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Prism Local News

Monroe County, Florida
"Your Local News, Powered by AI Journalism"

About Monroe, FL

Population
Approximately 82,800 residents
County Seat
Key West, Florida
Coverage Area
3,737 square miles in southern Florida

Local Updates

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Newsroom monitoring local Monroe, FL developments. Next update cycle in 47 minutes.

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More Local News

Waterfront Playhouse opens musical Once March 5, previews March 4, part of 87th season
Community

Waterfront Playhouse opens musical Once March 5, previews March 4, part of 87th season

Waterfront Playhouse opened the Tony-winning musical Once with a March 4 preview and March 5 opening; the production runs through March 21 at 407 Wall St., starring Jillian Todd and Brendan Daugherty.

Sarah Chen2m read
Florida Keys MCSO weekly service call log lists arrests, incidents March 3
Government

Florida Keys MCSO weekly service call log lists arrests, incidents March 3

The Florida Keys MCSO published a rolling seven-day service call log snapshot labeled "As of: March 03, 2026" showing dozens of calls countywide, including traffic enforcement stops; the supplied text is truncated.

Marcus Williams4m read
Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln Files for Re-election
Government

Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln Files for Re-election

Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln filed paperwork to seek another term; her re-election filing was published March 5, 2026 and at press time she was the only declared candidate.

James Thompson3m read
Bahia Honda State Park Beaches, Historic Bridge Views and Snorkeling Options
Community

Bahia Honda State Park Beaches, Historic Bridge Views and Snorkeling Options

Bahia Honda State Park at Mile Marker 37 on Big Pine Key offers three named beaches, walkable historic bridge views and staffed snorkel/dive services, plan early; camping and parking fill fast.

Sarah Chen6m read
Marathon City Council votes 3-2 to fire City Manager George Garrett
Government

Marathon City Council votes 3-2 to fire City Manager George Garrett

Marathon council voted 3-2 Tuesday to fire city manager George Garrett without cause; Garrett has up to 30 days under his contract.

James Thompson2m read
Prominent Cuban Franchise Owner With Final Deportation Order Arrested in Islamorada
Government

Prominent Cuban Franchise Owner With Final Deportation Order Arrested in Islamorada

A Cuban national described as a prominent franchise owner in the Florida Keys was arrested in Islamorada on March 4, 2026, and is in custody under a final deportation order; a Rolls-Royce is visible in the arrest photo.

Marcus Williams2m read
Key West's First Electric Bus Nearing Completion, Driver Training Delays Service
Government

Key West's First Electric Bus Nearing Completion, Driver Training Delays Service

Rogelio Hernandez says Key West’s first battery-electric bus is nearing completion, will be introduced in January, but will not enter service until summer for delivery, driver training and system integration.

Marcus Williams2m read
Monroe County Alerts Residents to Phone Scam Demanding Gift Cards, Personal Data
Government

Monroe County Alerts Residents to Phone Scam Demanding Gift Cards, Personal Data

Sheriff Troy Goodnough warns Monroe County residents after scammers posing as "Lieutenant Quinn" used 734-436-5286 to demand gift cards and Social Security numbers.

Marcus Williams2m read
Florida Keys Electric uses helicopter to inspect transmission lines, about two weeks
Business

Florida Keys Electric uses helicopter to inspect transmission lines, about two weeks

Florida Keys Electric Cooperative began flying a helicopter the week of March 2 to visually inspect more than 1,600 transmission poles along U.S. 1 between Marathon and Ocean Reef Club.

Sarah Chen2m read
Dense Fog Advisory Forces Closures, Delays for Monroe County Schools March 4
Education

Dense Fog Advisory Forces Closures, Delays for Monroe County Schools March 4

Monroe Public Schools and St. Mary Catholic Central closed March 4 after a dense fog advisory cut visibility to a quarter mile or less and was in effect until 10 a.m.

Marcus Williams2m read
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Meets March 10 in Marathon
Community

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Meets March 10 in Marathon

The advisory council will meet 9 a.m.-3 p.m. March 10 at Marathon City Council Chambers to hear FWC/FWRI updates on sponge restoration in Florida Bay and take public comment at about 2:15 p.m.

Sarah Chen2m read
Reading Florida Keys Mile Markers, Navigating U.S. 1 Through Monroe County
Community

Reading Florida Keys Mile Markers, Navigating U.S. 1 Through Monroe County

Amy Slate’s Amoray Dive Resort sits at MM 104.3, bayside Key Largo; the green Mile Marker signs along U.S. 1 are the local language for directions, parks, boat ramps and the Southernmost Point.

Sarah Chen7m read
Marathon unveils program, local highlights for 50th Seafood Festival March 14-15
Community

Marathon unveils program, local highlights for 50th Seafood Festival March 14-15

Greater Marathon organizers released the program for the 50th Annual Marathon Seafood Festival at Marathon Community Park, a weekend event March 14-15 with $5 admission and kids 12 and under free.

Lisa Park2m read
College of the Florida Keys Hosts 60th Anniversary Gala in Key West
Education

College of the Florida Keys Hosts 60th Anniversary Gala in Key West

The College of the Florida Keys will host a 60th Anniversary Gala at Fort East Martello in Key West on March 27, 6-10 p.m., with the Bay Kings Band and proceeds earmarked for student scholarships.

Sarah Chen3m read
Tubby's Creek Active on Card Sound Road; Mosquito Creek Starts March 12
Government

Tubby's Creek Active on Card Sound Road; Mosquito Creek Starts March 12

Monroe County confirmed Tubby’s Creek Bridge on Card Sound Road is under replacement work and announced preliminary work at nearby Mosquito Creek; the two bridges sit roughly 3,500 feet apart.

