year’s end. 

Teacher Natalie Syler oversees the project associated with PepsiCo’s Recycle Rally. 

The free school recycling program tracks the amounts deposited. 

Syler reinforces the importance of recycling with the weekly collections.

“I think because I’ve read about landfills filling up, I think there’s a disconnect between recycling and rural communities,” she said. “And the landfills are filling up and we’ll have to create more landfills and that’s going to affect their future. If they can understand how they can be community leaders in recycling, they can be leaders in their community.” 

The lesson isn’t lost on freshman Janie Bass. She and her classmates collect the recyclables each Wednesday.

“It stops it from filling up landfills and saving the environment for animals,” she said. “It helped me to start getting into it.” 

Classmate Kaden Gilmore likes the idea of cleaning up the environment.  

“When you see trash around, you can pick it up and change the environment around,” he said. “When you think of plastic, it can be recycled and turned into something new.”

It takes about 20 minutes per week to visit dozens of classrooms, a few school offices and other common areas. Teacher Laura Foley plans to join the effort with additional volunteers. 

The school project has raised Kaylea Williams’ awareness about recycling. 

“It’s something to do and be accountable to,” the freshman said. 

At Callahan Middle School, seventh grade students Abby Clayton, Kaitlyn Raulerson and Baylor Cruce from Amanda Thien’s class collect items four days a week. 

Thien would like to apply for a grant to fund containers for classrooms. 

“The goal is to have clearly labeled receptacles for each class,” she said. 

Another goal is for students spread the recycling message at community events. 

During a classroom visit, Carley Archer said that she recycles Dr. Pepper soda cans at home, adding that when people reduce, reuse and recycle, it helps the environment. 

At WNHS, DJ Gonzalez rolled a container from a hallway to the outside receptacle. He’s noticed the benefits of recycling at home and often picks up trash along the roadway. 

“Whenever my mom tells me to take out the trash, it doesn’t fill up as fast,” Gonzalez said. “If you keep recycling paper, you don’t have to cut down as many trees. And they can recycle paper out of the old paper.” 

Nine Advanced Placement environmental science students from Hilliard Middle-Senior High School collect recyclables as part of a school project, but the waste amount isn’t tracked, according to Principal Tammy Johnson. 

Students have participated in the activities for three years. 

Although the amounts aren’t tracked, Callahan Elementary School employees and staff recycle paper, cardboard and plastic items while the school’s parent teacher organization regularly recycles crayons and dry erase markers. 

Also, Junior Beta Club members at Callahan Intermediate School collect paper and plastic items from classrooms on a weekly basis. 

At Hilliard Elementary School, faculty and staff regularly recycle paper to reduce waste, according to Asst. Principal Tammy Smith.

Domestic violence can happen in any relationship. 

A local woman recalled how she endured non-consensual sex with her husband for more than two decades. 

To protect her identity, the Record will refer to her as Susan. 

After the couple was engaged, her fiancé began a pattern of forcing sexual relations without mutual consent. Even though she asked him to stop numerous times, he continued with his actions. 

“That’s when I knew it wasn’t right,” she said. 

The incidents continued throughout the couple’s engagement and eventual 22-year marriage. She had never experienced any physical or verbal abuse in prior relationships and even contemplated leaving the marriage for 15 of the 22 years they were wed.

“I was trying to get out of the relationship for a long time,” she said, adding that he often threatened her with the details of how he would end her life if she ended the marriage. 

Bound by fear, Susan was unable to leave until her spouse became excessively drunk and checked himself into a hospital. That’s when she found the strength to issue the ultimatum that he work toward a set of goals to repair the marriage. 

“He chose not work on those goals – that was my way out,” she said. 

Her fears subsided as she found emotional support from her extended family, church and work friends. She also found help through counseling. 

“I really had a whole bunch of people that were my guides,” she said. 

With the added support, Susan felt she could overcome the pain and hurt. 

“Without the help of so many people, it would have been a lot harder,” she said. 

Seven years later, the experience has made her more cautious about forming relationships with men. Still, she remains hopeful that she will find love. 

