Local News in Monroe County

Key West restaurateur has an immigration plan

Bill Lay is more accustomed to working in the kitchens of his five restaurants than walking the halls of government in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. But Lay has found himself meeting with state and federal legislators on both sides of the aisle and being interviewed in recent…

Marathon council approves contract with Williams in 3-2 decision

After nearly seven months of uncertainty and controversy over the selection process, Marathon has its permanent city manager. With a 3-2 vote after more than an hour of discussion, the Marathon City Council approved a new contract for former city attorney and interim city manager…

Project off Islamorada’s Sea Oats Beach seeks to protect vulnerable section of U.S. 1

A section of Florida Keys highway historically prone to wash out from storms and facing erosion from sea level rise could get added protection through a village-led breakwater project. Millions of dollars were spent over the years on a section of highway near Islamorada’s Sea…

County fire rescue welcomes 19 new firefighters

Monroe County Fire Rescue, Chief R.L. Colina and Mayor Michelle Lincoln welcomed 19 new firefighters during a pinning ceremony, held Sept. 3 at the Monroe County Emergency Operations Center. Family and friends of the newly pinned firefighters also attended. The ceremony marked an…

After years of fundraising, work may soon begin on Alligator Reef Lighthouse

It’s being called a turning point in a years-long local effort to restore one of the most iconic structures in the Florida Keys, the historic Alligator Reef Lighthouse. “It really feels like we’re making progress here, it’s been a lot of fundraising, fundraising, fundraising for…

Key West honors anniversary of 9/11 attacks

It’s difficult to believe 25 years have passed since our world changed forever on a Tuesday morning in September 2001. Anyone old enough to remember Blockbuster and busy signals damn sure remembers where they were, what they were doing and who told them to turn on the TV because…

Marathon Neighbor of the Week: Alex Schutte

No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys…

Athlete of the Week: Christina Rice

Christina RiceSophomore, Key West High SchoolSwimming “Although she is only in her second year, Christina has a natural talent for swimming, a strong competitive drive and a genuine desire to lead and encourage those around her.” – Conchs coach Lori Bosco Christina Rice wasted no…

Recording of Special City Commission meeting held on September 3, 2026 at 4 PM

Remembering Sept. 11, 2001: Keys fire stations host ceremonies on 25th anniversary

Friday, Sept. 11 marks the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States, which claimed the lives of 2,996 people and injured more than 6,000 others at the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93 in…

Keys History: Recalling the railways and the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935

It is safe to say that Henry Flagler was tickled when his private railcar, the Flagler Special, rolled into the Key West station at 10:43 a.m. on Jan. 22, 1912. Some 10,000 people gathered at the depot area to celebrate the arrival of the 82-year-old industrialist. While Key West…

What’s Cooking Key West: Cuban coffee adds zest to caffeinated martinis

Located closer to Cuba than to the U.S. mainland, Key West began welcoming its Cuban neighbors in the early 1830s. Many were cigarmakers, and the city’s first cigar factory opened in 1831. By the mid- to late-1800s, Key West was known as the cigar manufacturing capital of the…