Keys Weekly

The first regular meeting of Key West’s newly assembled city commission saw the approval of regular, overnight visits by a small cruise ship to Mallory Dock — despite some lawmakers’ concerns and a potential derailing of a three-year agreement. American Cruise Line, which operates domestically registered ships only in U.S. ports of call, arrives at

The Monroe County School District passed its final budget with emphasis on teacher salaries and limiting the tax rate associated with property values.  An important consideration was the tax levy for school safety and security. These funds cover the costs for security programs in the school district. An example is the Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter

Four Florida Keys residents were named Honorary Conchs during a Sept. 11 meeting of Monroe County commissioners. Mayor Holly Raschein gave certificates – signifying those who’ve made major contributions to the community but weren’t born in the Keys – to Rob Stober, local attorney and Upper Keys Rotarian; Karen “KK” Ciampa, an educator of 35-plus

Caylaa MakimaaSenior, Key WestCross Country “Caylaa Makimaa’s natural ability and work ethic always help motivate others around her to strive for more.” – Key West head coach Keara McGraw Key West’s Caylaa Makimaa has put in the miles to set her apart from the rest of the pack. When Makimaa set a goal last season

Are you feeling it? Tectonic shifts are underfoot because we’ve entered into the rapid evolutionary forces of another eclipse season. The partial lunar eclipse on Sept. 17 initiated a potent transformative period for all of us that will continue through the annular solar eclipse on Oct. 2. Things are not always what they seem during

Marathon council members pledged not to raise taxes for the city at its first 2024-25 budget hearing on Sept. 17. But raises for city staff were again a point of contention for the second year in a row. Vice Mayor Lynn Landry wasted no time in suggesting the city levy the rollback millage rate –

Nonprofit professionals from across the region gathered last week at Marathon’s city hall for the third annual Florida Keys Nonprofit Day to share knowledge, collaborate and elevate the effect of local organizations. Hosted by the Florida Keys Funders Alliance — composed of the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, Ocean Reef Community Foundation and United

Marathon coach Mary Coleman-Sayer’s team has grown exponentially this season, and it has amped up the competition for the Golfin’ Dolphins.  “This week our golf team picked up two team wins for a total of three team wins for the season. This is the most team wins that we have had in my four-year tenure

Uncomfortable conversations led to unavoidable questions and unprecedented decisions at the Sept. 17 meeting of the Keys tourism agency. Kara Franker, who was hired as the new president and CEO of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council following last year’s critical audits of the agency, was candid in her criticisms, though careful not to place

A supermarket and housing project in Tavernier took another step forward as county commissioners said “yes” to handing out early evacuation workforce housing building permits to developers during a Sept. 11 meeting in Key Largo. Specifically, the Blackstone-Tavernier 925 LLC group is planning to construct a 49,000-square-foot Publix supermarket and liquor store at the CEMEX