Key West Live Cam

Key West is 3x5 mile island approximately 90 miles North of Cuba. This tiny key lies at the Southernmost end of a 150 mile long series of islands known as the "Florida Keys". Surrounded by North America's only living coral reef, Key West is internationally popular because of its spectacular diving and fishing, as well as world class sailing and boat racing. Some folks visit just because of our romantic 1850's architecture and laid back island lifestyle.

If you are looking for something that the whole family will enjoy, the Reef Chief is your answer. This 65 foot classic wooden schooner fits right in with the charm of Historic Key West. We take small groups and sail to prime, uncrowded locations on the living coral reef. Our dive instructors and dive masters are willing to instruct beginner snorklers to advanced scuba divers.

If fishing is your game, we are fully licensed and supply poles and lures. Any one in the mood for lobster? Maybe you want to get some scuba diving in while you're here. We have a 1/2 day and a full day excursion. If what you're looking for is not listed here, send us an e-mail and we'll be sure to accommodate you. Family, Military and Student discounts available. Private Parties, Charters, and Weddings, are available by reservation (maximum 36 passengers).

Key West, a quaint island, 120 miles south of Miami at the end of the Florida keys is 1½ miles wide by 3 miles long with congested, narrow streets and unique lanes and by-ways that must be explored. The only convenient way is on your personal bicycle or moped. Repeat visitors often leave their rental cars on the mainland, fly into Key West and rent a scooter or moped.

In May 9, 2000 - Mayor Jimmy Weekley’s office announced today that new traffic signals have been tested and will soon become fully operational on Duval Street. The new signals, located on the corners of each Duval intersection between Front and Angela Streets, will replace the existing overhead signals. Removal of the overhead signals is underway by City Electric.

Mayor Weekley urges the public, whether in automobiles, on bikes or scooters, or on foot, to take note of the new signal arrangement. The existing overhead signals were erected in the 1960s. They are mechanical in operation and are rapidly becoming obsolete since replacement parts are no longer manufactured. Wiring for the new system runs underground, unlike the present overhead wiring, and the new system is computer controlled.

Plans for the new system were agreed upon in 1995 following completion of a long-range traffic study. Impact fees generated from the redevelopment of the Truman Annex are funding the system. John Olinzock of the city’s Department of Engineering Services notes that this system “is more user-friendly for both vehicles and pedestrian traffic.”

In August 30, 2000 - Mayor Jimmy Weekley announced today that the Key West Fire Department has received approval from the Monroe County Public Safety Division for $10,800 to train six firefighters as paramedics. This funding will implement the first year of a five-year plan by the Fire Department to provide paramedic training to at least six firefighters a year. The first six firefighters chosen will undergo training in Marathon beginning in January as part of a program instituted by Miami-Dade Community College.

“I am pleased that the county is providing this much-needed assistance to our fire department,” Mayor Weekley said. “Paramedic certification will increase our emergency service medical capability. I hope we can form a partnership with the county over the next five to ten years to secure such training for all of our firefighting force.” The Mayor sought the funding from county emergency medical service coffers citing our growing tourist numbers and need for residents to have access to prompt paramedic services.

In August 2, 2000 - Mayor Jimmy Weekley announced today that the Art in Public Places Board held its organizational meeting this week and has received a $5,000 state grant. The board, appointed by the Mayor and members of the City Commission includes Art Kara, Chair; Frank Garner, Vice-Chair; Monica Haskell, Caroline Cash, Florence Recher, and Bernie Stafford. One vacancy will be filled in September. The board will be responsible for selecting potential sites for public art displays, choosing the artists and approving artwork to be displayed, and raising funds to support an ongoing program.

The grant, approved by the Division of Cultural Affairs at the Florida Department of State, is to be used for administrative support for the program. To date, $23,150 has been raised for actual purchase of artwork. In the coming months, the board will be meeting or consulting with similar boards in cities with Art in Public Places programs, including Austin, Texas, as well as Tampa and Miami to set up the formal structure of the program. Sites will be identified and advertisements for proposals will be made public.

This program is one that the mayor has listed as one of his top priorities. “I am so pleased that this energetic board is at work and that the State has recognized our seriousness about proceeding with this project,” Weekley said. “We owe it to the talented artistic community in this city to provide as many opportunities as possible to showcase their works.”

