KEY LARGO, FL – With the successful securing of a federal grant appropriation for the Key Largo Twin Lakes neighborhood, today, the Board of County Commissioners approved the start of the project’s construction. The neighborhood experiences frequent flooding for prolonged periods during heavy rainfall, storm surge, high tide, and King Tide events that cause damage to public roads and private properties, creating safety issues for the residents. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held near the end of summer or early fall.
“Thanks to our staff and our federal and state lobbyists who jumped on a funding opportunity that hasn’t been available for the past decade,” said Monroe County Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein. “A huge thank you to Rep. Carlos Gimenez for supporting and advancing this federal appropriation and to Gov. DeSantis, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for its funding through the State’s Resilient Florida grant program. The community cannot remain safe and secure without functioning roadways, operational stormwater systems, and supporting infrastructure.” The shovel-ready project consists of road elevation and new drainage and stormwater collection systems and is also funded with Resilience Florida funding appropriated in the state budget. The project is funded by federal and state grants and local funds. Neighborhood-wide flooding mitigation is not easy nor inexpensive. “Water management, stormwater road runoff, and residential properties all have to be considered,” said Director of Roads and Bridges Judy Clarke. “We wish it were as simple as raising the road, but it isn’t.” The project encompasses 4,633 linear feet of roadway and will protect 105 residential structures in the Twin Lakes subdivision. Monroe County has been working toward a resilient Florida Keys for more than a decade, including a Roadway Vulnerability Analysis and Capital Plan. The plan uses environmental and human-use factors in assessing the flooding vulnerability of 300 miles of county roads. “We are excited to begin construction of the County’s first pilot project for road elevation, and help the neighborhood maintain access to their homes and become more resilient to sea level rise,” said Chief Resilience Officer Rhonda Haag. To learn more about Monroe County roadway vulnerabilities, visit www.keysroadsplan.com.
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KEY WEST, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognized and thanked the Friends of the Key West Library for their more than 50 years of commitment to education, information, and culture in Key West and the Florida Keys and its $70,000 donation to the Key West Public Library Branch.
The Friends of the Key West Library was established in 1972 to support the Monroe County Public Library’s first location at 700 Fleming Street in Key West. Since then, they have supported the library and the community by raising funds and volunteering to provide better programs and services for the people of Key West and all Monroe County Public Library cardholders. More than 40 percent of Key West residents have a library card. “Florida Keys residents benefit all year from the generosity and hard work of our Friends of the Library groups,” said Kimberly Matthews, Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Libraries. “This donation helps us bring more materials and programs to the public, ultimately improving their quality of life.” The Friends group finds new ways to raise funds for the library each year through membership, used book sales, an annual gala, grants, and more. They also support cultural programming such as the speaker series, concerts, film screenings, and other events that are free and accessible to the community. This year, the Friends contributed a record $70,000 that will go toward purchasing print and eBooks, programming supplies that benefit adults and children, staff development, and more. Lower Keys Medical Center awarded Primary Stroke Center Certification from The Joint Commission5/10/2024 ![]() (KEY WEST, FL – May 10, 2024) – Lower Keys Medical Center has again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Primary Stroke Center Certification. Lower Keys Medical Center underwent a rigorous onsite review on March 4, 2024. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including program management and delivering and facilitating care for stroke patients. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews. “Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend Lower Keys Medical Center for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.” “We congratulate Lower Keys Medical Center for this outstanding achievement,” says Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, the American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.” David Clay, chief executive officer, Lower Keys Medical Center, credited hospital employees. “Thank you to our staff for embracing and hardwiring best practices and following precise standards of care that have been proven to deliver the best care for patients experiencing stroke. This achievement supports our mission to ‘help people get well and live healthier’ in our community.” The certification requirements and processes entail creating a cohesive clinical team, demonstrating a consistent approach to care, reducing variation and the risk of error, and organizing the healthcare team across the continuum of care. For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website. Jag Gallery welcomes the always anticipated return of Cathy Rose, a Key West favorite for over two decades with an exhibit of new works in uniquely inspired assemblage and mixed media paintings.
