OBITUARY MONROE COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER CONSTRUCTION MEETS MILESTONE

Save The Date

Thursday, May 4

• The Interfaith Ministerial Alliance, plus local clergy and city officials observe the National Day of Prayer at 9 a.m. in front of City Hall, 1300 White St. Chaplain Robert Spivey of Naval Air Station Key West will give the opening address.

Sunday, May 7

James Paul Yaccarino

We regretfully announce the passing of James “Jimmy” Paul Yaccarino, 80, on April 20, 2023 at his home in The Villages, Florida. Jimmy spent nearly 70 years of his life as a resident and business owner in Key West, best known for his family-owned restaurant, The Hickory House, on Stock Island. He played football at Key West High School, volunteered as a basketball coach at Saint Mary’s High School, and was a proud Florida State Seminole.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James John Yaccarino and Florence Puccerella Yaccarino, and his late wife, Connie Collins Yaccarino, of Key West. He is survived by his wife, Kay (Harris) Yaccarino, and his children: Mark Yaccarino, Anna Holder, James Paul Yaccarino Jr. (Diane), Victoria Cavaliere (Sam), Daniel Hendricks (Michele) and stepdaughter, Emma Mize (Stephen); and his grandchildren, Jimmy Yaccarino, Charlie Holder, Leah and Connie Cavaliere, Lucas and Kara Yaccarino, Sofia, Jeremiah, Hope, and Elijah Hendricks, and Lydia and Dean Mize; and a number of in-laws, cousins, nephews and nieces.

Jimmy was active for many years in a number of charitable and fraternal organizations, including the Key West Masonic Lodge No. 64, the Marathon Lodge No. 323, and the Mahi Shriners, He was beloved by his family and friends and will be missed as a truly unique and wonderful man.

A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Thursday, May 26 at Dean-Lopez Funeral Home, 418 Simonton St., Key West.

On April 25, AJAX celebrated the “topping off” of the new Monroe County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Marathon. The topping off is the completion of the highest point of the building. Monroe County Mayor Pro Tem Holly Merrill Raschein and commissioners David Rice, Michelle Lincoln and Jim Scholl toured the building with County Administrator Roman Gastesi, County Attorney Bob Shillinger and other key staff who will call the new EOC home. Once finished, the category 5-rated EOC will house Monroe County Emergency Management, Monroe County Fire Rescue administration, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office 9-11 call center. The EOC is expected to be completed in spring 2024.

Highlights of the building include:

- 28,321 square feet (including areas at bottom of elevator and stair towers)

- A design based on a 500-year storm.

- Designed for 220-mph wind.

- Impact rating: windborne debris missile criteria for hurricane shelter safe room (FEMA P-361)

- A first-floor elevation of 20.2 feet (17 feet above ground) due to wave action (above code BFE+3)

- Self-sustaining for 72 hours for up to 150 people, including food, drinking water, electric power and wastewater storage.

- Emergency communications via satellite phone and internet service.

• The Music Room students and local musicians present Kids Helping Kids Concert celebrating the songs of the Beatles, 6:30 p.m. at Tennessee Williams Theater.

Friday & Saturday, May 12 & 13

• The Key West High School Drama Club presents its spring musical, “Mean Girls,” with shows at 7 p.m. both nights in the school’s auditorium.

Monday, May 15

• City of Key West holds a meeting for businesses about potential changes to the city’s sound control law, 10 a.m. at City Hall, 1300 White St.

Friday, May 19

• St. Leo University presents its Criminal Justice Speaker Series featuring Chief Assistant Public Defender Kevin McCarthy, 1 to 3 p.m. at Naval Air Station Key West, A-718 Essex Circle. Attend in person or via Zoom. Register at saintleo.edu/cj-keywest.

Wednesday, May 24

• City of Key West holds a meeting for businesses and residents about potential changes to the city’s sound control law, 5 p.m. at City Hall, 1300 White St.

Sunday, May 28

• Schooner Wharf Bar’s Minimal Regatta, noon, 201 William St.

June 30-July 4

• Key West’s Key Lime Festival will celebrate the world’s most sensational citrus with a bountiful array of festivities across the very island where Key lime pie was conceived.

DOORS/COCKTAILS 5:30PM | SHOW 6PM

HOSTED BY KIRBY MYERS & LANDON BRADBURY

FEATURING PROFESSIONAL DRAG COACHES & AMATEUR LOCAL CELEBRITY CONTESTANTS, WITH TONS OF TALENT AND LOTS OF FUN!

With Sushi, Casey Arnold, Elle Taylor, Andrew Morawski, Dorian Patton, Q Mitch, DJ Sanaris, Jessica Deveraux, Blue Diamond, Tom Dustin, Puddin’ Taine & Beth Moyes