The Keys Weekly Newspapers

02/03/2025

"A male sanderling in breeding plumage is something to see, a bird with a classic shorebird profile – horizontal torso, slim, longish bill, respectable set of black gams – wrapped in a complex serape of rufous feathers that range from coffee to deep bronze to wenge to almost black. Or so the field guides tell me. I’ve never seen one in breeding plumage." -- Mark Hedden | Wild Things

A male sanderling in breeding plumage is something to see, a bird with a classic shorebird profile – horizontal torso, slim, longish bill, respectable set of black gams – wrapped in a complex serape of rufous feathers that range from coffee to deep bronze to wenge to almost black. Or so the fiel...

02/01/2025

What a croc! South Florida is home to the nation’s only salt water crocodiles and the Keys are no stranger to the protected species. This one cooled off at a Key Largo residence before being escorted off of the property.
MCSO - Florida Keys

01/25/2025

We are raising funds for the family of Jean Decimy. Decimy and several family me… Laura Stilley needs your support for Support for Decimy Family After Tragedy

01/24/2025

Key West fire tragically claims the lives of two adults and a seven year old child, as the names of the deceased and surviving victims have been released. We will continue to report on this story and share any verified ways to support as info becomes available.

An apartment fire on Emma Street the evening of Jan. 23 killed two parents and one child, 7, and injured three other children, who are being treated for injuries in mainland hospitals. At least one of the injured children was in very critical condition as of the morning of Friday, Jan. 24. The state...

01/24/2025

Update: City of Key West reports two adults and one child deceased in apartment fire. Three other children are being transported to mainland hospitals.

01/24/2025

BREAKING NEWS

City officials have confirmed a fire at 1010 Emma St. (Fort Village Apts) in one unit. The fire is under control but two casualties have been reported with another possible.

Update: Kristen Livengood, county spokeswoman, confirmed to Keys Weekly that Trauma Star is grounded. Alternative transportation is being arranged. Multiple children are among those injured. No word on the ages or identities of the casualties.

01/24/2025

Breaking: This afternoon, Circuit Court Judge Mark Jones found Daniel Weisberger guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of his younger brother, Pascal on May 7, 2020. He was also guilty of first-degree attempted murder on his father, Ariel Poholek.

Seven days of witness and expert testimony in the Daniel Weisberger murder trial culminated in Circuit Judge Mark H. Jones delivering a guilty verdict inside a Key West courtroom on the afternoon of Jan. 23. Jones found Weisberger, 21, guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of his brot...

01/13/2025

Popular Islamorada Politician is Stepping Down

A shakeup continues in Islamorada government as councilman Joseph “Buddy” Pinder III tendered his resignation on Jan. 10. Pinder, who was first elected in 2020, submitted a letter addressed to fellow council members and staff during the late morning. “It is with a heavy heart that I write to i...

01/11/2025

Wounded Warrior Project - Soldier Ride made their way through the Florida Keys and into Key West today. Members of The Rotary Club of Key West and Key West Sunrise Rotary Club in the Conch Republic gathered to welcome the heroes, along with local military and first responders. Today we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our warriors, all that serve and have served this nation and the sacrifices so many have made. MCSO - Florida Keys NAS Key West Key West Police Department

01/09/2025

Today we celebrate the birthday of Key's Weekly's Creative Director & Account Exec, Stephanie Mitchell. Mitchell has been with the Weekly for over seven years and has a passion for the growth and success of each and every client. Aside from being a marketing and advertising expert, she brings the life and energy to the office (and beyond).

"Stephanie has never met a stranger," says Weekly partner Britt Myers. "She simply loves people and once she meets you, you are family. Nothing means more to her than seeing clients, friends or family succeed. She's an amazing mother, wife and friend...and we are lucky to have her."

If you see Stephanie or have a chance to reach out, please wish her a happy birthday today!

01/09/2025

POSTPONED

PAULA POUNDSTONE's sold-out Key West Theater show has been postponed tonight due to the wildfires in California. We had the pleasure of hosting Paula on our recent Florida Keys Weekly Podcast (link below) and will provide updates from the Key West Theater as they work to reschedule. Thoughts, energy, prayers and love are extended to our One Human Family in California as they battle with horrific fires across LA County.

The nonconforming, but enduring legacy of comedian Paula Poundstone returns to Key West on Jan 9. One of the world’s most recognized and authentic comedians, Poundstone, returns to Key West Theater on Jan. 9. Hailed for her quick-witted improv and for “never doing the same act twice,” Poundsto...

01/08/2025

🦈 SNACK TIME FOR A GREAT WHITE IN KEYS 🦈

On Jan. 6, Capt. James Paskiewicz of Island Skipper Fishing, Inc. had an unexpected visitor to his boat as a Great White Shark took a chunk out of his chum bag in 75 feet of water off Long Key Bridge. The shark hung around for several minutes, making more passes at the chum bag and even coming eye-to-eye with those on the boat before swimming away.

01/06/2025

12/31/2024

Key West scrolled in shock on Dec. 30 through social media posts that seemed to suggest Michael Halpern had died the day before. That couldn’t be true. But it was. Halpern died Dec. 29 at age 72 during a battle with cancer. The skepticism on social media succumbed to sorrow and shared memories of ...

12/23/2024

Key Largo man tries to take deputy’s weapon, steals patrol car and another vehicle. Faces a litany of charges including attempted murder. Full story in link:

A 52-year-old Key Largo, Florida man was arrested Sunday after trying to take a Sheriff’s Office Patrol Sergeant’s weapon, briefly stealing his patrol vehicle, stealing another car, and crashing the second car on U.S. 1. There were no life-threatening injuries reported. Armando Lopez was charged...

12/20/2024

PIGEON KEY - North Pole, Southern Edition 🐦🗝️🎄

🎅 It took just one weekend for Marathon to add two icons of the holidays in the Middle Keys for the foreseeable future, as the Pigeon Key Holiday Spectacular and 7 Mile SantaCon earned a resounding response from locals and visitors alike on Dec. 14 🎁

⛄ A Friday night dinner under the lights welcomed sponsors and dignitaries to a fully-bedazzled Pigeon Key, completely transformed into a holiday village for Saturday’s Spectacular with giant Santas, “snow” and glowing lights on just about everything above ground ❄️

“This is just the beginning,” said executive director Kelly McKinnon. “It’s just going to get bigger and better every year.”

A throng of “big kids” in Santa hats on Saturday made their way to Keys Fisheries, Lighthouse Kitchen & Bar, Lazy Days South and Sunset Grille for the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce’s 7 Mile SantaCon, indulging in holiday cocktails before boarding the Polar Express and joining the family-friendly sold-out celebration on Pigeon Key.

12/19/2024

KEY WEST - Florida Keys' Only Catholic High School Opens January 6th 🎒📚

For the first time in nearly 40 years, Key West has a Catholic high school housed in its own building, complete with a state-of-the-art science lab, student lounge, lockers and an adaptable classroom that can be separated with a movable wall to split it into two separate rooms, or combine it for larger group learning ✏️

The Basilica School of St. Mary Star of the Sea on Dec. 13 celebrated the dedication of its high school building on the campus of the existing pre-K-8 school that has been shaping young minds for more than a century. The high school is housed in the school’s former auditorium building, which is now unrecognizable, and will officially open to students when they return to class on Jan. 6 🚸🚌

Although the school has been accepting ninth, 10th and 11th graders for a few years now, the high school building was only recently completed, thanks to a capital campaign that raised about $7.5 million 💵📓

“By restoring Catholic education in Key West, we will have the opportunity to realize the words of Saint Paul and bring fulfillment in our students’ formation of the whole child — spirit, mind, and body,” states the school’s website. “Catholic education from start to finish will be available to the children of the Lower Florida Keys.”
The dedication ceremony on Dec. 13 featured a visit from Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski from the Archdiocese of Miami.

Basilica School principal Robert Wright thanked the benefactors who made the school a reality.

“Parents and students, particularly our juniors and sophomores and their families, you placed your faith in this vision and courageously stepped into the waters with me, with only a promise of a school to come. While a building provides a space for learning, it is the students and faculty who make it a school. To our dedicated teachers and staff, your yes to Catholic education goes far beyond teaching reading and math. You are laboring in the vineyard of souls, shaping hearts and minds for eternity. One day in heaven, I believe you will see just how profoundly you have impacted the lives of these young people.”