​MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and Monroe County Fire Rescue Fire Chief RL Colina welcomed six new firefighter/EMTs to Monroe County Fire Rescue in a pinning ceremony at the January BOCC meeting. Monroe County Fire Rescue welcomes Isaac Duran, Jonathan Enriquez, Giovany Oliva, Jr., Victor Paneda, Michael Perez, and Joshua Roman.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County announces Yaima Gonzalez, Senior Floodplain Coordinator with the Building Department, has been named Monroe County’s Employee of the Third Quarter 2025 for routinely going above and beyond her normal duties to assist the public, from responding to emergency calls during storms to ensuring continuity of operations despite limited resources. Her work has been especially critical as the Building Department adjusted to staffing reductions that significantly increased the floodplain review workload.
 
As one of the county’s knowledgeable staff members regarding flood requirements, Gonzalez has taken the lead on complex floodplain reviews and mentored fellow employees. Her patience, attention to detail, and willingness to step in wherever needed have helped reduce backlogs and maintain service levels during a challenging transition period.
 
“Yaima has taken control of the floodplain responsibilities and is effectively doing the work of several employees,” said coworker and plans examiner Scott C. Acker, who nominated her for the recognition. “She demonstrates a strong work ethic, remains optimistic under pressure, and continues to pursue additional licensing to further strengthen the department.”
 
In addition to her professional expertise, Gonzalez brings a unique personal perspective to her role, having navigated the regulatory process herself as the owner of a home damaged during Hurricane Irma. This experience enhances her ability to guide residents with empathy and clarity through often complex requirements.
 
Beyond the workplace, Gonzalez is involved in the community, volunteering with the Key West Boosters and involvement with the Boy Scouts of America, further reflecting her commitment to service.

​MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County is reminding residents and business owners to be aware of a scam circulating in which an invoice is sent that appears to be from the Monroe County Building Department, Monroe County Planning Department, or Monroe County Planning Commission.
 
Monroe County and the Monroe County Planning Commission will NEVER ask anyone to make wire transfers to pay building permit fees.
 
The county will never send emails requesting you to do anything related to wire transfer instructions. We will not ask for wire transfers, and we will never tell you we can only communicate with you via email to ensure proper documentation, auditing, and inclusion in the planning commission’s agenda for review and discussion.
 
If you are ever in doubt, please call us at the numbers listed on our website to verify any information. Do not open attachments or respond to emails or numbers listed in the suspicious requests. Monroe County only sends emails from [email protected] email addresses. 

KEY WEST, Fla. — America’s First Ladies were in the spotlight Jan. 23-24 at the Harry S. Truman Little White House, where the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation hosted a two-night program exploring their legacies and influence. Presented in partnership with America250, the event was part of a nationwide series of programs connected to the upcoming U.S. Semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026.

The weekend opened Friday evening with a moderated panel discussion featuring Diana B. Carlin, Anita B. McBride and Nancy Kegan Smith, co-authors of “Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women.” The authors discussed the evolving role of presidential spouses from the nation’s founding through modern times, drawing on their research and professional experience in presidential history, communications and public service.

Saturday’s program featured an intimate conversation titled “Remembering the Boss: Bess Truman,” with Clifton Truman Daniel, grandson of President Harry S. Truman and First Lady Bess Truman, and Anita B. McBride, a nationally recognized expert on the history and role of America’s First Ladies. Together, Daniel and McBride examined Bess Truman’s life and legacy, blending personal family perspective with historical and institutional insight.

Daniel shared reflections drawn from family memories and letters, while McBride contextualized these private moments through her recent contribution to “In Pursuit”— a national essay series focused on strengthening shared civic memory ahead of America’s Semiquincentennial—highlighting how Bess Truman navigated the complexities of life in the White House and left a lasting impact on the presidency.

Both evenings were moderated by Dr. Kurt Graham, president of the Adams Presidential Center and former director of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, who guided conversations examining both the public responsibilities and private dimensions of presidential life.
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The mission of the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation is to preserve the Harry S. Truman Little White House, Florida’s only presidential museum, and to provide programming that supports civic engagement, education, and the historic and cultural influences of the Truman era.  America250 is a nonpartisan commission established by Congress to lead the national commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

STOCK ISLAND, FL – Monroe County officials recently toured Stock Island with local business and property owners to discuss ongoing challenges related to the redevelopment of existing nonresidential structures, parking constraints, and long-term improvement opportunities on the island.
 
The tour focused on the realities faced by property owners and businesses seeking to redevelop or expand and improve areas prone to illegal dumping and construction. Commissioner Craig Cates has been actively working to elevate these issues and encourage a more focused approach to address quality-of-life concerns.
 
“There is a persistent challenge on Stock Island due to limited space, aging layouts, and competing uses that complicate both redevelopment efforts and day-to-day operations,” said Cates. “We will continue working with property and business owners and law enforcement to identify practical solutions that support the long-term vitality of Stock Island.”
 
