Upper Keys Weekly 23-0720

Welcome to 'Ocean Oasis', a private oceanfront estate with sandy walk-in beach, pool, outdoor bar and a hammock retreat where you may enjoy rocking your cares away under the coconut palms while gazing at the ever-changing ocean colors. The perfect setting for unforgettable celebrations, romantic get aways or family gatherings, the Islamorada Beach House residence includes two living levels with three bedrooms, two baths, living, dining, kitchen and laundry upstairs and offers two bedrooms, two baths and kitchenette with laundry on the lower level. Convenient lockout owners closets found on each level provide plenty of storage for a turn-key experience. Huge area for parking and room for RV. This estate offers best of both worlds as a private residence or a turn-key successful wedding venue/vacation property with a fully booked calendar for a substantial income.

ISLAMORADA | $4,490,000 | Listing ID: 602942

91760 Overseas Hwy. Tavernier, FL 33070

Office: 305.363.2957

www.keysweekly.com

Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Editor / Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com

Director of Sales

Manuela Carrillo Mobley manuela@keysweekly.com

Business Development Jill Miranda Baker jill@keysweekly.com

Staff Writers Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Production Manager

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Design / Pre-Press

Diana Striker www.keysweekly.com

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com

Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com

Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

305.743.0844

Se habla español

THE UPPER KEYS WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050.

APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES.

All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.

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

News Deadline Monday Noon

Advertising Deadline Tuesday 2 p.m.

@KeysWeekly

@theWeekly

Members of

Two back-to-school sales tax holidays are expected to save Florida families over $160.6 million. It’s part of the newly-enacted state budget, which provides no sales tax on school items between Monday, July 24 and Aug. 6. The other is set for Jan. 1 to Jan. 14. Computers, school supplies and learning aids are eligible.

$160.6M

A two-day lobster mini-season in the Florida Keys begins Wednesday, July 26 at 12:01 a.m. and ends Thursday, July 27 at midnight. DAVID GROSS/Keys Weekly

ISLAMORADA: A VILLAGE SEVERED

COUNCIL

WON’T RENEW MANAGER’S CONTRACT

Another year and another manager is leaving Islamorada Village Hall. This departure, however, is different from the previous two manager exits.

A council in deep dysfunction and divided on a future vision chose to take a new path with its village manager, voting 3-2 during a July 17 special call meeting not to renew the employment contract of Village Manager Ted Yates. Roughly four hours of heated discussions and intense questioning, shouting among council members and the gallery, as well as gavel pounding and head shaking culminated in a call to question to end debate by Elizabeth Jolin. It was supported by Vice Mayor Sharon Mahoney and Councilman Henry Rosenthal.

Jolin, Mahoney and Rosenthal followed up by voting “yes” on a resolution brought forth by Rosenthal to not renew Yates’ contract another year beginning Aug. 1. Mayor Buddy Pinder and Councilman Mark Gregg voted against the measure.

Yates was hired by a previous council via unanimous vote in May 2022, after then-village manager Greg Oravec resigned earlier that year — spending only six months on the job — after citing “the political dynamics that go with the job.” Finance Director Maria Bassett served as interim manager from Oravec’s resignation to Yates’ hiring. Oravec was hired in July 2021 following the resignation of then-village manager Seth Lawless due to health reasons in August 2020. Bassett served as interim manager between Lawless’ resignation and Oravec’s hiring.

With Yates’ contract expiring July 31, the dais had to either renew the contract for another year by taking no action or not renew per a resolution. The council majority chose the latter.

The contract, which detailed a

$200,000 salary, $4,000 housing allowance, health insurance and other benefits, was written by Rosenthal, who ultimately voted “yes” to hire Yates in 2022. The previous council’s manager selection saw four members preferring Yates over three other finalists. Rosenthal’s No. 1 choice was Ted Blackburn, a former village mayor and councilman, followed by Yates.

Yates’ first day was Aug. 1, 2022 after he packed his belongings and concluded his career in Twinsburg, Ohio to lead the staff in Islamorada. Less than a year later, Yates was outed following some public ridicule over the firing of Dan Gulizio, then director of development services and planning, on May 30. Rosenthal said he had a conversation with Yates a couple weeks before Gulizio was terminated. Before he left the room, Rosenthal acknowledged the rumors circulating and told Yates, “I want you to know one thing, when it comes

down to me choosing you or Dan, I’m going with Dan.”

Yates told the dais and public that Rosenthal told him that if he got rid of Gulizio that he’d pursue termination of him as village manager. Yates acknowledged that parting with Gulizio was an administrative decision based on what he felt was best for the village. Yates said there was an effort to conduct a special call meeting on Memorial Day to terminate him.

“Just like me, you want the facts. You sat here tonight and said you have some secret something about me,” Yates said to Rosenthal. “The difference between Dan’s situation and how I said I’m not going to talk about Dan’s situation (is) because he wasn’t in the room. I’m in the room. You want to talk about what you have on me, what you’ve been told about me, I’m happy to discuss those.”

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

From left, Councilwoman Sharon Mahoney, Councilman Mark Gregg, Village Manager Ted Yates and John Quick and Alison Smith, counsel for the village, at a special call meeting to discuss Yates’ future on July 17. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly

Councilman Henry Rosenthal speaks during the special call meeting. Also pictured is Councilwoman Elizabeth Jolin.

Councilwoman Sharon Mahoney looks down during discussion over the nonrenewal of Ted Yates’ contract.

Jolin and Mahoney publicly claimed Yates had treated them poorly. Jolin conducted a written review that was critical of Yates’ performance. She noted during a July 6 meeting that it wasn’t taken seriously.

“I take this very seriously,” Jolin said. “There’s an opportunity here. If the contract is not renewed, Yates has the opportunity to reapply and we have an opportunity as council to improve our procedures and protocols, but also improve the hiring process and the accountability process.”

Mahoney said her decision had nothing to do with Gulizio’s firing.

“Do I think he (Gulizio) was a perfect fit? Not really,” she said. “But I was willing to work with him. My problem with Ted is that you have made my nine months miserable, and I’ve told you that. We’ve had problems on everything I’ve done.”

Action taken by the dais during the special call meeting was met with groans from many residents in the gallery supporting Yates and wearing “Team Ted” stickers. The meeting mirrored a gathering just 11 days earlier, when council members, supporters and opponents of Yates fought over a proposal before the council to forgo a second year with Yates and begin a third village manager search in three years.

“Ladies and gentleman, there’s a word called decorum. I would beg you to do that because this is not fun,” Islamorada resident Andy Newman implored to the council during one of two public comment periods.

Resident Jamie Engel hoped that each council member reflected on the July 6 meeting and would extend an apology to the public. Jolin followed up by issuing an apology for her participation in what she called “bad behavior.” Gregg and Pinder also issued brief apologies for the dysfunction on full display on July 6. But not long after that, the fighting, the dysfunction and the clear divide within the community and among the dais returned to the council chambers. — Visit keysweekly.com for the indepth story.

COULD MONROE COUNTY LOSE ITS OWN COURT SYSTEM?

FLORIDA LEGISLATOR WANTS TO CONSIDER CONSOLIDATION OF JUDICIAL CIRCUITS

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

ARepublican Florida state legislator has asked the state’s judicial branch to consider consolidating the 20 circuit courts within the state.

While touted by Speaker of the Florida House Paul Renner as a potential way to increase efficiency, save taxpayers money and increase public trust in the courts, others in the state are saying it’s a politically motivated move to redraw judicial circuits and consolidate Republican political power behind Gov. Ron DeSantis while he runs for president.

Renner sent a letter on June 15 asking Florida’s Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz to evaluate the judicial circuits for possible consolidation. Muñiz has since empanelled a 14-member committee to evaluate the possibility. That committee has until December to determine what their recommendation will be.

“The boundaries of Florida’s judicial circuits have been unchanged for decades despite significant population and demographic changes in that timeframe,” Renner wrote. “The size of our judicial circuits varies widely, ranging from approximately 2.7 million people (in the 11th Circuit) to less than 100,000 people (in the 16th Circuit).

I believe that the consolidation of the circuits might lead to greater efficiencies and uniformity in the judicial process, thereby increasing public trust and confidence.”

Renner added that he believes consolidation could lead to economies of scale, “leading to substantial cost savings for Florida’s taxpayers.”

But not everyone shares Renner’s belief that consolidation would be a good thing.

If approved, the consolidation could combine Monroe County’s 16th Judicial Circuit with the massively larger 11th Circuit that includes all of Miami-Dade County.

Monroe County would no

longer have its own elected state attorney, public defender and would likely lose its locally elected circuit court judges if such elections were to include both Florida Keys and Miami voters.

“Why fix what isn’t broken?” Monroe County’s State Attorney for the 16th Circuit, Dennis Ward, told the Keys Weekly on July 18. “People don’t realize the impact and the disruption that this consolidation would cause. The Miami State Attorney Katherine Rundell doesn’t have any interest in being burdened with Monroe County’s issues, which are different than in Miami because the priorities and crime impacts are different in a major metropolitan area. At what cost would this come to the people of Florida and the people of Monroe County?”

Chief Judge Bonnie Helms, here in the 16th Circuit, also used the term “disruptive” when speaking of the potential consolidation.

“It’s unsettling to have this hanging over us,” Helms told the Keys Weekly on July 17. “If they want to

maintain public confidence, they need to keep the courts close to where people live.”

An article by Noreen Marcus in the nonprofit investigative news outlet Florida Bulldog recently questioned the motives for the potential consolidation.

The article quotes judicial historian and author Neil Skene as saying, “It would certainly seem incongruous for Republicans to claim they have no designs to increase their control of the judicial system,” legal historian Neil Skene said.

“‘Consolidation may mean that there are fewer courthouses and reduced availability to people, especially those with transportation challenges,” Skene said.

The article also quotes Andrew Warren, the state attorney from Hillsborough who was suspended for saying he wouldn’t enforce the state’s strict new abortion ban.

“‘This is about concentrating power in Tallahassee, not doing what’s best for Floridians,’” Warren told the Florida Bulldog.

