Cow Key Bridge rehab shortened
February 22, 2019
The impending $4.7 million rehabilitation of Cow Key Bridge — the only way on and off the island of Key West — is something most local officials would like to avoid altogether, but the project...more
= Denotes Subscription RequiredCity approves microbrewery at diesel plant
February 22, 2019
The city’s art and historical society wants to turn the dilapidated, but historic, diesel plant that straddles Bahama Village and the city’s Truman Waterfront into a museum, cultural center,...more
Mixed signals on radio tower
February 22, 2019
The proponents of a proposed 1,000-foot radio tower on Cudjoe Key did not receive the endorsement of the proposal or the head nod from Monroe County Commissioners on Wednesday they wanted.The...more
News
Campfire suspected as cause of brush fire on Big Pine
After a large brush fire erupted Wednesday afternoon on Big Pine Key, officials from the Florida Forest Service have determined that the cause of the fire was a nearby campfire.The fire sprang up...more
Ceremony celebrates Bethel AME Church historic marker
February 22, 2019For 149 years, the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bahama Village has been a beacon of spiritual guidance in the community, no matter its location.Established in 1878 and originally...more
Coast Guard rescues 2 from sinking vessel near Key Largo
February 22, 2019The Coast Guard rescued two people from a sinking vessel Thursday approximately 3 miles east of Key Largo.Rescued were Eric Kample, 40, and Robert Pflugh, 56.At approximately 4 a.m., Coast Guard...more
Judge wants early 2020 trial in Florida school shooting
February 22, 2019FORT LAUDERDALE — Trial should begin in early 2020 for the suspect in a Florida high school massacre that left 17 people dead last year, a judge said at a hearing Thursday. Circuit Judge...more
Man arrested for 2018 burglary of Grace Lutheran School
February 22, 2019After months of investigating a burglary at Grace Lutheran School, the Key West Police Department arrested a suspect on Sunday following a DNA match from blood found on scene.Robert H. Vallaster,...more
Bookings for 02/23/19 All charges are preliminary
Man charged with robbery with firearm
February 22, 2019The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Marathon man on Tuesday after he allegedly robbed a teenager at gunpoint with a BB gun.Osvaldo Torna Rodriguez, 45, was charged with robbery with a firearm.Around 9 p.m., a Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the 200 block of 41st Street and met with the 14-year-old victim, who reported being robbed the...more
“According to your press account, after the shop owner was ordered to close his store for five days on account of three separate confirmed code violations, he and his lawyer ‘thanked the city officials.’ We would hope so. In cases involving three or more violations, the city manager has the legal authority to order either a total revocation of a cosmetic shop’s license, or a suspension of...more
Man charged with robbery with firearm
February 22, 2019The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Marathon man on Tuesday after he allegedly robbed a teenager at gunpoint with a BB gun.Osvaldo Torna Rodriguez, 45, was charged with robbery with a firearm.Around 9 p.m., a Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the 200 block of 41st Street and met with the 14-year-old victim, who reported being robbed the...more
“According to your press account, after the shop owner was ordered to close his store for five days on account of three separate confirmed code violations, he and his lawyer ‘thanked the city officials.’ We would hope so. In cases involving three or more violations, the city manager has the legal authority to order either a total revocation of a cosmetic shop’s license, or a suspension of...more
Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon & Big Pine News
8 bridges deemed ‘poor’ or ‘fair’
MONROE COUNTY — Forty of the 48 bridges along the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys earned solid grades from recent inspections by the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 6...more
Islamorada school may close doors
February 20, 2019ISLAMORADA — Island Christian School, an Islamorada institution for nearly five decades, may close its classroom doors for good in late May.A final decision on the future of the Pre-K through...more
Ramrod Key trio finds creativity amid hurricane’s destruction
February 20, 2019LOWER KEYS — After dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma on Ramrod Key, three local artists decided to get “salty.”Dawn Davis, Terri Colonna and Katty Crews came together to support their...more
Schools, organizations honored with awards
February 20, 2019MONROE COUNTY — Several schools and organizations were recognized with Great Educational Moments, or GEM, awards by the Monroe County School District last week. Two schools also received state...more
Sculpture trail piece could move south to FDOT property
February 20, 2019ISLAMORADA — Three statues acquired as a Florida Keys art project need a home.Islamorada Village Council members, meeting Feb. 21, will consider asking the Florida Department of Transportation to...more
Editorials
A peaceful kingdom
Something simple but special happened in Key West last weekend. Duval Street was returned to the people in the form of the Duval Promenade pilot project.Instead of Duval Street being something...more
KOTS isn’t going anywhere
February 22, 2019I was having coffee at McDonalds and sitting in the next booth were 3 KOTS residents reading Timothy O’Hara’s article on the never ending county-city-sheriff talks of relocating the shelter.They...more
Let’s make a deal
February 22, 2019Well done, Monroe County citizens. Goal 109 crashed and burned at a packed Monroe County Commission Goal 109 special meeting. We dodged a bullet on that one. High-density apartment complexes...more
Key West Mayor Teri Johnston: The first 100 days
February 18, 2019It is easy to be excited and hopeful when you have an engaged community that cares. My first 100 days as Mayor have been filled with opportunities because Key Westers are ready for a change and...more
Cheers and Jeers
February 16, 2019Cheers: to Fury and the City Commission for taking another look at the Bight lease and for reopening the bid process. Questions were raised that were not adequately addressed and some of the...more
Sports
Conchs have new look all around
There is a new look to the Key West High baseball team, on the field and in the roster, as the Conchs will open their 2019 campaign on a recently renovated facility, which includes a freshly laid...more
MEN’S OVER-37 SOFTBALL: Morays ensure Snappers fall down on their luck
February 22, 2019“The third time ...” is a bunch of garbage as far as Rich’s Snappers are concerned after they were thumped, 28-18, on Friday night by the T&W Chevron Auto Repair Morays in Men’s Over-37...more
PREP DISTRICT 16-1A WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS: HUNT FOR 10 STRAIGHT — Well-rounded Conchs all business entering postseason
February 22, 2019It is not exactly breaking news that the Key West High wrestling team has dominated District 16-1A during Chaz Jimenez’s time as head coach. But the extent of the dominance is extraordinary.If...more
YOUTH BASKETBALL: Teams knock down 40 apiece midway through PAL season
February 21, 2019The Blue Heaven Spurs and Douglass Rockets put up big numbers in recent Youth Police Athletic League Basketball at the Douglass Gym. The Spurs hammered the nets for 44 points, while the...more
YOUTH HOCKEY: Fast-paced play highlights 25th opener
February 21, 2019The Southernmost Hockey Club began its 25th anniversary on Friday with the opening of the 2019 youth hockey season at the newly resurfaced Southernmost Hockey Rink. A pair of 18-and-Under...more