KEY WEST, FL, JULY 30, 2026 - Jody Houser, a registered nurse at Lower Keys Medical Center, has received a national Nursing Excellence Award. Houser was surprised with the recognition during a reception with hospital leadership, colleagues, and Key West Mayor Danise "DeeDee" Henriquez, where she was presented with a crystal plaque and a symbolic check for the cash award she received. 
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Houser joined Lower Keys Medical Center in 2021 and in that time has served in the medical surgical unit, nursing leadership, and the intensive care unit. In March of 2026, she was presented with the annual LKMC Frank Houtman Award, named after a long-serving hospital volunteer, for representing the true essence of volunteerism.  When a local family faced a personal and medical crisis, she provided specialized care for a community member on her personal time. She arranged her schedule to provide nighttime support and helped educate family members so they could feel confident and empowered in caring for their loved one. She is recognized by colleagues for her passion, integrity, servant leadership, and community service. 
 
Angelina Ashler, RN, director of the intensive care unit and dialysis and patient experience champion at Lower Keys Medical Center said, "It's an honor to present this award to Jody. She is known for her clinical competence, leadership, and her willingness to mentor new nurses. In the intensive care unit, she cares for some of our most vulnerable patients with attentiveness and heart, always ensuring that patients and families feel informed, supported and comforted."
 
Mayor Henriquez said, "Congratulations to Jody Houser, RN, on receiving the Nursing Excellence Award. This well-deserved honor recognizes her exceptional compassion, professionalism, and dedication to going above and beyond for both the residents of Key West and the visitors who rely on our healthcare community. It was a privilege to be part of this special celebration and to recognize someone whose commitment to caring for others makes our community stronger every day."
 
Houser is one of ten national winners selected across all hospitals affiliated with Community Health Systems, one of the nation’s leading healthcare providers. Developing and operating healthcare delivery systems in 32 distinct markets across 12 states, the organization’s affiliates include Lower Keys Medical Center and 59 other hospitals.
 
The Nursing Excellence Award program was created in 2020 with the celebration of the “Year of the Nurse” as a means to recognize the tremendous effort and sacrifice made by nurses during the COVID pandemic. This is the sixth occasion for the peer-nominated award recognizing the vital work nurses play in our work to make the healthcare experience exceptional for our patients, our communities, and each other. Characteristics synonymous with nursing excellence include outstanding care, compassion, service and innovation, and reflect the efforts of someone who is a demonstrated team player and/or mentor to others, is a leader in times of crises, and who regularly promotes health in the community.
 
Caption: Drew Bigby, chief executive officer, and Michael Hales, chief nursing officer, congratulate Jody Houser, RN, Nursing Excellence Award recipient. 

SUGARLOAF KEY, FL – Monroe County Fire Rescue (MCFR) has temporarily relocated personnel assigned to Station 10 in Sugarloaf Key to Station 9 in Big Coppitt Key and Station 11 in Cudjoe Key. This temporary relocation will not affect MCFR’s commitment to serving the Sugarloaf Key area. A dedicated Advanced Life Support response capability will remain in place for the area, supported by Monroe County firefighters and paramedics, who will work the same shifts as at the temporary location.

Station 10 personnel were initially relocated to a temporary location within the Sugarloaf Key area in July 2025 after the existing station became unsuitable for occupancy. The county is working with a contractor to rebuild the Sugarloaf station. Starting July 29, 2026, these crews will respond from Monroe County Fire Rescue’s neighboring stations to the north and south while planning and construction for Station 10 continues.

Station 10 crews will continue conducting daily training, fire inspections, pre-incident planning, and other operational activities throughout the Sugarloaf Key community. MCFR will closely monitor all response times and will adjust if necessary to protect the community members of Sugarloaf Key.

“The safety of Sugarloaf Key residents and visitors remains our priority during this temporary relocation,” said Monroe County Fire Chief R.L. Colina. “Although our crews are temporarily responding from neighboring stations, Monroe County Fire Rescue will maintain an active presence in the Sugarloaf area and continue providing daily operations and emergency response coverage.”