Florida’s 20 judicial circuits vary in size and population. A committee is exploring consolidation that could combine Monroe County’s 16th Circuit with the much larger 11th circuit that includes all of Miami-Dade County. CONTRIBIUTED

By Mandy Miles & Jim McCarthy

IT’S NEVER BEEN THIS HOT BEFORE

FLORIDA KEYS BREAK ALL SORTS OF JULY TEMPERATURE RECORDS

“Good lord, it’s hot.”

“What the hell? It’s only July. What’s gonna happen in August and September?”

“This is insane.”

Every conversation in the Florida Keys this month includes some mention of the unprecedented heat that hangs over the island chain like a damp beach towel.

So what’s the deal? How much hotter is it than normal? How many heat records have the Florida Keys broken? What does all this A/C use mean for our power supply? And most importantly, what are the health risks and how can you keep your family safe?

Read on for answers to all of the above.

FIRST, THE TEMPERATURES….

We don’t need a meteorologist to tell us it’s hot, but the Keys Weekly wanted to know just how this month’s temperatures compare to years past.

Meteorologist David Ross at the National Weather Service’s Key West forecast office took the time to review July weather records dating back to 1871 for Key West and back to 1950 for Marathon.

Those two locations had broken 28 records by July 17, with higher-than-ever temperatures — or at least higher than any others on the same date in previous years. Another record-breaking trend has occurred with our higher-than-usual low nighttime temperatures, which haven’t offered much relief in recent weeks.

“It’s been a pretty impressive stretch of record-breaking temperatures and broken records,” Ross said, acknowledging that “impressive,” doesn’t mean “comfortable.”

“Marathon’s nighttime low temperature hasn’t gone below 80 degrees since July 6,” Ross said. “From July 12-16, the low was 86, which ties the monthly record for low temperatures in July.”

Ross acknowledged recent media reports that partially attribute Marathon’s record-setting heat on the location of its weather sensor at the Marathon/Florida Keys Airport.

“It’s true, that sensor is in an area that can be hotter, but that doesn’t change the fact that this has been the warmest July ever recorded,” he said.

“But this is not the new normal; this is a heat wave,” Ross said, adding that the dearth of rainfall — and the accompanying cloud cover — has contributed greatly to the high temperatures this month. Rainfall is typically highest in the Keys in August and September, Ross said.

“An increase in rainfall is the main thing that’ll help bring us back to average temperatures.”

Unfortunately, he added, there’s no cold front on the horizon that will bring any relief.

NOW FOR POWER CONSUMPTION

Officials at Keys Energy Services (KEYS) recently dispelled rumors claiming the record-breaking temps and nonstop hum of our air-conditioners could suck up too much electricity and lead to power outages.

It’s true, the electric company set a record on July 12 for the most power ever used in a single day in KEYS’ service area, which stretches from Key West to the Seven Mile Bridge. But there is plenty of power to keep us all cool, Torrado assured us. In addition to the electricity that travels from the mainland, down the tieline along the length of the Keys, the utility is supplementing that power by generating some locally at the Stock Island power plant.

“The heat is definitely leading to increased power consumption by our customers, but the power grid is able to withstand this demand,” Torrado said. “...For the last few weeks local generation has been utilized to generate power during peak usage times (approximately 2 to 7 p.m.) and to help reduce the power import load on the transmission line.”

In the Middle and Upper Keys, Florida Keys Electric Cooperative customers are also bumping their thermostats down as the intense heat keeps a stranglehold on the Keys. Power generation has increased in FKEC’s coverage area. But the rise in electricity to pump air conditioners and cooling systems isn’t overwhelming the system.

“The heat is causing an increase in demand for electricity but FKEC has plenty of excess capacity to handle it,” said Nikki Dunn Cullen, FKEC marketing and public relations representative.

FKEC said people can offset extra power consumed by their cooling systems by installing high-reflective windows, which can reduce heat gain by 45%, or medium-color draperies with white-plastic-backed drapes, which can reduce heat gain by 33%.

AND NOW FOR THE HEALTH HAZARDS AND SAFETY TIPS….

Hot weather places extra stress on the body by elevating body temperature, especially during exercise. Per the Florida Health Department, overheating can bring everything from heat cramps and heat exhaustion to heatstroke. Elderly people are more likely to suffer from heat stress than others, but heat-related illnesses can affect anyone subjected to high temperatures for an extended period of time.

Officials with the Florida Health Department of Monroe County urge Keys residents and visitors to drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration. Also, avoid strenuous activities during peak hours.

Dr. Metee Comkornruecha, of Florida Keys Pediatrics in Tavernier, said sun protection for children is paramount this time of year.

“Sometimes we don’t realize a couple extra hours under the sun can lead to second-degree and third-degree burns. It’s not just a little bit of red in the skin,” he said. “The skin can blister and can be a lot more dangerous.”

Welcome to the Warmer Side of Care.

There are many sides of care at Baptist Health. And each one stays true to our values. Bringing humanity, warmth and understanding to every person that comes through our doors. Which is why we’re here to stand by you, through all of life’s moments. Welcome to Baptist Health.

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

THE 2023 KEYS WEEKLY ALL-KEYS BOYS LACROSSE TEAM

Coral Shores secured a winning 7-5 record this year, winning half of their district games and a high-profile showdown with Key West. The ’Canes graduate 11 seniors this season, but return their top goal scorer and faceoff winner as well as one of their top three ground ball scoopers, giving them a solid foundation to build upon for next year.

Key West faced adversity this season with a plague of injuries hampering their success. Their 2-16 record was not indicative of their potential when fully healthy. The Conchs will graduate five seniors, but their relatively young team will return several key scorers and their goalkeeper, setting the stage for success in 2024.

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

McDonough led the Hurricanes with 28 goals scored this season. The unselfish junior had no problem helping his teammates net goals as well; he earned 17 assists, which was second for the ’Canes. McDonough picked up 28 ground balls and was credited with five takeaways, placing him in the top portion of his team in nearly every statistical category but one. McDonough was tied for last in penalties, proving he embraces enough finesse and understanding of the game to enhance his aggressive scoring style rather than hinder it. With another season of play next year, McDonough will undoubtedly do big things for Coral Shores in 2024.

Senior Alex Sebben has been an integral part of Coral Shores’ team for the duration of his high school career. This season he moved from defender to attacker, scoring 17 goals and 18 assists for the ’Canes and still managing to earn six takeaways. His versatility was key in many of the team’s wins this season.

EDDIE MOLINE

Junior, Key West Goalkeeper/Defender

Moline was another first-year player for Key West, using his prior baseball catcher skills for his new sport of choice. He was credited with 27 ground balls and 22 saves this season, due in part to his quick reflexes and to the discipline he showed in play.

DOMINIC GONZALEZ

Senior, Coral Shores Midfielder

Gonzalez netted 15 goals this season and was credited with three assists as well. The hard-working senior picked up 51 ground balls for the ’Canes, averaging more than five per game in his efforts to hold down the midfield.

MACK HILL

Junior, Key West Attacker

In an abbreviated season due to injury, Conchs captain Mack Hill scored 16 goals, assisted another 16 times and won 24 ground balls in his junior campaign. Hill was voted the team’s offensive MVP despite playing in just over half of its games and was elected captain the past two years.

TATE GARR

Junior, Key West Defender

With 17 takeaways and 22 ground balls this season, Tate Garr was a force on defense, scoring one goal offensively as well. The junior impact player was elected the defensive MVP for the Conchs and also earned a ScholarAthlete Award.

LANDON BLACKFORD

Senior, Coral Shores Midfielder

Landon Blackford was all over the field this season, attacking as much as he was defending. The senior netted 16 goals and four assists for the ’Canes offensively. He is also credited with 24 ground balls and a takeaway for Coral Shores.

JONDEL TORO

Junior, Key West Midfielder

Conchs midfielder Jondel Toro had seven takeaways, 26 ground balls, one goal and one assist last season for Key West. The versatile junior was elected a team captain by his teammates and won the Unsung Hero Award this year for his extraordinary yet often unrecognized play.

CHUCK JACOBSEN

Senior, Coral Shores Midfielder

In Mateo Lopez’s inaugural season playing lacrosse, he saved 113 out of 267 shots on goal for the Conchs, giving him a 43% save percentage. The freshman was awarded the MVP commendation for Key West for his positive impact on his team both on and off the field.

ANDREW KUMAR

Senior, Coral Shores Midfielder

Kumar led the Hurricanes in ground balls this season with 58, averaging 5.3 pickups per game. His hustle went both ways on the field. He ended his senior season with 11 goals scored and was credited with 14 assists offensively.

One look at Chuck Jacobsen and you would never guess he was a first-year player for Coral Shores. Jacobsen dominated face-offs, winning 68 this season. He picked up 45 ground balls and is credited with five takeaways, making him a terror to opposing teams on defense. Offensively, he scored a pair of goals and helped out with another pair of assists.

REESE JAHN

Senior, Coral Shores Goalkeeper

Senior goaltender Reese Jahn took his position as the last line of defense seriously, earning a 66% save percentage while blocking 147 shots from scoring this season. Jahn was also credited with 29 ground balls and three takeaways during his senior campaign.

MVP

Coral Shores junior attacker Sully McDonough is the 2023 All-Keys Lacrosse MVP after a 28-goal, 17-assist season. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

SULLY MCDONOUGH Junior, Coral Shores Attacker

MATEO LOPEZ Freshman, Key West Goalkeeper

ISLAND LINKS

A TRANSPORTATION EVOLUTION IN THE KEYS

Editor’s Note: This is the third in a four-part series on Monroe County’s 200th year.

food staples, mail and visitors. It also drew island residents away from the islands’ edges and closer to the train depots.

BRAD BERTELLI

is 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.

Transportation improvements played a vital role in the development of Monroe County in general and the Florida Keys in particular. One of the first improvements was to the shipping lanes as lighthouses were erected to mark the Florida Reef.

Next, the ships navigating the dangerous passage stopped relying solely on the mercy of the elements and switched to the more reliable catalyst of steam. Charts, too, improved and better marked the coral reefs, shoals and passes that can prove tricky to navigate with the modern use of GPS.

