MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

St. James Children’s Center is kicking off the second annual Read-A-Thon fundraiser to support the nonprofit preschool and VPK.

Throughout March, students will log their reading and collect pledges based on the number of books read. Donations to the Read-A-Thon will help the school provide the instructional materials, books, arts and crafts supplies, playground toys and equipment, nutritious snacks and health and safety items used by students on a daily basis.

“The Read-A-Thon serves a dual purpose,” said SueEllen Bennett, Children’s Center director. “We love that the event promotes literacy and encourages reading together as a family, all while raising critical funds to support our school.”

Support the students’ efforts by visiting stjames.rallyup. com/read. Sponsor an individual student by making a flat pledge or pledging a specific amount for each book the student reads. Donors can also select a class to support or make a general donation to the fundraiser.

Event sponsor Sandbar Books is providing an additional opportunity to support this fundraiser. Mention St. James when shopping at Sandbar Books during the month of March and the store will donate 10% of your purchase to the school. Sandbar Books, the Upper Keys’ locally-owned, independent bookstore, is located in the Tavernier Towne Center, MM 91.2 bayside. Contact stjamespreschoolfundraising@gmail.com or 305852-2161 for more information.

— Contributed

Established in 1972 by the Hill family, the new ownership of Key Largo Fisheries continues staying true to the original mission of providing high-quality, fresh, locally-caught seafood daily.

A working waterfront, it is a must-see must-eat destination when visiting the Upper Keys. Enjoy dining at the waterside for lunch or dinner, purchase all the needed ingredients for your home seafood feast (including dessert) or come to the marina to find the best bait available.

While visiting Key Largo Fisheries, you’ll experience how generations have earned a living o the sea and children can delight in the experience of feeding the fish in the marina or shooing away pelicans.

“It is impossible not to be drawn into this authentic working waterfront,” said owner Robert Charney. “Local captains bring in their catches of the day, the sta process and package everything on site, and locals and visitors come to eat and shop.”

With a sta of nearly 100 working in one location, Key Largo Fisheries is one of the largest locally owned businesses in the Upper Keys. Overnight shipping within the continental U.S. is available Monday through Thursdays and orders can be done online at www.keylargofisheries.com.

305-451-3782

Shop online @ www.keylargofisheries.com

Market Hours

Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Friday-Saturday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Cafe Hours

Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday 11-6 p.m.

Facts From The Tax Collector

Sam Steele

monroetaxcollector.com

305.295.5000

March

• We would like to congratulate Chief Deputy Tax Collector Angela J. Hitchcock on her retirement of 37 years of service with the Tax Collector’s o ce!

• All unpaid 2022 property tax must be paid by March 31 in order to avoid delinquent penalties on April 1

• The fourth and final 2022 installment property tax bill is due by March 31

• A property that is being rented out for six months or less must have a tourist development tax account

• As a reminder, online rental platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.)

DO NOT remit the 5% tourist development tax to our o ce. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure the tax has been remitted

• A local business tax is required for ALL property rentals, regardless of how long they are being rented

• Renew your vehicle and vessel registration through our website and save time with our ExpressLane by prepaying online and selecting an o ce location of your choice to pick up the registration

• Save time with our ExpressLane by prepaying your vehicle and vessel registrations online and choosing an o ce location of your choice for pickup

• Please visit our website and follow us on Facebook for helpful information, forms, applications, and important announcements

Follow us on for more important tax information

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council has funding available to governmental entities and non-profit organizations for capital projects.

The project/facility must have the primary purpose of promoting tourism and must fall into one of the following categories:

Convention Center, Sports Stadium, Sports Arena, Coliseum, Auditorium, Aquarium, Museum, Zoological Park, Nature Center, Fishing Pier, Beach or Beach Park Facility, Channel, Estuary, or Lagoon, Public Facilities in Accordance with Conditions set forth in the Florida Statutes.

The deadline for receipt of applications is April 18, 2023 , and applications must be downloaded from Demandstar (www.monroecounty-fl.gov/bids).

For more information, please call the TDC Administrative Office at: 305-296-1552, and ask to speak with Ammie or Maxine.

Legal Notices Legal Notices

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of LFish located at 5409 Overseas Highway, # 347, Marathon, FL 33050 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Lance Adventures, LLC

Publish: March 9 & 16, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Wheatons Towing gives notice that on 03/24/2023 at 10:00 am, the following vehicle(s) may be sold by public sale at 101500 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037 to satisfy the lien for the amount owed on each vehicle for any recovery, towing, or storage services charges and administrative fees allowed pursuant to Florida statute 713.78. Wheatons Towing reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.

