Nastiness plagues Dist. 120 race
August 14, 2020
Direct mail has long been a popular campaign method in elections and generally features a portrait photo of the candidate with his or her family and their family pet with a small biography and...more
= Denotes Subscription RequiredBeach water quality improves
August 14, 2020
Good news: The water quality has improved at area beaches in the Florida Keys.
Beach water quality testing performed by the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County has indicated that all...more
Islamorada passes vessel exclusion zone off Lower Matecumbe Key
August 14, 2020
Partiers aboard boats have to find a new place to play loud music and enjoy the ocean in the Florida Keys because Lower Matecumbe Key bayside is soon to be off-limits.
Saying they have been...more
Coronavirus
Florida’s new jobless claims drop the most of any state
FORT LAUDERDALE — Florida's death toll from the coronavirus topped 9,000 Thursday, while its pandemic-buffeted economy led the nation in a drop in the number of new jobless claims. The jobless...more
Some workers sent home after CÓVID-19 exposure at school
August 14, 2020Several employees at a Florida high school are quarantining for 14 days after being exposed to the coronavirus on campus, the school's principal said in a message to families whose children are...more
Florida sheriff bans masks for deputies with some exceptions
August 13, 2020ST. PETERSBURG — A central Florida sheriff says his deputies won’t be allowed to wear face masks except under some conditions, and neither will visitors to the sheriff’s office. Marion County...more
Miami Beach has issued $14,400 in fines to mask violators
August 13, 2020MIAMI BEACH. Fla. — Police and city officials in Miami Beach have issued $14,400 in fines to people who weren't wearing facial coverings to help stop the spread of COVID-19. One man was issued...more
Officials: Florida man lied to get $60,000 in virus loans
August 12, 2020MIAMI — A South Florida man has been accused of fraudulently obtaining $60,000 in federal coronavirus relief loans. Judlex Jean Louis, 32, of Lauderhill, was arrested and charged last week...more
News
Marathon picks new attorney, OKs developments
The Marathon City Council earlier this week chose local attorney Steven Williams as its in-house attorney, voting by secret ballot. The attorney serves as the city’s chief legal advisor to...more
Correction
August 14, 2020• A story in Thursday’s edition of The Key West Citizen should have stated Judge Lawrence King is a senior U.S. District judge for the Southern District of Florida, not a circuit judge. The...more
Florida’s new jobless claims drop the most of any state
August 14, 2020FORT LAUDERDALE — Florida's death toll from the coronavirus topped 9,000 Thursday, while its pandemic-buffeted economy led the nation in a drop in the number of new jobless claims. The jobless...more
Some workers sent home after CÓVID-19 exposure at school
August 14, 2020Several employees at a Florida high school are quarantining for 14 days after being exposed to the coronavirus on campus, the school's principal said in a message to families whose children are...more
Judge: Key West cruise ship referenda remains on Nov. 3 ballot
August 13, 2020A federal judge has ruled that Key West residents will be allowed to vote on the three cruise ship referenda slated for the Nov. 3 ballot. Circuit Court Judge Lawrence King dismissed a motion...more
Citizen's Voice
Citizens’ Voice: Aug. 14
“I want to thank the city and the Key West Police Department for doing a great job with the almost impossible balancing act between enforcement of COVID-19 regulations and having a welcoming...more
KWPD promotes Officer Rodriguez
August 14, 2020Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenburg swore in Officer Alex Rodriguez on Wednesday as the department’s newest sergeant. Born and raised in Key West, Sgt. Rodriguez has been with the...more
Rental, mortgage assistance offered
August 14, 2020Renters and homeowner throughout the Florida Keys are urged to take advantage of funding being distributed to anyone who is behind in their rent or mortgage payments because of the COVID-19...more
SOS Foundation to hold food drive, Census registration
August 14, 2020The SOS Foundation is conducting a 700-family drive-through food distribution Saturday, Aug. 15. The event will be from 9 a.m. to noon at Key West City Hall, 1300 White St. The group has...more
Mortgage assistance offered
August 13, 2020The Monroe County government has provided internet links to residents experiencing mortgage payment difficulties due to financial hardship related to COVID-19. The link provides helpful...more
Bookings for 08/14/20 All charges are preliminary
Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon & Big Pine News
Weather extremes make for poor nesting for wading species
SOUTH FLORIDA — Annual wading bird nest populations can vary widely so scientists aren’t necessarily alarmed by 2018’s banner year of 138,834 estimated bird nests in South Florida being followed...more
