The Tourist Development Council’s failed audits led to the firing of its top director and have subjected the tourism marketing agency to public scrutiny that it’s never faced in its 40-year history.  But the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners has no interest in taking over the TDC, according to officials. It’s not the TDC’s structure – it’s the financial controls that were the problem, the BOCC agreed at its April 17 meeting. A takeover would just mean more government, County Mayor Holly Raschein said. But transparency and accountability must improve, she said, starting with rou ..read more

Frita’s Cuban Burger Cafe once again presents the Cuban Sandwich Throwdown on Saturday,  April 27 at the Green Parrot Bar from noon to 3 p.m. Twelve contestants have signed on for this year’s competition, which features a panel of “local celebrity” judges. Everyone in the bar that day can also partake in the judging for a $20 donation, which will provide each person with 12 sandwiches to blind taste test.  The audience will select the People’s Choice Award winner while the judges will determine first, second and third place. Marcia Weaver, owner of Frita’s Cuban Burger Cafe, created ..read more

The school board this month pressed pause on a $4 million price increase that would have put the cost of Key West High School’s new football stadium and baseball complex at nearly $24 million. In March, the board had expected to approve a $2 million change order for a new restroom and concession building, but instead was hit with a $4 million spike in the price. Postponing their decision until the April 9 meeting in Key West, the board ultimately voted 3-2 to deny the change order, citing various concerns about the lack of specificity in the initial estimates submitted by Ajax Building Co., w ..read more

I.CARE wants to put hope in people’s hands. From May 2-5, Islamorada’s hometown coral restoration and ocean conservation superpower will host its second annual Trash Derby, a Keys-wide marine debris extravaganza.  It’s slated to be the biggest-ever cleanup event these islands have ever seen. Last year’s inaugural event collected 12,759 pounds of trash; this year, the self-professed coral nerds are gunning to smash that record. Organizers are aiming to reach 20,000 to 40,000 pounds of debris picked up from Keys waterways and coastlines over the two-day cleanup. Participant numbers are mor ..read more

High heels instead of high octane powered the 11 contestants in Key West’s annual Conch Republic Drag Race, a madcap challenge for female impersonators on April 20.  The parody of auto racing featured men in drag – complete with wigs, dresses, makeup and high heels – dashing along Duval Street, Key West’s aptly nicknamed “main drag.” Attempting to outpace their rivals, they navigated an obstacle course of tires, “walked the plank” and competed in a heat, pushing “hot rods” in shopping carts.  The most notable entrants included a diva in a pink skirt, matching pink wig and gauze wing ..read more

A focused, door-to-door effort to eliminate and treat habitats for potentially disease-spreading mosquitoes kicked off in Key Largo on the morning of April 16.  This “sweep” brought trained Florida Keys Mosquito Control District inspectors across various areas of Key Largo in an organized effort to visit residential and commercial properties in search of current and potential mosquito habitats. The sweep coincided with Florida Mosquito Control Awareness Week, which ran through April 20. Officials with the mosquito control district encouraged residents and property owners to allow a brief ..read more

consequences of getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. Police lights and a demolished car took up residence on the front lawn of MHS on the morning of April 23 to simulate a drunk driving crash as part of the Educational Coalition for Monroe County and Champions for Change’s annual Safe and Sober Prom event. As MHS Fire Academy students worked with Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol and Marathon Fire Rescue personnel to extract the student “victims” from the damaged vehicle, Marathon Fire Inspector Mike Card addressed the gathered students and staff, reminding them of ..read more

On April 19, Key West hosted Marathon and Archbishop McCarthy in a late-season trimeet. The Conch girls won the meet with 79.5 points. Marathon was third with 31. The boys of Key West came in second to Archbishop McCarthy but edged out the Fins 74-24.  Key West’s girls had seven first-place finishers in their final home meet of the season. Dazmine Jenkins closed out her regular-season career with a win in the 100-meter dash. Alyssandra Camargo was first in the 400, Caylaa Makimaa was first in the two-mile race, and Sophia Powell won the 100-meter hurdles.  In field events, Audrey Sm ..read more

Bumpy conditions are once again in the forecast as high-octane race teams gear up for the revitalized 2024 Seven Mile Grand Prix this weekend. Races set for Saturday and Sunday, April 27 and 28 will pit the fastest boats on the water – think up to 140 mph – against one another on a 5.6-mile nearshore course that parallels the Old Seven Mile Bridge to kick off the American Power Boat Association’s Offshore National Championship Series. Events around town and on the water will provide a comprehensive spectator experience for guests. Here’s what you need to know: WATCH THE RACES The primary view ..read more

A state ethics commission levied $2,500 in fines, a public reprimand and censure against Islamorada Councilman Henry Rosenthal following an investigation, which found probable cause he violated the Florida Constitution and state statute by using his position in office to obtain a disproportionate benefit. Marian Lambeth, investigator for the state ethics commission, conducted a preliminary investigation into the complaint against Rosenthal. In her report, she states Rosenthal tried to manipulate the village zoning process by requesting the planning director poll the council to see if fellow m ..read more