MarineLab Environmental Education Center recently joined the network of Blue Star operators organized by NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.   Blue Star operators are committed to responsible tourism and educate their customers about the South Florida ecosystem the sanctuary and responsible diving and fishing etiquette MarineLab was designed with ecology in mind is a place where teachers and students learn about and experience first-hand the marine world through day trips and weekly camps “MarineLab is excited to be recognized as a Blue Star Operator,” said Sarah Egner senior vice president of programs at MarineLab “We are unique in that we cater to student groups but with education and conservation being at the forefront of our programs we are proud to offer snorkel excursions that align with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.”  Overnight field programs are designed for teacher-led student groups in fifth grade through college, while summer day camps are for local kids, fourth to 10th grade.More information about MarineLab is at marinelab.org, and about Blue Star at floridakeys.noaa.gov/onthewater/bluestar Get Keys Weekly delivered right to your inbox along with a daily dose of Keys News Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsChris Gothner according to a newly-released arrest report from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Leer en español Deputies said in the report that Nadyne Marie Tillman had met her accused killer after arranging a date off of a prostitution website Deputies made the gruesome discovery at the Amoray Beach Resort at 104250 Overseas Highway after Tillman’s friends and loved ones reported her missing noting her “highly uncharacteristic” lack of a response to text messages The report states that Tillman had told a man ― described as a “known associate” ― that she had “arranged a date with someone she met through a non-dating website” at the resort Her last text messages to the man came just before 9 a.m “when she texted him saying she was at the hotel but the person wasn’t answering the door,” the report states Deputies said her final message came shortly after where its assistant general manager said she was “aware of the missing person investigation and wished to report suspicious behavior involving a former guest had booked hotel room W1A through Expedia using his mother’s phone number the assistant general manager “attempted to have Lamb move to another room during his stay” but he refused Deputies said he was allowed to stay in room W1A until Sunday morning “a housekeeper discovered three large trash bags” in room W1A that “were filled with soiled towels and bed linens and were described as heavily stained with substances consistent with blood The towels were thrown away before staff members recognized the nature of the contents “The dumpster had already been emptied by the contracted waste company rendering the items unrecoverable,” the report states Deputies pulled data from Tillman’s cellphone which showed contact between her and Lamb A detective “opened a closet housing the unit’s water heater and observed a deceased white female concealed underneath,” the report states Tillman’s partially-clothed body was placed in a fetal position swollen and lacerated lips and other facial trauma consistent with blunt force impact,” deputies said Deputies went to the kayak and clothing store and took Lamb into custody They said he had Tillman’s credit card in his wallet The report states that Lamb told detectives he met Tillman off escort website ListCrawler and agreed to pay her $200 for sex Deputies said he claimed that Tillman took the money “but attempted to leave without engaging in the agreed activity,” leading him to block the door “He stated that she began striking him and he struck her once in the face,” investigators wrote But deputies said Tillman’s injuries were not consistent with a single strike Lamb told detectives he went into the bathroom to “calm down” and came out to see Tillman not breathing “He reported that he placed her on the bed and did not find a pulse,” the report states cleaned the scene using towels and linens from the room and concealed the victim’s body inside the closet underneath the water heater.” Deputies said he went on to tell investigators that he “packed the soiled linens the victim’s cell phone and other belongings into three separate trash bags and left them in the room when he checked out.” Lamb stated that he ‘freaked out’ and did not want to get in trouble,” the report states Lamb is now facing a second-degree murder charge in addition to counts of false imprisonment destroying evidence and soliciting prostitution It’s not Lamb’s first time being accused of beating a woman He pleaded no contest to battery in May 2023 stemming from a November 2022 incident someone had arranged for Lamb to give a woman a ride home from a Florida City hotel who described Lamb as “the white guy,” passed out in his pickup truck and awoke ― still in Florida City ― outside the Country Lodge Motel at 651 N She had asked him to take her home and said she awoke at Lamb’s home in the Florida Keys Deputies said the woman again asked to be taken home but couldn’t find her cellphone Authorities said when she took Lamb’s cellphone opened the door and “began punching her in the back of the head.” “He pulled her from the truck by her hair and continued punching her while she was on the ground,” the warrant states “(Lamb) then stomped on her head with his feet He grabbed all of her belongings from the truck and threw them on the road She would later be treated at Mariners Hospital in Tavernier Deputies said she was only able to give them a description of Lamb but said she managed to identify him through Facebook in February 2023 She shared text messages between her and Lamb Deputies said after sending Lamb photos of her injuries “I went to merners (sic) hospital,” deputies said she texted him saying she was “traumatized” before telling Lamb that she now had a “huge” $16,000 medical bill to contend with “How can I make it right by you I’m broke and jobless.” Lamb is scheduled to appear in front of a Monroe County judge at around 1 p.m He has an arraignment hearing scheduled for May 13 Lamb was being held without bond in MCSO’s Key West jail facility Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Closed Captioning / Audio Description Contact Us Careers at WPLG Terms of Use Privacy Policy Public File FCC Applications EEO Report Do Not Sell My Info 1.0 Host Exhibit Copyright © 2025 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC. Offices that help fight climate change and support efforts to protect and restore South Florida’s sprawling wilderness are on the chopping block as the Trump administration continues scaling back government amid widespread lease terminations The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary will shutter its Key Largo office — if a planned lease termination goes through So will offices staffed by federal wildlife law enforcement officers in Doral and Army Corps staff in Jacksonville News of the lease terminations came as a shock to those who work closely with the agencies READ MORE: Fears over hurricane forecasting as scientists are laid off at NOAA's Virginia Key offices "We can invest billions of dollars at the state and federal level but without the Park Service and the Army Corps not a reality," National Parks Conservation Association's Care Capp said in a statement the Trump administration issued a wave of layoffs that included nearly two dozen scientists who work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration A spokesman for the Sanctuary was unaware when asked about the planned lease termination for the Key Largo office located in an old Koehler plumbing showroom on the Overseas Highway spokesman Scott Atwell said officials were aware “that these leases are under review and we’re trying to get guidance on what’s next.” Department of Government Efficiency website the lease on the nearly 8,000-square foot office costs more than $252,000 a year and cancelling it would save nearly $1.4 million It’s not clear where workers assigned to the office would work The Sanctuary’s only other office is located in Key West A source said the lease is now planned to be terminated at the end of August The lease is one of several slated for termination for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration listed on the DOGE website The site also lists office space west of Tampa that houses NOAA’s seafood inspection program along with a Sunrise office that houses law enforcement A source said the terminations are planned for June and September The list published by DOGE also includes the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service’s Doral office that acts as a hub for law enforcement in South Florida Agents working out of the office helped crackdown on illegal lobster harvesting The list also includes two offices leased by the National Park Service including Everglades National Park's 21,000-square foot Homestead office that houses scientists working on Everglades restoration A Naples office is also on the list along with the Park Service’s Archaeological Center in Tallahassee that holds millions of artifacts from national parks across the Southeast Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville office that covers nearly 200,000 square feet is also on the list The Corps’ Jacksonville district helps oversee Florida’s massive $23 billion Everglades restoration effort that in recent years has received record funding as the state and federal government push to speed up work Ending the lease would save the government $9.4 million Gov. Ron DeSantis has said he plans to ask the White House to hand control of managing the work to the state of Florida Sign up for WLRN’s environment newsletter Field Notes to receive our insider’s guide for living in South Florida’s changing landscape. Get original reporting and recaps, with context, delivered to your inbox every Friday. Subscribe here.  From the nurse and the grocer to the teacher and landscaper the Upper Keys community can’t thrive without the skills and talents of local workers who serve The third “Mile Maker” of 2025 is Danielle Harrison lead instructor and the heart of Keys to Wellness Group Fitness in Key Largo.  high-energy wellness advocate who believes in the power of movement I turned my life around and created my own group fitness brand to help others do the same — physically a motivating speech or just being there when someone needs support Keys to Wellness was born out of my personal journey I weighed over 265 pounds and was battling severe asthma a low-carb lifestyle and eventually discovering Zumba I lost over 100 pounds and transformed my life That journey inspired me to create a space where others could feel safe supported and empowered to take control of their health too I officially opened Keys to Wellness Group Fitness in the Upper Keys Were you always interested in health and fitness no — I wasn’t always into health and fitness I was more focused on taking care of others as a nurse and a mom It wasn’t until I got really sick and ended up in the hospital that everything changed I realized I needed to take control of my health not just for me my passion for wellness just kept growing.  Becoming a fitness guru isn’t just about having the perfect body or doing fancy moves — it’s about passion consistency and a deep desire to help others feel their best it starts with truly loving wellness and movement but what really sets me apart is my background as a board-certified nurse practitioner That allows me to approach fitness with a deeper understanding of the body chronic conditions and how to modify workouts safely for people of all ages and abilities.  What is your least favorite exercise to teach (but you know you gotta do it) I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with them and most people groan when they hear the word — including me There’s just something magical about the energy in a dance fitness class it’s uplifting and people forget they’re even working out because they’re having such a good time.  What are some challenges you encounter in teaching fitness classes One of the biggest challenges is meeting everyone where they are — physically advanced athletes and those just coming back after a long break It takes creativity and awareness to make sure everyone feels included Another big challenge is consistency and attendance That’s why I always stress the importance of showing up when you can staying connected and having accountability I remind my team: it’s not about being perfect — it’s about coming back What is your advice for people just starting out in improving their fitness You don’t have to do everything at once or be perfect — just begin and you’re not going to change overnight either Give yourself grace but also hold yourself accountable.  