Tuesday, October 30, 2012

KEY WEST

Navy intercepts $15 million in cocaine

The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard on Thursday stopped a vessel suspected of transporting drugs off the coast of Panama and Colombia. The crew of the Navy frigate USS Carr and a Coast Guard detachment were operating as part of the Key West-based Joint Interagency Task Force headquartered in Truman Annex, according to a Navy press release from 4th Fleet spokesman Lt. Corey Barker.

A helicopter launched from the USS Carr found an evasive speed boat that did not stop after a Navy gunner fired warning shots. The Navy eventually stopped the boat by firing "disabling rounds," and crews recovered about 1,700 pounds of cocaine worth about $15.6 million, the release states.

The Carr is homeported in Norfolk, Va. Since the beginning of June her crew with Coast Guard crews have seized about 3,906 pound of cocaine and 4,134 pounds of marijuana, with a combined wholesale value of more than $39 million, the release states.

KEY WEST

School parade rerouted

Key West High School's annual Homecoming "Spirit Night" parade will take place at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

The parade route has changed this year due to construction in New Town. Instead of starting at Key West High School, the parade will begin at the corner of Flagler Avenue and South Roosevelt Boulevard. It will head west on Flagler and turn right onto Kennedy Drive, ending as usual at Tommy Roberts Memorial Stadium.

The parade will be followed by a pep rally at the football stadium. The Homecoming game takes place on Friday, Nov. 9.

KEY WEST

Utility linemen help Northeast

Seven utility linemen from Keys Energy Services (KEYS) left this morning for a two-week stint in Delaware, where they will help restore power to areas hit by Hurricane Sandy, according to a press release from KEYS spokesman Julio Barroso.

The linemen brought three bucket trucks, one digger truck and a utility pole trailer for the hurricane restoration work.

"When utilities have trouble, we call each other for mutual aid assistance," said KEYS CEO and General Manager Lynne Tejeda. "Our crews will lend their unique hurricane experience ... to help restore power as quickly as possible...."

The high winds and torrential rains of Hurricane Sandy, combined with a winter weather system over the east coast, toppled trees and power lines, resulting in widespread, prolonged power outages, Barroso said.