Your Morning Buchi
PAC money adding up, State Attorney convictions, up coming events and more.
BREAKING NEWS: GOP-Linked PAC Pumps $17k Into Niles’ Key West Election War Chest
KEY WEST, Fla. — The political committee financing attacks against mayoral challenger Sam Kaufman and other candidates has increased its available war chest by nearly 46% after receiving a $17,000 infusion from a statewide Republican political committee with a long history of moving money among other PACs.
Elections Continue
Early voting continues daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday, with Election Day on Tuesday. Vote-by-mail ballots must be received—not merely postmarked—by 7 p.m. Tuesday. Above the Fold’s continuing coverage includes its campaign-finance reporting and anti-endorsement for Key West’s August ballot.
Monroe County SAO Round UP
Drug Dealer Sentenced to Three Years in State Prison in Each of Two Key West Drug Cases
Breaking and Developing
Three Marathon men imprisoned in “square grouper” cocaine conspiracy
John Robert Strama Jr., 44, received 10 years in federal prison; Pedro Luis Lugo Jr., 38, received 85 months; and Elvis Lazaro Ruiz, 34, received 65 months. Prosecutors said the organization recovered waterproof-wrapped cocaine packages at sea and distributed between 15 and 50 kilograms. The three were among 27 defendants charged, and 25 have now been sentenced. U.S. Attorney’s Office
Tropical Storm Cristobal forms—but poses no immediate threat to the Keys
Cristobal formed far north in the Atlantic with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph and was moving rapidly east. No coastal watches or warnings were in effect, and forecasters expected the storm to be short-lived. Another Atlantic disturbance still bears watching. National Hurricane Center
Monroe County students return to school today
Sheriff’s deputies are increasing patrols around schools, bus stops and school zones, using marked and unmarked vehicles. Sheriff Rick Ramsay said deputies will take a zero-tolerance approach to speeding and illegally passing stopped school buses. Keys Weekly
Elections and Government
Three candidates seek two Key Colony Beach commission seats
Mayor Freddie Foster and Commissioner Kirk Diehl face challenger Lynne Benton in November. Benton is an engineer, mediator, attorney and member of the city Planning and Zoning Board; Diehl cited his postal-management and construction experience; Foster emphasized his nuclear-industry background and work obtaining grants. Keys Weekly
Early voting remains open through Saturday
Monroe County voters may cast ballots daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Canvassing of vote-by-mail ballots is underway through Thursday. Ballot-signature curing is scheduled Friday. Monroe County Supervisor of Elections
Community
Hemingway look-alikes award $40,000 in CFK scholarships
Eighteen College of the Florida Keys students received $2,500 scholarships. The Hemingway Look-Alike Society has awarded more than $275,000 and established what the college describes as its foundation’s largest endowment. Keys Weekly