Walking on Eggshells: City of Key West looks for solution for chickens that have 'grown out of control'

The city of Key West is scrambling to find a solution for the ubiquitous chickens that roam its streets after the Key West Wildlife Center began winding down a 17-year program that took in the island's sick, injured and trapped chickens and relocated them to the mainland. According to a memo from Assistant City Manager Michael Turner, the Wildlife Center was told by state and federal officials that keeping feral chickens and wild birds on the same property carries a high risk of disease spread, citing the increased prevalence of avian flu and New World screwworm. The center was “strongly advised” the treatment program should not continue there, the memo states, and it had been tapering down chicken operations in line with requests from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Thomas Sweets, executive director of the Key West Wildlife Center, told commissioners Oct. 1 that the direction came from the FWC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which both inspect the center. “This is not our decision to stop it,” Sweets said. In a written statement provided to the Keys Citizen, dated October, Sweets said the decision followed a review with the center's permitting organizations, including the FWC and

This Florida Keys Diner Draws Crowds With Fried Fish, Hearty Breakfasts And Homestyle Plates From A Roadside Kitchen

License plates on the walls, signed dollar bills on the ceiling, and a waffle that thinks it’s key lime pie. Welcome to a Florida Keys diner where decorating rules clearly took a vacation. The license plates come from all over, turning the walls into a giant road trip scrapbook....

Inaugural Oyster Fest brainchild of Half Shell's GM

Thousands of oysters will be shucked during the inaugural Key West Oyster Fest on Saturday, and when the celebration is over, the shells won’t be headed for the trash. They will be recycled for another use. The Key West Oyster Fest, presented by Half Shell Raw Bar and Everglades Oysters, will bring together regional oyster farmers, some of the Florida Keys’ most recognized chefs and restaurants, live music and a plethroa of oysters. The festival runs from 5-10 p.m., with a VIP hour from 5-6 p.m. The entry fee includes unlimited oysters and a premium open bar until 8 p.m., and live music by The Farm Boys, a swamp, country band from South Florida. The oyster event will be set up outside the iconic Key West restaurant in the circle parking lot with tents and more for food and beverage suppliers. A dozen restaurants are participating it the Key West Oyster Fest, including Half Shell Raw Bar, Schooner Wharf, Square Grouper, Café Marquesa, Casa Marina, and Conch Republic. Every oyster shell generated during the festival will be collected for recycling, an extension of an oyster-shell recycling program already operating at Half Shell Raw Bar in partnership with Everglades Oysters. The

Dirty 30! Roaches, flying insects, raw meat stored over ready-to-eat food and temperature abuse

The Dirty 30 shines a spotlight on restaurants across South Florida where recent health inspections uncovered a troubling number of violations. Some of these establishments were ordered shut by state inspectors, while others were allowed to remain open. But make no mistake: when inspectors document this many problems whether involving roaches, flying insects, improper food temperatures, cross-contamination or unsanitary conditions, it raises serious questions about food safety and management.

Coffee with the City Manager

Have something on your mind about the city? Key West City Manager Brian L. Barroso wants to hear from you. Introducing “Coffee with the City Manager,” an opportunity for residents to sit down with the city manager to ask questions, share ideas, or discuss issues important to our community. These informal, one-on-one conversations are a great way to connect directly with the city manager over a cup of coffee. Meetings are held every other Tuesday, 8-10 a.m., by appointment at City Hall, 1300 White St. Visit the city of Key West website to request an appointment with the city manager.

Aw, shucks. Savor the first Key West Oyster Fest this weekend

Walk into Keys Fisheries, Square Grouper, Schooner Wharf or Half Shell Raw Bar, and the oysters are always expertly shucked and presented over ice. But are they local? Wait. Do we grow oysters? In the Florida Keys? No, but they do in the Everglades. Really? What about cold water only and only in months with an R?

Broward County, Florida, Dandee Donut Fails to Keep Food Safe, Cited For 24 Health Violations

A popular Broward County Dandee Donut Factory in Margate, Florida, was cited for seven high-priority violations during a November 6, 2026 routine inspection that found 24 total violations, resulting in a stop-sale order on food held at unsafe temperatures — and the shop was left with a follow-up inspection required notification.

5 Best Italian Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, Florida that Will Make You Feel Like You’re in Rome

Fort Lauderdale — a city where the sun glimmers off the Intracoastal, where pastel Art Deco facades meet the salt-washed air, where every block is alive with the laughter of families, the rhythm of salsa, and the scent of something simmering on the breeze. Here, the city’s heart beats in the sway of palms, in the mosaic of cultures — Caribbean, Italian, Brazilian, and dreamers from every corner — all drawn by the promise of warmth, water, and the taste of something unforgettable.

More Than 2,000 Booths Pack The Swap Shop In Fort Lauderdale Every Single Weekend

Some weekend plans start with a parking ticket that costs less than a cup of coffee and end with a trunk full of things nobody planned to buy. In Fort Lauderdale, that kind of Saturday has been a local habit for decades. Families who came here as kids in the...

