Key West, FL: The Key West Business Guild (KWBG), the nation’s oldest LGBTQ+ business organization, is proud to announce its acceptance as an official member of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the nation's largest advocacy organization dedicated to expanding merit-based economic opportunities and advancements for LGBTQ+ and other allied and interested businesses.

As an Affiliate Chamber of the NGLCC, the Key West Business Guild joins a nationwide network of LGBTQ+ chambers and business organizations working together to support and promote inclusive economic growth. Membership provides KWBG and its members with access to expanded resources, business certification opportunities, and a stronger voice in national advocacy for LGBTQ+ businesses and entrepreneurs.

“This is a milestone moment for the Guild,” said Rob Dougherty, Executive Director of the Key West Business Guild. “Our acceptance into the NGLCC reflects the strength and vibrancy of our members and our community. It also opens new doors for business development, partnerships, and advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ+ and allied businesses here in Key West.”

The Key West Business Guild, founded in 1978, has been a driving force in promoting Key West as the nation’s premier LGBTQ+ destination while supporting local business growth, tourism, and community engagement. Becoming part of the NGLCC network strengthens the Guild’s ability to amplify the voices of its members and further its mission to foster economic resilience and inclusivity.
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For more information about the Key West Business Guild and its programs, visit gaykeywestfl.com

KEY WEST, Fla (AUGUST 27, 2025) – Unlike many seasonal illnesses or diseases, shingles can develop at any time of year.

Usually thought of as a childhood disease, the chickenpox can have lasting effects well into adulthood because the virus remains inactive in the body even after recovery. Years after you have had the chickenpox, the virus can reappear in the form of shingles.

One in three Americans will experience shingles in their lifetime according to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention. There is no cure for shingles, but there are a variety of treatment options that can make symptoms less serious.  

“Shingles cause a blistering rash most often on either side of the torso,” said Jennifer Shue, APRN, FNP-BC, with Keys Medical Group Primary Care at Searstown. “The rash lasts two to four weeks, but some people still experience pain after the rash goes away.”

Adults over the age of 50 are at risk of developing shingles, but the disease can appear in younger individuals who have had the chickenpox. Other risk factors include having other diseases such as HIV/AIDS, having undergone radiation or chemotherapy, taking certain medications.

The first symptom of shingles is pain, which, depending on the location, can sometimes be mistaken for other issues. A rash appears typically after the pain, but some experience the discomfort of shingles without a rash. Other signs of shingles include:
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·       Burning, numbness or tingling
·       Sensitivity to touch
·       Fluid-filled blisters
·       Itching
·       Fever
·       Headache
·       Sensitivity to light
·       Fatigue

Visit a physician promptly if you have symptoms of shingles, especially if you experience pain or rash around the eye, you are 70 years or older, you or someone in your family has a weakened immune system or the rash is widespread and painful.

For people who have had chickenpox, shingles is not contagious from others. However, someone who has not had chickenpox and who has direct contact with the shingles rash could contract chickenpox, not shingles. Chickenpox can be very dangerous for anyone with a weak immune system, newborns and pregnant women, so if you have shingles do not come into physical contact with these people. When your blisters scab over you are not usually contagious any longer.

“There is no cure for shingles, but prescription drugs can speed recovery and reduce your risk of complications. Your provider may also prescribe creams or painkillers,” said Shue.“If you are 60 or older, it is recommended that you receive the shingles vaccine to help prevent contracting the disease.”

Some people experience complications from shingles if they do not receive the right treatment. Shingles around the eye can cause painful infections and vision loss. The disease can also damage nerve fibers causing pain even after the disease is gone. If shingles blisters are not treated properly they can become infected.
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Talk to your primary care or family physician immediately if you suspect shingles. Keys Medical Group Primary Care at Searstown is open 7 days per week and is located at 3224 N. Roosevelt Boulevard in Key West. Appointments may be scheduled online at KeysMedicalGroup.com.
 
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, and American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center.

​Five Days of Music, Memory, and Island Magic Begin Thursday, August 28

​KEY WEST, FL – This Labor Day weekend, Just a Few Friends returns to Key West for its second year of unforgettable events celebrating the life, music, and laid-back legacy of the island’s favorite son. From Thursday, August 28 through Monday, September 1, the island will come alive with music, parades, and heartfelt gatherings that capture the spirit of the man who helped put Key West on the map.
 