An artist for over 40 years and a gallerist for almost 20, with her former New Orleans based Lucky Rose Gallery, Cathy began her artistic journey as a production potter before her interest turned to figurative work both as a sculptor and a painter. Primarily known and easily recognized for her captivating assemblage of antique objects, wood, clay and vintage fabric as well as her brilliantly imagined media paintings, Cathy is inspired largely by Southern Primitive and Outsider Art charming collectors throughout the US and abroad as she has here since her early days at the former Lucky Street Gallery Meet Cathy at a gallery reception on Friday May 17th from 5:30-7:30 which is free and open to the public. CATHY ROSE…new works, is on view through June 9th and will be available for online viewing at the gallery website www.jaggallery.art. Considered one of the Island’s finest destinations for contemporary art offering carefully curated exhibits featuring work of prominent artists from Key West and beyond, Jag Gallery is located at the Simonton Street entrance to Duval Square, 1075 Duval Street with ample, free parking. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Sunday noon to 5, Monday’s by appointment. For additional information call 305.407.6202 or email [email protected] and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Television (MCTV) offers digital options for watching County programming and recently revamped its mobile phone application. In addition to watching MCTV locally on Channel 76 on Comcast, Channel 99 on AT&T U-verse, Hotwire Fision TV Channel 1615, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV, the mobile app was added to watch meetings live or access MCTV’s Video On Demand content. If you have the older version of the app, it must be deleted and re-downloaded to your phone. The mobile app (“Monroe County TV” on iOS and Android) allows easy access to live and Video-On-Demand features. Additional details on MCTV and County programming can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/MCTV.
The new application’s icon on your phone should look like the picture attached. MONROE COUNTY, FL— Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln was appointed to the Florida Department of Transportation’s Florida Transportation Plan (FTP) Steering Committee. The plan is updated every five years to ensure Florida communities have guidance and vision into the improvements the transportation network has experienced statewide and empowers local communities to develop strategies that complement statewide efforts to meet the needs of growing infrastructure.
The steering committee consists of other key partners and stakeholders who will guide the development of the goals, objectives, and policies that will make up the FTP supported by focus groups comprised of industry partners and stakeholders designed to address more targeted discussions on specific goals and objectives included in the plan. “This is a great opportunity for Monroe County to be represented statewide on this committee,” said Lincoln. As a reminder, the FDOT invites the public to a formal presentation and question and answer session regarding the project development of the new 7 Mile Bridge. The meeting will take in person, virtually, and broadcasted on MCTV channels on Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, 2nd Floor or virtually from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, by registering at www.bit.ly/SevenMileBridgePublicKickoffMeeting. ![]() MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Solid Waste will host its quarterly Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste collection on Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bernstein Park, 6751 5th St., Stock Island. Disposing of hazardous and e-materials is free at the event for Monroe County residents. For more information on household and electronic waste, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/solidwaste. “These chemicals can contaminate Monroe County’s sensitive ecosystem,’ said Monroe County Solid Waste Director Cheryl Sullivan. “It is incredibly important to dispose of these chemicals appropriately.” Household hazardous waste are products often found in the garage, sheds, storage areas, or under the kitchen sink. They are corrosive, flammable, reactive, or toxic. E-waste can be items like televisions, computers and laptops, and old cell phones. Hazardous waste examples include paints, stains, strippers, wood preservatives, roof tar and patching compounds, adhesives, putty and caulk, auto/marine maintenance/care products, fiberglass and epoxy resins, solvents, hydraulic fluids, anti-freeze, waste oil, corrosives (muriatic acid, lye, etc.), pesticides, fertilizers, weed killers/herbicides, drain cleaners, pool cleaning products, fluorescent/CFL light bulbs, and waste containing mercury, like light bulbs and thermometers. The next collection will be Aug. 10 on Stock Island and July 13 in Marathon at 10600 Aviation Blvd. In addition to the collections, HHW can be disposed at Monroe County transfer stations: Cudjoe Key Transfer Station, MM21.5, Blimp Road: First and third Wednesdays of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Long Key Transfer Station, MM68: First and third Fridays of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Key Largo, Corner of Atlantic Avenue and Homestead Avenue (Behind Walgreens) E-Waste and HHW: Second and fourth Wednesdays, monthly, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Additional dates and information can be found on the website at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/solidwaste. The Florida Keys Council of the Arts is proud to announce the opening of a new art exhibit: “The Focal Plane,” a collaborative fine art photography show of contemplative works by several local fine art photographers including Tamara Alvarez, Lynne Bentley- Kemp, Nicholas Bergery, Romi Burianova, Jeffrey Cardenas, Nick Doll, Jay W. Hall, Erika Heffernan, Martha Hubbard, Mary Martin, John Martini, Michale Marrero, Carol Munder, Rob O’Neal, Lena Perkins, Emma Starr, and more. The show is curated by Arts Council Board Member and photographer, Mark Hedden. The opening reception will be Friday, May 17th from 5:00 till 7:00 pm. Refreshments will be served.
