KEY WEST, Fla. — A Tennessee man was jailed Tuesday night after police said he returned to a Duval Street adult entertainment venue wearing a hockey-style mask — like something out of a slasher horror film — and attacked an employee, cutting her hair off with scissors during a confrontation at the VIP Gentlemen’s Club on Upper Duval St.

Jeffrey Marshall Carroll, 44, of Columbia, Tennessee, is charged with three felony counts, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony and possession of a controlled substance.

The club — located at 1212 Duval Street — is known locally as the “scrub club,” a combination between adult dancing entertainment and an erotic massage parlor. According to an arrest report, Carroll first entered the club around 6:20 p.m. for what police described as a “dance session.”

it has a reputation.

Investigators said he declined services from one dancer, then had a session with another woman, later identified as the victim, before leaving about 25 minutes later. The report notes he had “caused issues” during that visit.

Police said Carroll returned around 10:10 p.m. “shirtless with grey shorts, an orange hat, and wearing a hockey-style mask,” and approached a woman outside the business.

Authorities said the dancer he had previously rebuffed was sitting on the club’s front porch and began recording video “for her safety” after Carroll blocked her path near the entrance.

As the victim opened the door to allow her co-worker back inside, surveillance footage reviewed by officers shows Carroll grabbing her by the hair, pulling a pair of scissors from his back pocket and cutting it before fleeing the scene with the scissors still in his hand, police said.

A co-worker contacted police after hearing the woman scream. Officers said the victim did not suffer physical injuries but was shaken by the incident. The report also states the victim told officers Carroll had made a prior threat before leaving earlier in the evening.

Police located Carroll a short time later near the intersection of Louisa and Simonton streets. He declined to speak with officers, authorities said. During a search, officers recovered a pair of scissors and an amphetamine pill not in a prescription container.

Officers noted Carroll appeared impaired at the time of his arrest.

He was booked into the Monroe County jail in Key West, where he remained as of Wednesday with bond set at $65,000 after making his first appearance. An arraignment is scheduled for April 23, according to jail records, with the judge TBD.

This is an evolving news story. Watch this space.

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KEY WEST, Fla. — A Monroe County grand jury has indicted Key West Police Sgt. David Kouri on a misdemeanor charge stemming from an alleged on-duty text message exchange, a move that sharply contrasts with a prior internal investigation that concluded his actions did not rise to the level of a criminal offense.

The April 8 indictment charges Kouri with one count of solicitation to deliver or sell marijuana under Florida law. In Florida, the charge is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail.

According to records obtained via FOIA requests and reviewed by Above the Fold, the allegation centers on a text message exchange obtained by the Monroe County State Attorney’s Office from Kouri’s phone. In the messages, Kouri allegedly asked a witness identified as Hailey Freeman for “pre rolls” and inquired about obtaining marijuana or a vape pen while on duty in his patrol car.

The exchange also includes messages in which Kouri appears to offer the recipient a ride, stating he was working until 5 p.m. “if u need a ride,” while indicating he was driving in the downtown area. The conversation suggests the other individual may have been intoxicated at the time.

Prosecutors allege the messages were sent during Kouri’s shift, raising questions about conduct and use of a patrol vehicle.

A charge of solicitation does not require a completed transaction. Instead, it alleges that a person requested or attempted to induce another individual to commit a drug offense — which the text exhancge appears to clearl show..

But internal Key West Police Department records obtained through public records requests show the same incident — which occurred on Sept. 9, 2025 — was previously investigated and resolved administratively, with findings that did not support criminal wrongdoing .

The case, logged as Professional Standards investigation PS 25-04, was initiated by Police Chief Sean T. Brandenburg and investigated by Lt. Jeffrey Dean. A personnel action form dated Oct. 29, 2025, identified Kouri, a patrol sergeant, as the subject of the inquiry .

The internal investigation examined potential violations of departmental policy, including unlawful conduct and conduct unbecoming an officer. Despite evidence that Kouri attempted to facilitate a marijuana exchange between civilians, the department did not sustain the allegation of unlawful conduct.

