Keys Golf Cart Rental's

09/01/2026

🚨📸 FLORIDA PULLS THE PLUG ON LICENSE PLATE READERS — CAMERAS ORDERED OFF STATE HIGHWAYS 🚔⚠️
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just made a major move in the growing debate over license plate readers, privacy and government surveillance.

And this isn't just talk.

⏰ A 30-DAY CLOCK IS NOW RUNNING.

The (FDOT) issued a memorandum dated August 31, 2026, revoking permits that allowed local law enforcement agencies to place automated license plate recognition systems within rights-of-way along Florida's State Highway System.

🚫 Existing cameras covered by those permits must be removed within 30 days.

If agencies don't remove them, FDOT says the department will.

And effective immediately, says it will stop approving future requests for these systems within its jurisdiction.

👀 WHY IS FLORIDA TAKING ACTION?

This is where things get interesting.

FDOT specifically pointed to the "exponential increase" of along Florida roadways, coupled with reports of misuse, data privacy concerns and surveillance schemes.

📸 These aren't ordinary traffic cameras.

Automated license plate readers photograph passing vehicles and identify their plates, creating searchable records that can show where and when a vehicle was observed.

🚔 says they're valuable tools for locating stolen vehicles, identifying vehicles connected to crimes, finding suspects and assisting with missing-person investigations.

But there's another side.

🔐 Most vehicles photographed belong to ordinary people who aren't suspected of committing any crime.

That raises some big questions:

Who can search that information? How long is it stored? Who can it be shared with? And what prevents it from being misused?

⚠️ HERE'S AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION.

This is NOT a statewide ban on every license plate reader in Florida.

The FDOT order applies specifically to affected systems installed by local law enforcement within State Highway System rights-of-way controlled by FDOT.

Cameras on county roads, city streets, private property or elsewhere outside FDOT's jurisdiction aren't automatically removed by this order.

Some agencies are already responding. The Alachua County Sheriff's Office, for example, has announced that 27 affected readers will be removed.

⚖️ And now Florida finds itself right in the middle of a much bigger question:

How do we balance technology that can help catch criminals with the of millions of people who haven't done anything wrong?

Florida just drew a pretty significant line.

🔥 WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Do license plate readers make us safer — or have we reached the point where too many cameras are tracking where ordinary people go?

👇 KEEP THE CAMERAS — OR TAKE THEM DOWN?


NBC 6 Memes City of Marathon, Florida Keys Life Magazine Key West Ted Key West Bars

08/23/2026

🚨🏝️ WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG, STARTS AT THE TOP

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We recently shared the story about the arrest of former Tax Collector employee Sandi Marie Wensel. But there is another side to this story that we think is worth talking about — how Monroe County Tax Collector Sam Steele responded.

Wensel was arrested by the on felony and misdemeanor charges involving the alleged fraudulent issuance of a Florida identification card.

⚖️ IMPORTANT: Wensel has been accused, not convicted. These are allegations in an active criminal case and have not been proven in court. She is presumed INNOCENT unless and until proven GUILTY beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Here in the , we're a small community. We know many of our elected officials, see them around town and expect them to take care of the offices we've trusted them to run.

According to Steele, after learning what happened, Wensel's employment was terminated and his office began cooperating with and state investigators.

🔎 What caught our attention is what Steele says he's doing next.

The state's Fraud Unit is reviewing Wensel's previous transactions. Steele says he has ordered additional daily reviews inside his office, is working on stronger auditing procedures and has reached out for additional training for his employees.

🏛️ Steele said something in his letter that really stood out:

“A public office is a public trust.”

We agree.

Now, we're not going to say a strong letter automatically answers every question. It doesn't. The needs to run its course, and if additional problems are discovered, the public deserves to know about them. That's part of .

But we also believe in giving someone credit when they appear willing to look inside their own house and hold people .

👏 So far, Sam Steele appears to be doing that.

One employee's alleged actions shouldn't define an entire office of people who work every day serving our . But ultimately, starts at the top.

If more of our elected officials approached problems with this level of , and willingness to take action, we think our community would be better for it.

💬 What do you think?

Are you satisfied with how Sam Steele is handling this situation?

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Miami Herald WSVN-TV NBC 6

08/23/2026

$152.16 TO FILL UP THE TRUCK 😳

I remember when $20 in gas meant you were going somewhere.

Now $20 just turns the gas light off. 😂

So I have to ask…

What’s the MOST you’ve ever paid to fill up your vehicle?

I’ll start: $152.16 for 27.8 gallons. 🤦‍♂️

And before somebody turns this into politics… 😂
I don’t care who you voted for.

I just want to know when filling up the truck became a major financial decision. 😂

👇 Beat $152.16. Let’s hear it.

08/23/2026

"6am flight to save $50... spent $162 before we even boarded 💀 Who else has fallen for this trap?"

08/21/2026

🎣 Mark your calendars! The Take Stock in Children Backcountry Challenge is back September 25–27, 2026, bringing together anglers from across the Florida Keys for an unforgettable weekend on the water—all while making a difference in the lives of local students.

Every registration helps support Take Stock in Children, providing scholarships, mentorship, and brighter futures for deserving youth in our community.

Whether you're fishing for the trophy, making memories with family and friends, or simply supporting a great cause, this is one event you won't want to miss.