When connecting with the outside world, pioneer families up and down the archipelago relied on ships to deliver goods and services like food staples, ice, mail, coffee, family and friends. Because natural deep harbors are few and far between along the island chain, communities relied on long piers that stretched out into the deeper, more navigable waters to dock their vessels. And then, Henry Flagler and his Florida East Coast Railway announced plans to deliver the railroad to Key West and changed everything.

When it was done, the railroad did more than stitch together a right-of-way linking Key West to the mainland; it altered the culture of the Keys. No longer were isolated island communities reliant on the whims of weather and tide to connect to the outside world. Flagler’s Over-Sea Railroad brought convenience and a regimented delivery system for

While Flagler rode his train down the island chain to Key West on Jan. 22, 1912, daily service arrived before that in the Middle and Upper Keys. By 1908, daily train service was established between Miami and Knights Key. At the tip of Marathon and right before the Seven Mile Bridge, Knights Key served as the temporary terminus of the line before Flagler’s grand entrance in 1912.

Several railroad “towns” sprang up along the way, including, in the Upper and Middle Keys, Islamorada and Marathon. There are many stories told about the origin of the name Marathon. According to the late historian Dan Gallagher, author of “Florida’s Great Ocean Railway, Building the Key West Extension” (Pineapple Press, 2003), the F.E.C. Railway’s president, Joseph R. Parrott, credited the American poet Witter Bynner for the choice. Parrott invited Bynner down to the Keys to “plot stations for the railroad.”

Circa 1908, Bynner, inspired by a poem written by the Romantic poet Lord Byron, who penned in his work “The Isles of Greece,” “The mountains look on Marathon — And Marathon looks on the sea. ...” chose the name Marathon.

The name Islamorada has a storied history, too. Local lore suggests Islamorada was discovered by Spanish explorers who named Upper Matecumbe Key (and presumably the surrounding islands) the Purple Isles. It is a legendary story. Islamorada was actually developed by one of Flagler’s engineers, William J. Krome. Krome purchased 15 acres of Upper Matecumbe Key for $739, platted 22 lots, and chose the name Islamorada for his town site.

According to Isabelle Krome, his wife, “I was not a member of the family at that time and had no part in the selecting of the name, but Mr. Krome told me that it was derived from the Spanish ‘isla’ and ‘morada,’ meaning home.”

The first automobile ferry arrives at No Name Key in 1928. DeWOLFE AND WOOD COLLECTION/Florida Keys History Center

The train was not the only conduit built to connect Key West to the mainland. State Road 4A, the first version of the Overseas Highway, was also on the horizon. When it opened to public transit in 1928, it was an incomplete path requiring a 40-mile trip aboard an automobile ferry to complete. The problematic road stopped at the end of Lower Matecumbe Key and picked back up again 40 miles away at No Name Key.

While the initial road brought traffic to the Upper Keys, the trip to the Lower Keys proved inconvenient. Improvements were made, and by 1932, the ferry connected to the Middle Keys. In 1934, plans were made to eliminate the ferry by building a series of solid automobile bridges that would parallel the railroad in the hopes of attracting more traffic to Key West. Hundreds of World War I veterans were brought to the Upper Keys, housed in work camps, to begin bridge construction.

While hurricanes have affected the land incorporated within Monroe County for more than 200 years, the most powerful – and deadliest – to strike the island chain arrived on Sept. 2, 1935. It is remembered as the Labor Day Hurricane, a Category 5 storm that resulted in the loss of as many as 500 lives that included residents, visitors and World War I veterans.

Sept. 2, 1935, was also the last day that a train ran along the Key West Extension of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway as the killer hurricane tore up and twisted 40 miles of railroad tracks. The new, improved highway, the Overseas Highway 2.0, opened as a complete road system linking Key West to the mainland in 1938. The passage crossed many of the same bridges built for Flagler’s train that had been refitted to accommodate automobile traffic. When the new road opened, it was a toll road, with booths at Lower Matecumbe and Big Pine keys.

With improved access to the island chain, a new industry began to develop along the island chain: tourism.

Upper Keys Baseball Development Foundation

THE LOBSTER LOWDOWN

DON’T GO THERE…

Many areas are protected by a special set of rules. Know where you’re going before you head out.

Don’t lobster in these areas:

season, and in Key Colony Beach, it applies from the four days preceding sport season through 10 days after the opening of regular season. The city of Layton has a prohibition on harvesting lobster any time from waters within city limits. The exception to this rule is if divers and snorkelers are on the shoreline of their own private property. `

Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs)

Upper Keys

• Alligator Reef

• Carysfort Reef

• Cheeca Rocks

• Conch Reef

• Davis Reef

• Elbow Reef

• French Reef

• Grecian Reef

• Hen and Chickens

The staff at the Keys Weekly welcome our visitors and residents alike to enjoy a safe and productive mini-season here in the islands. With that being said, let’s be honest – there are PLENTY of misconceptions about what’s legal and what’s not when it comes to securing a harvest that’ll make your friends jealous. Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.

LOADING THE BOAT DOESN’T UP YOUR LIMIT

The bag limit is six lobsters per ACTIVE HARVESTER per day. So no, a boat carrying eight people catching a tan on the bow while two divers do all the work is not entitled to 60 lobsters. And once the limit is reached, it’s illegal to offload your catch and head back out. Possession of over-the-limit quantities is still against the law.

DIVE FLAG DILEMMAS

When the Keys’ reefs and gulfside holes turn into marine parking lots, it’s crucial to proceed with extreme caution. Assign extra lookouts, especially in high-traffic areas. While dive flags should be avoided whenever possible – more than 300 feet in open water or 100 feet in canals – boats may at times need to traverse these areas. While it’s not illegal to approach, vessels must slow to IDLE SPEED when closer than the distances listed above to a dive flag. Dive flags are required whenever divers or snorkelers are in the water, and MUST BE TAKEN DOWN when the boat gets underway.

IF THE GAUGE FITS, TOSS IT (THE LOBSTER, THAT IS…)

Spiny lobster must have a minimum carapace length greater than 3 inches, and the measurement must take place in the water. The carapace is measured beginning at the forward edge between the rostral horns, excluding soft tissue and proceeding along the middle to the rear edge of the carapace. If a lobster gauge can FIT over the end of the carapace, EVEN SNUGLY, the lobster is TOO SHORT. All recreationally harvested lobster must remain in whole condition while at sea.

THE OTHER DETAILS

• Egg-bearing (berried) spiny lobster must be released unharmed. Stripping egg-bearing females of eggs, or possessing tails with eggs removed, is prohibited.

• Gear that could puncture, penetrate or crush the shell of the lobster, including spearing, is prohibited.

• Possession of bully nets or hoop nets is prohibited in Everglades National Park.

• Recreational harvesters can purchase the required Florida saltwater fishing license with a lobster add-on at gooutdoorsflorida.com or by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356).

• Key Largo Dry Rocks

• Molasses Reef

Middle Keys

• Coffins Patch

• Sombrero Key

Lower Keys

• Eastern Dry Rocks

• Looe Key

• Newfound Harbor

• Sand Key

• Rock Key

Ecological Reserves

• Western Sambo

• Dry Tortugas

Special-Use Research Only Areas (No entry)

• Conch Reef

• Tennessee Reef

• Looe Key Patch Reef

• Eastern Sambo

Other Closed Areas (Year-Round)

• Everglades National Park

STAY AWAY

Most Keys cities have invoked special rules to cut down on neighboron-neighbor – and especially residenton-visitor – “turf wars.” Essentially, local rules establish a “no-go” zone to keep lobster hunters away from private property. In the following areas, there is no diving or snorkeling within 300 feet of enhanced residential or commercial shoreline, any man-made or private canal, or any public or private marina.

In Islamorada, Key West and unincorporated Monroe County, the rule applies during the three days prior to the sport season (July 23-25 in 2023), the entirety of the sport season (July 26-27) and the first five days of the regular season (Aug. 6-10). In Marathon, the rule only applies during sport

• It is a felony to molest, damage or take lobster from commercial traps in state or federal waters.

• It is illegal to intentionally create “artificial habitat” for lobsters using items like cement blocks, pipes and other debris.

• Recreational trapping is prohibited.

THE SEASONS

Sport season/“mini-season”: the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July, beginning at 12:01 a.m. on day one and ending at midnight on day two. Bullynetting is permitted at night during mini-season, but diving is not.

Regular season: Aug. 6 through March 31.

• Dry Tortugas National Park

• Biscayne Bay Card Sound

Spiny Lobster Sanctuary

• City of Layton

• Artificial habitats in state waters

Other Prohibitions (Seasonal)

John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo (during sport season)

Diving at night (during sport season)

Egg-bearing lobsters, as seen on the underside of the tail, must be released unharmed. MONROE COUNTY TDC/Contributed

This lobster is of legal size and measured correctly. MONROE COUNTY TDC/ Contributed

Lobsters must be accurately measured while in the water with an appropriate gauge. FRAZIER NIVENS/Monroe County TDC

THURS July 20 Webb & Bellamy

FRI July 21 Ego Free 6-10

SAT

SUN July 23 Vic Kingsley 11

MON July 24 Carousers

TUES July 25 Steve Venini

WED July 26 Webb & Davidson

SPOTLIGHTING THE AMAZING INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE AND WORK IN THE UPPER KEYS

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 a Key Largo resident and a customer service representative at Florida Keys Electric Cooperative. Before, she spent four years in the accounting department at Playa Largo Resort.

CHRISTINA RICARDO FKEC consumer representative

Where do you live? Key Largo. What’s one thing people don’t know about you? I’m a major foodie. What can people find you doing when you’re not working? Spending time with my family, husband and little princesses.

What would you do if you won the lottery? Make sure everything’s paid off, take some family vacations and invest some for my daughter’s future.

If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be? Betty White.

LOCAL COMMUNITY CELEBRATES SUN OUTDOORS OPENING

What is the best and worst part of the Keys? The best is the smalltown community lifestyle. The worst is the influx of cars/people on the roads.