Instead, KWPD investigators concluded Kouri’s actions constituted “conduct unbecoming” and issued a written reprimand, with no suspension imposed — which broaches the question would a civilian that committed the same act not be pursued by KWPD and treated the same?

In a Jan. 26, 2026 disciplinary letter, Dean wrote that Kouri “attempted to facilitate the exchange of marijuana through two civilians,” noting that one individual had a medical marijuana card while the other was unconfirmed. The letter emphasized that marijuana remains a regulated substance under state law and that Kouri’s actions reflected poor judgment inconsistent with department standards. Under Florida Law, it is illegal to facilitate the transfer of marijuana products from one person to the other — regardless of whether either person has a medical card or not.

The final outcome of the Internal Affairs investigation and disciplanary action appears to rest squarely on the shoulders of a fact-finding memo submitted Jan. 21, 2026, by KWPD Capt. Jason Castillo, who relying on the investigation conducted by IA’s Lt. Dean, concluded there was no basis for unlawful conduct and recommended a written reprimand with no mention of suspension.

Supervisory records further show that Brandenburg, who initiated the complaint, indicated the matter was not resolved to his satisfaction, although his response was not fully completed with several boxes not checked.

The grand jury indictment — filed months after the internal investigation was completed — represents a stark departure from those findings.

Additional records show prosecutors subpoenaed a witness, Hailey Freeman, to testify before the State Attorney’s Office on April 2, 2026, as part of the investigation. According to information reviewed by Above the Fold, Freeman told investigators the suspected marijuana transaction was never completed.

Kouri was also given the voluntary opportunity to appear before the grand jury and answer questions, including who the narcotics were intended for. It remains unclear whether he appeared or responded.

The indictment comes amid a broader backdrop of legal challenges at Key West City Hall, including the 27 felony indictment counts filed against the so-called “Bubba Bozo Trio” — former City Attorney Ron Ramsingh, his brother and former Chief Building Official Raj Ramsingh, and former Code Enforcement Director Jim Young.

Despite the criminal charge, Kouri remains on active duty as of publication.

In response to questions, spokesperson Alyson Crean said, “The KWPD does not comment on ongoing investigations or litigation,” despite the fact that the internal investigation, findings and discipline were completed in 2025.

Emails to City Manager Brian Barroso, City Attorney Mayanne Downs and Assistant City Attorney Kendal Harden also went unanswered by deadline.

Kouri was not taken into custody following the indictment but was issued a notice to appear instead. His attorney , Joshua Bickman has filed a plea of not guilty, and his arraignment is scheduled for Friday, April 24, before Monroe County Judge Mark Wilson.

Kouri’s case was presented in open court before the 16th Judicial Circuit in Monroe County. Grand jury foreperson Jill Miranda-Baker signed the indictment, and Assistant State Attorney Colleen Dunne certified the proceedings.

Above the Fold has requested additional records from the State Attorney’s Office and KWPD and will update this story as more information becomes available.

All defendents are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law by a jry of their peers.

This is an evolving story. Watch this space.

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A seaplane pitched forward and nosed down while attempting to depart Fort Jefferson around 8 a.m. Saturday after waves washed over its floats in gusty conditions. No injuries were reported, according to multiple sources familiar with the incident.

The aircraft, identified by tail number N708KA and believed to be a de Havilland DHC-3T Turbine Otter, is registered to Single Otter Leasing Two LLC and is believed to be operating as part of the Key West Seaplane Adventures fleet under a National Park Service concession. The Otter platform is among the most widely used seaplane types, particularly in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. The plane was built in 1954.

It had just completed the first passenger drop-off of the day at Dry Tortugas National Park and was attempting to take off to return to Key West without passengers when it encountered rough seas driven by approximately 20-knot winds, sources said.

Witness accounts, including posts circulating on social media from individuals who said they were in the vicinity of Fort Jefferson, described the aircraft struggling in choppy water before a wave overtook the floats, causing the plane to pitch forward and nose down. Those accounts could not be independently verified but were consistent with descriptions provided by aviation sources in Key West.

Flight tracking data reviewed on FlightAware appeared to corroborate that the aircraft did not complete its scheduled return leg to Key West following the morning drop-off.