My fitness philosophy is simple: move with purpose Fitness isn’t about chasing perfection — it’s about building strength I believe in progress over perfection and that everybody is a fitness body I believe in creating a welcoming space where people feel empowered I also bring my background as a nurse practitioner into every class—so safety and listening to your body are at the core of what I teach it becomes something you look forward to—not something you dread That’s the magic I try to create at Keys to Wellness What’s your favorite music genre whilst teaching Zumba that’s a tough one because I love mixing it up — but if I had to choose Latin music definitely holds a special place in my heart Cha Cha — it brings the heat and makes people feel alive and sexy I also love to blend in other genres like Hip-Hop and even a little throwback here and there My goal is always to create a party vibe where everyone can let loose Wooo!”—then I know I’m doing something right What three qualities does a fitness expert need to possess in order to be effective When you’re passionate about helping others and truly believe in the power of fitness it shows—and it inspires people to keep showing up for themselves • Knowledge – It’s more than just knowing how to move—it’s understanding the why behind it a medical background as a nurse practitioner to guide people safely and support people with all kinds of health needs • Empathy – Everyone walks into a class with a different story A great fitness expert meets people where they are People don’t just need a coach—they need someone who cares.And above all—you must live the walk too.Your example is the most powerful tool you have When your team sees you practicing what you preach Keys to Wellness is located at 835 Largo Road Key Largo Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsJanine Stanwood Chris Gothner Sanela Sabovic KEY LARGO – Deputies found a 43-year-old woman dead at a Key Largo resort and said she was the victim of a homicide Leer en español According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at the Amoray Dive Resort at 104250 Overseas Highway on Saturday Deputies said Lamb beat her to death. The 33-year-old Key Largo resident was on probation for grand theft auto at the time of his arrest Tillman was reported missing on Monday after her daughter stopped hearing from her Deputies said when they went to the Amoray Dive Resort at 104250 Overseas Highway they found her body “hidden” in Lamb’s room on Monday Authorities said they found Lamb in Key Largo on Tuesday and arrested him “I want to thank the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office for working around the clock to make an arrest in this case,” Sheriff Rick Ramsay said in a news release there do not appear to be any other individuals involved in this incident.” Janine Stanwood joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor Before moving to South Florida from her Washington home Janine was the senior legislative correspondent for a United States senator on Capitol Hill The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office announced on April 15 that a grand jury returned a five-count indictment against Key Largo resident Jeffrey Scott Kesling charging him with the sexual abuse of two children is charged with two counts of sexual battery on a child under the age of 12 a capital felony under Florida Statute 794.011(2)(a) and three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation a life felony under Florida Statute 800.04(5) capital sexual battery carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without parole and is eligible for the death penalty For the three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation Kesling’s bond has been set at $150,000 per count “There are no words strong enough to describe the cruelty of these crimes,” State Attorney Dennis Ward said following the grand jury’s indictment “A 3-year-old and a 7-year-old — these are babies The state of Florida allows the death penalty for a reason in cases like this We have a duty to protect our children and bring justice for what they’ve endured.” The grand jury’s indictment alleges repeated and predatory acts of abuse occurring between June 2023 and December 2024 The charges reflect both the severity and the sustained nature of the alleged conduct “This isn’t just criminal — it’s evil,” Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield said “Anyone who sexually violates a 3-year-old or a 7-year-old has no place in our society Our community needs to know that when it comes to protecting children The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office is coordinating closely with law enforcement agencies victim advocates and other agencies to ensure the continued safety and well-being of the victims Because this is an active and sensitive criminal prosecution no further information will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the case and the privacy of the victims Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsRyan Mackey – A man riding an electric scooter died Sunday evening after colliding with a pickup truck in Key Largo the Florida Highway Patrol confirmed Monday They said the crash happened just before 6:30 p.m Troopers said the man was riding north on the southbound sidewalk of U.S 1 when he struck the right side of a black Chevrolet pickup truck that was turning right from Bay Drive onto the highway The man was taken to Baptist Health Mariner’s Hospital in Tavernier where authorities said he died from his injuries Troopers did not disclose the man’s age or identity More Stories Like This In Our Email Newsletter Ryan Mackey is a Digital Journalist at WPLG Add tegus to the list of invasive species posing an environmental threat to the Florida Keys.  the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges alerted the public to the black and white tegu sighting The tegu was found hit and killed by a vehicle on County Road 905 in North Key Largo Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation spokeswoman “Staff at the Crocodile Lake Wildlife Refuge was given the carcass and sent it to either (U.S Geological Survey) or University of Florida  for necropsy,” she said.  “Public assistance in reporting sightings is crucial for slowing their spread and protecting vulnerable species from predation including the American crocodile and the Key Largo woodrat,” said the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges which oversees refuges including Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge in North Key Largo.  According to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Argentine black and white tegus aren’t native to Florida and are considered invasive due to their effects on native wildlife They have a black and white coloration that is often arranged in a banding pattern across the back and tail Not only can they climb a few feet off the ground “Reproducing populations of Argentine black and white tegus are established in Hillsborough and Miami-Dade and Charlotte counties,” FWC says “An emerging population was recently discovered in St Lucie County after several confirmed reports were received through the FWC’s exotic species hotline.” A large population is centered in Florida City and spreading into new areas according to the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia “Researchers believe the emergence of tegus in South Florida occurred either through escapes intentional captive animal or pet releases,” FWC says.  The March 4 tegu sighting wasn’t the first State wildlife officials were called to Islamorada for a spotted tegu Tegus usually become a problem in February when they begin to emerge from their burrows after going into a hibernation-like period known as brumation Females can lay an average of 35 eggs per year Eggs incubate for 60 days and require stable temperatures for successful hatching.  Tegus pose a threat to Florida’s native wildlife as they tend to eat American alligator eggs and disturb American crocodile nests in Florida Research by FWC also found they consume juvenile gopher tortoises and agriculturally valuable foods.  Tegus were added to Florida’s prohibited species list meaning these species held by eligible entities are limited to research Those who own them as a pet prior to 2021 needed to apply for a permit Like all nonnative reptile species, FWC says tegus are not protected in Florida except by anti-cruelty law and can be humanely killed on private property with landowner permission. This species can be humanely killed year-round and without a permit or hunting license on 32 commission-managed lands in south Florida Those who spot a black and white tegu should call 1-888-Ive-Got1.  Tegus and Burmese pythons are among the invasive species posing dangers to the environment in South Florida and the Keys The python population was centered within Everglades National Park but has since expanded to just south of Lake Okeechobee to Key Largo and from western Broward County west to Collier County the pythons pose a significant threat to the federally-designated endangered Key Largo woodrat.  – A 15-year-old boy opened fire and wounded another teenager during a fight over a girl in Key Largo according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Leer en español Deputies said shots rang out Saturday night at Key Largo Community Park fired two rounds at the 16-year-old victim: One grazed the victim’s hand and the other hit his cellphone in his pants pocket Investigators said the victim suffered shrapnel injuries and required surgery at a Miami-area hospital took off and dumped his wallet and hoodie in a nearby canal He turned himself in at the Plantation Key jail on Tuesday Valerio-Paniagua is facing charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon He was being held without bond as of Tuesday afternoon “I will not tolerate violent crime in this community regardless of the age of the offender,” Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay said in a news release “I want to thank the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office who worked to resolve this case quickly.” A 69-year-old Florida man was struck and killed while attempting to cross U.S the man was on an electric four-wheel scooter and traveling west across U.S 1 when a 2019 Dodge Charger traveling south on the inside lane of U.S The man was transported to Baptist Health South Florida Mariners Hospital where he later died from his injuries FHP said neither alcohol nor drugs were a factor in the collision The highway was shut down just before 8 a.m FHP said they were attempting to contact the victim’s next of kin FHP does not release the names of those involved in accidents The incident marks the fourth fatal accident in the Upper Keys since March 17 The other three fatal accidents occurred in Islamorada at MM 79 where a husband and wife from Ohio were hit and killed as they attempted to cross the highway at MM 90 where a vehicle struck and killed a 71-year-old Florida man walking on the sidewalk and MM 82 where a California bicyclist was hit and killed attempting to cross the highway Key Largo’s Murray Nelson Government & Cultural Center will transform into a winter wonderland on Saturday Organized by the Key Largo Community Preservation Foundation the event serves as the beginning to a slew of holiday festivities in the Upper Keys With the return of Santa Claus and kids’ activities come changes to make for an even better experience.   as young attendees can witness and run through the fluffy snow generated by a snow machine Stations will be set up for the tykes to decorate cookies and train rides will take families around the grounds A bounce house and slide will also be available for kids.  Santa Claus will again hear the kids’ wishes The man in red will be located toward the front of the Murray Nelson Government Center at Santa’s Enchanted Forest families will be able to snap photos while the kids read of their list of wants.  The night will be highlighted by the lighting of “Holly” the Christmas tree at 5:30 p.m where hundreds will gather to count down to the tree’s illumination 30 volunteers took time out of their schedules to fluff branches in preparation for the building of the 45-foot Christmas tree “Holly.” Elves from Wire Nuts Electric fixed some of Holly’s wiring while the Florida Keys Electric Cooperative built the tree Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys and Rain or Shine Movers also pitched in to help transport the tree to the Murray Nelson Government Center Publix and the Catch also supported the effort The evening will also feature performances by Spotlight Dance Studio from 4 to 5:20 p.m and after the tree lighting from 6:10 to 8 p.m The Mangrove Swamp Band will return to perform a number of holiday tunes throughout the evening.  All children attending can take their choice of either a free hotdog or hamburger Free hot cocoa will also be supplied by Cupacabana Sandbar Donuts and Polar Ice will be on hand to supply food and treats.  Parking for Light Up Key Largo will be available at Key Largo School Light Up Key Largo organizers are seeking volunteers to help make the evening a magical one for kids and their families. Those wishing to volunteer can contact Cari Sanders by texting to 305-399-2265 or emailing lightupkeylargo@gmail.com.  visit Light Up Key Largo on Facebook.  