Wildlife refuges open nature center
September 16, 2019
After facing several setbacks in recent years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex has opened its new Nature Center on Big Pine Key.
“It has...more
= Denotes Subscription RequiredKWPD honors retiree after 30-year career
September 16, 2019
Key West Police Sgt. Jeff Williamson came to Key West with military service under his belt – as a U.S. Marine, serving with the Military Police, and marksmanship instructor. He also served with...more
2 teens get 40 years each for fatal robbery
September 16, 2019
FORT MYERS — Two Florida teens have been sentenced to 40 years in prison each for the fatal robbery of a taxi driver.Court records show that the 15-year-old boy and 17-year-old boy were sentenced...more
News
How the Panhandle United Roller Derby league empowers women
FORT WALTON BEACH — Aubree Davis ventured to the place everyone knows they need to go but no one ever actually wants to: outside her comfort zone. Her first roller derby scrimmage ripped her...more
2 Pulse survivors host rally against gay ‘lifestyle’
September 16, 2019ORLANDO — Two survivors of the Pulse nightclub massacre hosted a Florida rally for people who say they have left behind homosexuality for Christianity. The Orlando Sentinel reports that...more
Janitor charged with hiding camera in girls’ locker room
September 16, 2019JACKSONVILLE — A janitor at a Florida high school has been charged with hiding a camera in a girls' locker room. Court records show that 42-year-old Jason Brian Goff was arrested this week...more
Man gets 40 years for fake legal filings against officials
September 16, 2019FORT MYERS — A Florida man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for filing numerous fake legal documents against public officials.Lee County court records show that 45-year-old Randal Rosado...more
Police: Minister raped 2 girls, made each other watch
September 16, 2019MIAMI — A Miami pastor is charged with raping two young girls and forcing each to watch as he assaulted the other. The Miami Herald reports that Yunior Beltres is charged with two counts of...more
Bookings for 09/16/19 All charges are preliminary
Deputies reminded of dangers of duty
September 6, 2019Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies know the dangers of the line of duty, but two recent incidents offered painful reminders.On Tuesday, a homeless Marathon man was arrested for biting a deputy who found him lying near the roadway. Later that day, a Boynton Beach, Florida woman was arrested for kicking two deputies in the groin and multiple other...more
“Call your commissioners about the proposed tax increase. Tell them it will effect how you vote; make them accountable.”“Yay, Sugarloaf and Coach Tirado! AYSO is back. Big Pine fields still recovering from Irma, but Friday night lights at the school and kids playing. Great to have the Lower Keys League back and kudos to all who made it happen.”“It’s time for the city and county to get real...more
Deputies reminded of dangers of duty
September 6, 2019Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies know the dangers of the line of duty, but two recent incidents offered painful reminders.On Tuesday, a homeless Marathon man was arrested for biting a deputy who found him lying near the roadway. Later that day, a Boynton Beach, Florida woman was arrested for kicking two deputies in the groin and multiple other...more
“Call your commissioners about the proposed tax increase. Tell them it will effect how you vote; make them accountable.”“Yay, Sugarloaf and Coach Tirado! AYSO is back. Big Pine fields still recovering from Irma, but Friday night lights at the school and kids playing. Great to have the Lower Keys League back and kudos to all who made it happen.”“It’s time for the city and county to get real...more
Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon & Big Pine News
Paying it forward – Local groups provide relief to Dorian victims
FLORIDA KEYS — “People really helped us out two years ago after Hurricane Irma,” said Laura Lietaert, Key Largo Rotary Club president. “Now it’s our turn to reach out.” Around her on Thursday,...more
‘Members-only’ access raises concern
September 11, 2019FLORIDA KEYS — Concern over losing access to three popular reefs surfaced in early comments submitted on the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s draft management plan. Sanctuary...more
Diesel specialists are ‘here for the boats’
September 11, 2019KEY LARGO — Experience pays when getting a diesel-powered boat back on the water, says John Green of Certified Diesel Engine Corporation in Key Largo. “We’re here for the boats,” said Green, a...more
Group adds public comment to green space effort
September 11, 2019KEY LARGO — The Save Our Green Space group is asking that the Monroe County Commission adopt a resolution making a vacant lot adjacent to the Key Largo Community Park part of the park and not a...more
Longtime Tavernier resident passes
September 11, 2019TAVERNIER — Shirley Faye Albury, a longtime resident of Tavernier, died recently. She was 83.Albury was born to William and Violet Albury six months after the historic and devastating Labor Day...more
Editorials
Cheers and Jeers
Cheers: To The College of the Florida Keys, which announced this week that it stood ready to accept students and those who were planning to become students at the University of the Bahamas who...more
Cheers and Jeers
September 7, 2019Cheers: To Hurricane Dorian for missing the Keys and most of the rest of Florida, but ...Jeers: To Hurricane Dorian for the havoc it wreaked on the Bahamas, as well as damage caused throughout...more
Sanctuary continues on path
September 7, 2019I’ve been watching the [Florida Keys National] Marine Sanctuary since it was started. I haven’t seen any improvement in the reef, water quality or any other metric. What I have seen is an...more
Celebrate National Literacy Month
September 2, 2019September is National Literacy Month, and while there are many questionable monthly designations, this is not one of them.There may be no better time than now to re-instill the value of reading...more
Sanctuary’s restoration plan a colossal yet critical undertaking
August 31, 2019The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary began rolling out the Restoration Blueprint document last week, which has many on edge.Residents are fearful more waters and wildlife areas would gain...more
Sports
‘Blue Out’ welcomes ‘Fins to new sports complex
Fans all clad in blue stretched across the bleachers on Friday night for the opening game at the Marathon High Sport Complex, which was officially inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at...more
‘Canes fall to former coach, 7-0
September 16, 2019For five seasons Coral Shores coach Alphonso Bryant was the offensive coordinator for former Hurricane coach Ed Holly. So with Holly back at George M. Barley Field in Tavernier on Friday night,...more
Conchs finish strong, hand Buffalo first loss
September 16, 2019It was the worst of times … As the Key West High football team trailed unbeaten The Villages Charter 21-7 at halftime. It was the best of times … As the Conchs rallied for 21 unanswered...more
Senior Spotlight: Felicia Lemard
September 16, 2019Q: How long have you been playing your sports? A: Both just one year, I started both my junior year. Q: Did you ever play any other sports? A: I used to play soccer from elementary to...more
Cowboys’, Vikings’ Dshand out blank sheets
September 14, 2019In the second week of Key West Youth Football League action, two shutouts were registered in the older age groups at the George Mira Football Field. In the opener on Saturday, the Blue Heaven...more