Several towing and marine salvage operators in the Lower Keys confirmed the incident and said inquiries were circulating Saturday morning as bids were being sought to recover the aircraft from the shallow waters near the fort. Those operators said the ultimate disposition of the seaplane remained unknown.

Boaters in the area and personnel with the National Park Service were among the first to respond, assisting the pilot after the incident.

Officials with the United States Coast Guard had not issued a formal statement as of Saturday morning. It was also not immediately clear whether the Federal Aviation Administration or the National Transportation Safety Board had opened an investigation, though such incidents are typically reviewed.

Aviation sources at Key West International Airport confirmed the aircraft had been operating a routine morning run to the remote island park and was “deadheading” back — a return flight without passengers — when the incident occurred.

Seaplane operations in the Dry Tortugas are highly dependent on sea state, wind, and tidal conditions. The open-water runway used near Fort Jefferson can become hazardous when winds increase, and conditions can deteriorate depending on the tide, with waves capable of overtopping floats and destabilizing aircraft during takeoff or landing.

The site of the incident, Fort Jefferson, is a 19th-century coastal fortress in the Dry Tortugas. It later served as the prison where Samuel Mudd was held for aiding John Wilkes Booth following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

The park is accessible only by boat or seaplane.

Further details were not immediately available.

This is an evolving story. Watch this space.

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Ed. Note: With all candidates now reporting donations for Quarter 1 in the 2026 election cycle, a clearer picture is coming into focus. With each candidate, their top-tier donors and associations are listed. Also with each candidate is a link to their official Q1 filings. You may also visit the City website for more campaign information. Stay tuned to Above the Fold for more in-depth election analysis.

Incumbent Mayor Danise Henriquez posted the strongest Quarter 1 fundraising total among Key West’s 2026 candidates, but remains well behind challenger Sam Kaufman in overall campaign contributions, setting up a race defined by sharply contrasting donor bases.

Running from Jan. 1 to Mar. 30, 2026, Q1 is the first period in which all declared candidates have reported contributions together.

Henriquez reported $68,890 in Q1 contributions from 147 donors according to her campaign filing, eclipsing all candidates money-wise for the reporting period.

Kaufman, however, maintains a commanding financial lead, reporting $50,613.62 raised in Q1 and $115,245.42 total to date. During Q1 he logged 298 donors — the most of any candidate.

The split reflects a broader divide emerging in the race: Henriquez’s fundraising is anchored in a network of business owners, tourism operators and development-aligned interests, while Kaufman’s campaign is fueled by a high volume of individual donors, many of them retirees and residents tied to quality-of-life concerns.

Q1 Kaufman $1,000 Donations

Business/Corporate

• Padgett-Dekker Holdings

Individuals (Occupation)

• Bert Bender — Property Owner/Architect

• Judy Blume — Retired

• Frank Conrad — Sales

• David Dunn — Financial Advisor

• Kathleen Lash — Retired

• Francis Porter — Retired

• Renay Regardie — Retired

• Niel Ruchman — Retired

• Fred Schluter — Retired

• Joseph Trippi — Political Consultant

More than half of Kaufman’s 298 first-quarter donors, 55.4%, contributed less than $150, underscoring a grassroots-heavy funding base.

By contrast, Henriquez’s filing shows that of 147 donors, 54 businesses and business-affiliated individuals contributed at the $1,000 maximum, including entities such as Historic Tours–affiliated interests and Waste Management of Florida.

Both companies had matters pending before the mayor and City Commission after the donations were made, but prior to the Q1 donations being released.

HTA won several significant lease renewals and new contracts, tightening its grip on city-owned assets.

Waste Management was awarded a new contract increase at the expense of Key West residents, essentially paying more for fewer services.

Henriquez’s donor base was heavily concentrated among high-dollar contributors, with about 70% giving between $500 and $1,000, while roughly 28% of donors contributed less than $100 and about 2% fell in the middle tiers.

Of Henriquez’s $1,000 contributors, several currently sit on the Key West Chamber’s board of directors, including Amber Schaffer (president), John Toppino (first vice president), Casey Arnold (second vice president), George Fernandez and Suzanne Moore.