The weekend kicks off Friday morning with an all-volunteer effort led by Plogging the Keys and the City of Key West to pick up trash from the Historic Waterfront. At 11 am, a Proclamation Ceremony at Shrimp Boat Sound Studios, where Vice Mayor Donie Lee will officially declare August 30 Jimmy Buffett Day in Key West. The Key West High School Marching Band, one of the festival’s charity beneficiaries, will perform, and Lucy Buffett will accept the proclamation on behalf of her brother.
 
On Sunday, August 31, the festival reaches its emotional peak with the Second Line Memorial Parade, starting at 5:00 p.m. in the 100 block of Duval Street. Fans in tropical wear, with instruments, bubbles, and placards in hand, will march through Old Town and arrive at Truman Waterfront Park for the free Party in the Park, presented by The Greeen House. The concert lineup features local trop rock musician Jocky Jord, Nadirah Shakoor, longtime Coral Reefer vocalist, Howard Livingston & the Mile Marker 24 Band, and special guest Lucy Buffett, who will greet the crowd following the parade. Festival goers can enjoy food trucks, bars, local artisans, interactive photo ops, the Greeen Bar hospitality tent, and the Friends of Bubba Memorial Wall, where attendees are encouraged to light a free candle and leave photos or mementos honoring the man who inspired the celebration.
 
Other highlights include:

• Friday’s Cheeseburger on the Beach Contest with Landshark at the Southernmost Beach Resort
• Saturday’s Milagro Margarita Bar Stroll with two routes and 21 bars
• Two Sunset Pier concerts—Roger Bartlett & the Nautical Wheelers on Saturday and Will Kimbrough, Bubbles Up collaborator, on Monday
• A “Pencil Thin Mustache” contest at the infamous Chart Room at the Pier House on Monday
• Throughout the weekend, festivalgoers can also enjoy sunset cruises, brunches, tiki boat tours, walking and trolley tours, a 5K fun run, movie nights, author talks and book signings, pool parties, and more.

 
Collectible souvenir Event Badges are still available for a $45 donation and unlock access to both Sunset Pier concerts, exclusive areas at Party in the Park, a pool party at Margaritaville Resort and special offers from local businesses. Guests may order online now and pick up their badges by showing a receipt at Key West First Legal Rum during regular hours. Badge proceeds benefit Reef Relief, Bahama Village Music Program, and the Key West High School Marching Band.
 
“This event is about remembering and celebrating a lifestyle that’s uniquely Key West,” said co-organizer Paul Menta. “It’s music, friends, and sunshine—what more do you need?”
 
More than a tribute, Just a Few Friends is a community-driven celebration that brings locals and visitors together during one of Key West’s historically quietest weekends. Dozens of businesses—from bars and hotels to musicians, artisans, and nonprofit organizations—benefit directly and indirectly from the added foot traffic, bookings, and charitable contributions. As the summer season winds down, this event helps keep the island’s creative energy—and its economy—alive and thriving.
 
Find the full schedule and badge info at www.justafewfriendskeywest.com.

KEY WEST, FL, August 28, 2025— The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) Foundation received $26,761 from the Lower Keys Women’s Club (LKWC) to establish an endowment to support the nursing scholarship they have funded for the last 58 years. The endowed portion of the donation will be invested, and its returns will be used to fund scholarship awards for student nurses in perpetuity. The expansion of this scholarship program comes as both CFK and LKWC celebrate their 60th anniversaries.
 
“While we have awarded CFK nursing scholarships since 1967, endowing our scholarship is a major milestone to secure that legacy into the future,” said Fran Martini, LKWC President. “Our members can take pride in their hard work to achieve this level of impact and enjoy watching it grow to help aspiring nurses in our community for years to come.”
 
The club fundraises throughout the year for the scholarship, and recently launched a new initiative, the Flamingo Friends of LKWC, to further enhance their support.
 
