Local News in Monroe County

Key West Back in the Day: Remembering the old Conch Flyer & ‘Air Sometimes’

Anyone who was part of the late-night crowd during Key West’s ramshackle glory days, loosely defined as the 1970s and most of the 1980s, remembers the old Conch Flyer. That’s because bars on the island were legally required to close at 4 a.m. — an hour many of us regarded as…

Keys History: The Great Hurricane of 1846

People say the Florida Keys have no seasons. It simply is not true. Seasons here aren’t limited to the traditional ones found in other parts of the country. A prime example is hurricane season. It starts on June 1 and ends November 30. Historically, while hurricane history is…

Functionally Caffeinated Wellness: Your bloodwork says ‘normal.’ Now what?

There are few things more satisfying than opening up your bloodwork results and seeing a beautiful little row of NORMAL, NORMAL, NORMAL. No red numbers. No giant H for high or L for low. Everything sitting nicely between those two little numbers the lab has so graciously…

Iconic Key Largo eatery Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen celebrates 50 years

Let’s start with the pie. Even if Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen was just known for its award-winning Key lime pie — rather than also being an iconic restaurant celebrating its 50th anniversary — that would have been legendary enough. The silky smooth Key lime filling has just the right…

Best of Marathon: Con-tree-versy rocks Local Celebrity voting

We all thought the heavy politics would die out with the primaries on Aug. 18. We didn’t know how wrong we were. Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time ever (I think, I didn’t actually look) … we have political attack ads in the Best of Marathon voting. It all began innocently…

Meet Maverick: Key West Police Department welcomes newest recruit

The Key West Police Department’s newest cadet has been in town less than a week and is getting picked on by a boisterous colleague — who’s also his roommate. Officer Santiago Perez described the pair’s interaction by saying, “Murph’s young. He’s like the annoying little brother…

Key West captain dives into water rescue

A Key West sportfishing captain celebrated his 54th birthday with a half-day charter that ended with an unplanned water rescue near the entrance to Garrison Bight on Aug. 19. Captain Pete Collins was bringing his guests back to Charter Boat Row aboard the Conchenstein boat. He…

The price to play adds up quickly for Keys athletic teams

It may seem like every time you open your email or scroll through social media, you are bombarded with another fundraiser for a local team, and even the most diehard fan might wonder where all that money goes. Inflation hasn’t just hit individuals and families; it’s costing…

Horoscopes: Unexpected lessons

Welcome to Virgo season, everyone. The sun officially moved into Virgo on Saturday, ushering in the time of year when we get focused, organized and prepared. During Virgo season, we harvest what we sowed in the spring and get our stores in order for the winter ahead. What needs…

Keys volleyball teams get the season underway

The Lady Fins’ volleyball squad opened their season in the win column. Marathon hosted Somerset Silver Palms on Aug. 18, battling through five sets to defeat the Stallions 3-2 and claim the first regular-season victory by a Keys team this year. Two nights later, Marathon traveled…

Ready, set, no! Weather wins at Conquistador kickoff

Coral Shores and Key West decided their athletes could use a little more preparation before toeing the line for the first time this season, but a contingent of Dolphins was ready to race. Marathon traveled to Larry & Penny Thompson Park in Miami on Aug. 21 for the Conquistador…

National Senior Center Month Celebration: Sept. 15 Plantation Key