Marathon Weekly 22-1229

Number of glasses of sparkling wine consumed each New Year's Eve, according to WalletHub.

9709 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 33050 Office: 305.743.0844 www.keysweekly.com

Publisher Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner

Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Marathon Editor

Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Staff Writers

Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor

Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Director of Sales Manuela Carrillo Mobley manuela@keysweekly.com

Business Development

Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com

Production Manager

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator

Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Design / Pre-Press

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com

Design / Web Master

Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

Classifieds

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844

Se habla español

THE MARATHON WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050. APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES.

All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.

POSTMASTER:

SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO THE KEYS WEEKLY, 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050

p.m.

WE’VE GOT THE KEYS

It’s a different experience writing a Year In Review paper when you’re able to look back at 52 issues that you helped put together yourself. And while the COVID-19 pandemic brought otherworldly circumstances to much of the globe in 2020 and 2021, 2022 held its own with some pretty wild happenings, too. With the first full year under my belt at the Marathon Weekly, it’s still as fun as it was on day one to put together the only locallyowned newspaper in the Florida Keys, trying to make sense of our community’s troubles while celebrating so many incredible triumphs. Thank you to the Marathon community for trusting and embracing me and our paper’s evolution over the last 15 months; your support means more than you know, and it’s an honor to be your local editor. So please pour a drink of your choice, grab a comfy chair and enjoy our 2022 Year in Review.

Sincerely, Alex Rickert Marathon Editor

2022: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Monroe County News | P.7

Marathon’s Top Headlines | P.8

Keys Weekly Happenings | P.17

Feel-Good Stories | P.18

Marathon’s Top Photos | P.23

Keys Weekly Scores Big

Interviews | P.30

Top Environmental Stories | P.36

Top Law Enforcement News | P.38

A Year of Migrant Landings | P.46

Top Stories From Social Media & Web | P.49

The staff of the Keys Weekly wishes our readers a wonderful start to 2023. But before that, please sit back and enjoy a walk through the year that was as we put a bow on 2022.

We are ready to help you find or manage your Oasis. Keys Ocean Vacation Rentals strives to give every customer the true Keys experience; we don’t just book homes, we book vacations of a lifetime. Ranging from large single family homes to cozy condos, we are here to find what you are looking for. Don’t delay, please contact us today!

UP TO DATE MARKETING & TECHNOLOGY

We are constantly striving to meet market demands with the newest technology. We have Premier Partner status on HomeAway/VRBO with most of our properties.

Our mobile app provides guests all the information they need about their vacation rental.

IN HOUSE SERVICES

Our team of cleaning, maintenance, and contractors are always available.

CONCIERGE

Our guest can book different activitiesthrough us for a one of a-kind trip.

24/7 SERVICE

Inspections before and after guests allow us to keep the house in optimal shape.

10035 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 305-735-4095 Ext. 2 Keys

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

ROAD RAISING PRICE TAG & NEW FACILITIES TOP COUNTY NEWS IN 2022

A new, but familiar, face took his seat on the Monroe County Commission in 2022. Meanwhile, new county facilities broke ground while others opened following a ribbon cutting. Also, county commissioners received the price tag to raise roads amid impending sea level rise.

GOVERNOR APPOINTS JIM SCHOLL TO VACANT COUNTY SEAT

A former Key West manager and naval aviator who commanded Naval Air Station Key West, Jim Scholl was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on April 29 to fulfill the term of Eddie Martinez, who resigned in December 2021 following his arrest on suspicion of domestic violence. “I’ve always said I don’t run for office; I run from office,” the county commissioner told the Keys Weekly days after the news of his appointment. Scholl is serving the remainder of Martinez’s two-year term.

NEW GOVERNMENT CENTER OPENS ON PLANTATION KEY

The snipping of a ribbon marked the grand opening of the Plantation Key Government Center in Tavernier on June 2. The state-of-the-art, 48,240-square-foot facility, which broke ground Oct. 18, 2019, houses the 16th Judicial Court of Florida, Monroe County Clerk of the Court, State Attorney’s office, Monroe County Sheriff’s substation and Monroe County Public Works.

$1.6 BILLION TO RAISE KEYS ROADS?

Final results from a roads vulnerability analysis unveiled on June 15 stated that raising 311 miles of county roads vulnerable to sea level rise would come with a $1.6-billion price tag. Those roadways provide access to 71% of the county’s housing units.

BRIDGE RENAMED FOR THE LATE CHERYL CATES

A ceremony celebrating the renaming of Cow Key Bridge in honor of Cheryl Cates, the late wife of County Commissioner Craig Cates, saw more than 100 people in attendance on July 26. Cates died in December 2020 after

a battle with COVID. The renaming was approved by the Monroe County commissioners, Key West commissioners and the Florida Legislature.

FARMER JEANNE IS AN HONORARY CONCH

Farmer Jeanne Selander received the Honorary Conch Certificate on Aug. 24. Selander has overseen the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm at the Stock Island Detention Center for 17 years. The jailhouse farm is believed to be the only one of its kind in the U.S.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

CENTER BREAKS GROUND County, state and federal officials broke ground on a new Emergency Operations Center at the west end of the Marathon airport. The project consolidates several existing organizations into a new state-of-the-art 28,321- squarefoot, 220-mph-wind-rated facility that will include Monroe County’s Emergency Management, Fire Rescue administration and the Sheriff’s Office 911 center. It’s scheduled to be completed in spring 2024.

OTHER NOTABLE EVENTS

Feb. 16 — Tom Hambright retires after serving 36 years as Monroe County historian.

June 6 — Corey Malcom succeeds Tom Hambright as county historian.

June 14 — Harry Harris Park restoration project is completed.

Aug. 17 — BOCC passes no smoking ban at county parks and beaches.

Aug. 24 — Pine Channel Nature Park in Big Pine Key opens to the public.

Sept. 9 — State and county officials gather at the Marathon airport a day before the 5-year anniversary of Hurricane Irma, to discuss the importance of preparedness. Irma hit the Keys as a category 4 storm.

Oct. 5 — Richard Clark named new executive director of transit.

Nov. 15 — Craig Cates named Monroe County mayor.

Jim Scholl is appointed to the county commission. CONTRIBUTED

Plantation Key Government Center houses several county services. DAVID GROSS/Keys Weekly

Commissioner Craig Cates, left, unveils the Cheryl H. Cates Memorial Bridge sign. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

Farmer Jeanne Selander gets an Honorary Conch certificate. LINDSAY BALLARD/Monroe County

County officials break ground on the new Emergency Operations enter. KRISTEN LIVENGOOD/Monroe County

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

LOOKING BACK ON 2022 IN MARATHON

2022 brought no shortage of headlines to Marathon, many of which began in the first months of the year and look to continue well into 2023. Stop us if you’re tired of hearing any of the following words: permits, affordable housing, DEO, lawsuits or building rights. But along with the trials, both literal and figurative, our community managed some amazing feats throughout the year. Let’s take a look in the rearview mirror…

JANUARY

We started 2022 right off the bat with one of the year’s biggest happenings as the renovated Old Seven Mile Bridge reopened to the public, bringing back one of the city’s iconic locations. It was a rough start for city government, however, as the year opened with the arrest of newly-elected city councilman Trevor Wofsey. Wofsey would resign from the council four days later.

In Other Headlines:

• Friends of the Lower Keys sued Marathon for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.

FEBRUARY

Tasked with appointing a fifth council member in the wake of Wofsey’s resignation, Marathon fielded 14 applications for the vacant seat, eventually narrowing the field before the council remained deadlocked between two candidates: real estate agent and 2021 election runner-up Jody “Lynny” Del Gaizo and Tackle Box owner Robyn Still. Unable to arrive at a majority decision, a literal coin toss decided the seat for Still.

In Other Headlines:

• A building reinspection ordinance claimed its first victim as tenants of a 15-unit apartment building on Coco Plum Drive were ordered out when the building was deemed unsafe.

• Keys Weekly published a construction update for ongoing Marathon projects.

Dignitaries and some of those responsible for the Old Seven Mile Bridge’s rehabilitation cut the ceremonial ribbon to reopen the bridge. From left: then-Monroe County Mayor David Rice, DOT District 6 Secretary Stacy Miller, County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln, County Commissioner Holly Raschein, Sheriff Rick Ramsay and current Monroe County Mayor Craig Cates. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Over at Marathon High School, students celebrated their classmate Rylan Chapa as the senior standout won gold in her weight class in the Florida state girls weightlifting championships. Chapa would go on to stack many more honors throughout the remainder of the school year, to the point that Keys Weekly jokingly informed her she was not allowed any more real estate on our pages.

MARCH

The Keys Weekly editors teamed up for a major multi-week series on the housing crisis in the Florida Keys, including causes, current scenarios and potential fixes. Meanwhile, Marathon permit wait times took a massive hit as the state Department of Economic Opportunity rescinded its long-standing Memorandum of Understanding with Marathon over the city’s decision to issue permits for the 39th Street development known as Boatworks during an ongoing appeal of said development. With the state requiring oversight on all permits, instead of a limited subset as before, many contractors were left unable to proceed with their projects as the wait for permits skyrocketed.

Conflicts with the state, a housing crisis and athletic superstars defined this year – oh, and a pretty badass bridge jump

Travis Pastrana races a fighter jet along the Seven Mile Bridge in a modified 862-horsepower Subaru wagon. HOONIGAN INDUSTRIES/Contributed

APRIL

Following the tragic loss of Marathon High School’s Rebecca Thacker, the Dolphins boys baseball team dedicated the remainder of their season to the beloved English teacher. The team secured a regularseason conference championship, but had its championship game cut short due to weather, leaving them just two runs short of a South Florida Baseball Conference (SFBC) title. Head coach Joey Gonzalez was honored as the SFBC Coach of the Year, while senior Ben Hiller earned the Conference Player of the Year nod.

JUNE

Marathon’s seniors went out in style as Marathon High School and the Take Stock in Children program both celebrated commencement exercises. Meanwhile, the quick action of Marathon captain John Callion saved two lives in a tragic parasailing accident that proved fatal for one Illinois mother. The captain of the parasail boat would be charged with manslaughter later that year. And as it always does, the Marathon community rallied around a local favorite food truck when Irie Island Eats unexpectedly went up in flames in late May.

In Other Headlines:

• Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on affordable housing development “Bell Haven”

• Gas prices fuel concerns for Keys captains

• Trolley and power line usher in new era for historic Pigeon Key

• Powerboats are coming back to Marathon in 2023

The newly reopened Rotary Park includes many elements accessible by small children or handicapped individuals, and even an in-ground merry-go-round. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

AUGUST

MAY

Three iconic Keys lighthouses, including Marathon’s treasured Sombrero Key Lighthouse, were sold at auction, netting from $415,000 to $860,000 apiece. Though the Sombrero Key structure is now privately owned, very little can be done with the property due to the interplay of several agencies’ regulations. Meanwhile, the Stars of the Florida Keys cheerleading team ended an undefeated season with a national title at the Florida Cheer and Dance Association’s competition in Orlando.