The LKWC Nursing Scholarship is $1,000 and available to students who are pursuing an Associate in Science in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at CFK. To be eligible, a student must be a Monroe County or Miami Dade resident, satisfy a minimum of eight credit hours for the award term and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applications for the LKWC scholarship and other opportunities for the spring semester will be open in mid-September. Interested students are encouraged to explore scholarship opportunities on the College’s website at: www.cfk.edu/discover/cfk-foundation/scholarship-info.
 
For more information about donating to the CFK Foundation to benefit CFK students and programs, contact Dr. Lana Gaspari, CFK Vice President of Advancement and CFK Foundation Executive Director, at 305-809-3214 or [email protected].

Additional information about scholarship opportunities and resources to help students pay for college, such as federal aid and tuition payment plans, can be found on CFK’s website at cfk.edu/paying-for-college/.

​MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County announces Nicole Petrick, Code Compliance Liaison to the Special Magistrate, has been named Monroe County’s Employee of the Second Quarter 2025 for her exceptional dedication, professionalism, and long-standing commitment to serving the community.
 
Petrick has served Monroe County citizens for 25 years and is recognized for her in-depth knowledge of county operations, as well as her positive attitude, collaborative spirit, and consistent willingness to exceed her regular duties.
 
Her responsibilities include managing Special Magistrate hearings, preparing documents for judges, responding to public inquiries, assisting inspectors and county attorneys, and coordinating public records requests and monthly departmental agendas.
 
Nicole’s organizational skills and attention to detail have been key in ensuring smooth operations within the department,” said Director of Code Compliance Cynthia McPherson. “She conducts herself with professionalism and goes above and beyond daily to communicate, supply information, and meet deadlines.”
 
Coworker Gabriela Henri nominated her, highlighting her positive influence on workplace morale, noting that her supportive approach creates a collaborative environment that enhances both staff experiences and public service delivery.

August 26, 2025 – (KEY WEST, FL).  The Key West Art & Historical Society is now accepting submissions for its upcoming juried exhibition, “Shadow & Light: Island Contrast,” opening December 3, 2025, at the Key West Museum of Art & History.  The exhibit invites artists living and working in the Florida Keys to explore the transformative relationship between natural light and the everyday world through visual art.

Opening December 3, 2025, and running through February 15, 2026, “Shadow & Light” encourages artists to step outdoors and observe how light transforms their surroundings.  Whether literal or abstract, the works should evoke wonder, introspection, and a sense of connection to nature’s elemental forces.

Submissions are now open and will be accepted through October 27, 2025, at www.kwahs.org/shadow-light.  All mediums are welcome, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, encaustic, pencil, sculpture, and mixed media.  Work must be original, created within the last three years, and not previously exhibited at the museum.  Each artist may submit one piece. A $25 submission fee helps offset exhibition costs.

The exhibition will be juried by a panel of local arts professionals: Dr. Cori Convertito, Curator for the Key West Art & Historical Society; Elena Devers, Deputy Director of The Studios of Key West; Jane Grannis, Vice President of Anne McKee Artists Fund; and Carole Garcia, Chairperson of the annual Anne McKee Art Auction.

Artists will be notified of acceptance by November 14.  Accepted works must be delivered between November 24–26.  The opening reception will take place on December 3, and the exhibition runs through February 15, 2026.  Please note that artwork will not be available for sale during the exhibition.

For full guidelines and to submit work, visit www.kwahs.org/shadow-light
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Your Museums.  Your Community.  It takes an Island.

Key West, FL – August 26, 2025: The Key West Business Guild invites the public to a special community meeting on Thursday, August 28, 2025, to discuss the future of the city’s iconic rainbow crosswalks. The meeting will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Frederick Douglass Community Center (111 Olivia St.), with doors opening at 5:30 PM.

The meeting, moderated by Key West Business Guild Board President, Dr. Cori Convertito, will bring together city leaders, advocates, and community voices to provide updates on the legal status of the crosswalks, reflect on their history and significance, and explore contingency plans should removal move forward.

Panelists include:

·Brian Barroso, City Manager – Legal and procedural updates on the removal request.
·Joe Saunders, Equality Florida – Advocacy insights and statewide context for LGBTQ+ visibility.
·Additional Community Historians/Advocates – Reflections on the original installation of the crosswalks and their meaning for Key West.

