The Keys

Due to hurricane cleanup operations in canals throughout Monroe County, contractors will use temporary staging sites for debris collection across Monroe County, including Rowell’s Waterfront Park in the Upper Keys. This will require the park to close in mid-August (sometime after August 12). County Officials expect operations to continue 7-8 months.

The Palace Gardens, Homestead’s award-

A 19-year-old Homestead man was arrested Saturday night for pretending to be a law enforcement officer while driving in the Upper Keys.

A 48-year-old Homestead man was charged with battery by strangulation, stalking and robbery in a domestic incident on Sunday afternoon. Jorge Diaz was also charged with larceny and property damage.

In 1951, John Pennekamp, a longtime conservationist and member of the newly created Board of State Parks and Historic Memorials, addressed the Florida Legislature. The title and main topic of that speech was "playgrounds for all the people." His dedication and service to the state park system led Florida Governor Leroy Collins to name John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo in his honor.

As sea-turtle nesting season reaches its peak, the number of reptiles laying eggs on Florida beaches continues to trend upward. But officials say Subtropical Storm Alberto washed away some nests and flooded others across the state this week, which makes it unlikely any of those eggs will survive.

   The new All-Electronic Tolling System is being installed on Card Sound Road and will be operational in June 2018. It replaces the cash-only tollbooth that was removed last year.

   Jereima “Jeri” Bustamante, a spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Scott who was going to work on his U.S. Senate campaign, died Sunday when a boat in which she was riding crashed into mangrove trees in the Florida Keys.

The Upper Keys have seen a recent increase in outboard boat engine thefts. Thieves are targeting all sizes and makes, but mostly Yamaha and in one case, a Mercury. Fenced-in lots have not been a deterrent in some cases as criminals are cutting their way onto private property. In each case, steering cables, fuel lines and wiring harnesses are cleanly severed.