JULY

The heat of the summer brought an action sports legend to Marathon, as Travis Pastrana jumped the open span in the Boot Key bridge as part of a shoot for his “Gymkhana 2022” film, eventually released in December. The jump was a subject of debate for the city council, requiring extensive discussions and multiple meetings before it got the green light. Marathon and DEO squared off in a final hearing to determine whether live-aboard boats could, indeed, be moved onto land and used as building rights to develop homes – a concept eventually denied by administrative law judge Todd Resavage in an October final order. Working to protect the treasured aquatic resources of the Florida Keys, the National Marine Sanctuary released a draft of its Restoration Blueprint, proposing the first significant changes to sanctuary regulations in more than 20 years.

In Other Headlines: • Clock is ticking on Florida Keys specialty contractors

Miami’s Third District Court of Appeals dealt a massive blow to affordable housing throughout most of the Keys as it determined that most of the 1,300 building rights given to the county and independent municipalities by the state under then-Governor Rick Scott were illegal. A shark bite that caused 10-year-old Jameson Reeder to lose part of his leg at Looe Key Reef reignited local debate on the interaction between humans and the apex predators. In continuation of a trend that’s shown no signs of slowing down, Marathon witnessed one of its largest migrant landings as 123 Haitians spilled off a poorly-constructed sailboat in the area of 79th Street Ocean. But in the midst of a rough month for news, a monumental community effort that began in late June culminated in the reopening of Marathon’s Rotary Park on Aug. 20. Described as “truly tremendous and epic” by Parks and Recreation Director Paul Davis, the structure was literally built by volunteers’ hands from around the city.

SEPTEMBER

After months of discussion, the Marathon City Council approved fees soon to be paid by visitors for the use of Marathon’s boat ramps, along with parking at said boat ramps and Sombrero Beach. Non-residents will pay $25 to launch or retrieve a boat at any of the city’s three public boat ramps, along with a $20 flat fee per day to park there. Sombrero Beach parking will be $5 per hour for the first two hours, followed by $2 per hour thereafter. The fees and enforcement are expected in early 2023.

Senior baseball player Ben Hiller adds a flower to a memorial for MHS English teacher Rebecca Thacker before a game played in her honor.

BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

The city of Marathon and Florida state Department of Economic Opportunity were at odds this year over the concept of using live-aboard boats as a means to establish building rights on land. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Travis Pastrana takes flight across the open span in the Boot Key Bridge in a modified 862-horsepower Subaru wagon. HOONIGAN INDUSTRIES/Contributed

The Stars of the Florida Keys celebrate their state championship. CONTRIBUTED

The Sombrero Key Lighthouse closed at a final auction price of $575,000. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

OCTOBER

October brought a celebration of Marathon’s athletic prowess as cross country runner Vance Bursa claimed an individual district title as a prelude to his blazing ninth place finish at the Florida State Championship meet.

And after the 2022 season, no Marathon football player will again wear the number 32 as the school retired the number in honor of MHS defensive coordinator, hometown hero and former FHSAA Player of the Year Andra Garvey.

NOVEMBER

A vibrant campaign for the largest Marathon City Council election since the city’s incorporation culminated on Nov. 8. From a field of nine candidates, Lynn Landry, Robyn Still, Jeff Smith and Kenny Matlock emerged victorious to fill the four open seats on the council. Just down the road, Beth RamsayVickrey and Freddie Foster won the two open seats on Key Colony Beach’s city commission. KCB’s then-Code Enforcement and Planning and Zoning Board chair Joey Raspe was appointed weeks later to fill the seat on the commission left vacant with the unexpected passing of beloved commissioner Ron Sutton.

DECEMBER

As Marathon prepared to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, it also welcomed the first ever Marathon Latin Festival with more than 30 renowned Latin music artists taking the stage at the Marathon Community Park. Headlined by Cuban music pioneer Baby Lores, the festival sold nearly 1,500 tickets to benefit Somos Esperanza, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to offering hope to disadvantaged families with children suffering from pre-existing conditions or chronic or incurable diseases.

The new Key Colony Beach City Commission. From left: commissioner Joey Raspe, vice mayor Beth Ramsay-Vickrey, mayor Patti Trefry, secretary/treasurer Tom Harding, commissioner Freddie Foster. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Habitat for Humanity directors, donors, allies and friends along with officials and employees from the City of Marathon and Keys Contracting Services gather to break ground on Habitat’s newest Marathon development. ALEX RICKERT/ Keys Weekly

109 Haitian migrants, the majority appearing to be young men, made the dangerous crossing and extended swim to shore in August. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Vance Bursa followed up his individual district title in cross country with an impressive ninthplace finish at the Florida State Championship. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

Rylan Chapa is the reigning Florida state gold medalist for her weight class in the snatch competition. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Dolphin defensive coordinator Andra Garvey, right, has his #32 jersey retired during Marathon’s Senior Night in October. BARRY GAUKEL/ Keys Weekly

Robyn Still, left, and Lynny Del Gaizo embrace after Still’s coin-toss victory to fill the vacancy on the Marathon City Council in late January. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Headliner and co-organizer Baby Lores, right, presents Presents in Paradise directors and city officials with a $2,500 check at the first ever Marathon Latin Festival. SANDRA LEE PHOTOGRAPHY/Keys Weekly

A WORD TO THE WISE FOR A SUCCESSFUL NEW YEAR

NEW YEAR PREDICTIONS

What will 2023 bring?

Now and again, especially this time of year, our prognosticators and sayers of sooth gather to make some New Year predictions. Our accuracy rate has never been measured; our entertainment value has never been questioned. That being said, any money you lose betting on any of these predictions to actually happen is yours and yours alone. All disclaimers aside, let’s get back to the future!

JOHN BARTUS

and stormwater upgrades that have made a real difference in our nearshore water quality — not anything that Mr. Grosso has personally done.

We are going to start this article with a short experiment. I want you to raise your hand if you have ever made a New Year’s resolution. Keep your hand up if you have kept your resolution for three weeks. Keep your hand up if you have kept your resolution for one month or longer. If you still have your hand up, you are among the 10 percent of people who adhere to their resolution for longer than the average person – just 32 days. In fact, while doing research for this article I found multiple resources saying that Jan. 17 is “national quit your resolution day.”

I wasn’t sure if I should laugh or cry when I read that.

But now that we have those fun and semi-depressing facts, let’s ask ourselves: Why do the majority of those who make a New Year’s resolution not keep it? The short answer, without having to get into the depths of human behavior and psychology, is simple. The problem isn’t what the resolution was, it was that there is hardly ever a plan of attack.

I want you to reflect on my very first article. In order to achieve a goal, you have to have a plan and set S.M.A.R.T goals. The same is true for New Year’s resolutions. You cannot expect to set a resolution and have it just happen – you have to create change, make adjustments and be consistent, and without a plan you are done before you even started.

With that being said, if you are ready to make a resolution this year and you want it to be successful, start planning now. Define your resolution and figure out what needs to be done. What small goals or

JENNIFER BOLTZ HARVEY

...is a Marathonbased ACSMcertified personal trainer and precision nutrition coach who owns and operates Highly Motivated Functionally Caffeinated LLC.

steps need to be accomplished for the resolution to be successful?

I prefer a different way to guide my new year. Each year I pick a single world to help me define how I want my year to be. I’ll give you an example: Last year I chose the word “brave.”

Brave to try new experiences like tent camping and petting a boa constrictor (in, of all places, Sedona, Arizona). Brave to try new foods –now I know I like duck and do not like scallops. Brave to trust my gut instincts and brave to ask for help when I needed it. I think you catch my drift.

By having a word to help guide you it can also help you open your world to new opportunities, create new memories and push you a little bit. The world is hard enough to navigate, so why not try finding a way to help yourself?

If you aren’t sure what word to pick, I created a word find for you. The first word you see can be yours to use for 2023. So, whether you go the resolution route or the word-fora-year route, I wish you nothing but the very best in the new year. I hope it’s both happy and healthy!

If you do go the word route, I’d love to know what it is. Email me at Jenniferlynnboltz@gmail.com.

January: College football playoffs are set, and the two undefeated teams (Georgia and Michigan) will face the two one-loss teams (Ohio State and TCU). While Midwesterners are already drooling over a potential Ohio State-Michigan rematch for the National Championship, that’s as likely as getting a hot buttered rum at a local tiki bar. Unless the world starts spinning backward on its axis, look for the Georgia Bulldogs to repeat.

February: I can guarantee that this year’s Super Bowl will not feature the Bears vs. the Texans. While the Eagles and the 49ers have already clinched playoff spots in the NFC, the AFC is wide open at this point. The Miami Dolphins could still make the playoffs. So could a whole bunch of other teams, some with pretty horrible records. But you’re not looking for analysis — you want a prediction. Here it is: AFC Championship Game: Buffalo 38, Kansas City 28. NFC Championship Game: Philadelphia 41, San Francisco 17. Super Bowl LVII: Philadelphia 24, Buffalo 21 (as the Bills’ placekicker misses the gametying field goal wide right).

March: The Original Marathon Seafood Festival will break records as we celebrate the mass murder of shrimp, fish, clams and lobster. The stone crabs, however, will live to fight another day. Also, all those who bought vehicles in that new flat gray finish will wake up and realize that their cars are ugly as homemade sin.

April: The Florida Legislature, under pressure from homeowners, business interests and FIRM, will again do nothing to address the inequity of Citizens Insurance rates for Keys’ policyholders. (Bet you could see that one coming a mile off.)

May: Environmental activist attorney Richard Grosso may finally run out of money and/or appeals as he continues his quixotic quest to make Keys residents’ lives miserable. Sadly, it’s Keys residents and businesses who have shouldered the burden of paying for the wastewater

June: Interest in the Boot Key drawbridge, stirred up by Travis Pastrana’s Gymkhana jump over the open span, hits a crescendo as news breaks of the discovery of a Calusa burial ground and the tribe’s plans to open a Calusa Casino and Golf Resort on the island.

John Bartus is a singer-songwriter and the former mayor of Marathon.

July: Marathon Chamber CEO Daniel Samess spends days in advance of the BrewBQ personally killing and removing every no-seeum from Marathon Community Park. The heat signature from the BrewBQ event’s pits and smokers (as well as the hot music lineup) triggers alarms on climate satellites in orbit.

August: Everyone turns their attention to the tropics and makes Mike’s Weather Page (www.spaghettimodels.com) the most clicked-on website in the Keys.

September: See August.

October: See August. Also, the Miami Marlins will not make the World Series.

November: Keys residents falsely believe that a cold front will move through the islands soon, raising their hopes for fresher air that sadly won’t show up until January. Also, plans for the “new” new Seven Mile Bridge are revealed. Travis Pastrana begins lobbying local governments for permission to jump whatever space might open up between spans on the old new bridge or the “new” new bridge for his next video.

December: Presents In Paradise will take care of another 500 to 600 kids during the holidays, thanks to you! Also, Fred the Tree will have celebrated a newfound celebrity status upon release of the remake of “Road House” and will get the Oscar nomination for Best Supporting (Supported?) Actor.