To keep moving forward, she sets goals to complete tasks, such as home renovation projects. Susan also maintains social activities with other women. She goes to the beach, attends church, participates in support groups and spends time with family. 

She also encourages others to get outside assistance if they find themselves in abusive relationships. 

“I would say talk to an expert,” she said. “Please ask for help. Please contact the domestic violence hotline. Don’t wait. Do it for yourself, your children, your pets. Do it for your health. Do it for your safety.” 

Through it all, she discovered an inner strength she didn’t know she had.

“I found my true self in the seven years after,” she said. “It’s very important for people to find their true selves. They lose who they are whenever they experience an abusive relationship. It’s important to get out safely, so that’s why it’s important to contact the domestic violence hotline. They have the information for people to make a safety plan so they can get out safely. That’s extremely, extremely important.” 

Signs of Violence

Violent acts may take many forms – some seen, some unseen.

“Domestic violence can present itself in a variety of different ways, sometimes without any signs,” Micah’s Place Executive Director Heather Jones cautioned. 

Some telling signs may include, “Withdrawing from social relationships, family or making excuses not to see their friends and family.” 

Isolation is another tactic that abusers may use to “distance the survivor away from their support system, making it more difficult to get out of the relationship,” she said. 

Visible marks of abuse on the body or frequent injuries, even if the victim has a story to validate the injuries, could signify that the person is in a violent relationship. 

“It is important to note that not all abusive relationships involve physical abuse and many other types of abuse can be just as harmful and dangerous for the survivor,” Jones noted. “When there is physical abuse, the survivor will often dismiss the marks with a story. Abusers will often only leave marks in areas that are not plainly seen.” 

Changes in behavior or a loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed could also be a sign.  

“This can be due to fear of reaction from the abuser or an altered self-perception as a result of emotional abuse,” Jones said. 

Appearing distracted or preoccupied or becoming attached to cell phones is another indication that a relationship is abusive. 

“Even when the survivor is away from the abuser, they may constantly be worried about what they will do next,” Jones noted. “Often abusers use technology to constantly assert control over their partner, requiring them to check in or even tracking their locations.” 

Finding Help

Micah’s Place is a non-profit domestic violence outreach that assists men and women. During the 2017-18 fiscal year, Micah’s Place assisted 1,380 survivors, including children. Also, the demographics of those affected by domestic violence are changing, according to Jones. 

“In the era of the #MeToo Movement, we have seen more and more men coming forward for services,”  Jones wrote via email. “Because our services are confidential and welcome to all who need them, we hope that this encourages men and the LGBTQ community to seek help when they need to.” 

Anyone who needs assistance can call 904-225-9979. Trained advocates are available 24/7 to establish a safety plan and connect the survivor to necessary resources. 

“Someone will always answer,” Jones said. “They can help empower the survivor to get out of the unsafe situation. Even if a family or friend has concerns, we are happy to talk with them on how to approach the situation and what resources to provide that survivor.” 

Once a survivor has a safe place to stay, whether with family or within the Micah’s Place emergency shelter, steps are made to assist, such as legal representation for injunctions for protection in situations where “domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence or stalking violence situations” occur, according to Jones.

“An IFP is similar to a restraining order and requires the abuser have no contact or no violent contact with the survivor,” she noted. “This legal protection can provide the survivor with safety and reassurance to move forward with their lives.” 

An outreach program also offers weekly support group meetings that may help with healing. 

Adults with children can also receive assistance. 

“Our shelter welcomes survivors and their children, complete with a kids’ playroom and playground to occupy the children,” Jones wrote. “If a child has been exposed to trauma and needs counseling, we can offer referrals to local mental health agencies.” 

Plans to expand services to pets are underway. 

“Once our shelter expansion is complete, we will also have a new pet kennel for the comfort of survivors’ furry friends,” Jones wrote. “Pets become family and we would not want a survivor to stay in a relationship because they do not have a place to take their animals with them. Abusers sometimes harm family pets as a way to assert their power and intimidate the survivor.”

With growth predicted for Callahan, town officials and school representatives want to be prepared for the impact. 

