Good morning! The weekend is so close you can almost taste it, but Key West still found time for one more round of cops, controversy and City Hall drama.
Will Sam Steele earn a best uppercut nod at the next Keys Weekly Bubba Awards? Will the KWPD and State Attorney’s Office drop the charges against Parks and Recreation’s Ralph Major? Will the Key West City Commission bring in an outside law firm to investigate embattled City Manager Brian Barroso while another separation agreement gets floated?
Grab the bucci and cue the theme music. It’s time for another episode of As the Conch Shell Turns!
BREAKING: Monroe County Tax Collector Involved in Fight at Youth Football Game
KEY WEST, Fla. — Monroe County Tax Collector Sam Steele was involved in a fistfight with two other men Monday evening at George Mira Football Field during a youth football game.
BREAKING: Key West Parks Superintendent Accused of Misusing 911 After Taking City Truck
KEY WEST, Fla. — A longtime City of Key West parks superintendent is accused of misusing the 911 system after police say he took a city work vehicle assigned to one of his departments employees while off duty “to prove a point,” prompting the employee to report the vehicle stolen and triggering a police search.
Mayor’s Press Conference: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026
KEY WEST, Fla. — City Attorney Mayanne Downs has recommended an independent investigation involving City Manager Brian L. Barroso by a firm outside Monroe County, Mayor Sam Kaufman said Tuesday, expressing support for the recommendation while leaving the investigation’s scope and timing unresolved.
City Attorney Advised Kaufman That Barroso Investigation, Exit Talks Can Proceed Together
KEY WEST, Fla. — City Attorney Mayanne Downs has advised Mayor Sam Kaufman that an independent investigation involving City Manager Brian L. Barroso and discussions about a potential voluntary separation agreement can proceed simultaneously, according to a Sept. 10-15 email exchange obtained and reviewed by
KEY WEST
Police Warn of Fake Federal-Agent Calls
Key West police are warning residents about callers impersonating federal law enforcement officers and claiming that a target’s identity or finances are at risk.
The callers may offer to “protect” the victim in exchange for money, banking credentials or other sensitive information. Police said legitimate officers will not demand money over the phone or instruct people to buy gift cards, send cryptocurrency or transfer funds. Anyone receiving a suspicious call should hang up and verify the caller through an independently obtained official number. Read more.
Weekend Brings Art and an Oktoberfest Closure
Walk on White returns Saturday evening, with galleries, studios and neighborhood businesses opening their doors throughout the White Street arts district.
Pickles Pub’s Oktoberfest also runs from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. Greene Street will close between Duval and Ann streets beginning at 10 a.m. Read more.
LOWER KEYS
Ramrod Key Market Returns Saturday
The weekly open-air market at Boondocks runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Mile Marker 27.5 on Ramrod Key. More than 20 vendors are expected with art, jewelry, produce, plants and other locally made goods. Read more.
Big Pine Protections Meeting Set for Monday
Monroe County will hold a hybrid community meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday to discuss possible additional environmental and development protections for Big Pine and No Name keys.
The in-person portion will be held at the Marathon Government Center. The discussion will focus on community proposals beyond federal review procedures that took effect July 1. Read more.
MIDDLE KEYS
Car Plows Through Marathon Dollar Tree
Investigators are trying to determine why a driver crashed through the front of a Dollar Tree in Marathon.
Video showed the vehicle accelerating as it turned toward the store before smashing through the entrance, knocking over shelves and scattering merchandise. Authorities said only minor injuries were reported. Read more.
Marathon Will Test Boat-Ramp Parking Plan
Marathon will reopen four parking spaces at the Harbor Drive boat ramp on a trial basis while stepping up enforcement of traffic and trailer restrictions.
Council members also directed staff to consider painted lines defining the spaces. A separate decision on accepting as many as 100 unused affordable-housing building rights from Key Colony Beach and Layton was postponed until the council can discuss how the units would be distributed. The issue is expected to return Oct. 13. Read more.
Key Colony Beach Reports No Detections of Several Viruses
Key Colony Beach’s latest wastewater update reported no detections during the preceding 30 days of several monitored viruses, including influenza strains, norovirus, mpox clade 1, measles and respiratory syncytial virus. Read more.
KEY LARGO AND THE UPPER KEYS
Postal Service Says Islamorada Office Is Staying Put
The U.S. Postal Service says it has no plans to close the Islamorada Post Office at 82803 Overseas Highway, despite rumors that prompted residents to discuss a petition.
A Postal Service spokeswoman said the building’s lease expired last year and negotiations with the landlord led to an extension. She reiterated Wednesday that there are no current plans to close the Upper Matecumbe Key location. Read more.
Cuban Music Marks Hispanic Heritage Month
The free Son del Mundo Hispanic Heritage celebration begins at 6 p.m. Saturday at Florida Keys Brewing Co., 81611 Old Highway in Islamorada.
The outdoor program features Miami-based Cuban folk ensemble Cortadito performing traditional Cuban son, selections from “The Guajiro Triangle” and standards associated with the Buena Vista Social Club. The event is open to all ages. Read more.
Key Largo Program Takes On Lionfish
REEF’s free Science Saturdays program will explore invasive lionfish and their effect on Florida Keys ecosystems at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The all-ages program will be held in the Science Discovery Classroom at the REEF Ocean Exploration Center, 98380 Overseas Highway in Key Largo. Read more
MONROE COUNTY
Long Key Collection Takes Hazardous Waste Friday
Monroe County will accept household hazardous waste from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the Long Key transfer station at Mile Marker 68. Read more.
Wet Pattern Settles Over the Keys
Keep the rain gear close. Showers are likely Friday, with thunderstorms possible and a 60% chance of rain across the island chain. Highs will reach the upper 80s, with east winds near 5 mph.
The National Weather Service in Key West says most locations could receive another 2 to 4 inches of rain through Sunday, with locally higher totals possible. Stronger thunderstorms may produce gusty winds, heavy downpours and suddenly rough seas. No watches or warnings were in effect Thursday afternoon. Read more.