Q1 Henriquez $1,000 Donations

Businesses/Corporate

• 2537 Highway 27 LLC — Toppino

• Arnold’s Marine and Auto, Inc. — City towing contract

• Boone Mountain Paradise LLC — Robert Pabian

• Dane Black Consulting LLC — Construction

• Dave Black Consulting LLC — Construction

• Florida Keys Funeral Service — Peter E. Batty

• Gary’s Plumbing & Fire — Gary Centonze

• Hemingway House Museum

• Historic Properties Management Inc. — Historic Tours of America/Swift

• Key West Team Building — Casey Arnold

• Key West Theatre and Community Stage Inc.

• Lay Management LLC — Bill Lay

• Ocean Blue Galleries — Jay Schaffer

• Pabian Properties — Robert Pabian

• Rams Head Promotions of Key West LLC — Entertainment promotion

• Race World Offshore

• Rockland Recycling LLC — Toppino

• Sloans Landing — Swift/Batty

• Suncrest Mini-Self Storage

• The Conch House

• Waste Management of Florida — Greg Sullivan

• Wyland Galleries — Amber and Jay Schaffer

• Suzanne Moore Real Estate Services LLC — Suzanne Moore

Individuals (Occupation)

• Amy Lay — Executive, Catered Affairs Inc.

• Amber Schaffer — President, Key West Chamber of Commerce/Wyland Galleries

• Candace Atwell — A/P Manager

• Casey Arnold — GM, Conch Republic Seafood Company

• Darren Horan — Attorney, Horan Law

• Derek Epperly — Realtor, Engel & Völkers Key West

• Edwin O. Swift III — Tourism/Real Estate/Historic Tours of America

• Elizabeth Kehoe — Attorney, Oropeza, Stones, Cardenas

• Everett Atwell — Real Estate/Investments

• Freddy Varela — CFO, Historic Tours of America

• Gary Centonze — Business Owner, Gary the Plumber

• George Fernandez — Retired

• Jay Schaffer — Business Owner, Wyland Galleries/Ocean Blue

• Jessica Haim — Retail, Shaddow Fish/Tropically Hip

• John Toppino — Construction Industry, Toppino’s

• Joseph Farrell — Business Owner, Florida Straits Conch Company

• Mark Vasturo — Business Owner, Florida Straits Conch Company

• Natalie Machado — Accountant

• Patricia Gladding — Business Owner, Gary’s Plumbing

• Randy Kassewitz — Business Owner, Florida Straits Conch Company

• Randy Moore — CPA, Director, Spottswood Companies

• Robert Pabian — Pabian Properties/Boone Mountain Paradise LLC

• Robert Sharpe Jr. — Business Owner, CFO, Encore

• Robert Spottswood — Attorney/Executive Chairman, Spottswood Companies

• Sheri Varela — Retired

• Steve Henson — Business Owner, Key Iron Works

• Terry Lee Garcia — Realtor, Keller Williams Key West Compass Realty

• Timothy Atwell — Accountant

• Vianca Lay — Catering Director, Catered Affairs Inc.

Political Action Committee

• Dade County Police Benevolent Association

District Races Reflect Similar Patterns

District II

Bobi Lore reported $10,230.73 from 52 donors in Q1 fundraising.

Lore drew nearly 58% of his donors from contributions under $100, with about 35% giving between $100 and $500 and fewer than 8% at the $1,000 level.

Q1 Lore $1,000 Donations

Individuals (Occupation)

• Judy Blume — Retired

• George Cooper — Retired

• Melissa McDaniel — Retired

• Joe Trippi — Consultant

Opponent Mark Rossi reported $500 total from two donors, maintaining a self-imposed cap of $250 per donation.

District IV

Sarah Compton remained in the lead in overall fundraising in District IV, bringing in $14,989.21 across 77 donations placing her fourth in Q1 numbers.

Compton drew about 66% of her donors from contributions under $100, with roughly 29% between $100 and $500 and just over 5% exceeding that range.

Since filing to fill the District IV seat presumably being vacated by the embattled sitting commissioner Lissette Carey, Compton has raised $24,044.16.

