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Hey Key West, hope your week’s off to a good start! High-seas Coast Guard crackdown, Cruise To The Edge lineup, Audrey II sings for blood, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Island gains national acclaim: Key West was named one of the nation’s top luxury real estate markets earlier this month by Realtor.com, as ocean views, historic architecture, and culture keep affluent buyers interested — explore the key market drivers.
Inside a high-seas crackdown: Following a 60-day patrol, Coast Guard cutter Mohawk returned to Key West, having boarded and escorted two sanctioned oil tankers under Operation Southern Spear across 2,700 nautical miles — read the full mission details.
Decade of prog celebration: Cruise To The Edge finalized its 10th anniversary lineup with Marillion and Steve Hackett, for a five day sailing that will visit Key West and Nassau, from $1,649 per person — check out the full lineup.
Heritage tributes gather steam: Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a statue of President James Monroe, Monroe County’s namesake, for America 250 Florida. The monument stands on the Spottswood Heritage Trail, with more commemorations planned statewide — get all the details.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Largest rate reductions in years: Relief is coming this spring for Citizens policyholders. Statewide premiums will drop an average of 8.7%, and Monroe County is slated for an average 11.3% cut on renewals. More than 150,000 customers could see 10% or greater reductions as reforms stabilize Florida’s insurance market. Learn what’s driving the reductions.
New link to Key West: Allegiant Air will begin nonstop flights between Columbus and Key West on May 21, 2026, linking Rickenbacker International and EYW. Expect easier trips for friends and family from central Ohio and a bump in visitors as the Keys become more accessible to a broader crowd. Read the full story.
Craving something sweet? Mattheessen’s turns errands into a dessert detour, with handmade fudge smoothed on cool marble, half-pound cookies, and dangerously snackable chocolate-dipped Key lime pie. You’ll promise “just one bite,” then find yourself blissfully ignoring limits.
Pre-loved tropical glam: Kirby’s Closet turns “just browsing” into finds from Lilly Pulitzer, Free People, Anthropologie, and more. Bright and friendly with an island vibe, this Key West resale gem mixes in new pieces, offers personal styling, and refreshes your wardrobe without losing that breezy soul.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🌮 Food Truck Jamboree @ Marathon Community Park | Wednesday (2/25) at 5:00 PM – Midweek at Marathon Community Park means one thing, second helpings. The Food Truck Jamboree is back with more trucks, more options, craft beer, a DJ, field games under actual lights, and free entry. Bring the crew, pace yourself, and pretend cooking was never an option.
🏆 Second Annual Cornhole Tournament @ Alonzo’s Patio Bar | Wednesday (2/25) at 5:00 PM – Nothing says midweek therapy like lobbing beanbags at Alonzo’s Patio Bar with a drink in hand. Grab a partner for the Second Annual Cornhole Tournament, $20 per team, day-of signup, drink specials, prizes for the top three, and yes, dogs are absolutely teammates.
🐾 Special Edition Paint and Sip – Paint Your Pet @ Island Welcome Real Estate | Thursday (2/26) at 5:30 PM – Pour a glass and immortalize your fur kid at this paint and sip benefiting the FKSPCA Marathon campus. Fifty bucks covers supplies, complimentary beer, wine, and snacks, and yes, 100% goes to the animals. Grab a ticket, then send a pet pic for your masterpiece.
This weekend
🏕 CoastLove Cleanup and Family Tent Camping Night @ Camp Wesumkee | Saturday (2/28) at 9:00 AM – Bring the family and show Camp Wesumkee love, the kind that involves trash bags. Clean the beach, plant mangroves, then trade screen time for tents, a campfire, s’mores, and sunrise yoga. Come for a day or camp overnight, with limited two-night options for seasoned campers.
🀄 Mah Jongg Tournament @ Key West Woman’s Club | Saturday (2/28) at 11:00 AM – Think your Mah Jongg skills are more than table talk? Test them at a friendly tournament with cash prizes, lunch included, and just 36 seats, so no, your cousin can’t just swing by. Thirty bucks gets you in, tiles provided, bragging rights optional.
🛍 Key West Artisan Market @ Higgs Beach | Sunday (3/1) at 10:00 AM – Hit Higgs Beach for the Key West Artisan Market, where The Accidental Poet and the Writers Guild mix verse with vendors, art, and good eats. It’s sun, salt, and shopping without the tourist markups, just locals, solid craft, and a breezy excuse to linger.
📖 Selina Alko: Otherwise Known as Judy the Great @ Books & Books @ The Studios of Key West | Sunday (3/1) at 2:00 PM – Bring the kiddos and your nostalgia to an outdoor chat as Selina Alko discusses Otherwise Known as Judy the Great with Judy Blume herself. Register if you like chairs, ages 6 to 10 are the sweet spot, and grown-ups may attend unaccompanied.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Key West report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 63°F – Low: 57°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 63. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 72°F – Low: 66°F – Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. East wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
This house is wild
This 6-bedroom, 5.5-bath historic Key West estate sits on an exclusive street. The 3,751-square-foot main home offers a first-floor suite, a great room with 12-foot ceilings and a curved wall of windows, and a kitchen with Viking appliances. Two guest cottages, an L-shaped pool, and an outdoor Viking kitchen sit one block from the Atlantic.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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