Mark Hedden shared: "Photography is often about obsession – what is the thing that you find yourself focusing on again and again. It’s how photographers define themselves. There are so many great photographers who live and work in Key West, most of whom work in different veins. I thought it would be fun and interesting to assemble a somewhat eclectic show of their images.” The exhibit will be on display Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m. in the Gato, 1100 Simonton St., Key West, through the summer. There is free parking, and the building and show are ADA accessible. The building is closed on weekends and Federal holidays. This exhibit is part of the Arts Council’s Art in Public Buildings program, designed to offer an opportunity for artists to exhibit their work beyond a traditional gallery space and enhance the environment of those who work and visit the Gato Building. For more information, please call the Florida Keys Council of the Arts at 305-295-4369. MONROE COUNTY, FL -- Monroe County Fleet Management Director Daryl Greenlee is one of two public fleet professionals recently chosen for induction into the Public Fleet Hall of Fame for 2024, produced by Government Fleet and the American Public Works Association. The new inductees are selected by industry professionals and are recognized industry leaders and pioneers who have significantly contributed to the public fleet profession.
To be eligible, Greenlee needed at least 20 years of experience in the industry, 10 of which must be spent working for a public fleet or a private company contracted to manage a public fleet. Greenlee joins Michael J Brennan, former Manatee County, Florida fleet manager. Fleet Management services more than 850 units at three county-owned garages on Rockland Key, Marathon, and Plantation Key. This department is responsible for maintaining, repairing, and providing fuel for the county fleet, which includes automobiles, vans, trucks, heavy equipment, and 70 generators. Monroe County continues to be named in the top 50 fleets in the United States and Canada. KEY WEST, FL, May 8, 2024— The College of the Florida Keys held its sixty-eighth Commencement Exercises for the spring class of 2024 on Friday, May 3 in the Tennessee Williams Theatre on the Key West Campus. Ninety-four graduates donned blue and orange graduation attire to receive their diplomas. The College expects to award a combined total of approximately 116 credentials, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and college credit certificates, to spring graduates.
U.S. Army veteran Garrett Wills, who earned associate degrees in Marine Environmental Technology and Diving Business and Technology, presented the Student Address. He also presented the Instructor of the Year award to History instructor Charles Goulding. The College bestowed the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award to Monroe County School Board member Andy Griffiths. Griffiths earned his Associate in Arts degree at CFK in 1979 before becoming a successful fishing charter business owner and the longest serving elected official in Monroe County. Senator Doug Broxson delivered the Keynote Address and received the 2024 President’s Award for his legislative support of CFK and the Keys. The full ceremony can be viewed on the College’s Facebook page at facebook.com/TheCollegeoftheFloridaKeys. Following Commencement, the College held a nursing ceremony for students who completed their Associate of Science in Nursing this spring semester. Upon passing the national NCLEX-RN licensure exam, each will become a registered nurse. CFK’s summer semester begins May 14 and fall semester begins August 19. Information about academic programs, steps to become a student, and ways to pay for college can be viewed on the College’s website at CFK.edu/FutureStudents. |
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