The Key West Post

Opinion: Yes, Liana, Santa Clause is Real: This is a reflection about the meaning of Christmas, and it connects to one of the most famous Christmas letters ever written to a little girl named Virginia.

Water Quality Testing Drama in Key West: Key West is famous for its sunsets and coral reefs, and most of us agree: clean water matters. But agreeing on the goal is the easy part. The hard part is deciding how to measure, manage, and pay for the work that keeps our waters healthy. Key West sits next to one of the country’s largest marine sanctuaries, so local water quality isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s an economic one.

Welcome to The Key West Post! This website was launched in the Fall of 2025. Since then, thousands of people have visited this website. It proves that readers want news from a uniquely unbiased source.  Our mission is to share the truth about issue impacting Key West. Our perspective is unique, and we answer only to our readers who seek the truth.

Former Planning Director Katie Halloran Complaint and Final Report Findings: On November 13, 2025, attorney Ria Chattergoon of RC Law Group in Hollywood, Florida released a public investigation report commissioned by the City of Key West. The report examined allegations made by former Planning Director Katie Halloran, who resigned on September 1, 2025 after claiming she faced a hostile work environment under City Manager Brian Barroso.

Food Pantries & Outrage Politics in Key West: If you received e‑mails asking for campaign donations after false accusations that commissioners refused to help food pantries, that was no accident—it was part of a calculated plan. The tactic is familiar: first, say something outrageous to get voters angry. Then, climb on the soapbox and beat down the strawman you created. The goal is to demonize your opponent so you look better. 

Grand Jury Report Update by City Manager Brian Barroso: At the December 2, 2025 City Commission meeting, City Manager Brian L. Barroso presented a detailed update on the City’s progress in addressing the recommendations issued by the grand jury last spring.

Trump Accounts for America’s Kids Gets $6.25 Billion Gift: President Trump joined lawmakers and philanthropists Michael and Susan Dell to announce a landmark $6.25 billion charitable commitment supporting Trump Accounts. It's a new savings tool created under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. The Dells’ gift represents one of the largest direct investments ever made in American families, designed to give children a financial head start toward long-term...

Greg Veliz Appointed Interim District 5 Commissioner: The Key West City Commission voted on December 2, 2025, to appoint Gregory Veliz, former City Manager and current Executive Director of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, as interim District 5 Commissioner. The appointment fills the vacancy left by Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover's passing in November. Veliz was sworn in before the evening session and began serving immediately, continuing until the August 18, 2026, election

City Manager Installs Primary Color Bike Racks Against HARC Rules: Recent discussions in Key West have focused on unapproved primary color installations in the city’s historic district. At the Historic Architectural Review Commission (HARC) meetings on October 28 and November 18, 2025, commissioners addressed the primary color arch, fences, and bike racks. These items remain under review, with possible ordinance or guideline changes pending. One board member noted that staff

Florida Department of Transportation District 6 staff presented their tentative five-year work program to Monroe County commissioners on October 15, 2025, outlining priorities and funding through 2031. The overall District 6 (lower South Florida area) program totals about $4.15 billion, with Monroe County’s share estimated at roughly $600 million.

Guest Writer: Running Reflections from an Ultra Marathoner

Photo of the Day: Key West Rotary in 1920-Members of the Rotary Club at the ground-breaking ceremony for Bayview Park, early 1920s. In the photo, in order, are George A.T. Roberts, George V. Perpall, Clifford Hicks, George Knowles, Sebastian Cabrera Jr., Dr. J.M. Renedo, Dr. William R. Warren, Dr. J.Y. Porter Jr., Charles Ketchum, J. Frank Johnson, Henry Thompson, Warren Watrous, B.C. Moreno, George Waite, L. Russell Warner, W.L. Bates, William H. Maloney, Dr. Cornelius Kemp

The District 5 seat on the Key West City Commission became vacant following the passing of Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover on November 19, 2025. Hoover had represented District 5 since 2018 and was widely respected for her dedication to civic service. Under Section 2-31 of the Key West Code of Ordinances, the City Commission was required to appoint an interim commissioner within fifteen days of the vacancy.

The last time Key West faced the unusual task of appointing an interim city commissioner was in 1995, when District 6 Commissioner Emery Major was suspended and later removed from office. Governor Lawton Chiles issued the suspension on June 30, 1995, after federal investigators uncovered evidence of election fraud and bribery tied to Major’s 1993 campaign. The suspension created a vacancy that required immediate action under city law, much like the current District 5 process

Key West December 2025 Newsfeed: Get brief news updates from local agencies and news sources.