Grab a bucci — and we are almost close enough to the weekend for a Mimosa, Bloody Mary or Irish coffee… but not quite yet! Good morning, Florida Keys!. Here’s what you need to know as Thursday gets underway.
BREAKING: Kaufman Calls Special Meeting on Barroso Contract
KEY WEST, Fla. — Mayor Sam Kaufman has called a special Key West City Commission meeting for 4 p.m. Thursday to consider providing City Manager Brian Barroso with the 120 days’ notice required to preserve the city’s right to modify or terminate his employment agreement.
BREAKING: Barroso Questions Kaufman’s Sincerity and Accuracy in Citywide Email
KEY WEST, Fla. — City Manager Brian L. Barroso questioned Mayor Sam Kaufman’s sincerity Tuesday in an email distributed to all 402 employees of the city of Key West after the newly elected mayor called a special City Commission meeting that could determine whether Barroso’s contract is extended — or potentially terminated.
Key West Advances $188,130 Higgs Beach Plan with No Estimate to Build It
When Key West took control of Higgs Beach on May 1, city officials said local ownership would give residents a greater voice in the future of one of the island’s most important public spaces.
BREAKING: ‘De-Flocking’ Florida? DeSantis Orders Removal of Controversial Cameras on State Highways
From my colleagues at WPLG-10 in Miami.
New Key West Commission Faces Questions Over City Attorney, Waste Costs
KEY WEST, Fla. — Sam Kaufman will take the mayor’s seat for the first time Thursday alongside new commissioners Mark Rossi and Chris Massicotte, and current commissioners Aaron Castillo, Lissette Carey, Vice Mayor Donie Lee, and Monica Haskel.
They’re Bringing the Old Man Home
KEY WEST, Fla. — A new documentary chronicling the musicians who helped Jimmy Buffett develop his signature sound will begin its theatrical run Saturday in the island city where much of that sound was born.
Just a Few Friends Celebration Gets Underway
The festival continues through Monday. Friday’s schedule includes a city proclamation at Shrimp Boat Sound, a free performance by Gypsies in the Palace at Hog’s Breath Saloon and an evening concert on Duval Street. See the complete festival schedule.
Festival Events Bring Street Closures
The Just a Few Friends celebration will affect traffic in several parts of Key West through Sunday.
The 100 and 200 blocks of Duval Street and a section of Greene Street will close beginning at 8 a.m. Friday for that evening’s concert. Duval Street between Southard and Angela streets will close early Saturday for the Parrots & Margaritas 5K, with rolling closures along the race route.
Sunday’s Second Line Memorial Parade begins at 5 p.m. on Duval Street and continues to Truman Waterfront Park, where a free celebration with live music, vendors, food and drinks is scheduled through 10 p.m. See the city’s event and closure notices.
Womenfest Returns With Five Days of Events
Womenfest is underway in Key West with this year’s theme, “Lost Women in the Arts.”
The annual festival runs through Sunday with entertainment, pool parties, watersports, live music and other events celebrating women and the island’s “One Human Family” spirit. Read more.
Tropical Street Closed During Daytime Hours
Tropical Street between Seminary and South streets will remain closed from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Friday, according to the City of Key West.
Drivers should plan for delays and use an alternate route. Read more.
UPPER KEYS
DNA Identifies Suspect in 1973 Murder of Two Sisters
More than five decades after two New Jersey sisters were found murdered in the Upper Keys, investigators say DNA evidence has identified their killer.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as David Allen Snyder, formerly of Key West. Snyder died in Idaho in 2008.
The sisters had traveled to Key West during spring break and were hitchhiking north when they disappeared. Their bodies were later found in the Key Largo area. Read more.
Rowell’s Waterfront Park Construction Closure Ends
The scheduled construction closure of Rowell’s Waterfront Park in Key Largo ran through Tuesday. Visitors should confirm current access conditions before heading to the park while work winds down. County updates.
MIDDLE KEYS
Marathon Council Returns Tuesday
The Marathon City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 9805 Overseas Highway. The city has also scheduled its first public hearing on the proposed 2026-27 budget for Sept. 16, followed by the final budget hearing Sept. 22. Both begin at 5:30 p.m. Meeting information
Marathon Seeks Code Board Members
The City of Marathon is accepting applications for vacancies on its Code Compliance Board. Information is available through the city’s Code Compliance Department at 305-743-0033. Read more.
ISLAMORADA
Race Registration Prices Increase
Registration prices increase Thursday for December’s Islamorada Half Marathon and 10K weekend. The schedule includes the Rum Runner 5K and 10K and Beach N’ Beer Mile on Dec. 12, followed by the Islamorada Half Marathon and 10K on Dec. 13. Race information.
MONROE COUNTY
Leadership Monroe County Announces New Class
Leadership Monroe County has selected the members of Class XXXIV.
The nonprofit program introduces participants to government, business, public safety, environmental and community organizations throughout the Florida Keys. Read more.
WEATHER
Another Hot Day With a Chance of Storms
Thursday will be mostly sunny with a high near 92 degrees and a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service in Key West. Thursday night brings a 40% chance of storms with a low near 83. Forecasters expect daily rain chances to continue through the weekend, with locally hazardous winds and seas possible near thunderstorms. Full Keys forecast.
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