Rampage on Duval Street
November 21, 2018
Quick work by the Key West Police Department led to the arrest of a Key West man after he assaulted a bar employee who didn’t give him money. Officers later determined the same man was...more
= Denotes Subscription RequiredHighsmith keeps School Board gavel
November 21, 2018
Two returning and one newly elected School Board member took the oath of office during an organizational meeting Tuesday in Marathon.Judge Sharon Hamilton of the 16th Judicial Circuit...more
Monroe County to replace damaged water quality equipment
November 21, 2018
The Monroe County Commission agreed Tuesday to replace some of the equipment used for water quality improvements in local canals, which were damaged in Hurricane Irma.Prior to Hurricane Irma, the...more
News
Boat captain accused of molesting young girl
KEY LARGO — Robert Garrett Nelson, a 32-year-old Key Largo boat captain, was arrested last week on a felony charge of molesting a victim younger than 12 years old, according to the Monroe County...more
Business leaders optimistic about season
November 21, 2018FLORIDA KEYS — The peak tourism season is fast approaching as visitors swarm the island chain swapping winter’s blast for ocean views and balmy temperatures.Chamber of commerce leaders concur...more
Planners updating rules to address rising seas
November 21, 2018ISLAMORADA — The threat of sea-level rise in the Florida Keys often lies just a few yards away.“Monroe County residents know this area is very low-lying. It’s a very different environment from...more
Rare turtle faithfully nests at Bahia Honda
November 21, 2018BIG PINE KEY — Fifty hawksbill sea turtle babies were released into the sea last week at Bahia Honda State Park. The rare hatchlings were rescued from the park’s marina after battling mounds of...more
Village manager to hear Lower Matecumbe concerns
November 21, 2018ISLAMORADA — Concerns about Anne’s Beach, Indian Key Fill and rising seas likely will be among issues Lower Matecumbe Key residents will raise with Islamorada’s top executive Dec. 4.Village...more
Bookings for 11/21/18 All charges are preliminary
Undercover sting leads to crack dealer’s arrest
November 21, 2018In yet another undercover operation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, a Fort Lauderdale woman was arrested for selling crack cocaine on Monday.Kizmet Yatz Qualls, 45, was charged with selling cocaine and use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony.While Qualls was arrested recently, the undercover operation was conducted earlier this...more
“You said in your editorial, ‘Everyone knows the Bubba system exists in Key West, but it rarely is handled in such a blatant, arrogant, disrespectful manner.’ Then you added, ‘The community deserves better.’ Exactly why does the community deserve better? If everyone knows the Bubba system exists, and it is tolerated daily by the citizens, exactly why do we ‘deserve better?’ As in all levels...more
Undercover sting leads to crack dealer’s arrest
November 21, 2018In yet another undercover operation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, a Fort Lauderdale woman was arrested for selling crack cocaine on Monday.Kizmet Yatz Qualls, 45, was charged with selling cocaine and use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony.While Qualls was arrested recently, the undercover operation was conducted earlier this...more
“You said in your editorial, ‘Everyone knows the Bubba system exists in Key West, but it rarely is handled in such a blatant, arrogant, disrespectful manner.’ Then you added, ‘The community deserves better.’ Exactly why does the community deserve better? If everyone knows the Bubba system exists, and it is tolerated daily by the citizens, exactly why do we ‘deserve better?’ As in all levels...more
Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon & Big Pine News
‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ to ring in the holidays
KEY LARGO — “It’s A Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play,” written by Joe Landry and to be performed by the Key Players, is a play-within-a-play based on the classic movie that debuted 72 years ago...more
Bay supporters dismiss clearing as a stunt
November 21, 2018SOUTH FLORIDA — Bulldozers began clearing 560 acres of land for a “rapid start” on the Everglades Agricultural Area reservoir Nov. 14, but in the wake of a controversial lease extension, Florida...more
Boat captain accused of molesting young girl
November 21, 2018KEY LARGO — Robert Garrett Nelson, a 32-year-old Key Largo boat captain, was arrested last week on a felony charge of molesting a victim younger than 12 years old, according to the Monroe County...more
Business leaders optimistic about season
November 21, 2018FLORIDA KEYS — The peak tourism season is fast approaching as visitors swarm the island chain swapping winter’s blast for ocean views and balmy temperatures.Chamber of commerce leaders concur...more
Florida Keys Free Press
November 21, 2018FLORIDA KEYS — During this season of giving thanks, Big Pine Moose Lodge members are grateful they can again welcome neighbors and the needy to the group’s annual Thanksgiving dinner.“We couldn’t...more
Editorials
Response team targets shops
Cosmetic shops in Key West have a well-known reputation for verbally harassing pedestrians, using high-pressure sales tactics and taking advantage of seniors, especially women.These cosmetic...more
Thank you, Key West
November 17, 2018I feel like I constantly repeat myself when saying this, but I think this is the most amazing small town in the country! The next day after Hurricane Michael hit the Panhandle, I sat at my desk...more
Cheers and Jeers
November 10, 2018Cheers: to Mayor Craig Cates for his 10-year tenure at the helm of the Key West city government. Cates is an ardent supporter of the community and has devoted his time to countless causes over...more
Snowbirds gardening in Paradise
November 10, 2018Timing is everything in so many things and gardening is no exception. Full-time residents of the Keys enjoy myriad delights of the summer – glorious blooming shrubs and bountiful quantities of...more
Mid-term season ends — What does our future hold?
November 6, 2018Now that the mid-term election season is mercifully over, what can we expect in the coming months? Even a crystal ball probably wouldn’t tell us exactly where we go from here. The nation’s...more
Sports
Welzien completes double-crossing of Seven-Mile Bridge via land and sea
What’s next?That was the question continuously being posed to Bill Welzien after the distance swimmer accomplished his most recent goal of circling Key West 100 times.After completing that feat,...more
Mixed results for Lady ‘Fins to start season
November 20, 2018Nothing could go wrong for the Marathon High girls soccer team in the season opener, as the Dolphins pulled away to a 6-1 victory against Archbishop Carroll last Wednesday. Rain Banks and Lilian...more
Coed losers assume turkey status, winners soars with buzzards
November 20, 2018It should be an interesting night of Key West Coed Softball League action at the Pepe Hernandez Softball Field. In the 7 p.m. matchup today, the two second-place teams, Blind Squirrels and The...more
PREP BOYS SOCCER: Dolphins begin season with 3-0 mark
November 20, 2018It was a clean sweep to start the season for the Marathon High boys soccer team. Under the guidance of assistant coach Justin Hare, the Dolphins won all three games at the Marathon Community...more
Sweeney breaks 2 more records
November 19, 2018Key West High School swimmer Cruse Sweeney had a very good showing at the Florida High School Swimming and Diving State Championships on Saturday in Stuart. The record-setting senior broke two...more