KEY WEST, Fla. (October 31, 2025) – Lower Keys Medical Center, Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) and Florida Department of Health – Monroe County are recognizing World Diabetes Day by hosting a community event focused on health, wellness, disease prevention and community connection.
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On November 14, 2025, the public is invited to stop in to the Community Health of South Florida, Inc. Key West Health Center at 727 Fort Street in Key West from 11 am – 3 pm and enjoy light snacks, tours of the CHI facility, interactive health activities, free health screenings including blood pressure and glucose testing, nutrition presentations, prizes, giveaways, and free gifts cards courtesy of CHI, while supplies last.
 
“According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes affects more than 38 million adults and children in the U.S., and is the 7th leading cause of death,” said Marianne Finizio, Vice President of Community Relations and Business Development for CHI. “We wanted to host a fun community outreach event where residents could also learn how to take charge of their health through preventive care, healthy habits, and knowledge about diabetes and early detection.”
 
Lower Keys Medical Center recently made a donation to Community Health of South Florida to support its community outreach efforts and contribute to the health of the community. “We respect and support the outreach and education that CHI provides,” said Drew Bigby, CEO of Lower Keys Medical Center. “This collaboration with CHI, Florida Health, and other healthcare organizations helps us fulfill our mission to help people get well and live healthier.”
 
For more information about the Diabetes Day event, contact (786)272-2100.

​MONROE COUNTY, FL – In advance of Veterans Day, Monroe County is illuminating the Harvey Government Center and the Historic Gato Building in Key West and the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo green from Nov. 3 through Nov. 11 as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort uniting counties to support military Veterans. Veterans Day is Nov. 11. The initiative, led by the National Association of Counties, raises awareness about the unique challenges many Veterans face and the resources available at the county, state, and federal levels to assist Veterans and their families. This is the fourth year Monroe County has participated in the initiative.
 
Residents, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to participate by changing one light bulb at their home to a green one.
 
“Lighting up Monroe County in green is a small gesture that carries a big message: we see our Veterans, we thank them, and we are here to support them,” said Cathy Crane, Director of Community Services. “As we mark our fourth year participating in Operation Green Light, we invite the entire community to join us in this unified display of gratitude.”
 
For more information on Operation Green Light, visit https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans. To learn more about Monroe County Veterans Affairs and the services offered, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/va. 

October 31, 2025 – (KEY WEST, FL).  The Key West Art and Historical Society (KWAHS) has received a $100,000 challenge grant from heirs of George and Adela Kantor and Arthur and Gladys Mulberg, honoring their families’ long history in Key West.  Funds raised through the end of 2025 will support the ongoing elevator replacement project and future building preservation efforts at the Key West Museum of Art and History at the Custom House.

The museum’s original elevator, installed in the mid-1990s during landmark restoration efforts overseen by architect Bert Bender of Bender & Associates Architects, P.A., served visitors for nearly three decades before ceasing operation in March 2023.  Demolition and structural work, led by Marino Construction, began in August and is nearing completion.  Elevator installation by TK Elevator is scheduled to begin in November.

Due to an expanding scope of work and increased material costs driven by tariffs, the total project budget rose to over $545,000.  To date, $525,829 has been raised through generous support from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, the Dogwood Foundation, Mr. Thomas Kenan III, the Edward B. Knight and Joan T. Knight Foundation, the Fran Sessa and Norman Hunt Charitable Fund, and numerous individual donors.

“The Society is truly grateful for the Kantor and Mulberg heirs’ generosity and for the community support in raising the much-needed funding to replace the Custom House’s elevator,” said Michael F. Gieda, Executive Director.  “Our highest priority is ensuring the museum is fully ADA accessible, so visitors of all abilities can enjoy the museum.  Without an operating elevator, access has been limited to the first floor.”
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Tax-deductible donations toward the elevator and ongoing preservation projects can be made online at kwahs.org/donate-elevator, by check, or via stock transfer.  Contributions may also be made through the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys’ Custom House Preservation Fund.