March 15 is the 25th annual Upper Keys Irish Festival the festivities will be held at Caribbean Club in Key Largo beginning at 11 a.m.  The event will feature corned beef and cabbage as well as green beer There will also be Irish dancers taking to the stage during the day Event-goers can also enjoy Irish beer and whiskey while a kids zone will be set up to keep the little tykes busy.  A signature part of the festivities is a parade that starts at noon Golf carts and vehicles decked in green will ride past viewers in Key Largo Parade participants will also vie for prizes.  The festivities serve as a fundraiser for Teen Intervention Prevention Services (TIPS) of the Florida Keys and their work with Key Largo athletics and Upper Keys students.  visit the Upper Keys Irish Fest Fundraiser and Parade on Facebook (CBS12) — A woman was found dead in a resort hotel room in Florida According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) deputies responded to Amoray Dive Resort in Key Largo at around 11 a.m on Monday regarding a missing person named Nadyne Tillman reported that they had not heard from her since Saturday morning The sheriff's office investigation led to detectives learning that Tillman met a man Her body was later found hidden in Lamb's room with injuries consistent to being beaten was found and arrested on Tuesday in Key Largo “I want to thank the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office for working around the clock to make an arrest in this case,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay there do not appear to be any other individuals involved in this incident.” Marketa and Jason Kendall say their unique home improvement project quickly became the talk of their Key Largo bayside neighborhood “We’ve become like the showstoppers,” Marketa Kendall said with a laugh there were people on a golf cart taking pictures and videos.” With the help of what is called a unified jacking machine two-bathroom house was hydraulically pumped 23 feet into the air and supported by what Jason Kendall joked resembled Lincoln Logs “They would hydraulically go up as high as they could then they would compress the jacks down and then move them up again,” explained Jason the Kendalls decided to use this method to solve a dilemma they love their house and their neighborhood “The square footage didn’t meet our family size,” said Jason.  “With the limitations that are in the Keys there was nothing else that we could do with the lot size that we have,” said Marketa.  “Our only option was to go up,” added Jason Instead of tearing down their home and rebuilding or adding another story on top of their existing home “To me the simpler solution is take what I have lift it up and build underneath it and set it back down,” said Jason who found inspiration for the project during his time in the Pacific “I was stationed in Hawaii years ago and I remember seeing some of the Samoans there they would lift the older Hawaiian houses and build underneath them,” recalled Jason the parents of two young daughters and a daughter in her 20s soon set out to find a company that would take on the project by lifting their house in order to build an addition underneath it “I talked to several contractors down here and told them what I wanted done and they all looked at me like I was crazy,” recalled Jason Jason honed in on a structural lifting company based out of Tampa called Unified Foundations “It took us a little while to get through the permitting there partially because they weren’t aware of what we were doing,” said the company’s sales manager and founding partner “Monroe County I think came around and really worked with us to get it done and find a solution.” Monroe County senior director of planning and environmental resources and her staff have worked to implement changes to the building codes to make home elevation a more viable option.  “The Kendall project is a great example because it shows how a method that may initially sound extreme is both feasible and even saved them money compared to the alternative construction option,” said Schemper crews began prepping the house to be elevated.  “Once they got the construction materials and jacks here it was like three days and the house was up 23 feet,” said Jason the first floor will be a carport that will sit a foot and a half higher than it previously did The second floor will be the new addition made out of concrete block and it will be tied into the third floor existing structure build the walls and put in the flooring will be about $160,000 “It’s not the most expensive option by any means; what would be most expensive for us would be to redo the house or add on top of it,” said Marketa who after three years of being stationed in Germany for her husband’s job like a third,” said Unified Foundation’s Ferraz Although the goal for the Kendall’s project was to double their square  Ferraz says the spate of recent hurricanes has more and more homeowners scrambling to get high and stay dry I’ve been fielding about 150 calls a day,” said Ferraz who is expecting another onslaught of calls post-Hurricane Milton “Right now the driving factor is getting away from the flood The selling factor is the additional square footage what that does to the investment of the home,” he added.  Ferraz says his company does quite a bit of work with FEMA “There is a tremendous amount of grant money available We write a lot of grants for a lot of counties every year,” he added Monroe County also has a program in place to help homeowners receive FEMA grant money to lift or elevate homes above flood Mike Lalbachan is the county’s floodplain mitigation administrator this is going to be a trend where people are either going to wait for the grant or they are going to find alternative money and get the work done raise their house above the flood,” said Lalbachan.  Property owners wanting to learn more about the county’s elevation program can visit https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/768/Grant-Funding-Flood-Mitigation-Assistance.  they are hoping to be in their new and vastly improved home by the holidays “While we’re hoping for Christmas I’m thinking Valentine’s Day,” said Marketa “I’m hoping this house will be the happily-ever-after house.” The preserved wilderness area in north Key Largo between County Road 905 and the Atlantic Ocean was named for Dagny Johnson an Upper Keys environmental activist who led a fight in the 1970s and’80s to stop development that was planned for most of north Key Largo.  Dagny Johnson Key Largo Botanical Hammock State Park contains the largest remaining contiguous tracts of subtropical West Indian hardwood hammock still found in the continental United States Once a common habitat in the Florida Keys and south Florida this unique plant community developed after sea level exposed the ancient coral reefs Seeds were transported and deposited by the wind waves and birds like the white-crowned pigeon migrating from the Caribbean and the West Indies at one time common in the Keys but now a singular standout is home to 84 rare species of plants and animals including wild cotton Walks here can be determined by one’s stamina an easy paved loop with a central butterfly garden and picnic tables is favored by dogwalkers cyclists and those requiring a wheelchair.  More adventurous hikers can explore the 2.1-mile outer loop or the 1-mile half loop one leading to an inlet off Garden Cove Channel that includes a campsite reserved exclusively for paddlers undertaking the ambitious Florida Circumnavigational Paddling Trail The stop there provides a clear view of the Atlantic Ocean.  The outer loop trail —hard-packed dirt and some dirt roads accessible to park vehicles — takes hikers through a mangrove estuary with a section that often becomes submerged by high tides Hikers have the option of bypassing that section by doubling back and cutting through to pick up the other section of the outer loop Those who prefer to trudge through the flooded portion should wear heavy boots or shoes that can stand up to water and mud There are some stones that have been placed for use as steppingstones but they can be sharp and slippery so a walking stick is advised to maintain balance.  The lure of this area is that it attracts wading birds including herons bird species may include white-eyed vireos, white-crowned pigeons Energetic walkers can log over 3 miles by following the outer loop and all the offshoot trails One of them is a short loop designated as the Nature Trail with signage about many of the trees and plants.  Another section takes people past an old quarry that was created by dredging done for the once-imagined community of Port Bougainville designed to include Mediterranean-style waterfront lots.  Since this natural area is home to endangered species including the extremely rare Schaus swallowtail butterfly long-sleeved shirts and a head net are recommended to keep mosquitoes and deer flies at bay Difficulty level: Easy to moderateBest for: Nature lovers bird and butterfly enthusiasts Admission: $2.50 per personAddress: County Road 905 and Mile Marker 106 Key LargoNearby lodging: Reefhouse Resort & Marina Kona Kai ResortNearby dining: Buzzard’s Roost leads to miles of trails through a preserved natural wilderness The park contains the largest remaining contiguous tracts of subtropical West Indian hardwood hammock still found in the continental United States A section of the outer loop takes more adventurous hikers through an area prone to flooding from high tides and rain A tricolored heron perches on red mangrove roots in the mangrove estuary portion of the outer loop trail Just past the entrance an easy paved loop includes a central butterfly garden and picnic tables Shoppers’ options grew over the course of November with two new stores opening at the Tradewinds Shopping Center in Key Largo Burlington unveiled its new store to the community The company started as Burlington Coat Factory more than 50 years ago selling off-price coats out of a factory building The company has evolved to offer low-priced brand names in apparel Burlington is situated toward the front of the shopping center The store occupies roughly half the space where the former Publix supermarket stood with the brand new TJ Maxx store taking up the other half With Kmart closing down in May 2021, Publix announced that it would relocate to the back of the shopping center to build a larger grocery store TJ Maxx offers brand name and designer fashion accessories “We’re excited to bring our assortment of high-quality on-trend merchandise and exceptional value to the Key Largo  community,” said Peter Benjamin The new store will also join all other stores nationwide in sponsoring Save the Children’s U.S programs through TJ Maxx’s annual in-store fundraising campaign Burlington and TJ Maxx join Bealls as the big-box options in the Upper Keys for clothes The openings come just in time for the holiday shopping season – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating a boat crash in Key Largo that occurred early Sunday morning The boat went airborne after the operator reportedly fell against the throttle Surveillance footage from charter boat operators “The Fish Guyz” shows the boat accelerating uncontrollably and colliding with a seawall of the Mote Marine Laboratory That’s the first thing I could think of,” said Ron Jehle who witnessed the crash from the Marina Club at Blackwater Sound “I did see the one guy fly out of the boat — and this tree limb here came down on top of him,” Jehle added Local 10 spoke with the boat owner Daniel Roque who said the incident happened so quickly that he didn’t feel scared in the moment explained that his father was trying to avoid other boats in the marina as wind conditions worsened he pulled the throttle forward — he slipped back and as he slipped back the throttle went more forward and he lost control,” Roque Jr A salvage company used inflatable devices and ropes to pull it back into the water Charles Hansen of Fast Response Marine Towing and Salvage explained “These airbags essentially float boats underwater so we were able to get it under the hull and lift it under the lip.” No other details about the incident were immediately released Leer en español Copyright 2024 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved Extrapolating on the fusion concept is exactly what Zaika Key Largo Indian Cuisine embodies … in this case Ganesh Selvam was patient in his quest to be a restaurant owner and creating delicious made-from-scratch recipes which take an average of 72 hours from start to finish “We’ve been fixing a little at a time,” Selvam said about the restaurant location at MM 105 Zaika (pronounced zi-kah) had a soft opening last summer Locals were very excited and curious about the new restaurant that complemented the Keys quality and uniqueness standard.  