29 August 2023

Hurricane Idalia update... plus - Weekly briefing - 29 August 2023

Human-curated Florida Keys news, all in one place. 

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Hurricane Idalia


Idalia intensified to a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. Frequent updates are being issued by the National Hurricane CenterYou should always make decisions based on current official forecasts, not static information or word of mouth. Here are key messages as of Tuesday morning:

FOR THE LATEST AS OF 4:00 A.M. EDT TUESDAY, CLICK HERE. 

BULLETIN
Hurricane Idalia Advisory Number  11
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL102023
400 AM CDT Tue Aug 29 2023

...IDALIA NOW A HURRICANE...
...EXPECTED TO RAPIDLY INTENSIFY INTO AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS MAJOR
HURRICANE BEFORE LANDFALL ON WEDNESDAY..
SUMMARY OF 400 AM CDT...0900 UTC...INFORMATION
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * Lower Florida Keys west of the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge.


Monday
  • Keys schools, government offices remain open. Florida Keys schools and government offices will remain open on Tuesday, Aug. 29, but a tropical storm warning remains in place for the Dry Tortugas area and a tropical storm watch for the Lower Florida Keys. (Citizen)
  • No evacuation orders. The Keys were under a tropical storm watch on Monday. Impacts may include flash flooding due to rain and storm surge, amplified by king tides happening as the storm passes. 
  • Storm briefing. National Weather Service meteorologist Jon Rizzo briefed Keys governments, schools, law enforcement and hospital officials on Tropical Storm Idalia on Monday morning. The hurricane is expected to pass at least 300 miles to the west of Key West. A "messy rain squall" on the east side of the tropical storm will bring an estimated 1 to 3 inches of rain, with the possibility of higher amounts in isolated areas. (Citizen)
  • Florida-wide impact. Per the National Weather Service, "there is a danger of life-threatening storm surge inundation along portions of the Florida Gulf Coast where a Storm Surge Warning is in effect, including Tampa Bay and the Big Bend region of  Florida. Inundation of 7 to 11 feet above ground level is expected somewhere between Chassahowitzka and Aucilla River. 

Our Community - Weekly briefing


Jacksonville shooting. A 52-year-old woman who was born and raised in Key West was one of three Black people fatally shot Saturday at a Dollar General Store in Jacksonville, Florida, by a white man on a racist rampage. The shooter killed himself at the scene. (Keys Weekly)

Court consolidation.
Failing grade. The Keys again received a failing grade for the carrying capacity on U.S. 1, which could result in a prohibition on new commercial development. Coupled with the recent FKAA water main line breaks and reduced water pressure into the Florida Keys, Last Stand said that the travel study is another example that the chain of islands has reached its carrying capacity. (Citizen)
  • Water rate increase? The City of Key West included a notice in monthly water bills advising rate-payers of a proposed 3% increase in water rates. This follows a reduction in system-wide water pressure necessitated following a series of water main breaks earlier this year. A public hearing will be held at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall on 7 September. (Not yet officially posted)
A FIRM no. Thanks in part to lobbying by Monroe County advocate Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe (FIRM), the state blocked Citizens' latest property insurance rate increase. (Citizen)

Rick Worth recovering. Well-known and widely-appreciated Key West artist Rick Worth was recovering from a 13 August stroke. Locals raised money to help him out. (Keys Weekly)

Drag queen running for House District 120. Michael Travis, who performs as “Erika Rose” in Key West, filed to challenge Republican incumbent, Rep. Jim Mooney in Monroe County’s House District 120. (Florida Politics)

Confiscated. A Florida prison confiscated a copy of the Key West Citizen because in included a feature that "may be used to create coded messages indecipherable by staff.”

Compelling census data. Linda Cunningham gleaned compelling facts about the Keys from U.S. Census data and lamented the trends they revealed. (Key West Island News)

Bee careful. A swarm of angry bees was unleashed after a bad decision by a resident near the Triangle intersection. Nearby hotels were evacuated. (Keys Weekly)

Driveway moments. Mark Hedden wrote about panic-inducing white-crowned pigeons. (Keys Weekly)

Our Eyes

‘Self Portrait’ by Rick Worth. JAG GALLERY/Contributed

Previously in Key West Voices

Capacities Constrained 
Violations. Monroe County reported in a press release that more than 1,900 structures in unincorporated Monroe County may not comply with FEMA standards for downstairs enclosures, and submitted a plan of action to research the structures to determine if violations exist. Insurance rates countywide could be adversely impacted. (Keys Weekly)

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 Keys 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)

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)

26 August 2023

Special Alert - Possible storm forming - 25 August 2023

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The National Weather Service is tracking a disturbance in the western Caribbean. In its 8:00 p.m. Friday report (ignore map below; click here for the latest report) they said (emphasis added):

1. Northwestern Caribbean Sea and Eastern Gulf of Mexico (AL93):
Shower and thunderstorm activity has increased since yesterday in 
association with an area of low pressure over the northwestern 
Caribbean Sea. Environmental conditions appear conducive for further 
development of this system during the next several days, and a 
tropical depression is likely to form late this weekend or early 
next week while it moves generally northward over the eastern Gulf 
of Mexico. Interests in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, western 
Cuba, and Florida should monitor the progress of this system.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...50 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...high...80 percent.





