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Monroe County Health Department offers swim lessons
The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County offers swimming lessons at no cost to students and instructor candidates in an effort to prevent drownings as part of the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Pool Safety Initiative. The lessons are provided through DOH-Monroe using state grant funding. Lori Bosco, The College of The Florida Keys Athletic Director, led an initiative alongside her team of certified water safety instructors to train 91...
MCSO deputy arrested for misuse of computer databases
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jennifer Ketcham, 40, was arrested by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday, July 31, on 19 felony counts of misuse of law enforcement computers, computer networks and electronic devices. Ketcham was placed on administrative leave without pay pending an Internal Affairs investigation. Her bond was set at $1.9 million, according to a news release from Sheriff’s Office spokesman Adam Linhardt. “I am committed to keeping this community informed of significant events that occur in this agency — good and bad,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. Ketcham used law enforcement databases to look up information for personal reasons beyond the legal scope of her employment as a deputy, Linhardt said. She was hired in June 2021.
Two cited on fishing violation charges
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies gave two Florida men mandatory notices to appear for reportedly harvesting several undersized snapper at approximately 11:31 a.m. Saturday, July 27, near Mile Marker 72. Islamorada Marine Deputy Luis Guiardinu was conducting resource checks at the Channel Two Bridge when he reportedly found Eliezer...
'Bunny' cocaine found floating in Florida Keys
TAVERNIER, Fla. — While many people were on the hunt for lobsters during the annual lobster mini-season, one person found drugs while diving. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office said a person diving for lobster at 2:13 p.m. on Wednesday about a mile offshore of Tavernier found the package that had a yellow bunny on it. Deputies said it was a brick of cocaine and it was turned over to the U.S> Border Patrol, according to a news release.
State gives Keys’ schools mostly As for education
The Florida Department of Education recently released school grades and Monroe County Schools showed significant gains in all areas, according to a news release. Six schools improved a letter grade and 10 schools maintained their grade from last year. Poinciana Elementary, Plantation Key School, Treasure Village Montessori and Somerset Island Prep each improved to an A grade; Key Largo School moved to a B grade and May Sands Montessori improved to a C. ...
Cocaine Discovery During Florida Lobster Mini-Season: Diver Turns in Drug Package
A lobster diver searching for lobsters about a mile offshore from Tavernier, Florida, found a package of suspected cocaine instead of lobsters. The discovery happened just after 2 PM. Instead of keeping it, the diver gave the package to the authorities. The Monroe County Sheriff then handed it over to the U.S. Border Patrol.
STATE BOUND
A podium finish at the 2024 Special Olympics West Region Standup Paddle Games guaranteed a berth to the State Games and following two full days of paddle racing, which resulted in several personal bests and goals met, all eight of the Conchs Republic Paddlers accomplished the feat of garnering a state berth from the competition July 18-12 at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota. Standing atop the podium at days end, from Monroe County, were Stash Jackowski in the 800-meter event, topping teammate Vincent Janecka who...
Today in Keys HIstory
1864: Yellow fever continued to rage at Key West and the Dry Tortugas, particularly amongst the military men. “We now have some companies without any officers at all. Yet it would be murder to send any down here to die … as they almost certainly would,” wrote one officer.
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