Originally from a southern coastal town in India Selvam always knew he wanted to open a restaurant He has an extensive hospitality background and chef culinary training including working for Carnival Cruise Lines.  “Every single port I wanted to open a restaurant and I ended up here in Key Largo,” he said.   While enduring long hours working for Carnival a serendipitous conversation presented an opportunity for him to move to the U.S and work for a restaurant in upstate New York He quickly realized the cold weather and tough seasonal model weren’t for him and he moved to Miami in 2009 and worked for a popular Indian restaurant Selvam said venturing down to the Keys seemed like the next best step he consistently found his friends and patrons saying “Why don’t you open a restaurant?” “I knew I wanted to do something different and started the process of finding a location and a loan,” he said.  opening a restaurant isn’t the easiest task the extreme patience and perseverance required to finally see Zaika come to fruition is a feat.  who supported and offered guidance along the way “It was almost two years of working a full-time job then coming home and doing research into the wee hours of the night for all that was needed,” Selvam said that process started at the end of 2021 and took about a year to finalize.”  “My wife is also very patient,” he said Zaika Key Largo Indian Cuisine is a unique restaurant but the name is associated with a collaborative business branding relationship with Zaika locations in Miami and Weston The cross-reference is beneficial for both owners as many Miami residents visit the Keys and vice versa.  The artwork used in the restaurant signs and outside wrap includes temples statues and architecture native to his state in India The ambiance inside the restaurant is sophisticated enough for a special occasion but not too intimidating for an average Keys night out There also is a smaller dining area that can hold a private group or event as well as catering for those who prefer to host a party outside the restaurant.  The vast menu offers something for everyone if you feel that Indian food is “too spicy” or that you may not be able to find something to order.  There are plenty of vegetarian options; seafood such as shrimp calamari and octopus; meat such as chicken or lamb; and a variety of naan flatbread I don’t use any type of frozen — everything is fresh and I source myself and offer a wide variety versus other Indian restaurants,” Selvam said “Most of the spices come from India.”  Some recipes are more common to Indian food and some are Selvam’s creation “Being different is what sets us apart — recipes and standards,” Selvam said.  For those who may be new to Indian food but like chicken Zaika’s wings or the Tandoori half chicken is a perfect way to start There are enough delicious naan options for the bread lover to warrant their own menu.  The portions are also on the more generous side (depending on your appetite) so picking a couple of meals and sides and sharing them with friends or family is a great way to try some options Mahelal works at Zaika alongside her husband She said her favorite thing about the business is meeting different people and immersing them with the culture — getting them out of their comfort zone.  “Being inclusive and trying different things makes everyone happy,” she said.  “So many things go into a restaurant people think it’s just a piece of chicken “I came to America because this is a land of opportunity and there is something for everyone.” Zaika Key Largo Indian Cuisine is open Wednesday to Monday from 11:30 a.m The kitchen closes half an hour before closing search @zaikakeylargo on Instagram and Facebook Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsAmanda Batchelor – A Key Largo man was arrested Thursday after he attacked a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office sergeant Robert Dosh by attempting to grab his service gun and stabbing him in the face Dosh was transported to Mariners Hospital in Tavernier before being transferred to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital due to injuries to one of his eyes Deputies said the attack occurred after Dosh and other deputies responded to a call around 4:45 p.m in the area of County Road 905 regarding a man putting boulders in the roadway and tampering with fire hydrants who authorities said pulled out a pocketknife while speaking with deputies “He resisted arrest and was shocked with a Taser but he continued to resist,” an MCSO news release stated Dosh in the face with a metal pipe with a nail attached to it while the Sheriff’s Office was attempting to place him in custody Dosh’s firearm from its holster during the struggle Wyrick also grabbed the firearm of another Deputy attempting to control him however he never gained full control of either firearm.” Wyrick was arrested on charges of attempted manslaughter aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer possession of a firearm by a convicted felon “I am grateful the serious injuries to Sgt Robert Dosh do not appear to be life-threatening and that this suspect is in jail,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay “This incident is a reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face each and every day they put on their uniform.” Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com – A Key Largo man is facing three felony charges after deputies said he sexually battered a 7-year-old girl Leer en español deputies began investigating Jeffrey Scott Kesling in March They took the 43-year-old into custody on Friday Authorities did not disclose whether or how Kesling knew the girl before the alleged sexual assaults took place was released from MCSO’s Plantation Key jail facility on a $450,000 bond Friday evening An arraignment date was not listed in jail records Keys TravelerE-Newsletter Keys Traveler Magazine Florida Keys Destination Guide Our Famous Key Lime Pie Recipe Florida Keys Historic Guide Keys Traveler Magazine, Weddings Edition Florida Keys Conch Brochure Key West Chamber Visitor Guide Key West Attractions Association Key West LGBTQ Destination Guide Key West Business Guild LGBTQ Guide Lower Keys Visitor Guide Marathon Visitor GuideWeb Edition Only Islamorada Visitor Guide Key Largo Visitor Guide Keys Traveler Magazine, Diving Edition Florida Keys Diving Guide Wreck Trek Passport Reef Explorer Guide Keys Traveler Magazine,Sport Fishing Edition Florida Keys Fishing Brochure Culture Magazine 2025 Gallery Guide 2025 Keys Arts - Jan/Feb/Mar 2025 Florida Keys Meeting Planner Guide Keys Traveler Magazine, MICE edition A 58-year-old Key Largo man was arrested on Feb. 27 after he allegedly attacked Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Robert Dosh by attempting to grab his service gun and stabbing him in the face.  According to the sheriff’s office, Dosh and other members of the sheriff’s office responded to a 4:45 p.m. call to County Road 905 in Key Largo regarding a man — later identified as David Ray Wyrick — putting boulders in the road and tampering with fire hydrants. Wyrick brandished a pocketknife while speaking to deputies. He resisted arrest and was shocked with a Taser, but continued to resist. Sheriffs say Wyrick allegedly struck Dosh in the face with a metal pipe with a nail attached to it while the sheriff’s office was attempting to place him in custody. Wyrick also allegedly attempted to pull Dosh’s firearm from its holster during the struggle. Wyrick also grabbed the firearm of another deputy attempting to control him. He never gained full control of either weapon. Wyrick was charged with attempted manslaughter, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and resisting arrest with violence. Dosh was taken to Mariners Hospital in Tavernier and then to Kendall Medical Center in Miami due to injuries to an eye. “I am grateful the serious injuries to Sgt. Robert Dosh do not appear to be life-threatening, and that this suspect is in jail,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “This incident is a reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face each and every day they put on their uniform.”  Wyrick was taken to jail. His bond was set at $250,000. Get Keys Weekly delivered right to your inbox along with a daily dose of Keys News. United StatesChevron FloridaChevron Save this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links Drive south from Miami and the scenery quickly shifts from big-box stores and suburban sprawl to mangroves The multi-lane turnpike gives way to two-lane bridges—slender ribbons of road suspended between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean So begins the 120+ mile journey to and through the Florida Keys across 42 bridges and through a captivating chain of islands strung together like a shell necklace but take a turn off the highway and you’ll find quiet coves Islamorada shines with fresh-caught seafood and those famed violet sunsets (the island’s name revel in 360-degree water views as you cross the famed Seven Mile Bridge connecting the Middle Keys to the Lower Keys keep an eye out for blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Little Torch Key the launch pad for America’s most coveted private island escape: Little Palm Island Closer to the end of the archipelago and just north of Key West more local vibe with working docks and a growing number of upscale surprises and fiercely independent spirit have drawn wanderers for generations Though connected to the mainland since 1938 by US Highway 1 the so-called “Conch Republic” has always marched to its own beat and even once tried to succeed from the US guesthouses and grand resorts coexist on an island that still feels a little like its own country the Florida Keys are home to a wide range of places to stay—from intimate hideaways to luxe Read our Key West travel guide here How we choose the best hotels in the Florida Keys Every hotel review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that property our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination and sustainability credentials top of mind Three Waters Resort & Marina in Islamorada merges the best of the Middle Keys into one sprawling 214-room waterfront retreat (where it’s possible to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points—huzzah!) Set across 15 acres and fronted by the sea the property unfolds across seven numbered buildings—each with its own architectural flair What were once separate hotels have gradually come together to form a cohesive (and skillfully designed) whole most recently with the former Postcard Inn joining Pelican Cove under the same banner you’ll find a little something for everyone: multiple pools and nine culinary concepts—including an unusually good pizza joint and the iconic Tiki Bar which claims to be the birthplace of the original Rum Runner cocktail La Concha delivers an unbeatable mix of style and substance combining rich history with modern energy in a prime Duval Street location The 160 rooms and suites strike a balance between modern style and island charm and artwork by local artists that nod to Key West’s quirky spirit—think roosters and vintage island scenes The "Conched Out" Do Not Disturb signs add a playful touch The seventh-floor Grand Dame Villas at the Rooftop feel like a hotel within a hotel with just seven rooms decked out in a sophisticated red palette Telescopes invite you to take in the views and blackout curtains close at the push of a button Specially designed robes serve as a luxurious keepsake 2023Just steps from the buzz of Old Town and Duval Street The Marker Harbor Resort feels like a secluded hideaway and a cluster of double-story white clapboard cottages The 96 rooms and suites reflect contemporary coastal style—clean lines and carpets that mirror the movement of the waves outside while vibrant pillows and artwork give a nod to the island setting without feeling cliché The harborfront location–and overall Marker vibe–offers the best of both worlds: relaxed but connected It spans 15 tropical acres that were once a pineapple plantation tucked away off the busy Overseas Highway The resort has 200 rooms but manages to maintain a boutique and intimate feel with winding nature trails throughout leading to quiet beaches Rooms—including lavish suites with views of Florida Bay—have handcrafted wood furnishings On-site dining includes waterfront taqueria Dry Rocks and Caribbean-Creole cuisine with bay views at the more upscale (but still Florida Keys casual) Calusa restaurant two swimming pools with a waterfall grotto redefining the castaway fantasy right on American soil There are a total of 30 thatched-roof bungalow suites (some freestanding some within larger bungalows) across the four-acre island many with four-poster beds and outdoor copper bathtubs Thanks to a smart layout and smarter landscaping you’ll encounter other people less often than you’d expect (a strict cap of 60 guests helps) and furnished decks; most also overlook private slivers of white-sand beach and are kitted out with hammocks and the spectacular SpaTerre complex is underscored by a breezy Paddleboard