KEY WEST GETS LIT FOR THE HOLIDAYS

With a palm tree positioned next to the giant Christmas tree, the holiday season officially lit up in Key West, where residents and visitors celebrated the city’s annual Christmas tree-lighting on Monday, Nov. 28 at Bayview Park.

Little Otis Weekley, the toddler grandson of Commissioner Jimmy Weekley, did the honors just after sunset by pushing the big red button to illuminate the towering tree.

City officials, including the newly sworn-in City Commissioner Lissette Cuervo Carey, spoke to the crowd and rang in the holiday season.

A giant menorah stands next to the tree at Bayview Park and will be lit during a ceremony at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18.

Mandy Miles drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. An award-winning writer, reporter and columnist, she's been stringing words together in Key West since 1998. "Local news is crucial," she says. "It informs and connects a community. It prompts conversation. It gets people involved, holds people accountable. The Keys Weekly takes its responsibility seriously. Our owners are raising families in Key West & Marathon. Our writers live in the communities we cover - Key West, Marathon & the Upper Keys. We respect our readers. We question our leaders. We believe in the Florida Keys community. And we like to have a good time." Mandy's married to a saintly — and handy — fishing captain, and can't imagine living anywhere else.