MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln and the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners have proclaimed March as American Red Cross Month, recognizing the humanitarian work of the organization and the volunteers who serve the Florida Keys.

For more than 145 years, the American Red Cross has provided relief, comfort, and hope to people facing emergencies and disasters. Red Cross volunteers and employees respond to disasters, support military members, Veterans, and their families, help collect life-saving blood donations, and teach skills such as first aid and CPR.

“In Monroe County, we are fortunate to have dedicated volunteers who step forward when our neighbors need help most,” said Lincoln. “The American Red Cross plays an important role in our community, and we are proud to recognize its continued service and the many residents who support its mission.”

Community members interested in learning more about the American Red Cross or volunteering can visit www.redcross.org/local/florida/south-florida or call 305-644-1200.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County continues advancing a wide range of resilience projects designed to address flooding, sea level rise, and water quality improvements throughout the Florida Keys. Chief Resilience Officer Rhonda Haag recently shared updates on the county’s ongoing initiatives, which include infrastructure improvements, shoreline protection, and canal restoration efforts across multiple communities. 

“Monroe County is working proactively to address flooding and sea level rise while protecting homes, infrastructure, and our natural environment,” said Haag. “These projects are helping the Florida Keys remain resilient for future generations.”

Some of the highlights include:

Several roadway adaptation projects are underway or in development to reduce flooding impacts and improve stormwater management in vulnerable neighborhoods. Projects include roadway elevation and modern engineered drainage systems designed to function even during high groundwater conditions common in the Keys. 

Additional resilience efforts include repairs to breakwaters damaged during Hurricane Irma, which help protect waterfront homes while improving canal water quality, and the incorporation of mangroves and other living shoreline features to stabilize shorelines and enhance marine habitat. 

Monroe County’s canal restoration program continues to remove organic muck buildup in canals, among other restoration techniques,  to improve oxygen levels, water quality, and marine life habitat while reducing stagnant “dead zones.” Upcoming canal update meetings on March 17 and 19 are available at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/calendar.  

The resilience office also works closely with Florida Keys municipalities to coordinate regional planning efforts, vulnerability assessments, and watershed management initiatives to strengthen the long-term resilience of communities throughout the island chain. 

Public outreach and community engagement remain key to these efforts as Monroe County continues working with residents and local partners to plan and implement solutions that protect the Florida Keys from the impacts of rising seas and increased flooding.

To view the most recent presentation or learn more about resilience efforts, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/resilience.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County will host three virtual public meetings to provide residents with an update on the county’s Canal Restoration Program and ongoing efforts to improve water quality in Florida Keys canals. Each meeting will have the same content.

Virtual Public Meeting Dates:
• Tuesday, March 17, 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 19, noon
• Thursday, March 19, 5:30 p.m.

Zoom details for each event are available at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/calendar.

The Florida Keys contain approximately 170 miles of canals created decades ago during dredge-and-fill development to create waterfront property. Monroe County has been working with state and federal partners for more than a decade to study, prioritize, and restore impaired canals.

During the meetings, staff will provide a history of canal development in the Florida Keys, explain why canal restoration is necessary, and share updates on the county’s Canal Restoration Work Plan and ongoing projects. Residents will also learn about best management practices that can help maintain water quality in canals and can ask questions.

For more information on Monroe County’s canal programs, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/canals.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, and Growth Management Director Emily Schemper recently proclaimed March 9–15 as Monroe County Flood Awareness Week. The week is recognized statewide by the Florida Floodplain Managers Association to encourage residents to learn about flood risks, flood insurance, and steps they can take to protect their homes and families.

Flooding can impact homes and buildings across the county. Understanding flood hazards and taking steps to prepare can significantly reduce damage and improve community resilience.

“Flood awareness is especially important in coastal communities like the Florida Keys,” said Lincoln. “Staff works year-round to maintain floodplain management standards, help residents understand their flood risk, and provide guidance on building and mitigation practices that improve safety and resilience.”

Throughout Flood Awareness Week, Monroe County encourages residents to take simple, important steps, such as checking FEMA flood maps to understand their property’s risk, reviewing whether they have flood insurance, creating disaster-preparedness plans, and learning ways to reduce potential damage to homes and property. Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States, but planning and investing in mitigation measures can reduce impacts.

Residents can learn more about flood risks, preparedness resources, and flood insurance at monroecounty-fl.gov/flood, fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program, and floridadisaster.org/planprepare.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Construction crews will be on-site at two Card Sound Road bridges to continue work on Tubby’s Creek Bridge and start the preliminary work of clearing vegetation from roadway shoulders and widening the pavement at Mosquito Creek Bridge. The Mosquito Creek Bridge construction project will begin on March 12. The small bridges are about 3,500 feet apart.

The contractor will close the westbound lane to traffic and set up temporary traffic signals to alternate bi-directional traffic to one lane on both bridges. (This is currently happening on Tubby’s Creek Bridge already and will start happening on Mosquito Creek Bridge on March 12.) The bridges will remain one lane with alternating traffic throughout the project. Traffic signal timing will be adjusted in the morning and afternoon to accommodate additional traffic to and from the Ocean Reef community.

Updates will be provided throughout the project's construction phases. This project has an estimated construction duration of approximately 18 months, weather-dependent.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln and Commissioner Jim Scholl recently took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Six Transportation Management Center in Miami for an in-depth look at the technology used to monitor and manage traffic throughout South Florida and the Florida Keys. They met with District Six Secretary Daniel Iglesias and other key staff members. 