If you could improve one thing in the Keys, what would it be? To provide more affordable housing for employees here in the community. What is your spirit animal? Dolphin.

The title of my autobiography would be: “Tales of a Keys Kid.” Your favorite movie: “Beaches.” Favorite app on your phone? It’s FKEC’s SmartHub, of course!

Islamorada Chamber of Commerce members and village officials stopped by Sun Outdoors Islamorada on July 18 for a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Located on the Old Highway not far from Founders Park, the property boasts 82 full hook-up RV sites, 48 modular vacation homes — 30 are still available for purchase — as well as 47 boat slips in three marinas and amenities such as a heated pool and cabanas. The celebration included food, drinks and entertainment.

CONTRIBUTED

MOSQUITO SEASON IS ACTIVE

Mosquito Control helicopters conduct aerial sprays during the morning hours.

CONTRIBUTED

UNSEASONABLY HIGH TEMPERATURES A FACTOR

The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe) and the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD) are asking residents of the Florida Keys to take action now to minimize potential mosquito hot spots and lessen the chance of being bitten during an unusually active “early” mosquito season this summer.

FKMCD officials say that daily high temperatures in June and July are rivaling those normally experienced during later summer months and are contributing to an unusually busy “early” mosquito season in the Florida Keys. Mosquito larvae tend to develop into adult mosquitoes more quickly as temperatures climb, reducing the time available for mosquito control staff to eliminate them before they fly and have a chance to bite.

According to Andrea Leal, executive director of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, “Mosquito populations are predictably higher in the summer, but the warmer temperatures and widespread precipitation have kicked mosquito control operations into overdrive during the last several weeks. If the warmer temperatures continue to inch upward then mosquito activity is likely to follow suit, so now is the time for visitors and residents to take action and protect themselves from mosquitoes.”

The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County is monitoring the uptick in mosquito activity as well. Elsewhere in Florida, there have

been sporadic reports of mosquitoborne diseases, including six cases of locally acquired malaria in the area surrounding Sarasota.

“While there is currently no active, ongoing transmission of mosquito-borne illness in Monroe County, there is an increase in some areas on the mainland,” said Dr. Carla Fry, DOH-Monroe administrator and health officer. “We ask that residents and visitors take the precautions listed below, and remember if wearing sunscreen and mosquito repellent, apply the sunscreen first.”

The public is urged to take the following basic precautions to help minimize the threat of mosquito bites:

• Make sure windows and window screens are secure and free from holes or gaps.

• Dump any standing water and frequently flush any water holding plants.

• Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves and long pants.

• Use only EPA-registered insect repellents such as DEET and remember to reapply as directed. Visit epa. gov to learn more about what repellents are right for you.

The mosquito control district’s inspectors are available and ready to help rid property of existing mosquitoes as well as assist with mosquito prevention assistance during the rainy season ahead. They can be reached at 305-292-7190 or www. keysmosquito.org to make a service request.

BURNS NAMED ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL FOR MARATHON HIGH SCHOOL

Kirsten Burns has been selected by Superintendent Theresa Axford to be the assistant principal at Marathon High School for the 2023-2024 school year. Burns has worked for the district in various positions since 2011, most recently as a middle school teacher at Key Largo School. She will fill the position vacated by Ja-Ronika Veldheer, who moved to be an assistant principal at Key West High School.

Most recently employed as a middle school teacher at Key Largo School, Kirsten Burns will move down U.S. 1 to become Marathon High School’s new assistant principal. CONTRIBUTED

“Kirsten Burns is a 21st-century educator,” stated Axford. “Her classroom design and rapport with students show that she is up to date with new programs and processes and that her students are happy and engaged. I am delighted that she will bring high-level skills to this administrative position. Her creativity and passion for students

will be beneficial in her new role as assistant principal at Marathon High School.”

Burns earned a bachelor’s degree in art from Miami University in Ohio in 2005. Her teaching career began in Ohio as an art teacher. During that time, she completed a master’s degree in arts education from the Art Academy of Cincinnati in 2010.

Her career in the Keys began in 2011 as the art teacher at Key West Collegiate School. She worked as a lab manager for a year and in 2013 began teaching at Key Largo School, where she has taught art, photography and career and technical education courses to middle school students.

As an aspiring administrator, she also assisted as the administrator on duty for summer school for three

years and completed a master’s in educational leadership in 2023. Her experience, enthusiasm and ability to build relationships that positively affect students make her prepared for her new position, the district said.

“As I embark on a new adventure at Marathon High School, I’m excited to continue to work with middle school students as they prepare for high school, and guide high school students as they prepare for their next steps in life,” Burns said. “As a long time educator and school leader, I know the importance of student, staff, parent and community connections and collaboration. Student success and growth is best supported by a strong, present team of all stakeholders.”

BRIEFLY

Sheriff’s Office arrests another in check-fraud investigation

The Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit in the Lower Keys recently made another arrest as part of a large investigation into what it says was a well-organized and sophisticated fraud organization operating throughout the Keys.

Duniel Reina Hernandez, 40, of Marathon, was charged with larceny and fraud, among other financialrelated charges.

The investigation began in November 2022 after detectives noticed a criminal pattern regarding multiple check-fraud cases, which led to seven suspects being identified and the discovery of more than $175,000 stolen in 57 instances. The suspects were intercepting checks in the mail and fraudulently depositing them into other bank accounts.

Sheriff’s Office detectives countywide have made multiple arrests as part of this ongoing investigation and more are pending. Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the detectives at 305-289-2430 or 305-2927060.

TDC funds five county projects

Monroe County Project Manage-

ment received good news from the Tourist Development Council, as it was awarded bricks-and-mortar grant funding for five projects throughout the Keys totaling $2.28 million.

The funding includes two Monroe County Parks and Beaches projects, for pool refurbishments at Jacobs Aquatic Center in Key Largo and the construction of a bandshell at Big Pine Key Community Park. Project Management also secured funding for restoring the historic brickwork at Fort East Martello in Key West, along with window and air conditioning unit upgrades on the property, and ADA bathroom improvements at the Key West Lighthouse.

“The county appreciates the TDC’s District Advisory Council’s support of these projects,” said Cary Knight, project management director. “With the grants, these areas will continue to be great assets for the visitors to the Florida Keys, but they are also places our Florida Keys residents love to enjoy as well. It is a win-win situation for everyone.”

The TDC bricks-and-mortar grants are funded through a percentage of the bed taxes charged to those who stay in Florida Keys lodging and can be used by government and nonprofits to make repairs

or upgrades to tourism-related infrastructure.

Miami Boat rally comes to the Keys

Over 50 boats will follow a course filled with activities and stops from Miami to Key Largo, Islamorada and Marathon during the Miami Boat Rally’s annual Florida Keys Rendezvous. The family-friendly event is set for Friday through Sunday, Aug. 4-6.

The nautical challenge brings boaters to the Keys for a fun-filled competition, with points earned based on timing of arrivals and departures at scheduled locations, as well as sporting activities including paddleboarding, a treasure hunt, costume contest and a fishing tournament that takes place throughout the rally.

Three categories of boats will participate — sport line boats, cabin cruisers and high-performance craft.

Rally boaters will begin their journey at 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4, traveling from Miami’s Biscayne Bay with stops at Gilbert’s Resort in Key Largo and the Islamorada sandbar before motoring to Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key. On the following day, rally boaters will head to a

sandbar in the Grassy Key area for a relaxing day of fun in the sun.

Coast Guard intercepts

Haitian migrants in Bamahas

Coast Guard crews transferred 275 people to Bahamian authorities on July 17, following the interdiction of a migrant vessel in Bahamian waters. The Coast Guard and its Homeland Security Task Force-Southeast partners will maintain presence in the air and at sea to detect and deter migrants who attempt to unlawfully enter the U.S.

“Those attempting to illegally migrate to the U.S. in an overloaded, unsafe vessel are putting themselves and their loved ones in extreme danger,” said Lt. Cmdr. Matt Spado, Coast Guard liaison officer to the Bahamas. “The Coast Guard and our partners are committed to stopping anyone who attempts an unlawful and unsafe voyage at sea.”

Since Oct. 1, 2022, Coast Guard crews interdicted or encountered 5,089 Haitian migrants. Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention before repatriation to their country of origin or transfer to their country of departure.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Good People Helping Good People. This is the focus of Mitchell Pest Services as it provides residential and commercial pest control services. The team is focused on eliminating unwanted pests with friendly technicians and o ering same day service, striving to treat each home like their own through a commitment to caring for the environment and the customers.

Key Largo resident and business owner Michael Brown said, "We know that when pests show up, you want the problem taken care of quickly and in a way that is safe for your family. We do that through safe, fast and e ective services."

The company is family oriented as well as locally owned and operated. Mitchell Pest Services covers from north Key Largo through Islamorada, with additional coverage in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. In addition to membership in the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, it has memberships with the Ocean Reef Chamber of Commerce, Florida Pest Management Association and National Pest Management Association.

COMING TO THE TV SCREEN

NEWS STATION VISITS FOXES

Hi friends!

Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.” Boy oh boy, do I have some news for you all. On July 11, my new best friend, Jacey Birch, animal advocate from Channel 10 News, came down to interview me for a feature. That’s right, friends. I was featured on South Florida’s leading news station.

REEF THE FOX

Reef is a red fox that was saved from a fur farm. He now lives in Key Largo with his human, Nicole Navarro.

During the visit, I got to talk into the fancy microphone and everything. Jacey even asked if I would consider making the switch from newspaper to television. Can you believe it? I mean, my on-screen presence is nothing short of award-winning and I definitely have the personality to captivate audiences for long periods of time.

Jacey Birch really came down to interview my mom, Nicole Navarro, about why she started Pawsitive Beginnings, what inspired her to start taking in foxes saved from fur farms, what people can do to help us and what the future looks like for us. She did offer me a job though. At least that’s how I perceived it. Don’t worry friends, I don’t think I’m ready to leave the Keys Weekly news staff just yet. There wasn’t even a talk of a benefits package with Channel 10, so that was suspicious for sure.

This feature should air in a few

REBEL

weeks, so be sure to keep your eyes on Channel 10 so you don’t miss it. But, if you do I am positive my mom will post the link to our social media pages so you can go back and watch.

