Marathon Weekly 23-0608

NOTHING COMPARES TO GETTING EVEN MORE THAN EXPECTED

master suite with large sitting area and master bath. If you are looking for privacy with open gulf views plus the ability to have your boat tied to a protected seawall steps from your back door, this is the place for you! This property and it's premier location offer endless possibilities.

BIG PINE KEY | $1,595,000 | Listing ID: 604840

Unique bay front home with over 330 linear feet of waterfront. 74' concrete seawall in place plus and additional Tier three lot of 14,000 sf with 250 linear feet on the open gulf. Three bedroom, two bath, stilted home with downstairs conforming storage located across from the Big Pine Key Waterfront park. Soaring ceilings, impact windows, metal roof and new hardy board siding. Wrap around open air balconies on both levels to enjoy the open water views. Entire second level is a

9709 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 33050

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June 8 is World Oceans Day. Covering 70% of the planet, the Earth’s oceans produce around 50% of its oxygen. Per the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. ocean economy produces goods and services equating to $282 billion. Ocean-dependent businesses employ roughly 3 million people.

Key Colony Beach officials on Monday opened two bids for a proposed reconstruction of city hall, carrying price tags of $8.3 and $12.4 million. See below. LIVS ASSOCIATES/Contributed

KEY COLONY BEACH TO CONSIDER CITY HALL BIDS

Aproposed new city hall in Key Colony Beach now has an official price tag, according to two bids opened by City Administrator David Turner in front of an agitated crowd outside KCB’s temporary city hall trailers on the afternoon of June 5.

Of 26 interested parties who retrieved drawings for the currentlyproposed iteration of the building, as prepared by architectural firm LIVS Associates, the city received just two bids for the project: one for $8,375,000 from Miami-based Hands On Builders LLC, and the other for $12,487,948.70 from Mobile, Alabama-based Persons Services Corporation.

Set to include individual offices for city staff, a headquarters for the Key

Colony Beach Police Department and a space for city commission meetings and other events while preserving a U.S. Post Office location within the city limits, the proposed development is a years-long bone of contention among city officials and some residents.

With some claiming the original ground-level building, constructed in 1959 and rendered unusable for six years following Hurricane Irma, is salvageable, several have amplified their efforts in recent months to demand greater transparency in Key Colony’s decision-making process or continue advocating for the renovation of the existing building.

Speaking to the Weekly following the bid opening, 25-year KCB resident Donald Steamer said it was difficult for some to have a full understanding of the proposed project while poring through pages of plans foreign to those outside of the construction industry.

“These are complex drawings, and many people just don’t have the ability to understand, nor should you expect them to,” he said. “If it’s going to be for public use for a number of years – why isn’t it easy for the public who lives here to understand? … The function of municipal government should at least be to keep the people informed.”

When asked what form of communication would prove adequate for the citizens of KCB, Steamer recom-

mended a summary report or scale model of the hall, some of which would likely be funded by taxes from residents. He said greater communication would likely go a long way to ease the concerns of residents who oppose the new hall simply because they can’t understand its full scope.

“For the next 50 years, we should have something that the people understand what they’re buying into,” he said.

Other residents expressed concern with the new design’s elevated structure and increased footprint over what is currently green space in front of the existing hall, telling the Weekly the new plans “go away from having a nice park-like city hall to having a built-up shopping center” that fails to fit existing architecture in KCB.

Former construction manager and Key Colony resident Dan Schott said the price difference of more than 40% between bids is a significant cause for concern, telling the Weekly he hoped the city would hire an experienced construction lawyer to avoid being “stuck” with added costs after accepting an unrealistic initial bid.

“The process here has gone awry,” he said. “You need a good lawyer in the construction business that knows what I’m talking about because he’s sued everybody on the other side of the table.”

continued on page 8

Price tags for new building differ by more than 40%

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

An artist’s rendering of the proposed reconstruction for Key Colony Beach’s new city hall. LIVS ASSOCIATES/Contributed

WIND INSURANCE HIKES MAY POSE GREATER RISK THAN HURRICANES

KEYS GROUP HEADS TO TALLAHASSEE TO FIGHT FOR FAIR PREMIUMS

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.

Insurance is never a sexy topic, but it’s become a critical one in the Florida Keys. Previous and proposed hikes to windstorm insurance by the state-run Citizens Property Insurance threaten more than wealthy second- and third-home owners, and it’s time to pay attention.

The steeply rising costs of windstorm insurance through Citizens affect renters whose landlords have to pass on the increases to their tenants — or sell their property. The price hikes affect government agencies, such as the Key West Housing Authority, which must maintain windstorm insurance on dozens of properties while unable to raise the rents of their low-income tenants.

And now, on Thursday, June 8, Citizens will ask the state Office of Insurance Regulation to allow additional hikes that would increase wind insurance costs to Florida Keys policyholders by 14% to 26%. Those increases are in addition to a new requirement that forces all Citizens policyholders to also carry flood insurance, thus adding to an owner’s insurance costs.

The nonprofit Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe — FIRM — has worked for more than a decade to fight the increases that force Monroe County to pay some of the highest rates despite having the lowest number of claims and the strictest building codes in the state. The organization is now asking all Monroe County residents to contact the Office of Insurance Regulation and ask them to deny the sharp increases. Visit firmkeys.org for a formatted letter that can be sent to representatives in Tallahassee.

STATE TAKES AIM AT FLOOD INSURANCE

FLORIDA JOINS LAWSUIT AGAINST FEDS

Mel Montagne, president of FIRM, and other board members are in Tallahassee this week to oppose the increases proposed in Monroe County.

“At a hearing Thursday afternoon, Citizens will present their proposed rates to the Office of Insurance Regulation, which also takes public comment, and FIRM will continue to provide commentary against the increases,” Montagne told the Keys Weekly on June 5. “Since 2003, Monroe County policyholders have given Citizens a profit of $850 million.”

In other words, Keys owners have paid $850 million more in premiums than they have received in insurance claims.

In addition, Montagne said, the county that provides the most profit to Citizens Insurance has no representative on the Citizens’ board of governors.

“Since 2021, Monroe County, which has 19,000 policyholders, has been without a representative on the Citizens board, yet there are two people on the board from St. Johns County, where there are only 4,800 policyholders. Tell me that’s not political,” he said.

“Monroe County residents consistently shoulder the burden of fraud and Citizens’ inconsistencies in addressing these circumstances for the rest of the state,” states the FIRM website.

Visit firmkeys.org for further information and to take part in the Call to Action to oppose unfair rate increases for Monroe County.

Help FIRM fight for fair insurance rates. Visit firmkeys.org and click on the Call to Action to contact state insurance officials.

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

Wind insurance rate increases aren’t the only costs crippling Monroe County property owners. A new requirement forces everyone with a wind insurance policy with the state-run Citizens Property Insurance to also carry flood insurance.

The state of Florida has joined nine other states in a lawsuit filed against the federal government that opposes sharp increases to the cost of flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.

Board members from the Keys nonprofit group Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe — FIRM — are in Tallahassee this week opposing Citizens’ increases to wind insurance, but also offering their support and research to Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody in the federal lawsuit.

“Citizens policyholders must secure and maintain flood insurance regardless

of whether they are in areas prone to inundation, elevated, or do not have a federally backed mortgage,” states the FIRM website. “FIRM supports efforts to protect from floods and ensure homeowners are educated about what their policies do and do not cover. However, the flood insurance requirement has led to an additional financial burden for Monroe County residents already struggling to afford astronomical windstorm insurance rates.”

Mel Montagne, president of FIRM, told the Keys Weekly on June 5 that he is hoping to schedule a meeting with Moody “to let her know we’re behind her and are willing to help with this flood insurance lawsuit that Florida has joined with nine other states.”

For more information about the proposed Citizens rate hikes and the flood insurance requirement, visit firmkeys.org and take part in the Call to Action to help the organization’s efforts on behalf of Monroe County property owners.

Florida has joined a suit challenging federal requirements for flood insurance. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

Debate over the existing hall’s ability to be repaired revolves largely around FEMA’s “50% rule,” which requires substantially damaged buildings in flood hazard areas to be elevated if the cost to repair the building to its exact “before-damage condition” exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure. Monroe County Property Appraiser’s records list the existing building’s value in 2017 and 2018, when it was previously evaluated, at $1,052,907.

Provided to the Weekly by city officials, a FEMA report prepared by site inspectors Benjamin Suriel and Howard Whittington from Dec. 13, 2017 cited “severe damage” to “an estimated 40% to 50%” of the existing hall’s foundation, with “offices inside exhibit(ing) significant sagging and tilting from deformation of the foundation.” Exploratory drilling into the concrete slab under the building’s administrative section revealed a cavity of at least two feet between the slab and earth below.

A March 2018 report submitted by professional engineer Roberto León of project delivery firm CSA Group recommended “a full reconstruction of the city hall complex,” calling the building “unfeasible as a renovation/elevation.”

A December 2017 report prepared by the Institute for Building Technology and Safety estimated repair costs at $2.82 million, adding that “IBTS (recommends) the demolition of the City Hall building. With the destruction of Hurricane Irma, this building is not fit to be occupied.” An additional report prepared by Dennis Peters and H. Alan Mooney of Pennsylvania-based Peters Engineers in March 2019 listed an estimated repair cost of $1,255,509.30.

The reports’ claims have been challenged by former KCB Building Official Ed Borysiewicz. Refuting claims in the 2019 Peters Engineers report that stated the concrete slab of greatest concern in the building sank significantly as a direct result of Irma, Borysiewicz wrote in an April 2023 email that the process had begun since he was employed in 1987, and that “it is (his) personal, professional opinion that City Hall Complex is not

substantially damaged and can be repaired.” Local contractor Ed Sims echoed Borysiewicz’s opinion, stating in an April 2023 letter that he told city commissioners in 2017 and 2018 that the building could be repaired at a cost of $300,000 within a three-month time frame.

Speaking with the Weekly on June 6, Turner said the 50% debate was only one piece of the puzzle, adding that the current 64-year-old city hall was not ADA-compliant, large enough for the city’s current staff, or nearly storm-hardened enough to serve as an emergency shelter during another storm. With its inclusion of the KCB Police Department, the city hall is classified by the Florida Building Code as an “Essential Facility,” intended to be storm-hardened and “remain operational in the event of extreme environmental loading.” Similar concerns were echoed in the conclusion of CSA Group’s report.

Turner also cited a desire to avoid a repeat disaster if another storm should strike and added that if the city decides to refurbish the existing hall, it will lose money from an alreadyobtained $2.3 million hardening grant and $1 million for city hall reconstruction currently included in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed 2023-2024 state budget.

“How far down the road do you want to keep pushing this?” he asked.

“With the next major storm, it’s like groundhog day, and we’re back to square one. If we leave it on the ground, and we have another storm, they’re going to just drive right by Sadowski Causeway.”

While Monday’s meeting served only to open the two bids, Turner said the proposed construction is anticipated to headline the city commission’s meeting Thursday, June 15, set for 9:30 a.m. In the meantime, he expected a review committee composed of the building’s architects and city attorneys to review the existing bids. Following the committee’s review, if completed in time, the commission will have the option to accept or reject existing bids, or modify the new hall’s plans.

FLORIDA KEYS BREWBQ AND CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL SET

The third annual Florida Keys BrewBQ festival will take place Friday evening and all day Saturday, July 14 and 15, in celebration of great craft beer and barbecue.

Organized by the Marathon Chamber of Commerce, the popular festival will take advantage of cooler summer evenings by opening from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Staged at the open-air Marathon Community Park, MM 49, the barbecue and craft beer festival boasts taste-tempting meaty goodness, live music, games for kids, retail vendors and barbecue and other food vendors.

Teams of amateur pitmasters will vie for cash prizes and top honors from a panel of judges scoring their entries in two categories – Best Pork Belly Burnt Ends, with judging announced Friday at 8 p.m., and Best Pulled Pork, with judging announced Saturday at 7 p.m.

The competition includes a “People’s Choice” division to encourage hungry meat lovers to cast their votes.

Tickets for beer and barbecue, including People’s Choice taste “tokens” for the amateur competition, will be available for purchase. Individuals can vote for their favorite bites by dropping one or more tokens in a team’s ballot box. An-

nouncement of the People’s Choice and Best Overall award winners takes place Saturday at 7:30 and 7:45 p.m., respectively.

In addition to the People’s Choice tastings, food will be available for purchase from Battle Rig BBQ, Lazy Days South, Brutus Seafood, Sweet Savannah’s, Marathon Youth Sports Burgers & Dogs, and the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce smoker slinging barbecue pulled-pork sandwiches.

To wash down all the great barbecue, the latest lagers, hard ciders and hoppy beers will be offered by the Keys’ own craft brewers: Florida Keys Brewing Co., Islamorada Beer Company, Hard Bottom Brewing and Waterfront Brewery, as well as other Florida brewers. Frozen drinks and cocktails will be available for purchase from Ultra Beverages.

Live musical performances begin Friday at 5 p.m. with the 79th Street Band, followed at 7 p.m. by Abstract Radio. Saturday’s music lineup includes John Bartus and Adrienne Z, the Lady A Band and, to close out the festival, the popular six-piece classic rock party band Apache Dragon.

Festival tickets are $5 per person each day; children under 12 accompanied by a paying adult are admitted free.

Key Colony Beach City Administrator David Turner, right, opens and reads two bids for a new city hall to a crowd gathered outside the city’s temporary city hall trailers. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Pulled pork and pork belly burnt ends will replace ribs as this year’s competition categories at the Florida Keys BrewBQ. SANDRA LEE PHOTOGRAPHY/Keys Weekly

City of Marathon City Council Agenda

9805 Overseas Hwy., Marathon

The City Council has rescheduled June 13th meeting and will meet instead on Tuesday, June 27th at 5:30 pm

(*Denotes Item Is Passed By Consent Upon Approval of Agenda)

Public Comments taken on all times and at 6:30pm time certain for items not on the agenda or as soon as possible thereafter of after the last agenda item; whichever comes first.