County representatives also included County Attorney Bob Shillinger, Growth Management Director Emily Schemper, Public Information Officer Kristen Livengood, Executive Aide Kacey Hunt, and Leo Morin of Public Works. 

The visit focused on FDOT’s Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSM&O) program, which uses real-time data, advanced traffic signal coordination, and integrated communication systems to improve roadway performance, reduce congestion, and enhance safety without requiring major roadway expansion. The program focuses on maximizing the efficiency of existing infrastructure through innovation, data, and collaboration.

“This tour really highlighted how much is happening to keep traffic moving safely and efficiently along U.S. 1,” said Lincoln. “With limited space in the Florida Keys, these types of smart, technology-driven solutions are critical for both our residents and our visitors.”

In Monroe County alone, the number of traffic management devices has grown from just a handful in 2005 to dozens of coordinated systems today, including 95 cameras, 37 traffic signals, dynamic messaging signs, pedestrian beacons, emergency signals, and nearly 60 roadside units supporting corridor operations.

The staff at the center actively monitors roadway conditions, coordinates responses to crashes and lane closures, and communicates with partner agencies, including Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, and emergency services. In 2025, there were 476 scheduled roadwork events, 130 crashes, and 23 disabled vehicles, among other things, that caused lane blockages on U.S. 1. 

The tour also included an overview of upcoming projects, including signal improvements at College Road, flood mitigation and signal upgrades near Eisenhower Drive, and Key West Triangle improvements. 

For more information on FDOT District Six programs, visit www.sunguide.info. For more information or links to projects happening in the Florida Keys, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/engineering.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Tubby’s Creek Bridge on Card Sound Road, built in 1969, is scheduled for replacement starting March 2. 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. The contractor will close the westbound lane to traffic and set up temporary traffic signals to alternate bi-directional traffic to one lane. 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 Community Services Director and Veteran Cathy Crane was honored with the prestigious Impact Award from the Wounded Warrior Project, recognizing her commitment to supporting wounded service members, especially during the annual event held in January throughout the Florida Keys. 

The Impact Award is presented annually to those who make a meaningful difference by raising awareness and advancing support for wounded Veterans. Crane was recognized for her leadership and long-standing involvement with the Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride in the Florida Keys, a nationally recognized rehabilitative cycling event that brings wounded Veterans to Monroe County for physical recovery, mental wellness, and camaraderie.

For more than a decade, Crane has helped support Soldier Ride locally as a Veteran herself and by working with Monroe County Veterans Affairs, community partners, and volunteers to ensure a welcoming and impactful experience for participating warriors. 

“Impact is never the work of one person; it belongs to a community of people who show up for our warriors,” she said during her award acceptance in Miami. “We do not honor warriors by what we say about their service; we honor them by how we stand with them after it.”

The Wounded Warrior Project, founded in 2003, provides life-changing programs and services for veterans who sustained physical or mental injuries during their military service, along with support for their families and caregivers.

To learn more about Monroe County Veterans Affairs, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/va.

SCOUT KEY, FL - Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln, Commissioners Holly Merrill Raschein and Craig Cates, and County Administrator Christine Hurley joined Governor Ron DeSantis for the unveiling of a new statue honoring James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States and the namesake of Monroe County. The monument was installed on the west end of the Bahia Honda Bridge on Scout Key as part of Florida’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.

County officials attended the ceremony to recognize the historical significance of President Monroe’s connection to Florida and the Florida Keys. Through the 1819 Adams-Onís Treaty, negotiated during Monroe’s administration, Florida transferred from Spain to the United States, a defining moment that ultimately led to the creation of Monroe County and shaped the region’s future development. The monument is part of a statewide initiative that places statues of founders and early American leaders in counties named after them to promote civic education and historical awareness.

“Monroe County is proud to receive a little part of 1776 history in the Florida Keys,” said Lincoln. “This monument highlights our local heritage and also the role the Florida Keys played in the broader story of our nation as it grew.”

The statue stands along the newly designated Spottswood Heritage Trail and near the historic Flagler Railroad bridge and Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve. The site was selected by the state to connect visitors with both the natural and historical resources that define the Keys.

Additional commemorative events related to America’s 250th anniversary are expected to continue statewide throughout the year. Information can be found at america250fl.com.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County, in partnership with SoilMate Composting and sponsored by Baptist Health South Florida, has extended its Upper Keys Food Waste Collection Pilot through Feb. 27, thanks to a generous donation from a local resident.

The pilot project allows residents to divert food scraps from landfills and turn them into nutrient-rich compost. The extension provides additional weeks for participants to continue dropping off food waste at designated sites as Monroe County evaluates long-term options to reduce landfill use and help address South Florida’s regional waste challenges.

Residents must register to participate and may drop off food waste free of charge at any of the following Upper Keys locations:

• Ocean Studies Charter School – 11-27 Rock Harbor Drive, Key Largo (behind playground)
• Atlantic Trash and Transfer – 300 Atlantic Drive, Key Largo
• Coral Isles Church – 90001 Overseas Highway, Tavernier (behind fellowship hall)

Biodegradable bags are available at all locations. Only food scraps will be accepted; no yard waste, paper products, unapproved compostable bags, or plastics should be placed in the bin.

“This program gives residents a simple, convenient way to be part of a solution,” said Monroe County Recycling Coordinator Melody Tuschel. “Every pound of food waste diverted is one less pound ending up in the landfill.”

Residents can register at www.your-soilmate.com/pages/monroe. After attending a brief education session, an access code is given for the drop-off sites.