The evening will feature a panel discussion followed by an open community dialogue, where residents will be invited to share their perspectives and ideas. A key focus of the discussion will be exploring alternatives to preserve LGBTQ+ visibility and safety in the event the crosswalks are removed.

These crosswalks are not just symbols of LGBTQ+ pride; they are a reflection the spirit of Key West, a community that values diversity, freedom, and self-expression. Their removal, driven by outside political overreach and pressure, sends a troubling message: that decisions made by and for this community can be overridden without our input.," said Rob Dougherty, Executive Director of the Key West Business Guild. “This meeting will give our community a chance to hear the facts, provide input, and work together on how we move forward.”

Meeting Details:
Date: Thursday, August 28, 2025
Time: 6:00–8:00 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM)
 Location: Frederick Douglass Community Center – 111 Olivia St.
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This event is free and open to the public. All are encouraged to attend, listen, and participate in shaping the next chapter of Key West’s commitment to LGBTQ+ visibility and pride.

​FLORIDA KEYS, FL – Monroe County Fire Rescue (MCFR) and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) took delivery of the first of three new Trauma Star air ambulances at the Marathon hangar on Monday. The Trauma Star program is a partnership between the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners and MCSO. Trauma Star provides flights to mainland hospitals for critical patients in need of specialized care.
 
On average, Trauma Star provides nearly 1,400 flights annually, with three to four flights per day. According to Sheriff Rick Ramsay, Trauma Star is one of the top five busiest air ambulance programs in the United States. The three new helicopters will replace the three helicopters in the fleet that are more than 20 years old and are no longer in production, making it difficult to find parts when needed.
 
“This state-of-the-art aircraft will serve as the flagship of our life-saving fleet and represents our continued commitment to safety, rapid medical care, and protecting lives,” said MCFR Chief R.L. Colina.
 
The new helicopter’s range also enables emergency rescues in the Dry Tortugas, allowing flights to Miami's critical care centers without needing to refuel en route. Additionally, the capacity allows for two adult patients to be flown in one helicopter at a time, which cannot be achieved with the current aircraft.
 
The funding comes from the infrastructure penny sales tax, approved by a referendum. The infrastructure sales tax is paid by Monroe County residents and visitors when buying items, not through property taxes.
 
The second and third helicopters are expected to arrive in the coming weeks. The pilots and crew are continuing training, and the new helicopters are expected to be in service starting in October. 

BAHIA HONDA KEY, FL – Monroe County removed a 53-foot trawler that has been aground offshore of Bahia Honda State Park since April 2025. The vessel was visible from U.S. 1. All derelict vessel removals are conducted under a Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary permit.
 
This project was supported by Monroe County’s $3 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) contract with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which is dedicated to accelerating derelict vessel removals throughout the Florida Keys. The contract enables the county to respond more quickly to problem vessels, thereby reducing environmental damage and enhancing waterway safety.
 
“Each removal reduces the risk to navigation, the environment, and public safety,” said Senior Administrator for Marine Resources Brittany Burtner. “By acting quickly and in partnership with state and federal agencies, we continue to make meaningful progress in protecting Florida Keys waters and natural resources.”
 
Monroe County, in collaboration with its partners, responds to dozens of grounded and derelict vessels each year. For more information on Monroe County’s derelict and abandoned vessel program, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/marineresources.

​MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County now offers payment for building permits via eCheck. An eCheck is an electronic version of a paper check, which allows customers to authorize payments directly from their bank accounts.
 
This additional payment method was requested by county staff to the software vendor to allow customers an alternative method to credit card payments, providing customers with a fast, simple, and inexpensive way of making payments without the need to visit our offices, thereby saving customers valuable time. The eCheck transaction payment cost is $1 per transaction, regardless of the permit payment amount.
 
An eCheck processes more efficiently than paper checks, utilizes advanced security protections, is cost-effective, and allows customers to make payments online from anywhere, at any time.
 
"We are providing this payment method as another option for busy individuals in our effort to continue to improve our permitting services," said Permitting Administrative Director Ed Koconis. "We encourage those needing building permits to try this new payment method."