Tuesday, January 8, 2013

FLORIDA KEYS

Crash closes 18-Mile Stretch

A pile-up involving two dump trucks hauling gravel and a tractor trailer shut down southbound traffic on U.S. 1 at the 18-Mile Stretch early Monday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

A southound dump truck that was trying to avoid a pedestrian at Mile Marker 120 overturned, causing a dump truck behind it to slam into it and also overturn at 3 a.m., according to a press release. A tractor trailer following both trucks then struck the second overturned dump truck.

The driver of the tractor trailer was taken to Homestead Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to the FHP press release.

The clean-up of the crash took four hours and southbound traffic was diverted to Card Sound Road.

FLORIDA KEYS

Relay better, not perfect

An annual running relay through the Florida Keys on U.S. 1 over the weeekend was a "vast improvement," from the two prior years but was "not perfect," Capt. Gene Thompson of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office said on Monday, following the 24-hour race that streamed teams of runners through the island chain on Saturday.

The Ragner Relay went well enough that the sheriff's office would not oppose it in the future, Thompson said, adding that the agency will write a report with recommendations for smoother traffic flow and send it to relay organizers.

There were some traffic congestion issues in Summerland, Ramrod and Cudjoe keys, Thompson said.

KEY WEST

Paul Stookey to perform

Noel Paul Stookey of the iconic folk music trio Peter, Paul and Mary will perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 9 at Casa Antigua, 314 Simonton St.

"Music From the Heart -- An Intimate Evening with Noel Paul Stookey," blends concert and conversation. Proceeds benefit Florida Keys Council of the Arts programs.

Stookey has recorded more than 45 albums, both as "Paul" of Peter, Paul and Mary and as a solo performer. The royalties from his "Wedding Song" benefit the Public Domain Foundation, where nearly $2 million has been put toward charitable causes.

Tickets are $45 and include a post-concert gathering to meet Stookey; seating is limited.

Go to www.keystix.com or call 305-295-7676.