With some exceptions, Monroe County students tracked along with their statewide peers on various standardized tests, according to scores released Friday by the Florida Department of Education.

Posted - Saturday, June 08, 2013 10:00 AM EDT

Florida fishery managers could move to ease a harvest ban on snook but tighten rules on taking bonefish and tarpon Wednesday.

Posted - Saturday, June 08, 2013 10:25 AM EDT

By RYAN McCARTHY

New Florida Keys Marathon Airport Director Don DeGraw and his administrative assistant Julie Thomson take in the Middle Keys airfield. DeGraw was hired in March and started work Monday.

Florida Keys Marathon Airport Director Don DeGraw says he's spending his first week on the job boning up on a pair of potentially major changes looming at the Middle Keys airfield.

"The two big issues is the U.S. Customs [office], so I'm taking a look at the engineering drawings and how all that's going, and the other one is the runway separation issue. I'm trying to get a firm understanding. It's either move the runway, move the taxiway or do nothing," he said.

Posted - Saturday, June 08, 2013 10:45 AM EDT

After a year off the dais and flirting with the idea to pursue another office, former Mayor Pete Worthington says he'll seek a return to the Marathon City Council in November.

Posted - Saturday, June 08, 2013 10:15 AM EDT

County Commissioner George Neugent told the Senate committee that 'those who cut corners to save a bunch of money must be held responsible.'

The two big unknowns of the Deepwater Horizon aftermath -- ultimate effects on the Gulf of Mexico, and when restoration money will be in the bank -- were cited by Monroe County Mayor George Neugent in his Thursday testimony before a U.S. Senate committee Thursday in Washington, D.C.

"Our economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment," said Neugent, speaking for the Florida Gulf Consortium at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation chaired by Florida Sen. Bill Nelson.

Posted - Saturday, June 08, 2013 10:30 AM EDT

For the first time in two decades, Key West has been given the go-ahead to allow the construction of more housing that isn't restricted to income-driven affordable units.

Posted - Saturday, June 08, 2013 10:50 AM EDT

By SEAN KINNEY

Capt. Pat Lefere (left) hands over Naval Air Station Key West command to Capt. Steven McAlearney.

Traffic going into Naval Air Station Key West's Boca Chica Field was backed up to U.S. 1 for the Thursday retirement of NAS Cmdr. Capt. Patrick LaFere and the handoff of the station's command to Capt. Steven McAlearney.

LaFere, nicknamed Sparky, logged more than 3,990 flight hours in his 27-year career as a naval aviator.

Posted - Saturday, June 08, 2013 10:15 AM EDT

In the coming weeks, Key West city staff plans to spell out sticking points in lease negotiations with the would-be developer of an assisted/independent living facility at the Truman Waterfront.

Posted - Saturday, June 08, 2013 10:35 AM EDT

The Marathon City Council is scheduled to meet in regular session Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Marathon Government Center. Agenda items include:

Posted - Saturday, June 08, 2013 10:00 AM EDT

Things are all but back to normal at Safe Harbor Animal Rescue of the Keys, operator of the Marathon animal shelter.

Posted - Saturday, June 08, 2013 11:00 AM EDT