As we wrap up another year in Key West, we take a look at the news and newsmakers from 2024 — the good, the bad and the embarrassing.
JANUARY
- Key West drag queen Christopher Peterson had a big shoe to fill — a red high heel — descending at midnight from the balcony of Bourbon St. Pub.
- KWHS’s Marching Conchs perform in London for the city’s New Year’s Day parade and its 800,000 spectators.
- Wounded Warriors returned for the Soldier Ride down U.S. 1.
- Key West faces busy city election: three commissioners to reach term limits; Mayor Teri Johnston decides not to run again; Dee Dee Henriquez pursues mayor’s gavel.
- City officials ban profane & sexually explicit material from storefront displays.
- State lawmakers propose renaming A1A Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.
- Zach Bentley challenges Yvette Mira Talbott for school board seat being vacated by Andy Griffiths.
- Schools Superintendent Theresa Axford seeks & receives 1-year contract extension.
- RokIsland Fest offers 4 days of music including Stone Temple Pilots.
- ‘Treehouse Murder’ trial of Franklin Tyrone Tucker ends in mistrial.
- Key West elections office moves to College Road.
FEBRUARY
- Coast Guard ship Barbara Mabrity, named for island’s female lighthouse keeper, visits Key West.
- County officials drop discussions of charter county status — for now.
- Joe and Carnella Bracciale buy Baby’s Coffee at MM 15.
- Chris Massicotte launches county commission campaign.
- Women of country music rock Key Western Fest.
- Capt. Joe Weatherby, who spearheaded the Vandenberg sinking, dies at 62, months after suffering a stroke.
- State Attorney opens investigation following scathing TDC audits.
- Willie Nelson performs at Coffee Butler Amphitheater — at age 90.
- Tornado damages homes on Cudjoe Key.
- Philly sports legend Pat Croce joins Keys Weekly Podcast.
- Sam Kaufman drops possible mayoral bid; Aaron Castillo enters District 6 commission race.
MARCH
- Beloved teacher and coach Dexter Butler dies after falling into storm drain at Key West High School.
- Newly formed committee wants officials to seek new hospital operator.
- Florida Legislature gives 1-time approval for Monroe County to spend surplus tourism revenue on affordable housing.
- ZZ Top performs at Coffee Butler Amphitheater.
- Tourist, 27, killed in jet ski crash off Key West.
- National legal settlement could affect real estate agents’ commissions.
- Keys deputy shoots armed teen who pointed a gun at him.
- School Board calls temporary time-out on increased stadium costs.
- AH Monroe hosts 29th Taste of Key West.
- Father John Baker retires as pastor at Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea after 16 years.
- TDC board fires marketing director Stacey Mitchell following critical audits.
- Snapchat death threat prompts lockdown at KWHS; police charge Upper Keys student, Isaac Holmes, 18.
APRIL
- Key West Planning Board urges commission to study annexation of Stock Island & Key Haven.
- Bahama Village icon Charles Majors retires after 31 years leading after-school athletics.
- Shirley Freeman, former educator and county commissioner, dies at 89.
- Emily Schulten Weekley named Key West Poet Laureate.
- School board denies $4 million stadium price hike.
- Keys Weekly hosts Arbor Day cleanup with Keep Key West Beautiful.
- Sheriff’s deputy Alexander Morales, 26, arrested for spying on his ex.
- Senior Citizen Plaza on Kennedy Drive hosts ‘senior prom’ for residents.
- Key West murder suspect gets 30-year prison sentence in plea deal for killing of Jossue Gomez in 2021.
MAY
- Perry Marina donates boat slip for Conch Republic Marine Army’s volunteer cleanups.
- Key West Songwriters Festival returns for 28th year, featuring more than 250 musicians.
- Miss Island Queen pageant raise $113K for Samuel’s House women’s shelter.
- Marathon couple pleads guilty in Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
- Casa Marina neighbors oppose hotel plan & zoning change for additional hotel rooms.
- KWHS film students win statewide competition for video about marching band’s trip to London.
- Key West attorney Marci Rose enters District 6 commission race against Aaron Castillo and Thaddeus Cohen.
- Somerset Island Prep holds fifth annual jet ski graduation.
- Conch gymnast Maya Puig ranks nationally.
- KWHS Class of 2024 celebrates graduation at new Tommy Roberts Memorial Stadium.
- Nominations open for the Keys Weekly’s 11th Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards.
- Elwell family’s Royal Furniture empire celebrates 40 years of furnishings.
JUNE
- Key West Pride celebrates diversity and disco.
- Army’s 10th Special Forces Group wins 2nd annual Combat Diver Contest in Key West.\
- Resident Ed Russo and his water-making company get Nobel Prize nomination.