Nassau County School Board members and Superintendent Dr. Kathy Burns held a joint workshop with Mayor Marty Fontes, Town Clerk Stephanie Knagge and the Callahan Town Council March 5 to discuss the possible impacts of an influx of people. 

The mayor asserted that jobs will eventually arrive at Crawford Diamond Industrial Park. 

Burns asked, “Do you all have confirmations on Crawford Diamond? I mean, are there absolutely solid commitments from them?”

“We are expecting,” Fontes said. “We’re working with FPL.” 

She replied, “I knew that, but …”

Fontes broke in, “We’re working on providing water and sewer lines down to Crawford Diamond. That includes everything on (U.S.) 301 down to Crawford Diamond, or any commercial growth or residential growth that we could possibly service.” 

Callahan was awarded $5 million from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to start the project. 

“What our grant says is to provide water and sewer lines for West Nassau up to Crawford Diamond, so it doesn’t say it is specific for Crawford Diamond – it’s for West Nassau,” Fontes said. “What’s going to be tapping into those lines? We don’t know; There is at least one company on the verge of signing – maybe this month. It’s working with the landowner of Crawford Diamond and FPL. So it’s been interesting. And it’s going to be even more interesting. Crawford Diamond ... it’s been a long haul. But, you go to the meetings, some of them have been very scary about how many jobs they want to bring.”

He said the goal is to obtain a clean manufacturer so that there won’t be as many wastewater issues or environmental problems. 

“Employees are going to have good jobs and they’re going to have to be skilled,” Fontes said.  

Later, Councilwoman Shirley Graham questioned whether his prediction about the industrial park would occur. 

“We have been hearing for many years that somebody is coming; it’s gonna be big, and here we sit,” she said. 

Fontes said, “OK, I have been told that we’re probably 85 percent with a manufacturing company – maybe even this month – for 360 jobs.”

“I won’t believe it unless we have a contract,” Graham replied. 

“I know what you’re saying,” Fontes said. “One of the problems with Crawford Diamond, and this is a big problem with Rayonier, is that they had a field, not even a cleaned out field, and it’s bringing people there from all over the world.”

He continued, “They’re taking these people through a field with no infrastructure. Even if these 360-job people decide ‘no’, FPL has done infrastructure and building the field up. We’re going to have water and sewer down there and there’s going to be infrastructure. FPL will have electricity there. So now they can see that there is stuff there for when they’re ready to build. FPL has put money into it. And that’s what it needed to begin with.”

Fontes added, “Rayonier thought they had a field and they could sell it – not to what they were aiming at. This a huge beauty contest throughout the country to bring these businesses. The meetings, I’d say, for a small town, even half of these people all over the world – it’s been a total shift on what needs to be done and it’s being done. Nothing moves quickly with these big companies and I understand there’s skepticism, because I was also for nine years. But I am a lot more optimistic than I have been in the past. And even if this company doesn’t come, we’re going to have water and sewer down there. And even if Crawford Diamond doesn’t develop ... there’s going to be a lot of other things dropping in out there as growth comes.” 

With the existing infrastructure, Fontes expressed optimism that manufacturers will arrive. 

“I think FPL is not going to rest until they get it and a lot of people that they’re talking to are the people that supply them,” he said, adding that his update may not be enough to soothe the wound until an agreement is signed. 

“I’m the same way. I keep on waiting.”

“Give me a piece of paper that says – I mean, that’s me,” Graham replied. 

The panel also discussed the feasibility of a public swimming pool.  

“I’ll just say this, I do talk about it with every group we meet with and any potential builders and developers that we get to cross paths with,” Burns said. “We meet with the county every year at least once and we bring it up to them as well. We know there’s a need, but neither one of us can do that at this time.” 

“It’s a definite need,” Fontes said. “I’d like to have private financing – a Y or Boys Club or Girls Club, but right now they all need money also. It’s a tough row to hoe.” 

Fontes sought the school board’s maintenance of re-tention ponds at Callahan Elementary and West Nassau High School. 

“We, as a town, realized that we are not quite capable of doing retention ponds ourselves,” the mayor said. “We have contracted with a service to do our retention ponds. They’re not very expensive. It’s probably cheaper for us than having our guys touch them. I know especially the one behind the football field at West Nassau is pretty nasty and that one might be able to be filled in.”