In other news, Libby and Louie went to see a new vet over the weekend up in Homestead. Avocado Animal Hospital was amazing enough to squeeze us in when Libby and Louie’s allergies exploded over a period of 72 hours. Some people may be thinking, “foxes can get allergies?” The answer, my friends, is yes. Simply put, foxes that are bred into existence for the sole purpose of fur quality often have health issues that their wild counterparts may not, allergies being one. We had a full panel allergy test done on yours truly over one year ago and I tested as being allergic to everything from dust mites to mango. So unfortunately, it is just another side effect, so to speak, of the breeding practices that take place on fur farms that prioritize looks over health.

But Libby and Louie did well at the vet. Mom had to drop them off and I hear she went shopping in Homestead, but I did not receive one single gift, so I’ll have to have a word with her about that.

Anywho, that’s all for this week. Stay up to date with all things fox by heading to our website and following the links to our social media channels at pawsitivebeginnings.org.

Until next time, Reef, over and out!

Rebel is a male shepherd/cur mix, about 2 years old. Rebel is a sweet and loving boy who just needs a home with structure and consistency. He was surrendered from a home with a child who did not understand boundaries, and without the proper reinforcement he was allowed to become reactive. But, Rebel went into a wonderful board and train program with The Keys to Dog Training and is doing so well. He is about halfway through his training program and will be looking for his “furever” home soon. He needs an owner or family willing to continue his training and give him a second chance at a happy life. MPR will continue to cover the cost of his training to help with a smooth transition. Apply today at www.mprescues.org.

Thursday, July 20

• Morada Way Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. at Morada Way Arts & Cultural District, Islamorada. Visit moradaway. org to learn more.

• Islamorada Village Council special meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Founders Park Community Center. Visit islamoradafl.portal.civicclerk.com for the agenda.

Saturday, July 22

• I.CARE dive and coral transplant at 8:30 a.m. at Key Dives. Learn more and sign up at icareaboutcoral.org.

Monday, July 24

• African dance and drum class from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. at Jacobs Aquatic Center, Key Largo, second floor. Seniors, beginners, advanced; drums will be provided.

Tuesday, July 25

• Mote’s Islamorada coral nursery tour at 2 p.m. at Bud N’ Mary’s Marina. Visit mote.org/keystours.

• Florida Keys Toastmasters hybrid meeting at 6 p.m. at Keys History & Discovery Center, Islamorada.

• Books on Tap at 6 p.m. at Keys’ Meads, Key Largo. Discussion will be on the book “The Island of Sea

July 26-27

• Lobster mini-season. Visit keyslobsterseason.com to learn the rules and regulations.

Wednesday, July 26

• Just Older Youth (JOY) Center classes from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Visit justolderyouthinc.org for a complete schedule.

• Art for Relaxation at 2:30 p.m., for tweens, and 4 p.m., for teens, at the Key Largo Library. Create calming art by drawing large circles and wavy lines, then color with watercolor paints. Supplies and snacks provided.

Thursday, July 27

• REEF Great Annual Fish Count at 10:15 a.m. at Silent World, 51 Garden Cove Dr., Key Largo. Call 305451-3252 to book a spot.

Friday, July 28

• Summer Reading Back to School Bash at 2 p.m. at Key Largo library. Celebrate all the books read and cool stuff learned over the summer.

Reef gets his mouth on the Local 10 News microphone. CONTRIBUTED

Women” by Lisa See. Borrow the book from the Key Largo library or the e-book through Libby.

A BLEACHY OUTLOOK

Reef restoration practitioners brace for brutal warmwater impacts to Keys corals

Sun-baked Keys residents suffering through “feels-like” temperatures well north of 100 degrees, with nearshore waters that feel more like jacuzzis, aren’t the only ones issuing a cry for help – the Keys’ coral reefs aren’t far behind.

Coral bleaching is a phenomenon that occurs when polyps under stress from a variety of factors, including heat, expel the algal cells (zooxanthellae) that give them their color and provide energy for the coral in a symbiotic relationship. Though bleached corals may survive for short periods of days or a few weeks without re-uptake of the algal cells, without the photosynthetic byproducts that provide the corals with the majority of their energy, they largely lose their ability to feed themselves and protect against other stressors, significantly upping their mortality if stressors continue over a prolonged period.

With bleaching commonly seen in Keys coral species when water temperatures reach a consistent 30.5 degrees Celsius (roughly 87 degrees Fahrenheit), some degree of the phenomenon has become relatively common, in limited quantities, during the sweltering late-summer months.

In 2023, it’s already happening. As of July 18, NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch upgraded Florida Keys waters from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2, indicating a 90% probability of bleaching heat stress for the months of July through October. And as several restoration

practitioners diving the reefs every day have reported, the effects are already visible.

“We have already observed severe temperature-related bleaching and disease at Sombrero Reef and eastern Dry Rocks, and other practitioners have reported mild bleaching and disease at Looe Key,” said Phanor Montoya-Maya, restoration program manager for Coral Restoration Foundation.

“The fact that we are getting this already, and there are no storms on the horizon, is terrifying,” added Kylie Smith, vice president of I.CARE, a community-based reef restoration and organization. While shallow nearshore waters already feel like a bathtub, she said reefs at 50 to 60 feet deep are already approaching 90-degree temperatures.

“Last year we started to see paling and some partial bleaching, but it wasn’t until September,” she said.

“Hurricane Ian came at the end of September and knocked the temperatures

down, and bleaching subsided.”

Mote president and CEO Michael Crosby went a step further. Speaking with the Weekly on July 18, he called the temperature stress and resulting bleaching “absolutely one of the single most challenging threats that there are to the continued survival of reefs around the world.”

PUMPING THE BRAKES

With more than a dozen organizations and agencies heavily involved in reef restoration and protection through coral outplanting throughout the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), the stressful temperatures are, in some cases, challenging practitioners to strike a balance between survivorship and outplanting quotas that form the basis for critical grant funding.

“We’re hoping that granting agencies and stakeholders are going to understand that this is the best course of action for the corals and for our ultimate goals, which is restoring the

reef,” Reef Renewal USA operations manager Kevin Macaulay told the Weekly. “Putting all these beautiful corals we’ve spent a year and a half growing out on the reef right now, just to watch them die, is not the answer.”

Some have already chosen to impose a temporary voluntary moratorium on outplanting activities, as representatives for I.CARE, CRF and Reef Renewal USA confirmed.

Speaking to the Weekly on July 17, FKNMS superintendent Sarah Fangman said the sanctuary has yet to issue a complete formal moratorium on outplanting activities. However, sanctuary staff are in the process of working with FWC to finalize language that would guide updated management practices in existing nurseries and compel permitted stakeholders in the sanctuary and throughout Florida to cease certain activities – including coral transports and outplantings – during periods when water temperatures exceed 30.5 degrees C. With the agencies’ most recent meeting on July 18, these guidelines could be handed down in a matter of days or weeks.

Visit keysweekly.com for the full story

Updated on July 18, the NOAA Coral Reef Watch four-month bleaching outlook puts Keys waters at Alert Level 2, indicating a 90% probability of bleaching due to heat stress. NOAA/Contributed

Bleaching of elkhorn coral observed on July 17 at Sombrero Reef, where water temperatures have already reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit for short periods this summer. MICHELLE DOBLER/Contributed

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

KAREN NEWFIELD

First and foremost a reader, she has reviewed hundreds of books on her blog www. readingandeating. com. And, more recently, this new Keys resident has also begun writing.

SLEEPING WITH ONE EYE OPEN

SUSPICIOUS FRIENDS, A GASLIT COUPLE AND A WOMAN WHO VANISHES INTO THIN AIR: SIZZLING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERS THAT MAY KEEP YOU UP AT NIGHT

The Drowning Woman

By Robyn Harding

Lee Gulliver has never imagined herself being homeless, but here she sits in her Toyota Corolla, far from everything she has ever known. Her New York restaurant has collapsed and her family disowned her. Working off the grid at a greasy diner in Seattle, Lee dreads the late-night hours when there is nowhere to hide. She learns it is safest to park (sleep) in an upscale neighborhood near the beach. Early one morning she hears a woman crying and witnesses her being pulled under the ocean. Lee jumps in, dragging her to safety. The water is frigid and as the women warm up on the beach, they begin an unexpected friendship. Hazel confides in Lee about her abusive husband and the trapped life she can no longer endure, confessing that she would rather be dead. Once Hazel establishes Lee is harmless but down on her luck, she brings her tasty treats and items to make her more comfortable and more trusting. Having established a strange debt by helping one another, Lee is shocked when Hazel asks for help to get away from her husband and vanish once and for all. The question is: how can Lee exist if Hazel disappears?

None of This Is True

By Lisa Jewel

Josie Fair is celebrating her 45th birthday. She and her much older husband Walter have dinner at a chic London pub – not their typical fare. Nearby is a large boisterous group of people also celebrating a woman’s birthday. She is beautiful and sophisticated and Josie is mesmerized. The women “accidentally” meet in the loo, quickly pronouncing they are birthday twins born at the very same hospital. Josie innocently begins an online stalking of this seeminglyperfect woman named Alix Summer, who hosts a successful podcast. She decides that Alix should create a podcast about Josie’s life, as Josie thinks it is time to reveal the dark secrets that have been haunting her since the day she met Walter. Josie manages to covertly persuade Alix and immerses herself into Alix’s family life and her psyche. As the women work on their “Hi! I’m Your Birthday Twin!” podcast, their power struggle is instantly apparent. Alix gets deeply pulled into Josie’s terrifyingly dysfunctional family and no longer knows who is telling the truth. Unable to remove herself, Alix tries to quickly complete the podcast as the race to the finish line becomes deadly.