​ BIG PINE KEY – Monroe County Fire Rescue Chief R.L. Colina and Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay will be giving an opening speech at the Tunnels to Towers Foundation 5K on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 8:30 a.m. at the Big Pine Key Community Park. The foundation supports our nation's fallen and catastrophically injured first responders, military heroes, and their families, created in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001. Nicole Gerrard and Naima Thomas (wife and daughter of the late Monroe County Fire Rescue Firefighter Herve Thomas), along with Tunnels to Towers, are hosting the event. Many Monroe County firefighters and sheriff officers will be participating in the event.
 
To register for the 5K, donate, or volunteer, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/BigPineKey/TunneltoTowers5KRunWalkBigPineKeyFL or www.t2t.org. Email [email protected] for more information.

City officials, partnering agencies, and the community celebrated the grand opening of the Lofts in Bahama Village this morning. The project, located at the Truman Waterfront Park, includes 98 rental and 28 homeownership affordable units.

The Lofts of Bahama Village is a joint effort between the City, AH Monroe, and VestCor. The City of Key West deeded the 3.2 acres to VestCor, which partnered with AH Monroe as a sponsor. The land was originally transferred to City ownership from the federal government in the late 90s.

“Today, we gather not just to open a new housing development, but to celebrate a promise kept, a dream realized, and a future strengthened,” said Key West Mayor Danise “DeeDee” Henriquez. “The Lofts at Bahama Village are more than buildings, they are opportunity. This development gives our local workforce, our families, and our young people a chance to live, work, and thrive right here at home.”

The housing is the crowning glory of the redevelopment of the old Navy property. The Truman Waterfront Park, with its soccer field, green space, waterfront promenade, and amphitheater, is the crown jewel of Key West.

“I want to thank the previous City Commissioners, the Bahama Village Redevelopment Advisory Committee, the Key West Housing Authority, the Vestcor team, the State of Florida, AH, Toppino's and every partner who played a role in bringing this project to life,” said Mayor Henriquez. “Most importantly, I want to thank the residents, the people of Bahama Village, who made their voices heard and helped shape what this project would become. Your input, your pride, and your love for this community guided us every step of the way.”
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The Mayor and every speaker at today’s ribbon cutting ceremony said whole-heartedly “Welcome home!”

KEY WEST, FL, October 30, 2025— The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) will present how Monroe County high school students can get a head start on college at a virtual information session on Wednesday, November 5 at 5:30 p.m. All students and their parents/ guardians are invited to explore the Dual Enrollment program and learn about the pathways to and benefits of simultaneously earning college and high school credits at no cost to the student, potentially saving families thousands of dollars.

The virtual event will cover the advantages of taking Dual Enrollment classes, requirements to participate, and the application process.
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Interested students and parents can sign up for the event and learn more about the Dual Enrollment program by visiting the CFK’s website at www.CFK.edu/DE. For more information, contact Marissa Owens, Manager of Recruitment, at [email protected] or 305-809-3207.

The Honorable Mayor Danise Henriquez has been selected by the Florida League of Cities (FLC) to serve on one of its five Legislative Policy Committees. Recognized for her expertise in taxation, Mayor Henriquez is currently serving on the Finance and Taxation Committee, which is responsible for developing the League’s Legislative Platform — outlining priority issues most likely to impact municipal governance and local decision-making in the upcoming legislative session.

During the FY-2025 session, the Committee prioritized reviewing proposed legislation related to property tax reductions and exemptions. The FLC’s Legislative Priority on Property Taxes supports preserving the ability of municipalities to levy property taxes, which fund essential services such as infrastructure, police, fire, and emergency response. The League cautions that further exemptions or reductions could create inequities and unfairly shift the tax burden onto families, homeowners, renters, businesses, and vulnerable residents.

FLC’s FY-2025 Policy Position supported maintaining municipal authority to collect local business taxes to promote economic growth, ensure public safety, deliver emergency services, and advance community development.

As a member of the Finance and Taxation Committee, Mayor Henriquez will contribute to developing the FY-2026 Legislative Priorities and Policy Positions to be presented to the State of Florida.
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Proposed property tax related bills are captured here:  https://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/1178/Intergovernmental-and-Legislative-Affairs

​Every year, the Key West Fire Department proclaims all of October as Fire Prevention Month. And each year generous businesses in the community donate smoke alarms to ensure the safety of our community.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, there were 3,670 fire deaths in the U.S. in 2023. Smoke alarms are one of the most important ways to avoid fire deaths.

