MONROE COUNTY, FL – For the sixth consecutive year, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners approved Key West International Airport’s sponsorship of five Independence Day fireworks displays throughout the Florida Keys. Funds come from passenger user fees explicitly earmarked for promotional activities.

“Independence Day in the Florida Keys is more than fireworks; it’s a celebration of community, patriotism, and the traditions that bring generations of families together, especially this year, for America’s semi-quincentennial,” said Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln. “We appreciate the continued partnership of Key West International Airport, the municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and volunteers who help make these celebrations possible across the Florida Keys each year.”

“From Key Largo to Key West, these celebrations bring our communities together and showcase the unique spirit of the Florida Keys,” said Richard Strickland, airport Executive Director. “The airport is proud to support these longstanding traditions and the volunteers and organizations who work hard each year to create safe, memorable Independence Day celebrations for residents and visitors.”

County airport-sponsored Independence Day event plans include (subject to change):

Key West 
Since 1976, the Rotary Club of Key West has presented Key West’s annual fireworks show. Staged from the Edward B. Knight Pier overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, where White Street meets Atlantic Avenue, fireworks begin at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. For information, visit keywestrotary.com.

Big Pine Key
The Lower Keys Rotary Club will host Independence Day festivities on Friday, July 3, starting at 5 p.m. at Monroe County-owned Big Pine Community Park, mile marker 31. There will be vendors, food, beverages, games, family activities, and entertainment. Fireworks will begin around 9 p.m. Admission is free. No coolers, pets, or personal fireworks are allowed. Visit facebook.com/LowerKeysRotary for more information.

Marathon
A full day of beachside activities begins with a patriotic parade at 11 a.m., July 4, from Marathon High School to Sombrero Beach, hosted by the Rotary Club of Marathon, with fireworks at approximately 9 p.m., hosted by the City of Marathon. US1 Radio 104.1 will play patriotic music along with the fireworks display. Viewers can watch from the beach or even offshore of Sombrero Beach by boat. Admission is free. Visit www.marathonrotary.org for more information. Monroe County operates the Florida Keys Marathon Airport in Marathon. 

Islamorada
The Upper Keys Rotary Club and the Village of Islamorada will co-host an Independence Day Celebration at Founders Park, mile marker 87, starting at 6 p.m., Saturday, July 4. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Admission is free. Visit Islamorada.fl.us for more information. 
   
Key Largo
The Key Largo Chamber of Commerce hosts its 50th annual July 4 parade starting at 10 a.m. The parade will begin at mile marker 98.2 and end at mile marker 100. Northbound lanes will be closed from 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. Immediately following the parade, the community is invited to Key Largo Community Park for the Freedom Fest Picnic, featuring free hot dogs, kids' activities, food and drink vendors, and more. At approximately 9:30 p.m., the annual fireworks can be seen over Blackwater Sound, and the public is encouraged to view from their favorite bayfront establishment. Visit keylargochamber.org for more details.  
  
**Monroe County Fire Rescue reminds residents and visitors to leave fireworks to the professionals.

KEY WEST, Fla. — Key West, one of the world’s premier LGBTQ+ destinations, will turn up the heat for Tropical Heat 2026, an all-male, adults-only celebration taking place Wednesday through Sunday, August 12–16.

The annual event features a dynamic lineup of pool parties, on-the-water excursions, themed nightlife, and social gatherings hosted at the island’s iconic LGBTQ+ resorts and venues.

The festivities kick off at 5 p.m. Wednesday with Cowboy Ken’s PINK Pool Party & Kick-Off at Island House Resort (1129 Fleming St.), inviting guests to “think pink” with playful attire while enjoying complimentary appetizers, drink specials, and poolside entertainment. VIP wristbands can be picked up at the event or at the Gay Key West Visitor Center (808 Duval St.) throughout the week.

On Friday, participants can take to the water with the Tropical Heat Snorkel Trip aboard Blu Q (120 Margaret St.), a four-hour excursion offering snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, and relaxation in Key West’s turquoise waters. That afternoon, the Splash Pool Party at Bourbon St. Pub (724 Duval St.) brings high-energy fun, with pool games, entertainment, and drink specials.

Saturday’s highlights include the Five-Alarm Pool Party at Island House, a firefighter-themed event featuring music, high-energy entertainment, and signature summer vibes. After dark, the celebration continues at Heat Stroke: Leather & Underwear Party at Saloon One (504 Petronia St.), delivering a bold, late-night experience with DJs and a lively crowd.

