Wednesday, September 1, 2010

KEY LARGO

Boat runs aground

A 49-foot powerboat ran aground Sunday on Grecian Rocks Reef off Key Largo, within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the Coast Guard said.

The Lisern II was still on the reef Tuesday, as weather prevented work and crews pondered how to remove the recreational boat without further harming corals.

Crews also must remove about 900 gallons of diesel fuel from the boat.

The cause of the grounding is under investigation.

MONROE COUNTY

Account set up for kids

A benefit account has been opened for the family of the late Mark Willis, who was an attorney for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. He died last week.

Donations to the First State Bank of the Florida Keys will go toward a special fund for Willis' children, who are in their 20s. Their mother died of cancer last year.

"We hope the community will help support the family during this trying time," said sheriff's spokeswoman Becky Herrin. Donations are being accepted at all 11 First State Bank branches Keyswide.

FLORIDA KEYS

Free plant clinics offered

Get insects identified and plant problems correctly diagnosed before using pesticides or other chemicals, says the Monroe County Extension Service. Bring your tired, diseased, insect-infested plants yearning to be free of problems for diagnosis, or insects for identification, to one of its free plant clinics.

There's one today, as well as on Sept. 13, in Key Largo from 9 a.m. to noon at the Murray E. Nelson Government & Cultural Center, 102050 Overseas Highway, suite 244, Mile Marker 102. And in Key West, clinics will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 13 and 20 at the Gato Building, 1100 Simonton St., suite 2-260.

For more information, call 305-292-4501 or visit http://monroe.ifas.ufl.edu.