Mainland runoff hurts reef
July 17, 2019
A study comprising three decades of research confirmed long-standing concerns that runoff from the mainland is having crippling, and in some cases fatal, implications for the Florida Keys reef...more
= Denotes Subscription RequiredState sets aside $10M for Keys buyout plans
July 17, 2019
The State of Florida has allocated $10 million to Monroe County through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery voluntary home buyout program.The voluntary program was created to...more
Harbor safety group holds first meeting
July 17, 2019
On Monday, more than 30 people attended the first meeting of the Florida Keys Harbor Safety Committee, which is seeking to establish a forum for private, commercial and government entities to...more
News
Apollo 11 astronaut returns to launch pad 50 years later
CAPE CANAVERAL — Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins returned Tuesday to the exact spot where he flew to the moon 50 years ago with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. Collins had the spotlight to...more
Lawsuit accuses Florida of shortchanging teachers on bonuses
July 17, 2019FORT LAUDERDALE — The Florida Department of Education is being sued over allegations it shortchanged teachers when it paid bonuses awarded by the Legislature, costing the state's best educators...more
Police officer driving patrol car despite restricted license
July 17, 2019MELBOURNE — A Florida police officer is still driving a patrol car on duty despite having a restricted driver's license. Melbourne Police say Officer Audrey Poole had bloodshot eyes, smelled...more
Police: Worker loading ATMs with cash pocketed $100K instead
July 17, 2019SANTA ROSA BEACH — State authorities say a Florida worker in charge of loading cash into ATMs stole more than $100,000 from the machines instead. Florida Department of Law officials say...more
Tractor digs up remains of missing Florida teen
July 17, 2019JACKSONVILLE — The remains of a Florida teen who had been missing for one year have been found. Jacksonville Sheriff's officials say the skeletal remains of 18-year-old Corbin Johnson were...more
Bookings for 07/18/19 All charges are preliminary
2 men arrested after altercation at resort
July 17, 2019Two South Florida men were arrested Sunday during an altercation at a Key Largo resort, with one man allegedly refusing to listen to an officer and the other allegedly found to be in possession of cocaine.Yanser Robaina, 40, of Homestead, was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, damaging property over $1,000, resisting an officer with...more
“Too bad the city didn’t post a job notice for the city manager’s position. I would do the job for $100,000 and no car allowance. The taxpayers would save $83,000 plus each year and, since I have Humana, I don’t need benefits. But a nice retirement plan at full salary after three years would be nice after putting up with the commissioners and everything else. Of course, eight weeks’ vacation...more
2 men arrested after altercation at resort
July 17, 2019Two South Florida men were arrested Sunday during an altercation at a Key Largo resort, with one man allegedly refusing to listen to an officer and the other allegedly found to be in possession of cocaine.Yanser Robaina, 40, of Homestead, was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, damaging property over $1,000, resisting an officer with...more
“Too bad the city didn’t post a job notice for the city manager’s position. I would do the job for $100,000 and no car allowance. The taxpayers would save $83,000 plus each year and, since I have Humana, I don’t need benefits. But a nice retirement plan at full salary after three years would be nice after putting up with the commissioners and everything else. Of course, eight weeks’ vacation...more
Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon & Big Pine News
Local tickle sticks snare lobsters, save coral
TAVERNIER — It upset Corey Krohn that people trying to bully net lobsters often destroyed surrounding coral. “My wife worked on a dive boat and I would just see firsthand how bad people were...more
A much-needed shelter after the storm
July 17, 2019FLORIDA KEYS — If Stacey, Ann, Kristy and Diane were standing in a lineup, at least one of them has reported being a victim of sexual or physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner....more
Council to mull tax hike; housing, resort projects
July 17, 2019ISLAMORADA — Overall real-estate property value in Islamorada gained $32.9 million over the past fiscal year, putting the new value at more than $3.714 billion.That new figure from the Monroe...more
Fire district mulling tax cap increase
July 17, 2019KEY LARGO — The local fire and emergency medical services commission has informally decided to make the “big ask” on next year’s election ballot for voters to raise the current cap on property...more
Former CFO files suit against Ocean Reef
July 17, 2019NORTH KEY LARGO — A former vice president and chief financial officer of Ocean Reef Community Association is suing the company and former manager David Ritz, alleging retaliation for her efforts...more
Editorials
Cheer and Jeers
Cheers: To Billy Davis and the Idle Hands summer jobs program for their efforts finding 20 Key West High School students gainful employment this summer. Davis heads A Positive Step, a Monroe...more
County’s real problem isn’t just salary study
July 13, 2019After spending $123,000, does Monroe County’s salary study address the real problem?This study confirms county employees like where they work. Employees say benefits are “very competitive with...more
Use Stock Island property for workforce housing
July 13, 2019The Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce urges the Monroe County School District Board to consider the prospect of utilizing the property on 5th Street and 3rd Avenue in Stock Island as a...more
Preserve the Florida Keys
July 6, 2019Our state and county governments, in concert with a steady stream of avaricious developers and twisted administrative overseers, have reached a regrettable agreement that will deliver a deathblow...more
The Key West Citizen
July 6, 2019I have personally been involved or seen several salary studies while serving on the City Commission or employed with Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority and City Electric System.I made a public...more
Sports
Guide Book: Looking back on how Krowka became one of the best
Kids have dreams about what they want to do when they grow up. As Mark Krowka put it, “All I ever wanted to do was become a fishing guide from the time I was a little boy. There was nothing...more
Six teams head to league playoffs set for Saturday
July 17, 2019Last season’s champs Conch Town won three games last week to include a victory over previously unbeaten 5 Brothers in Key West Men’s Softball League action, but they are still two and a half...more
WINNING SET: Local tennis pros assume programs at 1800 Atlantic
July 16, 2019Local tennis pros Michelle “Missy” Jeffrey and Paul McNulty have formed a new alliance and assumed the tennis programs at the 1800 Atlantic Courts. The duo, with around 60 years of teaching...more
Three teams advance to finals next Tuesday
July 16, 2019Playoffs for the Key West Coed Softball League got a little weird on Tuesday night at the Pepe Hernandez Softball Field. Going into the quarterfinals, four teams were tied with an 8-4 record...more
‘Goldie’ graced the lives of everyone he encountered
July 15, 2019On Saturday afternoon at the Key West High School Auditorium, a favorite son, Wayne Goldstein was memorialized by family and friends. Goldstein passed away earlier this month. Though he left...more