July 30, 2026 – (KEY WEST, FL).  The Key West Art & Historical Society is pleased to present another installment of its popular lecture series, Happy Hour with the Historian.  Historian Cori Convertito, Ph.D., will present “Remember the Maine: Explosion, Mystery, and the Road to War” on Thursday, August 13, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Comedy Key West.

The engaging presentation explores the history of the USS Maine and its significant ties to Key West during one of the most pivotal moments in American history.  In 1898, the powerful U.S. battleship was a familiar presence in Key West, patrolling regional waters amid rising tensions in the Caribbean.  When the Maine sailed to Havana Harbor in January as a show of American strength and protection, few could have imagined the tragedy that would soon unfold.

Just three weeks later, on the night of February 15, a catastrophic explosion ripped through the vessel, claiming the lives of more than 260 sailors and sending shockwaves across the nation.  The sinking of the Maine became one of the most controversial events in U.S. history, fueling public outrage and helping propel the nation into the Spanish-American War.  During the lecture, Dr. Convertito will examine the Maine's connections to Key West, investigate the competing theories surrounding the ship's destruction, and explore how a single mysterious event reshaped American foreign policy and marked the nation's emergence as a global power.

“Few events have had such an immediate and lasting impact on the course of American history as the explosion of the Maine,” said Dr. Convertito, curator and historian for the Society.  “Its story is one of mystery, politics, media influence, and international conflict.  By examining the evidence and placing the event in its historical context, we gain a deeper understanding of how one tragedy helped change the trajectory of the United States.”

Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with the lecture beginning promptly at 5:00 p.m.  Tickets are highly recommended in advance and can be purchased online at kwahs.org/whats-on.  Admission is $13 for Society members and $17 for non-members, and each ticket includes a complimentary beverage.  Early purchase is encouraged as seating is limited.
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Your Museums.  Your Community.  It takes an Island.

​KEY WEST, FL, July 29, 2026— Four diving students at The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) have advanced from the role of student to instructor. Each successfully completed the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) Instructor Development course at CFK and passed the PADI Instructor Examination (IE), certifying them as open water scuba instructors. 

The PADI IE is a two-day evaluative program conducted by a visiting PADI employee who tests an instructor candidate’s teaching ability, dive theory knowledge, skill level, understanding of the PADI System, and attitude and professionalism. With PADI certification, widely considered the gold standard in the diving industry, these diving instructors will be qualified for professional jobs teaching individuals how to scuba dive anywhere in the world.

CFK is the only place in the Middle or Lower Keys that offers the PADI Instructor Development course. For more information about CFK’s diving program, visit: https://www.cfk.edu/cfkdiving

KEY WEST, FL, July 28, 2026— Eighteen students from The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) were awarded scholarships during the celebrated, annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest. For 27 years, the “Papas” of the Hemingway Look-Alike Society (HLAS) have supported the dreams of hundreds of CFK students.

The festivities kicked off on Sloppy Joe’s stage with the Papas awarding $40,000 in scholarships to students attending CFK. HLAS Scholarship Chair and “Papa 2013” Stephen Terry congratulated the CFK students, each receiving $2,500 to apply toward tuition and fees.

The scholarship is open to degree-seeking students who demonstrate literary talent, are veterans, and/or are pursuing credentials in the fields of nursing, marine science, paramedic services, emergency medicine, law enforcement, or corrections. One scholarship bears the name of Kermit "Shine" Forbes, Hemingway's sparring partner, and has historically been presented to a CFK-bound graduate of Key West High School. This year, HLAS presented another Kermit “Shine” Forbes Scholarship to a graduate of CFK Academy.