All That Is Mine I Carry with Me

By William Landay

One afternoon in November 1975, a young girl named Miranda Larkin comes home from school as usual. She has a snack and watches television. It is not until darkness that she begins to worry. Normally, her mother Jane would be home to greet her. If she was running late, she would still have been home by dinner. When her father Dan and brothers Alex and Jeff arrive, panic sets in. This is the beginning of a mystery that will haunt this family, and one particular policeman named Detective Glover, for decades to come. Dan Larkin is a high-profile criminal defense attorney. When he is questioned by the police, it is apparent that he is quite familiar and comfortable with these proceedings, and he calmly has an answer for everything. Suspicions are high, but without a body and little evidence, the case runs cold. It doesn’t take long for Dan to bring home a beautiful girlfriend. Alex is off to college, but Jeff and Miranda never recover. For years they are tortured by the unanswered questions surrounding the case, not to mention that there may be a murderer among them.

#WORTHWATCHING: “Missing” on Netflix. After her mother fails to come home from a trip to Columbia, June Allen becomes an online sleuthing teenager determined to solve this fast-paced, heart-wrenching mystery.

NOTICE OF HEARING TO IMPOSE AND PROVIDE FOR COLLECTION OF STORMWATER SERVICE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Fin~Tastic Fishing Charters located at 211Gardenia St, Tavernier, FL 33070 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Keys Concierge Service LLC

James M Patterson Karen L Patterson

Publish:

July 20, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

U-HAUL COMPANY OF MIAMI

Notice is hereby given that on August 7th, 2023, Leonard Richford Jr. Storage Auctioneer, Executive Administrator for U-Haul Company of Miami, Will be offering for sale under the Judicial Lien Process, By Public Auction, the following storage units. The Terms of the sale will be cash only. U-Haul Company does reserve the right to refuse any bids. The sales will Begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue day by day until all units are sold. The names of whose units will be sold are as follows:

103530 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037

Allan Costow Unit 1208

$582.75

John Mcallister Unit 0007

$657.60

Anita Lezcano Unit 1559

$567.80

Notice is hereby given that the City Commission of Key Colony Beach, Florida, will conduct a public hearing to consider imposing stormwater service assessments for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2023, against properties located within the incorporated area of the City, to fund the cost of stormwater management services, facilities and programs provided to such properties and to authorize collection of such assessments on the tax bill.

The public hearing will be held at 9:30 a.m. on August 17, 2023, at the temporary meeting place of the City of Key Colony Beach at the Key Colony Inn Banquet Room, 700 West Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051 for the purpose of receiving public comment on the proposed assessments. All affected property owners have a right to appear at the hearing and to le written objections with the City Commission within 20 calendar days of the date of this notice. If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission with respect to any matter considered at the hearing, such person will need a record of the proceedings and may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be made. It is the policy of the City of Key Colony Beach to comply with all requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Persons who need accommodations in order to attend or participate in this meeting should contact the City Clerk at 305-289-1212 at least 48 hours prior to this meeting in order to request such assistance.

The Stormwater Service Assessments are proposed to fund the City's cost to provide Stormwater Management Services in the area shown above. The Stormwater Service Assessments are imposed upon each lot and parcel within the City for services and facilities provided by the stormwater management utility. For purposes of imposing the Stormwater Service Assessment, all lots and parcels within the City are classi ed into the following two customer classes: (1) Residential, which includes vacant properties zoned residential and (2) Commercial, which includes governmental, hotels and other.

The Stormwater Service Assessment imposed shall be the rate of sixty- ve dollars ($65.00) per residential unit or residential vacant lot or one hundred thirty dollars ($130.00) per commercial parcel. The total annual stormwater assessment revenue to be collected within the City of Key Colony Beach for the upcoming scal year is estimated to be $102,000.

Copies of the ordinance and other legal documentation for the assessment program are available for inspection at the City Clerk's of ce, located at City Hall - 600 West Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051.

If you have any questions, please contact the City at 305-289-1212, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

The assessments will be collected on the ad valorem tax bill to be mailed in November 2023, as authorized by section 197.3632, Florida Statutes. Failure to pay the assessments will cause a tax certi cate to be issued against the property which may result in a loss of title.

Publish: July 20, 2023, The Weekly Newspapers

LEGAL NOTICES

the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish:

July 20, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District II Advisory Committee (DAC II) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at 6:00 P.M., at the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, 31020 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, FL 33043. Please contact Maxine Pacini or Ammie Machan to submit written information or for additional information by writing: MCTDC, 1201 White Street, Suite 102, Key West, FL 33040, by email at: Maxine@flakeys.com, or by calling (305) 2961552 between the hours of 9:00

A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Documents must be received no later than 12:00 P.M., on Friday, July 28, 2023. 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

written information or for additional information by writing: MCTDC, 1201 White Street, Suite 102, Key West, FL 33040, by email at: Maxine@flakeys.com, or by calling (305) 2961552 between the hours of 9:00

A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Documents must be received no later than 12:00 P.M., on Friday, July 28, 2023.

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:

July 20, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

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 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: July 20, 2023.

Persons Giving Notice:

Lillian Gonzales

1010 Anaya Avenue Santa Rosa, New Mexico 88435

Attorney for Persons Giving

Notice:

Christopher B. Waldera, P.A.

Christopher B. Waldera, Esq. Florida Bar No: 980810

Attorney for Personal Representative

5800 Overseas Highway, Suite 7 Marathon, Florida 33050

Telephone: (305) 289-2223

Facsimile: (305) 289-2249

Corey McGahen Unit 1184

$473.64

Sheila Chamberlain Unit 1167

$416.90

Publish:

July 20 & 27, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Wheatons Towing gives notice that on 07/28/2023 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.

1FMZU77E81UC04542 2001 FORD

Publish:

July 13 & 20, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District I Advisory Committee (DAC I) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 3:00 P.M., at the Opal Key Resort & Marina, 245 Front Street, Key West, FL 33040. Please contact Maxine Pacini or Ammie Machan to submit written information or for additional information by writing: MCTDC, 1201 White Street, Suite 102, Key West, FL 33040, by email at: Maxine@flakeys.com, or by calling (305) 2961552 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Documents must be received no later than 12:00 P.M., on Friday, July 28, 2023. 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

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: July 20, 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, August 9, 2023, at 9:30 A.M., at the Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club, 1996 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050.

Please contact Maxine Pacini or Ammie Machan to submit written information or for additional information by writing: MCTDC, 1201 White Street, Suite 102, Key West, FL 33040, by email at: Maxine@flakeys.com, or by calling (305) 2961552 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Documents must be received no later than 12:00 P.M., on Friday, July 28, 2023.

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:

July 20, 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, August 8, 2023, at 2:00 P.M., at the Islander Resort, 82100 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036.

Please contact Maxine Pacini or Ammie Machan to submit

The District V Advisory Committee (DAC V) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at 10:00 A.M., at the Murray Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037. Please contact Maxine Pacini or Ammie Machan to submit written information or for additional information by writing: MCTDC, 1201 White Street, Suite 102, Key West, FL 33040, by email at: Maxine@flakeys.com, or by calling (305) 2961552 between the hours of 9:00

A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Documents must be received no later than 12:00 P.M., on Friday, July 28, 2023.

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: July 20, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

CASE NUMBER: 18-CP-000309-K

DIVISION: KEY WEST FLORIDA BAR #980810

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF EMMA E. FIEDLER, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Emma E. Fiedler, deceased, whose date of death was May 19, 2017, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. 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 WITHIN THE LATER OF 3

MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS

email: chris@cbwpa.com

Publish: July 20 & 27, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-000082-P

IN RE: ESTATE OF WALTER M. MEINHARDT, SR. Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of WALTER M. MEINHARDT, SR., deceased, whose date of death was April 23, 2023; is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 23-CP-000082-P, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, 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, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this notice, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (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, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED 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: July 20, 2023.

Co-Personal

WOMEN MAKING WAVES

LOCAL DIVERS

“Idon’t know of many communities to actually celebrate Women’s Day of Diving, so I was pretty honored you guys reached out to me and asked me to present,” said Evelyn Unti – a badass woman technical and cave diver who used to work at SeaBase.

A crowd of locals, visitors and drop-ins from Zoom squirmed and lifted their collective jaws off the floor at Islamorada’s Amara Cay Resort as Unti played video of skilled female divers moving miles underground, through openings in rocks seemingly smaller than a human should be able to go. These are places that few will ever be able to witness with their own two eyes because doing so takes such high skill, buoyancy and confidence.

Unti and the other four female divers – myself included – were featured in Key Dives’ PADI Women’s Dive Day presentation. We shared the how and why behind careers in diving. Several, including co-founder of I.CARE Kylie Smith, I.CARE education and outreach coordinator Reanna Jeanes and marine debris specialist Kea Payton learned to dive early in their lives. Now, they use diving to conduct valuable and critical research and restoration efforts on corals and marine debris throughout the Keys. “Diving means the world to me,” Smith said. “It opened up so many amazing opportunities to learn about a new environment and discover an amazing community of people who share my passion.”

Unti really grew her interest in diving after she discovered how to practice the sport in underwater caves. She said, “When I first started out (cave diving in North Florida),” about three years ago, I didn’t know if I was strong enough or smart enough or ‘man’ enough to participate in technical diving.” Luckily, she found a community of women cave divers nearby who ushered her into her newfound passion and helped her challenge herself safely to get better. “Community is one of the most important aspects to making a well-rounded diver,” Unti added.

Unti shared the results from a survey of 1,100 women in her talk. Of those, 16.6% identified as open water divers, 32.3% were advanced open water divers, 7.2% were open water instructors, 4% were specialty instructors and a tiny 3.2% were technical divers – like Unti. Women’s role in the sport is growing and changing, but there is still much to be done, she emphasized.

My path into diving is less traditional, and I was eager to share when it was my turn. I recalled crying into bowls of shredded cheese while watching “Say Yes to the Dress” during my “sad lawyer days in Los Angeles.” Almost a decade later, I laugh about it, but I remember being thoroughly uninspired about how my life was turning out. I was “successful,” but also overworked, burned out and unhappy.

Luckily, a spontaneous dive trip to the Galapagos changed all that. “I felt so alive there, I went back to L.A., quit my job without a plan, sold my house and embarked on a grand adventure,”

I said, grinning as I recounted one of my favorite stories. “My only goal was to create a life I didn’t need a vacation from.”

