County puts focus on budget
September 17, 2019
The Monroe County Commission is in for a long day Wednesday as it will hold its regular all-day meeting starting at 9 a.m. and then hold its final budget hearing of the fiscal year at 5 p.m. and...more
= Denotes Subscription RequiredFAMILIAR FACES: Barry Cuda brings the music
September 17, 2019
The truck driver behind him on Duval Street waited, somewhat patiently, for the quick musician with the halo of white-gray curls to lean into the weight of his musical cargo and push his upright,...more
Planning to decide transient transfers
September 17, 2019
Seven of the 10 condominiums at Key Cove Landings could become transient rentals owned by Key West developers and Historic Tours of America owners Ed Swift and Chris Belland despite opposition...more
News
Florida lawmakers open latest debate over mass killings
TALLAHASSEE — In a state with a painful history of gun violence, Florida lawmakers swiftly condemned shootings that claimed 31 lives earlier this summer in Texas and Ohio. Florida's state...more
4 young Florida children missing, mother’s body found
September 17, 2019OCALA — Authorities say four young Florida children are missing after the body of their mother was found in Georgia. The Marion County Sheriff's Office said Monday that detectives were...more
BPK man arrested over gang-related Facebook threats
September 17, 2019A 40-year-old Big Pine Key man was arrested recently for posting motorcycle gang-related threats on Facebook, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.Adam Matthew Miller was charged with...more
DeSantis’ fundraising shows cash, appointments linked
September 17, 2019TALLAHASSEE — Proud of his nonstop approach to leading Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis also hasn't taken much of a break from fundraising — quietly salting away almost $2.6 million in contributions...more
Marathon to finalize its 2020 budget
September 17, 2019The Marathon City Council is on track to finalize its yearly budget, with an increase of 5.89% above last year’s tax rate, as it meets Thursday, Sept. 19, at 5:05 p.m. at Marathon City Hall.At...more
Bookings for 09/17/19 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
“Hey, Key West Cares, how about a giant yard sale? Then people could clean out their closets, contribute the stripper shoes they don’t need in the Bahamas, buyers get what they want or need and Key West Cares gets funds for supplies and flights.”“Let’s see if I have this right: The city is going to raise our property taxes. They are adding meters to Smathers Beach, and they doubled the price...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
“Hey, Key West Cares, how about a giant yard sale? Then people could clean out their closets, contribute the stripper shoes they don’t need in the Bahamas, buyers get what they want or need and Key West Cares gets funds for supplies and flights.”“Let’s see if I have this right: The city is going to raise our property taxes. They are adding meters to Smathers Beach, and they doubled the price...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
Keys squads send Panthers home winless
It was a clean sweep for Keys prep volleyball teams against Foundation Christian Academy, which began the three-match set in Marathon on Thursday with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Lady...more
Key West boys 10 point shy of win against Wolverines
September 17, 2019Going into the meet on Saturday with Wellington High at The College of the Florida Keys Aquatics Center, Key West swim coach Lori Bosco knew it was going to be a challenge against the...more
Roughly 460 take on 8-mile open-water race
September 17, 2019Some 460 U.S. and international participants competed in waters off the Florida Keys on Saturday during the Swim for Alligator Lighthouse, an annual open-water challenge in the Atlantic...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