In addition to awarding scholarships totaling over $275,000 to date, HLAS has built the largest endowment with the CFK Foundation, solidifying their legacy at CFK and the ability to fund future scholarships for many years to come.
CFK’s 2026 HLAS scholarship recipients include:

Richard Gordon
Lucas Thogode
Luis Lopez Quinones
Marie Christela Brevil
Leandro Macias Montes de Oca
Dardell Morin
Anadailin Dominguez
Sara Semran
Rachel Goodwin
Allana Hayden
Shathi Islam
Minouche Benoit
Samantha Lorenzo
Oumaima Juttie
Marie Annulysse
Heather Reinhardt

The HLAS Kermit “Shine” Forbes Scholarship Winners were:

Marco Maliberan, Key West High School
Jarrett Miller, CFK Academy

For more information about CFK and its scholarship opportunities, visit the College’s website at cfk.edu/paying-for-college.
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For more information about how to give to the CFK Foundation, contact Dr. Lana Gaspari, CFK Vice President of Advancement and CFK Foundation Executive Director, at [email protected] or 305-809-3214.

​KEY LARGO, FL – Monroe County's ongoing efforts to protect environmentally sensitive lands reached another milestone this week as crews and volunteers removed approximately 2,580 pounds of illegally accumulated trash from a local conservation area near the Recovery, Unity, Services in the  (RUSK) property. With this latest effort, Monroe County's cumulative total of removed debris from conservation areas has reached 32,320 pounds. The cleanup included the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Key Largo Fire Rescue, Monroe County Land Authority, and Monroe County Solid Waste.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Fire Rescue’s Fire Academy Class 26-01 graduated on Friday, July 24. Class 26-01 includes 24 qualified men and women on their way to becoming firefighters. The graduates successfully completed 456 hours of intensive classroom and rigorous practical training over the past 3.5 months. Mayor Michelle Lincoln was the keynote speaker.

“Graduation from the Monroe County Fire Academy is more than the completion of training; it is the beginning of a commitment to selfless service,” said Monroe County Fire Chief R.L. Colina. “We congratulate these graduates on their achievement and are proud to welcome the next generation of firefighters who will serve the Florida Keys with integrity, professionalism, and compassion.”

The graduates completed the 17 performance objectives of the firefighter program and are prepared to take the State of Florida Firefighter II examination. To be hired at Monroe County Fire Rescue, a candidate must also complete EMT training.

Graduates include Roberto Baez, Christopher Batres, Zachary Bolano, Carlos Camacho, Dominick Candelario, Domenico Carrera, Melvin Castro, Joshua Chardon, Gabriel Cline, Jacob Decker, Julian Diaz-Cortes, Rancel Fajardo, Dylan Gil, Dylan Gonzalez, Cole Jackson, Pablo Jimenez, Ashley Lagodny-Guerra, Jordan Padron, Fernando Perez, Andre Ramirez, Neilee Rebolledo-Vargas, Gianluca Salvatori, Gabriel Siman-Garcia, and Khambrell Walker.
                                                                
The next fire academy is scheduled for Oct. 5, 2026. More information about the program can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/FireAcademy or by emailing [email protected].

FLORIDA KEYS, FL – Monroe County, the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections, the City of Key West, and Waste Management are partnering to provide free recycling for election signs and campaign materials during the 2026 fall election season.

Residents and campaign sign collectors may recycle corrugated plastic election signs, metal sign stands, and paper campaign materials starting Aug. 19 through Dec. 15 at five designated drop-off locations throughout the Florida Keys. Metal stands should be removed from the signs and placed in the appropriate marked container.

Participants should look for marked collection bins at each location. Election signs require special handling and should not be placed in curbside recycling bins. 

Drop-off locations:

• Key Largo Transfer Station
  11180 County Road 905
• Long Key Transfer Station
  Mile Marker 68 
• Cudjoe Transfer Station
  Mile Marker 21.5, Blimp Road
• Waste Management – Rockland Key
  125 Toppino Industrial Drive 
• Key West Lions Club Parking Lot
  2405 N. Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West 

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For questions, email [email protected] or [email protected].