Restaurant Worker Shortage Means Longer Waits, Shorter Hours at Local Restaurants
Buffalo Chicken Wings from Herbie's Bar & Chowder HouseLara Manetta. While restaurants all over the country have reported troubling hiring and keeping staff, few places have felt the pinch as much as the Florida Keys. This is, in part, because scarce housing and volcanic rises in rent have priced many people out of the area.
Read full storyGet Free Lidded Trash Cans on Big Pine Key Saturday, Feb 26
Big Pine Key and No Name Key residents share their islands with wildlife that includes key deer, raccoons, wild birds, and other wildlife. As awe-inspiring as these visitors can be when they enter local yards, they can make huge messes if they get into your garbage.
Read full storyFlorida Manatees Get 3000 Pounds of Lettuce a Day in Effort to Increase Food Supply
Mother manatee and calf swim togetherNOAA/Unsplash. The Florida manatee population has grown in recent years. With at least 7,520 of these native Floridian animals in the wild, they were recategorized from "endangered" to "threatened" in May, 2017.
Read full story2022 Key West Songwriters Festival Artist Lineup Released
Southernmost Point Monument - Key WestJametlene Reskp/Unsplash. The Key West Songwriters Festival has announced the first artists from this year's lineup on the festival Facebook Page. Announced artists include Chris Young, Jeffrey Steele, Jack Ingram, and many others.
Read full storyNewly Released 230-Pound Sea Turtle Can Be Tracked by Satellite
Just in time for mating season, a 230-pound loggerhead turtle is being released from Marathon's Turtle Hospital. According to CBS Miami, the turtle was found entangled in crab trap lines earlier this month.
Read full storyHow Will Monroe County's "Buy Back" Program Affect Local Housing?
Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom HouseBrian Urso/Unsplash. Twenty homes are moving toward eventual demolition as part of the Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program, according to The Architect's Newspaper. Most are around the Big Pine area.
Read full story3 Free Florida Keys Attractions for a More Affordable Visit
Owls napping at the Laura Quinn Wild Bird SanctuaryPhoto taken by author. It's inescapable: spending time in the Florida Keys is expensive. There are, however, free attractions in the islands well worth a visit. Add these three to your itinerary to enjoy local history and natural wonders without feeling a financial bite.
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