Good Morning, Key West
Enjoy your daily-ish shot of Morning Bucci.
Good morning Key West, and welcome to your Morning Bucci!
A semi-irregular morning serving of breaking news, some you might have missed, and articles from around Florida and beyond.
BREAKING: Key West attorney Cara Higgins passes away
Prominent Key West attorney and civic leader, Cara Higgins, who garnered international attention for her role in the Treehouse Murders case, passed away in her sleep and was found Saturday morning, Sept. 20.
Foul play was not suspected, and details of the cause were not yet known.
Higgins remained an active member of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority Board of Directors at the time of her passing, first appointed by Gov. Rick Scott in 2015. Read more »
Sunday Sit-Down: Sam Kaufman
Join me for an exclusive interview with Key West City Commissioner Sam Kaufman, as dig into some of the biggest stories coming out of City Hall. Watch the Sunday Sit-Down here »
ICYMI
Two Monroe County deputies arrested in fentanyl smuggling case
Two Monroe County Sheriff’s Office detention deputies, Alex Caminero, 38, and James Gregory Gardner, 52, were arrested Friday for allegedly conspiring to smuggle about six grams of fentanyl into the Stock Island Detention Center. Both face multiple felony charges, including drug trafficking, smuggling contraband, and bribery, and have been placed on administrative leave without pay pending pre-termination hearings. Read more »
Key West aims for safer streets with new roundabout
Work is underway at Staples Avenue and 4th Street to install a roundabout aimed at slowing traffic and protecting cyclists and pedestrians. Studies show roundabouts can cut severe crashes by up to 90% and improve traffic flow. Completion is expected later this year, part of the city’s push for safer, more walkable streets. Read more about the new roundabout »
Key West Attorney fills County Court Seat
Derek Lewis to fill in for Judge James Morgan who is being elevated to Circuit Court. Read more about their pick here »
Around the Web
Islamorada picked by Texas Lifestyle magazine as one of the most laidback destinations
The popular Texas magazine chose the Village of Islamorada as one of their top picks for laidback family vacations, in particular the iconic Islander Resort. Read more about their pick here »
Lawmakers seek answers following manta ray captures in Panhandle
This one hits a little close to me, as I have seen Forrest Young of Dynasty Marine in Marathon and he is one of the most ethical marine collectors I know. And the cries from activists in the panhandle strike me as a little ridiculous; They were properly promoted to collect manta rays for SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The public display of large charasmatic megafauna has shown to be the best way to get people to actually care about wildlife. Read more on their controversy here »
Part-time Key Wester to be honored by Bonefish and Tarpon Trust
Join the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust at 583 Park Avenue, NYC as they celebrate part-time Key West resident W. Thorpe McKenzie, recipient of the 2025 Lefty Kreh Award for Lifetime Achievement in Conservation. The evening features an introduction by Paul Tudor Jones II, live bluegrass from Mountain Cove, a moving tribute to the late Flip Pallot by author T. Edward Nickens, and live and silent auctions — all hosted by Steve Liesman of CNBC. To purchase tickets or learn more »