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- US 1 gets a D. Monroe County issued a press release with draft results of the U.S. 1 arterial travel study. This could mean that the County may limit certain new development. Expect further reporting on this issue this week. (Keys Weekly)
- Not if, but when. Linda Cunningham noted the striking similarities between Lahaina and Key West and that the tragic fire in Hawai'i could and likely will be repeated in Key West. Recent reductions in water pressure by FKAA could adversely affect firefighting, and the Key West Fire Department's Class 1 rating, which may result in higher insurance costs. FKAA's CEO had not yet responded to some critical questions. (Key West Island News)
- Cautionary tale. Ahead of Biden's visit to the devastation in Hawai'i, the New York Times questioned government entities' role in disaster preparations. (New York Times)
Aldi Winns. The German supermarket chain Aldi purchased Winn-Dixie as part of a 400 store deal expected to close in early 2024. The branding of some stores may be retained, but the fate of Winn-Dixie stores has not yet been announced. (New York Times, Miami Herald)
Voter registration. The Monroe County Supervisor of Elections reached out to voters to remind them to check their vote-by-mail (VBM) registration. Previously, a VBM request was good for two federal elections, but under state law passed after the 2020 election, all requests expired in December 2022 and new ones must be made for each election cycle. Visit the supervisor's web site to be sure you can vote by mail next year. (Citizen)
Five storms. As of Monday morning, there were five Atlantic tropical storms being tracked by the National Hurricane Center in Miami, of which three (Emily, Franklin, and Gert) have earned names. At present, none appear to pose a significant threat to the Keys other than some recent gusts. (Please do not rely on KWV for tropical storm information - always get the latest from the National Hurricane Center.)
Prothonotary. Mark Hedden taught us about a lovely yellow warbler after seeing a few at the Botanical Garden, including how to pronounce its name. (Keys Weekly)
Our Eyes
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| A migrating prothonotary warbler seen recently at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden. Mark Hedden/Keys Weekly |
Previously in Key West Voices
Arrested developments.
- FBI arrest. A Marathon couple was arrested for alleged participation in the 6 January 2021 riot at the U.S. Capital. (Keys Weekly). The couple was released on $100,000 bonds after appearing before a federal judge in Key West. (Miami Herald, via Seattle Spokesman-Review)
- Road rage. A woman is facing an attempted murder charge and her husband faces a charge of battery following a road rage incident early Saturday. (Citizen)
Pilot rescue on video. Monroe County Sheriff deputies rescued a pilot after his small plane crashed in the water off Sawyer Key near the Lower Keys on Sunday morning. The rescue was captured on video. (NBC Miami)
Air and water.
- Dead whale. Bystanders saw the animal struggling in about two to three feet of water around Harry Harris Park, a small oceanfront park in Tavernier. (Florida Keys News) Officials began a necropsy of the whale, the second marine mammal found dead off the Keys in a week. (Citizen)
- Even more storms? Scientists at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center upped their prediction for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season to an above-normal level of activity. (Keys Weekly)
- Records falling. Many Florida locations experienced a record-hot July, and August is off to a sweltering start. Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Daytona Beach and Tallahassee are all experiencing their hottest August on record so far. (Washington Post)
- Artificial reefs. Monroe County and FWC officials met to discuss the next steps after being awarded $10 million from the state to start an artificial reef program in the Florida Keys. (Keys Weekly)
- 'Gnathia jimmybuffetti' A team of scientists, including a group from the University of Miami, named a newly discovered species of isopod after Jimmy Buffet. The article included a brief interview with Buffet about his time in Key West. (Florida Keys News).
School daze
- Psych out? Psych in? After a reversal from state officials over gender and sexual orientation modules, the AP Psychology course can be taught in Florida public high schools. Monroe County will offer an adapted version of the course. (WUSF)
- Time out for prep sports. Dwindling numbers of qualified officials and few new recruits resulted in cancellation of some high school games. (Keys Weekly)
- Anti-woke indoctrination. The state approved videos comparing climate activists to Nazis and portraying solar and wind energy as environmentally ruinous for use in the public school curriculum. (The Guardian)
- Teacher deficit. The Florida Education Association claimed a significant teacher shortage, with approximately 7,000 teaching vacancies and over 5,000 openings for school support staff statewide. Monroe County Schools is introducing virtual teachers for some high school science courses. (The Capitolist)
- Teacher housing. Monroe Schools' superintendent explained the challenges of housing teachers. (Keys Weekly)
- New paperwork. Parents of Florida school students faced new bureaucracy resulting from DeSantis’s push for “parental rights” in education. There were new laws and regulations restricting classroom instruction on gender and sexuality, and preventing transgender students and staff members from using group bathrooms that match their gender identity. (New York Times)
- Slavery better than being killled, no? The Florida Department of Education approved the use of PragerU Kids’ cartoon videos for children as young as kindergarten age that not only soft-pedal the history of slavery, racism, colonialism and police brutality – they show sympathy for them. In one cartoon video, Columbus asserts that “Slavery is as old as time and has taken place in every corner of the world … Being taken as a slave is better than being killed, no?” (The Guardian)
Law, and order in the court?
- Another suspension. DeSantis suspended the top prosecutor in Orlando, claiming “dereliction of duty” on crime. (The Guardian)
- Florida judicial court consolidation. WFTV Orlando broadcast an overview of proposed consolidation that will be the topic of public comment on 25 August. There is already substantial opposition. (WFTV)
- Labor racketeers sentenced. Operators of several Key West staffing companies were sentenced to prison for tax and immigration-related crimes. (Florida Keys Free Press)
- Square grouper haul. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said she and her family hauled in 70 pounds of cocaine worth over $1.1 million while fishing in the Florida Keys in July. (CBS News)
Conch Town closed. Citing a downturn in business related to the shooting death of 21-year-old Garrett Hughes, owner Nicole Cates said that her business suffered exponentially following the crime. (Citizen)
Workforce housing. Construction of 24 apartments for local law enforcement workers is underway on a once-vacant lot between the luxury Steam Plant condominiums and the school district’s headquarters. (Keys Weekly)
Barbie World located. Celebrity scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson figured out that Barbie World is actually in the Florida Keys, and the story was picked up in many venues. (Facebook)
- Delighted. Mayor Teri Johnston was delighted with the scientist’s theory. “I think that’s terrific,” Johnston said. “It’s just such a wonderful time to have something quirky and positive and you know, so energetic, out in the world today.” (Florida Keys News)
- Debunked. Our own Ray Warren was amused, but didn't buy it. (Facebook)
Smells like Key West. Linda Cunningham asserted that you’ll never get rid of Eau de Key West, and used AI to illustrate her column. (Key West Island News)
Subtle moves. Mark Hedden tried not to get too riled up about the swallow-tailed kite. (Keys Weekly)
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