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By WENDI ZONGKER
wendi.zongker@mynassausun.com

Nassau's third through 10th grade students are excelling at math and reading, according to norm-referenced test results released Tuesday.

Students take the NRT during the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, and the results allow students to be compared nationally. Students do not have to pass the test to graduate and the scores do not count toward a school’s overall grade.

A school’s grade depends on Sunshine State Standard test scores in math, reading, science and writing. Those scores are expected in June.

By WENDI ZONGKER

wendi.zongker@mynassausun.com

Math and reading Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test scores released Wednesday show more Nassau third-graders are reading and doing math at or above grade level this year compared to last year.

The increase in the percentage of students doing math at grade-level is the third percentage increase in a row for Nassau schools. And for the second year in a row more Nassau third-graders are doing math at or above grade level than the previous year.

Of Nassau’s third-graders, 85 percent scored at or above grade level on both tests. That’s an increase from 84 percent in math and 81 percent in reading in 2007.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m. for several counties in Northeast Florida including Nassau.

The watch also extends into several Southeast Georgia counties.

A severe thunderstorm seen on the radar around 3:30 p.m. today indicated hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph are possible. The storm was located about six miles east of Lake City at the time and was moving east at 33 mph.

Any damage from the storm should be reported to the Fernandina Beach Police Department at 277-7342, the Nassau County Sheriff's Office at 548-4000 or Nassau County Emergency Management at 548-4980.

By WENDI ZONGKER

wendi.zongker@mynassausun.com

The number of Nassau County seniors required to retake the math portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test has risen for the third year in a row, according to results released this week.

The 39 seniors required to retake the test this year is up from 26 last year and 16 in 2006.

Of those, 38 percent passed this year — the same percentage who passed in 2006. Only 31 percent passed last year.

Nassau’s seniors appear to be doing better retaking the reading portion of the test.

Seniors required to retake the reading test has increased and decreased over the years — from 72 in 2006, to 89 last year, down to 82 this year — but, the percentage of students passing has consistently increased.

Twenty-one percent passed this year, up from 18 percent in 2007 and 15 percent in 2006.

By WENDI ZONGKER

wendi.zongker@mynassausun.com

Eleven Nassau County residents were arrested this month for their involvement in a family drug ring discovered during a nine-month undercover drug investigation conducted by the Fernandina Beach Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency, according to a FBPD press release Tuesday.

The drug ring is believed to have sold as much as 6 to 10 ounces of cocaine per week in Nassau County.

Christopher T. Brown was arrested this month and is believed to be the ringleader of the organization. An arrest warrant has been issued for Brown's brother, Benjamin Simmons, according to the release.

By WENDI ZONGKER

wendi.zongker@mynassausun.com

YULEE - Nassau County, Sheriff Tommy Seagraves and one former and two current jail employees are accused in a lawsuit of "deliberate indifference" in the 2006 death of an inmate from Jacksonville.
The suit filed April 1 by the parents of Darren Magill says he should have been taken to the hospital after urine tests done at the jail showed he had cocaine, methamphetamines and marijuana in his system.

Magill, 28, was found slumped over in his Nassau County Jail cell by an inmate at 4:45 p.m. on Oct. 3, 2006, according to the Sheriff's Office incident report. An autopsy confirmed Magill died of a drug overdose from methadone, the anti-anxiety medication alprazolam and cocaine.

Seagraves and his attorney, John Jolly, confirmed they had received the complaint but declined to comment.

By WENDI ZONGKER

wendi.zongker@mynassausun.com

FERNANDINA BEACH — Three Yulee residents found a body washed ashore on the Amelia River at Jackson Creek early Monday afternoon, according to a Nassau County Sheriff's Office press release today.

Officials said John Arnold Taylor, 60, of Marathon was found lying face down on an oyster bar by Ben Fouse, Stephen Oreto and Robert Seay.

He was identified using ID found in his pocket, according to the press release. Officials have determined the drowning was accidental.

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By WENDI ZONGKER
wendi.zongker@mynassausun.com

FERNANDINA BEACH — Last night Food Network fans watched as the hosts of Ultimate Recipe Showdown crowned the final $25,000 winner.

The six-week reality show is over and six of 54 contestants have gone home winners. Unfortunately neither of those winners are local residents Autumn Clements or her mother, Susan Scarborough.

Recipes were divided into six categories — burgers, chicken, comfort foods, pasta, cakes and cookies — which were further divided into three subcategories each.

FERNANDINA BEACH — John Lloyd, 64, of Fernandina Beach is the Florida finalist for the new Above and Beyond Citizen Medal of Honor for his heroic effort in trying to rescue Brian and William, 7, Wynne from a rip current last May.

Wynne lost his life that day while trying to rescue his son. Lloyd and William made it safely to shore.

The Citizen Medal of Honor is presented by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, made up of individuals who were awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military honor.

Lloyd joins 50 other nominees, one from each state and the District of Columbia, chosen by the Medal of Honor Society. The Society will choose three honorees to receive the Medal of Honor on March 25 in Washington.