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🌱 Thinking about Dry Tortugas? Here’s how to go from Key West

Key West, Florida Patch AM: a 5 min read

Hello again Key West! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Thinking about Dry Tortugas? Here’s how to go from Key West
  • How Annie Dillard quietly shaped Key West’s literary community for decades
  • Why Pepe’s Cafe remains a must-try Key West breakfast classic

Also on today's calendar: Monday Night Jazz Jams and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: How do you know the moon is going broke? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Monday: Partly sunny and comfortable, with a high of 87 and low of 78 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Tuesday: Couple of thunderstorms, temps: high: 83, low: 79.
  • Wednesday: An afternoon thunderstorm, with a high of 86 and low of 80 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Dry Tortugas National Park: A remote stargazer's paradise 70 miles from civilization (orlandosentinel.com) — Access to Dry Tortugas National Park runs straight through Key West, with ferries and seaplanes taking campers and day-trippers 70 miles out to a remote island fort and stargazer’s paradise. The story walks you through booking limited camping spots, what to pack, and what to expect from snorkeling, wildlife, and night skies. It’s a detailed guide for planning your own escape from Key West.
   

2. 'A champion for younger writers' (yoursun.com) — Key West is mourning Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Dillard, a longtime part-time resident who championed younger writers and supported the Key West Literary Seminar for decades. Local literary leaders recall her generosity, genius, and quiet presence, from uplifting new voices to inspiring displays at the Key West Library. Her passing leaves a notable gap in the island’s creative community, though her work continues to influence readers and writers here.
   

3. Across Florida These 10 Breakfast Spots Keep A Loyal Local Following Without Chasing Tourist Crowds (takingthekids.com) — One of the featured breakfast spots is Pepe’s Cafe in Key West, a century-old Caroline Street institution where locals and visitors share hearty morning plates. The article urges you to try the island-famous breakfast breads, crab cakes Benedict, and even key lime pie right on-site. It’s a reminder that some of Florida’s most beloved breakfasts are still proudly local.
   

4. Legends Radio: John Bowen (floridaweekly.com) — Watercolor artist John Bowen, featured in Legends Radio’s Local Artist Spotlight, has a long career that now focuses on capturing Florida’s past and present, including an ongoing series of Key West scenes. His work, shaped by Air Force service and decades in commercial art, appears in museums statewide. Key West residents may spot familiar local views in his paintings.
   

5. Coast Guard seizes more than 25,000 pounds of cocaine in Pacific operations (rsbnetwork.com) — Major cocaine seizures in the eastern Pacific are being coordinated through Southern Command’s Joint Interagency Task Force-South in Key West, tying the island directly to a high-profile international drug interdiction campaign. Coast Guard crews recently intercepted more than 25,000 pounds of cocaine in less than a week, part of over 260,000 pounds seized since Operation Pacific Viper began, under an expanded Trump administration maritime strategy.
   

📸 Around Key West

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Key West

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★ Featured events ★

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📣 Key West Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Inviting everyone to tonight’s FREE (no cost) full moon party at the only local Key West beach that is also FREE of any harmful seaweed or sargassum at the northern end of Simonton St.
    , Laggerheads location. Tonight’s theme is reggae. Enjoy this extended sunset celebration from 7-11 pm, as well as it’s after-party at Island Dogs… (Nextdoor Duval St)
  • Popeyes posted a job opening for Team Member in Key West. Apply here.
  • Highgate Hotels, Inc. posted a job opening for Beach Attendant in Key West. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Key West here.

Ok Key West! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: It's down to its last quarter. (Thank you Linda H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Key West

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Key West

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.