— Catch John each Monday at Boondocks, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Key Colony Inn and Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing. Find his music anywhere you download or stream your music. www.johnbartus.com

g e o u s , c u s t o m - b u i l t M e d i t e r r a n e a n v i l l a s i t t i n g o n a w h i t e s a n d b e a c h i n t h e e x c l u s i v e c o m m u n i t y o f K e y C o l o n y B e a c h . O v e r 5 , 0 0 0 s q u a r e f e e t o f l u x u r y l i v i n g , f e a t u r i n g t u r q u o i s e o c e a n v i e w s f r o m n e a r l y e v e r y r o o m E x q u i s i t e a t t e n t i o n t o d e t a i l , i s l a n d l i v i n g a t i t s b e s t ! Y o u r p r i v a t e g a t e d b e a c h f r o n t e s t a t e a w a i t s y o u . 3 , 7 8 8 s f M a i n L i v i n g , B o n u s : 1 , 3 7 7 s f 1 B e d r o o m , 1 B a t h A p t / I n - L a w S u i t e , I n f i n i t y

www.hear4uaudiology.com www.heardrmichelle.com

MIAMI 17670 NW 78th Avenue #201 (305) 403-9325

KEY WEST 513 Fleming Street, Suite 11 (2nd floor accessible via elevator) (305) 809-6041

MARATHON

HOMESTEAD

Towers Professional Plaza 151 NW 11th St., Ste. W-301 (305) 809-7663

11400 Overseas Highway - Suite 209 Town Square Mall (305) 747-7750 TAVERNIER 93911 Overseas Hwy., Ste. 5 (2nd Floor) Tavernier, FL 33070 (305) 247-8227

LOCAL MATTERS

It’s not just what we cover, it’s what we truly believe at the Keys Weekly.

With offices, editors and editions in Key West, Marathon and the Upper Keys, our team continued its unwavering commitment to local news, people and the Keys community in 2022.

Whether we’re in the Keys Weekly booths at local seafood festivals, or driving decorated golf carts in our hometown holiday parades, the Keys Weekly is your local newspaper and we thank you for trusting us with…local matters.

— The Keys Weekly Editors

One of our biggest additions this year, Sports Wrap offers complete coverage of high school sports by Tracy and Sean McDonald, who also produces and hosts our weekly Sports Wrap podcast.

KEY WEST

The past year saw an unprecedented number of breaking news stories, social media engagement, fun local events in which we proudly took part and some new bylines for the Key West Weekly.

We welcomed freelance writers Cricket Desmarais and Amy Patton, whose profiles, theater reviews, fun features and news stories have added new voices and fresh perspectives to the Key West Weekly. Columnist and author Janice Gary now pays tribute to our four-legged fur babies with her monthly column Paws in Paradise, while Ray West covers the local live music scene with his twice-monthly Hip to the Scene column.

Publisher and owner Britt Myers continued the success of the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast Show, scoring interviews with the likes of musical legend Warren Haynes, Major League pitcher — and surgery namesake — Tommy John, as well as Queen front man and singing sensation Adam Lambert.

Our annual Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards drew 400,000 online votes from all continents except Antarctica. The awards gala in July packed Key West Theater with humor and high honors while raising more than $30,000 for the Bahama Village Music Program.

And as always, our team had a great time at countless community events, fundraisers and political forums.

It’s been an exciting year at the Keys Weekly. Watch what happens next — onward and upward for 2023 in the Florida Keys.

Publisher Britt Myers, with wife Kirby Myers and daughter Dylan, lead the team in the decorated Key West Weekly and Overseas Media Group golf cart for Key West’s Hometown Holiday Parade. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

MARATHON

The heart of the Florida Keys kept new blood pumping in 2022. Our year began with a new partnership with the Florida Keys SPCA, working to bring furry companions in shelters to our pages every week. As the months progressed, we welcomed contributions from talented freelancer Abigail Haddock, and closed the year by debuting a brand-new health and wellness column by Jennifer Boltz-Harvey along with Joel Brandenburg’s Captain Joel’s Fishin’ Holes.

The year was not without loss, as we bid fair winds and following seas to beloved columnist Mike Barber, who passed away in March following a battle against aggressive pneumonia.

The return of the Marathon Meltdown saw 39 Middle Keys residents shave off an astounding 437.8 pounds in total, with one contestant losing 18.2% of her body weight –and we’re sure they’ve all kept it off.

Our 14th annual Best of Marathon awards brought nearly 300 guests to a phenomenal evening honoring the standout businesses and individuals in our city – even when nasty weather necessitated a last-minute venue change to Million Air’s hangar.

With the new school year, the Marathon office spearheaded a new partnership with Sean and Tracy McDonald to produce the Keys Weekly Sports Wrap, the only locallyowned sports section covering Monroe County athletics – AND a fantastic podcast taking intricate dives into Keys sports history. We cannot thank them enough for the way they’ve transformed our sports coverage and reaffirmed our commitment to celebrating local athletes’ accomplishments.

Best of Upper Keys attendees raise a glass to the late Mike Forster, who championed the idea of bringing a people’s choice event back to the Upper Keys. The Keys Weekly was proud to be the ones to do it. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

UPPER KEYS

The Upper Keys Office in Tavernier bolstered its team to start 2022 by welcoming Jill Miranda Baker as business development officer. A 25-year resident of Plantation Key, Miranda Baker elevated new relationships with the business and nonprofit sectors while maintaining strong connections with longstanding clients.

Months later, the Keys Weekly added more talent to its roster, this time bringing in Manuela Carrillo Mobley as director of sales. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, she spent several years with AT&T in the Florida Keys before joining the Keys Weekly team.

New bylines hit the papers as the year progressed. Earlier in the year, the Upper Keys added former TV reporter Kellie Butler Farrell to its talented freelance team. Coral Shores student Zack Woltanski and Upper Keys resident Carolyn DePaula also joined as freelancers.

New features debuted, including Pet of the Week and Joyful Keys Living, which highlighted some local residents making a difference in their communities. The Upper Keys Weekly closed out the year with the new “Artist’s Corner” column by local artist William DePaula.

A people’s choice awards event, which we dubbed Best of Upper Keys, debuted in the fall. People had the opportunity to submit their favorite businesses, places, people and more. Finalists were chosen by the people in roughly 50 categories. On Nov. 5, winners were crowned at Whale Harbor Events in Islamorada, and more than $19,000 was raised for the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter.

A young deputy editor arrived at the Upper Keys Weekly. His name? Lucas Matthew McCarthy. Upper Keys Weekly editor Jim McCarthy and his beautiful other half, Brie Conway, welcomed an 8.8-pound boy into the world on Oct. 4.

Manuela Mobley

Sean McDonald

Jill Miranda Baker

Tracy McDonald

In recent years, “the media” seems to have become an easy target and scapegoat when news comes out that some would rather not see in print. But here at the Keys Weekly, our staff is proud to work for a company just as dedicated to celebrating our community’s triumphs as it is to covering its trials. Here is just a small sampling of stories from 2022 that made us proud to celebrate the One Human Family in the Florida Keys.

PEOPLE ARE AWESOME, AND DON’T YOU FORGET IT

ALEX RICKERT

ONE ANIMAL FAMILY, TOO

Those who live in an island chain surrounded by one of the most magnificent ecosystems in the world are already more willing than most to do whatever it takes to protect the animals sharing their environment.

In January, Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters became the only facility in the islands to house rehabilitating manatees as it welcomed “Heavy Falcon” and “Lil Peep” on their journey toward eventual release.

In March, when birds at the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center needed a new home, Eagle Scout candidate Keegan Wittke stepped in to get the job done.

In May, the staff at Dolphin Research Center took on a Herculean task as they committed to hand-raising a newborn calf born at the center, providing round-the-clock care for months. The center also welcomed a rescue from Texas and celebrated a second calf later in the year.

In June, a couple was heartbroken as their French bulldog Sailor went missing from their home. But due to a collaborative effort between MCSO and the Miami-Dade police, Sailor made her way home in just over a week, with the suspects who demanded a ransom detained.

The next month, the Turtle Hospital celebrated the release of “Tortie.” The juvenile green sea turtle was rehabilitated against all odds after suffering from a load of fibropapilloma tumors and fitted with a satellite tracker upon release to raise awareness for her species.

In late November, Middle Keys residents gathered to celebrate the release of three manatees rescued throughout the previous seven months – some in collaborative allnight community endeavors – showcasing the combined capabilities of multiple Keys rescue organizations.

And as protection of our coral reefs increasingly becomes a race against time, organizations like I.CARE and Reef Renewal USA are blazing a new path in eco-tourism, engaging community partnerships and putting volunteers who want to help with critical restoration activities to work.

SUPERHUMAN FEATS

Some Keys residents accomplished physical feats this year that left us dumbfounded.

Average New Year’s resolutions were put to shame by a Marathon couple who dropped 240 pounds in just one year.

Thanks to Coral Shores’ Xavyer Arrington and Marathon’s Rylan Chapa, the Keys are home to two state weightlifting champions.

Upper Keys mom Sandy Brito performed an ultimate feat of endurance in May when she became an ironwoman at a Texas race. As did David Castro, who described his journey from homelessness to conquering some of the world’s toughest challenges with a 135-mile race through Death Valley.

WE’LL BE THERE FOR YOU

Whether it’s money, labor or moral support, a tight-knit Keys community looks after its own.

Take, for example, the Autism Society of the Keys, which celebrated the opening of the new Carrie Brazer Center for Autism and shared with Keys Weekly a touching story about how its work helped change the lives of twin five-year-olds diagnosed with varying degrees of the disorder.

In June, the Castaways Against Cancer made their 23rd bold trek from Miami to the Keys both by land and sea in support of a 5-year, $1.5 million pledge to the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Care Center. This year’s paddle raised more than $205,000 – with a 50% match on the way from UM.

When a surprising state budget omission left Keys AHEC in the dark in March, the Keys community took less than three months to raise nearly all of the $650,000 originally requested for the organization, enabling AHEC to continue providing medical and dental care to vulnerable Keys kids.

And when devastating floods tore through Kentucky, then-Marathon City Council candidate

Lynn Landry and his wife Freida left town in the middle of campaign season with no set return date to be “boots on the ground” for disaster relief.

REMEMBERING OUR FINEST

In the Keys, it’s not just a title that determines who should be remembered.

Just take a look in the marine science lab at Ocean Studies Charter School, which in February was named the “Pascal Weisberger Discovery Lab” in honor of the young man with an admiration for his environment whose time on Earth was cut short in May 2020.

Later in the year, one plaque at the 2022 Best of Marathon awards stood above all others as dozens of the city’s bartenders urged the community to posthumously honor Keys Fisheries’ Shannon Gosselin as Marathon’s “Best Bartender” after her battle with cancer. Needless to say, the vote was one of the biggest landslides of the year.

1. Rescue crews from Dolphin Research Center and Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters prepare an injured manatee for a tow to Sombrero Beach. CONTRIBUTED.