City Council Items

*A. Approval of Minutes

B. Juneteenth Proclamation

C. Recognition of Fire/EMS Personnel

D. Concerning Shark Attack (Still)

E. Eagle Scout Presentation (Landry)

City Manager Report

* A. MCSO Marathon Substation Report

* B. Grants Update

C. Public Works Report

1. Boat Ramp/Sombrero Beach Parking Update

* D. Park and Recreation Report

* E. Marathon Fire Rescue Report

* F. Marina Report

* G. Code Report

* H. Wastewater Utilities Report

* I. Building Report

J. Process and Procedure during Tropical Storm/Hurricane Event

K. Discussion and direction regarding an unsolicited “public private partnership” proposal submitted by Chris Tel Construction to design, build and finance a replacement fire station for the City of Marathon at the current location of 33rd Street.

L. Approval of Marathon Rotary 4th of July event, including parade, fireworks, and sale of beer & wine

Ordinances for Second Public Hearing and Enactment

A. Ordinance 2023-07, Amending Chapter 107, Article 2, Entitled “Transfer Of Building Rights'', And Intending To Modify Section

107.15 Entitled “Site Criteria”; Providing For The Repeal Of All Code Provisions And Ordinances Inconsistent With This Ordinance; Providing For Severability; And Providing For Inclusion In The Code Of Ordinances, City Of Marathon, Florida; And Providing For An Effective Date.

B. Ordinance 2023-09, Amending Chapter

107, Article 2, Entitled “Transfer Of Building Rights'', And Intending To Modify Section 107.14 Entitled “Types Of Transfers”; Providing For The Repeal Of All Code Provisions And Ordinances Inconsistent With This Ordinance; Providing For Severability; And Providing For Inclusion In The Code Of Ordinances, City Of Marathon, Florida; And Providing For An Effective Date.

Ordinances for First Public Hearing

A. Ordinance 2023-10 Amending Chapter 14 “ Environment and Natural Resources”, Article 3 “Protection of Sea Turtles”, Amending Section 14-61 “Definitions”, Amending Section 14-63 “Standards for exterior artificial lighting”, Amending Section 14-64 “ Standards for Interior artificial lighting”, Adding Section 14-68 “Applicability”, Amending Sections 14-68 through 14-92 “Reserved”; Of The City Of Marathon Code of Ordinances; Providing For The Repeal Of All Code Provisions And Ordinances Inconsistent With This Ordinance; Providing For Severability; Providing For Inclusion In The Code.

B. Ordinance 2023-11, Deleting City Of Marathon’s Code Of Ordinances Section 14-4 Titled “Unloading Of Shrimp By Commercial Fishing Vessels Restricted.”; Providing For The Repeal Of All Ordinances Or Parts Thereof Found To Be In Conflict; Providing For Severability; Providing For Inclusion In The Code Of Ordinances And Providing For An Effective Date.

Resolutions For Adoption

*A. Resolution 2023-52, Approving A Standard Local Agency Program Agreement Between The City Of Marathon And The Florida Department Of Transportation To Receive Federal Funds For The Design Services Related To The Replacement Of the 112th Street Bridge; Authorizing The City Manager To Execute The Agreement And Expend Budgeted Funds On Behalf Of The City; And Providing For An Effective Date.

*B. Resolution 2023-53, Authorizing A “Sole Source” Purchase Pursuant To The City’s Purchasing Policies And Procedures And Authorizing Pantropic Power Products, Inc. To Perform Corrective Maintenance Service On The Area 5 WWTP Backup Diesel Generator In The Amount Of $50,193.94; Authorizing The City Manager To Execute The Agreement On Behalf Of The City; And Providing For An Effective Date.

*C. Resolution 2023-54, Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A Release Of Unity Of Title On Behalf Of The City In The Form Attached To This Resolution Concerning Property Described As Block 50 Lots 1 & 2, Crains Subdivision; And Providing For An Effective Date.

*D. Resolution 2023-55, Approving Change Order #1 For The General Consulting Contract PSA-23-5 To Weiler Engineering Corporation; Approving An Increase In Contract Amount Of $40,000; Authorizing The City Manager To Execute The Change Order And Expend Budgeted Funds On Behalf Of The City; And Providing For An Effective Date.

*E. Resolution 2023-56, Approving Change Order #2 For Area 4 Disk Filter Upgrades To Reynolds Construction, LLC; Approving A Time Only Increase; Authorizing The City Manager To Execute The Change Order On Behalf Of The City; And Providing For An Effective Date.

*F. Resolutions 2023-57, Approving Change Order No. 1 To The Agreement Between The City Of Marathon, Florida And K2m Design, Inc In Connection With The 33rd Street Corridor Design Project

*G Resolution 2023-58, Approving A Request To Waive Building Permit Fees For The Project Known As Coco Vista Pursuant To Chapter 6-23 (b) (2) c.; Building Fees / Fee Exemptions; And Providing For An Effective Date.

*H. Resolution 2023-59, Approving A Fifth Amendment To The Lease Agreement No. 4547 With The Board Of Trustees Of The Internal Improvement Trust Fund Of The State Of Florida For The Management Of Properties With The City Of Marathon Purchased For The Purpose Of Conservation; Authorizing The Mayor To Execute The Amendment To The Agreement; And Providing An Effective Date.

Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at such hearing or meeting, one will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose that person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made; such record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. ADA Assistance: Anyone needing special assistance at the City Council hearing due to disability should contact the City of Marathon City Attorney at (305) 289-4130 at least five days prior thereto. Please contact the City Clerk at clavierd@ci.marathon.fl.us if you would like to receive any of the items on the agenda by email.

NEW DATA SHOWS BARRIER REEF KNOCKS DOWN WAVE HEIGHT

KEYS’ REEF TOOK ON HURRICANE IAN — AND WON

As the new hurricane season rolls in on Thursday, June 1, residents of the Florida Keys will likely remember Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 storm that tracked just west of the island chain last fall. At the peak of Ian, the offshore wave heights at Satan Shoal, 14 miles from Key West, exceeded 26 feet, yet the Keys did not see waves anywhere near this large. Where did all that wave energy go?

The answer lies in the offshore barrier reefs, the subject of a new research project focused on how coral restoration may enhance wave dissipation. “Without the barrier reef system, much of the Keys would be exposed to the full brunt of ocean swell,” said Jim Hench, an associate professor of oceanography at Duke University. “But the reefs, through their complex structure and frictional properties, interact with the waves, convert wave energy into turbulent energy, and then heat. That’s the dissipation mechanism.”

The physics of these processes has been studied along flat sandy beaches, but relatively little work has been done applying these theories to the steep complex topography of coral reefs along the Keys, particularly under extreme wave events — until Ian.

In August 2021, Hench set out an array of 26 sensors along one kilometer at Eastern Dry Rocks reef site (EDR) for the Mission: Iconic Reefs coral restoration program, which is managed by NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. EDR, seven miles south of Key West, is a focal site for coral outplants, and Hench’s project is designed to measure the degree to which restoration improves the reef’s ability to reduce the size of waves, or what scientists call wave attenuation. Ian provided the perfect storm for providing insights into this problem, and having an array of autonomous sensors in the ocean at the right place and time.

“It was amazing to get these data during an active hurricane and have direct measurements of how the wave energy transforms across the reef,” said Hench. “I was impressed by the size of the waves in that shallow of water.” As the waves began to interact with the shallow reef structure at EDR, the reef swallowed the energy. Hench used the new data to calculate changes in wave energy, and discovered more than a 90% reduction in wave energy over less than a kilometer of reef.

“When the water gets shallow enough, waves break,” Hench explains. “We know that, but what surprised me was the amount of dissipation across the shallow forereef. … As the waves approach the reef, the wave orbitals are really energetic while interacting with the bottom roughness — that’s a really good recipe to dissipate wave energy in a relatively small area. This has significant implications for where reef restoration might be best sited to maximize wave attenuation, taking advantage of when the waves are most energetic and using that enhanced roughness to dissipate the wave energy.”

Mission: Iconic Reefs is doing just that. The westernmost site of the seven iconic reefs, Eastern Dry Rocks has been enhanced with more than 11,000 elkhorn and staghorn coral outplants since December 2019, when the 20year, $100-million program was launched.

“This is the first study in the Florida Keys that provides us with a quantitative value of the importance of our offshore reef system at reducing wave energy,” said Andy Bruckner, the sanctuary’s chief scientist. “Over time, as the restored elkhorn coral increases in size, we will be able to determine how much we are able to enhance the reef’s ability to protect coastlines from storms through restoration activities.”

While the reef diminished the height of Ian’s waves, the volume of water being pushed by hurricane-force winds, known as storm surge, continued to move inland and Key West

experienced flooding — a reminder that reefs are not an end-all solution to hurricane protection. The sensors will remain on watch at EDR until 2025, measuring wave pressure eight times per second, in addition to monitoring water temperature and currents.

“We have long understood the ecological and economic value of the only barrier reef in the continental United States,” said Sarah Fangman, superintendent of the sanctuary. “But seeing it quantified in this way inspires us to work even harder to restore these reefs for everyone who has a stake in their survival.”

The research is funded by grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and NOAA’s National Centers for Ocean Coastal Science, facilitated by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and permitted by Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, as well as the Honda Marine Science Foundation, and the U.S. National Science Foundation.

— Contributed

In August 2021, researchers deploy oceanographic sensors on the seafloor, which requires permitting by Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Left, the bright yellow acoustic Doppler current profiler immediately after it was deployed at Eastern Dry Rocks. Right, the profiler is seen after surviving the power of Hurricane Ian. NOAA/Contributed

HUMOR

Just 18 months ago, LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed professional golf league, formed and lured some of the sport’s top players away from the PGA, paying hundreds of millions in contracts for individual players. Since then, a contentious battle has ensued between the PGA and LIV players. Aside from several lawsuits, PGA players and leadership have been quick to point out everything from the Saudi monarch’s human rights records to their alleged involvement with the 9/11 attacks (investigations and an ongoing court case continue to this day). So when the PGA and LIV announced a merger this past Tuesday, the world, along with many PGA golfers, were stunned to hear that shareholders had succumbed to the mighty dollar (or the Saudi Riyal) and traded away one of Europe’s and America’s most traditional sports for $6 billion Saudi “public investment fund” made of oil money. Always here to help, we offer our…

MOST INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT THE PGA & LIV (SAUDI) GOLF MERGER

10. Instead of golf carts, participants can now opt for a yellow or orange Lamborghini to traverse the 18 holes. (We know, pro golfers walk the course, but the idea of Rory Mcllroy getting out of a Lambo to hit his 8-iron is priceless.)

9. All tournaments are sponsored by the oil conglomerate Saudi Aramco. And if you don’t like it, they’ll chop off your putting hand.

8. The Masters Tournament winnings will now be $2.3 billion — and a Barbary falcon to everyone else who makes the cut.

7. Phil Mickelson will now only be referred to as Prince Lefty.

6. We’ll boycott Target and Bud Light over their inclusiveness, but celebrate a merger that includes two nations with the worst human rights records

FUNCTIONALLY CAFFEINATED WELLNESS

THE INCREDIBLE GUT MICROBIOME

(Saudi Arabia, China’s largest global oil supplier) by handing them the longeststanding sports tradition in the free world.

5. Now that Donald Trump will be an instrumental figure in a sports startup, we wonder if anyone recalls the fate of the New Jersey Generals?

4. Soooo, the statute of limitations on giving a shit about 9/11 ended yesterday?

3. Can we assume this merger will neither apply to, nor benefit, the LPGA, given the Saudis’ view of women, who weren’t allowed to drive until 2018?

2. Another 600 billion reasons to move to electric cars.

1. We now know that money can buy anything. Even one’s soul. RIP PGA Golf: 1929–2023.

n recent years, research has uncovered a hidden world within us that holds tremendous power over our overall health – the gut microbiome. This vast ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms residing in our digestive tract has been found to play a crucial role in various aspects of our well-being, from digestion and immune function to mental health and disease prevention. As we delve deeper into the mysteries of the gut microbiome, it becomes evident that nurturing its health is vital.

Imicrobiome. These foods provide a natural source of probiotics, which can aid digestion and support a healthy gut.

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

3. Limit processed foods and added sugars. A diet high in processed foods and added sugars can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, leading to inflammation and a less diverse microbiome. Opt for whole, unprocessed foods and limit sugary treats to promote a healthier gut environment.

4. Stay hydrated. Drinking an adequate amount of water supports proper digestion and helps maintain a healthy gut environment. Aim for at least half of your body weight in ounces of water per day to keep your gut microbiome functioning optimally. If you are extremely active, work outdoors, live in a humid climate, etc., your body may need more.

The gut microbiome is composed of a diverse array of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbes that coexist in a delicate balance. These tiny organisms not only aid in the breakdown and absorption of nutrients from our food, but also interact with our immune system, produce essential vitamins and even influence our mood and brain function. An unhealthy gut microbiome, on the other hand, has been associated with a range of health problems, including gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and mental health disorders.

Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome requires a multifaceted approach. Here are some evidence-based strategies to improve and nurture your gut health:

1. Eat a fiber-rich diet. Consuming a variety of fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. These bacteria thrive on dietary fiber and produce short-chain fatty acids that help nourish the gut lining and reduce inflammation.