The weekend wraps up on Sunday with the iconic Hot Naked Pool Party at Island House, a longtime Tropical Heat tradition, followed by the closing Big “O” Party at Bourbon St. Pub, featuring live performances, special guest entertainers, and late-night festivities.
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VIP passes provide access to multiple events, with individual tickets available for select experiences. VIP Passes can be purchased by visiting

MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) reviewed the county’s overtime policies during its May 20 regularly scheduled meeting following an advisory memo from the Clerk of Court’s office regarding overtime practices and policy language within the county’s Personnel Policies and Procedures (PPP) Manual.

Following the discussion, the commissioners recognized that no policy violations had occurred in implementing the policies and that the clerk’s office was calling attention to whether the policies should be maintained.  

The BOCC also directed staff to maintain the county’s existing policy for non-exempt (hourly) employee overtime under Section 5.02 of the PPP Manual. The current policy, which counts approved leave types toward the 40-hour workweek for overtime calculations, will remain unchanged. The commissioners recognized the work many of the operational departments perform off-hours, such as road, special event, and facility work, when systems like plumbing or air conditioning break down, as well as the need to ensure services have the least possible interruption. 

The BOCC also listened to examples of when exempt overtime is utilized. The airport was of particular interest, given the massive construction project that occurred over the past several years. The commissioners directed updates to the exempt (salaried) employee overtime compensation policy to more clearly define the limited titles for which this policy can be applied. 

Under the proposed revisions, the county will continue its general policy of not compensating exempt employees for overtime; however, the county administrator may approve compensatory time or overtime pay in limited circumstances involving unusually large amounts of overtime for exempt employees. The commissioners wanted the county administrator to approve it directly rather than it be delegated to an assistant county administrator or a department head.

Examples of approved overtime could include disaster response, peak seasonal workloads, strict operational deadlines, special events requiring extended staffing, staffing shortages, specialized operational coverage such as Aircraft Ramp Control, and prolonged repair or maintenance activities occurring outside normal business hours.

In addition, the commissioners directed staff to work with the clerk to add language requiring employee services to provide overtime reports to the commission every six months. The reports will include both non-exempt and exempt overtime.

Finally, the county will conduct the recommended investigation into the two airport employees named in the clerk’s advisory letter. That investigation will examine whether any overtime was claimed erroneously. The results will be reported when the investigation is complete. 

The proposed policy revisions will next be reviewed by the county’s internal committee before returning to the BOCC for formal consideration and adoption at a future meeting, anticipated in July 2026.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, 2026. Monroe County’s Veterans Affairs Department and the City of Key West will co-host the Memorial Day wreath service at the Key West Veterans Memorial Garden at Bayview Park. Monroe County Veterans Affairs will also co-host a ceremony at the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo with VFW Post 10211.

Ceremonies in the Florida Keys include:
• Key West Cemetery – USS Maine Memorial, Winslow Plot, Key West – 9 a.m.
• Key West Veterans Memorial Garden – Bayview Park, Key West – 10 a.m.
• Southernmost Cemetery – Big Coppitt Key – 11 a.m.
• Islamorada Hurricane Monument – 9 a.m.
• Murray Nelson Government Center – 11 a.m.
• Big Pine Key Community Park – “Murph” workout – 9 a.m.

Monroe County Veterans Affairs, Monroe County Fire Rescue, and Monroe County Parks and Beaches will host a “Murph” workout at Big Pine Key Community Park on Memorial Day. Registration starts at 8:15 a.m. with the workout beginning at 9 a.m. The event honors the legacy of Michael P. Murphy, who died in Afghanistan in 2005. All fitness levels are welcome. The event is free, and a participant waiver is required.

“Memorial Day is a time for our community to come together in remembrance and gratitude,” said Monroe County Community Services Director Cathy Crane. “We encourage residents and visitors to participate in these ceremonies and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who gave their lives in service to our nation.”
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Memorial Day is traced back to the end of the American Civil War and was known as Decoration Day, a day when graves of fallen soldiers were decorated in memory of their service. In 1971, Congress designated Memorial Day as a national holiday on the last Monday in May to honor those who died while serving in the military.

FLORIDA KEYS - The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognized May 2026 as National Military Appreciation Month during its recent meeting, honoring the service and sacrifice of active-duty military members, Veterans, reservists, National Guard members, and military families throughout the Florida Keys.