That may be a recurring task the school board can assume. 

“We haven’t had any major construction going on in the last year at these schools,” Burns said. 

“In the near future, we’re going to have a lot of major construction on the West Side,” Fontes said. “We’re getting a lot of phone calls – a lot of interest.”

He and Burns discussed contractor Ken Greene’s plans to possibly build at least three subdivisions, totaling up to 700 homes along Lem Turner Road. 

Greene had planned to have an RV park on a 265-acre property. The site is already home to an 18-hole golf course. Greene’s initial proposal included turning part of the property into a preserve and keeping half the golf course. The Nassau County Commission denied the request in November. The property’s future land use provides for 450 homes. 

Green told the Record Thursday that he will most likely close the golf course next month. He said that he would be willing to donate 28 acres for an elementary or intermediate school on the site, provided the school bears his name. 

Fontes said Greene has discussed the possibility of tying into the town’s water and sewer system at the contractor’s expense. 

School Board Member Gail Cook asked about the town’s ability to accommodate more water and sewer customers. The town is under capacity currently, but the wastewater side will need a new trench added in the next five years, according to the mayor.   

“Each resident doesn’t impact much on water and sewer,” he said. Commercial and manufacturing sites have a higher impact. 

Contractor Brenton Fran-
klin is building a 72-unit apartment complex on Ewing Park Road. The council approved the site plan in November. 

“They’re just about ready to start the infrastructure on it, so I imagine it will be a year or a year-and-a-half before the apartments are built,” Fontes said. 

The apartments are for moderate-income residents. 

Burns asked, “Is it considered affordable housing?”

Fontes said the complex would not have HUD housing and that rental units would probably cost between $900 and $1,200 per month. 

Burns said that she’s always looking for options for teachers to purchase affordable housing. 

During the workshop, Burns asked for a volunteer to consider serving on a Land Growth Committee. The member will represent the town’s interests and voice concerns about concurrency. Town Ordinance No. 2008-09, enacted a decade ago, will be updated to align with current conditions. 

Fontes will appoint a volunteer. 

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office held its annual awards ceremony March 19. 

More than 150 employees, family members and friends attended the ceremony at the Sheriff’s Administration Building to honor sheriff’s office employees and volunteers with outstanding accomplishments during 2018. 

Volunteer of the Year
 Dr. Bill Brumund

Brumund began as a volunteer at the Emergency Operations Center with the ARES ham radio group as a county watch volunteer. He attended NCSO’s Citizen Law Enforcement Academy to learn more about the sheriff’s office. He volunteered with NCSO’s Administrative Services Division, serving as a photographer for community and agency events to update the agency’s website. He also used his expertise as a civil engineer in assisting in the design of NCSO’s new gun range, which will be located at the Nassau County Public Safety Training Complex.

Chaplain of the Year
Pastor Ted Heglund

Heglund is the senior pastor of First Alliance Church of Hilliard. He has been a volunteer chaplain with the NCSO for the past 13 years. Heglund spends many Monday mornings leading devotion for agency employees and also assists in their personal time of need. He is also called out to tragic scenes or situations where there may be a death in the family or some other type of crisis. He participated in visiting the sick at home or at the hospital.

Civilian Employee
of the Year 

Kathy Hall

Hall has been employed with the NCSO for 18 years. Last year she was transferred from payroll clerk in the Finance Division to oversee NCSO’s Human Resource Department. She plans and organizes the agency’s in-house ceremonies and also volunteers with community events and fundraisers for charity.

Communications
Officer of the Year
Chelsea Beazley

Beazley displays true professionalism and compassion when talking with citizens in the community on the numerous 911 emergency and non-emergency calls she receives each day.  During 2018 she assisted deputies in locating a female who was attempting suicide, which ultimately saved the person’s life. She consistently displays exceptional performance, attitude and interpersonal skills that bring credit to the NCSO and the Communications Center.

