Good morning from Key West, where the temperature is headed for 90, the political ground is still moving and even a rainbow fence can produce a paper trail worthy of a federal investigation.
A Political Earthquake in Key West… Shockwaves Felt Around State
KEY WEST, Fla. — One of the most contentious mayoral elections in Key West history ended Tuesday with a decisive rejection of the incumbent and a dramatic reshuffling of political power at City Hall.
Kaufman will become Key West’s first Jewish mayor
Kaufman’s victory also marks a first in Key West’s nearly 200-year municipal history: He will become the city’s first Jewish mayor when he takes office Monday.
Kaufman told Jewish News Syndicate that the distinction carries both “incredible pride” and responsibility. He pointed to the Jewish community’s long history in Key West, where Jewish merchants and cigar makers helped shape the island’s economy beginning in the late 19th century.
Key West was incorporated in 1828. Kaufman, an attorney and longtime city commissioner, won Tuesday’s election with about 58% of the vote.
Read the Jewish News Syndicate interview
Florida Keys and Monroe County
City accused of using couple’s names for code complaints
Nicole Sohn and Linda Bagley-Sohn say Key West officials attributed code complaints against several Old Town property owners to them — complaints the couple says it never filed.
The couple is already suing the city over enforcement involving the rainbow-painted fence pickets at its Fleming Street home. The ACLU of Florida filed the lawsuit on the couple’s behalf in May.
Yes, the rainbow fence case has somehow gotten stranger.
Jury convicts Key Largo man in resort killing
A Monroe County jury found 35-year-old Dylan Cody Lamb guilty of second-degree murder, false imprisonment and tampering with evidence in the April 2025 killing of a woman at a Key Largo resort.
Jurors returned the verdict Friday after deliberating for less than two hours. Lamb faces up to life in state prison when he is sentenced Oct. 9.
Remembrance events planned Sunday
Key West will commemorate the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition with two free public events Sunday.
An afternoon gathering is planned at William Weech American Legion Post 168, 803 Emma St., followed by the annual remembrance ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the African Cemetery at Higgs Beach.
The observance commemorates the August 1791 uprising in what is now Haiti that helped launch the movement to abolish the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Citizens insurance officials are coming to Marathon
Senior officials from Citizens Property Insurance will participate in a town hall Tuesday at the Marathon Government Center.
The meeting, hosted by Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe, will focus on problems confronting homeowners and condominium associations, including roof requirements and coverage costs.
Bring your questions. Possibly also a sedative.
County permitting portal gets a face-lift
Monroe County’s online permitting and code-compliance portal is getting a new design beginning Saturday.
The update includes quicker permit, property, contractor and code-case searches, along with revised account and navigation tools.
Jury districts will change next year
Big Pine Key and No Name Key residents summoned for jury duty will begin reporting to the Marathon Courthouse instead of Key West under revised jury districts taking effect Jan. 1.
Residents of Craig Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, Upper Matecumbe Key and Windley Key will report to the Plantation Key Courthouse instead of Marathon.
The Monroe County Commission approved the changes to reduce travel for prospective jurors while keeping each district in compliance with state law.
A rehabilitated loggerhead returns home
“Timmy,” a loggerhead sea turtle rescued off the Lower Keys, returned to the ocean at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park after treatment at the Turtle Hospital.
Despite the name, Timmy is a female. She did not appear concerned about the clerical error.
Congressman caught examining voter’s mailbox
A doorbell camera captured U.S. Rep. Randy Fine opening and looking through a voter’s mailbox while campaigning.
The video does not show Fine removing or tampering with any mail. It does, however, show that Florida politics remains committed to finding new ways to become awkward.
Prisoner accused of running fake hunting-lease scheme
Florida wildlife investigators say a Georgia prison inmate used smuggled cellphones, online aliases and bogus advertisements to sell access to hunting properties he did not own or control.
Rodney Edward Smith faces four felony counts in the alleged scheme, which investigators say targeted Florida hunters between July 2025 and April 2026.
Schools can apply for fishing equipment
Florida’s School Fishing Program has opened registration to public, private and charter schools.
Selected schools can receive fishing equipment and educational materials to establish or expand student fishing clubs. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Amberjack season opens Sept. 1
Florida’s recreational greater amberjack season in state waters of the Gulf will run from Sept. 1 through Oct. 13.
Private recreational anglers must have a State Reef Fish Angler designation, even if they are exempt from holding a fishing license.
That’s the Bucci. Hydrate, tip well and keep your name off other people’s code complaints.