Duval Square’s Jag Gallery welcomes acclaimed Key West based artist and critical thinker Roberta Marks with a stunning collection of new works as PUTTING IT TOGETHER…A Personal Anthology opens on Wednesday,  January 28th.  A sculptor and mixed media artist as well as an educator, Marks has shown in galleries and museums throughout the United States and abroad, including the Smithsonian and Victoria and Albert Museum in London.  Celebrated as a pioneer in narrative, object infused artwork, the artist’s distinctive practice incorporates an endless array of discovered and everyday items, collage, painting and photography resulting in spectacular, arresting  and evocative constructions exploring memory, time and a rich personal history resonating with themes of loss, transformation and cultural remnants.
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Meet the artist at a gallery reception on January 28th from 5:30-7:30.  Gallery events are free and all are welcome.  Additional information at jaggallery.art.  The exhibit continues through February 15th.
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Recognized as a leading Key West gallery offering carefully curated exhibits of fine contemporary art by prominent and emerging artists, from Key West and beyond, Jag Gallery is located at 1075 Duval Street with ample free parking at the Simonton Street entrance to Duval Square.  For supplemental information contact the gallery at 305.407.6202 or [email protected]

KEY WEST, FL, January 16, 2026 – Respiratory illnesses continue to rise with coughs being a common overlapping symptom among them all. Decoding the characteristics of a cough, including its duration, sound and accompanying symptoms, can help patients understand what is going on and how to treat it. 
 
Most people are typically contagious the first three to five days after the initial respiratory infection, according to the CDC. However, a cough can linger around longer. A temporary, acute cough typically lasts less than three weeks and is often associated with short-lived illnesses like the common cold or the flu. But, a cough that lasts longer - anywhere from four to eight weeks – is typically a sign of unresolved inflammation from illnesses like bronchitis, long COVID or other serious conditions.
 
In addition to the length of a cough, it is important to monitor a dry versus wet-sounding cough. A dry cough, or an unproductive cough, is more commonly associated with the flu or COVID, it doesn’t produce phlegm or mucus and it leaves a tickling sensation in the throat. A wet cough is more commonly associated with a cold, RSV or pneumonia, and may feel like mucus is stuck in the chest or back of the throat.
 
“While bothersome, a cough is the body’s defense mechanism for getting rid of irritants from your lungs,” said Marc Csete, M.D., board-certified pulmonologist with Key Medical Group Pulmonology. “However, if you develop other symptoms, such as a high fever, chills or wheezing, it’s time to call your doctor.” 
 
Dr. Csete suggests these remedies to alleviate discomfort:
 
Drink tea with local honey: Honey acts as a natural suppressant and contains antioxidants to help lower inflammation in your throat.
 
Try a saline rinse or steam shower: Moisture and warmth can open breathing passages and thin mucus to help expel it out.
 
Sleep with the head elevated: Propping the head up at a higher angle can help drain mucus and relieve sinus pressure.
 
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can also thin mucus and flush out irritants.
 
Gargling with water and a small amount of apple cider vinegar every 2 - 3 hours can shorten the duration of a sore throat.
 
Lastly, take over-the-counter medication: Cough suppressants can help by controlling the reflex that makes someone cough and provide temporary relief.
 
 “We’re still in the thick of a contagious cold and flu season, so now is the time to take extra precautions,” adds Dr. Csete. “Wash your hands, avoid touching your face, cover your nose and mouth when you cough, frequently clean surfaces and, most importantly, stay home if you are feeling unwell to help stop the spread.”
 
If your cough is persistent and lasts more than eight weeks, talk to your primary care provider about any underlying issues, such as asthma or allergies, that may be preventing you from healing.
 
And seek emergency care if your cough is accompanied by blood or pink phlegm, difficulty breathing or tightening in the chest.

About Lower Keys Medical Center
Lower Keys Medical Center is an acute care community hospital offering 24 hour emergency department services. Accreditations include The Joint Commission Acute Care Hospital Program and Primary Stroke Center, American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center, the American College of Radiology – Mammography, and the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission - Echocardiography. The hospital is recognized by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with a 4 Star quality rating.