Detention Deputy
of the Year 

Deputy Caleb Osborne

Osborne goes above and beyond his required duties on numerous occasions. His positive attitude is contagious and lends for a good working environment. He is always willing to volunteer on projects when needed. Osborne was called to the cell of an inmate who was bleeding profusely from the neck and wrist area as a result of an attempted suicide. The man apparently cut an artery from a disposable razor he was given for shaving. Quickly assessing the situation, Osborne made a tourniquet from a sheet and his flashlight in order to stop the severe bleeding until Nassau County Fire Rescue could arrive. The NCFR personnel who arrived and transported the inmate to the hospital stated that, as a result of Osborne’s quick actions, the man’s life was saved. Osborne was also given a Life Saving Award.

Patrol Deputy
of the Year 

Deputy Mark Hunter

Hunter responded to a report of a house fire in Yulee. When Hunter arrived, he was advised by neighbors that someone may still be inside the burning building. As NCFR personnel were on the way, Hunter took it upon himself to enter the residence at great risk to his own safety in order to search for anyone inside. He entered the fire and smoke-filled structure several times, as he had to come outside for fresh air. He searched room-by-room. He eventually found an unresponsive female on the kitchen floor and dragged her out onto the front porch where NCFR, who had just arrived, provided medical attention before transporting her to the hospital. Although the individual did not survive, Hunter showed extreme courage in trying to save a life, even though his own personal safety was in jeopardy. Hunter was also presented the Medal of Valor Award.

Investigator of the Year 

Detective David Douglas

Douglas investigated and arrested a suspect for exploitation of an elderly female who was swindled out of more than $3,600. He investigated a theft case and arrested the suspect, who was also pawning the items at several local pawn shops. The items were worth several thousand dollars. He recovered stolen property valued at over $115,000, which was located as far away as Miami. He arrested a suspect who posed as a contractor, installing flooring in homes around the area. The suspect took money for services that he never completed, which amounted to several thousand dollars. Douglas actually posed as a customer in order to catch him.  

Supervisor of the Year 

Corporal Jonathan McCracken

McCracken served as his squad’s only first-line supervisor for the last six months of 2018, not only as corporal, but also as acting sergeant. He serves on the corrections K-9 team and takes care of K-9 Loki, who is being trained as a tracking dog. He also volunteers to attend career fairs at local schools and conducts safety presentations. During Hurricane Michael, McCracken volunteered to stay at the jail to make sure NCSO employees and jail inmates were taken care of during the approach of the storm.

Life Saving Awards 

These awards were given to deputies James Ennis and Mark Hunter for their life-saving efforts as they responded to an unresponsive adult male in Yulee who was not breathing. The individual was located inside a vehicle in the Publix shopping center parking lot. Once Ennis determined the man was not breathing, he pulled him out of the vehicle and placed him on the ground. As Ennis began performing CPR on the subject, Hunter retrieved his AED from his patrol car and placed the man on the machine. They continued alternating chest compressions until NCFR arrived and transported him to the hospital. According to fire rescue personnel and the medical doctor, as a result of the quick actions of Ennis and Hunter, the man made a full recovery and is still alive today.  

“We have an extremely talented and dedicated group of law enforcement professionals and support staff who are truly committed to serving the public with professionalism and pride,” Sheriff Bill Leeper noted in a press release. “Today’s ceremony shows the strength of this agency and the amazing level of service and passion our members have for protecting our community.” 

Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, Hampton Inn at the Beach, Residence Inn Marriott, Beachside Motel Inn, Seaside Amelia Inn, Amelia Hotel at the Beach, Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown and Salt Life Restaurant served as sponsors of the NCSO’s ceremony.

Callahan Intermediate School fifth grade students who participate in production at the school spent the day at CBS 47/Fox 30 March 5. The students watched Action News Jax at noon inside the studio and learned about how the news is produced. 

Ferst Readers of Nassau County was amazed by the generosity of the families, faculty and staff of Nassau County Schools.

During the school week of Feb. 25 through March 1, all public elementary schools participated in a coin drive to support early literacy in Nassau County. They raised over $8,600. This donation will give 240 Nassau County children from birth to 5 years old a free, age-appropriate book and literacy resources mailed monthly to their home for one year. 