2. Include fermented foods. Fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir and kimchi contain live beneficial bacteria that can help replenish and diversify the gut

5. Minimize stress. Chronic stress can negatively affect the gut microbiome, leading to digestive issues and an increased risk of gastrointestinal disorders. Engaging in stress-reducing activities like exercise, meditation, and spending time in nature can promote a healthier gut and overall well-being.

6. Consider probiotic supplements. Probiotic supplements can provide an additional boost of beneficial bacteria to the gut microbiome. Consult with a nutrition coach such as myself or your health care professional to determine if probiotic supplementation is appropriate for your individual needs.

It’s important to note that everyone’s gut microbiome is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. It’s always best to listen to your body and make adjustments accordingly.

Understanding the importance of the gut microbiome and taking proactive steps to improve its health can have far-reaching benefits for overall well-being. By nurturing our gut, we can support digestion, enhance immune function, promote mental health and reduce the risk of numerous chronic diseases.

As our understanding of the gut microbiome continues to evolve, it’s clear that this hidden world within us holds immense potential for improving our health and quality of life. By harnessing the power of our gut microbiome, we can embark on a journey towards holistic wellbeing.

JENNIFER BOLTZ HARVEY

SUBJECT:

City Council

Luis Gonzalez, Mayor

, City Manager

Robyn Still, Vice-Mayor

Lynn Landry, Councilmember

Jeff Smith, Councilmember

Kenny Matlock, Councilmember

George Garrett

City Attorney

Steve Williams

City Clerk Diane Clavier

The City Council has rescheduled their June 13th meeting and will meet instead on Tuesday, June 27th.

6/13/23 4:30 | 2798 Overseas Hwy # 330, Marathon, FL 33050

The Department of Economic Opportunity will be meeting in the Marathon Government Center to provide information regarding hurricane evacuation modeling in the Florida Keys. One or more of the Marathon City Council members or Planning Commissioner members may be in attendance.

Code Compliance Hearing

6/15/23 2:00pm | Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy.

Planning Commission Meeting

6/26/23 5:30pm | Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy.

City Council Meeting

6/27/23 5:30pm | Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy.

Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at any meeting or workshop noted herein, he or she will need a record of the proceedings and for such purposes he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made; which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. The City of Marathon complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are a disabled person requiring special accommodations or assistance, please notify the City ADA Coordinator at (305) 289-5022 of such need at least 72 hours (3 days) in advance.

CASTAWAYS AGAINST CANCER EMBARK ON 2023 TOUR

THREE ‘RIDICULOUS STUNTS’

Starting Saturday, June 10, the Castaways Against Cancer will embark on their 24th yearly trek to combat arguably the world’s most hated illness.

And as if the trip some would call insane isn’t enough, for the first time, the group is celebrating a “triathlon” of sorts – kayakers, bikers and even a pair of ultramarathon runners will traverse more than 500 miles raising money for cutting-edge treatments and research through the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Striking a solid partnership with the center in 2020, the organization announced a five-year, $1.5 million pledge to the research institute on World Cancer Day in February 2022, with the University of Miami promising to match donations 50 cents on the dollar. Within the past year, the team is already ahead of schedule, raising $225,000 and hoping to tack on another $25,000 before this year’s paddle is over. And since the group’s inception in 2000, the Castaways have amassed more than $2 million in donations, paddling more than 3,600 miles in the process. Projects funded by Castaways donations within the last year include research to enhance the activity of certain tumor suppressor genes, new therapies for blood cancers, and investigations into new therapeutic targets that determine resistance to endocrine therapies in breast cancer.

The 2023 “Ridiculous Stunt Tour” is the Castaways’ newest endeavor to honor their aggressive pledge. On Saturday, a team of paddlers – the original “castaways” – will launch from “Castaway Beach,” as declared by the City of Miami. Their 160-mile journey stretches from Miami’s Virginia Key to Key West’s Simonton Beach, where the crew will make landfall on Friday, June 16. Leaving that Friday morning, a team of cyclists who joined the Castaways in 2020 will make the most comparable land-based journey in a single day –a grueling 170-mile spin. And departing on Thursday, ultramarathoners Vince Yllanes and Paige Douglass will trade off running 85-mile legs to complete the entire journey on foot. Marathon resident, breast cancer survivor and paddling legend Suzy Curry – crowned “Mayor of the Keys” on the Castaways’ website –will pass the 1,000-mile mark with the organization as she joins the kayak team for the 110-mile Keys portion of their journey.

While most athletes dedicate their yearly trip to a particular individual, Curry said hers will be dedicated by day – the first day for her friends, including Nancy Miller and Carol Gross, who passed away from lymphoma and brain cancer, respectively; the second day to those

currently battling all forms of the disease, including the Weekly’s own Anneke Patterson; the third to her “breast cancer sisters,” remembering her own diagnosis and subsequent fight in 2011; the fourth to children fighting pediatric cancers; and the fifth in memory of Castaways founder Steve O’Brien’s mother, Joyce.

“I wasn’t going to do the trip this year, but my friend passed,” she told the Weekly. “She and her husband had always been longtime sponsors, and that broke my heart.

“You can put it in the paper: cancer sucks,” she continued. “We try to light a candle instead of cursing the darkness. You can’t say being on the water is like going through cancer, but the intensity, the despair, and the endlessness of it, it’s a way to compare to the hardship of cancer. And there’s a light at the end of the tunnel when you come ashore and celebrate survivorship.”

The Castaways invite the public to join them at their kayaker landing on Friday, June 16 at 2 p.m. at Key West’s Simonton Beach, followed by the cyclists’ arrival at 5 p.m. and a closing ceremony from 7:15 to 9:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Centric Key West. For more information, including donation opportunities, research studies and trip reports, visit castawaysagainstcancer.org.

1. MCSO detective Ian Barnett helps keep the Castaways safe on their 2022 paddle. CONTRIBUTED

2. South Florida mangrove trails provide welcome shade for the kayak team.

3. The 2022 Castaways Against Cancer cyclist team, from left: Tim Rea, Emilio Pineda, Jorge Bustamante, Josh Kantor, Andy Martinez, Dani Girado, Eric Stabaneu, Javi Hermida, Jesus Lopez and Stephanie Weldon.

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.

5. A growing memorial pays tribute to those who have fought valiant battles against cancer.

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

Eva Drozdetskaya Sophomore, Key West

Eva Drozdetskaya earned an impressive 9-3 record this season for the Conchs, doing so with what coach Elliot Manton called “lots of talent paired with hard work.”

“Eva is someone who will go above and beyond for any one of her teammates,” he added. “On top of that, she works extremely hard on the tennis court every day to improve her game.”

Drozdetskaya consistently bested her Keys opponents in play, and her unwavering improvement makes the underclassman a serious contender in the future of Conch tennis.

THE 2023 KEYS WEEKLY ALL-KEYS TENNIS TEAM

All three Keys schools enjoyed successful tennis seasons, with most of their play in-county against one another. Many Monroe County sports teams consider one another rivals, but in tennis, the players and coaches enjoy an atmosphere full of sportsmanship and camaraderie. Players respect each other and the game, often helping their opponents improve in the nuances of their craft. In county play, athletes keep their own scores and make their own calls during matches. This year, all three teams’ postseason play ended at the district level, but with a majority of the athletes being underclassmen, next season’s action could stretch well beyond the district brackets.

From all of us at the Keys Weekly, congratulations to the 2023 All-Keys Tennis Team.

Malena Rocafort

Senior, Marathon

In just her second season playing tennis for the Dolphins, Rocafort improved from number two last year to the top seed in 2023. Praised as an athlete who showed continuous improvement over the course of her career at Marathon, head coach Kevin Freeman said his senior’s leadership will “definitely be missed” next season.

Makani Burga

Junior, Coral Shores

Coral Shores junior Makani Burga has been a serious tennis player since elementary school, and his dedication to the little things has made him a force to be reckoned with.

“Makani is a consistent player who possesses power, strategy and almost always a victory,” said Browning.

Gabriella Aguero

Sophomore, Key West

Aguero went 12-2 in 2023 as Key West’s number one doubles and number two singles player. Described by Manton as “full of talent,” Aguero is expected to continue improving and developing her on-court talent and tenacity.

“Gabriela is an outgoing member of the group who never gives up on the court,” Manton said.

His contributions to his team do not end with his skills on the court, though. Burga is described as uplifting to his teammates, bringing some oft-needed lightheartedness to a sport that can be a source of pressure for many athletes.

“Makani enjoys laughing and making others laugh with him,” Browning said, adding, “He never takes himself too seriously, even with his talent.”

Olivia Hughes

Junior, Coral Shores

Olivia Hughes has everything it takes to be an amazing athlete.

“Olivia has a high level of confidence both on and off the court,” coach Kim Browning said of the junior. “She has solid serving skills and understands the fundamentals of each stroke.” According to her team, Hughes was a source of positivity for the ‘Canes with an infectiously enthusiastic attitude.

Adrien Holdinga

Sophomore, Marathon

Adrien Holdinga earned a 5-3 singles record this season for the Dolphins and took on a leadership role not common for such a young player. Holdinga held down the number one seed for Marathon this season, impressing his coach with his willingness to put in the work.

MVP

MVP

Malena Rocafort & Adrien Holdinga BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

Olivia Hughes, Eva Drozdetskaya, John Picco CONTRIBUTED

Gabriella Aguero, Makani Burga, John Searcy TRACY McDONALD/Keys Weekly

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

TY MARIE CERVANTES

“His work ethic is second to none. He wants to get better with every practice and every match,” said Freeman, adding that he looks forward to seeing what the next two seasons have in store for the talented sophomore.

John Picco may only be a freshman, but he plays like a seasoned veteran and isn’t afraid to take on any opponent. Manton praised Picco for his willingness to embrace challenges, saying the dedicated freshman phenom used them as an opportunity to improve rather than something to avoid.

Senior, Key West Softball

Conch softball put the state on notice the past few years, reaching the final four in 2022 and 2023. Key West’s newlyforged dynasty was built on years of tradition and on hardworking, dedicated athletes like Ty Cervantes.

The Conchs’ top-seeded player left it all on the court every time he played this season. The talented senior served as captain for his team in 2023. Manton described Searcy as “a role model for any future captain of the boys’ team,” crediting him with a willingness to work not only on the court, but to get things done for the team off court as well.

The senior amassed 26 hits, 19 RBIs and 8 stolen bases this season alone. Her .382 batting average included a home run, and defensively, Cervantes was near-perfect with a .900 fielding percentage.

Cervantes’ strong stats speak for themselves, but it is her attitude and leadership which set the Conchs’ shortstop apart on a team full of talented players. Coach Jason Garia called her “a team leader who is always giving encouragement.”

For her dedication to Key West softball, her dependable gameplay and ability to advance the gameplay of her teammates, Ty Cervantes is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

“TY IS A COACH ON THE FIELD, HELPING OUT THE YOUNGER GIRLS CONSTANTLY.”

Photo by ELLA HALL/Keys Weekly

– Jason Garcia, Lady Conchs head coach

John Picco Freshman, Key West

John Searcy Senior, Key West

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

LOCAL ATHLETES TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

2023 graduates are some of the most athletically gifted in Keys history

Many young athletes dream of making it to the pros one day, and for more than 20 Keys athletes, that dream is now one step closer. Though the Keys are small, the talent is huge, and this year, quite a few homegrown athletes will be taking the next step and playing at the collegiate level. Through hard work and a relentless pursuit of excellence, athletes from all three high schools will represent the Keys in a variety of sports at all types of college programs, with several more still weighing their next moves with options on the table.

Corley Smith will travel the farthest from her Coral Shores alma mater, but long distances are nothing new to her. Smith was a distance swimming specialist for the Hurricanes. Her accomplishments include setting the record for the Alligator Reef Lighthouse Swim, an eight-mile open water challenge. The two-time state finalist was named Monroe County Swimmer of the Year twice, and her times, often minutes ahead of the nearest competitor, caught the eye of Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California. Smith’s strength and hard work was also notable in the classroom. She graduated fifth in her class of 186 students, earning multiple academic awards.

Xavyer Arrington will take his talents to the U.S. Naval Prep School this fall, then to the Naval Academy the following year. The multi-sport standout chose to play football at the collegiate level. His gridiron accomplishments include being named the Monroe County Defensive Player of the Year and making the FACA All-State team. Arrington also holds two state championships in weightlifting and multiple state medals in

track and field, where his strength made him a standout in throwing events.

Johnny Holly will also be playing football at the college level next fall, at Holmes Community College in Mississippi. The lineman earned the MVP nod for the Hurricanes last season, earned a spot on the All-Keys Team, and was named to the FACA All-State team. The multi-sport athlete bolstered the basketball and lacrosse teams for Coral Shores as well.

Marathon High School’s Fisher Coleman-Sayer will head off to Emmitsburg, Maryland in the fall to play golf at Division I Mount St. Mary’s University. Coleman-Sayer earned All-County honors multiple years and led the Fins on the links. ColemanSayer was also a standout in basketball and baseball.

Aaron Dolton caught the eye of several college coaches for his football skills, but decided to take Flagler College up on their offer to run track for the Saints. Dolton holds the school record for the 300m and 400m hurdles, and was a talented jumper as well. The St. Augustine-bound record-setter was a member of the All-Keys team in football last season and won numerous academic awards at Marathon’s senior class night.

Dylan Globe is another multi-sport Dolphin headed to play in college. Globe will be kicking for the Avila Eagles in Kansas City, Missouri. Though football was a strong suit for the senior, Globe was also a standout for Marathon’s baseball team.

Frantz Noel was a strong lineman for the Dolphins, earning All-Keys team honors on the gridiron last fall. Noel will join Globe at Avila University, where he will hold down the line for the

7.