KEY WEST, FL, January 16, 2026— The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) welcomes middle and high school students and their family members to the CFK Academy Open House for Prospective Students on Thursday, January 29 at 5:30 p.m. on the College’s Key West Campus. The open house will include a tour of the A-rated, tuition-free public charter high school, a presentation on the school’s academic offering, and an opportunity to meet the principal, teachers, staff, and students.

The CFK Academy focuses on college and career readiness with a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and Career Technical Education (CTE) curriculum. Teachers use a Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach to give students hands-on engagement beyond the traditional classroom and better develop critical thinking and communication skills.

CFK Academy students are encouraged to earn college and high school credit simultaneously through the College’s Dual Enrollment program. College classes are conveniently located on the same campus as the high school. Motivated students can graduate with their high school diploma as well as an associate degree, certificate, and/or industry certification.

There is no cost to attend the CFK Academy, including the college level classes, potentially saving families tens of thousands of dollars.

The CFK Academy has earned an “A” grade from the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) since it opened in 2023. FDOE’s school grading system pulls from various student success metrics, including student achievement, learning gains, graduation rates, acceleration success, and focus on students who need the most support.
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Applications are now open for grades nine through 12 for the 2026- 27 school year and can be found online at CFK.edu/CFKAcademy. Space is limited. Applications are due by February 24 and a lottery will be conducted on February 26.

KEY WEST, FL, January 16, 2025— The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) invites the public to its second annual Community Day at the Upper Keys Center on Saturday, January 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free, family-friendly event will feature a full slate of attractions including CFK academic showcases, interactive exhibits, a bounce house and other children's activities, vendors, music, free food and drinks, and free T-shirts. Support provided by the Ocean Reef Community Foundation enabled the College to launch this new tradition at its Upper Keys Center in 2025.

“Community Day is a celebration of the College and our community,” said Dr. Jonathan Gueverra, CFK President.” “It’s a day filled with activities for all ages, information about community services, music, and food, a showcase that demonstrates the important work done by organizations in our Florida Keys community. Starting this year, CFK will select and honor an individual or an entity whose efforts make our community even more livable.”

This year, CFK’s Community Day at its Upper Keys Center is sponsored by Keys Weekly, Citizen, and Florida Keys Media.

For more information about Community Day, call CFK at 305-809-3198.

LITTLE TORCH/TAVERNIER, FL – In an effort to preserve county roads and prolong pavement life, Monroe County is continuing the pavement preservation program it initiated in spring 2020. On Jan. 21, Pavement Technology, Inc. will continue treating roads in Little Torch Key that were previously treated in 2020. In addition, roads in Tavernier that were paved in 2020 by the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority as part of a sewer project will also be treated. The project should take approximately 2-3 days in Little Torch and 2-3 days in Tavernier, weather permitting. The road preservation treatment needs to be applied roughly every five years to remain effective and extend the pavement's life. The project will not take place on U.S. 1 and will not affect traffic along U.S. 1.
 
During the treatment period, the road will not be accessible to vehicular traffic for approximately 30 minutes. Access for emergency vehicles will remain available, and the contractor will work to minimize inconvenience to residents. The contractor will also place signs the day before in the neighborhoods scheduled to be treated, including the company website for more information on Relcamite Asphalt Rejuvenator.
 
The process involves applying a liquid rejuvenator to recently paved roads early in the pavement lifecycle to extend the life and minimize more costly repairs, such as milling and resurfacing. The rejuvenator is sprayed onto the road and allowed to fully penetrate the asphalt before a light coating of manufactured sand is applied to provide short-term friction and act as a blotting agent. The following day, all treated roads are swept with a vacuum sweeper to remove the sand.  The product is environmentally safe, washes off vehicles with soap and water, and is applied so as not to create any runoff into the ocean. 

KEY WEST, FL, January 14, 2026— The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) is offering a special, two-day ceramics workshop featuring visiting artist and professor, Von Venhuizen, who will demonstrate his wheel throwing and hand-building assemblage methods and lecture on his current and past artwork.

The workshop will take place in the hand-building studio on the CFK Key West Campus from Thursday, February 6 through Friday, February 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.

Von Venhuizen, an Associate Professor of Art in Ceramics at Texas Tech University, earned his M.F.A. from Indiana University. He is a nationally and internationally exhibited artist with an exceptional reputation in Kiln Design and Construction, Architectural Ceramics, Ceramic Production Design, Ceramic RAM Press methods, Slip Casting, Mold Making, 3-D Printing in Clay, and Wheel Throwing. His work has been included in hundreds of juried, invitational, and solo exhibitions.