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) District 1 Lt. Donny Barrios also shared insights into ongoing efforts to remove derelict and abandoned vehicles from Stock Island. Law enforcement, code compliance, and solid waste have worked for years to address blight, illegal dumping, safety concerns, and parking issues across the island. Barrios indicated there are an excessive number of vehicles that need to be processed for towing, and over the next couple of months, MCSO will develop a plan and request additional resources to address the vehicles that litter the island, making room for legal use of the rights-of-way and visually improving the areas.

​KEY WEST, FL, January 23, 2026— The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) marked a milestone in its 60 years of impact by awarding an honorary degree to Mario Rivera, one of the institution's first graduates. Mr. Rivera's journey exemplifies the College's transformative power, and his success helped pave the way for thousands of students who followed. 
 
Mr. Rivera graduated in 1969 with an Associate of Arts degree in Physical Education from what was then Florida Keys Junior College. CFK President Dr. Jonathan Gueverra presented him with an Honorary Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management in recognition of his contributions to his profession, community, and the College.
 
“When Monroe Junior College opened in 1965, students like Mr. Rivera, for the first time, could earn a college degree without having to relocate or commute to the mainland,” Gueverra said.
 
Mr. Rivera went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Florida before beginning his career as a high school teacher and baseball coach. He later built a successful career in insurance and became a published author.
 
His wife, Lois Rodriguez Rivera, graduated from the College with a Secretarial Certificate in 1970 and enjoyed a successful career in the financial and mortgage industry. Mrs. Rivera continues to enjoy her passion for art and spends time painting commissioned works that celebrate island life in Key West.
 
“These two alumni are powerful ambassadors of the College and influencers in our society,” Gueverra said. “We look to our alumni to shine brightly and to share their CFK experience and success with the world.”
 
For more information about CFK’s 60th Anniversary events and news, visit: https://www.cfk.edu/60/.

​America’s Finest Folk and Americana Artists Shine Indoors and Under the Stars

[Key West, FL] — The Studios of Key West is turning up the volume this winter with Old Town New Folk, a live music series built for people who love a great night out — even if “folk” isn’t usually their thing.

This contemporary folk series is smart, lively, and full of personality: music with sharp turns, great stories, and artists who know how to take an audience along for the ride. Each performer plays twice — once in the Helmerich Theater and once under the stars at Hugh’s View Rooftop — turning winter nights in Key West into something electric, with close-up performances and the kind of shared experience that makes live music memorable.

John McCutcheon (February 3–4) brings the kind of show that feels like you’ve been invited into a long, lively conversation — funny, generous, and full of heart. With more than 45 albums and a legendary command of the hammered dulcimer, his songs draw from real people and real lives.

Rachael Sage (February 17–18) brings her bold, genre-hopping sound to the series. An early pioneer of independent music-making, Sage blends folk, pop, rock, and jazz with theatrical flair. Her performances are intimate and surprising, often shifting gears mid-song and keeping audiences happily guessing.

Jon Langford (March 3–4) follows with shows shaped by a career that has zigzagged through punk, alternative country, and indie rock. A founding member of the Mekons and a longtime fixture of Chicago’s music scene, Langford delivers performances that are sharp, funny, story-driven, and refreshingly unpolished.

Jake Shimabukuro (March 10–11) brings his jaw-dropping artistry to Key West. Best known for sparking a global ukulele revival after a viral performance of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” Shimabukuro moves effortlessly from classical to rock to jazz, often leaving first-time listeners grinning in disbelief at what a ukulele can do.

The season concludes with Ricky Skaggs with Sharon White (March 24–25). A Grammy Award-winning legend who first appeared on national television as a child, Skaggs brings decades of mastery to bluegrass and country music. Joined by White’s luminous harmonies, the performances promise warmth, virtuosity, and deep roots — played with joy rather than nostalgia.

Hugh’s View Rooftop offers sweeping island views and open-air nights under the sky, while the Helmerich Theater delivers an up-close indoor experience where every note lands. Whether indoors or under the stars, Old Town New Folk is designed for listening, laughing, and leaning in.
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Old Town New Folk tickets are available now at tskw.org or by calling 305-296-0458.

KEY WEST, Fla. — On Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation, in partnership with the Society of Presidential Descendants, will welcome five distinguished presidential descendants who will engage in a panel discussion entitled “The Legacy of President Carter,” moderated by presidential historian Dr. Kurt Graham, and staged on the grounds of the Harry S. Truman Little White House, 111 Front Street, Key West, Fla.

Recognized as one of the most distinctive civic and historical Presidents’ Weekend gatherings in the nation, this year’s Presidential Descendants Forum welcomes three Carter descendants: Amy Carter, daughter of 39th U.S. President Jimmy Carter, and grandsons James Earl Carter IV and Josh Carter, alongside Susan Ford Bales, daughter of 38th U.S. President Gerald R. Ford, and Clifton Truman Daniel, grandson of 33rd U.S. President Harry S. Truman.

