Key West Daily Local Briefing

Here is a quick look at what is happening in and around Key West on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from cleanup efforts to conditions on the water.

Lower Keys cleanup and recycling events today

Monroe County is turning the first Saturday of the month into a cleanup day, with free compost, tire recycling, and hazardous waste services this morning. From 8 a.m. to noon, county transfer stations in Cudjoe Key, Long Key, and Key Largo are handing out bagged compost made from local yard waste, with limits per person and local identification required.

At the same time, residents can drop off up to six passenger vehicle tires, as long as they are not on rims. The county says the tires will be processed into material for asphalt and other road surfacing uses, keeping bulky waste out of landfills.

Closer to Key West, Stock Island is hosting a household hazardous and electronic waste collection at Bernstein Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. That gives island residents a nearby option to clear out old paint, chemicals, and electronics in a safe way instead of sending them to regular trash.

Breezy, cooler day on the water

The weather office in Key West continues to highlight rougher marine conditions today, with a small craft advisory or caution headline for many Florida Keys waters. Northwest to north winds around 15 to 20 knots this morning are expected to ease later in the day, but seas of three to five feet near the islands and higher in the Straits will keep boating choppy.

On land, the day looks mostly sunny but cooler than usual, with highs in the mid to upper 60s and near 70 in the Lower Keys. Forecasters advise inexperienced boaters and anyone in smaller vessels to wait for calmer conditions and to stay alert for rip currents along exposed Atlantic beaches.

Elections office updates voter numbers and guidance

The Monroe County Supervisor of Elections reports 54,266 active registered voters as of February 7. The office is highlighting its updated website, which centralizes information on how to register, check your status, and review upcoming election dates.

Voters in Key West can request a vote by mail ballot online through the county system, by calling the local elections office, or by returning the statewide request form. The site also lists key dates for this year’s primary and general elections, along with details on early voting and identification requirements.

Looking ahead: festival season at the waterfront

February will stay busy along Truman Waterfront Park, where the Florida Keys Seafood Festival is scheduled for February 14 and 15, followed by the Key West Art and Craft Festival on February 21 and 22. Both events are expected to bring vendors, live entertainment, and bigger crowds to the waterfront and nearby streets.

Sources

• https://monroecounty-fl.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=27
• https://monroecounty-fl.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=10293&calType=0&day=7&month=2&year=2026
• https://www.weather.gov/key/
• https://www.votemonroeflkeys.gov/
• https://vacationhomesofkeywest.com/key-west-events/
• https://keywestcity.granicusideas.com/meetings/2056-city-commission-on-2025-09-03-9-00-am/agenda_items/68af81fe4425381c07000888-12-25-4158-star-authorizing-the-key-west-art-center-i