In July 31, 2000 - City Manager Julio Avael asked that residents help city government in identifying situations that need to be addressed to support the Mayor and Clean Key West Task Force. Avael cited the work that the Task Force has been doing to help make Key West “the cleanest little city in America.” The Task Force has been working with Waste Management in the placement of trash cans in residential and business areas, established the Mayor’s Award to honor those who are responding to the call to help clean up the island, met with the fast food industry to seek their support for anti-litter efforts, and has contacted numerous community groups proposing an adopt-an-area program to maintain cleanliness.

“Our citizens can help us play a larger role in the mayor’s call for maintaining a cleaner city by bringing to our attention instances of debris that need to be picked up, illegally-parked or abandoned cars, boats and trailers that need to be ticketed, or other situations involving trash or neglect that need to be addressed".

In July 18, 2000 - Mayor Jimmy Weekley, Key West YMCA C.E.O. Jan Cole and President Linda Shields helped open the new skateboard park Saturday morning in a ribbon-cutting ceremony before a crowd of skaters eager to try out the new facility. The park, located at 3145 Flagler Ave., was constructed by the city and will be managed by the YMCA. The skateboard park is able to accommodate approximately a dozen skaters at a time, and will be open from 11 AM to 10 PM weekdays and Saturdays, and 1PM to 10PM on Sundays. All skaters must wear helmets, elbow and knee pads and complete a signed medical release. Parents must sign the release for users under the age of eighteen at the facility.

The park, which will be named in a YMCA contest, consists of state-of-the-art equipment including a three-sided pyramid fun box, launch ramp, quarter pipe, and kinked grind rail. Fees are $3 for YMCA members under the age of 18, $5 for members 18 and over, and $10 for non-members. The annual YMCA membership fee is $20, but is free for youth under the age of 18 this year.

In July 11, 2000 - Mayor Jimmy Weekley will unveil an awards program on Thursday, July 13, to recognize residential properties and businesses that engage in ongoing efforts to make those properties a showcase of cleanliness. A “Mayor’s Award”, sponsored by First State Bank, will go to one business and one residential property each month selected from ten finalists from all nominations received by the mayor’s office for the award.

Award criteria and nomination forms will be published in the CITIZEN and available on the city’s website and in the mayor’s office. Nominations will also be accepted by letter or phone call to the mayor’s office. In addition, nomination forms can be picked up and submitted to any of the four Key West First State Bank offices.

Award criteria will include longevity of cleanliness effort, newness of cleanliness effort that reverses a previously neglected property, absence of trash, debris, yard waste and right-of-way encroachments, presence of well-tended and maintained house/storefront and grounds, including manicured shrubbery and trees, sidewalks clear of debris, newly-painted fences/building, and respect for the right-of-way, and adherence to proper waste removal practices. An entire property will be evaluated.

Residences and businesses nominated by the first Friday of each month will be considered for that month’s award to be given on the last Friday of each month. The two monthly winners will receive a plaque supplied by First State Bank at a City Commission meeting commemorating their selection and all ten monthly finalists will receive a sign for display at their residence or business during the month following selection.

In June 9, 2000 - Mayor Jimmy Weekley’s office announced today the approval of three grants to the city of Key West for enhanced boating safety and accessibility and for landscaping improvements. Two matching grants, funded by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission under its boating improvement program, will provide for construction of a boat ramp at 11th Street and for extension of the launch ramp and dock at City Marina at the Garrison Bight.

The $44,000 approved for the 11th Street project will be matched by the county to complete the total cost of the project. $56,000 was approved for the City Marina project. The city will provide $4,000 in engineering services and $16,000 in cash to complete the $76,000 total cost of the project at Garrison Bight.

The South Florida Community-Urban Resources Partnership program approved $22,262 for the White Street Landscape Enhancement Project. Last year SFCURP approved a similar landscaping project for Bahama Village which will be set in motion this summer.

The White Street project involves the planting of appropriate palm trees, small native trees and colorful shrubs on existing green strips and in appropriate cutouts along both sides of the White Street business and residential corridor between Eaton Street and Atlantic Boulevard. Plantings will also occur along the block of Atlantic between White Street and Steven Avenue on the Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park side. The city’s match for the project will consist of landscaping department labor and equipment to install the plants that will be purchased with the SFCURP funds.

Commissioner Jeremy Anthony, whose district encompasses most of the project area, applauded the funding.