Q1 Compton $1,000 Donations

Individuals (Occupation)

• Judy Blume — Retired

• Melissa McDaniel — Retired

• John Menefee — Retired

• Stephen Porter — Retired

• Kathleen Trippi — Retired

Her opponent, Juan Llera, reported $9,176.57 in Q1 but filed a waiver in Q4.

A majority of Llera’s donors contributed between $250 and $1,000, accounting for 50% of his donor base, including 22.7% between $250 and $500 and 27.3% at the $1,000 level, while 27.3% gave under $100 and 13.6% between $100 and $250. Most have ties to the business community or the Chamber of Commerce.

Q1 Llera $1,000 Donations

Businesses/Corporate

• Arnold’s Marine and Auto Repair

• Hemingway House

• Lay Management LLC — Bill Lay

• Waste Management of Florida

Individuals (Occupation)

• Edwin O. Swift III — Tourism/Real Estate/Historic Tours of America

Political Action Committee

• Dade County Police Benevolent Association

Candidate Wayne Garcia reported $200 in self-funding but recently entered the race.

District V

Chris Massicotte reported $19,469.72 in Q1 fundraising from 94 donors, bringing his combined total to $36,448.20 to date.

The average donation was about $200, a clear sign that this campaign is fueled by residents chipping in what they can, not a handful of wealthy or well-connected insiders with contracts or business before the city.

Overall, Massicotte had the third-strongest showing in Q1 behind only Kaufman and Henriquez.

Q1 Massicotte $1,000 Donations

Businesses/Corporate

• Padgett-Dekker Holdings

Individuals (Occupation)

• Judy Blume — Retired

• Carol DeFord — Retired

• Anthony Falcone — Retired

• Bryan Green — Retired

• Melissa McDaniel — Retired

• William McGurn III — Retired

• Joe Trippi — Political Consultant

Opponent Greg Sullivan, who is also the senior district manager for Waste Management of Florida, reported $3,100, including three $1,000 contributions from business-aligned donors. In addition, Sullivan contributed $100 to his campaign. In contrast to the other candidates, that is a mix of 75% big donors with 25% coming from self-funding — a pattern that is likely to continue given his prominent role in the Chamber and business community.

He did not garner the same $1,000 donoation from Waste Management as Llera and Henriquez. It is unclear whether the company believes that would be a conflict of interest or he began compaigning too late.

Q1 Sullivan $1,000 Donations

Businesses/Corporate

• Arnold’s Marine and Auto Repair

• Hemingway House

Individuals (Occupation)

• Gary Centonze — Business Owner, Gary’s Plumbing and Fire

Competing Coalitions

The early fundraising data points to a political dichotomy shaping the mayoral race.

On one side is a coalition aligned with the city’s business community and Chamber of Commerce membership directory. On the other is a donor base more heavily composed of residents focused on water quality, government transparency, fiscal responsibility and quality of life.

The early numbers suggest the 2026 races may be defined as much by donor coalitions as by candidates themselves.

Second-quarter campaign finance reports, covering April through June, are due July 10 under Florida law, the final quarterly filing before candidates transition to more frequent pre-election biweekly disclosures.

This is an evolving story. Watch this space for more indepth coverage of the 2026 election cycle.

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A series of sentencing hearings across Monroe County this week resulted in prison terms, probation and strict court-ordered conditions in cases ranging from child exploitation to DUI, stalking and repeat traffic violations.

In Key West, Jorge Tyler Perez was adjudicated guilty on 15 felony counts following a no contest plea before County Judge Mark Wilson. The charges included 14 counts of sexual activities involving animals and one count of possession of sexual performance by a child.

The case began with a CyberTip submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations. Authorities identified Perez through subpoenas and search warrants tied to online accounts containing illegal material.

Wilson sentenced Perez to three years in state prison on the child exploitation count, followed by five years of sexual offender probation. On the remaining counts, Perez received five years in prison on each charge, to run consecutively, followed by consecutive probation terms. As part of his sentence, he is prohibited from possessing animals or living in a residence where animals are present.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Colleen Dunne.

Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield said the sentence ensures a lengthy removal from the community and warned that violations of probation could expose Perez to decades in prison.

