Cudjoe Key
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CASA MARINA RESORT WILL FIX ABANDONED EYESORE, BUT WANTS ZONING CHANGE FOR 23 NEW HOTEL ROOMS
Nothing brings neighbors together like a proposal to build new 23 hotel rooms across the street, down the block or 200 yards away from their multimillion-dollar homes. That’s what’s happening in the Casa Marina neighborhood, where the corporate owners of the Casa Marina Resort, a real estate investment trust called Park Hotels & Resorts, is asking city officials to change the zoning of two parcels, the site of dilapidated buildings that once included 23 units of housing for Casa Marina employees. The buildings have been a vacant and abandoned eyesore in the neighborhood since 2005, when Hurricane Wilma flooded them.
HIGH SCHOOL FILM STUDENTS’ DOCUMENTARY ABOUT BAND’S LONDON TRIP WINS TOP PRIZE
When the Key West High School marching band, the Marching Conchs, crossed the pond to play in London’s New Year’s Day parade, not all of the students packed instruments or sheet music. Of the 107 or so students who made the trip, two — William Forster and Valeria...
Political endorsement divides local Republicans
A vote to endorse one local Republican over another has led to a grievance being filed with the state offices of the Republican Party of Florida and continues to divide the members of the party locally. In April, the Republican Executive Committee of Monroe County met and voted to endorse Supervisor of Elections candidate Sherri Hodies over fellow Republican candidate Margaret Romero, which led to some Republicans questioning whether that was fair and if all rules were followed regarding endorsements in primaries. ...
THERE’S A NEW QUEEN IN TOWN; DRAG QUEEN PUDDIN’ TAINE IS CROWNED QUEEN MOTHER
For 38 years, Key West has crowned a local drag queen as its honored Queen Mother, and this year was no different. Puddin’ Taine took home the 2024 crown on May 13 at Key West Theater, where a dozen or so contestants performed while dressed to the nines in sky-high heels, wigs and beaded evening gowns.
Dangerous record heat across South Florida
MIAMI - Dangerous record heat expected on Wednesday.Afternoon highs will soar to the upper 90s. The CBS News Miami NEXT Weather team is forecasting a high of 96 degrees. The current record is 96 set back in 1995. A high of 94 degrees is expected in Ft. Lauderdale, the current record is 95 degrees set in 1938. In Key West, the forecast high is 92 degrees and the record is 90 degrees set in 1884.When you factor in the humidity, it will feel like 100 to 108 degrees.Residents in South Florida should take the necessary precautions to avoid heat...
Field entries lead Conchs, Dolphins into the last event of 2023-24 season
A dozen athletes from Monroe County will have their opportunity to compete against the best Florida has to offer in track and field during the Florida High School Athletic Association State Championships, for Marathon the 1A finals on Wednesday, May 15, and Key West the 2A finals on Thursday, May 16, at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. A third of the state qualifiers from the Keys advanced in the pole vault, with Conchs senior Niks-Davis Suharevskis seeded sixth overall entering the championships with...
County moves forward on affordable housing and managed mooring field
The Monroe County Commission this week moved forward on purchasing 28 units of affordable housing, starting a sea-level rise and flooding mitigation project in Key Largo and creating a managed mooring field off of Stock Island The Board of County Commissioners, on Wednesday, May 15, approved a contract to purchase the 28 units in Key Largo from South Cliff Holdings LLC at a price of $11.9 million for workforce housing for county workers and possibly state and federal employees. The contract is different from many...
Suspect cries, apologizes in bodycam after crashing loader into Key West Police cruiser
Body camera video captures the moment a Key West Police cruiser was hit head-on by heavy machinery driven by a suspect who was later arrested. On May 4, the officer was responding to reports of a man using a loader to destroy vehicles and a building at the College of the Florida Keys.
Church purchase, fire boat program approved
The Islamorada Village Council agreed at its recent meeting to purchase the Island Community Church property for slightly less than $4 million for possible redevelopment as a new library in collaboration with Monroe County or for another to-be-determined use. The vote was 3-1, with Councilman Henry Rosenthal dissenting and Councilwoman Elizabeth Jolin abstaining due to a conflict of interest. Under the terms of the agreement, the church will be able...
Key West reaches scorching heat index value
KEY WEST, Fla. — The heat index in Key West tied a previous record on Wednesday, May 15, and it’s not even summer yet. The heat index reached 114 degrees, 17 degrees more than the previous record for the day and just shy of the all-time record of 115 degrees, according to a chart created by Brian McNoldy, a researcher at the University of Miami.
RULERS OF THE MAT: MEET THE 2023-24 ALL-KEYS WRESTLING TEAM
Monroe County wrestlers made a strong showing again in the 2023-24 season, claiming a treasure trove of hardware and earning numerous titles across the state. Coral Shores finished the season in fifth place at the FHSAA 1A District 16 Championships held in their own gym thi s year. The ’Canes had a pair of wrestlers earn silver medals at the event and continue to have strong performances, especially in the lighter weights. Key West brought home its 15th consecutive district championship in 2024 with eight individual wrestlers striking gold and all 13 athletes qualifying for regionals. Four wrestlers made an appearance at state and one athlete medaled at the event, further solidifying the dynasty Key West wrestling has become.
City proclaims Police Week
The Key West City Commission recently proclaimed May 12-18 as National Police Week. “As a city, we rely on law enforcement officers to keep our neighborhoods safe, enforce our laws, and respond in times of crisis,” reads the proclamation. “These men and women sustain peace and order in our community. They routinely put their lives on the line to defend ours, and the price of the bravery may result in injury, disability or death.” ...
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB GETS UNEXPECTED WINDFALL
Leaders of the local Boys & Girls Club, with its after-school and summertime child care programs for working families, may never know what the club did to positively affect the life of Stephen Haight. But they’ll be forever grateful to Haight and his parents, who recently bequeathed their entire estate to the club.
FDOT to host Seven-Mile Bridge replacement meeting
State transportation officials will host a meeting, both virtually and in-person, on Thursday, May 16, about replacing or conducting major repairs to the Florida Keys’ most iconic bridge. But actual construction of a new or major overhaul of the Seven-Mile Bridge still could be years away. The Florida Department of Transportation will host a kick-off meeting for the Seven-Mile Bridge Project Development and Environment Study. The meeting from 5:30 o...
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