This is Ferst Readers of Nassau County’s fourth year providing books and literacy resources to families throughout Nassau County. Over 900 children have received a book each month and almost 14,000 books have been mailed to homes across the county. Money raised in Nassau County stays in Nassau County. 

Research shows many children from low-income families do not have a single age-appropriate book in the home, which means they start kindergarten lacking the verbal skills and background knowledge they need to succeed in school.

None of this would have been possible without the Nassau County School Board’s approval. Also, Kristi Simpkins, Brenda Murphy, the principals, the reading coaches and the teachers were all instrumental in this effort in promoting the coin drive. 

Ferst Readers of Nassau County hopes its mission will make the school district’s mission a lot easier as the children in the Ferst Readers program enter school with the foundational skills necessary to succeed and a love of reading.

Ferst Readers also thanks the other people and businesses who helped make this coin drive a huge success.  

VyStar Credit Union’s Callahan branch, including Jessica Hurlock and all the employees and patrons of VyStar during the three days the volunteer Community Action Team was depositing and counting coins.

All area Winn Dixie stores, including Hilliard (Brandon), Callahan (Jordan), Yulee (Mark/Brittany) and Fernandina Beach (Greg) for donating the ice cream for the winning classes at each school. The UPS Store in Yulee for cutting 5,000 flyers. Walmart in Yulee (Mr. Johnson) for providing all the paper products, utensils, chocolate syrup and sprinkles for the winning classes’ parties.

Chick-fil-A in Yulee for donating free food cards, which were given to the top school – Emma Love Hardee –  which collected over $2,000. 

The top class was at Yulee Primary School. Mrs. Hannah’s first grade class collected over $200. 

If you would like to volunteer or donate to Ferst Readers of Nassau County, contact nassaucounty@ferstreaders.org, visit Ferst Readers of Nassau County on Facebook or call Michelle Maddox at 904-248-0165. 

New Orleans author Mike Artell visits Bryceville Elementary School Feb. 15. He read his book, “Petite Rouge, A Cajun Red Riding Hood,” and taught a quick drawing lesson to the students. 

Community tributes poured in for esteemed trumpeter, mentor and longtime band director Don Reynolds. He died March 26 at the age of 65. 

Wife Kay Reynolds announced his passing on Facebook. The couple shared a 42-year marriage, three children and six grandchildren. 

She wrote, “My one and only love of life has passed on to glory at 5:20 this afternoon. Don is now playing trumpet for his Lord. Please pray for our family at this time of bereavement. We love each of you for your love, support, prayers and thoughtfulness to each of us. We love each of you very much.”

Reynolds served the Nassau County School District from 1975 to 2010. He was the band director at Callahan Middle School for more than a decade before leading the West Nassau High School Warrior Band for 23 years. 

WNHS posted a tribute to Reynolds on its Facebook. 

“Friday nights in a small town during the months of August, September and October are filled with the familiar sounds of cheering fans, cheerleaders, football announcers and the booming sounds of the marching band. These sounds evoke a feeling of hometown pride in Callahan and Warrior Nation. Tonight, Warrior Nation mourns the loss of one of our local heroes, who was a major contributor to those familiar Friday night sounds for almost four decades. Mr. Don Reynolds was a beloved teacher, mentor, friend and colleague at West Nassau High School. He truly put the pride in the ‘Pride of the First Coast’ marching band. His legacy and positive impact will be felt in this community for generations to come. The faculty and staff of West Nassau High School would like to extend our sincerest sympathies to Mr. Reynolds’ family.”

Dozens of people and former students, shared their memories of Reynolds and his impact on their lives, including Melissa Zander Chambliss. 

She posted, “My favorite memory has to be when I was going into ninth grade and Mr. Reynolds talked me into staying in band when I wanted to quit. I’m an elementary music teacher now and I certainly wouldn’t be if not for Mr. Reynolds. His humor, kindness and talent will be missed and never forgotten. He was so special. I’m just heartbroken.”

Reynolds began playing coronet at 11 years of age at Stillwell Junior High School and also played trumpet. He was a graduate of Paxon High School. He also attended Jacksonville University and later served as an adjunct professor. 