- Governor vetoes critical Keys funding for arts & disabled adults.
- Scandal at city hall: Hostile meeting ends with 4-3 vote to fire city manager Al Childress.
- Keys tourism agency launches search for new president / CEO.
- Russian warships in Cuba bring back Conchs’ memories of 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
- Governor announces extra day of lobster mini-season, to mixed reviews in Keys.
- Key West man jailed for offering derelict boats on AirBnB.
JULY
- Rotary Club of Key West once again lights the sky with Fourth of July fireworks.
- 7 people injured when boat crashes at night into Big Pine bridge.
- Keys Weekly’s Britt Myers installed as president of the Rotary Club of Key West.
- 10,000 people cast more than a quarter-million votes in the Keys Weekly’s 11th annual Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards.
- Conch Connect starts offering cheap rides in Key West & Stock Island.
- Election season heats up with Hometown candidates’ forum.
- Bubbas Awards Show brings out the best of Key West.
- Key West to ask voters about $226 million in bonds.
- Tourist Development Council hires Kara Franker as new president/CEO.
AUGUST
- Supervisor of Elections candidate endorsement divides local Republican Party.
- Monroe County gets 8 A schools, 6 Bs and 3 Cs.
- Keys longtime public relations chief faces misdemeanor charges, stemming from TDC audits.
- Keys deputy Jennifer Ketcham faces 19 felony charges for allegedly warning boyfriend about drug raids.
- Former Trauma Star flight nurse indicted for stealing fentanyl & other narcotics.
- Key West starts discussions on new city manager.
- Roman Gastesi, Andrea Thompson, Dr. Sandra Schwemmer indicted in Trauma Star drug theft case.
- Key West Community Sailing Center celebrates 40 years.
- County Commissioner Holly Rachein re-elected in primary.
- Yvette Mira Talbott wins school board seat in primary.
- Monica Haskell & Donie Lee win Key West commission seats.
- Dee Dee Henriquez steps up to the plate as Key West mayor.
- State Attorney subpoenas city hall phone and text records, stemming from city manager’s firing.
- Key West Little Conch Baseball makes semifinals in Little League World Series.
- Grand jury report describes ‘caustic & cronyism environment” in county government following drug scandal indictments.
SEPTEMBER
- ‘Just a Few Friends’ becomes Key West’s new event, honoring legacy of Jimmy Buffett.
- Former TDC chief Stacey Mitchell sues county for wrongful termination.
- New football field gets flooded at start of season.
- A1A renamed Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.
- Key West once again searches for city manager.
- Navy housing at Sigsbee plagued with mold, asbestos & water damage.
- New Key West Airport features take shape.
- Christine Hurley gets unanimous support for top county job.
- Hurricane Helene spares Key West.
- TDC approves big changes; new president adds 3 executive positions.
- Celebrity DJ Cardi joins Keys Weekly Podcast.
- Andy Griffiths’ school board retirement party raises money for United Way.
- Formal complaint filed regarding supervisor of elections endorsement.
- Key West International Dance Co. wows with tango performance.
OCTOBER
- Tats for Tatas breast cancer benefit grows to a block party; raises over $140K.
- Queer Keys hosts grand opening of new community center on Truman Avenue.
- Keys Republican divide deepens, as GOP chair ejects local elected official from meeting.
- 5 finalists named for Key West city manager.
- Hurricane Milton blows past Key West, headed for Tampa area.
- Key West Commissioner Donie Lee wants Navy to replace Sigsbee housing.
- Horace O’Bryant School renames basketball court for late Coach Dexter Butler.
- Andy Griffiths wraps up 32 years on school board.
- Another Fantasy Fest hits Key West.
- Latest audit blasts TDC’s website contract with Two Oceans Digital.
- Fantasy Fest crowns Queen Marjory Lee & King Lisa Zee.
NOVEMBER
- Keys Weekly co-hosts election night radio coverage.
- Retiring Supervisor of Election Joyce Griffin ends career with honors.
- Sherri Hodies elected Supervisor of Elections.
- Aaron Castillo defeats Marci Rose for Key West commission race.
- Incumbent County Commissioner Jim Scholl defeats Chris Massicotte.
- Rachel Oropeza defeats Tim Root for Utility Board seat.
- Preston Brewer remains in jail for Garrett Hughes’ fatal shooting; awaits self-defense hearing.
- TDC cancels contracts with Two Oceans Digital & Tinsley Advertising.
- Dr. Mark Whiteside retires after 40 years in public health.
DECEMBER
- ‘Treehouse Murder’ defendant Franklin Tyrone Tucker is released as a free man.
- Man arrested for firing shot in downtown fight; bullet hit no one.
- Key West gets lit for the holidays.
- New health clinic opens at College of the Florida Keys.
