Chinese national pleads not guilty to federal charges
December 17, 2018
The Chinese national accused of illegally photographing a military installation in October was indicted on Friday at the U.S. District Court in Key West.Zhao Qianli, 20, charged with six counts...more
= Denotes Subscription RequiredAuto repair class returns to Key West High
December 17, 2018
College isn’t for everyone. But four years of high school should be. It had been 20 years since the hiss of air tools and the clink of sockets against metal engine parts filled the auto shop...more
Avionics business charged with fraud
December 17, 2018
A Naples, Florida man is being charged with fraud after he allegedly falsely advertised his capabilities in repairing and installing “mission-critical equipment” from his Big Pine Key avionics...more
News
City Hall art recommendations head to commission for approval
The board charged with selecting artwork to enhance Key West’s City Hall spent two days last week reviewing and ranking 44 public art proposals from nearly as many artists.The city’s Art in...more
Coast Guard suspends search for overboard cruise ship passenger
December 17, 2018Coast Guard crews have suspended their search for a cruise ship passenger who reportedly fell overboard on Friday, following a 32-hour search that covered 2,086 square miles.Thomas McElhany, 26,...more
No bomb found after threat to Key Largo business
December 15, 2018A rash of bomb threats issued to businesses on Thursday, many of which were in South Florida, made its way to two Upper Keys businesses as well.According to a press release from the Monroe County...more
Search called for overboard cruise ship passenger
December 15, 2018A search for a man who reportedly went overboard from the Carnival Victory cruise ship on Friday is underway.According to a press release from the Coast Guard, staff on the Carnival Victory...more
State says Goliath grouper issue on hold for three years
December 15, 2018State fishery managers agreed this week to continue to work on stock assessments for Goliath groupers and not bring back the issue of reopening the fishery for at least three years.The Florida...more
Bookings for 12/17/18 All charges are preliminary
Woman arrested on warrant for multiple drug offenses
December 17, 2018A Rockland Key woman wanted on a warrant for multiple drug offenses was arrested on Wednesday after a deputy spotted her vehicle on the side of the road.Erica Cherie Palomino, 25, was charged with giving a false ID to law enforcement. She was arrested on a warrant for possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of MDMA with intent to sell,...more
“What doesn’t the city understand about the concept ‘if you build it, they will come?’ The bike racks on the left side of Fleming between Duval and Fausto’s have been replaced with (drum roll) parking places complete with the placement of a parking payment box conveniently located on the corner of Havana street. How motivated is the city to encourage bike ridership?”“My Uber driver never...more
Woman arrested on warrant for multiple drug offenses
December 17, 2018A Rockland Key woman wanted on a warrant for multiple drug offenses was arrested on Wednesday after a deputy spotted her vehicle on the side of the road.Erica Cherie Palomino, 25, was charged with giving a false ID to law enforcement. She was arrested on a warrant for possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of MDMA with intent to sell,...more
“What doesn’t the city understand about the concept ‘if you build it, they will come?’ The bike racks on the left side of Fleming between Duval and Fausto’s have been replaced with (drum roll) parking places complete with the placement of a parking payment box conveniently located on the corner of Havana street. How motivated is the city to encourage bike ridership?”“My Uber driver never...more
Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon & Big Pine News
Idle-only zone likely for deadly channel
ISLAMORADA — An 18-foot Maverick flats boat with four people aboard powered into the nameless channel off Whale Harbor on April 8, not long after departing the dock at Islamorada’s Lorelei...more
‘Jingle’ social to give free beauty goodies for a cause
December 12, 2018KEY LARGO — Cirque Salon Studios is hosting a “Jingle, Mingle & Shop” event, opening its doors to at least 15 vendors to participate.Dete Israel, who owns Salon Dete, is organizing the event...more
Council to vote on 300 housing units
December 12, 2018ISLAMORADA — A decision to accept an allocation of 300 units for workforce-affordable housing from the state goes before the Islamorada Village Council for a first reading Thursday, Dec. 13....more
Discrimination case set for late January
December 12, 2018MARATHON — A workplace discrimination lawsuit against the city of Marathon is set for trial during a two-week period beginning Tuesday, Jan. 22, in the federal courthouse in Key West, according...more
District sidesteps database, discusses salinity levels
December 12, 2018KEY LARGO — Three commissioners on the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District last week took the oath of office after being re-elected without opposition during the November election. The board...more
Editorials
Cheers and Jeers
Cheers: to the Key West Holiday Parade last weekend, the largest the city has seen. With more than 70 participants, the colorful floats, walking groups and bands were festive, decorated for the...more
Cheers and Jeers
December 8, 2018Cheers: to all of the groups holding toy drives and giveaways for needy families this holiday season. Despite the wealth in the Keys, there are still far too many who are in desperate need of a...more
Treatment unfair to all
December 6, 2018To the editor:Key West: Come as you are!...but have “your papers” on your person at all times.In June of last year, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Dept detained two Spanish speaking teenagers for...more
Cheers and Jeers
December 1, 2018Cheers: to Reef Relief for teaching more than 4,000 students this last year. They have initiated the “Skip the Straw” campaign and now have 146 businesses taking part in the initiative. They...more
Key West Chamber sends letter to Nuclear Regulatory Commission
December 1, 2018To: May Ma, Director, Program Management, US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Re: Florida Power and Light Application for RenewalDear Ms. Ma,The Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce would like to...more
Sports
Canes shut down pair of visitors
Seven points.That is all Coral Shores High girls basketball team allowed in the first quarter against Monroe County rivals Key West and Marathon on back-to-back night at its home court in...more
Conchs get much-needed experience close at home
December 17, 2018The focus was not necessarily on winning its home opening tri-meet for the Key West High wrestling team — although it was an added bonus topping Coral Shores 54-24 and South Miami by a point...more
Dolphins tie Canes in friendly Keys rivalry
December 17, 2018With five minutes left in the friendly between Monroe County rivals Marathon and the Coral Shores high school boys soccer teams, the Dolphins scored late to knot the match 1-1, which how it ended...more
Lady Canes drop Dolphins in non-conference outing
December 17, 2018A pair of first-half free kicks put the Coral Shores High School girls soccer team on the winning track with a 5-1 victory over host Marathon on Friday night.Freshman Carlie Stanley was enthused...more
THE CITIZEN’S PREP FEMALE SWIMMER OF THE YEAR: Marchetti grew up with championship aspirations
December 15, 2018Swimming is more than a family affair for Coral Shores sophomore Zoe Marchetti — it is a way of life.Her parents, Sue and Tony Marchetti, swam competitively in college and now assist Olympic...more