Jim McCarthy
Jim McCarthy is a Western New Yorkers who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures for warm living by the water. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since he graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 3-plus years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. “One of my college professors would always preach to be curious,” he said. “Behind every person is a story that’s unique to them, and one worth telling. As writers, we are the ones who paint the pictures in the readers minds of the emotions, the struggles and the triumphs.” Jim is past president of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club, which is composed of energetic members who serve the community’s youth and older populations. Jim is a sports fanatic who loves to watch football, mixed martial arts and golf. He loves to hit the links and play some softball with his Make A Play team. He also enjoys time with family (he's expecting a little boy in October).
PRELIMINARY ISLAMORADA BUDGET PROPOSES A TAX HIKE
With budget season nearing, the Islamorada Village Council established a preliminary millage rate of 3.000 for the 2022-23 fiscal year at its July 14 meeting at Founders Park Community Center.
Skyrocketing property values in the village could mean more tax revenue. But high costs for fuel and materials could mean...
STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE INVESTIGATING COMPLAINT INTO SEPARATION AGREEMENT WITH FORMER ISLAMORADA ATTORNEY
Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward said his office is investigating whether a Sunshine violation occurred in the village of Islamorada regarding a separation agreement with former attorney Roget Bryan that was brought before the council on May 12.
Ward told the Keys Weekly on July 11 that his office...
IN PICTURES: COAST GUARD AUXILIARY ASSISTS AIR STATION MIAMI WITH RESCUE DRILLS
Members of Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 13-8 in Islamorada met up with a crew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami in a drill off the waters of the Florida Keys on June 28. A Eurocopter MH-65 Dolphin helicopter arrived on scene as Coast Guard members performed various rescue drills....
KEYS MARINE SANCTUARY PROPOSES BOUNDARY EXPANSIONS & OTHER REGULATIONS
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s Advisory Council members listened intently as an updated set of proposed regulations and a management plan — known as the Restoration Blueprint — was unveiled during a July 12 meeting at Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key.
“This is an exciting day for a number of...
HANDY GADGETS TO HAVE DURING A STORM – OFFICIAL FLORIDA KEYS HURRICANE GUIDE
In times of a storm, preparation is vital in order to keep your family and your home safe and sound. Canned green beans, a working generator and gallons of water are important items to stow away. And so are handy gadgets that allow you to… Consider adding these go-to...
POPULAR KEY LARGO PARK TO UNDERGO IMPROVEMENTS FOR PARKING & A PAY APP
A popular, yet small, waterfront park on North Bay Harbor Drive in Key Largo will undergo a few minor improvements to allow for some off-street parking. County officials are also looking at implementing paid parking for nonresidents who frequent the bayside park.
Specifically, the county is seeking to move the...
COAST GUARD INTERCEPTS 29 CUBANS OFF COAST OF FLORIDA KEYS
A Cuban chug carrying 29 migrants was intercepted by a Coast Guard crew roughly 25 miles offshore from Islamorada on Saturday afternoon.
A boat fishing in the Coast Guard’s Dolphin Rodeo witnessed the vessel and called Coast Guard Station Islamorada. A Coast Guard vessel arrived to intercept the handmade boat.
The...
IN PICTURES: FIREWORKS LIGHT THE NIGHTTIME SKY IN ISLAMORADA
People attending the Independence Day Celebration at Founders Park took their seats along the beach and the lawn as the sun began to set. A barrage of fireworks ensued, lighting the nighttime sky on July 4. “Wows” from the spectators culminated in an evening of food, face painting and...
ISLAMORADA DOLLAR TREE REPORTEDLY CLOSING THIS MONTH
Shelves are growing barren inside the Dollar Tree store in Islamorada. One of the few shopping options in the village, the place once known for its signature “everything is $1” is set to close in mid-July.
The property, which consists of a roughly 9,000-square-foot retail building, sold for $2,050,000 to...
TEXAS WOMAN REMAINS HOSPITALIZED AFTER SHARK BITE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
A Texas woman swimming with her family not far from Summerland Key on June 29 knew something wasn’t right when she felt instant pain coming from her leg.
Immediately, the 35-year-old got back onto a boat with help from her husband, surfacing with a visible leg injury from what looked...
IN PICTURES: 70 FLOATS TAKE PART IN KEY LARGO’S FOURTH OF JULY PARADE
Some seventy parades and vehicles paraded up U.S. 1 for the 46th annual “Celebrating Freedom” parade on Monday, July 4. Organized by the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, the parade saw water gun exchanges, tossing of candy and friendly waves. Retired Monroe County Sheriff’s Maj. Don Fanelli was parade...
U.S. COAST GUARD & FWC RESPOND TO A BOAT CRASH INTO MANGROVES IN NORTH KEY LARGO
A 21-foot boat with two people aboard ran aground on Saturday afternoon in North Key Largo, according to the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast. The two people on the boat were rescued by a crew from the U.S. Coast Guard Station Islamorada. No injuries were reported at the time. Florida Fish &...