In a separate Key West case, Jose Guadalupe Rivera Zepeda, 35, was sentenced after pleading no contest to DUI with property damage, leaving the scene of a crash and driving without a valid license.

Before County Judge Albert Kelley, Rivera Zepeda was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 60 days in jail. The court ordered substance abuse treatment, participation in drug court if in Monroe County, 50 hours of community service, and regular drug testing. His license was revoked for one year and his vehicle was impounded for 10 days.

According to investigators, Rivera Zepeda struck a fence, fled the scene, drove onto Naval Air Station Key West property, breached a gate and crashed near the water before entering the water in an apparent attempt to evade police. Officers reported signs of impairment and testing showed a blood alcohol level of approximately .248, along with the presence of cocaine.

Mansfield said impaired driving at that level, combined with fleeing law enforcement, posed a significant danger to the public.

On Big Pine Key, Daniel James Lynch, 66, was sentenced after pleading no contest to burglary of a dwelling and stalking.

Wilson sentenced Lynch to 48 months of probation on the burglary count and 12 months on the stalking count, to run concurrently. The court ordered a psychological evaluation, required compliance with treatment recommendations, and imposed a no-contact order along with a 500-foot exclusion zone from the victim and her residence. Lynch also agreed to relocate.

The case stemmed from incidents in August 2024 in which Lynch unlawfully entered a neighbor’s home and repeatedly returned to the property, at times unclothed, engaging in conduct that caused the victim to leave her home out of concern for her safety. Lynch admitted to the behavior when interviewed by law enforcement.

Assistant State Attorney Madeline Thompson prosecuted the case. The court ordered more than $9,000 in restitution.

In Marathon, James Walter Hunter, 39, was sentenced for habitual driving while license revoked after pleading no contest before County Judge Derek Lewis.

Hunter received two years of probation, 50 hours of community service and financial penalties, with eligibility for early termination after 12 months if conditions are met.

The charge resulted from a March 2025 traffic stop in which a deputy recorded Hunter traveling 47 mph in a 30 mph zone. A records check showed multiple prior suspensions and revocations.

Assistant State Attorney K. Philip Harte prosecuted the case.

Mansfield said the case reflects a pattern of repeated violations and emphasized that continued noncompliance could result in incarceration.

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Gregory Wayne Tolan, the alleged Bayview Park Cock Shooter, charged in the high-profile rooster shooting case that sparked widespread public outrage across Florida, has pleaded not guilty, with his attorneys filing a written waiver of appearance ahead of his scheduled arraignmen yesterday.

Tolan did not appear in court April 9 as his case was called before Circuit Judge Mark Jones. Defense counsel instead submitted a written plea of not guilty along with a waiver of appearance earlier in the week allowing the arraignment to proceed without the defendant present.

Despite a headline on the front page of the Fri., Apr. 10 edition of the Keys Citizen claiming Tolan was a no-show, court procedure did not require his attendance. The waiver, filed in advance, formally entered his plea and excused him from appearing in person. The report was later corrected on the publication’s website at about 10 a.m. Friday.

The case stems from an incident earlier this year at Bayview Park, where authorities say Tolan shot a free-roaming rooster, an animal protected under a long-standing Key West ordinance.

Police said Tolan turned himself in several hours after the story went viral, causing a storm on social media and following the early morning issuance of an arrest warrant charging him with felony animal cruelty. He was held on a $25,000 bond before being released.

The arrest came after a witness-recorded video circulated widely on social media, showing a man identified as Tolan walking away from a wounded rooster while holding what appeared to be a rifle. The bird is seen on the ground moving erratically with visible injuries.

Authorities have not confirmed the type of weapon used, though it may have been an airgun or a .22 caliber rifle using subsonic ammunition, both commonly associated with pest control. Regardless, the discharge of any weapon within city limits — particularly in areas such as Bayview Park, considered a gun-free zone — could expose Tolan to additional charges.

A witness told officers the suspect walked through a nearby neighborhood carrying the weapon after the shooting and was identified by another individual as Tolan. Investigators also received reports that chickens roosting in trees may have been targeted during predawn hours.