8. MIESHA HERNANDEZ St. Thomas University

1. CORLEY SMITH Harvey Mudd College

2. JAMES REYNOLDS University of Miami

3. BELLA MARCHIANO Palm Beach Atlantic University

4. ANDRIS BARROSO Indian River State College

5. FISHER COLEMAN-SAYER Mount St. Mary’s University

6. JOHN HOLLY Holmes Community College

LUCAS SILVA Soccer Universities

9. CHRISTOPHER OTTO Florida State University

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

Eagles. Noel is also a talented soccer player and was a standout on Marathon’s weightlifting team the past few seasons.

Two Keys soccer players will continue their paths on the pitch next season. Lucas Silva, goalkeeper for Marathon, and Jackson Castillo, defender and defensive midfielder for Key West, will attend international soccer programs, which allow athletes to hone their skills while working toward undergraduate degrees. Silva will participate in Soccer Universities, which places athletes at various programs depending upon their skill level, while Castillo will attend Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy in the United Kingdom.

Christopher Andre Otto made headlines when he was courted by dozens of colleges and universities for his speed and size on the gridiron. The 6’5” scholar-athlete was wooed by some of the highest-rated universities in the country. He is a two-time state medalist in wrestling, but decided to take his talents to Florida State University, where he will play football and major in film. Otto was a member of the All-Keys football and wrestling teams, won a pair of state medals in wrestling and has won numerous awards for his efforts in film production.

Kevon Mills was a game changer in three varsity sports at Key West High School. The multi-talented athlete will trade in his Conch red and gray for the blue and gold of Beloit College in Crestview, Wisconsin next fall, where he will join the Buccaneer football roster. Mills was an evasive offensive threat for Key West’s football team, and his speed and athleticism carried over to the basketball court and onto the track, where Mills was a state medalist in the high jump for the Conchs.

James Reynolds caught the eye of multiple university coaches, but turned down scholarship offers for a chance to play at the highest level when he accepted a preferred walk-on opportunity at the University of Miami. The evasive running back has speed and strength, and once he was finished decimating the defenses of Conch rivals on the football field, he tapped into those skills to be successful in Key West’s track and field program, where he was a standout sprinter and thrower.

Conchs outfielder and reserve pitcher Jack Haggard is off to Quincy University in Illinois in the fall. Haggard amassed 72 career hits for Key West, with 41 in this season alone. His .436 batting average, paired with 11 stolen bases and a near-perfect record in the field, made him very attractive to several colleges, but Haggard inked his letter with the Hawks last November.

Anden Rady will continue to wear red and gray next year, but he will trade in his Conchs logo for that of a Lagrange College Panther. Rady heads to Georgia after an impressive season in Key West, earning 31 hits, 2 home runs, 31 RBIs and a perfect record fielding this season.

Conch baseball fans won’t have to travel too far to watch Marlin Takovich play at the next level; he is going to Florida International University in Miami this fall. The big righty was solid on the mound for Key West, amassing 49 career strikeouts. Takovich was twice named Player of the Game in his time with the Conchs.

Andris “Lucky” Barroso gave the Conchs the confidence to win when he took the mound, and he delivered a W for his team nine times this season alone. His .818 winning percentage, 1.76 ERA and 142 career strikeouts, 73 coming from this season, made him an enticing prospect for teams across the country. Barroso chose Indian River State College to advance his career. The 6’5” right-handed pitcher will most certainly be making waves at The River next spring.

Conchs shortstop Wyatt Kuhn will head to Tennessee next year to play for Dyersburg State Community College. Kuhn amassed 10 career double plays for Key West defensively and earned a respectable .338 batting average this season

against some of the top teams in the state. He shares the single season record (14) and holds the career record (26) for being hit by pitches, which boosted his on-base percentage to .511 this season.

Samantha Ventimiglia will further her volleyball career at the United States Coast Guard Academy. The outside hitter

Miesha Hernandez will play softball at St. Thomas University in Miami next year. Hernandez had a .384 batting average for Key West this year, including three home runs that brought her career total to seven in two years of varsity play for the Lady Conchs. Defensively, the third baseman had two double plays this season.

Bella Marchiano is heading to Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach next year, the first Lady Conchs lacrosse player to do so in the nine years the program has been in place. Marchiano caught the eye of college scouts early, signing her letter of intent last year. She has more than 100 career goals, despite being well-known as a selfless passer, and has received many honors, including Player of the Year and All-County and AllRegion team selections.

Key West sprinter Savannah Chadic isn’t finished blowing past competitors just yet. She signed with Jacksonville University, where she will further her track and field career with the Dolphins. Chadic had a stellar senior season with the Conchs in both weightlifting and track, earning multiple medals at districts, regionals and ultimately states, where she qualified for the maximum number of events and brought home two medals.

recorded 178 kills, 36 aces, 10 blocks and 234 digs last season. A multi-year standout for the Conchs, Ventimiglia boasted an amazing 94.8% service return rating in her senior season.

Ty Marie Cervantes signed her letter of intent to play softball at Miami Dade College next season. Cervantes brings impressive stats in both offense and defense to the Sharks. Her .382 batting average this season consisted of 26 hits, including a home run. Her career fielding percentage was .917 for Key West, making her a dual threat and catching the eyes of college scouts across the nation, but Cervantes ultimately chose to keep her talents closer to home.

Conchs catcher Dharma Murray will play softball for the Division I University of South Florida Bulls next year after two very successful varsity seasons with Key West. Murray racked up 22 hits and 21 RBIs this season, but her greatest asset is her ability to protect the plate. She earned a .984 fielding percentage last season and helped keep the Conchs in the running deep into the playoffs.

Lauren Walterson will feel right at home during her college swimming career; she has signed to swim for the College of the Florida Keys. The Conchs call the CFK pool home during meets and practices, giving Walterson a great advantage. Walterson was a team captain for Key West last season, was a regional qualifier in the 200 medley relay and was a standout in both the butterfly and 200 individual medley.

Bella Oliviero will also be wearing a Tugas swim cap in the fall. She will join Walterson at College of the Florida Keys. Oliviero was a standout in the backstroke but was also a strong competitor in multiple strokes for the Conchs.

Also taking her skills to the next level is the Keys Weekly’s own Ella Hall. Her talent for sports photography made her an enormous asset to Key West High School, and the athletic offices at LSU took note. Hall is already on campus putting her photography skills to work for the Tigers, working on media days for the football team as well as documenting team practices, events and games. Her photographs will be added to the permanent archives for the LSU football team.

A small collection of annoying wildlife KEYS CRITTERS

Visitors to our islands (The Fabulous Florida Keys®) often notice that the various types of wildlife that inhabit these coral rocks are different from the species they have at home. No kidding. In that spirit, we here at Keys Disease Central are proud to present The Complete Simpleton’s Guide to Keys Critters.

No guide like this would be worth the paper it is written upon without mention of the kind of wildlife that truly gets up close and personal with humans. Two species are the common mosquito (Corpuscleus suckupitus) and the no-see-um (Damnitus irritatus). These insects desire what you are not necessarily inclined to share – namely, your blood.

But take a moment and look at it from the insect’s perspective. The critters that normally offer their lifeblood to hungry mosquitoes and no-see-ums usually have fur or feathers in the way of their skin – not so easy for a small insect to navigate. But here comes the relatively hairless human to the islands, and bloodsucking insects of the tropics rejoice – to them, we’re nothing more than all-you-can-eat blood buffets.

To try to deter these insects from feasting upon us, humans have developed numerous types of repellents. My personal favorite is the coil that is ignited and burns for several seconds before our humidity renders it useless. When they do work, however, the smell is reminiscent of the aroma of the thatch roof of your tiki hut slowly smoldering prior to total combustion.

Our avian friends certainly deserve mention in our guide. Many visitors notice that our birds are somewhat different than the bluebirds of happiness that inhabit most of the continental United States. First, we have our longnecked shore birds like the heron and the egret. These birds are often seen where the highway is close to water, and as such, egrets and herons are responsible for more traffic accidents than any other bird. (“Look Myrtle! An egret is right here on the side of thSCREECHCRASHTINKLE!”)

Pelicans are quite the popular local bird, but they have a downside: They’re shameless beggars. It’s sad to see what once was a proud fishing species being reduced to panhandling for fish scraps at docks. Let’s remember the old saying: Give a bird a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a bird to fish, and he drinks beer like the rest of us.

Other noteworthy local birds include our ospreys, hawks and the occasional eagle. These raptors can catch and keep fish without any regard to

size, weight or slot limits. It can be very frustrating for a fisherman to watch an osprey carry off a prize fish. Yelling at the bird won’t help, and you’ll look like a freakin’ idiot.

On Big Pine Key (and a few other “Lower” Keys), the protected Key deer roam freely. A subspecies of the common whitetail deer, the Key deer have taken advantage of their isolation on our islands to evolve slowly into miniature versions of their former selves. This process is illustrated in the Discovery Channel documentary “Honey, I Shrunk the Herd.” It is illegal to feed them, which is why most of our Keys lawbreakers live on Big Pine Key.

Other endangered and protected species that call the Keys home include the Key Largo Wood Rat, the Key Largo Cotton Mouse, and the Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit. What people would consider pests “back home” are protected here in the Keys. Instead of D-Con, we have the DEP.

Unfortunately, the Keys have fallen victim to “invasive” or “exotic” species – creatures that did not originate here, but have found the Keys to be particularly habitable. Notable offenders include the green iguana, the Burmese python and the extra-large Canadian Speedo-wearing beach creature. Each of these species is threatening local wildlife, or perhaps just the view.

Finally, let’s devote a few words to our friendly neighborhood scorpions. Normally, one would think that scorpions only inhabit desert-like climates. Not so! It seems that damp, humid, moldy piles of debris make the perfect scorpion hangout. Unlike the sandcolored scorpions of the desert, our scorpions are long and black. Many Keys residents say you haven’t lived until you’ve stepped on a scorpion in your bare feet, or had one pop you in the hand when you’re cleaning up that pile of garbage in the backyard.

Well, here we are at the end of the guide, and no mention of land crabs or eastern diamondback rattlesnakes. Another time, perhaps. Sleep well …

— John Bartus is a singer/songwriter and the former mayor of Marathon. Find his music anywhere you download or stream your music. www.johnbartus.com

• johnbartus.hearnow.com

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

JOHN BARTUS

THE ANGLER’S OUTLOOK

MANGROVE MANIA

Mangrove snapper, commonly known as gray snapper, is one of the few species targeted by fishermen here in the Florida Keys year-round, and the bite is about to turn on! Mangrove snapper spawn on local patch reefs in June through August in anywhere from 20 to 90 feet of water. This makes them one of the most sought-after species in the coming months. Not only are they a fun fighting fish, but they taste delicious too.

Don’t stress about the bait. For many species of fish, live bait is a necessity. However, when targeting mangrove snapper, using cut bait is fine. Although a live pilchard, pinfish or ballyhoo is a prime choice of bait, several other types will suffice. Cut ballyhoo, live or dead shrimp, scented imitation bait or artificial lures can also attract mangrove snapper. Soft plastic lures such as DOA or NLBN paddle tails on a lightly weighted jig head offer a thrilling strike when attacked by a snapper.

is the owner and operator of Top Notch Sportfishing in Marathon. His passions include scuba diving and enjoying the natural beauty of the Florida Keys.

Mangrove snapper are found all over the Keys, but begin to congregate on reef patches this time of year. In the winter months, mangrove snapper can be found near bridges, in the bay on grass beds, on wrecks or in channels. Once spring comes and begins raising the water temperature, mangrove snapper begin to move out of Florida Bay and toward the reef on the Atlantic side.

I prefer to use lighter tackle when targeting most species, and mangrove snapper is no exception. My favorite setup is a seven-foot light action rod with a 4500 series spinning reel, spooled with 12-pound monofilament. As always, I use a Bimini twist on the main line to connect my fluorocarbon leader, typically six feet of of 20-pound fluorocarbon. Depending on the current and size of your bait, a weighted jig head of ¼ to ⅜ ounce should get the job done. The goal is to get your bait in the lower portion of the water column where the snapper spend most of their time, but not to continuously snag the bottom. Some anglers prefer to use a knocker rig with a ½-ounce egg sinker and 3/0 to 5/0 circle hook.

When you anchor up at your favorite spot to target mangrove snapper, start out by deploying a chum hoop with a block of chum to put a scent in the water. Remember, we are just putting some scent in the water to get the attention of the fish, not actually shaking the chum bag vigorously as we would do if we were yellowtail snapper fishing. Fish your spot for at least 30 minutes before giving up and moving on, as it may take some time to get bites if the current is slow. When showing up to a popular reef site, remember to be courteous of the anglers and chum slicks that are already there.

Regulations on this snapper vary from state to federal waters, so be mindful of where you are fishing. In state waters, you’re allowed to possess five mangrove snapper with a minimum size limit of 10 inches total length (from the fish’s snout to the tip of the tail). In federal waters, you’re allowed to possess 10 mangrove snapper with a minimum total length of 12 inches. Before leaving the dock, always check for any new updated regulations or closures on the FWC website. I personally don’t keep mangrove snapper under 14 inches, since the girth from a 10-inch to a 14-inch fish is doubled, giving you a more substantial filet for dinner and the smaller fish time to grow.

I wish you the best of luck this summer targeting mangrove snapper, as it is a great way to put some meat in the box while having fun. Bring the kids and grandkids, as the conditions are typically calmer this time of year and you can help the younger generation get hooked on fishing. Tight lines!

CAPT. BILL GILIBERTI

An early-summer migration of mangrove snapper from bay waters to patch reefs in the Atlantic can yield some solid dinners. BILL GILIBERTI/Keys Weekly

To book a trip with Top Notch Sportfishing, call Captain Bill at 732-674-8323.