2. Tortie is fitted with her satellite tracker at the Turtle Hospital. ANDY NEWMAN/Florida Keys News Bureau

3. Students at the Carrie Brazer Center for Autism receive one-on-one care. JIM McCARTHY/ Keys Weekly

4. The 2022 Castaways Against Cancer kayak team, from left: Caleb Isenberg, Roger Dabdab, Kari Linfors, team captain Eric Pino, Suzy Cury, Castaways founder Steve O’Brien, Patrick Linfors, Paul Kumer, Jaime Lemus and Omar Beceiro. CONTRIBUTED

5 From left, Daniel and David Hernandez are handsome 5-year-old twins diagnosed with varying degrees of autism. CONTRIBUTED

6. DRC veterinarian Dr. Scott Gearhart makes a final assessment on lacerations caused by a propeller strike to the head of this male manatee in April. The strike caused a skull fracture, with bone fragments later removed at SeaWorld Orlando during the animal’s recovery. FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU/Contributed

7 Finishing her first Ironman, Sandy Brito shows off her medal. CONTRIBUTED

8. Ariel Poholek, Pascal’s dad, holds the Pascal Weisberger Marine Discovery Lab sign alongside Ocean Studies Charter School Marine Science Teacher Martha Loizeaux and students in her class. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly

9. After a community campaign to posthumously honor one of Marathon’s most beloved bartenders, Bill Alch, left, and Lauren Barbush accepted the 2022 Best Bartender award on behalf of Shannon Gosselin at the Best of Marathon. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

10. Gary and Shelly Steinbrugge have lost a combined 240 pounds on their journey to sustainable healthy living. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

11. Thanks to the quick work of Monroe County Sheriff and Miami-Dade officers, Sailor is back home with Patti and Mike Rhine. CONTRIBUTED

12. After hours of swimming, a baby dolphin receiving constant care at Dolphin Research Center parks herself in Erica Wisniewski’s arms for a quick nap. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

13. Seventeen-year-old Keegan Wittke, front right, oversaw a staff of volunteers as part of the leadership component of his Eagle Scout project at the bird center. From left: Aiden Pegues, Cayson Johnson, Chris Walterson, Conner Bell and Tanny Irons.

SIMON GUTIERREZ / Senior, Coral Shores

Gutierrez led the Hurricanes this season, on and off the course. “Simon is graduating this year and his leadership and positive attitude are going to be missed,” said Coral Shores coach Gabriel Suarez. ”He has set a great example for the new runners, and I hope they follow a similar path in running.”

MASON BUXTON / Junior, Marathon Season Record: 18:20.00

“Mason is the veteran on our team. He just finished his fourth season and has one more to go. Mason’s times dropped a lot this season and he should be a monster on the track this spring.”

– Marathon coach Jim Murphy

JAKUB BURSA / Junior, Marathon Season Record: 18:20.00

“Jakub is the workhorse who logs the most mileage on our team. He put in many 50-plus-mile weeks throughout the season and was one of our most consistent runners. He will be coming back next season for his senior year stronger and ready to go.” – Marathon coach Jim Murphy

COLBIN HILL / Junior, Key West Season Record: 18:48.20

“Colbin is a runner whose actions speak louder than his words on and off the field. His work ethic is unparalleled, and he is always willing to go the extra mile in his training. He was the clear leader of the team this year, and we’re looking forward to great things from him next season.”

– Key West coach Mark Coleman

MVP

Vance Bursa, Caylaa Makimaa islands’ top harriers this season

Photos

by RICK MACKENZIE

ANTONIN “TONY” BURSA

Seventh grade, Marathon Season Record: 18:38.10

“Tony is only in seventh grade and is already running consistently in the 18s. He has multiple great examples in his household that he learns from and I'm excited to see what he can do when he reaches high school.” – Marathon coach Jim Murphy

From the staff at the Keys Weekly Sports Wrap, congratulations to the 2022 Keys Weekly All-Keys Cross Country Teams.

In a sport with no timeouts, no substitutions and only one significant statistic, choosing the inaugural All-Keys cross country teams was a relatively simple matter. But in naming the top six male and female cross country athletes in the county, our staff noticed something: 11 of the 12 athletes, should they so choose, will have the chance to compete again in 2023, and two of them haven’t even hit high school yet Needless to say, we can’t wait.VANCE BURSA / Sophomore, Marathon Season Record: 16:18.20

“This was Vance’s second year running cross country, but watching him you would think he was a veteran runner. He is already the second-fastest Dolphin ever with a 16:18 PR and placed the second-highest ever at states for the Dolphins with a 10th place finish. Excited to see what he can do in the next two years.” – Marathon coach Jim Murphy

BOYS SOCCER VS

WEST MARATHON

T

THE KEYS WEEKLY 2022 ALL-KEYS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM

Season Record: 17:53.00

MADELYN THORNTON

CAYLAA

20:36.00

“Always smiling and turning negatives into positives, Caylaa was one of only two veteran cross country runners on this team. She ensured that she was always lending a helping hand to our runners who were newer to the sport. Caylaa is full of potential as a runner and has a bright future ahead of her.” – Key West coach Keara McGraw

Eighth grade, Marathon Season Record: 22:40.40

“Madelyn is an amazing athlete with tons of natural talent. I have no doubt she can do anything she sets her mind to and I can’t wait to see how far she goes with cross country.”

– Marathon coach Darby Sheehan

Season Record: 23:07.60

Kai Guth’s time was not the only thing

MARATHON

LAIRA ANAYA / Sophomore, Key West Season Record: 22:48.70

“In running, mental grit is one of the keys to success, but it's the hardest thing to teach. Laira is one of the grittiest ladies I've ever met. I'm so proud of how far Laira has come this season in so many ways, one of which was learning to take feedback and apply it to her races positively.”

– Key West coach Keara McGraw

MIKKEL ROSS / Junior, Marathon Season Record: 23:02.00

“Mikkel is an incredible leader on our team. She is the person that all the girls look up to and come to when they need help. She has a fun personality that always keeps everyone laughing.”

– Marathon coach Darby Sheehan

ELLA DUNN / Sophomore, Marathon Season Record: 22:36.50

“Ella is such a wonderful athlete to work with; she brings so much joy and light to everything she does. She is someone you can always count on to lift you up when feeling down.” – Marathon coach Darby Sheehan

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

BOYS SOCCER

KEY WEST

JANUARY 4 | 6 p.m

VS

MVP

MAKIMAA / Sophomore, Key West Season Record:

KAI GUTH / Sophomore, Coral Shores

making her a top athlete for the Hurricanes this season. “Kai and Simon (Gutierrez) both helped with getting sponsorships for the team and helped fundraise for our new uniforms. To this day they are still running, entering local 5k races and encouraging my newer runners to join.”

– Coral Shores coach Gabriel Suarez

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP CREW WRAPS UP 2022

It was about this time last year when Sean approached Britt Myers and Jason Koler about doing a podcast on the subject of sports in the Florida Keys, and what a year it has been for the Sports Wrap crew ever since. In our 25-plus years living and working in Monroe County, we have come across a multitude of fascinating people, each with a story to tell, and we wanted to capture those before they were forgotten. For the record, Sean wanted to do this – I said I was willing to fill in the Marathon High sports section once my wonderfully talented former student, Clare Merryman, went to college. Somehow it turned into something a lot larger.

Sean and I would like to thank everyone at the Keys Weekly and the community itself for their patience. The support we have received from the staff at the Weekly, from coaches and players and from readers and listeners has been both overwhelming and humbling. And as we continue to plod along and figure things out as we go, any input and ideas are much appreciated. We look forward to a new year of prep sports coverage and hope to delve a little deeper into the former players and coaches who made the Keys their home at one time or another and explore the positive impacts they had on the community. If you have suggestions or just want to say hi, you can email us at sports@keysweekly.com or just tell us when you see us around. We’re pretty easy to find.

Sincerely, Tracy & Sean McDonald

Christopher Andre Otto, standout lineman for the Key West Conchs football team, will take his talents to Tallahassee in 2023 as he inked a national letter of intent to play for the Florida State Seminoles on Dec. 21. Ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 93 offensive tackle in the country, Otto fielded more than 20 other offers. He eventually chose FSU over the likes of Penn State, Princeton, Stanford, Syracuse and others, citing the university’s film school as a major draw. ELLA HALL/Keys Weekly

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

BOYS SOCCER KEY WEST MARATHON JANUARY 4 | 6 p.m

VS

OH SNAP!

MARATHON’S BEST PHOTOS FROM 2022

We’ll keep this short. Less text means more photos. The Keys Weekly Newspapers are fortunate to work with some wizards behind the lens. If you don’t believe us, just check out some of the top photos appearing on our pages in 2022.

1. Lionfish huntress Rachel Bowman lies on a most treacherous bed as her team celebrates their harvest of 1,274 lionfish in the Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Tournament. Clockwise from top left: Kara Wall, team captain Kyle Howard, Casey Brann, Dr. Holden Harris, Bowman. CONTRIBUTED

2. Artist Yoslan O’Farrill, left, and Stanley Switlik art teacher Shannon Paul Wiley collaborate to create a mural masterpiece on the side of the Marathon Veterinary Hospital. KIRILL OLEYNIKOV/ Innastate Studios

3. After a community campaign to posthumously honor one of Marathon’s most beloved bartenders, Bill Alch, left, and Lauren Barbush accepted the 2022 Best Bartender award on behalf of Shannon Gosselin at the Best of Marathon. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

4. Coral Shores’ Brock Bynum (35) blocks a blast from Marathon’s Angel Cardona (22) during the two teams’ matchup on Nov. 8. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

5. Red Bull wakeboarder Parks Bonifay barefoots under the Old Seven Mile Bridge at sunrise. BRYAN SODERLIND/Red Bull Content Pool

6. The Rock Show’s Kenny closes Saturday’s festivities with smash hits from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

7. VIPs, elected officials and community partners spill onto the renovated Old Seven Mile Bridge shortly after a ribbon cutting on Jan. 12. The morning marked most attendees’ first opportunity to stand on the new bridge deck while still being able to touch the original railing repurposed from Flager’s Railway. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

8. Chocolate MC performs in one of the evening sets at the first-ever Marathon Latin Festival on Dec. 17. SANDRA LEE PHOTOGRAPHY/Keys Weekly

9. Waves crash over the seawall at Sunset Grille & Raw Bar as Hurricane Ian blasts the Florida Keys in late September. ROBERT KING/Contributed

10. Capt. Brad Picariello celebrates a 12-foot, 341-pound swordfish caught with clients aboard Outlaw Sportfishing’s charter boat in early June. KIRILL OLEYNIKOV/Innastate Studios

11. Local performers El Nene Davii, left, and Spobarz take the stage at the firstever Marathon Latin Festival on Dec. 17. SANDRA LEE PHOTOGRAPHY/Keys Weekly

KEYS WEEKLY SITS DOWN WITH SOME HEAVY HITTERS

2022 PROVIDES UP - CLOSE COVERAGE OF BIG PERSONALITIES

The Keys Weekly scored some great interviews with some big names in 2022.

From sports heroes, Olympians and a celebrity stuntman to music legends, rock star photographers and famous chefs, here are just a few of the heavy hitters who shared some of their time with the Keys Weekly staff for print interviews and Florida Keys Podcast episodes.

1. TRAVIS PASTRANA, pro motorsports competitor & stuntman — January & July 2022

Professional motorsports competitor and stuntman Travis Pastrana spoke to the Keys Weekly twice in 2022, once in January with Upper Keys Editor Jim McCarthy and again in July for a full Q&A with Marathon editor Alex Rickert.

Ahead of his jaw-dropping jump over the Boot Key Bridge on July 11, Pastrana was kind enough to sit down with Keys Weekly to discuss the jump, his legacy, and what keeps him going after already securing his place among motorsports royalty.

Earlier in the year, Pastrana brought stunts and action not normally seen on U.S. 1 on Jan. 20.