Commissioners invited Veterans and service members in attendance to join them at the front of the meeting chambers in recognition of their service to the country. Many individuals in Monroe County government have worn the uniform and continue contributing to the community through leadership, volunteerism, and civic engagement.

Monroe County encourages residents to take time throughout May to honor and support military personnel, veterans, and their families for their enduring commitment and sacrifice in service to the United States.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Safety and Security staff conducted CPR and First Aid training for Upper Keys Engineering, Roads, and Bridges staff on May 20. The hands-on training provided employees with lifesaving skills, including CPR techniques, first-aid response, and how to respond during medical emergencies until professional responders arrive. Staff participated in practical exercises designed to prepare them for real-world situations they may encounter both on and off the job.

“Training like this helps our employees be prepared to respond quickly and confidently during emergencies,” said Monroe County Safety and Security Coordinator Monica Calvert, who led the training. “Whether at a worksite, in the community, or at home, these are skills that can make a real difference when seconds matter.”

Monroe County regularly provides safety training opportunities to employees across departments to help maintain a safe working environment and strengthen response readiness countywide.

KEY WEST, FL, May 21, 2026— The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) honored the lives and legacy of fallen heroes, veterans, and active-duty military service members and their families with a ceremony on Thursday, May 21 on the Key West Campus. The event, “A 250-Year Salute to American Heroes,” was held in observance of National Military Appreciation Month and Memorial Day. The ceremony opened with an invocation by Army veteran, former chaplain, and CFK Marine Engineering instructor Ed Coy, followed by the national anthem, performed by Maceya Carey, a CFK Academy high school student. CFK President and CEO Dr. Jonathan Gueverra then delivered his annual Memorial Day Salute, honoring the late Raymond Blazevic—Navy veteran, prisoner of war, alumnus, historian, and beloved “Citizen Ray” of Key West. The ceremony concluded with Christina McMahon, daughter of the honoree and a CFK alumna, raising an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of CFK’s 60th Anniversary. She was assisted by veterans with close ties to the College: John Parce, Navy veteran, scholarship supporter, and member of the CFK Foundation Board of Directors; Terrance Varney, Army veteran, alumnus, and CFK Dive Facilities Manager; and Eddie Kertis, Army veteran, alumnus, and member of the College’s Board of Trustees.

CFK President Dr. Jonathan Gueverra’s 2026 Memorial Day Salute

“As we gather to honor the 250th anniversary of this great nation, and as we observe both Memorial Day and National Military Appreciation Month, I invite the community to join the CFK Family in reflecting on the courage and sacrifices that made America and our freedom possible. On this day - Memorial Day – and every day that we have consciousness we must remember those who gave everything for our freedom.  We must recognize that heroes do not often come from those who seek glory, but from those who simply do their duty with quiet resolve.
This Memorial Day, I salute the late Raymond Blazevic—known throughout Key West as ‘Citizen Ray’—a Navy veteran, a prisoner of war, a historian, a teacher, a father, and a devoted member of this community and the CFK Family.

Born in 1924, the Minnesota native graduated high school in 1942 with plans to attend college but was inducted into the United States Navy during World War II, and served as an Aircraft Electronics Technician—a role that drew on a natural aptitude for electronics. He spent much of the war patrolling the Northern Pacific near the Aleutian Islands. When the war ended, advances in radar and reconnaissance technology kept him in uniform.

In 1951, Raymond deployed to the Korean War theater aboard the USS Princeton as a combat air crewman. During a night mission over North Korea, his plane was shot down behind enemy lines. With the aircraft ablaze and communications with the pilot lost, Raymond held his post as long as he could—until the flames reached the soles of his boots. He went to the hatch and was propelled clear when the plane inverted and exploded. Initial military reports listed him as killed in action - a letter to his mother later confirmed that he had survived.

Raymond spent the next 27 months as a prisoner of war in North Korea. He later recalled that one of his greatest sorrows during captivity was not yet having children. His daughter Christina reflects that her father never called himself a hero—he simply said he did what he was supposed to do. ‘I have heard stories,’ she says, ‘that make me know he was brave, but he never said as much.’

After his release, Raymond continued his service, transferred to NAS Key West in 1958, and was later deployed to Vietnam aboard the USS Constellation. In Key West, he met and married Shirley Jordan, and together they raised four daughters: Cynthia, Christina, Michele, and Melissa. He would later say that his family—the one he had longed for in that POW camp—was what he was most proud of.