No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to spotlight our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue. This week’s neighbor is every online shopper’s best friend. Originally born in Cuba, Manuel Torquemada has delivered packages for FedEx for more than three decades. Today, his route takes him throughout Marathon, including the Weekly office. Meanwhile, his wife Dawn operates The Nurse’s Station on Big Pine Key as a family nurse practitioner.

MANUEL TORQUEMADA Courier/Driver, FedEx

How did you come to the Keys? My wife Dawn and I were in Orlando for many years, but she had never been to the Keys. I’d been there because I lived in Miami for many years. I took her here, and she loved it. She goes, “Why don’t we start working in the Keys to plan for our retirement?” So I said, “Yes, let’s do that.” We moved down in early 2020 and bought our house on Summerland Key right in the beginning of COVID.

Finish this sentence: My wife would say I am… great! She always says I’m the best.

If you could have lunch with anyone living or dead, who would it be? My granddad.

What’s the strangest package you ever delivered for FedEx? Drugs. I didn’t know it at the time, but I found out later.

What’s the best piece of advice someone has given you? My dad used to say, “Whatever you do, do it by yourself.” Whatever you do, wrong or good, don’t involve anybody else.

What’s one thing that’s always on a menu, but you never want to try? I don’t eat any type of sweets.

What’s one thing most people never knew about you? That I’m shy. Most people don’t know that, because I’m always reflecting the opposite.

Any brushes with death? There was a big accident in Miami right in front of me. I believe in God, and I felt like I went through the traffic. Everyone around me was totaled, but somehow my car wasn’t even touched. I still have no idea how it happened.

Are there any weird food combinations that you love? Rice and spaghetti with red sauce. One day I mixed it, and I loved it! You should try it.

What’s the worst day for delivery drivers? December 24 and 25, because everyone is trying to order things last minute. We’re supposed to be off the 25th, but we work.

If you could be any character from a TV show or movie, who would it be? Clint Eastwood! That’s the man. I love cowboy movies.

CORNBREAD

2.5-year-old female domestic shorthair. Looking for: I've been looking for a home since 2021.

Turnoffs: Scorpions! I've killed a couple in my time here.

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 special-needs 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.

LUCY

2-month-old female domestic shorthair.

Looking for: Playtime, socializing and lots of love.

Turnoffs: The world is still a little scary, everything is so new.

SUNSHINE

2.5-year-old male domestic shorthair.

Looking for: I love perches and high places.

Turnoffs: When people don't give me a chance to show them how sweet I am.

The Marathon community lost a beloved neighbor and business leader with the passing of Dianne Rhodes on April 20.

Remembering

Dianne Rhodes

Born on Dec. 30, 1946, her life began on the farmlands of Sedalia, Missouri, where she raised her son, Jon Ferguson, and daughter, Lori Harvey. A firm believer that “life is short, so eat your dessert first,” she found that “dessert” in Marathon when she followed her older sister Judy Shaw to the island in 1993.

Starting a cleaning and property management business, she eventually met the late Ernie Rhodes, founder of Rhodes Plumbing, in 1995. While the pair were repairing their hurricane-damaged house in 2006, Ernie was diagnosed with lung cancer. Accelerating their plans to wed in December of that year, the pair were married at Fishermen’s Hospital mere days before Ernie’s passing.

Described as an act of “fate or a higher power” by Lori Harvey, plumber Todd Childress began working for Rhodes Plumbing the week before Ernie’s first doctor’s appointment. Left with Ernie’s business upon his passing, Dianne left her own business to continue Rhodes Plumbing with Childress.

“She just jumped in, and as with everything that my mom did, she figured it out,” said Lori, calling Childress her “brother from another mother” who had a “very special relationship” with Dianne.

“Once in a while, you meet somebody and you don’t know why you’re drawn to each other,” Childress told the Weekly. “She was one of the coolest people I ever met.”

Dianne eventually became “not your typical grandmother” to three granddaughters, one grandson, and three stepgrandchildren. Her accumulation of grandchildren would give her eight great-grandchildren. Childress and his wife Patti, along with their children, Carley and Max, also became family.

In 2013, she would meet Bobby Young, her partner until she passed away. Together, the pair would travel to the Bahamas throughout her final decade on their boat, “Life is Good,” docking at Treasure Cay or Green Turtle Cay and inviting family and friends to visit.

Known for her pride in her appearance, Dianne loved wearing Lilly Pulitzer dresses, a tradition she passed on to her “Lilly Girls” including Harvey and granddaughters Jessica Borraccino, Emily Lehman, Anna Katherine Bruce and Chandler Jones. She also converted her great-granddaughters, Avery Mae Lehman and Isla Borraccino, into Lilly Girls.

“I don’t know if she was ageless, or she was scared of getting old, but we never talked about things like her birthday,” said Harvey. “Before she got sick, she didn’t look 75. She was not your typical grandma. … She had three Corvettes.”

Orchids, palm trees, bromeliads and plants from wherever she could find them made their way to her yard after botanical field trips with Shaw. Her yard became the place where she spent countless cathartic hours planting and tending to her ever-evolving and growing little jungle. She and Captain Bobby spent their early mornings sitting on the back porch with their coffee, watching the birds and listening to the wind chimes.

Famous among family and friends for her ability to do anything she set her mind to, she could “recover an old couch or bring an old dining room table back to life with a little paint and her ingenuity,” said son-in-law Steven Harvey. “She ran a tanning business in Missouri and a plumbing business in Marathon. She went to Fantasy Fest. She rode out several hurricanes, including Irma. (But) with all the things she was and did in her life, she was never presumptuous, and she made loving her easy.”

“She was always a person to say, F it, do whatever makes you happy,” said Childress. “She told you how she felt, and she didn’t pull any punches, whether it was a friend or foe.

“It’s hard to put into words what she meant to me. … She would do anything for anybody, but she’d be the first person to tell you, ‘No, that’s B.S., I’m not doing that.’”

Honoring Ernie Rhodes’ wish that his business would eventually pass to his employees, Dianne gave full ownership of Rhodes Plumbing to Childress.

“Mom said, ‘There would be no Ernest E. Rhodes Plumbing if it wasn’t for Todd,’ and that’s a 150% true statement,” Harvey told the Weekly.

Dianne’s family will celebrate her life at her home in Marathon on July 30. Details will be announced soon for family and friends to attend.

The ‘ageless’ Dianne celebrates her birthday in 2015. CONTRIBUTED

MARK HEDDEN

... is a photographer, writer, and semi-professional birdwatcher. He has lived in Key West for more than 25 years and may no longer be employable in the real world. He is also executive director of the Florida Keys Audubon Society.

There are two ways to look at summertime birdwatching in the Florida Keys. First, there aren’t many birds around, so it’s kind of boring. Second, there aren’t many birds around, so it’s a great time to start birdwatching. A little over 800 species of birds have been recorded in North America. About 350 of those have been seen in the Florida Keys, which is loosely defined as everything from the 18-Mile Stretch down to Key West. (If you define the Florida Keys as Monroe County, then a large chunk of it is the Everglades, a whole different — alligator-filled — ballgame.)

Of those 350 species, about 70 can be seen pretty readily year-round if you spend a bit of time outdoors. Seventy species may seem like a lot, but not if you break them up into smaller, more easily identifiable groups – ducks, gulls, songbirds, chickens, etc.

(Birding in the summer is a great way to get your footing, but it’s best to do it in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat, unless you like the dizzy, de-energized feeling that comes from the relentless noonday sun.)

Herons and egrets —creatures of shallow waters and shorelines — are a great starting point for beginners. We have a lot of them. Also, they’re rather large, easy to find and not too difficult to tell apart. A field guide really helps, but this list should narrow down the possibilities.

Great blue heron

Approximately 4 feet tall, it’s the tallest bird you’ll see in the Keys. It’s got a solid, railroad spike of a bill, and plumage that is primarily a slaty blue, but with a whitish face and a black crown. Their range is all over North America, stretching down through Mexico and Central America. You see them most often standing statue-like on the shore, as if posing for a postage stamp photo, but they’ll occasionally be flying or hunting for fish in the flats.

Great white heron

The great white heron only occurs in the Florida Keys and extreme South Florida. They are officially considered a subspecies of the great blue heron, but that could change, depending on how the folks at the American Ornithological Society define a species. Many people call the great white heron the wordier, more technically correct, “great blue heron, white color morph.” (That’s how it’s listed on most checklists.) But they’re a hometown bird, and I’m rooting for them to be considered their own species again, so I always refer to them as great whites. They are essentially the same size and shape as the great blue, with the same

HERONS & EGRETS IN THE KEYS: A GOOD STARTING POINT

railroad spike bill, but their plumage is all white, as if they’re wearing a fancy tuxedo from the ’80s. It’s difficult to confuse them with any other species … except the…

Great egret

The great egret is also a tall, all-white wading bird that hangs around in similar habitats as the great white heron. It’s about two-thirds the size of a great white, though that’s not a great field mark if they’re not standing next to each other. They also have an overall slimmer build and less hefty bill, all of which doesn’t necessarily inspire confidence if you’re trying to make an ID, especially when you’re first starting out. So here’s the cheat: Great white herons have pale, tannish legs. Great egrets have black legs. They are a pretty cosmopolitan species, found not just in North and South America, but also in all the A continents – Asia, Australia, and Africa.

Snowy egret

Another all-white wading bird, the snowy egret is two-thirds the size of the great egret. They give the impression of a slighter build, and often have a few longer plume feathers hanging off the back of their head like a cowlick.

They’re usually in the company of other snowy egrets, but sometimes are seen solo. They’re denizens of the lower half of North America, the Caribbean and nearly all of South America. Their dark legs and yellow feet, a.k.a. golden slippers, are the easiest way to identify them.

Reddish egret

Reddish egrets come in two flavors (properly called color phases) — the reddish/mauve of their name, and white. There is no in-between. It’s an either/or situation. The mauve ones are easy. The white ones take a little more attention. They are bulkier than snowy egrets – linebackers, compared to running backs. But the adults have two-toned bills, pinkish toward the face, dark toward the outer tip. Also, if you see a bird dancing like a freak in the shallows, it’s a reddish.

Tri-colored heron

I generally clue into tri-colored herons because they’re the skinniest of the herons. Their necks are so long and so thin, I wonder how they can be functional. They actually do have a three-colored plumage when young, though when they mature, it is more like four colors. The biggest clue is their white belly and the heavily contrasting dark breast, neck and wings. I do, on occasion, see a lone tri-color, but over the last few years I’ve seen them in groups of five to 40 birds.

Little blue heron

Little blue herons were named simply as if they’re the small version of the great blue heron, but they have their own thing going on. They’re only 2 feet tall, with a more compact build. From a great distance it’s possible to confuse them with a reddish, but they skew more towards the dark blue end of color spectrum, as opposed to reddish/mauve. And they are smaller. They are white for the first year of their life, and you could confuse them with a whitephase reddish egret, but again it comes down to the legs – little blues have yellow/green legs, and the reddish have dark gray legs. Little blues also undergo an amazing phase: When they transition from juvenile to adult, their plumage is a patchwork of blue and white.

Green heron

The smallest of the herons in Keys, green herons are shapeshifters, looking sometimes like a no-necked bowling pin, and sometimes like a thick-necked, avian relative of the giraffe. It depends on their mood and activity. You generally see them hunting from low branches in the mangroves. But you also see them hunting from dock lines in marinas and other opportunistic perches. Sometimes they’ll actually drop a small twig into the water and wait for a fish to come investigate, only to get snatched up. You have to love a bird that knows how to use tools.

Leslie A. White 1947-2023

BIG PINE’S PUBLIC LIBRARY REOPENS JUNE 10

COUNTY SYSTEM OFFERS WAY MORE THAN BOOKS

Leslie A. White was born on Aug. 10, 1947 in Reading, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Harold B. and Emily W. (Phillips) White.

Mr. White was a graduate of Governor Mifflin High School Class of 1965, Santa Rosa Junior College (AA) 1970, Kutztown University (BS) 1972, Lehigh University (MA) 1974, and Georgetown University.

Mr. White served in the Vietnam war with the U.S. Army Security Agency and later retired from the U.S. Army National Guard with the rank of major. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Pennsylvania Commendation Medal.

Mr. White was a distinguished educator and taught English for 35 years at Muhlenberg High School, where he directed more than 57 spring musicals and annual fall plays. He also advised the high school student council for 25 years. White received the Eisenhower Medal from the Freedoms Foundation for Excellence in Teaching, and also served as an advanced placement consultant for the College Board, where he served for many years as a table leader at its annual reading in English literature. White was also selected as one of only 30 teachers nationwide to participate in a month-long study project at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C. White was an adjunct faculty member of the Reading Area Community College and supervised student teachers for Albright College.

Mr. White's interest in theater led him to participate in many productions of the Reading Civic Theater, where he both acted and directed. Additionally, White served on the theater's board of directors in various positions, including president. White also performed for the Reading Community Players. In retirement he served as a director for Marathon Community Theater in Marathon, Florida.

Mr. White was 75 years old at the time of death. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joanne, and two daughters: Janelle, wife of Robert Wolfe of Morgantown, West Virginia and Allison, wife of Sean Sayer of Marathon. He is also survived by four granddaughters: Arden Wolfe, Sloane Wolfe, Sutton Sayer and Landry Sayer.

The Big Pine Key branch of the Monroe County Public Library has undergone a full refurbishment, with new floors, ceiling, paint, shelves and furniture. The library, at 213 Key Deer Blvd. in the Winn-Dixie Shopping Center, will celebrate its renewal with a ribbon-cutting and celebration planned for Saturday, June 10.

“It is a true pleasure to update and re-invigorate our current library facilities. The library system is a vital resource and gathering place for our community and citizens,” said Kimberly Matthews, senior director of libraries and strategic planning. “Our Lower Keys branch in Big Pine is well used and loved and long overdue for this remodel. We hope the community is pleased with the result.”