Officers moved quickly to investigate, obtaining an arrest warrant within hours.

Authorities have not said whether the rooster was feral or owned, though both are protected under a 2004 city ordinance safeguarding birds within Key West.

With the not guilty plea entered, the case now moves into the pretrial phase, where attorneys are expected to address discovery, motions and potential evidentiary issues. The investigation remains ongoing.

Tolan’s next hearing before Jones is a pre-trial conference set for May 28, 2026 at 9 a.m. with a tentative trial set to begin on July 6 at 8:45 a.m.

This is an evolving story. Watch this space.

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Florida is charting a new course for its maritime heritage, elevating a World War II-era cargo ship in Tampa while a storied schooner in Key West faces an uncertain future.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed House Bill 249, redesignating the SS American Victory as the state’s official flagship, replacing the Western Union. The change takes effect July 1.

Moored along Tampa’s waterfront, the American Victory is one of the few remaining Victory-class ships — rugged cargo vessels built to supply Allied forces during World War II. Now a museum ship for more than 20 years near the Florida Aquarium, it offers visitors a firsthand look at the engine rooms, radio equipment and tight quarters that defined life for Merchant Mariners.

“This historic steamship is one of just a few surviving Victory Class ships built during World War II,” DeSantis said in a statement. “As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding this year, it’s a great time to visit our new state flagship in Tampa.”

The designation also marks a turning point for the Western Union, a wooden schooner long tied to Florida’s maritime identity — particularly in Key West. Built in 1939, the vessel was designed to maintain and repair underwater telegraph cables, linking distant outposts at a time when global communication depended on lines laid across the ocean floor. For decades, it served as a working ship before becoming a cultural fixture in Key West, where it later sailed as a living reminder of the island’s seafaring past.

In recent years, however, the schooner has fallen into disrepair. Despite repeated efforts by preservation groups to raise funds and restore the vessel, progress has been slow, leaving the schooner largely sidelined and its future uncertain.

The shift in flagship status reflects both the prominence of the American Victory and the challenges facing the aging schooner.

For maritime historians, the change underscores a broader tension between preservation and practicality. While the American Victory stands as a rare, intact example of a wartime cargo ship — still accessible and operating as a museum — the Western Union represents an earlier, more fragile chapter of maritime history, one that requires constant and costly care to survive.

With its new designation, the American Victory is expected to draw increased attention from residents and tourists alike, particularly as the nation reflects on its 250-year history.

Still, in Key West, the weathered hull of the Western Union remains a symbol of another era — when communication traveled by cable beneath the sea, and a wooden schooner played a quiet but vital role in keeping the world connected.

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The Key West Artisan Market will return Sunday, April 12, with a community-focused event highlighting child abuse prevention and family support services in the Florida Keys.

The “Stop the Cycle” edition of the open-air market is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Indigenous Park at Higgs Beach, featuring Wesley House Family Services as its nonprofit partner in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Organizers said the event aims to bring together residents and visitors for a mix of local commerce and community engagement, while raising awareness about efforts to strengthen families and protect children across the Keys.

The market will feature a wide range of local vendors offering handcrafted goods, including jewelry, artwork, ceramics, woodwork and home décor, alongside food offerings that span artisan breads and cheeses, fresh produce, local seafood and prepared dishes reflecting Mediterranean, Latin American and Caribbean influences. Beverage options will include coffee, juices and a full-service bar.

Representatives from Wesley House will be on-site to share information about programs focused on early intervention, family support and community outreach designed to prevent child abuse and break cycles of trauma.

Live entertainment is scheduled throughout the event, including a midday performance by local father-and-son duo Jesse James and V. Keys Yacht Rock Station 93.7 is expected to broadcast from the market, featuring music and interviews.

Visitors can also explore the recently remodeled wildlife facility at Key West Wildlife Center, located within Indigenous Park.

Admission and parking are free. Attendees are encouraged to bring reusable shopping bags.

The Key West Artisan Market is held on select Sundays throughout the season, with each event supporting a different nonprofit organization. The next market is scheduled for April 19 and will feature Samuel’s House.

More information is available on the market’s Facebook page.

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