The Key West Fire Department takes fire prevention seriously all year long. During Fire Prevention Month, members of the department reach out to the community and to school children, teaching the best practices for fire safety.

This week members of the Fire Department accepted a donation of smoke alarms from the Opal Key Resort. Each year, the resort, along with Strunk Ace Hardware, donate alarms that the Department can distribute free to the community.

Fire Marshal Jason Barroso wants to remind the community that the detectors are available at the Central Fire Station #1 at 1600 North Roosevelt Blvd.
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“We want to thank Chris Guay and D.J. McCarthy of Opal Key Resort as well as Andy Strunk of Strunk Ace Hardware for generously donating the detectors,” said Barroso. “Stay safe and always have a fire safety plan.”

​STOCK ISLAND, FL – Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez met with Mayor Jim Scholl, District 1 County Commissioner Craig Cates, and Marine Resources Administrator Brittany Burtner today to present $1.65 million for funding the construction of the shoreside facility needed at the Boca Chica Mooring Field project. The county also thanks Representative Jim Mooney, the state legislature, and Gov. Ron DeSantis for the funding. The facilities will include restrooms, a dockmaster’s office, a sewage pump-out station, and recycling areas.
 
“This project is a game-changer for the lower Florida Keys,” said Cates, who has been championing the mooring field in his district. “By managing this harbor, we’re taking a huge step forward in protecting our marine environment, improving public safety, and supporting our liveaboard community.”
 
The project supports Florida’s statutory requirements for creating a designated, regulated anchorage under Section 327.4108, and it will help protect sensitive marine habitats by reducing damage from unmanaged anchoring, enhancing public safety, and providing needed shoreside infrastructure to support the boating community.
 
Monroe County has worked for over two decades to create a managed mooring field in the harbor. The harbor has long served as an unmanaged anchorage, resulting in significant environmental damage to coral, seagrass, and water quality. It is also home to numerous derelict vessels and has been plagued by improper waste disposal.
 
“The mooring field and facility will also help decrease the risk of vessel groundings, which can lead to fuel, oil, and sewage leaks in sensitive habitats and enable better regulation of vessel activity, including monitoring of vessel condition, proper sewage discharge, and use of pump-out services,” said Burtner.
 
It has been over 23 years since a public mooring field was established in the Florida Keys.
 
The mooring field will implement environmentally friendly anchoring systems that prevent damage to the harbor’s seafloor, enabling seagrasses and other marine ecosystems to recover and thrive. Additionally, the shoreside facilities will provide regulated access for boaters, enhancing safety and cleanliness in the area.
 
For more information, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/marineresources.

​The Key West Police Department is ready for Halloween! Our Mounted Unit will be patrolling the New Town neighborhoods where most of the local trick-or-treating happens. During this special night for kids, there are a few tips to remember to keep our kids and community safe:

When little ghosts and goblins take to the streets, the biggest threat they face is motor vehicle traffic -- something for parents and drivers to keep in mind.

For motorists, extreme caution is the rule for Halloween night. Be prepared for children to run across the street, come out of nowhere, and be oblivious to traffic.

Children should be accompanied by adults when trick-or-treating. A responsible grown-up will be the person with a flashlight, leading the way when there’s a need to cross the street. Reflective tape or reflective costumes make children highly visible and much safer.

Surprisingly, simply falling down is also a leading cause of accidental injury on Halloween, the result of children tripping on their own costumes. Make sure their costume fits well and check that the child can see through any mask that he or she might be wearing.

Older children and teenagers need to be reminded that Halloween trick-or-treating is okay but vandalism will not be tolerated. Any deliberate act that damages property or causes harm to another person is a crime and police officers will treat it as such.
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In addition to protecting children this Halloween, it is also important to protect property as well. Battery powered lights are always a safer alternative to candles inside pumpkins. If you decide to use candles, never leave them unattended, and make sure children are never left unsupervised around them.