The new shelving and furnishings allow for more opportunity and flexibility for library users to connect with the system’s free WiFi and laptop computers that can be borrowed for up to two hours at a time. The refurbishment also allows for more programming in the library.

On Saturday, the newly refurbished branch will host a ribboncutting at 10 a.m., followed by a “book chain,” where volunteers can help return books to the branch’s shelves. There will be two story times for little ones, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and staff will conduct tours throughout the day, showing off the new branch’s amenities and demonstrating the technology library patrons can use.

The Big Pine Key branch was originally opened in 1995 and later expanded. This is its first major refurbishment. The Monroe County Public Library is committed to expanding access for all Keys residents. A brand-new branch opened in Marathon in 2021, and in 2022 the library system installed booklending machines at Bernstein Park on Stock Island and at the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo. The system also has digital resources accessible any time, including more than 30,000 streaming movies and TV shows and almost 20,000 e-books and eaudiobooks.

The newly renovated Big Pine branch of the Monroe County library will host a ribbon-cutting celebration at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 10.

TRUSTS • WILLS POWERS OF ATTORNEY LADYBIRD DEEDS

Whether you are a resident or a snowbird, it is important to have your assets properly titled in a way that will avoid those assets going through probate.

KATHLEEN HENDRICKSON

ATTORNEY AT LAW

MASTERS OF LAW, ESTATE PLANNING 5701 Overseas Hwy • 305 393 2598

FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY

SHARING HISTORICAL NUGGETS

PRESENTATION SPONSORS SOUGHT FOR TALKS WITH UNDERFUNDED GROUPS

My birthday was on June 4, and man, the years are flying by. For the record, every year gets better and better. It is hard to believe that I have been calling the Florida Keys home for 22 years.

It is harder to believe all that has transpired since I decided to move here instead of going back to Sanibel Island after graduating from the University of Miami with my MFA in 2001. Either way, I would still write something every day — though probably nothing about Florida Keys history had I gone back to the west coast.

FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY WITH BRAD BERTELLI

An author, speaker, Florida Keys historian and Honorary Conch. His latest book, “Florida Keys History with Brad Bertelli, Volume 1,” shares fascinating glimpses into the rich and sometimes surprising histories of the Florida Keys.

No matter where I ended up, my goal has always been to one day have my writing habit pay for my living habit. I get closer every year. As the amazing Dolly Parton told country artist Lainey Wilson, “If you are going to be a dreamer, you better be a doer.”

Thankfully, as the beautiful Mrs. Michelle Bertelli will attest, I work and work at the dream, knowing while I will probably never be an Ernest Hemingway, a Carl Hiaasen, or a Tim Dorsey, who now calls the Florida Keys home, every year I become a better Brad Bertelli.

As a boy who grew up with a stutter, it was early on that writing became a safe place to visit. Back in grade school, I was excused from my English class once a week to attend speech therapy. As a teenager, between the stutter, the acne and the braces, I was not much of a social butterfly. By 15 or 16, I started to disappear into the solace and peace writing creates in my world. To this day, and I turned 58 over the weekend, it is when I am writing that the world makes the most sense.

As an independent, self-employed local historian, writing my social media content, column, and books, what I consider my primary job, helps to pay the bills and allows me the freedom to create and share some of the many aspects of history connected to the Florida Keys. Bartending a couple of days every week at the world-famous Robbie’s Marina helps to fill the coffers, too.

While writing has been my love since I was a teenager, I appreciate my ability to share the local history on multiple platforms. I

am lucky to have been invited to appear on local and national television programs to talk mostly about history and, occasionally, my writing and what brought me to the Keys. What has turned out to be a surprising and amazing twist in my story is that, as it turns out, I enjoy standing up in front of groups and talking about history. No one is more surprised than I. I look forward to talking to groups, sharing my knowledge and hoping that I am able to impart some historical nuggets the audience can take with them.

Thankfully, the stutter dissipated in my late teens and early 20s, though it still rears its head from time to time when I get nervous or, oddly enough, when I have to call someone on the telephone. Usually, during a talk, I’ll start stumbling over my words or just stare for one second and then maybe two as I try to find the words I want to use (another great thing about writing is that nobody sees that part).

It is not really stuttering but a stammering search for the right way to share a piece of history without getting all bogged down in a needless array of details that can distract from and not add to what is essentially a short story. Details are important, but only so much information can be comfortably shared during a 45-minute talk. In

that limited amount of time, it is important to share some historical moments, provide visuals like awesome old photographs, and hopefully tell an engaging story.

One of the nice things about my former role as a curator was that part of what I was paid to do was to go out into the public and share my knowledge with any group or school that asked. Being largely self-employed, I no longer have that luxury. Sometimes I am asked to give a talk, and there is no budget to cover my speaking fee. For example, recently, the Big Pine Garden Club asked if I was available to give a talk to their members. Unfortunately, their group was decimated by Hurricane Irma, and they do not have the resources.

So, I am going to put something out there and see what happens when it shows up in print. You can leave it there, pick it up, or ignore it altogether. I just want to put it out there and see what happens. If there is an individual, group or business that would be interested in sponsoring history talks for under-funded groups like the Big Pine Garden Club, schools, and others who do not have the resources, please reach out to me via email, text, or phone so we can work together.

Brad Bertelli is a former curator at the Keys History & Discovery Center in Islamorada. His knowledge of Florida Keys history is shared not only in the Keys Weekly, but also the Florida Keys History with Brad Bertelli Facebook page. CONTRIBUTED

‘BRAIN BUS’ VISITS KEYS

BRIEFLY

Murder suspect in Grassy Key death arrested in Oklahoma

Jeremiah Judson Johnson, 42, of Marathon, was booked into the jail on Stock Island on the evening of June 2 following his April arrest in Tulsa, Oklahoma for his alleged role in the drug-related death of 42-year-old Brandon Marr of Grassy Key, according to Monroe County Sheriff’s Office records. Co-defendant Ronald Meyers III was arrested in February 2023. Both have been charged with murder.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION PROVIDES FREE SUPPORT SERVICES

This month, the Alzheimer’s Association “Brain Bus” will make several stops in the Florida Keys to provide free support services to families facing this disease.

Currently, more than 11% of Monroe County residents age 65 and up are living with Alzheimer’s. Trained staff will be available at the bus to help families understand steps to get an accurate diagnosis, warning signs, caregiving tips and connect to local resources. No appointment is needed.

As part of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June, the Brain Bus will host free programs at each stop to share information on how to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementia. Research shows making changes in what you eat, your activity levels and how you engage your brain all affect risk for the disease.

Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. The number of Floridians living with Alzheimer’s is projected to increase to 720,000 by 2025, a 24% increase since 2020.

“Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging,” said Joe Baledelomar, Brain Bus program manager. “It’s vital that all Floridians know the warning signs of the disease so they can get an accurate diagnosis and access to treatment options as soon as possible. We are here to serve the community and hope those who need help stop by.”

Unique to Florida, the Brain Bus program is managed by the Alzheim-

Brain Bus schedule

• Friday, June 9: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Key Largo Branch Library, 101485 Overseas Highway, Key Largo. Healthy living program at 11 a.m.

• Saturday, June 10 at 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at East Winds Apartments, 240 Sombrero Beach, Marathon. Healthy living program at 12 p.m.

• Monday, June 12: 6 to 9 p.m. at Bernstein Park, 6751 5th Street, Stock Island. Healthy living program at 7 p.m.

• Tuesday, June 13: 1 to 4 p.m. at Bahama Village, 111 Olivia Street, Key West. Healthy living program at 2 p.m.

er’s Association Florida chapters and funded in partnership with the Department of Elder Affairs and Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas. Two vehicles travel the state providing dementia education and resources to at-risk and heavily impacted communities.

The Alzheimer’s Association

Southeast Florida Chapter works in eight counties to provide education and support, advocate for the needs and rights of those facing Alzheimer’s and other dementia and advance critical research to develop new treatments, prevention and a cure.

For more information, including upcoming programs and support groups, call 800-272-3900 or visit alz. org/SEFL.

The Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene of an overdose death on Grassy Key in February 2022 where Marr was discovered at a friend’s apartment. His death was allegedly caused by a combination of alcohol and cocaine use. Sheriff’s Office personnel worked with members of the State Attorney’s Office and discovered Marr had contacted Meyers several times to purchase cocaine in the hours before his death.

Meyers was unable to facilitate the transaction but allegedly made arrangements for Johnson to sell Marr the cocaine on his behalf. Detectives executed a search warrant at the suspects’ residence and obtained evidence of that communication between Meyers and Johnson. Police say Meyers and Johnson also removed evidence from their residence upon learning Marr died.

USF oceanography lab says sargassum declined in May

Continued tracking of sargassum movement by the University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab indicates an unexpected 15% decline in the quantity of sargassum in the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (extending from west Africa to the Gulf of Mexico) during May, compared to April, scientists reported. For the Florida Keys and east coast of Florida, USF scientists wrote in their latest online bulletin that sargassum quantity is likely to decrease in June. Scientists cannot explain the decrease and say further investigation is necessary. Looking ahead, because of the unexpected sharp decreases in the eastern Atlantic and the relatively stable amount elsewhere, it is difficult to predict whether levels of sargassum in individual regions will increase or decrease, although the quantity will still remain relatively high compared to historical values, scientists reported.

Tax collector offers specialty plates, pre-sale vouchers online Tax Collector Sam Steele recently announced that Monroe County residents now can order Florida specialty license plates and pre-sale vouchers at

www.MonroeTaxCollector.com. Previously, residents were required to visit a Monroe County Tax Collector’s office to purchase a specialty plate or voucher. They could also place an order online with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

When a specialty license plate is authorized by Florida Statutes, the requesting organization must sell 3,000 vouchers within 24 months before the plate is manufactured. The customer will receive a pre-sale specialty license plate voucher receipt. If the organization meets the 3,000 pre-sale voucher requirement at or before the end of the 24-month period, the specialty license plate will be manufactured and made available for sale. Revenue generated by the sale of Florida specialty license plates provides millions of dollars each year toward special causes and organizations. Currently, residents can select from over 100 specialty license plates and 36 pre-sale vouchers available at https://county-taxes.net/ fl-monroe.

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 here to see the schedule and get involved.

Marathon youth soccer registration is now open

Registration is open for the Marathon Youth Club’s 2023 fall season of youth soccer. Children ages 5 to 12 may register to play.

The registration fee is $75 per child, with a $20 discount when registering additional siblings, plus a $3 transaction service fee. Registration is open through Friday, June 30, with a $15 late fee assessed after June 18. Children ages 7 and up must attend an evaluation at the Marathon Community Park soccer fields on Friday, July 7 or Monday, July 17. The season will run from the week of Aug. 14 through Oct. 20 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Register at MYC’s online registration link: https://leagues.bluesombrero.com/marathonyouthclub. For more information, follow “Marathon Youth Sports” on Facebook or email MarathonYouthClub305@gmail. com.

Rob Harris, Brain Bus driver and program manager for the Alzheimer’s Association, stands outside the bus during a stop in Key Largo in June 2022. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly File Photo

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing O ce will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

NOTICE OF CALLING FOR BID OF SURPLUS PROPERTY MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Wheatons Towing gives notice that on 06/30/2023 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.

1GYEC63T84R286617 2004 CADI

Publish:

June 8 & 15, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Wheatons Towing gives notice that on 07/07/2023 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

1FTVF14585NA05196 2005 FORD

Publish:

June 8 & 15, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

For information or to schedule a viewing of these units & equipment listed above, please contact Joe Zoppy at 305-393-5476

LEGAL NOTICES

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District I Advisory Committee (DAC I) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 3:00 P.M., at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Grand Key, 3990 South Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL 33040.

All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30

A.M. – 5:00 P.M., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish:

June 8, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICES

Commissioners may be in attendance.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30

A.M. – 5:00 P.M., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish:

June 8, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District V Advisory Committee (DAC V) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 10:00 A.M., at the Murray Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037. All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

WITHIN THE ABUTTING RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION MAY BE DENIED ENTRY TO AND REASONABLE USE OF THE OPEN SPACE; PROVDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The proposed Ordinance may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by viewing the agenda packet for the June 21, 2023 meeting, which will be posted beginning on June 13, 2023, at: http:// monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/ citizens/default.aspx. The proposed Ordinance may also be viewed at the Monroe County Attorney’s Office, 1111 12th Street, Suite 408, Key West, FL 33040.

The public can participate in the June 21, 2023 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, FL, by attending in person or via Zoom. The Zoom link can be found on the agenda at: http:// monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/ citizens/default.aspx.

Pursuant to F.S. 50.0211(3)(a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. oridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from DemandStar at: www.demandstar.com or www.monroecounty-fl.gov/bids. The Public Record is available upon request.

The Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids electronically. Please do not mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Mailed/physically delivered bids/ proposals/responses WILL NOT be accepted.

The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via email to:

OMB-BIDS@monroecounty-fl.gov, no later than 3:00 P.M., on July 11, 2023. Please submit your confidential financial information in a SEPARATE EMAIL from your bid and required documents. Your subject line on both emails must read as follows:

NOTICE OF CALLING FOR BID OF SURPLUS PROPERTY 07112023

Files that do not contain this subject line WILL BE REJECTED. Please note that the maximum le size that will be accepted by email is 25MB. Please plan accordingly to ensure that your bid is not rejected due to file size. Should your bid documents exceed 25MB, in advance of the bid opening, please email: omb-purchasing@monroecounty-fl.gov so accommodations for delivery of your bid can be made prior to the bid opening. Please be advised that it is the bidder’s sole responsibility to ensure delivery of their bid and waiting until the bid opening to address or con rm your bid submission delivery will result in your bid being rejected.

