Jason Koler

Petrick bids farewell after 20 years By Jason Koler This past week, Key Colony Police Chief Robert Petrick retired from the force after 20 years of service. He came on as a patrolman in 1991 and was promoted to chief 12 years ago. “It’s about time to get back out there and do some fishing […]

Island pawn stars on Truman By Jason Koler Liquid 8 Pawn’s Rick Igo is a simple man with a simple business philosophy: everything is for sale. Everything – that is – except for the Short Sales expert, Theo Alexander. “He’s for rent,” exclaims Igo. The wild-haired, chain-smoking, Harley-riding salesman opened Liquid 8 Pawn in 2004 […]

Retirement party held for former FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto By Jason Koler Joe Weatherby, the man who fought for years to create one of the largest artificial reefs in the world off the shores of Key West, summed up the sentiments of many Florida Keys residents this past Wednesday night. Business leaders, elected officials, and […]

The total reward is now $10,750, plus three free dives, three free fishing trips and eight hours of free welding and fabrication!   On August 9, Save-A-Turtle of the Florida […]

Musical tradition continues at Key West High By Jason Koler They went back to work early this month. “We’re the first to start and the last to end,” said Gary Hernandez, Key West High School’s Director of Bands. About a month before the final note was played at the graduation ceremony, Hernandez and team of […]

FKCC welcomes first students to residence hall   By Jason Koler   Dominic Crapello cannot open his bedroom window, but the first year Florida Keys Community College student couldn’t care less because the shimmering waters of the gulf offer a view unlike any other dorm in America. “I love swimming, diving, boating and being around […]

by Jason Koler Eddie Bauer’s catalogue will be out….soon; and when it does Florida Keys residents will recognize the unmistakable scenery when deciding whether to order the Boundary Pack in […]

Daffy Doug Austin Captures Keys Fisheries Crab Crown by Jason Koler Stacked against a field of stone crab aficionados from as far away as Europe, local businessman “Daffy Doug” Austin […]

first female board member served 14 years by Jason Koler photo courtesy: Colleen Tagle/FKAA Florida Governor Layton Chiles made history in 1995 when he appointed Mary Rice to the Florida Keys Aquaduct Authority Board as the first female director. She would be reappointed in 2001 by Jeb Bush and would also serve until 2009 including […]

By Jason Koler and Britt Myers Earlier this week a report announced the demise of the Keynoter and Upper Keys Reporter as we know it, leaving a void in the […]

Palm trees line the Island Bay Resort’s brick paver drive from U.S.1 to the Florida Bay — providing a welcomed respite from the blazing Florida sun as Mike Shipley relaxes (but for a moment) in the shade of his tiki hut. Nearly two decades ago he liquidated his corporate assets and ditched his suit, so […]

Jason Koler, born in Florida and raised in Ohio, is the “better looking and way smarter” Keys Weekly publisher. When not chasing his children or rubbing his wife’s feet, he enjoys folding laundry and performing experimental live publishing.

Retired U.S. Navy captain Dick Barnes has always found a way to make things work, and on May 10, the Islamorada resident turned 100 with a full recall of the important milestones that defined his amazing life. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, he fashioned fish hooks out of straight pins and constructed an underwater […]

On Feb. 10 behind Marathon City Hall, Boy Scout Troop 901 and Marathon’s Cub Scouts conducted the city’s eighth annual flag retirement ceremony, giving a proper sendoff to more than 100 collected flags with dignity and respect. Photos by JASON KOLER/Keys Weekly