Local News in Monroe County
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Monroe County 199 storiesWiden to Greater Key West
Keys Weekly
Published September 18Key West library to close Sept. 21 for a month-long roof replacement
The Key West branch of the Monroe County Public Library, including the Florida Keys History Center, will close on Monday, Sept. 21 for a complete roof replacement. The closure is expected to last about four weeks. During the closure, library staff will continue serving the…
Keys Weekly
Published September 18Key West golf edges Marathon in tight match at Ocean Reef
Monroe County golfers made their way to Key Largo on Sept. 9 for a match at the prestigious Ocean Reef Club, where Key West edged Marathon by four strokes in boys team competition. The Conchs combined for a score of 187 to Marathon’s 191, while Coral Shores did not have enough…
Keys Weekly
Published September 18Raises for public safety workers, more TDC spending highlight Monroe County’s approved budget
Monroe County commissioners unanimously approved a $690 million budget for the coming fiscal year, with $18 million more in spending than last year. County officials stressed at the final budget hearing in Key West on Sept. 14 that the increased spending takes into account…
Keys Weekly
Published September 18New Key West commission starts first meeting with unanimity
The first vote at the first meeting of the reconfigured city commission was a unanimous approval — previously a rare occurrence. All seven members — including newly seated Mayor Sam Kaufman and commissioners Chris Massicotte and Mark Rossi — started the Sept. 3 meeting by voting…
Keys Weekly
Published September 18150-pound loggerhead turtle ‘Hope’ returns home on 9/11
On Sept. 11, the Florida Keys community celebrated as Hope, a 150-pound adult female loggerhead sea turtle, swam back into her ocean home from Sombrero Beach in Marathon. Local first responders joined the public release. Returning Hope to the wild on 9/11 served as a reminder…
Keys Weekly
Published September 18Islamorada Village Council will consider budget and millage rate at a Sept. 21 hearing
Islamorada Village Council members convening for the first budget hearing on Sept. 10 approved a tentative millage rate of 2.7231, which would generate a little more than $20 million in property taxes. The village would collect roughly 9% more in property tax revenue for the 2027…
Keys Weekly
Published September 18Marathon International Bonefish Tournament preps for tight lines in its 67th year
In a town built on tides, traditions and tight-knit community, few events have as deep a local pedigree as the Marathon International Bonefish Tournament. First held in 1959, it is widely regarded as the oldest running fishing tournament in the Florida Keys. Now heading into its…
Keys Weekly
Published September 17Paddle at Pennekamp State Park celebrates America’s 250th in the Florida Keys
America’s 250th celebration continued in the Florida Keys on Sept. 12, as community members and visitors enjoyed some paddling and other festivities at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park for The state park in Key Largo lifted its fees for the day, as people perused the many…
Keys Weekly
Published September 17Marathon City Council wants restrictions on Harbor Drive boat ramp & affordable building rights
With a headlining city manager contract secured, the Marathon City Council moved on to tackle parking at the Harbor Drive boat ramp and a potential transfer of unused affordable building rights from Key Colony Beach and Layton in the remainder of its Sept. 8 meeting. The boat…
Keys Weekly
Published September 17School board approves budget, talks potential increase for superintendent
Monroe County School Board members approved a 2026-27 school budget and debated superintendent Ed Tierney’s salary during the Sept. 8 meeting at Marathon High School. The final budget resolution passed by the board without public comment decreased the millage rate to the lowest…
Keys Weekly
Published September 17Remembering former Marathon Mayor Mike Cinque
Marathon and the Middle Keys lost a prominent and beloved figure when Mike Cinque passed away peacefully in his home on Sept. 5. A former city councilman and mayor, Cinque was the epitome of a self-made man who parlayed hard work, ingenuity and perseverance into a life on his own…
Keys Weekly
Published September 17Keys football squads suffer week of what-ifs in stuffed comeback bids
Key West traveled to Delray Beach on Sept. 10, where an early deficit and a series of costly penalties ultimately proved too much to overcome in a 26-13 football loss to American Heritage. The Stallions struck for several long pass plays and capitalized on favorable field…