MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Emergency Management is coordinating preparation efforts with local, state, and federal partners due to the threat of Tropical Storm Rafael to the Florida Keys. To receive Monroe County Emergency Management news and informational updates by text message or email, sign up at www.monroecountyem.com/alertmonroe. The Joint Information Center is being updated in real-time at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/JIC with local closures and recommendations from officials. The latest updates are on the website; here are some of the highlights: Latest Updates:
Residents should secure their homes, yards, and boats, as significant weather impacts to the Florida Keys are most likely to occur starting early Wednesday morning. According to the National Weather Service in Key West, impacts may include:
Please begin your preparedness activities, including:
Additional preparedness information can be found at www.monroecountyem.com.
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MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County offices will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Several events take place on Veterans Day to honor Veterans in the Florida Keys.
Monroe County Veterans Affairs is co-hosting a Veterans Day ceremony with Key Largo VFW Post 10211 to honor all who served on Monday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo. The Key Largo Community Band will be playing a selection of patriotic songs. The U.S. Coast Guard Color Guard will be presenting the colors. Also at the Murray Nelson Government Center, the American Legion Post 145 is sponsoring a Big Red Bus blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. During the same time in Key West, Monroe County Veterans Affairs staff will also participate in the wreath-laying ceremony honoring Veterans at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Garden at Bayview Park in Key West. Other events taking place include:
Veterans Day celebrates the formal ending of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 and is a national holiday observed for all honorably discharged Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. “Veterans Day is a time to honor all United States veterans for their unwavering service and sacrifices for our country,” said Monroe County Veterans Affairs Director Cathy Crane. “Engaging in Veterans Day events is an impactful way to express our patriotism and deep pride for those for those who bravely served.” MONROE COUNTY, FL--The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners wants to remind boat owners in the Florida Keys that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is accepting applications for its Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP), a key component of Florida’s derelict vessel prevention program. VTIP is a voluntary program designed to help owners dispose of their unwanted at-risk vessels before they become derelict. Upon approval of an application, VTIP will take a surrendered vessel and dispose of it at no cost to the boat owner. Removing the vessel before it deteriorates into a derelict condition prevents legal ramifications for the vessel’s owner and protects Florida’s valuable seagrasses, marine life, and human safety and property. A derelict vessel in state waters is a criminal offense and can carry serious penalties, fines, or possible jail time. To qualify for VTIP, a vessel must be floating on state of Florida waters and cannot already be determined derelict by law enforcement. The owner must have at least one written at-risk warning or citation and possess a clear title to the vessel. To apply for or view program guidelines, visit MyFWC.com/VTIP or call the FWC Boating and Waterways Division at 850-488-5600 for more information. Drop-off locations:
Drop-off schedule:
For any questions, please email [email protected]. MONROE COUNTY, FL--Unincorporated Monroe County will soon have new 96-gallon garbage carts delivered, with continued twice-weekly collection. The new carts are for garbage collection only. Regular cans will continue to be used for yard waste, and the blue carts for recycling.
Beginning in November 2024, carts will be distributed to the residential/physical address on file with Monroe County for the Lower Keys (Stock Island to south of the 7 Mile Bridge) and beginning in December 2024, for the Middle and Upper Keys. While carts will be delivered throughout November and December, please do not start using the new carts until the week of Dec. 29. Things to know: • Carts will be dropped off curbside. Please ensure you or someone else (e.g., neighbor, renter, property manager, friend) can move your cart up next to your home, garage, back door, etc. It is your responsibility as a homeowner to secure and take care of the cart. If you are unavailable, please arrange to secure your cart after delivery. • Do not start using your cart until the week beginning Dec. 29. After this date, 32-gallon cans/receptacles will no longer be an acceptable means for garbage collection but should still be used for yard waste. • Lids should always be latched to keep trash contained from animals and winds. Garbage should not be placed on top of the lid or on the ground. All garbage should be placed in a cart. Garbage not in the cart will not be picked up. • After collection, the cart must be removed from the curbside and returned to the side yard, corner of the house, back yard, or under the house for proper storage. • Resident is responsible for the replacement cost of lost, stolen, or damaged carts. • Residential communities (condominiums, cooperatives, apartment complexes, etc.) that receive dumpster service will not be issued a 96-gallon cart. Residential communities should contact their local hauler with questions. • If one 96-gallon cart is insufficient for your residence, you can contact your local hauler for additional cart(s) at an additional fee. For additional questions you may have, email [email protected]. BIG PINE KEY, FL – A contractor for Monroe County Engineering Services will start repair work on the No Name Key Bridge that leads from Big Pine Key to No Name Key on Monday, Nov. 4. Work will include repairing or replacing damaged guardrail and traffic railing, restoration of embankment slope, repairing and replacing rip-rap cement around end bent and abutments, and removing debris under the bridge deposited from storms. The contractor will have traffic detours set up as needed during operations and will have environmental controls such as a turbidity barrier in place. Weather permitting, the contractor expects to finish work by late December, earlier than the 240 days that is contracted. MONROE COUNTY, FL – The UF/IFAS Monroe County Extension Services Master Gardener volunteers recently received an Award of Excellence for Master Gardeners Volunteer Team at the Florida State Master Gardener Conference.
