Persons who suffered losses or damage during Hurricane Irene in Monroe County, which has been declared a federal disaster area, may be eligible for federal and state disaster aid. Help may include temporary housing or repairs, low interest loans to homeowners, renters and business owners, and grants for individuals and families. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a hotline number for applying for this aid: 1-800-462-9029. speech and hearing impaired storm victims may apply by calling 1-800-462-7585.
Applicants should have on hand before placing the call social security numbers for themselves and their spouses, the address and zip code of the damaged property, directions to the damaged home or property and telephone numbers where the applicant may be reached during the day.
FEMA reminds storm victims that they may be eligible for this aid, but first they must apply for it. The number for further information is 1-800-525-0321. Hearing and speech impaired callers may call 1-800-660-8005 for information.
Two national companies have honored Key West citizens.
As part of a national program honoring extraordinary women volunteers, Eckerd Corporation has selected Helen Gerbracht of Key West. She was selected for her work with the mentally ill here.
As part of a program to recognize outstanding scholar-athletes across the country, two local students have been nominated for the Wendy's High School Heisman Award: William Spottswood and Dianne Herlihy. Both attend Key West High School.
The Richard B. "Dickie" Wardlow Fire Station on North Roosevelt Boulevard will be formally dedicated Saturday, Oct. 23, at 11 a.m. Wardlow and his wife, Nina, were killed on April 9, 1996, in a traffic accident in Miami. The Key WEst native was 48 years old when he died. He was Fire Chief at the time and had been a Key West firefighter for his entire professional career of over 25 years.
The dedication ceremony will include the laying of a cornerstone by the Florida Masonic Grade Lodge. In the cornerstone will be a time capsule containing Wardlow's business card, photographs of him with his beloved colleagues, a photograph of the old Fire Station #3, which will house a fire museum, a city roster and other memorabilia.
After the ceremony the Fire Department will host an open house of the new station. The public is invited.