The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on July 11, 2023. You may call in by phone or internet using the following:

JOIN ZOOM MEETING

https://mcbocc.zoom.us/j/4509326156

Meeting ID: 4509326156

One tap mobile: +16465189805,,4509326156# US (New York)

+16699006833,,4509326156# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 (New York) + 1 669 900 6833 (San Jose)

Publish: June 8, 2023. The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: BEST LIEN SERVICES INC. LOCATED AT: 7290 SW 41 ST MIAMI, FL 33155 WILL SELL AT A RESERVED PUBLIC SALE AT 9:00 AM THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES TO SATISFY LIEN PURSUANT TO CHAPTERS 713.585/713.78/67 7.209/677.210/328.17 OF THE FLORIDA STATUES.

1996 VYPER VS CAJW00013096 DATEOFSALE: JUN. 27,2023 LOCATED AT: 97951 OVERSEAS HWY KEYLARGO,FL33037

P#305-852-2025

OWNER/LIEN HOLDER:RONALD SHARLETTE/NONE OWNER/LIENHOLDER MAY RECOVER VEHICLE PURSUANT TO THE ABOVE MENTIONED CHAPTERS OF THE F.S. ANY PERSON(S) CLAIMING ANY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE VEHICLES/VESSELS SHOULD CONTACT BEST LIEN SERVICES (1-866-299-9391) AT LEAST 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THE LIEN SALE.

Publish:

June 8, 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

Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday, Jun 15, 2023 04:00 PM

Eastern Time

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 895 5165 6978

Passcode: 092944

Art in Public Places Committee

Meeting

Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023 12:00 PM

Eastern Time

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 838 2776 2931

Passcode: 650148

Publish:

June 8, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

The District II Advisory Committee (DAC II) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 6:00 P.M., at the Tennessee Williams Theatre, 5901 College Road, Key West, FL 33040.

All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30

A.M. – 5:00 P.M., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish:

June 8, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District III Advisory Committee (DAC III) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 9:30 A.M., at the Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club, 1996 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050.

All District Advisory Committee

Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30

A.M. – 5:00 P.M., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish:

June 8, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District IV Advisory Committee (DAC IV) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 2:00 P.M., at the Islander Resort, 82100 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036. All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30

A.M. – 5:00 P.M., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish:

June 8, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, that on June 21, 2023, at 9:00 A.M., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at the Murray E. Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, intends to consider the adoption of the following Ordinance: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA AMENDING PARAGRAPH (B) OF SECTION 19-1 OF THE MONROE COUNTY CODE TO INSERT A SUBPARAGRAPH (4) WHICH CREATES AN EXCEPTION TO THE PROHIBITION AGAINST THE BOARD ABANDONING PLATTED RIGHTS-OF-WAY THAT TERMINATE ON A BODY OF OPEN WATER, PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC TO LAND ON OPEN WATER; OR PRECLUDES A WAY FOR THE PUBLIC TO MAINTAIN ACCESS TO THE WATER WHERE THE RIGHT-OF -WAY IS A RECORDED RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION PLAT AND THE ABUTTING FEE OWNERS AGREE TO DEDICATE THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AS OPEN SPACE FOR USE AND ENJOYMENT WITHIN THE RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION; THE ABUTTING FEE OWNERS CONVEY THEIR REVERSIONARY INTERESTS TO A HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION MADE UP OF AT LEAST 75% OF OWNERS IN AN ABUTTING RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION; IF THE HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION AND IN GOOD STANDING UNDER CHAPTER 617 AND SATISIFIES THE DEFINITION OF “HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCATION” IN F.S. 720.301(9) WITH THE POWER TO LEVY AND COLLECT ASSESSMENTS FOR ROUTINE AND PERIODIC MAJOR MAINTENANCE; THE HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE RIGHTOF-WAY AS OPEN SPACE; AND PROVIDED THAT NO OWNER

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305)2924441, between the hours of 8:30A.M. --- 5:00P.M., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”. Live Closed-Captioning is available via our web portal at: http://monroecountyfl,iqm2. com/citizens/default.aspx for meetings of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. Dated at Key West, Florida, this 1st day of June, 2023.

KEVIN MADOK, CPA, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Ex Officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida Publish:

June 8, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

LEGAL NOTICE

Pursuant to the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), the South Florida Local Emergency Planning Committee (SoFlaLEPC) announces the availability of the following information: Hazardous Chemical Inventory (Tier2) Forms, Hazards Analyses for Facilities with Extremely Hazardous Substances, SoFlaLEPC Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan, How-to-Comply Information for Hazardous Materials Users, and other public education materials. The SoFlaLEPC serves Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe Counties. To obtain information, please contact the SoFlaLEPC Coordinator at (954)924-3653. Publish:

June 8, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Florida Department of Corrections intends to enter in a contract for the lease of office space at 88005 Overseas Highway, Tavernier (Islamorada), FL. This location will house a Department's Probation & Parole Office and will supervise high-risk offenders. The new lease set to commence July 1, 2023. Questions or concerns regarding the proposed lease may be directed to the Department of Corrections' representative as noted herein.

Fran Rowls, Leasing Manager Office of Community Corrections

501 S. Calhoun Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-2500

Telephone: (850) 717-3697

Fran.Rowls@fdc.myflorida.com

This public Notice has been placed in accordance with Section 945.28, F.S.

Publish:

June 8, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO CASE NUMBER: 37-2022-00027673-CU-BC-CTL SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL)

NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): ROBERT MICK, AN INDIVIDUAL YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (LO ESTA DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): VAN DYKE & ASSOCIATES, A PROFESSIONAL LAW CORPORATION

NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courtinfo. ca.gov/se!fhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you

may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia. org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court's lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case.

AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 dfas, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su version. Lea la inforrnacion a continuacion.

Tiene 30 DIAS DE CALENDARIO despues de que le entreguen esta citacion y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefonica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y mas inforrnacion en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte. ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida al secretario de la corte que le de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente.

Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remision a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifomia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www. sucorte.ca.gov) o poniendose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales.

AVISO: Par ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperacion de $10,000 o mas de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesion de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.

The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y direccion de la corte es): 330 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101

The name, address and telephone number of the plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es):

Richard S. Van Dyke, Esq., Van Dyke & Associates, APLC, 451 A Street, Suite 600, San Diego, CA 92101, (619) 344-0977

Dated July 15, 2022

By: Gabriel Lopez, Deputy Clerk

Publish:

June 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

E ective June 27th, 2023, HCA Healthcare’s Miami International Cardiology OFFICE PRACTICE, located at 100460 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037 will be closing.

E ective June 27th, 2023, Dr. Bruce Boros will no longer be a liated with HCA Miami International Cardiology-Key Largo, located at 100460 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037.

Our Mercy cardiology practice is open for your patient care needs. The practice is located at 3683 South Miami Avenue, Suite 500, Miami, FL 33133. Please call the Mercy o ce at (305) 285-5666 to schedule an appointment. You may also contact your insurance carrier or primary care physician for a list of behavioral health providers in the area.

Your o ce medical records will be maintained at 3801 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33137. To obtain your o ce medical records, please feel free to call 305-571-0620.

Publish:

May 25, June 1, 8 & 15, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF DEFAULT AND INTENT TO FORECLOSE

To: The following Owners of Timeshare Units at the Marathon Key Beach Club, to wit:

1. Sioux Shelton, 1712 Rio Vista, Ft. Pierce, FL 34949, Wk 47/E202, Due $2,070.07

2. Charles Khoury, 7343 Brisbane Hills St., Las Vegas, NV, Wk 46 and 47/B-201, Due $3,918.26

3. John & Kimberly Chandler, 2501 Snow Creek Lane, Charlotte, NC 28273, Wk 45/E102, Due $2,756.98

4. Jacqueline Mandica Lurch, P.O. Box 102, Allenwood, NJ 08720, Wk 37/C-102, Due $3,466.33

5. Dario Morell, 13405 SW First Terrace, Miami, FL 33184, Wk 40/E-101, Due $2,318.94

6. Charles & Joanne Nimmericher, 25706 Countryside Dr., Millsboro, ND 19966, Wk 28/A102, Due $3,053.44

7. Pamela Reznik, 6630 Scott St., Hollywood, FL 33024, Wk 28/D102, Due $3118.38

8. Jack & Emily Taylor, 2230 Cady Way, Winter Park, FL 32792, Wk 47/C-101, Due $5,372.79

9. Douglas & Laura Merrill, 40 Main St., Hampton, NJ 07827, Wk 17/A-102, Due $13, 081.76

10. Estate of Violet Sibert, 132855 Third Avenue East, Owen Sound, Ontario N4K 2K6, Wk

7/C-102, Due $3,484.92

11. Estate of Linda Nascarella, 13337 Lamirada Circle, West Palm Beach, FL 33414, Wk 41/D101, Due $2,318.70

12. Estate of Ronald Little, 17030 No. 49th St., Apt. 1026, Scottsdale, AZ 85254, Wk 15/D101, Due $3,474.92

13. Tony & Heather Sanders, 806 Eagle Lane, Apollo Beach, FL 33572, Wk 30/D-201, Due $5,610.39

14. Robert Fine C/O Mathew & Michael Fine, 1408 Brickell Bay Dr. #701, Miami, FL 33131, Wk 34/D-102, Due $7,168.31

15. Earl & Ernestine Johnson, 301 Bloomingfield Dr., Brandon, FL 33511, Wk37/D-202, Due $4,349.76

16. Joseph McCarrie, 2 Teaberry Dr., Medford, NJ 08055, Wk 15/B101, Due $12,664.49

17. Harold & Greta Wahlman, 215 Cypress Way East, #E-2, Naples, FL 34110, Wk20/B-102, Due $4,439.46

18. Morris & Linda Morley, 10450 S.W. 149th Terrace, Miami, FL 33176, Wk 27/E-102, Due 5,681.82

19. Estate of Jerry & Sarah Hagler, 5341 S.E. Bumingtree Circle, Stuart, FL 34997, Wk 40 and 41/B-101, Due $3,982.87

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action to foreclose on a lien for delinquent assessments on the week(s) of interval ownership you own at the Marathon Key Beach Club Condominium II, according to the Declaration of Condominium, recorded in Official Records Book 859, at Page 786, in the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and as subsequently may have been emended, has been filed against you and you are required to redeem your timeshare interest by paying the amounts secured by the lien, as set forth above, in cash or certified funds, together with interest thereon at the rate of 18%, remitted to Margaret A. Broz, Esq., the foreclosure trustee duly appointed by the Condominium Association, whose address is 434 Chatham U, West Palm Beach, FL 33417, or or before June 27, 2023; if you fail to do so, the above-named foreclosure trustee will proceed to conduct a sale of your week(s) of interval ownership pursuant to the provisions of F.S. 781.855 and to issue a Certificate of Sale to the highest bidder at such sale.

Margaret A. Broz, Esq.

FBN 712507

434 Chatham U West Palm Beach, FL 33417

Phone: 561-312-3263

peggy_broz@yahoo.com

Publish:

LEGAL NOTICES

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-29-M

DIVISION: MARATHON

IN RE: ESTATE OF CAROLE DIANNE RHODES A/K/A C. DIANNE RHODES

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of CAROLE DIANNE RHODES A/K/A C. DIANNE RHODES, deceased, whose date of death was April 20, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representatives and the personal representatives’ 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: June 8, 2023.

Personal Representatives:

Lori LeAnn Ferguson-Harvey 147 NW 466 P Road

Clinton, Missouri 64735

Jon Robert Ferguson 31734 133rd Trail Road Nelson, Missouri 65347

Attorney for Personal

Representatives:

Robert K. Miller, Esq.

Attorney

Florida Bar Number: 359173

Cunningham Miller Rhyne PA 10075 Overseas Hwy PO Box 500938

Marathon, FL 33050

Telephone: (305) 743-9428

Fax: (305) 743-8800

E-Mail: service@floridakeyslaw. com

Secondary E-Mail: rmiller@ floridakeyslaw.com

Publish:

June 8 & 15, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

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

PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2023-CP-65-P IN RE: ESTATE OF MICHAEL LANSING GAYLORD Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of MICHAEL LANSING GAYLORD, deceased, whose date of death was December 3, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, FL 33070. 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 SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD 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: June 8, 2023.

Personal Representative: PAUL ASHLEY GAYLORD CMR 460 Box 441 APO, AE 09752

Attorney for Personal Representatives: URBAN J. W. PATTERSON, ESQ. Email: ujwplaw@gmail.com

Secondary Email: ujwplawfirm@ yahoo.com Florida Bar No. 382035 Urban J. W. Patterson, P.A. P.O. Box 783 Islamorada, Florida 33036

Telephone: 305-664-5065

Publish: June 8 & 15, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

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

PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2023-CP-60-P IN RE: ESTATE OF CHRISTOPHER CHARLES UHLAND Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of CHRISTOPHER CHARLES UHLAND, deceased, whose date of death was January 25, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, FL 33070. 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 SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD 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: June 8, 2023.

Personal Representative:

SUSAN L. MILLER 138 Mockingbird Rd.

Tavernier, FL 33070

Attorney for Personal Representatives:

URBAN J. W. PATTERSON, ESQ.

Email: ujwplaw@gmail.com

Secondary Email: ujwplawfirm@ yahoo.com

Florida Bar No. 382035

Urban J. W. Patterson, P.A.

P.O. Box 783

Islamorada, Florida 33036

Telephone: 305-664-5065

Publish: June 8 & 15, 2023 The Weekly

CIRCUIT

FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 2022-CP-000045-M

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JOANN ROSE BEETSCHEN, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the Estate of JOANN ROSE BEETSCHEN, deceased, whose date of death was December 05, 2021, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, File No.: 2022-CP000045-M, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative(s) and the personal representatives’ attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this Court WITHIN

THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE 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 the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served 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 June 1, 2023.