Opening the event, presidential descendants will present cash prizes and certificates of achievement to the three winners of the 2026 Monroe County Student Essay Competition, whose works, reflecting this year’s topic, were judged by members of the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation and the Society of Presidential Descendants.

“The Presidential Descendants Forum presents audiences with a personal window into presidential history — not just through policy, but through family memory and lived experience,” said Clinton Curry, Executive Director of the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation. “With the nation approaching its 250th anniversary, this year’s program also offers a timely opportunity to reflect on aspects of leadership, character, and service across generations.”

While the Forum centers on the Carter legacy, it also honors the broader continuum of presidential history represented by the panel. Susan Ford Bales brings the perspective of growing up in the White House in the period following Watergate, as well as her mother Betty Ford’s groundbreaking advocacy for women’s health and recovery. Clifton Truman Daniel offers reflections shaped by his grandfather’s leadership, as well as his own work promoting historical understanding, peace, and nuclear disarmament.

Held at the site where President Truman spent 11 working vacations between 1945 and 1953, the Presidential Descendants Forum is the largest annual Presidents’ Day gathering of presidential descendants in the country. 

Forum tickets are $40 for Foundation members and $60 for non-members. Doors open at 4:00 p.m., with a cash bar; the Forum begins at 4:30 p.m. Additional Presidents’ Weekend events run February 12–16 and include “Happy Hour at Harry’s,” performances of “Give ’Em Hell, Harry!”, and a traditional Presidents Day cookout.
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Event proceeds benefit the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation whose mission is to preserve the Harry S. Truman Little White House, Florida’s only presidential museum, and to provide programming that supports civic engagement, education, and the historic and cultural influences of the Truman era.
For tickets and information, visit www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.org/foundation/events

​Tubby’s Creek Bridge on Card Sound Road, built in 1969, is scheduled for replacement starting Feb. 9, 2026. 

Feb. 9 - Construction crews will be on-site to perform preliminary project work consisting of clearing vegetation from roadway shoulders and widening the pavement at Tubby’s Creek Bridge on Card Sound Road. This work will take four weeks to complete. During this time, the shoulders of the roadway will be closed, but both lanes will remain open for two-way traffic. 
 
March 9 - The contractor will close the eastbound lane to traffic and set up temporary traffic signals to alternate bi-directional traffic to one lane so demolition of the eastbound lane may begin. The bridge will remain one lane with alternating traffic for the duration of the project. Traffic signal timing will be altered in the morning and afternoon to accommodate the additional traffic heading to and from the Ocean Reef community.
 
Updates will be provided throughout the project's construction phases. This project has a construction duration of approximately 18 months, weather dependent.

​MONROE COUNTY, FL - Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln, and Commissioners Holly Merrill Raschein and Jim Scholl, joined Monroe County Legislative Affairs Director Lisa Tennyson in Tallahassee for the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Legislative Day. The annual event strengthens relationships with state lawmakers and champions for local and state priorities that protect the Florida Keys’ environment, economy, and quality of life.
 
“Our presence here reflects our ongoing commitment to proactive engagement with our legislature,” said Mayor Michelle Lincoln, who is also this year’s FAC president. “From safeguarding our water quality to defending local home rule, these conversations drive results that matter to our community.”
 
During meetings with Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez and Representative Jim Mooney, commissioners discussed key issues for Monroe County’s residents, visitors, and businesses, including:

• Water Quality and Environmental Protection: Sustaining state funding for water quality infrastructure and restoration projects, including legislative support for the Florida Keys Stewardship Act.
• Land Acquisition and Conservation: Continued support for the Florida Forever Program and passage of House Bill 755/Senate Bill 934, which would extend the Florida Forever land acquisition set-aside for the Florida Keys, protect sensitive habitats and retire development rights to reduce takings liability; and support for a state appropriation for land acquisition outside of the Florida Forever boundaries to help address military base buffering and affordable housing.
• Affordable and Workforce Housing: Advancing state policy changes that account for the Florida Keys’ unique development constraints and high cost of living, including provisions in HB 755/SB 934 that will help lower the cost of affordable housing developed by Habitat for Humanity by exempting it from costly construction performance bond requirements.
• Insurance Affordability: Continued advocacy for HB 909/SB 1024 to improve the affordability and accessibility of Citizens wind coverage, by capping annual premium increases for residents and small businesses and raising the property value cap for eligibility.
• Local Authority and Home Rule: Protecting local home rule and Monroe County’s unique environmental and growth-management policies from state preemptions that limit local decision-making.

For more information on Monroe County’s state legislative priorities, visit monroecounty-fl.gov/legislativeaffairs.