1FAHP2EW0BG154358 2011 FORD

5J6YH18563L004553 2003 HOND

5N1ED28T1YC531945 2000 NISS

JM3LW28JX50532360 2005 MAZD

Publish: March 9 & 16, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

Florida Keys Council of the Arts

Notice of Upcoming Meetings

The Florida Keys Council of the Arts will hold the following meetings via Communications Media Technology using a ZOOM webinar platform. The access points to view the meeting or for members of the public to provide public input will be: JOIN ZOOM via the Zoom app and use each meeting ID and password listed. Meetings are open to the public, and all are invited to attend. Questions, or to RSVP, please email Liz Young at director@keysarts.com

Art in Public Places Committee

Meeting Time: Mar 21, 2023 12:00 PM

Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 854 7254 7232

Passcode: 041837

Topic: Board of Directors Meeting

Time: Mar 23, 2023 04:00 PM

Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 886 6349 0145

Passcode: 799797

Publish: March 9, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

THE DISTRICT III ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC III)

(From the West End of the Seven Mile Bridge to the Long Key Bridge) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for a LODGING INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE – shall be an owner or operating/general manager of motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks, or other tourist accommodations which are subject to bed tax in the tax collection district for which they are applying.

Any person wishing to participate on the District III Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application from the TDC Administrative Office by emailing: sydney@fla-keys. com, and submit the completed application via email to: sydney@ fla-keys.com, or via U.S. Mail to the address shown below:

Department DAC

Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040

Deadline for receipt of applications at the above address is: Friday, March 31, 2023, at 5:00 P.M. A resume may be attached to the submitted application.

Publish: March 9, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on March 22, 2023, at 9:00 A.M. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at the Murray Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, Florida, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, intends to consider adopting the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2-180 OF THE MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES TO GRANT AUTHORITY TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO RETAIN OUTSIDE COUNSEL UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES SUBJECT TO RATIFICATION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND TO WAIVE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST FOR OUTSIDE COUNSEL UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AMENDING SECTION 2-181(C) OF THE MONROE COUNTY CODE TO UPDATE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE ORDINANCE CURRENTLY CODIFIED IN CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE III, DIVISION 5 OF THE MONROE COUNTY CODE; EXPANDING THE SUBJECT MATTER AREAS IN WHICH ATTORNEYS MAY RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR ACHIEVING CERTIFICATION UNDER THE FLORIDA BAR; CREATING SECTION 2-181(D) PROVIDING THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY’S SIGNATURE SHALL BE FINAL WITH RESPECT TO PERSONNEL ACTIONS FOR OFFICE PERSONNEL AND SUPPORT STAFF; AMENDING SECTION 2-182 OF THE MONROE COUNTY CODE TO CLARIFY THE SCOPE OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY’S AUTHORITY TO DEFEND ACTIONS AGAINST THE COUNTY; AMENDING

SECTIONS 2-184 AND 2-185 OF THE MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES IN ORDER TO CLARIFY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY’S SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY FOR CLAIMS FILED BY AND AGAINST THE COUNTY; CREATING SECTION 2-187 WITHIN CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE III DIVISION 5 OF THE

Legal Notices Legal Notices

MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, GRANTING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE SATISFACTION OF MORTGAGE DOCUMENTS; AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE V DIVISION 4 (RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM) OF THE MONROE COUNTY CODE IN ORDER TO REVISE MONETARY AMOUNTS FOR SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY AND ALSO TO CHANGE THE LOCATION OF ORDINANCES CONCERNING THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM WITHIN THE MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES; AMENDING SECTIONS 2-328 AND 2-329 OF THE MONROE COUNTY CODE IN ORDER TO CLARIFY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO PERFORM LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND TO CLARIFY THAT UNALLOCATED COSTS AND EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MAY BE PAID FOR BY THE RISK FUND; CREATING DIVISION 8 WITHIN ARTICLE III, “PUBLIC RECORDS,” AND LAYING OUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS UNIT WITHIN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION WITHIN THE MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES AND RENUMBERING AS NECESSARY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

The proposed ordinance may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by viewing the agenda packet for the March 22, 2023 meeting, which will be posted beginning on March 9, 2023 at: http://monroecountyfl. iqm2.com/citizens/default.aspx.

The ordinance may also be viewed at the Monroe County Attorney’s office at 1111 12th St. Ste. 408 Key West, FL 33040.

The public can participate in the March 22, 2023 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, FL by attending in person or via Zoom. The Zoom