or kayak through mangrove mazes as eagle rays swim by or simply enjoy the day resting on a poolside lounger It’s a perfect location for exploring the Florida Keys It’s the total package with nearly a mile-long private beach You’ll find European-style elegance without the sticker shock or long flight 2024With a fascinating history dating to 1946 Islamorada’s Cheeca Lodge has hosted the who’s who of politics for 10 years hosted “The George Bush Cheeca Lodge Bonefish Tournament.” ) Accommodations are spread across a massive campus and vary greatly by enclave The most coveted units include the Premiere Oceanfront Suites of the 43-room Premier Tower there’s never a shortage of things to do in the greater Cheeca resort given that it houses the longest pier in the Florida Keys a preferred activity among repeat guests entails languid days at the ocean’s edge it’s only fitting that some accommodations break the mold a trio of floating bungalows that blur the line between anchored houseboat and pared-down overwater villa—an offbeat Instagram-worthy alternative to the standard resort stay Just five minutes by boat from Key Largo’s waterfront Ombi’s bungalows sit peacefully in Tarpon Basin you’re blissfully marooned—but in a way that invites adventure Each unit comes with a kayak and paddleboard for exploring the nearby waterways and decks that open to the water on both sides Accordion-style glass doors dissolve the barrier between indoors and out and a king-sized bed faces a wide lookout window The layout maximizes views and natural light The setting itself does the heavy lifting—calm so you’ll need to bring your own food and drinks there’s an upgraded option that includes a stocked mini-fridge and hot breakfasts and dinners delivered by boat this family-friendly property is idyllic for those looking to enjoy the amenities and predictability of a trusted brand while collecting Marriott Bonvoy points along the way three-story towers with the lion’s share of guest rooms a collection of ten colorful two-story bungalows dubbed “The Hammocks,” and a three-bedroom “Beach House'' with its own pool and waterside lawn The resort has skillfully engineered a long sandy beach above its seawall—and segued the two with actual steps from the beach into the Florida Bay you’ll find the likes of both water and beach cabanas free-standing hammocks (propelled by metallic spheres) splashing pups (the property is very pet-friendly) and Caribbean-inspired waterfront restaurant also look forward to a colossal zero-entry pool a full-service spa with six treatment rooms While the original iconic sign above US1 Mile marker 82.1 remains everything else at the 24-acre resort has changed which were radically transformed from motel-like confines (dressed in a Tommy Bahama design of yore) to tropical chic beautifully embellished in modern wood and rattan furnishings with private outdoor terraces the resort has taken full advantage of its impressive 1,700 linear feet of beachfront—in fact the largest privately owned beach in the Florida Keys—adding a dining pavilion The resort’s two pools have received upgrades as did restaurants Elements and Tides Beachside Bar & Grill Islander also has townhome-style Bayside Villas for those who want the luxury of larger accommodations but easy access to all the trappings of a larger resort the Islands of Islamorada resort presents a welcomed gleaming white enclave is idyllic for stylish Clever design allows for prolific outdoor space among each villa while light seaside chic interiors complement endless views of ocean blues and surrounding coconut forests and pickleball courts further enhance this self-contained campus of leisure and luxury A partnership with Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) allows guests to participate in conservation-minded discovery programs and even learn more about the Keys’ underwater world through free online resources Those traveling with their own small watercraft do not need to pay for a slip at the on-site marina 2020Opened on New Year’s Day in 1920 by Henry Flagler Casa Marina has lived many lives over the last century under multiple brands and even more attempts to revive its original grandeur Key West’s grande dame returned to peak form in 2025 with a fresh tropical-inspired take on the historic property located on the southern edge of the key where its private beach sets the stage for a new chapter of refined island living All 311 rooms and suites have been completely redone inside down to the patterned flooring and up to the wooden roof trusses and feature tasteful assemblies of rattans and open cabinetry that screams new-meets-old tropical chic The property's 1,100 feet of private beach is the largest in Key West giving it the feel of a true tropical beachfront resort Its location means it’s a slightly longer walk to Duval Street—but the peaceful setting more than makes up for it planted the US flag in Key West and claimed the Florida Keys as United States territory The open-plan lobby and 100 guest rooms feature nautical art from Stock Island artists beginning with a full story of upcycled propellers framing the check-in area and maritime artifacts draped from the entrance ceilings the newest of which is the dockside Mexican restaurant This property tends to attract those keen on exploring the Keys’ vast water world—immediate on-site access to top outfitters in fishing white-washed cottages and former homes cast predominantly in classic Key West architectural style Winslow’s Bungalows is a history-steeped retreat two blocks from Duval Street the 85-unit property still oozes retro-chic decor and draws a cool (often pet-obsessed) crowd Not much has changed since reintegrating into Key West Historic Inns Collection in January 2024: Winslow’s retains an intimate setting where you’ll feel more like a guest in a private home than in a hotel and lots of relaxation nooks (hello: hammocks) dot the beautifully landscaped enclave and continental breakfast is a standard inclusion in all stays Though Winslow’s remains pet-friendly in life after Kimpton there is a nightly fee worth noting ($50 per pet Considering the campus houses one of Key West’s oldest homes and oldest lodging it’s worth asking the front desk for a quick primer in Winslow’s history This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date. up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Vote to terminate city attorney without cause prompts $221K payout April 24 terminated the employment contract of twice-indicted city attorney Ron Ramsingh without cause is awaiting an employment pre-determination hearing at city hall this week He has been on paid administrative leave since the initial indictments were announced on April 15 The city commission’s April 24 without-cause termination vote for Ron Ramsingh meaning no specific examples of wrongdoing were cited entitles the attorney to a $221,000 payout — roughly equivalent to a year’s salary By refusing to terminate Ramsingh’s contract with cause by specifying city policies Ramsingh violated Termination without cause was the outcome Ron Ramsingh requested of the commissioners in a handwritten letter he submitted to them through attorneys 90 minutes before the termination meeting.  “I write to you humbly requesting that you consider and approve a termination of my employment contract without cause I am hopeful that if it is the will of the commission this can be accomplished with as little vitriol as possible there has been a shift in our town and gone are the days of thoughtful keyboard warriors and people who love to use our beloved motto ‘One Human Family,’ as a sword and a shield People who think that if they have the bumper sticker and a Conch Republic license plate then they are a true local…That’s not it at all Being a true local of Key West is a state of mind It is a state of caring about your neighbor on a cellular level It’s about service above self and thinking about the greater good of this special little life raft of an island 150 miles out to sea….Should you decide to terminate me without cause please do so quickly to spare further hurt in my family to hear and read these comments Key West should move on and it will be with love for everyone working at 1300 White St Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez and Commissioner Sam Kaufman were steadfast in voting repeatedly to terminate Ramsingh for cause emphasizing that Ramsingh had violated two specific city regulations termination for cause is more than justified,” Kaufman said at the April 24 meeting These are very serious violations involving breach of public trust destroying evidence and withholding information from some commissioners.”  The two offenses listed in the city’s employee policies manual which Kaufman and Henriquez both cited in their reasons for voting to terminate with cause Offense 9 is: “Unlawful or improper conduct or indecency either on or off the job which would affect the employee’s relationship to the job or the employee’s or City’s reputation or good will in the community.” Offense 12 is: “ Deliberate falsification or mishandling of personal Ron Ramsingh has been indicted on four felony charges — official misconduct for allegedly “interfering with the reporting of a felony committed by his brother,” the indictment states; plus obstructing justice by tampering with evidence and unlawful collection and distribution of electronic communications a grand jury recently indicted his brother Raj Ramsingh faces eight felony charges — seven counts of official misconduct for allegedly falsifying building permits and one count of obstructing justice by tampering with evidence in deleting or altering text messages from his city-owned cell phone that were subpoenaed as part of the ongoing investigation Raj Ramsingh and Jim Young were placed on paid administrative leave when the indictments were announced on April 15 Raj Ramsingh is scheduled to have a pre-determination hearing at city hall this coming week submitted his retirement paperwork to the city on Friday The Keys Weekly has requested the personnel files for all three employees Young and both Ramsinghs have pre-trial hearings scheduled for July 31 in front of Judge Mark Jones The indictments and ongoing investigation stem from the contentious firing of former city manager Al Childress in June 2024 within days of Childress taking disciplinary action against building official Raj Ramsingh A review of the city’s planning and building departments by outside consultants had revealed that Raj Ramsingh allegedly had made a practice of improperly issuing permits variances and approvals for projects that were never seen or reviewed by the city’s planning department Shortly after Childress took disciplinary action against Raj Ramsingh Ron Ramsingh began an orchestrated effort to oust Childress.  The state attorney’s review of text messages among city officials obtained through public record requests “appeared to indicate city attorney Ronald Ramsingh was orchestrating an effort among commissioners Jimmy Weekley Clayton Lopez and Billy Wardlow to either force Albert Childress to voluntarily resign from his position or call a special meeting of the Key West City Commission and vote to terminate his employment contract without cause by a majority vote,” state attorney investigator Tom Walker wrote in his application for a search warrant for cell phone records.  “This effort to oust Albert Childress was attributed to an outside independent report he had commissioned which focused on issues within the Building Department of which Rajindar (Raj) Ramsingh is the Chief Building Official and the brother of Ronald Ramsingh,” Walker writes there is probable cause to believe the foundation of this effort was an attempt by Ronald Ramsingh to shield his brother Rajindhar Ramsingh who is the City of Key West Chief Building Official from being disciplined by Albert Childress and allow for him to continue in a long practice of improper acts as they pertain to the permitting process,” investigator Walker writes in his application for a search warrant for the Ramsinghs’ cell phone records Leer en español an Indian restaurant at 105045 Overseas Highway in Key Largo after receiving a report that a man “had exited his vehicle and was hitting other vehicles stuck in traffic.” a woman pointed to a black SUV and its driver An MCSO arrest report states that Nalywajko told deputies that “multiple vehicles were driving (past) him on the shoulder and he exited the car to have them stop and wait as he was in traffic,” denying that he was hitting other vehicles But the report states that a woman — and a witness — presented a different story The woman told investigators that her vehicle had overheated after being stuck in traffic so she pulled to the shoulder to cool it down Nalywajko “jumped out of the passenger side of his vehicle and blocked her car while cursing at her” and said he pushed another car’s mirror as it drove by; she took out her phone and began recording the incident Deputies said the woman got back on the road and her car overheated again so she pulled into the Indian restaurant parking lot to let it cool down They said Nalywajko followed her and tried pulling on the door handles to get inside of her vehicle the woman had her windows down and was punched in the arm as Nalywajko swung at her and her mirror Another driver reported seeing Nalywajko “reaching into her vehicle” and punching her Deputies arrested Nalywajko on a charge of burglary with assault or battery MCSO records show he was being held without bond at the agency’s Plantation Key jail facility and is scheduled to be arraigned in Monroe County court on April 15 Local 10 News reporter Janine Stanwood contributed to this story A grand jury indicted a Tavernier man on a first-degree murder charge for his alleged role in the overdose death of Key Largo resident Adam Halenza last year Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward said Monday that a Monroe County grand jury returned an indictment on March 27 charging Michael Patrick Stevens with first-degree murder in connection with the July 24 unlawfully distributed counterfeit pills containing fentanyl which were a proximate cause of Halenza’s death The charge is pursuant to Florida Statute 782.04(1)(a)3(b) and/or (g) — which allows for first-degree murder charges when a death results from the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance An investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and investigators from the State Attorney’s Office states Halenza’s longtime partner called 911 after discovering him unresponsive in a detached bathroom at their residence Szczudlik admitted during interviews that she had purchased eight pills from Stevens earlier that afternoon for $80 after running into him at a Key Largo shopping plaza She later provided detectives with the four remaining pills which Florida Department of Law Enforcement lab tests confirmed contained fentanyl Video surveillance from a 7-Eleven in Tavernier corroborated Szczudlik’s account showing her meeting Stevens shortly before the transaction took place Location data from Szczudlik’s phone matched her statement Text messages and call logs extracted from both Szczudlik’s and Stevens’ phones further confirmed the coordination of the drug deal Despite Stevens’ initial denials during a recorded interview recovered deleted messages contradicted his statements and directly referenced the overdose.  In one message sent by Szczudlik on July 25 she wrote: “No worries take your time I have a lot of calls to make Adam died last night.” determined the cause of death to be mixed drug toxicity (cocaine and fentanyl) and stated that the level of each substance independently constituted a fatal dose Stevens’ role in the distribution of the fentanyl-containing pills legally supports the first-degree murder charge “People think they’re buying one thing and instead they’re being handed a death sentence,” said State Attorney Dennis Ward “This case underscores the devastation fentanyl continues to bring to our communities We will not hesitate to hold drug dealers criminally responsible for the lives lost.” “The volume and quality of the evidence — surveillance footage digital forensics and direct witness statements — tells a consistent and compelling story,” added Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield “This indictment is not just about one transaction It’s about a community drawing a line against those profiting from poison.” Halenza worked at Payfair in Islamorada for more than 13 years and enjoyed meeting people according to an obituary posted shortly after his passing Stevens is being held without bond pending arraignment A hearing is scheduled for April 23 before Circuit Court Judge James Morgan at the Plantation Key Courthouse Concerns were heightened among North Key Largo residents who opened their phones to read a text alert from Monroe County regarding an emergency at Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant the morning of Jan “Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant site area emergency Key Largo Anglers Club and Card Sound Road should monitor local media for further information and instructions,” the text alert read.  Monroe County officials later clarified there was no emergency as the text message was accidentally sent out to residents living in the private and gated Ocean Reef Club.  an annual multiagency practice drill was underway regarding the power plant located on Biscayne Bay and just east of the Homestead area According to county spokeswoman Kristen Livengood Monroe County Emergency Management inadvertently transmitted a test emergency notification to residents in the private North Key Largo community Two messages to correct the error and false alarm were immediately sent to Ocean Reef residents Monroe County Emergency Management officials apologized for the accidental transmission of the message and have discussed the error with their partner agencies to avoid mistakes in the future Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant generates enough electricity to supply the needs of nearly a million homes.  Key Largo Anglers Club and Card Sound Road residents and visitors could be affected in the unlikely event of an accident at the Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant Monroe County Emergency Management is authorized for Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) which allows for geographically targeted notifications via Everbridge The Emergency Alert System (EAS) sends a short text message to television and audio message to radio and the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system pushes the message to landlines and cell phones in the area.  In the event of an incident at Turkey Point everyone in the 10-mile emergency planning zone would receive emergency instructions on their cell phones Non-weather emergency messages will be broadcast on NOAA weather radios a siren adjacent to Alabama Jacks Restaurant would alert the public of an emergency at Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant Public safety officials in the Monroe County emergency zone will make announcements via loudspeakers informing residents and visitors to tune into local media for information A Key Largo man remains behind bars after he allegedly attacked a woman charged a deputy who responded to the incident fled in a sheriff’s patrol car and stole a woman’s car  in Key Largo on Dec The sheriff’s office responded to the report on a domestic incident in progress at a home on Palm Drive just before 4:30 p.m The report stated that Lopez was beating a woman at the house A sheriff’s sergeant who responded to the incident was reportedly attacked by Lopez A tussle ensued as Lopez punched the sergeant and tried to take a service weapon from the sergeant’s holster Lopez left the house and drove away in the sergeant’s patrol car The sergeant’s attempt to Tase Lopez failed as he took off Deputies say Lopez drove to the end of the road where he stopped a Kia SUV in the patrol car He reportedly forced the female driver out of the car Lopez rear-ended another vehicle near MM104 Lopez was taken to Mariners Hospital in Tavernier and then to jail “I am relieved there were no life-threatening injuries caused by this incident and the suspect is currently where he needs to be — sitting in jail,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay “It is a reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers routinely face while simply doing their jobs.” 7 in front of Judge James Morgan at the Plantation Key Courthouse.  Your gateway to environmental health knowledge Join the Environmental Health News community Rising sea levels have driven the Key Largo tree cactus to extinction in the U.S. highlighting the immediate impact of climate change on coastal species Dino Grandoni reports for The Washington Post. “It’s a big deal when we lose species from an entire country.” This extinction exemplifies how climate change is already causing species loss The fate of the Key Largo tree cactus foreshadows similar risks for other vulnerable coastal species hand-picked by our editors and researchers We offer a host of daily and weekly options Nonprofit organizations MADE SAFE and Plastic Pollution Coalition released the new Healthy Pregnancy Guideto help parents-to-be navigate the challenges of making healthier living choices for babies and the planet a newsroom powered by Environmental Health Sciences It all improves the health of our communities Ninety-nine thousand two hundred and counting: that’s how many plastic bottle caps Bill Russo and his small army of volunteers have collected from the shoreline and other areas inside their Key Largo neighborhood “I have 62 water bottles filled; each one holds 1,600,” Russo said Behind the retired high school biology and marine science teacher’s Silver Shores home 5-gallon jugs line the fence in the backyard.  “I don’t know how many he’s up to but they’re all taking over,” joked Russo’s wife of his ever-growing collection of recovered bottle caps and other bits of plastic All of this plastic was collected by Russo and at least 25 of his neighbors who have joined forces to become eco-warriors in their Silver Shores community were seeing scores of plastic bottle caps in the water and on the shore at their ocean side neighborhood.  we noticed all these bottle caps around and we just started picking them up,” Russo recalled “And then when we started putting them in the bottles ‘What are you going to do with them?’ and I said ‘We’re just not going to let them go back They’re not going back into the water,’” Russo said That’s when Russo decided to name his mission to rid the water and community of plastic bottle caps “Knot Going Back,” a play on a nautical term I couldn’t think of anything else that was tied in,” Russo said Russo printed T-shirts showing a picture of the plastic recovered Soon he had a village of volunteers eager to don the T-shirt and join his environmental action club and I asked him about it and he told me what he was doing and I said that’s interesting,” said Tom Price a snowbird from Minnesota who joined “Knot Going Back.” Price and others in the group want to do their part to protect our delicate environment and the marine life that calls it home You have animals that have been evolving for millions of years and plastic is only about a hundred years old,” said Russo “They don’t know plastic from a jellyfish so they eat it and then they get sick.”  “These creatures are basically gobbling them up like food so we’ve got to try to stop it,” agreed Price Russo and his group not only scour the shoreline at Silver Shores looking for plastics “Others who can’t go searching outside have saved their medical bottle caps,” explained Russo Silver Shores resident and volunteer Geri Smith has been collecting and saving household plastic caps since Russo started the group Smith is an artist and envisions one day turning some of this trash into treasure “We will definitely do a piece of art,” said Smith “What I envision is something having to do with the water and I have different colors and different sizes and we’ll probably do water and maybe some fish New Jersey snowbird and volunteer Nettie Seder is all for the proper disposal of plastics and recycling Seder said she took part in a recycling experiment in New Jersey 45 years ago and recycling has become a way of life for her family “We’ve been doing mixed recycling My daughters have grown up with it,” Seder said Russo says for now the thousands of collected bottle caps and other pieces of plastic will remain in the 5-gallon jugs in his backyard.  “People said why don’t you recycle them I said I’d just rather keep them out all together I don’t know what happens to recycled things,” Russo said “And I also think it makes a bigger statement when you have a pile of thousands and thousands and thousands of bottle caps It makes more of an impact on people than if I sent them to the recycle plant,” he added Russo’s grand display of collected plastic bottle caps is having an effect “It’s spreading,” Myra said “We have people whose grandchildren come over with little bags.”  “I’m so proud of everyone here that has picked up any amount Russo hopes his efforts inspire others to start their own clubs and help save the environment was sentenced on April 2 to five years in state prison by Circuit Judge James Morgan following a felony probation violation connected to a $25,000 air conditioning repair fraud scheme.  