This map is from 8:00 p.m. EDT Friday evening,
and is not current. Click the map to see the most current version. 







22 August 2023

Capacities Constrained - Weekly briefing - 22 August 2023

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Our Community

Capacities Constrained 
Violations. Monroe County reported in a press release that more than 1,900 structures in unincorporated Monroe County may not comply with FEMA standards for downstairs enclosures, and submitted a plan of action to research the structures to determine if violations exist. Insurance rates countywide could be adversely impacted. (Keys Weekly)

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


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.
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. 
School daze
Law, and order in the court?
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)
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)


15 August 2023

Arrested developments - Weekly briefing - 15 August 2023

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Our Community


Arrested developments.
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. 
School daze
Law, and order in the court?
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)
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)

Our Eyes

Vincent plays in the clouds at sunset. Lynne Bentley-Kemp

Previously in Key West Voices


(Dis) serving the community. Despite its mission to serve the community Sunbeam Christian School was closed by its pastor with little notice. He fired nine teachers for their refusal to commit to living a "Biblical lifestyle." (Keys Weekly)
Labor market trouble in schools and elsewhere
Lofts project in trouble. A significant gap in affordability would make the Lofts project home ownership units out of reach for most income levels. (Keys Weekly)  

Psych out? Maybe. College Board announced that Florida schools should no longer offer AP Psychology. The latest tussle came over a section in the course that addresses gender and sexual orientation. (New York Times)
Tax increase sustained. Finance Director asked city commissioners to keep the increased rate the same to help combat increases in personnel costs for the city. (Citizen)

Bike lanes on South Roosevelt? Chris Hamilton argues that it's not too late to add the protected bike lanes that City Commissioners voted for. But City’s Engineering said it would cost the City some money and was too risky because of FDOT deadlines. (Car Free Cities)

Air safety rules waived. Ron DeSantis’ Key West anti-migrant missions raised pilot safety concerns. (NBC News)

Hot water. Florida corals are in hotter water than first thought. (Florida Keys News)
Hot air. More scorching heat was forecast for the Keys. The weather service issued a heat advisory Sunday, saying it could feel as hot as 112 degrees. (Florida Keys News)

Two months ahead of schedule. FKAA crews reached the halfway mark on its Islamorada water main replacement project, but traffic impacts aren't expected to lessen until March 2024. (Keys Weekly)

Surviving the Overseas HighwayLinda Cunningham said to stick to the speed limit or the flow of traffic along with other practical advice. (Key West Island News)

She likes them. Nancy Klingener recommended podcasts, video, and most importantly, books

It's hard out there. Mark Hedden enlightened us about short-tailed hawks. (Keys Weekly)









 

08 August 2023

Doing a (dis)service to the community - Weekly briefing - 8 August 2023

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Our Community

(Dis) serving the community. Despite its mission to serve the community Sunbeam Christian School was closed by its pastor with little notice. He fired nine teachers for their refusal to commit to living a "Biblical lifestyle." (Keys Weekly)
Labor market trouble in schools and elsewhere
Lofts project in trouble. A significant gap in affordability would make the Lofts project home ownership units out of reach for most income levels. (Keys Weekly)  

Psych out? Maybe. College Board announced that Florida schools should no longer offer AP Psychology. The latest tussle came over a section in the course that addresses gender and sexual orientation. (New York Times)
Tax increase sustained. Finance Director asked city commissioners to keep the increased rate the same to help combat increases in personnel costs for the city. (Citizen)

Bike lanes on South Roosevelt? Chris Hamilton argues that it's not too late to add the protected bike lanes that City Commissioners voted for. But City’s Engineering said it would cost the City some money and was too risky because of FDOT deadlines. (Car Free Cities)

Air safety rules waived. Ron DeSantis’ Key West anti-migrant missions raised pilot safety concerns. (NBC News)

Hot water. Florida corals are in hotter water than first thought. (Florida Keys News)
Hot air. More scorching heat was forecast for the Keys. The weather service issued a heat advisory Sunday, saying it could feel as hot as 112 degrees. (Florida Keys News)

Two months ahead of schedule. FKAA crews reached the halfway mark on its Islamorada water main replacement project, but traffic impacts aren't expected to lessen until March 2024. (Keys Weekly)

Surviving the Overseas HighwayLinda Cunningham said to stick to the speed limit or the flow of traffic along with other practical advice. (Key West Island News)

She likes them. Nancy Klingener recommended podcasts, video, and most importantly, books

It's hard out there. Mark Hedden enlightened us about short-tailed hawks. (Keys Weekly)

Our Eyes

Key West Colors - CJ Groth


Previously in Key West Voices


Tourism; tourist behaving badly. 
Coral in hot water. Our hopper of links to include here is rife with stories about hot water and peril for our coral.
Sudden closure. In Keys WeeklyMandy Miles detailed the causes and consequences of the sudden closure of Sunbeam Christian School, "...due to staffing issues.” 
COVID rising? The Orlando Sentinel warned that COVID is coming back. Although reported testing levels are low, the positivity rate has jumped to 17.4% from 11% a month ago, according to state health data.