“This is a first for our program and we competed against teams from much larger counties,” said Monroe County Extension Director Alicia Betancourt. “This group of five have assisted Florida Keys residents with horticultural issues and have created a blueprint for a virtual approach to assisting our community in widespread gardening and planting areas.” A special thank you and congratulations to volunteers Kitty Somerville, Susie Reutling, Sharon Thomas, Barbara Martinkosky, and Karen Sunderland. The virtual Master Gardeners help desk can be reached at [email protected] or 305-292-4501. The Extension Services continue to offer free plant clinics throughout the Florida Keys: Upper Keys
Middle Keys
Lower Keys
To learn more about the Extension Services or to sign up for the monthly newsletter, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/extensionservices. COUNTY TO DISCUSS CLERK OF COURT AUDIT ON TDC’S WEBSITE AND DIGITAL SERVICES AT NOV. 19 MEETING10/24/2024 MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller released an audit of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council’s (TDC) website and digital services. The audit reviewed the services provided by Two Oceans Digital to the TDC as contracted by the Board of County Commissioners over the past three fiscal years (2021-2023). The audit identified 30 findings, including issues with the TDC’s competitive solicitation process and its contract structure with Two Oceans Digital. Key recommendations include re-evaluating the contract and the potential need to re-bid the website services. “We take these audit findings seriously, and in the interest of transparency and accountability, the County Commission will review the audit findings, the current contract, and discuss the appropriate course of action,” said Monroe County Administrator Christine Hurley. “Ensuring the responsible use of public funds is a top priority for Monroe County.” The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners will discuss the audit findings and the TDC’s contract with Two Oceans Digital during its regularly scheduled Nov. 19 meeting. The report can be found at www.monroe-clerk.com/finance-reports. KEY WEST, FL – The 16th Annual Southeast Florida Regional Climate Leadership Summit will be held Dec. 16-18 in Key West at the Casa Marina Resort. Monroe County hosts this year's summit on behalf of the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact. All five local municipalities, Key West, Layton, Marathon, Key Colony Beach, and Islamorada, are joining as co-hosts. Summit speakers and participants will engage in "Keys to Resilience" themed topics for South Florida's resilient future. The theme reflects the Compact's commitment to planning and implementing climate change adaptation and resiliency strategies. Public, nonprofit, and business experts will lead sessions on adaptation and mitigation projects in the Florida Keys and Southeast Florida, cutting-edge modeling tools and the rapidly evolving landscape of sea-level rise. Elected officials and county administrators will discuss the successes and challenges of moving resilience strategies forward. "This year's summit will focus on project implementation to help slow or avoid the effects of climate change and the specific resilience projects that are being implemented locally to manage the effects of the rising seas," said Monroe County Chief Resilience Officer Rhonda Haag. "This unique collaborative effort between the region's four counties was the first of its kind and is now being duplicated in other areas due to its success and effectiveness in developing resilience solutions." The Compact was created in 2010 by Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties to coordinate and collaborate on climate change action across county lines and is internationally recognized as a leading example of regional-scale climate action. The summit is a major annual event, typically bringing together more than 500 thinkers and leaders from business, government, higher education, and nonprofits for discussions and networking. To learn more about the Compact, visit www.southeastfloridaclimatecompact.org. Monroe County previously hosted the annual conference in 2011, 2015, and 2019. To learn more about the summit or to register for the 3-day conference, visit www.southeastfloridaclimatecompact.org/summits. There is a $450 registration fee for the event. Registration closes on Nov. 15. Tickets will not be available at the door. MARATHON, FL – Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln cordially invites the community to a public in-person meeting hosted by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Monroe County regarding the future of transportation in the state taking place on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Marathon Government Center.
“Imagine if Henry Flagler had invited you to brainstorm the future of transportation,” said Lincoln. “Just like his vision connected the Florida Keys, let’s bridge the gap to 2055 together. Join us for an inspiring session where your input will shape the future of travel. Your ideas matter – let’s build the road ahead.” Community members are invited to participate, and attendees can collaborate with transportation partners on the 2055 Florida Transportation Plan (FTP) update, provide input on the statewide transportation plan development, and learn more about the FTP development process. Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, from 10 a.m. to noon Marathon Government Center 2798 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 FDOT began the FTP update in May 2024 to develop Florida’s statewide plan guiding our transportation future. Community engagement is critical to the FTP development to ensure that the plan reflects the needs and priorities of Florida’s residents, visitors, and all transportation system users. In addition to the in-person meeting, a virtual open house will be held Nov. 7-22, 2024, on the FTP website at www.FloridaFTP.com/resources. The virtual open house will include the same presentation materials and an opportunity to provide comments. For more information on the FTP, visit www.floridaftp.com. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact [email protected] at least seven days before the meeting. |
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