Fiorito was ordered to serve five years of probation upon release pay court costs and pay $19,277.11 in restitution to the victim The case began in 2018 when local property owner Mark Peterson reported that he had written multiple checks totaling $25,015.19 to Fiorito for air conditioning repairs across his rental properties in the Florida Keys who falsely claimed to work for Rex Air in Islamorada convinced the victim that he was arranging professional installations through a subcontractor — an individual later discovered to be fictitious and Fiorito had not been employed with Rex Air since late 2017 Much of the interaction began after Hurricane Irma when Peterson offered Fiorito and his girlfriend a place to stay in one of his rental units that had been made available post-storm Fiorito used this arrangement as an opportunity to build trust and request payments for repairs that were never done Fiorito was convicted of fraud and grand theft and originally sentenced to probation he later violated the terms of his probation numerous times Morgan found these actions to be willful and substantial violations and imposed the sentence under Florida law Fiorito didn’t just commit theft — he took advantage of someone’s kindness during a time when our community was still recovering from a major storm,” said Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward “We take that kind of deception very seriously This sentence reinforces our commitment to protecting residents from fraud and exploitation.” “Probation is meant to give individuals a chance to turn things around incarceration becomes necessary,” Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield added “We deeply appreciate the dedication of Assistant State Attorney Jon Byrne whose work helped bring resolution and justice in this case.” Fiorito is in the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections James Hager had an unusual task Friday morning — helping residents in the Pirates Cove subdivision near Mile Marker 98 remove an unwelcome guest from the property Leer en español Cellphone video released by the MCSO shows Hager assisting a resident in guiding an American crocodile away from a pool area The resident was seen using a broomstick to lead the croc off the property Authorities reported no injuries or significant property damage They also urged residents to remain cautious around alligators and crocodiles and to report sightings in residential areas Local 10 viewers can watch the crocodile’s safe removal in the video at the top of this page Lighted boats decorated to this year’s “Christmas in the Keys” theme will illuminate Key Largo’s Blackwater Sound for the 2024 Key Largo Boat Parade on Saturday Presented by the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club the evening will culminate with a fireworks display sponsored by Plantation Boat Mart in Islamorada.  Boats can enter the lighted parade for free with $5,000 in cash and prizes on the line — up from $2,500 last year — in various categories for small and large vessels Best Boat Under 25 Feet and Best Boat Over 25 Feet.  “This year’s theme opens the door for boat parade participants to get creative with decorations “With plenty of prizes and gifts up for grabs it’s the perfect opportunity to join in the fun and showcase your holiday spirit on the water!” boats will line up near Dusenbury Creek Green Marker 41 around 6:30 p.m Spectators can get a good glimpse of the boat parade from bayside destinations like Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill Caribbean Club and Reefhouse Resort & Marina Boats will continue the procession to Riviera Village “We appreciate the assistance from our friends at Sea Tow for ensuring all boat parade participants know what to expect and where to go,” said Lisa Feliciano fireworks will light the skies of Blackwater Sound The fireworks display is sponsored by Plantation Boat Mart and Dennis De La Torre Plantation Boat Mart has been a part of the community for 36 years De La Torre bought the business in 1996.  “We want to bring the community together for this event,” said son Ryan De La Torre “I’ve always loved this event growing up and seeing a great fireworks display.” Those wishing to sign up their boats for the parade can visit keylargoboatparade.com and click on the parade entry form at the top of the page Boat parade entrants get a ditty bag stocked with wine and other items They also will receive a boat parade shirt and a Keys Deep shirt.  Stay up to date with all the happenings by following the Key Largo Boat Parade on Facebook Proceeds from the boat parade go to support the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club’s efforts to assist the community The Rotary Club holds a monthly social with the residents at Oasis at the Keys Nursing & Rehab on Plantation Key the club supports organizations throughout the Upper Keys A small blaze in south Miami-Dade County — initially reported on March 12 — spiraled out of control into an inferno that burned 26,000 acres by March 21.  Despite the flames remaining on the Miami-Dade side between the 18-Mile Stretch and Card Sound Road the wildfire brought the heat to the Florida Keys as the workday was ending on March 18 As the smoke and flames encroached on the only two thoroughfares between mainland Florida and Key Largo the rapidly-spreading wildfire closed Card Sound Road on four straight days Police were also forced to shut down the 18-Mile Stretch intermittently between Florida City and Key Largo from March 18 to March 21 to give crews space to fight the flames.  There were moments where no cars were entering or leaving via the 18-Mile Stretch or Card Sound Road Closures hindered locals from reaching their homes and outside workers from getting to and from their jobs in the Keys Visitors faced troubles reaching their destinations whether it be their hotel on the island chain or the airport in Miami.  Intense firefighting — from the ground and air — over the course of five days resulted in the wildfire being 80% contained by March 22 Road closures ceased as traffic moved again on the Stretch and Card Sound Road Smoky conditions remained for several days.  The cause of the blaze remains unknown as of press time on March 26 but weather conditions weren’t helping Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service crews’ battle The National Weather Service in Miami said a long spurt of dry weather mixed with low humidity and windy conditions aided the wildfire’s wrath on more than 26,000 acres of natural land in between the 18-Mile Stretch and Card Sound Road The forest service said its helicopters made roughly 1,435 water drops while large air tankers made seven retardant drops at 3,000 gallons per drop Miami-Dade Fire Rescue also had its helicopters conducting many water drops while tankers and fire trucks sprayed water on fires near the highways.  flames charred and damaged power poles spanning 4 miles While electricity never went out for Keys residents Comcast customers saw an internet and TV outage beginning the evening of March 18 due to downed lines Comcast crews deployed to restore service to customers The lines were back up and service was back by 9 a.m “It was a pretty big restoration,” said Jorge Nieves “The biggest obstacle was the fire and making sure it was safe for us to go in there and get to work.” Despite the fire being reported a week prior as minimal and 80% contained Monroe County emergency management officials didn’t receive notification that the wildfire was affecting Monroe County “We made contact with the State Watch Office to stress the importance that if there’s any impact Florida City south that is going to affect U.S that we need to be notified just as a precaution,” Cory Schwisow county emergency management deputy director said during a March 25 county commission meeting in Key Largo Schwisow said information coming out of Miami-Dade County was contradictory for the first 24 hours An incident command center was set up in Miami-Dade on March 19 which was when county emergency officials started receiving effective communication.  Ryan Mackey – A boat crashed into a piling near the Card Sound Road Bridge in Key Largo Wednesday night with one requiring an airlift for treatment The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed that a 44-foot luxury Catamaran-style boat crashed into the piling at 8:30 p.m Authorities said seven people were onboard One individual was airlifted for medical evaluation while the others were treated at the scene authorities said the boat’s operator had the vessel towed to a marina in Key Largo Authorities said the operator declined to speak with law enforcement regarding the incident Although FWC officials noted the presence of a bloody rag they did not observe any signs of impairment with the operator Tow Boat US received a call from the boat operator who was not panicked and stated he needed medical assistance for someone on board He explained that he hit one of the powerline pilings “The guy on the boat wasn’t panicked at all,” said Tow Boat US employee Mike Hutchings “He said had hit one of the powerline pilings.” authorities confirmed the entire roadway was shut down while air rescue transported one of the individuals on the boat and two others were taken to the hospital by ground “The whole road was lit up with cops and ambulances and that’s when the helicopter took off,” added Hutchings “Definitely not a good day to be out on the water.” Preliminary investigations suggest that the boat was operating at excessive speeds given the conditions They also said it is possible the operator did not see the bridge piling that was struck FWC continues to investigate the incident to determine the precise cause of the crash and assess safety measures at the bridge No other information about the incident has been released at this time Leer en español Copyright © 2025 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Key WestChevron Tropicado Mojito BarSave this storySaveSave this storySaveThe best bars in Key West are a love letter to the Florida Keys’ relaxed People come here to drink among friends and family or even solo—usually dressed down in shorts and flip-flops (though nobody’s judging if you dress up a little) IDGAF attitude makes its bar scene of no-frills dives and live-music joints feel effortless While a handful of watering holes do serve up polished most bars keep it simple with strong pours and sweet frozen drinks designed to get you buzzed and happy with some venues hitting their stride in the afternoon and others coming alive after dark: While waterfront bars fill up at sunset Old Town’s Duval Street pulses along as the heart of the action with live music and flowing drinks the legendary watering hole that’s been drawing crowds since the 1930s where weathered license plates and vintage photos overlook shrimp docks and ocean blues—the southernmost stretch of the continental US knows how to have a good time Explore our complete Key West travel guide Every bar on this list has been selected independently by Condé Nast Traveler editors and reviewed by a local contributor who has visited that restaurant Our editors consider both high-end and affordable eateries and service—as well as inclusivity and sustainability credentials We update this list as new bars open and existing ones evolve it probably looked a lot like Sunset Pier: rainbow-hued tables and chairs—each with its own vibrant umbrella—stretching along a wooden pier surrounded by 360-degree water views and anchored by a lively round bar It’s not just Instagram gold; it’s the kind of place so effortlessly charming you’ll want to while away the afternoon sipping and snacking The drinks menu features plenty of refreshing cocktails for sipping outdoors—think mojitos (the coconut version is a winner) and tropical favorites like the Original Frozen Rum Runner You’ll also find more than a dozen craft beers mostly local (standouts include First Flight Brewery’s Havana Red Ale and Florida Keys Brewery’s Sunset Pier Amber Ale) this is the kind of place where ordering a fruity or frozen drink feels like the only natural choice Despite being part of the Southernmost Beach Resort it’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike—both here to grab a seat at the bar and take in the stunning views from what is essentially the southernmost point in the continental United States Soak it all up with bites from the seafood-heavy menu like a plate of conch fritters with roasted garlic saffron aioli with rainbow-painted crosswalks hinting at the vibe before you even step inside Seasoned drag queens flirt and tease at the entrance setting the tone for a lively stop on your Key West nightlife tour welcoming atmosphere with a rectangular bar and a small unintimidating dance floor where you’re bound to see a few local barflies truly who “dance like no one’s watching.” Upstairs find a larger club with drag performances at 9 p.m The shows here lean more old-school (think: campy and unfiltered rather than the hyper-polished style of today's Drag Race queens.) dating to 1937 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places never skips a beat—and it hasn’t in nearly a century It’s easy to walk in through the open glass doors that span both corners and become part of a packed house tequila-spiked Sloppy Rita is the most popular choice—though it just tastes like a really good margarita Frozen drinks include rum-based staples like the Bacardi Black Piña Colada and rotating drinks of the month Drinks are served in sturdy plastic cups with the Sloppy Joe’s logo which could easily be considered keepsakes—though the retail store behind the stage has plenty more to take home The bartenders aren’t just