Academics flee. The Guardian detailed how Florida universities are hit by brain drain as a result of DeSantis policies. 

Want a Florida Keys job that pays $61,000 to $97,000? Florida Keys News told us how Monroe County Schools face steep challenges in recruiting teachers, and have turned to social media. Yes, the challenges are about affordable housing and other costs of living.   

Officials deeply troubled. Funding issues now threaten to eliminate the 28 home ownership units in The Lofts proposal, along with 98 rental apartments, according to Keys Weekly

New area code. WGCU advised its listeners of the new 'overlay' area code 645 in Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys beginning 4 August. 

Politics a drag? Florida Politics said that a Key West drag show performer is challenging a two-term incumbent for his seat in the state House. 

Life used to be simple. John Bartus remembered an earlier time in Keys Weekly.  

Love and laundry. In Keys WeeklyMandy Miles appreciated the group of volunteers from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church that helps people pay for their laundry

House sparrows. Mark Hedden observed that sparrows have a thing for sans serif fonts in his Keys Weekly column.  

01 August 2023

Get real - Weekly briefing - 1 August 2023

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Our Community


Tourism; tourist behaving badly. 
Coral in hot water. Our hopper of links to include here is rife with stories about hot water and peril for our coral.
Sudden closure. In Keys Weekly, Mandy Miles detailed the causes and consequences of the sudden closure of Sunbeam Christian School, "...due to staffing issues.” 
COVID rising? The Orlando Sentinel warned that COVID is coming back. Although reported testing levels are low, the positivity rate has jumped to 17.4% from 11% a month ago, according to state health data.

Academics flee. The Guardian detailed how Florida universities are hit by brain drain as a result of DeSantis policies. 

Want a Florida Keys job that pays $61,000 to $97,000? Florida Keys News told us how Monroe County Schools face steep challenges in recruiting teachers, and have turned to social media. Yes, the challenges are about affordable housing and other costs of living.   

Officials deeply troubled. Funding issues now threaten to eliminate the 28 home ownership units in The Lofts proposal, along with 98 rental apartments, according to Keys Weekly

New area code. WGCU advised its listeners of the new 'overlay' area code 645 in Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys beginning 4 August. 

Politics a drag? Florida Politics said that a Key West drag show performer is challenging a two-term incumbent for his seat in the state House. 

Life used to be simple. John Bartus remembered an earlier time in Keys Weekly.  

Love and laundry. In Keys Weekly, Mandy Miles appreciated the group of volunteers from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church that helps people pay for their laundry

House sparrows. Mark Hedden observed that sparrows have a thing for sans serif fonts in his Keys Weekly column.  

Our Eyes


Lynne Bently-Kemp



Bette Zirkelbach / The Turtle Hospital


Previously in Key West Voices

Hog's Breath sold. Keys Weekly confirmed the rumor that Hog's Breath Saloon was sold to giant timeshare operator Westgate Resorts, According to a press release, “Westgate Resorts recognizes the unique cultural significance of the venue and is committed to preserving its authentic spirit while enhancing the overall guest experience.” 

Cruise ships Amerster-damned. The European capital will stop cruise ships from docking in the city center as part of a campaign to curb pollution and reduce the flow of tourists, according to the New York Times and the Washington Post. Apparently, Tallahassee's preemption reach isn't global. 

Still hot. Keys Weekly also confirmed that it's never before been this hot in July. The New York Times reported on our hot water

Hunting for a parking spaceChris Hamilton advocated for fewer free downtown parking spaces.  

Too small to count. In Key West Island NewsLinda Cunningham called our local entities an ill-fitting patchwork of grudges, laments and “not in my town” ideologies that need to work together. 

Tallahassee went a-courtin'. Mandy Miles fretted in Keys Weekly that Monroe County could lose its local court system.    

Likely unconstitutional. The Citizen reported that a federal judge said that his order blocking a Florida law targeting drag shows doesn’t just apply to the restaurant that brought the lawsuit challenging it but to other venues in the state.

Campaign troubles? The two GOP presidential candidates from Florida each had a bad week. 
Tour de France. Mark Hedden wrote about birds, but mostly the riders at the Tour de France

No August meeting. The next Key West City Commission meeting won't be until 14 September.