Von’s pieces are in numerous private and university collections, and museums, as well as books and periodicals. He is a two-time, student-nominated Texas Tech Teacher of the Year, and his students know him for his colorful stories of ceramics, his love of cars and motorcycles, his search for the elusive Chupacabra, as well as being an armadillo whisperer.

The fee for the two-day workshop is $215. To learn more and register, visit: https://www.cfk.edu/academics/continuing-education/.
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For more information about the ceramics program, contact Dennis Loucks, Artist-in-Residence, CFK at: [email protected] or 305-296-9081, ext. 671.

KEY WEST, FL, January 13, 2026— The College of the Florida Keys is continuing its pursuit to expand workforce training and educational opportunities for residents of the Florida Keys at its, yet to be developed, site on Big Pine Key (BPK). The potential programs and uses for the site may include a marine aquaculture facility, shared community spaces, construction apprenticeships, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training, and motor vehicle training for law enforcement. These programs advance CFK’s mission to deliver student-centric academic programs and services, workforce development, continuing education, and to engage with diverse partners.

The College originally shared its ideas with the community in 2019 at a Board of County Commissioners meeting. In 2021, after leasing the property from the state, the College held two community meetings in Big Pine Key. Since then, the College has pursued funding opportunities to support expansion of programs and services in the Lower Keys.

“CFK is dedicated to partnering with our Florida Keys community. Our programs are geared to benefit our residents,” emphasized Dr. Jonathan Gueverra, President and CEO of CFK. “This includes both economic prosperity and respecting what makes the Keys special,” he added.

In 2023, the College applied for and was awarded a $2 million Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Grant. Prior to accessing the funds, a Responsible Entity must complete an environmental review. HUD identified Monroe County as the Responsible Entity tasked with completing the environmental review. This role requires the county to ensure that environmental impacts of a project are thoroughly evaluated and addressed, and open for a public comment period, which for this project ended on January 2, 2026.

According to a notice published by Monroe County on December 18, 2025, “the project will have no significant impact on the human environment.”

The site is not located within the boundary of the Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge, and the College has replaced the perimeter fence to secure the property and keep wildlife outside.

Per Florida Statute, the College is exempt from obtaining building permits from Monroe County for development on the site. However, any development must still be consistent with the county’s Comprehensive Plan and with the use, density, and intensity requirements of the county’s Land Development Code. The county will work with the College to review the proposed project to ensure it meets these requirements.

Two of the potential programs, law enforcement vehicle and CDL training, would increase accessibility to high-demand career opportunities allowing Florida Keys residents to prepare for and become certified close to home instead of going to the mainland. Many local organizations and businesses, spanning from utilities and public works to tourism and schools, require employees to have CDLs and the safety of every community hinges on the quality of its law enforcement. The College already administers CDL tests in the Lower Keys. Testers safely travel on the test route that traverses Rockland Key through Key West. As for law enforcement, this will be an opportunity to save at least three full days and the added expense that comes with staying on the mainland to use the tactical course.

The size and variety of the College’s fleet of vehicles for CDL training will reflect the demand from the community and may include passenger buses, garbage trucks, school buses, construction trucks, and tractor trailers. Most of the training will take place in classrooms and in vehicles on the site. On-the road training will primarily traverse routes similar to those used by commercial vehicles currently serving the community.

“The College prioritizes safety and will work with the community to mitigate traffic concerns,” said Dr. Gueverra.
Workforce demand and funding availability will determine the future programmatic opportunities. CFK welcomes conversations with those who are interested in financially supporting the College. CFK will continue to engage stakeholders, address concerns, and share details as they develop.

For questions, please contact [email protected].

KEY LARGO, FL - Monroe County and its consultant, HDR Engineering, Inc., will host a public information meeting to present details of the Winston Waterways Road Elevation & Stormwater Resiliency Design Project that is underway in Key Largo. The meeting will be on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Murray Nelson Government Center Commission Chambers. Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting in person or via Zoom. Zoom information can be found on the calendar event at www.monroecounty-fl.gov.
 