Abstract artist shares essence of work
August 12, 2020ISLAMORADA — Through the shapes and colors of brush strokes, Ruth Gilmore Langs tells visual stories. As an abstract expressionist painter, she doesn’t depict a literal subject matter, rather,...more
District finds more COVID-19 in wastewater after June 1
August 12, 2020KEY LARGO — One week after the Florida Keys reopened to visitors, the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District began finding evidence of COVID-19 in the region’s sewage treatment system.The...more
Help available for those facing eviction
August 12, 2020MONROE COUNTY — As the clock winds down on the governor’s third extension of the statewide ban on evictions, a potential flood of tenants losing housing would appear inevitable. To provide some...more
Home sales fall, but prices rise, in 1st half
August 12, 2020FLORIDA KEYS — Home sales were down by one-fifth year-over-year in the Florida Keys during the first half of 2020, but the average sale price rose almost 6% from 2019 despite a pandemic causing...more
Editorials
More bad behavior we need to address
It’s said that necessity is the mother of invention. What we are starting to see in the Middle Keys is more like depravity is the mother-expletive of desecration.If that statement sounds angry,...more
Cheers and Jeers
August 8, 2020Cheers: To the Wisteria Island debate that has been concluded after almost 60 years of ownership haggling. But even though a federal court ruled the federal government owns Wisteria Island in Key...more
Education innovation needed
August 8, 2020I think this is a wonderful opportunity for schools to ignore tradition, develop alternative delivery systems and truly individualize education.There is nothing sacred about the 180-day school...more
The right to vote
August 8, 2020I have never tried to put a letter in any paper. I have marched in a lot of things. I have lived in Key West since 1949. I went to high school here and junior college. I very much care for my...more
Your vote counts
August 8, 2020Whether you vote by mail, at early voting locations or on Election Day, the team at Monroe County Supervisor of Elections office are well prepared to count your vote securely and accurately for...more
Sports
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Ashley Hilson, Coral Shores
Name: Ashley Hilson Height: 5-foot-7 GPA: 4.0 Parents Names: Kimberly Hilson and Stephen Hilson Siblings Names: Jackson Hilson (twin) and Charley Abell Sports you plan of playing...more
Initially scheduled to kick off season tonight, Conchs now at mercy of FHSAA, opponents
August 14, 2020Friday was supposed to be the day the Key West High football team kicked off its 2020 campaign against Satellite High. Instead, the Conchs will be tuning into the 10 a.m. FHSAA Board of Directors...more
#WE WANT TO PLAY: Online petition continuing to collect signatures in hopes FHSAA allows fall seasons
August 13, 2020A petition, titled “Let Them Play Florida” was created late Monday on the website Change.org requesting the Florida High School Athletic Association to permit fall sports to be played as...more
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Jonathan Bradman, Coral Shores
August 12, 2020Name: Jonathan Bradman Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 160 GPA: 3.3 Parents Names: Sol and Nicole Bradman Siblings Names: Alexis, Joey, Jayse and Jax Bradman Sports you plan of playing...more
Bosco hoping for special season — 24th with KWHS and first with CFK — as pool reopens
August 12, 2020The 2020-21 season was expected to be special for Lori Bosco, as it will not only be her 24th as head coach of the Key West High swim team but also her first during the inaugural campaign of The...more
Obituaries
Joan B. Myers
Our wonderful Mom, Joan B. Myers, went to join the Lord Jesus on July 9, 2020. She was 88 years old. She leaves behind myself, Janice Vaughn, and my older brother Richard Vaughn (Carrie) and her...more
Mayra Perez Ayers
August 14, 2020Mayra Perez Ayers, loving mother and lifelong Conch, passed away unexpectedly in Key West on July 2, 2020. She was a passionate woman who loved deeply and fiercely all of her life. Mayra was...more
Thomas J. Sireci Jr.
August 14, 2020Thomas J. Sireci Jr., 72, passed away at his home with his loving wife and sons beside him on Aug. 8, 2020. He was born in New London, Connecticut and moved to Key West with his family when they...more
Thomas J. Sireci Jr.
August 12, 2020Thomas J. Sireci, Jr., 72, passed away at his home with his loving wife and sons beside him on Aug. 8, 2020. He was born in New London, Connecticut and moved to Key West with his family when they...more
Sanford C. Sarti
August 8, 2020Sanford C. (Sandy) Sarti, 84, passed away unexpectedly on July 25, 2020. He was preceded in death by his father, George William Sarti, his mother, Josephine Garbo Sarti, and a brother, George...more