James Thompson2m read
Historic Key West City Cemetery Founded 1847 Offers Free Self-Guided Walking Tour
Community

Historic Key West City Cemetery Founded 1847 Offers Free Self-Guided Walking Tour

historic Key West City Cemetery on Solares Hill offers free self‑guided maps at the Passover Lane & Angela Street office; an optional paid audio tour ($29.99) runs 75–90 minutes.

Marcus Williams7m read
Rehabilitated cold-stunned 50-pound green sea turtle released at Islamorada's Founders Park
Community

Rehabilitated cold-stunned 50-pound green sea turtle released at Islamorada's Founders Park

A nearly 50-pound green sea turtle nicknamed "Groundhog" was rescued Feb. 3 after cold-stunning, treated at the Turtle Hospital, and released Feb. 19 into Florida Bay off Founders Park Beach in Islamorada.

Marcus Williams2m read
Islamorada Village and School Board Continue Negotiating Multimillion-Dollar Founders Park Upgrades
Government

Islamorada Village and School Board Continue Negotiating Multimillion-Dollar Founders Park Upgrades

School board sent a heavily revised redline of the Founders Park baseball field license to the village attorney on Feb. 13; negotiations remain unresolved as of March 5, 2026.

James Thompson2m read
Monroe County Deputies Arrest Two for Threats, Seven in Drug Bust
Government

Monroe County Deputies Arrest Two for Threats, Seven in Drug Bust

Jeanty Falando Altenor, 36, was arrested after deputies say he punched and kicked a 62-year-old woman into unconsciousness at a Roberta Street home in Stock Island; seven others were booked in a separate drug probe.

James Thompson3m read
FWS, FWC Seek Monroe County Input Through 15-Minute Key Deer Survey
Government

FWS, FWC Seek Monroe County Input Through 15-Minute Key Deer Survey

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and FWC asked those who live, work or recreate in Monroe County to take a voluntary, 15-minute online survey about Key deer to inform conservation.

James Thompson3m read
Key West Conchs Win District 16-1A Title, Extend Streak to 17
Education

Key West Conchs Win District 16-1A Title, Extend Streak to 17

Key West High's Conchs piled up 188 points to win the District 16-1A team title, extending their consecutive-district streak to 17 while holding off Westminster Christian and Florida Christian.

Sarah Chen3m read
Lower Keys Medical Center Earns Joint Commission Gold Seal, Heart-Check Mark
Healthcare

Lower Keys Medical Center Earns Joint Commission Gold Seal, Heart-Check Mark

Lower Keys Medical Center at 5900 College Road in Key West announced Feb. 27, 2026 it has again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark.

Dr. Elena Rodriguez2m read
Monroe County Firefighters Rescue Fawn from Brush Fire, Aid Other Wildlife
Government

Monroe County Firefighters Rescue Fawn from Brush Fire, Aid Other Wildlife

Monroe County firefighter Jen Shockley Brack jumped into burning brush on Big Pine Key to grab an endangered Key deer fawn at Raccoon Run and Wilder Boulevard.

Marcus Williams3m read
Collier and Keys United Way Opens Final Marine Scholarship, $47,500 Awarded
Education

Collier and Keys United Way Opens Final Marine Scholarship, $47,500 Awarded

Jessica Dockery and Brandi Horton presented $47,500 in marine science scholarships to 11 Monroe County residents at Coral Shores High School on May 27, while UWCK opened its fourth and final application round through April 24, 2025.

Sarah Chen2m read
31st Anne McKee Auction in Key West Feb. 27 Benefits Local Artists
Community

31st Anne McKee Auction in Key West Feb. 27 Benefits Local Artists

Forty works by local artists, including William Welch, Bill Hartman and Sal Salinero, were offered at The Studios of Key West on Feb. 27; each sale split proceeds 50/50 with the Anne McKee Artists Fund.

Marcus Williams2m read
Monroe County TDC Approves New Tourism Infrastructure Investments for FY2026
Government

Monroe County TDC Approves New Tourism Infrastructure Investments for FY2026

Monroe County commissioners approved TDC recommendations on Feb. 26, 2026, advancing more than $11 million in bed-tax funded capital projects for FY2026 across the Florida Keys.

James Thompson3m read
Former Monroe County Trauma Star Chief Flight Nurse Lynda Rusinowski Sentenced
Healthcare

Former Monroe County Trauma Star Chief Flight Nurse Lynda Rusinowski Sentenced

Former Trauma Star chief flight nurse Lynda J. Rusinowski, 59, was sentenced Feb. 25, 2026 to 60 days in the Monroe County jail after pleading no contest to 14 counts of grand theft of controlled substances.

Lisa Park2m read
Plaque Honoring Teen Merrick Dunn Unveiled at Harry Harris Park South Field
Community

Plaque Honoring Teen Merrick Dunn Unveiled at Harry Harris Park South Field

Family, friends and teammates unveiled a plaque at the south field of Harry Harris Park on Feb. 28 honoring 15-year-old Merrick Dunn’s love of baseball.

Sarah Chen2m read
12-Year-Old Charged with Aggravated Assault on Big Pine Key After BB-Gun Confrontation
Community

12-Year-Old Charged with Aggravated Assault on Big Pine Key After BB-Gun Confrontation

Jose Alcides Guevara, 12, of Sugarloaf Key was arrested March 2 after deputies say he pulled what looked like a handgun and threatened another juvenile behind a Big Pine Key pharmacy; the weapon was later ruled a BB gun.

Lisa Park2m read