Genaro Ferro cries as his English interpreter tells him the jury's verdict at the Plantation Key Courthouse on Friday. (Photo by David Ball)

An Upper Keys man faces life in prison after a jury found him guilty Friday of assaulting and molesting his 6- and 8-year-old nieces while they were under his care in 2007.

Posted - Friday, November 20, 2009 03:56 PM EST

Miami Sequarium personnel treat the manatee calf after it was removed from an Upper Keys canal on Nov. 5. (Photo by David Ball)

An orphaned young manatee that had been found several weeks ago beside its injured mother in Upper Keys waters has died at the Miami Seaquarium.

Posted - Friday, November 20, 2009 12:20 PM EST

An Aedes aegypti mosquito, the species that can spread the dengue fever virus, draws blood as it bites a human. (USDA photo)

Dengue fever has not spread beyond Key West, but health officials say residents in all the Keys should be vigilant to limit breeding of mosquitoes, which carry the fever-causing virus.

Posted - Friday, November 20, 2009 09:37 AM EST

FISH TALES | By Capt. Doug Jeffrey

If you picked your day and time correctly over the past weeks you had some great fishing weather. On the other hand if your pick was not so great you were either pounded almost to death or you were blown off of the water.

Posted - Friday, November 20, 2009 09:33 AM EST

Capt. Mike Cofield of Marathon displays an example of the mangrove snapper fishing to be enjoyed on the patch reefs these days. He pan-seared this fellow.

Most transplants to the Keys agree: We moved here for the weather we're currently experiencing. The winds have calmed and are now coming from a northerly direction, providing cool and comfortable conditions.

Posted - Wednesday, November 18, 2009 11:00 AM EST

Keys guide Dave Denkert points out where an eastern access route would help boaters enter a pole-or-troll zone in Snake Bight in north Florida Bay.

A prototype pole-or-troll zone planned for north Florida Bay might be better as a pole-only zone, say some fishing guides.

Posted - Monday, November 16, 2009 11:01 AM EST

BENEATH THE SURFACE | By Erin Magee

I’d been working on the dive boat for a few months. It was my second dive shop job and I was really excited about it.

Posted - Friday, November 20, 2009 09:34 AM EST

A model of the U.S.S. Vandenberg is sunk during a demonstration at a recent dive trade show in Orlando. (Photo by Andy Newman)

Model re-creates Vandenberg sinking at show

Crowds gathered to watch the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg sink - twice - miles away from the nearest coastline.

Posted - Wednesday, November 11, 2009 05:03 PM EST

Captains Joe Goddard and Jacob Swayze of Amoray Dive Resort accept the Blue Star vessel decal from Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary communications coordinator Karrie Carnes.

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary has awarded a new designation for ecosystem protection to Amy Slate’s Amory Dive Resort.

Posted - Friday, November 06, 2009 11:00 AM EST

Indian Key historic markers in Islamorada. A new bike tour focuses on the village's history.
Photo by KEVIN WADLOW

ISLAMORADA

A bicycle tour of historic Islamorada covers just a three-mile stretch of U.S. 1 but spans centuries of island history and lore.

Posted - Sunday, November 15, 2009 12:18 PM EST

What do bald eagles, dolphins, tarpon, crocodiles, osprey, Goliath grouper, alligators, pelicans, spoonbills, blue crabs, peregrine falcons, redfish, swallow-tailed kites, red shouldered hawks, snook and reddish egrets all have in common?

Posted - Sunday, November 15, 2009 12:17 PM EST

There’s nothing quite like it in the Keys. Tropical breezes sough through tall pines and emerald waters lap gently up on a glistening white sand beach. Locals bring picnic baskets and hammocks and children laugh and splash in the surf.

Posted - Sunday, November 15, 2009 11:48 AM EST