mixing drinks—they’re certified “Mojito Masters.” They craft six versions of the cocktail with precision and adding sugarcane sticks right in front of you also made with local Papa’s Pilar Blonde Rum The cocktail menu includes gems like The Conch Republic (Tito’s vodka the epitome of the Florida Keys’ no-frills you could come here just for the perfectly chilled beer cocktails with a kick (the rum-and-fruit-based Hogfish Punch pairs beautifully with any sunset) But the real draw is the seafood—the best in the Keys Sitting off the working shrimp docks means your peel-and-eat Key West Pink Shrimp are as fresh as they come Local divers hand-catch Hogfish snapper daily—this deep-water delicacy has to be speared—making the fried hogfish sandwich a must-order Seating is split between the outdoor waterfront and beneath a massive tiki hut Rick's is an eight-bars-in-one concept that plays out more like an entertainment complex than a straight-up bar It's a good fit for a larger group: think a guys' weekend or a bachelorette party It definitely draws a younger crowd than other bars along Duval Street and peaks later in the night as revelers make their way through the eight-part drinking maze is a typical tavern with late-night karaoke; Durty Harry's is a live rock music venue with a beer-and-shots sports-pub vibe Rick's Loft goes the swanky cocktail bar route while Rick's Tree Bar—a rooftop venue—does fruity cocktails with bird's-eye views of Duval Street below and totally straight couples and groups—young and old—all there to revel in the wilder days of Key West anything-goes kind of atmosphere with a hippie vibe and an undercurrent of mischief Green Parrot Bar is almost a guaranteed good time running the gamut from rock to reggae (except Mondays which are reserved for Charity Bingo—because why not?) Green spotlights and braided lights cast a glow that matches the bar’s name while walls plastered with vintage photos give the space an easygoing This is a beer and simple cocktails kind of place—draft or bottle But the real draw is the music and the cool laid-back crowd that calls this place home If you’re lucky enough to be here on a Wednesday check the music calendar to see if it’s Ukulele Night (held one Wednesday a month at 8 p.m.) and the band teaches the crowd a few chords until the whole bar is strumming together in unison This image of an Argentine black and white tegu was recently posted on social media by the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex about the first verified report of the invasive and predatory lizard in north Key Largo Two Argentine black and white tegus are captured in the wild in Florida A voracious invasive predator that state and federal wildlife officials feared would one day find a home in the Florida Keys has established residency The Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex which includes Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge recently announced on social media that the first verified report of a Argentine black and white tegu lizard was recorded on March 4 in north Key Largo Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Breaking news and news alerts as they happen Weekly headlines from the Florida Keys Free Press Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account “The American Crocodile in Florida: Recovering an Endangered Species in an Endangered Ecosystem” will be the fifth lecture of “A Delicate Balance of Nature” talk series on Wednesday the series is sponsored by Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park and the Friends of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park.  When the American crocodile was declared endangered in 1975 little information was available for making management decisions Florida and Biscayne Bays have undergone changes causing concern for the health of these ecosystems University of Florida research ecologist and senior “croc doc” at the Everglades Research and Education Center will review results of monitoring programs for crocodiles which have been used as a basis for consideration of reclassification of this endangered species and for restoration of its endangered ecosystem The presentation will be at the visitor center and aquarium inside John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park There is no cost to enter the park for the lecture series Attendees may bring a cushion and a sweater or light jacket and are asked to accommodate those who are chemically sensitive by not wearing fragrances and other scented products.   More information is available from Elena Muratori Audiences should prepare to get carried away into a romantic winter wonderland spectacular lighting effects and scenes depicting almost every type of relationship conundrum imaginable Maine” is the most recent production presented by the Key Players It takes place in the tiny fictional town of Almost in the state of Maine It is here where nine couples experience life and love as they see it in a play that promises to “split your sides and melt your heart.” we’ve got the Northern Lights which signifies the love moments,” said longtime Key Players member Jonelle Kop Kop is producing and directing the romantic comedy with a cast of nine veteran and novice actors alike “I have some people playing more than one role,” explained Kop The cast includes three actors new to the Key Players “He brought me to the audition and I didn’t want to do it,” recalled Gaby there’s going to be a kissing scene’ and I said no one else is going to kiss my husband,” added Gaby with a laugh Pozo and her husband play two different couples in the show This will be Robert Pozo’s third Key Players production and he’s excited to share the stage with his wife “It keeps us entertained in a town where there’s not a million things to do,” said Robert The Pozos aren’t the only real-life couple taking to the stage in “Almost Maine.” Luna Rivera and Jayden Ware are engaged to be married and each has multiple roles in the play.  The couple recently moved to Big Pine Key for Ware’s job with Scouting America They have been making the hour-and-a-half commute up to Key Largo since rehearsals started on Jan “It’s been hectic,” Ware said “The commute’s kind of hard some days,” said Rivera adding that the long drive could not keep her away from taking the stage in this show Rivera’s been with the Key Players since the seventh grade Rivera and Ware played love interests in “Escape to Margaritaville” last year and also play love interests in one scene in “Almost “It’s really fun when we get cast in that way that we are able to play off of our organic feelings,” Rivera said Through nine vignettes lasting 15 to 20 minutes Maine” delves into the many facets of love – from first love to lost love and everything in between.  This will be Alejandro Godinez’s first time appearing in a Key Players production The 25-year-old recently moved to the Keys from Fort Lauderdale and thought getting involved with the Key Players would be a great way to meet people “I decided I wanted to socialize and network a little bit here in the Keys so this is a good way to do that,” said Godinez Cindy Smith never misses a Key Players production She is usually off stage serving as the theater troupe’s volunteer photographer she decided to take a role under the bright lights “This came at a really good time for me to be able to commit to the rehearsal schedule and give the play everything that is necessary,” Smith said “It’s a tender sweet romantic comedy,” Kop said located at 102050 Overseas Highway  in Key Largo There will be a total of seven performances Discounted tickets can be purchased in advance for $15 at Key Largo Chocolates (MM 100.5) Shear Paradise (MM 99.3) and Post Net Islamorada (MM 88) Tickets can also be purchased online and at the door for $20 Student tickets are available at the door for $10 More information is at www.thekeyplayers.org Courtesy of The Florida Keys & Key West Incredible as it may seem, the 2024 holidays are sneaking up fast. And in the Florida Keys they’re celebrated with festivities that range from traditional to eccentric — with The star of the holiday spectacle in Key Largo is the beautifully lit 45-foot-tall tree dubbed “Holly.” Despite the Keys’ subtropical climate and lack of wintry weather, residents tend to throw themselves gleefully into extended merrymaking. This week, “Keys Voices” explores some of the creative, colorful and heartwarming events in the Upper and Middle Keys that are designed to spark smiles and seasonal cheer Dec. 3-8: Zonta’s Festival of Trees. The Zonta Club of Marathon, a women’s service organization, offers a free-admission display of decorated trees at its 14th annual Festival of Trees at Marathon Garden Club View and bid to purchase decorated trees from 5-8 p.m Kids can enjoy cookies with Santa and the Grinch Saturday from 10 a.m Raffle tickets can be purchased for a chance to win a tree Festivities at Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park include tours of the historic caretaker’s house shop at the Holiday Gift Bazaar and enjoy live performances New this year is the Publix Holiday Sweet Shoppe featuring gourmet desserts A variety of savory food will also be available Advance reservations and ticketing are required The holidays are celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Keys — even by the feline population Tickets to ride the Polar Express are $10 in advance or $15 the day of the event While a handful of the Upper and Middle Keys’ holiday highlights are outlined here, many more events are scheduled throughout the fun-loving island chain. For a full roster of festivities and other happenings, just click the world’s key lime capital has also seen its share of the limelight By Karuna Eberl & Steve Alberts your traveling companions are tropical breezes You might feel like it’s a moment straight from a movie—and you could be correct which connects mainland Florida to Key West there’s a decent chance something was filmed nearby Hollywood has long intertwined itself with the Keys finding excuses to spend time here in the name of “work.”  Here are a few highlights of Keys locations used in movies and TV shows.  When John Huston directed his 1948 film Key Largo though it would be 4 years before a town called “Key Largo” actually existed which starred Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall lobbied the post office to change its name to Key Largo in 1952 unleashing a new and lasting wave of tourism Though most of the movie was shot on a Hollywood sound stage including those of the Overseas Highway and the exterior of the Caribbean Club.  Today the Caribbean Club draws a crowd with live music and plenty of movie memorabilia—just as it has since 1938 make sure to quote the movie on your drive: “Hold your course You’re headed straight for Key Largo.”  but you can get a good feel for it—hopefully sans cannibals—at the waterfront resort For literary fans, mile marker 17 is also home to Sugarloaf Lodge, a favorite haunt of gonzo journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson. In 1986, a filmmaker made a television pilot centered around the quirky character; Breakfast With Hunter never got picked up some of which took place at Sugarloaf Lodge The colorful 2006 Real World house still stands in the Key Haven neighborhood just outside of Key West. The 6,000-square-foot, 10-bedroom palace can be rented as a vacation home for $3,000 a night so your vacation there will probably not turn into an international spectacle which was named the Barrelhead Bar in the film.  Just past the end of the road, you have to take a ferry ride to get to the swanky Sunset Key Cottages, a location for one of the final scenes in the cult comedy Office Space (1999) It’s Milton’s (Stephen Root) escape in the tropics A nice place to sip a cocktail and watch the sun set Keep exploring with the Roadtrippers mobile apps Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps you should now use the same username and password to log in directly with Roadtrippers above You'll be eligible to receive membership discounts from Roadtrippers Your new trips will automatically start from your home address Can't find your RV? Click here to add a custom one. You're adding a custom RV. Cancel. We couldn't find an existing Roadtrippers account using that service We need your email address to send you trip itineraries and other updates Upgrade your membership to unlock additional saved trips Billed Annually. This limited time offer on a new Roadtrippers subscription. Valid only for new members residing in the U.S. and Canada that use this coupon code on roadtrippers.com New York man was arrested on Wednesday following multiple calls regarding a reckless driver on U.S The sheriff’s office received calls at approximately 7:57 a.m including that the suspect — later identified as Timothy Mahoney — struck some cones near MM 108 Mahoney was outside of his truck and wearing only a construction hardhat Mahoney was attempting to smoke marijuana from a pipe while being detained possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia