Due to renovations and construction at the front entrance at Lower Keys Medical Center's main hospital building, the main lobby doors will be temporarily inaccessible. Patients and visitors are asked to use the emergency room entrance until May 24th. If you are parking in the general parking lot, the ER entrance can be accessed through the breezeway by the administration building on the far left of the hospital. Patients may also park in the ER lot. We apologize for any inconvenience.
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KEY WEST, Florida Keys – The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden continues its monthly Speaker Series at 1:00 pm on Monday, May 20th, 2024 in the Toppino Nature Chapel. The May speaker is Katy Hosokawa, Park Ranger, National Key Deer Refuge: Conservation. Her topic is “Where People & Wildlife Thrive-The National Wildlife Refuge system”. Katy will share some of the rich history of the National Wildlife Refuge System, talk about some of the work being done in the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuge Complex, and why it all so important.
Katy is a native Texan with a bachelor’s degree in geography and a master’s degree in Environmental Geoscience. She has been working at the refuge since 2020. Living with-in a mosaic of protected lands is a unique and beautiful experience, and Katy will share some of the highlights. Admission is free for members, $5 for non-members. All proceeds directly benefit the Garden’s conservation program. Sponsored by: Florida Arts & Culture and The Monroe County Tourist Development Council. The Garden is located at 5210 College Road on Stock Island. For more information call 305-296-1504 or visit www.keywest.garden. MONROE COUNTY, FL--Monroe County Solid Waste Department’s Earth Day tire amnesty events were a tremendous success, according to Recycling Coordinator Melody Tuschel. “We couldn’t be prouder of its positive impact on our environment,” she said. “With the support of the local media, the hard work of the transfer station staff, Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, and FP Tire Disposal, we collected a staggering 5,740 pounds of tires.”
This equates to about 240 tires that are now out of the Florida Keys environment on their way to becoming rubber mesh granules for playgrounds, among other things. This recycling process is a significant step in combating the environmental issue of tire waste, which leads to habitat destruction, pollution, and increased mosquito breeding. The project was grant-funded, and future tire amnesty programs will be scheduled if more funding becomes available. Another impactful environmental initiative is Monroe County Solid Waste’s collaboration with the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection to install dumpsters at the Spanish Harbor and Little Duck Key boat ramps. This pioneering project aims to be complete for the upcoming busy summer season. “We are counting on the cooperation of boat ramp users to dispose of materials in the dumpsters responsibly,” said Tuschel. “This will be a vital effort to combat marine debris.” MAYOR HOLLY MERRILL RASCHEIN TO OPEN THE NEW HARRY HARRIS PARK PLAYGROUND ON SATURDAY MORNING5/15/2024 TAVERNIER, FL--Monroe County Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein will celebrate the opening of the new additional Harry Harris Park playground on Saturday, May 18, at 9 a.m. in Tavernier. The public is invited to join the mayor and Parks and Beaches staff at the event. Light refreshments will be available (donated by Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate).
“This was a part of Monroe County’s ongoing efforts to revitalize local playgrounds to meet the needs of our community,” said Director John Allen. “The additional playground near the baseball field will be perfect for siblings to use while their brothers or sisters play games.” The new baseball-themed playground includes rubber surfaces, slides, and a workout area for the kids. The youth baseball championship game will also be held at noon on Saturday at Harry Harris Park. MONROE COUNTY, FL — Starting in June, Monroe County Parks and Beaches will host several summer camps for children ages 6 through 12 throughout the Florida Keys. Registration is open now until 10 days before the camp start dates. Campers must be fully registered 10 days prior to the camp date.
To apply, make payments or for additional information, please contact the staff member below: Lower Keys: Mike Piekenbrock (pikenbrock-mike@monroecounty-fl.gov 305-394-1173) Big Pine Park 6/3 to 6/7 6/24 to 6/28 7/22 to 7/26 8/5 to 8/9 Bernstein Park 7/29 to 8/2 Upper Keys: Naomi Pagidas (Pagidas-Naomi@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov 305-453-8726) Plantation Key Community Center 6/10, 6/11, 6/13 & 6/14 (no camp 6/12) 7/15 to 7/19 MONROE COUNTY, FL--The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is committed to a robust public participation process regarding the state-mandated hurricane evacuation modeling discussions that will continue through January 2025. But, do you know what ROGO and BPAS mean and why it is important for the future of the Florida Keys? Monroe County community members are invited to take a survey, the first of several, that focuses on understanding the community’s current knowledge of the Rate of Growth Ordinance (ROGO) and Building Permit Allocation System (BPAS), where you currently get your Monroe County information, and where you would like to get future information from. The survey can be found directly at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MCROGOSurvey1. The nine-question survey shouldn’t take too long (approximately three minutes). Additional surveys will be available in June to help gauge what the community wants to see moving forward. Monroe County continues to host workshops and updates during regularly scheduled BOCC meetings and will be meeting with nonprofit and civic groups throughout the summer regarding the Dept. of Commerce’s hurricane evacuation modeling to gauge public interest in finding the “sweet spot” of the number of ROGO/BPAS allocations the County and municipalities would like to request from the State. The hurricane evacuation modeling is based on a Florida Statute requiring that Monroe County residents be able to evacuate the Florida Keys within 24 hours before a storm. The allocations could potentially be issued over the next 10 to 20 years at a rate that does not lead to unbalanced growth or additional takings liability. To learn more about these terms, why they are important, to view the process, or to see upcoming meetings, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/rogo2024. The survey is available until Friday, June 7 at 5 p.m. KEY LARGO, FL – With the successful securing of a federal grant appropriation for the Key Largo Twin Lakes neighborhood, today, the Board of County Commissioners approved the start of the project’s construction. The neighborhood experiences frequent flooding for prolonged periods during heavy rainfall, storm surge, high tide, and King Tide events that cause damage to public roads and private properties, creating safety issues for the residents. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held near the end of summer or early fall.
