SOUTH REGION B – MONROE COUNTY Lieutenant Payne along with Officers Piekenbrock and Martino were on routine water patrol in Waltz Key Basin north of Key West. Shortly after sunset the officers noticed a small skiff returning from offshore with no running lights. The officers followed undetected until they were in close proximity of the skiff. … Read more
State wildlife officials do not plan relocate a crocodile that has been hanging around Smather’s Beach, but instead warning people to stay away from and not feed or harass the federally protected reptile. The American species of crocodile is “pretty transient” and “they move on pretty quickly,” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Crocodile Response … Read more
Volunteer to have a ringside view and help keep the party on track! Fantasy Fest is seeking volunteers to be Parade Ambassadors for the 2015 3Wishes.com Fantasy Fest Parade on October 31. Parade Ambassadors will be right in the middle of all the fun, chaos and excitement that is the All Hallows Intergalactic Freak Show. … Read more
Key West is a popular cruise port of call on numerous Caribbean itineraries, and although many travelers flock to busy Duval Street, the area offers cruise passengers outdoor activities and unusual things to do beyond the typical tourist stops. Cruisers will have no problem finding the Ernest Hemingway House and Sloppy Joe’s Bar, but here … Read more
Summer may be slipping away, but you still have time to slip beneath some waves. The best part is — you don’t even have to leave the country to do it. Yahoo Travel went in search of easily accessible and interesting places to don fins, mask, and snorkels for a fun day of fish peeping. … Read more
Last week my wife, Pat, and I spent our 30th anniversary in Key West, Fla. I know … why in heaven’s name would anyone in their right mind go to Florida in the summer? Well, Key West is actually in the tropics, and the temperatures were between 87-90 degrees. I didn’t think that was too … Read more
Marina projects, in particular, may help the island emerge from Key West’s shadow Long overshadowed by Key West, its neighbor to the south, Stock Island may be on the cusp of significant real estate development, particularly at marina properties. Last month, for example, Monroe County issued a permit for construction of a mixed-use development around … Read more
Lack of finding a 74.85-ounce gold bar plundered from a Key West museum five years ago come Tuesday has left an “open wound,” says the museum’s director. “The bar was insured but money will never replace an artifact that was part of so many museum visitors’ personal interaction and memories of the experience,” Melissa Kendrick, chief … Read more
The Chica Travelsita, Travel Blogger and Travel Agent explores the Florida Keys from Key Largo to Key West! She stays at The Casa Morada in Islamorada, explores the waters with Upper Keys Sport Fishing and The Florida Fisherman and experiences delicious food and drinks at Lorelei’s Restaurant and Bar, Bitton Bistro and The Square Grouper. … Read more
The 2nd annual Mystery Writers Key West Fest launches this Friday, August 14, with international bestselling and global multi-award winning suspense-thriller writer Jeffery Deaver headlining a Who’s Who of world class story tellers whose tales keep readers up all night – and often with the lights on. Open to published authors, aspiring authors and non-writing … Read more
Bridge Building humor A third generation Cuban immigrant was walking along a Key West beach and stumbled across an old lamp. He picked it up and rubbed it and out popped a genie. The genie said, “OK, OK. You released me from the lamp, blah blah blah. This is the fourth time this month and … Read more
Mote Marine Laboratory is expanding its coral restoration efforts so that those who can’t make the 3 to 6 mile boat trek to the reef can see coral and the marine life it supports. Mote has partnered with the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to bring 5,500 nursery-raised … Read more
A stately edifice on Key West’s Duval Street with high arches, a wide wrought-iron balcony, and large windows shaded by wooden louvers, the building that houses the San Carlos Institute is the property of the Cuban Government, a situation that has remained unchanged since long before the revolution of the 1950s. Founded by Cuban exiles … Read more
Key West’s manmade strand, built with sand brought in from the Bahamas in 1961, offers a rare stretch of white sand among the Keys’ otherwise-rocky shores. The vibe of downtown Duval Street extends to this beach, where the people-watching and socializing are just as important as the sun and waves. Beach volleyball and parasailing are … Read more
BY KEVIN WADLOW A Tennessee man found off Key West with 63 lobster tails was booked into jail on 156 resource conservation counts Thursday, state marine officers report. Charles J. Emanuel, 38, of Signal Mountain was snorkeling off a canoe at the Sigsbee Ledge, a few hundred feet from a U.S. Navy campground, according … Read more
Just in time for World Oceans Day, an underwater luxury hotel still in the planning and fund-raising stage, is now featuring a single underwater guestroom, with proceeds going to a coral reef restoration funding project. Planet Ocean Underwater Hotel, based near Key West, Florida, highlighted the concept on Monday. The pod-style room, which is accessed via … Read more
By NANCY KLINGENER Key West is a good place to get around under your own power whether it’s by bike or on foot. The island is small, flat and warm year-round. Lots of island residents use bikes as their primary transportation, especially in the historic district. Old Town was developed in the 18th century before cars. … Read more
After 17 years, the confidante for legions of young readers is about to publish a new novel for adults. I read “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” when I was around 10, hidden, as usual, in a big upholstered chair in a back corner of the house. In one of my favorite scenes, a sixth … Read more
Legendary Key West light-tackle guide captain Ralph Delph retired from charter fishing just about a year ago, but it’s highly unlikely that some up-and-comer will top most of the 70-year-old’s accomplishments. He guided anglers to at least 127 IGFA-certified world records. He landed four giant bluefin tuna over 1,000 pounds (including one weighing 1,154) on … Read more
By Gwen Filosa A year after city commissioners balked at plans to build a $532,000 sexton’s house at the historic cemetery, construction is under way on a slightly scaled-down version of the original Georgian-style design. On Monday, city workers continued ripping out the concrete slab of the old sexton’s house, which was demolished last … Read more