Eventually, trying every type of “oceany” job I could get, I ended up in the Florida Keys for a coral restoration internship. “It was supposed to be four months long, but that was five years ago, and I’m still here,” I laughed. Now, I dive alongside scientists like Smith, Payton and Jeanes and follow adventurers like Unti to tell their stories for outlets like the Keys Weekly, PADI, Scuba Diving Magazine and more. I’m an explorer and ocean storyteller, and I’ve landed in a life I love –thanks in large part to the ocean and diving.

All of us speakers and the event’s organizers are eager to widen the popular image of what a diver can look like. These events matter to help others realize they too can dive and create lives centered around the ocean.

“As a young woman in diving, I have always felt incredibly privileged to be able to do work I love and pursue things that interest me no matter what,” said Key Dives’ Taylor Oetinger, who planned and hosted the entire Women’s Dive Day event. “This event mattered so much for me because I want to open those avenues to other young women who feel lost but who want to pursue things they love – but just don’t know how.”

We capped off the celebrations with beautiful night dives on Islamorada’s reefs, a fitting tribute to the women in this sport and those who hope to follow in their bubbles.

1. Local divers go out on a night dive to celebrate the accomplishments of trailblazing women in the sport. KEY DIVES/Contributed. 2. Divers celebrate a beautiful talk and night dive together on Islamorada’s reefs. 3. Kea Payton studies how anthropogenic trash is changing behaviors of families. KYLIE SMITH/Contributed. 4. Technical and cave diver Evelyn Unti shared about what it takes to push diving to the extreme. BORI BENNETT/Contributed. 5. Locals and visitors pile in at Amara Cay and on Zoom to listen to women divers share their stories and about why the Keys matter to them. VINH PHAM PHOTOGRAPHY/Contributed. 6. Technical and cave diver Evelyn Unti had the crowd awed at the feats that cave divers can accomplish. BORI BENNETT/Contributed

LEGAL NOTICES

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 2023-CP-000166-K

IN RE: ESTATE OF JOHN HARWOOD NICHOLSON, JR.,

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of JOHN HARWOOD NICHOLSON, JR., deceased, whose date of death was February 1, 2023; File Number 2023-CP-000166-K, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040. 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 WITHIN 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: July 20, 2023.

Personal Representative:

RENE BETH ROSS

Attorney for Personal

Representative:

Sean F. Bogle, Esq. sean@boglelawfirm.com

Florida Bar No. 106313

BOGLE LAW FIRM 101 S. New York Ave., Suite 205 Winter Park, FL 32789

Telephone: (407) 834-3311

Fax: (407) 834-3302

Publish: July 20 & 27, 2023

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

PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 23-CP-122-K IN RE: THE ESTATE OF CHRISTOPHER PAUL SCHEWE, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of CHRISTOPHER PAUL SCHEWE, deceased, whose date of death was March 16, 2023, Case: 23-CP-122-K, is pending in the Circuit Court, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. 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, 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 decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION

OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

The date of first publication of this Notice is: July 13, 2023.

Personal Representative:

LUCINDA ELLEN CALHOUN

c/o Samuel J. Kaufman

Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A.

3130 Northside Drive

Key West, Florida 33040

Attorney for Personal

Representative:

Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq. Florida Bar No. 0144304

Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A. 3130 Northside Drive

Key West, Florida 33040

Email designation for service: Service.Probate@ samkaufmanlaw.com

Telephone: (305) 292-3926

Fax: (305) 295-7947

Publish: July 13 & 20, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

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

CASE NO.: 2023-DR-33-P IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF:

T.A.G. DOB 09/08/11

D.O.B.F. DOB 01/11/13

Minor Child

NOTICE OF ACTION

(JOINT PETITION FOR STEPPARENT ADOPTION)

TO: THOMAS G. GALLAGHER

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Michael Stevens & Renee D. Foster, has filed a Joint Petition for Adoption by Step-Parent for the following children: T.A.G., born on September 8, 2011 and D.O.B.F., born on January 11, 2013. A copy of the Petition is on file with the Clerk of the Court. You are hereby commanded to appear on August 16, 2023, at 10:45 am, before the Honorable Magistrate Sandra Taylor, at the Plantation Key County Courthouse, 88770 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, Florida 33070, by zoom with a zoom meeting ID 967-4668-8252 and passcode 207718 for an ADVISORY HEARING. Answer due August 14, 2023.

FAILURE TO PERSONALLY APPEAR AT THIS ADVISORY HEARING CONSTITUTES CONSENT TO THE JOINT PETITION FOR STEPPARENT ADOPTION. IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR ON THE DATE AND TIME SPECIFIED, YOU MAY LOSE ALL LEGAL RIGHTS AS A PARENT TO THE CHILD OR CHILDREN NAMED IN THIS NOTICE.

If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Cheryl Alfonso, 502 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040, 305-2923562 at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call 711

WITNESS my hand as Clerk of said Court and the Seal thereof, this 26th day of June, 2023.

KEVIN MADOK, as Clerk of Court

By: Jennifer Havengar

Deputy

Publish:

RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: UNKNOWN

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on YAMILET ORTUETA, whose address is 529 PARK DRIVE, KEY WEST, FL 33040 on or before AUGUST 14, 2023, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE

Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.)

Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: July 6, 2023

Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By:

Riza Hall

Deputy Clerk

Publish:

July 13, 20 & 27 and August 3, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

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

CASE NO.: 23-DR-520-K

JUAN FELIPE JARA

GALLEGUILLOS Petitioner, and, CLAUDIA SUSANA ALMEIDA CHACON, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT)

TO: CLAUDIA SUSANA ALMEIDA

CHACON RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 112 PEARY COURT, UNIT B, KEY WEST, FLORIDA 33040

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on JUAN FELIPE JARA

clerk’s office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: July 11, 2023

Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By: Riza Hall

Deputy Clerk

Publish:

July 13, 20 & 27 and August 3, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY CIVIL ACTION NO.: 23-DR000497-K FAMILY DIVISION

IN RE: THE MARRIAGE OF ELZBIETA TERESA DORVILLE and JOSE ANIBAL DORVILLE NOTICE OF ACTION CONSRUCTIVE SERVICE (NO PROPERTY) NOTICE FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

TO: JOSE ANIBAL DORVILLE (ADDRESS UNKNOWN)

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a Petition for Dissolution of your Marriage has been filed and commenced in this court and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Malgorzata J. Kon, Esq., Attorney for Petitioner, whose address is KON & ASSOCIATES, LLC, 2131 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 507A, Hollywood, FL 33020 and file the original with the clerk of the above styled court on or before August 21, 2023; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief prayed for in the complaint or petition.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, require certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal of striking of pleadings. WITNESS my hand and the seal of said court at Monroe County, Florida on this 13 day of July 2023.

Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By: Riza Hall Deputy Clerk

Publish:

July 20 & 27 and August 3 & 10, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

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

CASE NO.: 2022-CA-511-K

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT

Syle of which is: WINDWARD POINTE II, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY

COMPANY

Plaintiff vs. JAMES KEFFER, et.al Defendant And the Docket Number of which is 2022-CA-511-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 27TH day of June 2023.

KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By: Shonta McLeod

As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale.

Publish:

July 20 & 27, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

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

CASE NO.: 2022-CA-511-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 7th day of August, 2023 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: UNIT 5311, WEEK 41, ODD YEAR BIENNIAL WINDWARD POINTE, A LEASEHOLD CONDOMINIUM (“CONDOMINIUM”), ACCORDING TO THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM THEREOF RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 1803, PAGE 844, PUBLIC RECORDS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND ALL EXHIBITS THERETO, AND ANY AMENDMENTS THEREOF (THE “DECLARATION”).

Pursuant to IN REM FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AFTER DEFAULT AS TO COUNT(S) VI entered in a case pending in said Court, the 27TH day of June 2023

Syle of which is: WINDWARD POINTE II, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Plaintiff vs. JAMES KEFFER, et.al Defendant

And the Docket Number of which is 2022-CA-511-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 27TH day of June 2023. KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By: Shonta McLeod

County, Florida, to wit: UNIT 5732, WEEK 52, ANNUAL WINDWARD POINTE, A LEASEHOLD CONDOMINIUM (“CONDOMINIUM”), ACCORDING TO THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM THEREOF RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 1803, PAGE 844, PUBLIC RECORDS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND ALL EXHIBITS THERETO, AND ANY AMENDMENTS THEREOF (THE “DECLARATION”).

Pursuant to IN REM FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AFTER DEFAULT AS TO COUNT(S)

VII, VIII entered in a case pending in said Court, the 23rd day of June 2023

Syle of which is: WINDWARD POINTE II, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY

COMPANY Plaintiff

vs. JAMES KEFFER, et.al

Defendant

And the Docket Number of which is 2022-CA-511-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 27TH day of June 2023.

KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By: Shonta McLeod

As Deputy Clerk

Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale.

Publish: July 20 & 27, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

AUTOS WANTED

AUTOS ALL YEARS!

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

$CASH 305-332-0483

Boat Slip For Rent with parking for boat trailer and car. 80’ wet slip on easily accessible canal less than 100 yards to ocean. Two boats 34’ or less can easily be docked. $150.00/ week with monthly rental availability. Call or text 336-408-8140 or look at dockage and slip at 901 63rd St. Ocean West, Marathon or email stc471@gmail.com.

EMPLOYMENT

Zero Dress Code Boutique Hiring sales personnel in Islamorada & Ocean Reef Club. Competitive pay, discounts and great atmosphere. Send resume to zerodresscode@gmail. com or call 305-393-4445

HEALTH INSURANCE

NAVIGATOR - Enrollment Assistance, Outreach, Education and Community Events. Paid Training and equipment. Bi-lingual a plus. Call 305-767-3883

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time dishwasher. $15/hr, Private Club & Friendly Atmosphere, Flexible Afternoon/Evening Hours Wednesday – Saturday. Call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview.