A portion of U.S. 1 at MM 91 was closed by Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies for brief periods as Pastrana performed drifts in a roaring 1983 Subaru GL Monster. It was all part of a video shoot with film crews. Pastrana used the road leading to Tavernier Creek Marina as a runway to perform drifts onto U.S. 1. Smoke rose from the tires as film crews caught the action.

2. WARREN HAYNES, music legend — October 2022

Key West Weekly publisher Britt Myers doesn’t typically get starstruck, having interviewed dozens of celebrities. But Warren Haynes is a musical legend and one of our boss’ personal heroes. Haynes is widely considered one of the greatest live performers to ever command a stage. And on Oct. 18, he and his band, Gov’t Mule, played the Coffee Butler Amphitheater in Key West.

Haynes’ career includes stints with the Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead and dozens of collaborations with legendary names across the music spectrum, along with almost three decades of Gov’t Mule projects and solo work.

The Florida Keys Weekly Podcast caught up with Grammy-winning Warren Haynes in October. The discussion ranges from his earlier years, including his first-ever live gig with Gregg Allman on Duval Street, to which artists Haynes believes will carry the guitar hero torch into the next generations of music.

3. ADAM LAMBERT — April 2022

Musical superstar Adam Lambert joined Britt Myers on the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast in April, before his April 28 concert at the Key West Amphitheater.

Once known for his American Idol fame, Lambert has since become one of the most celebrated artists and stage performers on the globe. He’s now touring with Queen on lead vocals. Lambert and Myers discussed the music man’s fondest American Idol memories, what touring with Queen has meant to him and how he stays grounded while using his meteoric rise and popularity for philanthropic causes.

4. KEVIN MARTIN, Candlebox front man — February 2022

Kevin Martin, a multi-platinum musician, has a warm demeanor and complete lack of the ego one would expect from a singer with his credentials.

Martin is the frontman of the band Candlebox, a Seattle-based rock band whose charttopping self-titled debut album has been certified 4x platinum by the RIAA. With singles like “Far Behind,” “You” and “Cover Me,” the album launched a 30-year career that has seen the band release seven studio albums, continuing with their 2021 record “Wolves.”

The band has unique ties to the Keys, as they filmed the music video for their single “Understanding” both above and below the waters of Marathon with legendary director Gus Van Sant in 1995. Martin returned to the Keys in February 2022 for the first time since the shoot to perform an acoustic set at the Key West Theater.

Ahead of the show, Martin was kind enough to call in for an episode of the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast and reminisce about his time in Marathon, Candlebox’s beginnings, and his thoughts on the music industry today.

JOIN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ONE OF FLORIDA’S LARGEST EDUCATION FOCUSED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

The Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, Inc., is seeking a private sector and Early Head Start/Head Start director to ll vacant board seats. To qualify members must meet the statutory requirements, as de ned in Chapter 1002.83, Florida statutes.

Governor appointed private sector business members, either for-pro t or nonpro t, who do not (or any relatives as de ned in s. 112.3143) have a substantial nancial interest in the design or delivery of the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (1002.51 – 79, Florida Statutes) or the School Readiness Program (1002.81 – 995, Florida Statutes).

To apply for this position go to https://www. gov.com/appointments/ and ll out the application.

Early Head Start or Head Start director, candidate must reside in Florida and be the director of an early care and education program o ering Early Head Start and/or Head Start and conducting business in Miami-Dade or Monroe County.

To apply for this position go to https://bit.ly/ELCMDM_BOD or scan the QR code for the application.

business members, either for-profit or nonprofit. The Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring high-quality early education for children in Miami-Dade and Monroe. Through a community-based collaborative approach, we are committed to promoting high-quality early learning, advocating on behalf of children, and preparing every child for success in both school and life.

Sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe and the State of Florida.

DJ TRAE DAE JAMS AT

OCEANFRONT POOLSIDE TIKI BAR

WhenIwas8yearsoldIbrokeoneof myfrontteethinanaccidentandhad arootcanalandabondedrestoration. Overtheyearsseveraldentiststriedto getittomatch...nonecould.Afewyears agoIdiscoveredDr.Troxel.Hegave measpectacularsmileIam reallyproudof.Newsofhis skillsshouldbealloverSocial MediaandI'mjusttheperson tomakethathappen.

MM 1 - Inez Martin Child Care Center (C16M0012)

1100 Varela St., Key West, FL 33040

Contact: Christine Patterson • 305-809-5055 • christine.patterson@wesleyhouse.org Vacancies: 3 teachers

MM 2 - Sunbeam Christian School (C16MO0034)

1311 5th St., Key West, FL 33040 Contact: Jerlyn Matthews • 305-2946018 • sunbeam@fsbckw.org Vacancies: 3 teachers

MM 5 - Lighthouse Christian Academy (C16MO0014) 5580 MacDonald Ave, Key West, FL 33040 Jennifer Sisco • 305-292-5582 • lcaoffice@cwckw.org Vacancies: 1 floater

MM 22.9 - Banana Cabanna Academy Inc. (C16MO0054) 22673 Pieces of Eight Rd, Cudjoe Key, FL 33042

Contact: Roxanne Rosado • 305-745-1400 • banana.cabanna@att.net Vacancies: 2 teachers

MM 47 - Kreative Kids Christian Academy (X16MO0001)

4711 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050

Contact: Maria Vaillant • 305-743-7165 Kreativekidsca@bellsouth.net • vaillantmaria@yahoo.com Vacancies: 2 teachers

MM 49 - Grace Jones Community Center, Inc. (C16MO0048) 230 41st Street Gulf, Marathon, FL 33050 Kelly Ullrich • 305-743-6064 • gjcckids@gmail.com Vacancies: 3 teachers

MM 87.5 - St. James Children’s Center (C16MO0033) 87500 Overseas Hwy, I slamorada, FL 33036

Contact: Sue Ellen Bennett • 305-852-2161 • childrenscenter@stjamesthefisherman.org Vacancies: 1 teacher

MM 92 - Burton Memorial CDC (C16MO0018) 93001 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, FL 33070

Contact: Nilda Bernaldez • 305-852-0250 • acabar11@yahoo.com Vacancies: 2 part-time floaters

MM 99 - First Baptist Church Jack Hill Child Care (C16MO0021) 99001 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037

Contact: Leeanna Woods • 305-451-2125 • fbcjhccc@yahoo.com Vacancies: 1 teacher

Dunn - ldunn@elcmdm.org

SAFEGUARDING WATER & WILDLIFE

Keys treasured resources saw progress and problems

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Coral outplantings, dives to collect debris, and wildlife rehabilitations dominated a busy 2022 in the Florida Keys. Meanwhile, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary officials put the finishing touches on their recommendations on a plan to regulate and manage the waters off the Keys — better known as the Restoration Blueprint. With the good came the bad, however, as the island chain witnessed some unfortunate wildlife deaths — with blame put on human activities.

GOLIATH GROUPER HARVEST BACK ON, BUT NOT IN THE KEYS

Harvesting goliath grouper will be allowed in state waters, albeit on a limited, regulated basis, beginning in spring 2023. An abundance of goliath grouper, and more requests to reopen harvest in Florida, prompted state wildlife officials’ approval to allow 200 harvest permit tags in state waters, 50 from the Upper Keys’ backyard — Everglades National Park.

SPERM WHALE DIES NOT FAR FROM KEY WEST SHORE

A 51-foot sperm whale was the last thing one expected to see on the

morning of May 11, laid out in the gravel parking lot of Robbie’s Marina on Stock Island. There it was. A striking but sad sight, with a mouth of biblical proportions.

The male sperm whale was found on May 10, beached on the northeast side of the Mud Keys about eight miles offshore of Key West. Investigation by biologists into the death found a massive intertwined line and plastic bag-type material, among other debris in the whale’s stomach.

LOGGERHEAD

TURTLE KILLED ON U.S. 1

Horrific was the word Bette Zirkelbach, manager of Turtle Hospital, used to describe the reported death of a female loggerhead turtle after she was run over by a car on U.S. 1 near Sea Oats Beach in Islamorada in June. “This area continues to be a hazard for sea turtles during nesting season,” Zirkelbach said.

Sea turtle nesting season in the Keys runs from mid-April to mid-October. This means there are active sea turtle nests throughout the Keys during that period.

SOME PARTS OF THE KEYS REEF COULD BE SAVED, PER STUDY

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said roughly 85% of reefs in the Florida

Keys are eroding. But assumimg restoration plans outlined in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Mission: Iconic Reefs initiative are met through the year 2040, researchers says some locations could see reef-building capacity restored.

LAND-BASED CORAL NURSERY COMES TO KEY LARGO

A new, land-based coral nursery announced in March is bringing a new kind of reef restoration to Key Largo. Community leaders and Mote Marine Laboratory staff gathered on Aug. 11 at Reefhouse Resort & Marina to celebrate Mote’s second satellite nursery in the Upper Keys.

The following day, Mote CEO Michael Crosby and Monroe County Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein joined Mote researchers aboard Rainbow Reef’s dive boat to outplant the first 50 elkhorn and 50 staghorn corals at French Reef.

SANCTUARY OFFICIALS FINALIZE BLUEPRINT RECOMMENDATIONS

A two-day meeting to analyze and recommend changes to regulations within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary — the Restoration Blueprint

— saw Sanctuary Advisory Council members in agreement on a number of measures. Day one saw resounding support for expanding the sanctuary’s boundary, prohibiting discharges from cruise ships except cooling water and requiring single or rafted vessels 65 feet long to use designated large vessel mooring buoys, to name a few. Day two, however, saw some differences of opinion on catch-and-release trolling and bait fishing in Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs). Sanctuary staff will now consult with stakeholder agencies – including FWC and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, among others – to hear additional recommendations before submitting an updated draft for final

review at the state and federal levels.

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission will allow the harvest of up to 200 goliath grouper per year, with no more than 50 taken from Everglades National Park. DAVID GROSS/Keys Weekly

Biologists perform a necropsy on May 11 on a sperm whale found beached offshore of Key West. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

An adult loggerhead turtle returns to the ocean. CONTRIBUTED

Symmetrical brain coral in the Florida Keys that has experienced bleaching. CHRISTINA KELLOGG/USGS

Michael Crosby, president and CEO of Mote, zip-ties an elkhorn coral to a small metal post. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly

Carysfort Light, located off Key Largo, sits within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. DAVID GROSS/Keys Weekly

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

ALWAYS AT THE READY

Law enforcement tackled wild cases in 2022

Though our island paradise enjoys a relatively low crime rate, this wouldn’t be the case without the efforts of our dedicated law enforcement officers and staff from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Key West Police Department, Key Colony Beach Police Department, FWC, Customs and Border Protection and more.

2022 brought multiple accomplishments for all agencies.

In late April, Sheriff Rick Ramsay announced the sheriff’s office first-ever female SWAT team member as detective Amie Szymanski joined the elite squad.

Now celebrating more than 20 years as a widely-renowned crucial lifeline for accidents in the Keys, the Trauma Star air ambulance helicopter program flew a record 1,386 flights to carry 1,458 patients in 2021, and is on pace to set a new record when 2022’s final numbers are tallied. The life-saving service is provided free to residents and property owners of Monroe County and continues to operate in the black.