Raymond retired from the Navy in 1970 and at long last fulfilled his dream of a college education. He enrolled at Florida Keys Community College, now The College of the Florida Keys, earning an Associate in Science in Electronics and an Associate in Arts in 1972. He went on to teach history at the College—a role he came to after challenging his history professor in class. Impressed by his depth of knowledge, the professor invited Raymond to teach the course himself, and he did so with the same hands-on spirit that defined his life, taking students on field trips, helping excavate Fort Zachary Taylor, and documenting the history of this island community through thousands of photographs, many preserved in the Monroe County Library.

For 66 years, Key West was Raymond’s home, and he gave back to it without reservation. A familiar face at city and county commission meetings, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a presence on countless community committees, he earned the name ‘Citizen Ray’ many times over. Christina puts it simply: ‘He left things better than he found them whenever he could. He served his country, his city, his church, and his family. He cared about people and taught kindness. That is his legacy.’
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Raymond passed away on November 28, 2024, in the 100th year of his very full life. On behalf of the CFK Family, I salute U.S. Navy Veteran Raymond Leonard Blazevic this Memorial Day. His story is one of duty, resilience, humility, and love—for country, for community, and for the family he treasured above all. As we mark the 250th anniversary of the nation he served, we are grateful for people like him. His service is an inspiration to all.”

MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Resilience Office provided an update to the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners today on several ongoing breakwater repair and living shoreline projects designed to protect vulnerable coastal communities and infrastructure throughout the Florida Keys.
 
The presentation highlighted active and upcoming projects in Rock Harbor, Long Key, Tavernier, and Duck Key that focus on reducing storm surge impacts, protecting low-lying homes and infrastructure, and improving shoreline resilience through both traditional breakwaters and environmentally conscious living shoreline techniques.
 
“These projects are important investments in protecting Monroe County neighborhoods, public infrastructure, and waterways from future storm impacts and sea level rise,” said Monroe County Resilience Officer Rhonda Haag. “The work being completed today will help strengthen our communities for years to come while incorporating environmentally sustainable solutions.”
 
Among the projects discussed was the Duck Key Breakwater and Living Shoreline project, which is currently underway and includes repairs to approximately 10,000 linear feet of jetty span damaged during Hurricane Irma, along with the addition of a living shoreline component to further enhance storm protection and coastal resilience. Work will be complete by mid-June.
 
Also presented was the Rock Harbor Breakwater Repair project in Key Largo, which includes repairing approximately 500 linear feet of jetty span damaged during Hurricane Irma and installing an air curtain system to reduce the amount of vegetative debris entering canals during storm events. The project is funded through a Florida Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Infrastructure Repair Program grant.
 
The county also provided updates on the Long Key Living Shoreline project, which is underway and will construct a 1,282-foot living shoreline with 480 wave attenuation devices and native plantings to help protect the Long Key Transfer Station from storm surge flooding. Work will be complete by mid-June.
 
In Tavernier, Monroe County is preparing to repair approximately 1,500 linear feet of breakwater damaged by Hurricane Irma and to install an air curtain system to help protect canal water quality and reduce impacts from vegetative debris. Construction is expected to begin in late May.
 
All of the projects are fully funded by grants from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Department of Commerce.
 
To learn more about sustainability projects in the Florida Keys, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/sustainability.
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PLANTATION KEY, FL – Monroe County Community Services Social Services celebrated the grand opening of its relocated congregate meal site and Upper Keys office on Wednesday at the Plantation Key Community Center.

Mayor Michelle Lincoln, Mayor Pro Tem David Rice, and Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein joined Community Services Director Cathy Crane, community members, and staff for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours of the new facility, which will continue serving older adults in the Upper Keys while also providing expanded access to Monroe County Social Services programs and assistance.

“This new location represents Monroe County’s continued commitment to serving our residents with compassion and accessibility,” said Lincoln. “The congregate meal program is about more than nutrition. It provides connection, community, and support for older adults throughout the Upper Keys.”

The relocated congregate meal site will continue to offer nutritious meals and social engagement opportunities for seniors, while also housing the department’s Upper Keys Social Services office in one location. Meal service is Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monroe County’s Facilities Maintenance updated the allocated space at the community center.

The office, open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., provides information and assistance for several community support programs, including the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program, the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, and other services available to Monroe County residents.

To learn more about the county’s programs, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/socialservices.