Good morning. Pour yourself a bucci, a Conch coffee, a mimosa — crack the cheese bread — or whatever your poison, and dig in.
John Richard Padget, Key West Education Advocate And Philanthropist, Dies at 89
KEY WEST, Fla. — John R. Padget, an international businessman who became one of the Florida Keys’ most consequential education advocates and philanthropists, serving as Monroe County schools superintendent and vice chairman of the Florida State Board of Education while pouring millions of dollars and decades of work into programs for local…
BREAKING: Key West Cemetery’s Neglect Reaches Tipping Point
KEY WEST — A creeping decay at Key West’s historic city cemetery has residents concerned and demanding answers, as unsecured gravesites are exposed to the elements and broken headstones sit scattered across the grounds.
BREAKING: Barroso Saga Continues as Key West Commission Votes 4-3 To Begin Separation Talks
KEY WEST, Fla. — The Key West City Commission voted 4-3 Tuesday evening to authorize City Attorney Mayanne Downs to begin negotiations with embattled City Manager Brian Barroso over a potential amicable separation from the city.
ANALYSIS: Facts Are Stubborn Things. Several Key West Commissioners Should Read Them.
KEY WEST, Fla. — “Facts are stubborn things,” John Adams told a jury in 1770, risking his life to defend British soldiers implicated in the Boston Massacre and urging jurors to weigh evidence rather than their feelings abou…
Key West and the Lower Keys
Driver Arrested After Duval Street Crash: A driver was arrested after a black SUV struck two pedestrians in a crosswalk at Duval and Greene streets Monday night, then hit parked vehicles and overturned, police told NBC 6. Another driver was injured. The charges include leaving the scene of a crash involving injuries and reckless driving. Read more.
Strange Clouds Spotted Off Key West: Video filmed by fisherman Josh Jorgensen shows large, nearly circular gaps in a cloud layer over the Gulf of Mexico. Surfer has the footage of the formations it calls “UFO clouds.” Read more.
Artists Fund Opens New Grant Cycle: The Anne McKee Artists Fund will open applications Monday for project grants of $500 to $3,000 for Keys artists. Youth scholarships and a performance grant are also available. Applications are due Oct. 26. Read more.
A Toast to Key West History: A Curry old-fashioned made with dark rum and tobacco bitters is among the cocktails drawing on the island’s past in a Keys Weekly look at local history served by the glass. Read more.
Marathon and the Middle Keys
Free Back-to-School Picnic Set for Sunday: The city of Marathon and Marathon Masonic Lodge No. 323 will host the After the Bell Community Picnic: A Back to School Break from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Oceanfront Park Events Tiki. The city says families can expect free school supplies, hot dogs, chips and Gatorade, along with music, field games and a cooler raffle. A cash bar will be available for adults.
Bonefish Tournament Opens Tonight: Registration for the 67th Marathon International Bonefish Tournament begins at 5 p.m. at Marathon Grill and Ale. The release-fishing tournament runs through Sunday. Read more.
Islamorada and the Upper Keys
Coral Shores Volleyball Player Honored: Senior Bella Villalba is Keys Weekly’s Athlete of the Week after contributing on offense and defense in matches against Key West and Silver Palms. Read more.
Vessel Intercepted Near Key Largo: Federal authorities stopped a 27-foot boat near Angelfish Creek on Sept. 15. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 22 migrants and one suspected smuggler were aboard. The migrants included 13 Chinese nationals, eight Ecuadorian nationals and one Dominican national; the suspected smuggler is Cuban. Read more.
‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Opens Friday: The Key Players begin a seven-performance run at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Coral Shores High School performing arts center in Tavernier. The company also plans free performances for students at Monroe County’s three high schools. Read more.
Upper Keys Habitat Tournament Supports Housing: Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys is preparing for its Oct. 1 golf fundraiser in Homestead. The organization says proceeds support its work helping local families become homeowners. Read more.
Elsewhere in Florida
Pythons Beyond the Everglades: A USA Today report examines the spread of invasive Burmese pythons beyond their long-established range in South Florida. State wildlife officials say the snakes threaten native wildlife and are found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem. Read more.
The National Weather Service calls for a chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday in Key West, with a high near 92 in the Shade and a 40% chance of rain. Similar rain chances continue Friday; Saturday looks somewhat drier before showers remain possible Sunday. Read more.