“Thanks to our staff and our federal and state lobbyists who jumped on a funding opportunity that hasn’t been available for the past decade,” said Monroe County Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein. “A huge thank you to Rep. Carlos Gimenez for supporting and advancing this federal appropriation and to Gov. DeSantis, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for its funding through the State’s Resilient Florida grant program. The community cannot remain safe and secure without functioning roadways, operational stormwater systems, and supporting infrastructure.” The shovel-ready project consists of road elevation and new drainage and stormwater collection systems and is also funded with Resilience Florida funding appropriated in the state budget. The project is funded by federal and state grants and local funds. Neighborhood-wide flooding mitigation is not easy nor inexpensive. “Water management, stormwater road runoff, and residential properties all have to be considered,” said Director of Roads and Bridges Judy Clarke. “We wish it were as simple as raising the road, but it isn’t.” The project encompasses 4,633 linear feet of roadway and will protect 105 residential structures in the Twin Lakes subdivision. Monroe County has been working toward a resilient Florida Keys for more than a decade, including a Roadway Vulnerability Analysis and Capital Plan. The plan uses environmental and human-use factors in assessing the flooding vulnerability of 300 miles of county roads. “We are excited to begin construction of the County’s first pilot project for road elevation, and help the neighborhood maintain access to their homes and become more resilient to sea level rise,” said Chief Resilience Officer Rhonda Haag. To learn more about Monroe County roadway vulnerabilities, visit www.keysroadsplan.com. KEY WEST, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognized and thanked the Friends of the Key West Library for their more than 50 years of commitment to education, information, and culture in Key West and the Florida Keys and its $70,000 donation to the Key West Public Library Branch.
The Friends of the Key West Library was established in 1972 to support the Monroe County Public Library’s first location at 700 Fleming Street in Key West. Since then, they have supported the library and the community by raising funds and volunteering to provide better programs and services for the people of Key West and all Monroe County Public Library cardholders. More than 40 percent of Key West residents have a library card. “Florida Keys residents benefit all year from the generosity and hard work of our Friends of the Library groups,” said Kimberly Matthews, Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Libraries. “This donation helps us bring more materials and programs to the public, ultimately improving their quality of life.” The Friends group finds new ways to raise funds for the library each year through membership, used book sales, an annual gala, grants, and more. They also support cultural programming such as the speaker series, concerts, film screenings, and other events that are free and accessible to the community. This year, the Friends contributed a record $70,000 that will go toward purchasing print and eBooks, programming supplies that benefit adults and children, staff development, and more. Lower Keys Medical Center awarded Primary Stroke Center Certification from The Joint Commission5/10/2024 (KEY WEST, FL – May 10, 2024) – Lower Keys Medical Center has again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Primary Stroke Center Certification. Lower Keys Medical Center underwent a rigorous onsite review on March 4, 2024. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including program management and delivering and facilitating care for stroke patients. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews. “Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend Lower Keys Medical Center for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.” “We congratulate Lower Keys Medical Center for this outstanding achievement,” says Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, the American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.” David Clay, chief executive officer, Lower Keys Medical Center, credited hospital employees. “Thank you to our staff for embracing and hardwiring best practices and following precise standards of care that have been proven to deliver the best care for patients experiencing stroke. This achievement supports our mission to ‘help people get well and live healthier’ in our community.” The certification requirements and processes entail creating a cohesive clinical team, demonstrating a consistent approach to care, reducing variation and the risk of error, and organizing the healthcare team across the continuum of care. For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website. Jag Gallery welcomes the always anticipated return of Cathy Rose, a Key West favorite for over two decades with an exhibit of new works in uniquely inspired assemblage and mixed media paintings.
An artist for over 40 years and a gallerist for almost 20, with her former New Orleans based Lucky Rose Gallery, Cathy began her artistic journey as a production potter before her interest turned to figurative work both as a sculptor and a painter. Primarily known and easily recognized for her captivating assemblage of antique objects, wood, clay and vintage fabric as well as her brilliantly imagined media paintings, Cathy is inspired largely by Southern Primitive and Outsider Art charming collectors throughout the US and abroad as she has here since her early days at the former Lucky Street Gallery Meet Cathy at a gallery reception on Friday May 17th from 5:30-7:30 which is free and open to the public. CATHY ROSE…new works, is on view through June 9th and will be available for online viewing at the gallery website www.jaggallery.art. Considered one of the Island’s finest destinations for contemporary art offering carefully curated exhibits featuring work of prominent artists from Key West and beyond, Jag Gallery is located at the Simonton Street entrance to Duval Square, 1075 Duval Street with ample, free parking. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Sunday noon to 5, Monday’s by appointment. For additional information call 305.407.6202 or email jaggallerykw@gmail.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. |
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