Co-Personal Representatives:

Eileen Cronin

Theresa McCormick Estate of Joann Rose Beetschen c/o Cynthia F. Civil, Esq. CYNTHIA F. CIVIL, P.A. 5196 Overseas Highway Marathon, Florida 33050 (305) 743-5884 cfc@ccivillaw.com

Attorney for Co-Personal

Representatives: CYNTHIA F. CIVIL, ESQ. Florida Bar No.: 0082988 CYNTHIA F. CIVIL, P.A. 5196 Overseas Highway Marathon, Florida 33050 305-743-5884 Email: cfc@ccivillaw.com Publish: June 1 & 8, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

AUTOS WAMTED EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT

AUTOS ALL YEARS!

Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks. Runs or Not.

$CASH 305-332-0483

BOAT SLIP FOR RENT

Boat Dockage for rent in Marathon. Private bay bottom, up to 40' boat, self containing, offshore water, car & dingy parking provided. 305-928-9057

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT

Debs Dream Canvas in Tavernier now hiring. Pulling staples & help making patterns. Call 305-394-3747

City of Marathon Current Job Openings: Right of Way Technician. Full Benefits. EOE Please see City website for details www.ci.marathon.fl.us

Groundskeeper/ Maintenance person, KCB, Sea Isle Condominium, 20 - 40 hrs. per week, $24 per hr., apply by e-mail to HardingThomasL@ aol.com, text or call 734-476-0531.

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

AUTO DIESEL VEHICLE TECHNICIAN

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on quali cations and experience: $28.53/hr. - $31.95/hr.

For more information, including job duties and required quali cations, 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 lled.

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

TREE TRIMMER

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on quali cations and experience: $26.29/hr. - $29.45/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.

Coast to Coast Pizza Company in Marathon is looking for front of the house cashier, part time. Will train, but should be outgoing with leadership traits and wellorganized, self-motivated, with a passion for customer service. Salary commensurate with experience and includes tips and 401k. Please call Nicole at 305-4330515, or email nicole@ themoongroupfl.com.

Food for Thought in Marathon is hiring! FT and PT positions available, customer service, retail and kitchen prep. Healthy lifestyle and good sense of humor preferred. Call (305) 743-3297

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

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

SUBSTATION ELECTRICIAN

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on quali cations and experience: $40.35/hr. - $45.19/hr. For more information, including job duties and required quali cations, 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 lled.

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

TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION

T&D ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $108,332/annually$111,365/annually

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, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Engineering Department:

APPRENTICE AUTO MECHANIC

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on quali cations and experience: $23.73/hr. - $26.57/hr.

For more information, including job duties and required quali cations, 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 lled.

E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

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

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

Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder is hiring an overnight Security Guardresponsibilities include but are not limited to observing marine mammals to ensure quality care, the ability to follow written instructions, and follow protocol and procedures as directed. Candidates must be able to lift 50

MAINTENANCE POSITION WITH BUSY NONPROFIT

FT with benefits. Long-term position w/room for growth. Valid DL required.

Must have maintenance or related experience, computer skills and relate well with people. Very physical position, heavy lifting, heat, etc. Drug-free workplace, EOE. Please send resume and cover letter to sholt@fkoc.org. No phone calls.

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE

We are now hiring for the following positions: Diesel Mechanic

lbs and must be able to stay awake and alert for a 13 hour shift (6:00pm7am). DPMMR is a drugfree workplace. To apply, please send your resume to nancyc@dpmmr.org.

Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder now hiring Guest Service Representativeresponsibilities include assisting guests at our Key Largo and Islamorada locations, making reservations and/or answering questions over phone and in-person, taking and processing photos, and checking-in and out guests visiting our facility. To apply, please send your resume to andreaw@dpmmr.org.

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Cook, Maintenance Administrative Assistant (bilingual preferred) Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker), Med Tech (caregiver), and Grounds Caretaker. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: martinezm@kwha.org or 305-296-5621 Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 or online at www. kwha.org - EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.

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

Applicants must apply in person to be considered. 4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

Place your Employment Ad here for $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

Also, hiring for summer CASHIER/ICE CREAM SCOOPER positions. Great hourly pay plus tips. Ideal job for high schooler or intern! High School Scholarships available.

HOBBIES &

COLLECTIBLES

PRIVATE COLLECTOR

WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call 305-743-4578

HOUSING FOR RENT

2 Bedroom 1 Bath in Marathon. Tile, carpet, appliances, gated property. No pets. $2400/ mo. 305-610-8002

LOT FOR SALE

Oceanside-Lot with building permit in Tavernier $399K OBO 305-933-9594 OwnerAgent [3% to selling office]

RV LOT FOR RENT

RV Site for rent in Marathon. Up to 35', private gated property. $1,500/mo + utilities. Dockage wavailable - inquire for price. 305-610-8002 up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

SERVICES OFFERED

Registered Nurse available to help with your home health care needs. In-home care assistance is also available. Local references. 305-5870892. Please call and leave message or text.

YARD SALES

Place your YARD SALE Ad here for $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

IS HIRING!

Paradise Watersports Rentals in Marathon is looking to hire reliable, friendly employees for a new location. Pay will be commensurate with experience and we are willing to train quali ed applicants. The only requirement for employment beyond being reliable and friendly, is that you must be willing and able to operate boats and personal watercraft.

If interested in either management or sta positions, please email Je Vastola at Je V@paradisewatersportsrentals.com to schedule a live interview in Marathon on June 14th.

DUI EVALUATOR/ INSTRUCTOR

The Advocate DUI Program is hiring for part time positions. DUI instructors and evaluators - 2 days a week, Bachelors or Masters degree in substance abuse eld required. Bilingual preferred, not required. Of ce located in Marathon. Contact Marcia at 305-704-0117.

NOW HIRING

LAWN MAINTENANCE (PART-TIME)

Please contact April at 305.407.3262 or april@floridakeysaquariumencounters.com for more information.

11710 OVERSEAS HWY, MARATHON

NOW HIRING

BOAT RENTAL STAFF

FLEXIBLE HOURS & COMPETITIVE WAGES

Need to have experience driving boats and a working knowledge of the Islamorada area by water. Duties include taking reservations, giving captains lessons and routine boat maintenance.

Email Ma at eliteboatrentalsma @gmail.com. Please include contact information and any relevant experience.

This position is available at our Adult Day program. This position provides direct care service and support to our clients in the day program. This position requires the minimum of high school completion or GED. English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must.

FL Driver’s license w/clean driving record, pre-employment training online and in person. Ability to pass a Level II background screening and references. EOE. Apply at the MARC office, 1401 Seminary Street, Key West – or online at www.marchouse.org. For more information, please contact hr@marchouse.org, phone: 305-294-9526 *32

IS HIRING!

PLANT STORE MANAGER TRAINEE

MARC is looking for a 40-hr/wk. Manager Trainee Good social/business skills, above average computer skills required (knowledge of POS a plus). Knowledge of tropical plants helpful. Requires a lot of manual labor and must be able to lift at least 50 pounds. FL driver’s license w/good driving record, references and background screening required. EOE

Apply at the MARC office, 1401 Seminary Street, Key West – or online at www.marchouse.org. For more information, please contact hr@marchouse.org, phone: 305-294-9526 *32

IS HIRING!

DIRECT CARE STAFF 

GROUP

HOMES

24/7 FT/PT

MARC is looking for Direct Care Staff – Group Homes 24/7 (FT/PT). Position requires a minimum of high school completion and 1 yr. exp. or 1 yr. college. English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must. FL driver’s license w/good driving record, references and background screening required. EOE

Apply at the MARC office, 1401 Seminary Street, Key West – or online at www.marchouse.org. For more information, please contact hr@marchouse.org, phone: 305-294-9526 *32

•

•

•

•

•

HIRING

• FULL TIME PROJECT MANAGER

• CARPENTERS & LABORERS

• EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

• ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Must have valid Driver’s License & Transportation

Location: Upper Keys

Send resume to: admin@cbtconstruct.com Or call: 305-852-3002

EXPERIENCED ELECTRICIANS AND HELPERS NEEDED

Experience is required. Must have a valid driver’s license. We offer 401K, medical insurance, paid holidays and paid vacation. Positions available in Key West and Marathon. 305-292-3369

OPENINGS AVAILABLE

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- Environmental Tech, $5,000 Sign-on Bonus*

- Line Cook

- Medical Technologist, $15,000 Sign-on Bonus*

- Multi-Modality Imag Tech, $9,000 Sign-on Bonus*

- Patient Experience Advocate

- Pool Physical Therapist

- Registered Nurse, up to $25,000 Sign-on Bonus*

- Registered Respiratory Therapist, up to $15,000 Sign-on Bonus*

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S

COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- Cook, $5,000 Sign-on Bonus*

- Emergency Dept Team Coordinator

- Environmental Tech, $5,000 Sign-on Bonus*

- Lead Med Technologist, $15,000 Sign-on Bonus*

- Medical Technologist, $15,000 Sign-on Bonus*

- Multi-Modality Imag Tech, $9,000 Sign-on Bonus*

- Nurse Manager, Emergency Dept, $20,000 Sign-on Bonus*

- Nurse Practitioner

- Patient Experience Advocate

- Pool Physical Therapist

- Registered Nurse, up to $25,000 Sign-on Bonus*

- Sanitation Technician

- Security Of cer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

* Sign-on bonuses are available only for select full-time positions based on candidate experience.

APPLY AND LEARN MORE careers.baptisthealth.net or call 786-243-8507

Oceanside Safari Restaurant & Lounge in Islamorada is NOW OPEN and serving lunch and dinner 7 days a week.

Open interviews Monday – Friday from 11am to 4pm at Oceanside Safari. Located at MM 73.5 right on the ocean at Caloosa Cove Marina, 73814 Overseas Highway, Islamorada.

NOW HIRING FOH: HOSTS, SERVERS & BARTENDERS

Great pay, bene ts and perks. We o er a stable 40 hrs-per-week to our hourly employees, and more hours if you want! Part-time positions available if you are looking for a second job, or after-school job.

We have re-opened as a brand-new full-service restaurant & bar, with a full kitchen with all brand new equipment, a beautiful bar, indoor and outdoor seating, and a beachfront lounge on our own private beach. COME JOIN US!

**We are an Equal Opportunity Employer**

Oceanside Safari Restaurant & Lounge, 786-626-6124 73814 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER IS HIRING

Visual Communications (Full-Time/Part-Time, Seasonal)

Volunteer Resources

Administrative Assistant (Full-Time, Permanent)

Media & Marketing Staff Member (Full-Time, Permanent)

Human Resources Assistant (Part-Time, Permanent)

Guest Services Staff (Full-Time/Part-Time, Temporary/Permanent)

Accounting Director (Full-Time, Permanent)

Trainer (Full-Time/Permanent)

Benefits include medical, life & disability insurance, 401(k) plan, paid vacation, sick time & holidays

Full job descriptions available at www dolphins org/career opportunities

Email cover letter, DRC application & resume to drc-hr@dolphins org EOE

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL Teaching... Learning... Caring

NOW HIRING FT FRONT OFFICE ASSISTANT MARATHON, FL

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

IS HIRING!

GCC offers excellent benefits for full-time employment, but we realize some would prefer part-time to enjoy the Florida Keys lifestyle more. All positions can be considered for full or part-time unless notated. Apply at westcare.com and enter your availability.

KEY LARGO

Behavioral Health Counselor (Children)

Crisis Counselor

KEY WEST

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child, Adult)

Behavioral Health Counselor (Children)

Crisis Counselor

Case Managers (Adult, Forensic, Children)

*Advocate (PT only)

Substance Abuse Counselor

Peer Support Specialist

MARATHON

Prevention Specialist (or KW)

Care Coordinator

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child, Adult)

RNs - 3 shifts (also Per Diem)

Maintenance Specialist

*Behavioral Health Technicians 3 shifts (also Per Diem)

*Support Worker – Assisted Living

*No experience required for these positions. Will train. A caring heart & helpful hands required.

Duties to include invoice and inventory entry, booking airline shipments, creating and filing paperwork for international shipments, scheduling inspections needed for international shipments, customer communication and tracking, creating and maintaining customer accounts and some customer service. Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel. This position requires high attention to detail and the ability to multitask. Compensation will be dependent on experience.

Benefits package including vacation, sick days, holidays and 401K PSP retirement plan. Please send cover letter and resume to sales@dynastymarine.net for consideration. No phone calls please. dynastymarine.net

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER IS HIRING

Dolphin Research Center has Full-Time/Part-Time, Permanent/Temporary Gift Shop positions that involve direct contact with our visitors & is another opportunity to ensure they leave DRC with a happy & positive experience. Some of the duties involve; being familiar with all merchandise in the selling area, suggest specific merchandise & offer product advise. Walk around the grounds and see dolphins every day.

Job description available at www.dolphins.org. E-mail your resume and a DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org. EOE 58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL Teaching... Learning... Caring

A locals favorite, Bongos is an oasis of tropical fruit trees and herb gardens. Offering over 20 craft beers on tap, signature craft cocktails, and delicious light and local fare highlighting many of our “Grassy Grown” organic fruits, herbs, and fresh local Keez Beez honey.

Banquets and Catering available please contact events@GrassyFlats.com

Jump, climb, and slide your way through the twists and turns of our massive floating playground, which features everything from floating trampolines to towering climbing walls. Challenge your friends and family to a race along the course or take on the obstacles solo for an extra adrenaline rush.

Please call 305.414.8245 for inquiries and bookings or visit RideTheLagoon.com for more info!