Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack: Keys Net - Weekly Newsletter for Saturday July 21, 2012

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Proposed superintendent incentives on the table

The Monroe County School Board on Monday is expected to decide whether to extend generous incentive pay to incoming Superintendent Mark Porter and, if so, what measures will trigger the performance pay.

Porter, the former superintendent of South Washington County (Minn.) Public Schools, was selected in June to replace Jesus Jara, who starts Aug. 1 as deputy superintendent of Orange County Public Schools in Central Florida.
Keys are No. 1 in Florida in boating accidents

Monroe County again held the dubious position atop the state's roll of most dangerous counties for boating, with 93 significant accidents on the water in 2011.
Big shoes to fill in county clerk race

Four Republican candidates vying to take over for retiring Clerk of the Court Danny Kolhage will square off in the Aug. 14 primary.

Italian tourist reaches goal of catching tarpon on fly

Fishing the areas of the Upper Keys and Islamorada area yielded wonderful results lately both offshore and in the backcountry.

Offshore, mix-sized dolphin bit well again last week anywhere from the edge of the reef out to around 24 miles. Some were reported to weigh over 40 pounds, hopefully the action to continue in weeks to come. There were some swordfish caught and released and a couple kept last week for the dinner table.
Tuna time at the humps

Dolphin fishing remains hit or miss, with mostly small numbers of schoolie-size fish coming back to the docks. But although elusive, there are some gaffers and slammers to be had.

However, blackfin tuna fishing at the humps is excellent right now, with anglers catching good-size fish in the 12- to 15-pound class, along with profuse numbers of smaller footballs. Butterfly jigging, trolling and fishing live baits are all productive techniques.
Keys captains reporting active dolphin season so far

Summer is definitely here in the Upper Keys, and the signs are everywhere — from the mosquito trucks spraying residential neighborhoods in the evening to the daily afternoon thunderstorms.

It may be hot in the afternoons, but quite comfortable as compared to many areas of our country experiencing triple digit temperatures. This means getting an early start to help avoid the afternoon heat, or venturing out during the evening hours to fish in more comfortable conditions.

Centennial buys former Bank of America building

Centennial Bank is doubling the size of its Islamorada branch with the acquisition of the former Bank of America building at mile marker 81.5 oceanside. Customers were notified of the impending move via letter earlier in July.
Key West gets second Publix grocery

Beginning Thursday Key West will be home to not one but two Publix grocery stores about half a mile from each other on North Roosevelt Boulevard.
Verizon expanding 4G in Middle, Upper Keys

Verizon Wireless customers throughout the Florida Keys soon will have access to the nation's fastest 4G wireless network, when the company expands its network from Miami to Key West later this month.