The month of December brought an early Christmas gift as officials broke ground on workforce housing for law enforcement officers, EMTs and other public safety workers on Stock Island –designed, built and paid for by the development’s wealthy neighbors.

On behalf of the Keys Weekly staff, we salute those who work to keep our communities and waters safe. It goes without saying that our officers handle many extreme and unimaginable cases. But as we looked back on 2022, we got an undeniable reminder: with head-scratchers like these, our officers put up with a LOT.

Jan. 1 - Two men lit a Christmas tree on fire in the pre-dawn hours of New Year’s Day at the Southernmost Point monument, which suffered extensive damage when the flames quickly spread.

Jan. 21 - A Miami couple was arrested in Miami-Dade County Friday on warrants related to the theft of an estimated $2.5 million from a Stock Island fish house and multiple commercial fishermen.

Jan. 28 and Feb. 6 - Pagan’s motorcycle gang members were arrested for weapons and drugs.

May 12 - A Homestead woman was arrested for fleeing from a deputy and then admitting that getting arrested was on her bucket list since high school.

June 3 - A Miami man was arrested for possessing more than a pound of marijuana. A deputy was on patrol when she exited her vehicle

and walked toward the entrance of the Circle K on Big Coppitt Key. She saw a white Ford with a man sitting in the driver’s seat with a tray in his lap with marijuana in plain view. He appeared to be preparing the marijuana for use. Approximately 1.3 pounds of marijuana was found in the vehicle.

June 1 - Two fishermen were arrested on charges of animal cruelty. The investigation and charges stem from a video in which one man appears to rip the mantle off a live octopus, leaving the animal to die slowly in a bin. The same batch of footage also appears to show another man removing a small nurse shark from a trap, then slamming it against the side of the boat. He then appears to cut the shark into pieces to be used as trap bait.

June 13 - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation arrested a Miami man who was reportedly found with more than 60 out-of-season spiny lobster tails, of which 32 were undersized.

July 21 - A Marathon man was arrested for stealing a city of Marathon no-parking sign and throwing it in the canal behind his residence.

July 22 - A Marathon woman was arrested for lighting bed sheets on fire while her boyfriend was sleeping. The victim told police he and the woman had an argument. He then went to bed and awoke to find the sheets on fire and the suspect stating she was calling law enforcement.

Jul. 24 - Two men were arrested for kidnapping Key deer. The sheriff’s office stopped a vehicle that was failing to stay in its lane. An injured Key deer was inside the vehicle on top of miscellaneous objects. The two men stated they struck the deer on U.S. 1 north of the Seven Mile Bridge and initially thought the deer was dead, but realized it was still alive, so they decided to take it to a veterinarian in Miami for treatment. Both men stated they never

called 911, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Aug. 5 - An armed Big Pine Key man with warrants for his arrest in two other states was taken into custody without injuries after a seven-hour standoff with the sheriff’s office.

Aug. 8 - A man and woman were arrested after attacking a snorkeler near their residence during a dispute over the snorkeler’s proximity to their waterfront property. The victim stated both suspects hit him in the head and other parts of his body with some kind of pole and a fishing rod.

Aug. 11 - A woman was arrested after using a BB gun to shoot a woman delivering groceries to the homeless.

September - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation reported a yearlong resource investigation by state and federal authorities resulted in the arrest of two men from the Lower Keys. Both were arrested for numerous violations of Florida law pertaining to the harvest of spiny lobster. Both men were under surveillance by federal and state authorities for commercially harvesting spiny lobster within 10 yards of artificial habitat on 54 different sites in state, federal, national refuge and marine sanctuary waters.

Sept. 15 - A man was arrested following an investigation into a robbery that occurred on Sept. 11 at an Upper Keys gas station. A man entered the gas station at 1:38 a.m. He went to buy a candy bar and a drink when he displayed a knife, threatened to stab the clerk, and grabbed cash from the register. The clerk drew his own knife and stabbed the man in the arm, who left with the candy bar, but no money.

Oct. 18 - Three commercial fishermen faced charges after wildlife officers saw them pulling another fisherman’s traps and snatching at least one lobster not far from Long Key Bridge.

Nov. 23 - A Marathon man was arrested after attempting to set tents on fire and threatening to kill people.

Dec. 2 - A Florida City woman was arrested after pointing a handgun during a road rage incident on U.S. 1.

Dec. 6 - An Islamorada man was arrested after stealing six electric toothbrushes worth an estimated $1,375 from Walgreens.

Dec. 8 - An Islamorada man who tossed two kittens from a moving vehicle on U.S. 1 was arrested and charged with two counts of animal cruelty.

Webcam footage shows two men lighting a Christmas tree on fire at the Southernmost Point on New Year’s Day. CONTRIBUTED

Trauma Star flew 1,386 flights to Miami hospitals in 2021. CONTRIBUTED

The Marathon and Lower Keys Association of Realtors was able to raise more than $21,000 this year for its adopted Wesley House Families. The funds allowed the organization to purchase thousands of dollars in Christmas gifts and will enable the Realtors to continue providing Winn-Dixie food and Shell gas gift cards on a monthly basis throughout 2023. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from MLKAR! Pictured, from left, are MLKAR board members Stephany Duvall, Crystal Gutierrez and Anneliese Deitrick with MLKAR administrative assistant Lori Cameron.

CONTRIBUTED

Lower Keys market report.

Middle Keys market report.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

A return on investment of 13% per year! An asset-secured loan to be made for four years under a guaranteed contract with our company. The investment capital needed is $500,000 for down payments on new equipment and trucks. Help us become the number one asphalt company in the USA. Our company is worth more than $1.1 million and we have over seven years of success in the asphalt industry. You can put your money to work with us because we are willing to back your money with our company which has more than 50% growth each year.

For more info, email Gerard Nevarez at americanasphalt8@gmail.com or call at 1-208-415-8170 to invest any amount over $10,000. Company info at americanasphalt8.com

NEW YEAR. BETTER YOU.

As 2023 approaches, you may rethink your financial future, learn to be more present or maybe find someone to talk to. The right book at the right time can change everything.

DIE WITH ZERO

By Bill Perkins

All our lives we are taught to save for a rainy day and contribute to retirement funds. Many of us watched parents do better than their parents and their grandparents and live longer and fuller lives. Ideas about saving, spending, donating and waiting for our golden years are deeply ingrained in our minds, and we make financial decisions on autopilot without re-evaluating. Bucket lists are a new method to list experiences we are looking forward to, someday, when we have time and money. Overspending is frowned upon as irresponsible. Author Bill Perkins shares his personal views on our collective mistakes. If we are lucky enough to make it to retirement, many of us will find ourselves without the good health and energy to do the things we once fantasized about. Each decade we may have more money but significantly less ability. When we have the most time we may not be able to optimize the adventures we’ve been waiting for. This book analyzes the value of experiences that outweigh the balance in our bank accounts. A straightforward reminder to live each day to the fullest –time is our most limited and valuable resource.

... a reader and now a writer, has hundreds of book reviews at: www. readingandeating.com. For questions and comments, email karen@newfield. org.

THE LITTLE BOOK OF HYGGE

By Meik Wiking

Hygge, pronounced hoo-gah, is the Danish concept that consists of feelings of comfort. It can include food, music, friends, family and all elements that affect our senses. Hygge gives people a feeling of coziness, closeness, safety and contentment. Dating back to the early 1800s, this lifestyle trend has been embraced by the Danish people, but you definitely don’t have to be Danish to enjoy and benefit from living a hygge life. After learning about hygge it becomes impossible to escape the images that immediately begin to form in your mind as you examine your own habits and activities that are not bringing you as much joy as they used to. Our society does not often allow us the necessary time with our family and friends, or even quiet time just on our own. Hygge is about living in the moment, being completely present and allowing ourselves to enjoy the simple things in life. As people rush through our fast-paced world working and acquiring as much as possible, it is no wonder anxiety and depression are at an all time high. This quick, easy read is the perfect place to start living hygge.

MAYBE YOU SHOULD TALK TO SOMEONE

By Lori Gottlieb

Lori Gottlieb is a therapist living and working in Los Angeles. As a single mom with a busy practice, Lori takes pride in all her responsibilities and juggles her days with care. One day her world comes crashing down when her fiancé unexpectedly ends their relationship. Lori’s future suddenly seems uncertain and the pain is affecting every aspect of her life. And then she finds Wendell, her new therapist. In this sudden role reversal, Lori is on the couch and hoping this stranger – who was strategically selected for age and maleness – will commiserate with her romantic loss and help justify her anger and resentment. But she couldn’t be more wrong. Wendell forces Lori to dig much deeper than she has ever gone before. Told with stories of her very personal journey with Wendell interspersed with a handful of her most unique patient relationships, Lori shares her innermost thoughts of her “therapist” and “therapy” experiences. Funny, smart and quick-witted, Lori is a talented storyteller and clinician. This excellent, thought- provoking read is a therapy marathon and feels like a two-day session for the small price of a book.

WATCH TIP: An eccentric London psychiatrist breaks out of his isolated life and begins a global quest to find the true meaning of happiness. Adventurous and laugh-out-loud hilarious. “Hector and the Search for Happiness” can be seen on Amazon Prime.

KAREN NEWFIELD

MIGRANT LANDINGS DOMINATE HEADLINES

Cubans and Haitians arrive to the U.S. at record levels

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Amassive influx of Cuban and Haitian migrants dominated the headlines in the Florida Keys and South Florida in 2022 (and that’ll likely continue going into the new year). Between the economic despair, violence and oppression, men, women and children scurried from their homes onto homemade vessels — some dilapidated and not suitable to deal with the ocean’s rage and unpredictable weather — in hopes of brighter futures in the U.S. Not all have made it to land successfully. And those who’ve arrived have been met by the Coast Guard, U.S. Customs & Border Protection and local authorities. From the heart-pounding rescues to the scenes of hundreds of migrants detained on land, here are some of the bigger stories that made it into print.

MIGRANT LANDING OFF SOMBRERO BEACH ROAD PROMPTS SCHOOL LOCKDOWN

A chug carrying 15 Cuban immigrants reached the shores of Marathon near the Sunrise Isle area of Sombrero Beach Road on Jan. 4. Although all 15 migrants were soon detained by authorities, there was an initial belief that a few of the migrants had traveled across Man-O-War Drive and entered the mangroves surrounding Marathon Middle and High School.

In response, the school underwent a temporary precautionary lockdown to allow officials to search the area. “Our students are not in harm’s way,” said principal Wendy McPherson in a memo to parents. “Classes are being held in place until law enforcement has found all of the individuals. We expect the situation to be resolved soon.”

After reviewing footage taken by residents in the Sombrero Beach Road area, it was eventually determined that all migrants known to have come ashore were accounted for, and the lockdown was released shortly thereafter. Migrants were taken into Customs & Border Protection (CBP) custody. It’s unknown whether they were sent back to Cuba or were released to family.

1. A large boat containing 356 Haitian migrants runs aground near Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo on March 6. JASON RAFTER/Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation.