The Secrets to Aging Well

148 rodent droppings, employee vaping in kitchen: 9 South Florida restaurants shut

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — The state last week temporarily shut a Broward County restaurant that had, among other violations, about 148 rodent droppings — everywhere from atop a Guinness beer box to under a kitchen flip-top cooler and on a shelf at the bar. But it...

Hundreds of flights delayed, canceled in South Florida after airport ground stop

A telecommunications outage prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a ground stop at airports across the country on Friday, halting flights from taking off and creating hours of delays for travelers. Incoming flights to Miami and Fort Lauderdale weren’t affected, but departures were halted for more than four hours. As of Friday night, nearly 800 flights at South Florida’s two major airports were delayed and more than 275 were canceled. The ground stop may be over, but the delays will continue for a while. “The nationwide FAA ground stop has been lifted, and airlines are working to resume normal schedules. Travelers should still check directly with their airline for the most up-to-date flight status,” said Greg Chin, communications director for Miami-Dade Aviation Department. Within an hour after the ground stop lifted, activity at MIA picked up. Terminals started filling as travelers bolted down the corridors again with one hand rolling their luggage. Restaurants and bars emptied out. And at the American Airlines ticket area, a single line of over 120 people formed. The ground stop was lifted around 8:15 p.m., but getting flights back in the air and figuring out what happened won’t be immediate, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean

Chic Miami restaurant opens in Fort Lauderdale with ocean views

From the stories making headlines to the restaurants, music and culture that make Miami one of a kind, New Times is there. Help us raise $25,000 by December 31 to keep independent local journalism going strong in 2027. Popular Miami-born Mediterranean restaurant Motek is heading to Fort Lauderdale Beach –...

Humane Society of Broward seeks loving, permanent home for Gordito, other furry friends

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Humane Society of Broward is hoping to find a loving home for Gordito, a 9-year-old Shih Tzu whose owner can no longer care for him due to illness. HSBC’s Cherie Wachter introduced Gordito during Local 10’s Adopt a Pet segment, describing him as a...

Recently ranked 27th pizzeria in the world, this Miami pizza restaurant was just named the best in Florida by Food & Wine

Miami is once again making a serious case for its place in the nation’s best pizza map. Food & Wine recently released a list of must-try pizzerias for every U.S. state, and their Florida selection gives local pizza lovers something to celebrate!. Francesco Martucci, a Wynwood restaurant bringing the...

Usher and Chris Brown cancel concert at Hard Rock Stadium, Los Angeles show amid reports of backstage dispute

MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - Usher and Chris Brown canceled their concert at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens that was scheduled for Dec. 6. Another show on their R&B Tour set to take place on Monday in Los Angeles was also canceled. Ticketmaster said customers will get a...

This Massive Florida Buffet Has Over 100 Sushi Rolls and a Seafood Spread Worth the Drive

Crab legs, oysters, and frog legs all share the same buffet line here. Oh, and there’s a hibachi grill cooking your picks while you wait. The sushi section alone could keep you busy for an hour. Chefs roll and slice right in front of you, so the trays keep turning over. Then there’s a carving station, hot dishes, and a dessert spread with creme brulee and a chocolate fountain.

Joe’s Pizza Expands To West Boca

A popular kosher pizza restaurant from Broward County has brought its menu to West Boca. Joe’s Pizza recently opened on Yamato Road, taking over the space formerly occupied by Jimmy Brooklyn’s Pizza Parlor. The restaurant marks the Hollywood-based restaurant’s second South Florida location and its first in Palm Beach County.

The Underline's bike and walk trail is complete. It's named after a billionaire

Nearly eight years after groundbreaking, The Underline is celebrating a new milestone: the completion of its 10-mile, bike-and-walk path, named after a buzzy billionaire whose moniker seems to be taking over Miami. The Kenneth C. Griffin Urban Trail is the latest installment of the 120-acre urban park, which runs under Metrorail tracks and has been under construction since 2018. The stretch, which runs from Brickell to Dadeland, combines pedestrian and cycling trails with micro-forests, jungle gyms, public art and wellness classes. Some of those amenities remain under construction, according to Underline officials, who say the park will reach its finished form in early 2027. For now, cyclists and runners can enjoy an uninterrupted trek along the corridor sans dust, bright orange traffic cones or safety barricades. It was “some crazy idea that took this underutilized, forgotten space and turned it into something that is truly iconic,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava at Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the trail in Coral Gables. She was joined by county parks and transportation leaders, officials from the cities of Miami and Coral Gables, South Florida philanthropists, nonprofit Friends of The Underline and dozens of the park’s team members. “I hope that it

A Stunning New Japanese Restaurant Just Opened in Florida and It’s Giving Major Tokyo Vibes

Wagyu served on a hot stone, scallop skewers straight off the robata grill, and fried rice made with wagyu beef tallow. That is one menu, and the kitchen keeps it going until midnight every single night. A brand-new Japanese izakaya just opened in Florida, and the lineup reads like a...