The team will provide details of the ongoing design that includes road elevation and an engineered stormwater management system consisting of a collection system, water quality treatment, a pump station, and a disposal system, as well as a discussion of easement requirements, adjacent property harmonization, and project funding, including future operations and maintenance assessments. County staff and the consultants will be available to answer questions at the meeting.

KEY WEST, FL — This season, The Studios of Key West proudly presents First Look, a season of four new plays that invites audiences into the creative process as it unfolds. Produced by Jeff Johnson, past Chair of the Williamstown Theatre Festival and past President of Waterfront Playhouse, the series brings playwrights, directors, and professional actors together for an intensive week of rehearsal, culminating in staged readings for a live audience that offer a rare view of contemporary theater in motion.
 
First Look occupies a distinctive space between a table read and a full production. The plays are deeply rehearsed and thoughtfully staged, allowing audiences to engage closely with the writing, the performances, and the choices being explored in the room. Each production brings together New York– and Los Angeles–based actors alongside accomplished Key West performers, guided by nationally recognized directors, reflecting a commitment to both new voices and the evolving craft of playwriting.
 
“First Look is about proximity—to the work, to the artists, and to the moment when a play is still revealing itself,” says producer Jeff Johnson. “The selection process is highly competitive, and we’re looking for plays with urgency and clarity—writing that asks big questions and holds up under sustained focus. A full week of rehearsal gives those plays the space they need to fully emerge.”
 
The 2026 season opens January 30–31 with The Starters by Laura Winters, a contemporary drama about a professional football player and his wife navigating ambition, risk, and the limits of the body. February’s The Patrons by Nick Gandiello is set in a small-town library in 1963, where budget cuts and a single controversial book force staff members to confront censorship and community pressure. In March, Mom’s Best Friend by Dan McCabe examines the sudden rupture of a close mother-daughter relationship and the emotional fallout that follows. The series concludes in April with My Maria by Andrew Russell, set in a fictional southern Midwest town, where a sixty-year-old school resource officer's developing romance collides with public scrutiny after a mass shooting.
 
Together, the plays share a focus on people at moments of decision—when private lives intersect with public consequence, and certainty gives way to change. Intimate, urgent, and distinctly contemporary, First Look offers audiences a front-row seat to the future of American theater.
 
All performances take place at The Studios of Key West at 8:00 PM:
The Starters — January 30 & 31
The Patrons — February 13 & 14
Mom’s Best Friend — March 20 & 21
My Maria — April 3 & 4
For tickets and additional information, visit tskw.org.

January 12, 2026 – (KEY WEST, FL).  In celebration of the 115th birthday of Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Tennessee Williams, the Tennessee Williams Museum in Key West invites poets and prose writers to submit original work for its 2026 Poetry and Short Story Contests.  The contests are held in conjunction with the annual Tennessee Williams Key West Festival, which takes place each March honoring the literary icon who made Key West his home in 1949 and lived and worked on the island for nearly four decades.

Drawing inspiration from the 2026 Festival theme, all contest submissions must reference Williams’s seminal work “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” in some manner.  Writers are encouraged to interpret the theme broadly.  References may include the play itself, Williams during the writing process, one or more of its characters, or actors and actresses associated with the stage or film adaptations.

The entry fee is $20 per submission, and each entrant may submit one poem and/or one short story.  First-place winners in each category will receive a $500 cash award, with second-place winners receiving $250.  Submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on March 1, 2026.  Contest winners will be announced on March 26, 2026, during a special Tennessee Williams Birthday Celebration at the Tennessee Williams Museum and will be published online on the Tennessee Williams Key West Festival website www.twfest.org/contests.

The contest is open to U.S. residents only.  Poetry submissions may be no longer than 30 lines, while short stories must be between 1,500 and 4,000 words.  All entries must be original, unpublished work written in English and submitted online via the official entry form.  Full contest guidelines, eligibility requirements, judge information, and submission links are available at twfest.org/contests or kwahs.org/tennessee-williams-festival.
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The Tennessee Williams Museum, located at 513 Truman Avenue, is open daily for self-guided tours from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information about the contests, the museum, or the Tennessee Williams Key West Festival, contact the Key West Art & Historical Society at 305-295-6616 or visit www.kwahs.org.
Your Museums.  Your Community.  It takes an Island.