KEY RESIDENCE

A little more than 120 Haitian migrants hopped off a vessel and made their way onto land via a Summerland Key residence’s beach on the morning of March 14. U.S. Customs & Border Protection agents and the U.S. Coast Guard responded to the scene at a private property beach where the migrants were landing. A local resident notified law enforcement that a suspected migrant vessel was about to run aground with around 100 people on board. Eventually, the dilapidated vessel ran aground near a residential shoreline on Summerland Key. CBP said migrants onboard the vessel jumped off and safely swam ashore. Law enforcement officers responding immediately were able to secure the area without further incident and render first aid to migrants who were dehydrated. The group — totaling 123 — told officials that they had left La Tortue Island in Haiti on March 9. Migrants were transported to Marathon and Dania Beach Border Patrol stations for further processing and were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.

EASTERN EUROPEANS ARRIVE ON BOAT FROM CUBA Police and government vehicles filled the plaza at the top of Duval Street on April 3 after a fishing boat pulled up to the pier there and dropped off a dozen or so Eastern Europeans who said they had been in Cuba. The Keys Weekly spoke briefly with one of the Eastern Europeans, all of whom were seated at tables inside the Southernmost Beach Cafe with luggage and duffel bags next to them. They were well dressed and their clothes were not wet as if they had waded ashore. Most had smartphones they were using while awaiting further instructions. One man told the Keys Weekly they were from Uzbekistan and former Soviet republics. It’s unknown whether they were sent back to their home countries or remained in the U.S.

2. A Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba crew member feeds a child rescued off an overloaded sailing vessel near Rodriguez Key on Nov. 21. LT. ROBERT COLLINS/U.S. Coast Guard

3. A chug of Cuban migrants approaches offshore of Key West. LARRY BLACKBURN/ Keys Weekly

MORE THAN 120 HAITIANS REACH SHORE OF SUMMERLAND

HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

Coast Guard interdictions of Cubans 6,182 in fiscal year 2022 838 in fiscal year 2021 49 in fiscal year 2020 313 fiscal year 2019 259 in fiscal year 2018

Coast Guard interdictions of Haitians

7,175 in fiscal year 2022 1,527 in fiscal year 2021 418 in fiscal year 2020 932 in fiscal year 2019 609 in fiscal year 2018

— Capt. Robert Kinsey, Coast Guard District Seven on Dec. 20.

PACKED BOAT WITH 300 HAITIANS RUNS AGROUND OFF NORTH KEY LARGO

In one of the largest migrant landings seen in the Keys in 2022, a sailboat packed with more than 300 Haitian men, women and children grounded near North Key Largo’s Ocean Reef Club on Aug. 6.

A total of 113 migrants hopped off the vessel and made it to land at the exclusive Ocean Reef Club in North Key Largo. But 220 migrants remained on the boat. A swift rescue ensued by the U.S. Coast Guard as many migrants were in the water without life jackets. Migrants making it to land were in U.S Customs & Border Protection’s custody. They subsequently went through removal proceedings. Those who were boarded on a Coast Guard cutter were sent back to Haiti.

KEYS WEEKLY’S COMING TO AMERICA SERIES

In September, the Keys Weekly team took an in-depth look at the growing number of migrants making the journey to the Florida Keys, U.S. immigration policy and some of the next steps they face when interdicted on the water or caught on land.

INTENSE RESCUE ENSUES AFTER CUBAN VESSEL WITH 30 MIGRANTS SINKS OFF STOCK ISLAND

Part 1 Part 2

123 HAITIAN MIGRANTS REACH LAND IN MARATHON

The Florida Keys experienced yet another large migrant landing in less than three days, as a sailboat carrying a total of 123 Haitian migrants ran aground offshore in the area of 79th Street Ocean in Marathon on Aug. 8. Of the migrants on board, 109 entered the water, making the swim to land before they were eventually apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in a multi-agency collaboration with Florida Fish & Wildlife, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard. Fourteen migrants who remained aboard the vessel were taken into custody of the Coast Guard for repatriation. The rest went through removal proceedings.

4. Cuban refugees arrive at Smathers Beach by boat in early October. MARK HEDDEN/ Keys Weekly

5. Officials from county, state and federal agencies collaborated to take 109 migrants into custody who made the swim to land on Aug. 8. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

A search and rescue effort by the U.S. Coast Guard ensued after a vessel carrying roughly 30 Cuban migrants sank not far from Stock Island. U.S. Customs & Border Protection Chief Patrol Agent Walter Slosar said his agents and Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the migrant landing around 1 p.m. on Sept. 28. Four migrants swam to shore after their vessel sank due to inclement weather. Members of the U.S. Coast Guard initiated a search and rescue operation to locate 23 other migrants. Not all were successfully rescued, as the Coast Guard reported that they found one deceased person near Ocean Edge Marina. It’s unknown whether the remaining migrants who made it to land and were successfully rescued were sent back to Cuba.

RESCUERS BATTLE ROUGH WATERS TO RESCUE 190 HAITIANS

An overloaded 50-foot vessel initially sighted in Key Largo carrying a large number of Haitian migrants on rough waters ran aground at the sandbar south of Whale Harbor in Islamorada around 6:45 p.m. on Nov. 21. Eighteen people were found in the water as multiple agencies rushed to rescue them from dangerous ocean currents.

The vessel carrying the migrants was spotted off the shores of Key Largo during the early morning hours of Nov. 21. The rescue effort by the Coast Guard started after a good samaritan contacted Sector Key West around 5 a.m.

On Nov. 26, the 180 on the sailboat, 89 men, 55 women and 46 women were sent back via a Coast Guard Cutter. Ten people onboard the vessel were going through a joint interagency process. On Nov. 29, the Coast Guard said seven people were repatriated and three were transferred back to U.S. officials.

4 5

"This year, we've needlessly lost 13 lives to the sea as a result of people choosing to attempt maritime migration in grossly overcrowded and unsafe vessels."

MARK

Wounded Warrior Bike Ride set

The Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride takes place Friday, Jan. 6, and Saturday, Jan. 7, in the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys. Residents and visitors are encouraged to cheer on and support the warriors or join them for the community ride on Saturday in Key West.

“The Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride is an opportunity for those who honorably serve or have served our nation to build confidence and strength from wounds incurred in service,” said Monroe County Veterans Affairs Director Cathy Crane, who is also a coordinator of the event. “We enthusiastically welcome these warriors as they ride through the Florida Keys.”

Motorists should take extra time to get to their destination during the ride times. U.S. 1 will remain open for the Soldier Ride, but motorists should be patient, use caution and note there may be rolling lane shifts in traffic.

Paws for a Cause to support Domestic Abuse Shelter

On Saturday, Jan. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Domestic Abuse Shelter will hold its inaugural Paws for a Cause dog walk fundraiser on the Old Seven Mile Bridge. Walkers will team up with their companions for a walk to Pigeon Key and back, and donation pledges secured by each walker will go to support the Domestic Abuse Shelter in its efforts to rebuild the Middle Keys shelter destroyed by Hurricane Irma. Register in advance by scanning the attached QR code. Walkers who raise $100 in sponsorships will have their $25 registration fee waived, and the walker who raises the most money will win a two-night stay at Isla Bella Beach Resort. Walkers who wish to participate but don’t have a four-legged teammate of their own may volunteer to walk a shelter dog from the Marathon SPCA. Contact 305-849-6236 with questions.

Habitat for Humanity to hold applicant information sessions

Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys will be holding meetings for residents of the Middle

Keys interested in applying for the new homes at Bell Haven.

The meetings are Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023 from 6 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 7 from 9 to 10 a.m., at Marathon Garden Club, 5270 Overseas Hwy. Applicants are highly encouraged to attend one of these two meetings before applying for the homes. The application period for these homes will open on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Contact 305-743-9828 or email fsm@habitatmiddlekeys.org with questions. Spanish translators will be at the meetings. Equal Housing Opportunity.

MAX

Come

take a class at the Marathon Library

The Marathon Library has a wide variety of class offerings, ranging from photography to book clubs, robots, virtual reality and more. Scan the QR code below to see the schedule and get involved.

Registration is open for youth baseball, softball and tee ball

Registration is now open for the Marathon Youth Club’s 2023 spring season of youth baseball, softball and tee ball. Children ranging in age from 4.5 (birth date on or before May 31, 2018) to 12 can register to play. Tee ball is free and sponsored by the Miami Marlins. Baseball and softball are $55 per child (plus a $3 transaction service fee). Registration closes on Saturday, Jan. 28. Evaluations will be held the week of Feb. 6 at the community park baseball fields. Practices will begin Monday, Feb. 13 with games starting the week of March 6. Register at MYC’s new online registration link by scanning the QR code below. Follow MYC on Facebook at “Marathon Youth Sports’’ or send questions via email to marathonyouthclub305@gmail. com.

2-year-old male pit bull mix. Looking for: A home for the holidays. When my dad moved, he couldn’t take me, so I’m going to have to spend my first Christmas in the shelter.

Turnoffs: I don’t care for cats. One was mean to me one time and it really hurt my feelings.

BOB (AKA MOOKIE)

3-month-old male domestic shorthair.

Looking for: Someone to pick me! All 10 of my siblings got adopted and now I’m the only kitten left of my litter.

Turnoffs: None. I was raised in foster with other cats, kids and even dogs. I love everyone and everything.

TAKE ME HOME

Adorable furry faces are waiting for families at the Florida Keys SPCA

Keys Weekly is thrilled each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for their perfect adoption “match” at the Florida Keys SPCA’s Marathon campus – complete with their best qualities, preferences and turnoffs to ensure the best fit.

From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you at one of the SPCA’s two campuses, in Key West and Marathon. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people. The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for specialneeds and older animals that require a little extra TLC.

See all the animals waiting for a home at fkspca.org. To contact the Marathon campus, call 305-743-4800 or visit the campus at 10550 Aviation Blvd.

BROWNIE

3-month-old female rabbit. Looking for: I was just a tiny pink baby when I came to the shelter. I’m looking for my first home.

Turnoffs: When I don’t have my freedom. I’m a young bunny that loves to hop, dig and play.

KEYS WEEKLY’S NEWS TRAVELS FAST & FAR

TOP ONLINE STORIES AND SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS OF 2022

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Post. Share. Like. Comment. Follow. The words have acquired new significance in the digital decade, spreading news, information, rumors, photos, opinions, jokes and cat videos faster than this year’s flu.

With help from our digital marketing strategist, Maison Benitez at OMG (Overseas Media Group), the Keys Weekly analyzed a year’s worth of online news and social media posts to see which ones got the most attention.