Reynolds played for the Jacksonville Symphony in the 1970s for three years. He also performed with the First Coast Wind Ensemble and other auditioned groups throughout his lifetime. After retirement, he taught for a year at The Lavilla School of Arts and conducted private music lessons. 

A few years ago, Reynolds was interviewed for a Florida Band Association Legacy Project, honoring the expertise of retired band directors. During the video recorded interview, he provided insight into his personal and professional life and offered ways to teach students how to improve musical performance.

“I think the most important issue, um, for any band program is to understand what is a quality sound, what is a world-class sound,” Reynolds said. “… And to try to find ways of hearing that, whether we attend other concerts – get everybody together for a field trip to go hear the Jacksonville Symphony to perform or whatever. That understanding of what it takes to have a good, characteristic tone on every instrument is important for the success of your program.” 

He continued, “And you as a band director – I as a band director, need to do this as often as we possibly can to keep in touch with reality, because you sit in your own band room every day and you hear that. After a while, you start to accept some things that are really not acceptable. And you … you are satisfied with mediocrity. I think we really need to fight that all the time.”

CMS Band Director Paul Arnold took over Reynolds’ post in 1987. The two shared a lasting friendship. 

“Mr. Reynolds was a one-of-a-kind man,” Arnold wrote. “He was gentle, caring, demanding, witty and extremely intelligent. He had a way that made everyone want to be better, not only as a musician, but also as a person. I owe much of my success as a band director to his mentorship and guidance. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t say or do something that he shared with me. He was assigned to mentor me during the beginning teacher program in 1987 and continued to be a guiding influence throughout my entire career. Two years ago, when I was diagnosed with cancer and had to miss several weeks due to treatment, he volunteered to come direct the band to ensure they were ready to compete in Pennsylvania upon my return – the band won first place.” 

Arnold fondly recalled Reynolds’ sense of humor. 

“I will miss his jokes, his infectious laugh, his love of music – but mostly his friendship,” he noted. “I think I speak for all who knew him in saying, ‘We love you and miss you, Mr. Reynolds.’”

WNHS Band Director Jason Eason played trumpet under the direction of both men. He posted his recollections of Reynolds, writing, “Thank you, sir. I would certainly never be where I am now without you. I quote you daily in our band room. I will work hard every day to continue to lead this band in a manner that you would appreciate. I will do my best to instill a lifelong love of music to all my students.”

He continued, “I will do my best to remember that the kids forget faster than we do. I will demand the best from them so they know they can. I will tell the TP joke. I will always lie to my students and tell them the lady at Hardee’s said, ‘Sorry about your wait (weight).’ I hear you in my tone and for that I will be forever grateful and in your debt. Even more than the trumpet, you taught me that with consistent effort you can do most anything in time. Thank you, sir.”

Mary Ann Salis taught general music and after-school groups in chorus and masters mallet at Callahan Intermediate School from 1985 to 2015. She also taught an after-school chorus group at CMS. 

“Our loss is heaven’s gain,” Salis posted on Facebook March 27. “God has a wonderful new trumpet player for the band in heaven. Don Reynolds was the most talented musician and a fantastic band director. It was my great honor to have worked with him and taught music at CIS to his children. Prayers go up for his family for comfort and healing.” 

His teaching was a component to the total building of a music program for kindergarten through 12th grade students in western Nassau, according to Salis. 

“He did that fine tuning of musical production so that students could interpret the piece of music as art,” Salis said. “He was the best. The students that came through his program turned out to be band directors, teachers and professional musicians. It was an honor to have worked with him to educate Nassau County students.”

West Nassau High School Warrior Band members Anna Newhoff, Alex Clay, Sarah-Jo Maloney and James Evans are superior rating recipients after competing in the Florida Bandmaster Association’s State Solo and Ensemble MPA in March. The four, along with fellow band members Dallas Lilly, Georgia Perry, Breanna Hagemes and Faith Fisher, competed at the district Solo and Ensemble competition in February. 

Church members from Harrisburg Baptist Church in Tupelo, Miss. visit Hilliard in March, assisting First Baptist Church Hilliard with construction and plumbing projects as well as neighborhood canvassing.