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

SUNSET GRILLE IS HIRING

• Hosts

• Waitstaff

• Bartenders

• Bar Backs

• Bussers

• Line Cooks

• Dishwashers

Clerk

July 13, 20 & 27 and August 3, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,

GALLEGUILLOS, whose address is 112 PEARY COURT, UNIT B, KEY WEST, FLORIDA 33040 on or before AUGUST 14, 2023, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 WHITEHEAD STREET, KEY WEST, FLORIDA 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE

Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.)

Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 7th day of August, 2023 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: UNIT 5224, WEEK 42, ANNUAL WINDWARD POINTE, A LEASEHOLD CONDOMINIUM (“CONDOMINIUM”), ACCORDING TO THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM THEREOF RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 1803, PAGE 844, PUBLIC RECORDS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND ALL EXHIBITS THERETO, AND ANY AMENDMENTS THEREOF (THE “DECLARATION”).

Pursuant to IN REM FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AFTER DEFAULT AS TO COUNT(S)

II, III entered in a case pending in said Court, the 27TH day of June 2023

As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale.

Publish:

July 20 & 27, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2022-CA-511-K

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 7th day of August, 2023 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe

Apply in person at Sunset Grille & Raw Bar, 7 Knight’s Key Blvd, Marathon

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE

We are now hiring for the following positions:

Diesel Mechanic Truck Helpers

CDL Drivers

Applicants must apply in person to be considered.

4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

EMPLOYMENT HOBBIES/COLLECT. EMPLOYMENT

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

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

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.

Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder is hiring an overnight Security Guard- responsibilities 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 lbs and must be able to stay awake and alert for a 13 hour shift (6:00pm7am). DPMMR is a drug- free workplace. To apply, please send your resume to nancyc@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.

PRIVATE COLLECTOR

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

PETS FOR SALE

3 yr. old soft-coated Wheaten Terrier, neutered male, good jogger, trained. AKC registered. Price negotiable. 505-699-4199

YARD SALES

Place your YARD SALE ad here for $25/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today and sell your stuff!

PERSONAL CHEF FULL-TIME

A beautiful private property in Islamorada is looking for a professional, experienced, friendly, clean & organized, knowledgeable and practices food safety procedures full-time personal chef.

Competitive salary and great benefits. Must pass a background check & drug test.

Please email resume to Apply4APREI@gmail.com

CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT OR MEDICAL ASSISTANT

CNA/Medical Assistant-Keys AHEC is seeking a Certified Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant to join its Primary Care School Health Center in Key West and the Lower Keys. Position is considered full time following the Teacher’s school schedule during the year with limited Summer Hours. Duties will be to support our Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant within the clinical setting and the agency administratively. Candidate should have medical training, License/Certification, strong computer skills and bi-lingual is a plus.

Please submit your resume/CV to mcunningham@fkahec.org for consideration for this position. EOE

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER IS HIRING

Dolphin Research Center has Full-Time/Part-Time, Permanent/Temporary Guest Services & Gift Shop positions that involve direct contact with our visitors & is another opportunity to ensure they leave DRC with a happy & positive experience.

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

NOW HIRING DIVE INSTRUCTOR

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

11710 OVERSEAS HWY, MARATHON

JOIN OUR TEAM !

PEDRO FALCON CONTRACTORS INC.

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

TRUCK DRIVERS CDL CLASS A

We are hiring CDL CLASS A Drivers, Monday-Friday with overtime available. Hazmat not needed.

Apply at Charley Toppino & Sons, Inc. 129 Toppino Industrial Dr., Key West (ask for Cheryl) 305-296-5606 ext 126.

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.

WE ARE HIRING FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS:

• Carpenters • Laborers

• Electricians & Electricians helpers

• Supervisor(s)

Email resume to mari@pedrofalcon.com or call our office at 305-872-2200. Competitive pay & benefits. Contact us for more information.

O ffice located in Big Pine Key. P.F.C, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Section 3 Candidates are encouraged to apply.

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 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.

16th Judicial Circuit is hiring

FULL-TIME TRIAL COURT STAFF ATTORNEY

The 16th Judicial Circuit is seeking applicants for a full-time Trial Court Staff Attorney in KEY WEST.

The essential function of the position within the organization is to assist the judiciary with case management, pending litigation and issues, and/or process criminal and civil appeals. The position is responsible for drafting memoranda, opinions, orders and reports; conducting legal research; reviewing briefs and case files; and advising judges on pending litigation and issues. Annual salary is $66,533.08, plus State of Florida benefit package, including retirement. See complete job description at www.Keyscourts.net. Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and State of Florida Application to Personnel@Keyscourts.net or Personnel, 302 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida 33040. State of Florida applications can be found at www.Keyscourts.net.

The successful applicant will be required to pass a complete background check. Applications are being accepted until position is filled. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, disability or sexual orientation. EOE. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application/selection process, please notify us in at advance at 305-292-3423; to make call through the Florida Relay Center, you can dial 7-1-1.

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

IS HIRING!

Volunteer Resources

Administrative Assistant (Full-Time, Permanent)

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

Human Resources Assistant (Part-Time, Permanent)

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

Accounting Director (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

16th Judicial Circuit is hiring

The 16th Judicial Circuit is seeking applicants for a full-time or part-time Male Laboratory Technician in KEY WEST.

The primary functions of this position include the observation and collection of urine samples, data input, analyzer maintenance, and analysis of client samples.

Salary is $19.25 an hour, plus Monroe County benefit package*. See complete job description at www.Keyscourts.net.

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and State of Florida Application to Personnel@Keyscourts.net or Personnel, 302 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida 33040. State of Florida applications can be found at www.Keyscourts.net.

The successful applicant will be required to pass a complete background check. Applications are being accepted until position is filled. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, disability or sexual orientation. EOE. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application/selection process, please notify us in at advance at 305-292-3423; to make call through the Florida Relay Center, you can dial 7-1-1.

*Must work

NOW HIRING FT FRONT OFFICE ASSISTANT MARATHON, FL

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.

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

NOW HIRING IN ISLAMORADA

BOAT RENTAL STAFF

FLEXIBLE HOURS & COMPETITIVE WAGES

3 shifts (also Per Diem)

Peer Support Specialist

*Support Worker – Assisted Living *No experience required for these positions. Will train. A caring heart & helpful hands required.

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.

SAMANTHA DELLILO

is a Keys native who has a passion for all things food. She runs the local food blog, “Florida Keys Eats.”

COOLEST TREATS

I’ve had a ridiculous obsession with shaved ice since I took my first bite. I know if you’re a shave ice virgin, you probably picture a snow cone. Don’t insult shaved ice by calling it a snow cone.

A snow cone has a hard texture caused by the technique of crushing ice. Shave ice is light, and fluffy like a fresh Colorado snowfall. It’s originally from Hawaii and invented by Japanese immigrants using tools to shave flakes off blocks of ice to cool off. My love for this icy treat is so intense, my fiancé gave me an industrial shave ice machine a few Christmases back.

Before you write to my editor to yell at him about how I have so many grammatical errors in this article by writing “shave ice” as opposed to “shaved ice,” please know this spelling is on purpose. It’s how Hawaiians pronounce this native dessert. I was saying it wrong for years until my good friend, Marissa Akullian, who previously lived in Hawaii, gave me the scoop on how to sound like a local.

Imagine my thrill when I heard about a shave

Declare independence from hearing loss!

Dr. Michelle can help you hear clearly this summer and beyond!

BEAT THE HEAT WITH SHAVE ICE AT OHANA SWEET SHOPPE

ice truck opening in Tavernier. I pulled up to Ohana Sweet Shoppe, located at the Florida Keys Diving Center, and the first thing I saw on the menu board was “shave ice.” I thought “woo-hoo,” I hit the authentic jackpot. I thought the name was perfect because if you’ve seen Disney’s “Lilo and Stitch,” you know “Ohana” is a Hawaiian term that means family. Looking at the crowds that visit this colorful food truck, it is definitely a family-friendly spot. It also has one of the funnest menus I’ve ever seen. Waffle batter corn dogs, Frito nachos, chicken strips, you name it. I, however, was there for the star of the show.

I ordered the large shave ice and paused with anxiety mixed with excitement when I was asked which flavor. I kid you not, I might have counted 30 options. Lavender caught my eye and it did not disappoint. Oh, you know what, top it with some coconut cream.

When I tell you this lavender shave ice was delicious, I’m actually lying. It wasn’t delicious. It was more than that. It was perfect. It was heavenly. It was exactly what Samantha in 100-degree weather needed. The Florida heat had me talking in third-person. One thing all snow cone or shave ice establishments have in common is the slightly chemical tasting syrups. This flavor was so amazing I just needed to know what brand Ohana used.

I walked back to the truck and asked the owner Diane Lane, “So I promise I won’t tell, but what brand of syrup do you use?” She casually replied “oh, I make them myself in-house.” I was floored. The person

standing right in front of me made this mind-blowing lavender syrup. She told me she makes nearly all the syrups on the menu from scratch and, let me tell you, you can taste the difference.

A friend I’ve known since kindergarten, Kaitlin Dooley, had messaged me the day before, raving about the “guri” at Ohana. I ordered some and I just couldn’t believe it. I went from definitely solidifying the lavender shave ice as my favorite thing on earth, but now I wasn’t sure. My socks were gone. The guri guri blew my freaking socks off. I don’t care what flavor you order of the guri, it’s just I’m speechless even typing this. Some people get a guri base and top it with the shave ice. You can’t leave this place unhappy. It’s the mecca and there is a flavor for everyone.

I learned that day myself and I’ll educate you: guri guri is another Japanese dessert that is a hybrid of sherbet and soft serve ice cream. The name comes from the inventor calling it “goodie goodie.” He isn’t lying; it’s definitely worth saying twice.

Ohana Sweet Shoppe is located at MM 90, oceanside. Currently, their hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. If you live nearby, you’ll end up going every day. If you live far, it’s worth the drive. Bring the kids, the dogs and the husbands, they have room for everyone.

1. Ohana Sweet Shoppe is located next to Florida Keys Diving Center at MM 90, oceanside, in Tavernier. SAMANTHA DELLILO/Keys Weekly. 2. Lavender shave ice. 3. All syrups for the shave ice are made in-house.