Here are three of our top performers from keysweekly.com, Facebook and Instagram:

WEBSITE: keysweekly.com

• NO MORE NUDITY: KEY WEST OFFICIALS EXPECT CHANGES TO FANTASY FEST, posted April 13, 2022: received 121,554 views

• 2022 BUBBAS: KEY WEST PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS, which took place in July, received 105,630 views

• TEXAS WOMAN REMAINS HOSPITALIZED AFTER SHARK BITE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS, posted July 6, 2022 received 57,622 views

FACEBOOK — @The Keys Weekly Newspapers

• Travis Pastrana Takes Flight Over Boot Key Bridge (780 Shares)

• No More Nudity At Fantasy Fest (283 Shares)

• Historic Old Seven-Mile Bridge Reopens In Florida Keys (156 Shares)

INSTAGRAM - @keysweekly (garnered a total of 29,400 “likes” in 2022)

• The Florida Keys celebrated the reopening of the historic Old Seven Mile Bridge — Jan. 12, 2022

• Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the Keys Weekly recalls her 1991 visit to the Dry Tortugas National Park — Sept. 8, 2022

• Hurricane Ian churns around Key West’s Southernmost Point — September 2022

LEGAL NOTICES

NAME

FICTITIOUS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious

name of MerrellWorks LLC located at 247 W. Seaview Circle, Duck Key, FL 33050 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Cheryl A. Merrell

Publish: December 29, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Best Lien Services Inc. located at: 7290 SW 41 St., Miami, FL 33155, will sell at a reserve public sale at 9:00 am the following vehicles at said location to satisfy lien pursuant to Chapter 713.585 of the Florida statutes:

2011 IBW VS IBW3X376H011

Date of Sale: January 11, 2023 at 9:00 am

Location: 254 Loeb Avenue, Key Largo, FL 33037

P#: 305-942-9532

The following will sell at: 2017 DODG 2D

2C3CDZAG5HH527464

1985 CHEV TK

2GCCC14H5F1207829

Date of Sale: January 13, 2023 at 9:00 am

Location: 1503 Aqueduct Lane, Key Largo, FL 33037

P#: 786-328-9393

Owner/Lienholder may inspect/ recover vehicle by contacting Best Lien Services, 7290 SW 41 St., Miami, FL 33155 (1-866-299-9391) at least 1 week prior to the lien sale. All sales are with reserve 20% buyers premium.

Publish: December 29, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 22-CP-117-M

DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS

IN RE: ESTATE OF WALTER FLORIMONT Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Walter Florimont, deceased, whose date of death was October 30, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: December 22, 2022.

Personal Representative: Cynthia Dawn Florimont 925 43rd Street Marathon, Florida 33050

Attorney for Personal Representative: Richard E. Warner

Attorney Florida Bar Number: 283134

RICHARD E. WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-6022 Fax: (305) 743-6216

E-mail: richard@rewarnerlaw.com

Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com

Publish: December 22 & 29, 2022

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 22-CP-111-M

DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS

IN RE: ESTATE OF ALLEN L. SIMMONS Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Allen L. Simmons, deceased, whose date of death was November 6, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: December 22, 2022.

Personal Representative: Susan M. Simmons 5 Ocean East Marathon, Florida 33050

Attorney for Personal Representative: Richard E. Warner

Attorney Florida Bar Number: 283134

RICHARD E. WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-6022 Fax: (305) 743-6216

E-mail: richard@rewarnerlaw.com

Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com

Publish: December 22 & 29, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

CIVIL DIVISION

Case#: 2012-CA-000363-K

Federal National Mortgage Association Plaintiff, -vs.Joseph Patrick Clements a/k/a Joseph P. Clements and Debra Lynn Clements a/k/a Debra L. Clements a/k/a Debbie L. Clements; Branch Banking and Trust Company, Successor by Merger to Republic Bank; Iberiabank; Unknown Parties in Possession #1, If living, and all Unknown Parties claiming by, through, under and against the above named Defendant(s) who are not known to be dead or alive, whether said Unknown Parties may claim an interest as Spouse, Heirs, Devisees, Grantees, or Other Claimants; Unknown Parties in Possession #2, If living, and all Unknown Parties claiming by, through, under and against the above named Defendant(s) who are not known to be dead or alive, whether said Unknown Parties may claim an interest as Spouse, Heirs, Devisees, Grantees, or Other Claimants

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to order rescheduling foreclosure sale or Final Judgment, entered in Civil Case No. 2012-CA-000363-K of the Circuit Court of the 16th Judicial Circuit in and for Monroe County, Florida, wherein Federal National Mortgage Association, Plaintiff and Joseph Patrick Clements a/k/a Joseph P. Clements

LEGAL NOTICES

COURTHOUSE, 500 WHITEHEAD STREET, KEY WEST, FL 33040, AT 11:00 A.M. on January 18, 2023, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to-wit:

LOT 23, BLOCK 2, AMENDED PLAT OF COPPITT SUBDIVISION, (A RE-SUBDIVISION OF PLAT BOOK 3, AT PAGE 116) LOCATED IN GOVERNMENT LOT 5, SECTION 27, TOWNSHIP 67 S., RANGE 26 E., BIG COPPITT KEY, MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS RECORDED INP LAT BOOK 4, AT PAGE 50, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA.

ANY PERSON CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THE SURPLUS FROM THE SALE, IF ANY, OTHER THAN THE PROPERTY OWNER AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS MUST FILE A CLAIM NO LATER THAN THE DATE THAT THE CLERK REPORTS THE FUNDS AS UNCLAIMED.

Florida Rules of Judicial Administration Rule 2.540 Notices to Persons With Disabilities

If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Cheryl Alfonso, ADA Coordinator, Court Operations Manager, 502 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, 305-295-3652 at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.

SPANISH: Si usted es una persona discapacitada que necesita alguna adaptación para poder participar de este procedimiento o evento; usted tiene derecho, sin costo alguno a que se le provea cierta ayuda. Favor de comunicarse con Cheryl Alfonso, Coordinadora de A.D.A Court Operations Manager, 502 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, 305-295-3652 por lo menos 7 días antes de que tenga que comparecer en corte o inmediatamente después de haber recibido ésta notificación si es que falta menos de 7 días para su comparecencia. Si tiene una discapacidad auditiva ó de habla, llame al 711.

KREYOL: Si ou se yon moun ki kokobé ki bezwen asistans ou aparêy pou ou ka patisipé nan prosedu sa-a, ou gen dwa san ou pa bezwen péyé anyen pou ou jwen on seri de èd. Tanpri kontakté Cheryl Alfonso, Co-ordinator ADA, Court Operations Manager, 502 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, 305-295-3652O'mwen 7 jou avan ke ou gen pou-ou parèt nan tribunal, ou imediatman ke ou resevwa avis sa-a ou si lè ke ou gen pou-ou alé nan tribunal-la mwens ke 7 jou; Si ou pa ka tandé ou palé byen, rélé 711.

Kevin Madok, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Monroe County, Florida

EMPLOYMENT LEGAL NOTICES

SS Wreck and Galley Grill on Grassy Key is looking for line cooks, full or part time. Please call Nicole at 305433-0515, or email nicole@ themoongroupfl.com.

AUTOS WANTED

ALL YEARS! Cars - Vans - TrucksRunning or Not. $CASH$ 305-332-0483

BOAT SLIP/TRAILER STORAGE FOR RENT

Boat Trailer Spaces Available. $100 per week. Boat dockage available $100 per week. Easy access to the Atlantic and lighthouse. Boat length 32’ or less! Dockage is eighty feet long with good depth for boats. Phone 336408-8140 or 336-287-3345.

Night Monitor – FREE Private Room in exchange for overnight coverage at an Assisted Living Facility. 5 nights on, 5 nights off 10pm-8am with weekly stipend Drug and background screen required. Apply at www.westcare.com

Join the Ocean Dayz Team! We are accepting applications for a Sales Associate in Islamorada. Must be outgoing, detail oriented and willing to work weekends. Experience a plus. Starting pay dependent upon qualifications. Apply in person at Island Dreamz, 84001 Overseas Highway, Islamorada or submit resume to: csteele@oceandayz.com

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time server. $12/hr + Guaranteed tip pool, employee meals, private club & friendly atmosphere. Weeknight and Saturday evening availability. Call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview.

The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a Customer-Service Oriented Server for the pool deck, beach and/or bar lounge. Open year round, 10am-7pm daily. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-219-3359 and ask for Dave.

The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a Part-Time Line Cook. Open year round, 10am-7pm daily. Small friendly staff. Hourly pay commensurate with experience. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404219-3359 and ask for Dave.

CDL Drivers needed. Must have a clean record & drug free. We are offering competitive wages. Please apply in person at Discount Rock & Sand, 10500 Aviation Blvd, Unit 2, Marathon

Boat rental company in Marathon needs an Outboard Mechanic. Some general marina work, and boat experience a plus. Call 305-481-7006

All Keys Yamaha hiring a Technician Marine Repair specializing in Yamaha outboard engines. Hours M-F 8a-5p. Apply in person at 2001 Overseas Highway, Marathon. 305-743-3530

Come Join Our Family and Have Fun At Work! Hiring: Host, Hostess & Servers - Full &/or parttime. AM & PM Shifts. Apply in person at Castaway Restaurant, end of 15th Street, Oceanside, Marathon or email: lobstercrawl@gmail.com

Immediate positions at the Grassy Key Marina. Under new ownership and looking for smiling faces. Fulltime or part-time available. Pay rates are commensurate with experience but we are willing to interview those with no experience who have an interest in working in a marina environment. Please call Randall Glass to schedule an interview at 305-465-1491.

City of Marathon Current Job Openings: WW Operator/Controls Trainee, Support Services/ Logistics, Paralegal, Utilities Maintenance, Recreation Specialist, Right of Way Technician, and Marina Tech/ Pump Out Captain. Full Benefits. EOE Please see City website for details www.ci.marathon.fl.us

Immediate openings for experienced plumbers and helpers (with or without experience - we will train the right person). Must have a valid driver's license & clean driving record. Please apply in person at 10700 5th Avenue Gulf, Marathon or email resume to: eerpinc@gmail.com

NOW HIRING: Sweet Savannah's is now hiring for multiple positions: Cashier - must be 16 yrs or older, Fulltime Baker & Part-time Baker's Assistant. Stop by for an application at 8919 Overseas Highway, Marathon or email: info@sweetsavannahs.com

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker), Med Tech, Resident Activities Coordinator. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: martinezm@kwha.org or 305296-5621. Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 or online at www.kwha.orgEOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.

Place your EMPLOYMENT ad here for $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

305-743-4578

HOUSING FOR RENT

STUDIO APT FOR RENT - Furnished Studio Apt w/ patio, like new, W/D, off street parking. Key West. $2,300/month including util. F/L/S Owner/Agent Douglas Miller 305-747-1700

Place your HOUSING FOR RENT ad here for $25.00/ week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

RV FOR SALE

RV FOR SALE - 2017 Thor Citation RV, 24ft Mercedes V6 Diesel, 2 slides, Cummings Diesel Generator, Low Mileage, Many Upgrades, Call Richard 305-363-8021

RV LOT FOR RENT

Large RV Waterfront Lot with Dockage for rent in Marathon. Full hook up. $2000.00/month plus utilities. 305-731-5042

Place your RV LOT FOR RENT ad here for $25.00/ week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

and Debra Lynn Clements a/k/a Debra L. Clements a/k/a Debbie L. Clements are defendant(s), I, Clerk of Court, Kevin Madok,CPA, will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash AT THE MONROE COUNTY

By Shonta McLeod Deputy Clerk of Court Publish: December 29, 2022 & January 5, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PRIVATE COLLECTOR WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call

Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Customer Services Department:

CUSTOMER SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE I

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $19.82/hr. - $22.20/hr.

For more information, including job duties and required qualifications, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com.

KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.

Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

Keys Energy Services, in Key West, is accepting applications for the following position in its Fleets & Facilities Section:

AUTO DIESEL VEHICLE TECHNICIAN

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $27.17/hr. - $30.43/hr.

For more information, including job duties and required qualifications, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com.

KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.

Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.