Florida Keys News

Man accused of rape, battery on woman

Key West Citizen - Thursday, May 16, 2013
4 comments

A Key West man was arrested this week on suspicion of rape and misdemeanor battery in connection with two separate incidents involving the same woman, according to police reports. Steven Dobkins, 41, remained jailed Wednesday night in lieu of $210,000 total bail, Sheriff's Office records showed.

'Not an audit' of HOB project

Key West Citizen - Thursday, May 16, 2013

Discussion of issues related to the construction of the Horace O'Bryant K-8 school dominated the Monroe County School Board workshop Tuesday night in Key West. Specifically, the board members...

Fallen officers honored on Fri.

Key West Citizen - Thursday, May 16, 2013

Just three months out of the academy at age 22, Key West Officer Norman Drew was killed in the line of duty Dec. 18, 1975, when a car didn't yield to his motorcycle's lights and siren. Each...

Electricity is a 'right,' PSC rules

Key West Citizen - Wednesday, May 15, 2013
9 comments

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) ruled Wednesday that residents of No Name Key have a right to connect to a commercial power utility.

ACLU suit calls city's drug test policy illegal

Key West Citizen - Wednesday, May 15, 2013
7 comments

A Key West lawyer is suing the city in federal court over its 14-year-old policy requiring all job applicants to take a drug test. Karen Cabanas Voss says the city violated her Fourth Amendment...

Woman, 22, dies in fiery crash

Key West Citizen - Wednesday, May 15, 2013
4 comments

A Miami woman was killed Monday evening after an alcohol-fueled fender bender, sideswipe and then a fiery head-on collision, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Kristine Marie Rivera, 22, was...

Monkey runs wild on U.S. 1; owner cited

Key West Citizen - Wednesday, May 15, 2013
4 comments

A capuchin monkey broke free from its owner and caused an hour's worth of havoc Monday evening on a stretch of U.S. 1 near Key Haven, said witnesses and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation...

'Worst' stone crab season ends

Key West Citizen - Wednesday, May 15, 2013
6 comments

A disastrous stone crab season for Florida Keys commercial fishermen ends today. Fishermen were paid a lot more for stone crab claws this year, but production was so poor that it wasn't...

Ruling: Rehire code officer with back pay

Key West Citizen - Wednesday, May 15, 2013
6 comments

The city of Key West erred in firing a veteran code enforcement officer last year over a still-pending allegation of homestead fraud, an independent arbitrator ruled Tuesday. Gary Addleman is owed...

Mama crocodile found dead off Lower Matecumbe

Islamorada/KL Free Press - Wednesday, May 15, 2013
9 comments

ISLAMORADA -- Wildlife officers are investigating the death off Lower Matecumbe Key last weekend of the female crocodile known as Blue No. 9. "At this point, it's kind of suspicious," Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman Carli Segelson said Monday.

Disabled residents lose water access

Islamorada/KL Free Press - Wednesday, May 15, 2013
4 comments

KEY LARGO -- For years, patients with developmental disabilities at Key Largo's Murphy House have used a Bay View Drive public water access for water therapy such as kayaking and swimming. But...

PKS wins Fairchild Challenge

Islamorada/KL Free Press - Wednesday, May 15, 2013

UPPER KEYS -- Plantation Key School last week won the award for the top performing institution in the Monroe County Fairchild Challenge, which local schools participated in for the first time this...

Chief plans parallel fire dept.

Islamorada/KL Free Press - Wednesday, May 15, 2013
10 comments

KEY LARGO -- The Key Largo Volunteer Fire-Rescue Department will not dissolve, despite losing its service contract, but instead will move into a new building and step up its fundraising efforts, embattled Chief Sergio Garcia said last week. Garcia said the department plans to provide marine fire suppression, a K-9 search and rescue team and fire police services.

Koconis given time to correct dept.

Islamorada/KL Free Press - Wednesday, May 15, 2013

ISLAMORADA -- His planning department rocked by criticism, Village Manager/Planning Director Ed Koconis promised more efficient permit reviews, additional training for planning staff and a more...

District to mull refinancing of debt

Islamorada/KL Free Press - Wednesday, May 15, 2013

KEY LARGO -- The Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District was hoping the Florida Legislature would approve a $50 million grant for Florida Keys sewer projects. Of that, $20 million was to be used by...