LATEST NEWS
Iguana nest creates 'sinkhole' in road
After a citizen sent Monroe County Mayor Holly Raschein a note of concern regarding a “weird sinkhole” in the road in her neighborhood in Key Largo, Monroe County Roads and Bridges staff found quite an interesting culprit — an iguana had tunneled underneath the asphalt to create a nesting area. “After investigating the ‘sinkhole,’ we discovered iguanas have tunneled next to an old, abandoned culvert and found some soft sand where they were laying their eggs under the road,” said crew member Ron Havengar, who...
South Florida McDonald’s worker arrested after drive-thru attack, deputies say
KEY LARGO, Fla. – A worker at a South Florida McDonald’s is facing three felony charges after sheriff’s deputies said she attacked customers during a drive-thru dispute over the weekend. According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, it all happened just after 11 p.m. Saturday at the...
GOALS ACCOMPLISHED
Improvement, potentially into the Top 10, were goals for the trio of Monroe County weightlifters during the FHSAA State Championship on Saturday, April 20, at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Taking to the mats for both the Olympic Classification (clean and jerk, and snatch) as well as the Traditional Classification (bench press and clean), Coral Shores senior A.J. Johnson was able to accomplish the task in the 219-pound weight class by improving from 11th in Olympic to eight overall with a 465-pound total. He...
Little Torch development battle continues
The battle over redeveloping the shoreside facilities at Dolphin Marina on Little Torch Key into a 38-unit resort is again heating up with a group of residents opposed to the plan filing its legal argument against the Monroe County Planning Commission and the developers, Little Palm Dolphin Resort Development, with a state Department of Administrative Hearings. In October, the Planning Commission approved a plan to redevelop Dolphin Marina on Little Torch Key, despite roughly 30 neighbors contending the project is too big and out of...
New artificial reefs program set to begin with project off Key West
A new artificial reefs program that scientists hope will help reduce stress on the Florida Keys' fragile marine ecosystem has started this month — with the first project off Key West already in the works. Also known as habitat support structures, artificial reefs have been in development for decades....
Artificial reef program to preserve fish habitat off Florida Keys
A new artificial reef program led by Monroe County that aims to preserve fish populations and resources in the Florida Keys' marine ecosystem is now underway, according to WLRN.Why it matters: Though artificial reefs aren't new in Florida — the oldest dating back to 1945 — this is the first official county-led program focused on man-made marine habitat, the outlet reported.The program's launch about 16 miles north of Key West in federal waters comes after last summer's massive coral bleaching event.The big picture: The project aims to serve as a "proof of method" that could lay the groundwork for future artificial reef projects, which have faced concerns including material failures and over-harvesting, per the outlet.The first phase likely includes 37 concrete poles, each about 55 feet long.By the numbers: A $10 million Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission grant is supporting the project.Another $5 million was recently added, pending Gov. Ron DeSantis' approval.What's next: The project is expected to run through 2028, but additional funding could extend it through 2029.
Deputies busy throughout week with multiple arrests
Throughout the Florida Keys, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies were busy with multiple arrests on a variety of charges and event, ranging from a school bomb threat to a food fight at a Middle Keys restaurant. On Friday, April 19, a 16-year-old Islamorada female was arrested for making a fake bomb and gun threat at Coral Shores High School. Ava Carol Patterson was charged with making a false report concerning...
Young siblings killed after car plows into children's birthday party
An 8-year-old girl and her 5-year-old brother were killed Saturday afternoon when a vehicle crashed into a building during a children's birthday party at a boat club located south of Detroit. Fifteen others were injured in the crash, including three children and six adults, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s...
Teen accused of making fake bomb, gun threat at Keys high school
MARATHON, Fla. – A 16-year-old girl was arrested Friday after deputies say she made a fake bomb and gun threat at a high school in the Florida Keys. According to Monroe County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Adam Linhardt, Ava Carol Patterson is facing charges that include making a false report concerning planting a bomb, an explosive, or a weapon of mass destruction and concerning the use of firearms in a violent manner.
Keys deputy who broke into ex’s home also illegally looked up info on her new lover, sheriff says
KEY WEST, Fla. – A Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputy accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s Key West home is now also accused of illegally accessing law enforcement computer systems to look up information on the man she was now dating, according to the agency. Deputy Alexander...
Sheriff’s Office deputy arrested for burglary faces additional charges
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Alexander Morales Jr., 26, was charged Thursday, April 18, with four counts of illegally accessing agency computer equipment the same day he was arrested by the Key West Police Department for burglary and criminal mischief. The four computer-related charges were filed by the Sheriff’s Office. Morales illegally used his agency computer to look up information regarding a man dating his ex-girlfriend on April 15, 2024...
KEYS DEPUTY CHARGED WITH BURGLARY FOR SPYING ON HIS EX
A Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home on April 15 to spy on her and her new boyfriend, shouting through her bedroom window that he was recording them, according to Key West police. Alexander Morales Jr., 26, of Key West, was arrested and charged...
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