📅 September 25–27, 2026
🎣 Take Stock in Children Backcountry Challenge

SIGN UP TO FISH:
https://www.keylargorotary.org/page/take-stock-in-children-backcountry-challenge?fbclid=IwY2xjawTjEZlwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUxZRWZXVkpYaE5hc0Y1QnZzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeH6VhYSo2JU_iM5ejmYzO7d4K5g4CWvhQFqejxBJWqYEB5LWsrZvACDqNOxs_aem_g6Zv-nNVhquxOSPEG5quoQ

SIGN UP TO SPONSOR:
https://www.crsadmin.com/eventportal/Registrations/PublicFill/EventPublicFill.aspx?evtid=44dc93d7-fe70-47be-844b-d30ea2ba81b2&fbclid=IwY2xjawTjEZ5wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUxZRWZXVkpYaE5hc0Y1QnZzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEei8ZoP-6tK2QzWs0D56x8DCw7v3NNJXGXY9cWqcPCEyY3r7k8LOxTcca490s_aem_R2_8dAsaWBvttR6eDLZiWg

08/21/2026

🔥 When 9pm is the new … you know you’ve officially entered the 😂🍹😎

else remembers when 9pm was when the was just getting started? 🙋‍♀️
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Prank TV Funniest Home Videos
FunnyMike

08/18/2026

🎣 FISH. SPONSOR. MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

The 26th Annual Take Stock in Children Backcountry Challenge returns September 25–27! Come enjoy an incredible weekend on the water, connect with our Florida Keys community, and help support a cause that makes a real difference for local students.

🐟 Register to fish the tournament.
🤝 Become an event sponsor.
🎓 Help support scholarships for Upper Keys students.

A great weekend on the water can make a lasting impact right here in our community.

👉 FISH OR SPONSOR — get the details:

https://keyslifemagazine.com/take-stock-in-children-backcountry-challenge-2026/

Fishing for futures! For the 26th year, Key Largo Rotary is hosting the Take Stock in Children Backcountry Challenge to support the future success of Upper

08/18/2026

🚨 TRUST BETRAYED? KEY WEST TAX COLLECTOR EMPLOYEE ACCUSED OF ISSUING FLORIDA ID UNDER ANOTHER MAN’S IDENTITY 🚨

Well, this is one of those stories you really don’t expect to hear coming out of our little island community.

A woman who worked for the Monroe County Tax Collector’s Office has been arrested after Florida Highway Patrol investigators accused her of issuing a Florida identification card to a man using somebody else’s name and Social Security card. 🪪🚔

According to the FHP arrest report, Sandi Marie Wensel, 37, allegedly issued the ID on July 21 to Reneris Obando Martinez, 45, of Geiger Key.

And this is where the story gets interesting.

Investigators say Wensel actually knew Obando as “Rene,” but the identification card was issued using the identity of another man identified in the arrest report as “Luis.”

FHP says surveillance footage from the showed Wensel gesturing for Obando to come directly to her workstation before the ID was issued. Investigators also reviewed text messages involving Wensel and Obando’s wife surrounding his arrival at the office. 📱

The very next day, Obando was pulled over by FHP near Boca Chica Road and the on Big Coppitt Key. He was arrested and faces felony fraud, forgery and perjury charges.

Wensel was later arrested and now faces charges including official misconduct, issuing identification documents to an unauthorized person, unlawful use of a two-way communications device and criminal conspiracy. 🚔

Monroe County Tax Collector Sam Steele confirmed that Wensel was immediately fired following her arrest and said his office reviewed transaction records and security footage and cooperated with FHP investigators.

Steele probably summed up the situation better than anybody:

“A public office is a public trust.”

For a small community like the , where so many of us know the people working in our local offices, allegations like these are definitely going to get people's attention.

⚠️ One clarification worth making: the allegation involves a Florida identification card being issued under another person’s identity. A Florida ID card does not establish or grant U.S. citizenship.

⚖️ IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: These are allegations contained in arrest and investigative records. An arrest or criminal charge is not proof of guilt. All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

💬 What do you think, ?

Does a case like this make you concerned about safeguards surrounding government-issued identification?

NBC 6 Island News
The Florida Keys & Key West
Miami Herald

08/15/2026

--- UPDATE---
🚨 As of 9:40am on 08/15/2026 🚨

🚨 ALL LANES OPEN 🚨

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As of 9:00am on 08/15/2026

🚨 TRAFFIC ALERT: FULL ROADBLOCK AT MILE MARKER 68.5 FOLLOWING INJURY CRASH 🚨

Drivers traveling through the Florida Keys should expect delays. Please use caution and allow extra time.

We hope everyone is ok.

08/15/2026

🚨💥 MAN CLAIMING TO WORK FOR THE CIA ARRESTED AFTER THREAT AT KEY WEST NAVY BASE 💥🚨
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Well, here's a strange one out of … and it gets a little more interesting the further you read. 👀

Police say 41-year-old Jonathon David Mathews of Indiana pulled up to the security checkpoint at Trumbo Point Annex Thursday evening and was told he couldn't enter.

That's when things apparently took a turn. 😳

According to police, Mathews told the Navy sentry he had explosives and could blow up the base if he wanted to. 🚨

Needless to say, that got everyone's attention.

were called, and officers found Mathews near Home Depot less than 30 minutes later.

But here's where the story gets even stranger… 👀

Police say Mathews had actually walked into the Key West Police Department the day before, asking for “off the grid” directions to the Joint Interagency Task Force South and claiming he worked for the .

After he was arrested, Mathews reportedly told investigators he wasn't actually threatening the Navy base. Instead, he said he was basically testing the base's security and believed he had found a weakness.

🤔 Yeah… you can imagine how that explanation went over.

Police searched Mathews, his vehicle and his hotel room and reported finding no explosives. Officers did report finding a dive knife strapped to his calf.

Mathews was arrested on a second-degree felony charge of threatening to discharge a destructive device and taken to the jail.

So here's the question for our neighbors…

👇 Do you think this was really someone “testing security”… or did he cross the line the moment he mentioned C4 and blowing up the base?

Tell us what you think in the comments. 👇

The charge and statements described above are allegations. Mathews is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.