Upper Keys Weekly 23-0824

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The second Disaster Preparedness sales tax holiday begins Saturday, Aug. 26. Residents can purchase supplies tax free, such as batteries, weather radios, common household items, leashes and tarps, among other items. A full list of tax-free items is available at FloridaRevenue.com/DisasterPrep.

Coral Shores junior quarterback Yemcel Moreno surveys the field for an open receiver during a preseason game against Somerset Silver Palms on Aug. 18. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

GOOD NEWS & BAD FOR FLORIDA’S PROPERTY INSURANCE COSTS

STATE OFFICIALS DENY CITIZENS’ RATE HIKE FOR SOME PROPERTIES, APPROVE IT FOR OTHERS

BY JIM MCCARTHY AND MANDY MILES

When it comes to Florida’s skyrocketing property insurance costs, there was good news and bad coming out of Tallahassee last week.

First, the good news.

State insurance regulators shot down a request by Citizens Property Insurance Inc., Florida’s state-backed insurance company, to raise its rates by 12% on policies that cover primary residences.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) defines a “primary residence” as, “the policyholder’s home or a rental property occupied by the tenant for more than nine months of the year.”

Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky on Aug. 18 signed an order that questioned the proposed 12% increase and directed Citizens to “calculate new, reduced, overall average statewide rate increases” for primary residences. Citizens has 30 days to come back with a revised request for rate increases.

But now the bad news.

Condominium associations, which are plentiful in the Florida Keys, and non-residential commercial properties got no reprieve.

In a separate order for those types of properties, also signed on Aug. 18, Yaworsky approved Citizens’ requested rate hikes that will take effect Oct. 1.

The approved increases include a 9.8% increase for wind-only policies that cover condominium associations, a 10.6% increase for commercial residential property, which includes apartment complexes, and a 12% increase for commercial, nonresidential property, according to the Aug. 18 order that was posted to the OIR’s website.

“Citizens officials contend rate increases are needed, in part, because Citizens broadly charges lower rates than private insurers,” states an Aug. 22 article in the Herald-Tribune. “They

say Citizens’ lower rates undercut longrunning state efforts to push policies into the private market. Also, they argue higher rates are needed to make Citizens more actuarially sound.”

In the order directing Citizens to revise its requested increases for primary residences, state regulators question whether across-the-board hikes are appropriate for all areas of Florida, regardless of hurricane risk, vulnerability or the amount of prior claims.

In the Florida Keys, for example, advocates with Fair Insurance Rates for Monroe (FIRM) have asked regulators and Citizens for more than a decade to consider Florida Keys’ building codes — the strictest in the state — and prior costs of claims paid out — among the lowest in the state — when calculating costs for policies in the island chain.

FIRM has repeatedly pointed out that Keys property owners have paid $850 million more in premiums than they have received in insurance claims, according to FIRM’s calculations and actuarial reviews.

Mel Montagne, the board president, said FIRM was the only organization to contest Citizens’ rate hike request during a June 8 public hearing.

“We laid out our arguments why Monroe County should not see any kind of rate increase,” Montagne said. “I would like to think that laid some of

PEXELS/Pixabay

the groundwork for them (OIR) really digging into Citizens’ rate filing, and putting this pause — albeit a short one — on this rate filing and asking Citizens to go back and revamp it.”

Montagne added the ultimate hope is no rate increase from Citizens for Monroe County.

“That’s what we always tell them,” he said. “Our statistics prove that we have been a donor county to Citizens for quite a long time.”

Yaworsky’s order for a rate revamp came four days after FIRM hosted top officials from Citizens in the Florida Keys. Montagne said visits were made to various sites, including Habitat homes in the Upper Keys, as Citizens officials heard how property insurance burdens are affecting the local workforce.

Montagne said FIRM will be working to get special dispensation as it relates to insurance rate hikes for affordable housing units in Monroe County.

“With Habitat, those folks who live in those homes are subject to a very strict formula for their monthly payments. And the recent massive increases in insurance are driving those folks to rely on Habitat to make up the difference because they cannot afford to pay for an additional $200 to $300 in insurance,” Montagne said.

ISLAMORADA COUNCIL MEETING WELCOMES INTERIM MANAGER BRYAN COOK

BASEBALL FIELD & BOAT LAUNCH FOR GUIDES AMONG HOT TOPICS

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

An Aug. 17 meeting of the Islamorada Village Council marked the first for Bryan Cook, the interim manager loaned by Monroe County for a 60-day period. A roughly four-hour meeting saw the council working through an agenda with 24 items. There were also discussions on the baseball field at Founders Park and a possible boat launch for local fishing guides.

Proposed baseball improvements under

the scope

At Founders Park, spacious green fields welcome young soccer and lacrosse players. Further into the park, an Olympic-sized pool brings visitors, locals and high school swimmers for recreation and competition.

Toward the front of the park near the administrative building is a fine-cut baseball field for the Hurricanes’ baseball program. Throughout the year, the field is used for a Steady Bats program, which focuses on the fundamentals among athletes ages 10-18, and the regular season in the spring. The field is also used by residents and visitors when available.

Over the years, school facilities up and down the Keys underwent renovation and upgrades. Now, the Monroe County School District is eyeing improvements to a field of up to $5 million. Plans caught the attention of some residents concerned about some aspects of the project and requesting more information.

Per an agreement with the village, improvements to the field at Founders Park are under the school district’s responsibility. Earlier in the year, the school district issued a request for qualifications for the design and construction of renovations and upgrades to the field, bleachers, fences, dugouts and batting cage.

Taking to the podium during public comment, Capt. Ed Davidson shared concerns over the lack of public involvement in the development of what he called a major, $5 million commercialization of the village’s park. He also shared issues with the possible use of astroturf.

“It tends to be problematic in hot climates like ours. You have to wash it and rinse it once a week,” he said. “There’s not really much to speak of in water systems. We have as fine a grass

and clay diamond as many folks have seen anywhere in the country.”

Rich Russell, former Coral Shores athletic director who’s transitioned to a new role overseeing athletic facilities, told the council that no design elements of the project are finalized yet. Concepts of what the facility could look like were drawn by companies during the RFQ process. But that doesn’t mean all amenities outlined in concept drawings will move to construction, he acknowledged.

Resident Joan Scholz said she only learned about the project a few weeks ago. While she supports school athletics – she was assistant coach for track and cross country – Scholz had issues with the idea of transforming the baseball into a stadium-like facility.

“We can’t take space away from residents. There’s a lot of pride and a lot of people who have built Founders Park.”

Russell said a contract for the project hasn’t come before the school board. He also stated that the village was kept in the loop on the project from the get-go.

“I had a conversation with Councilman (Henry) Rosenthal a year-anda-half ago, as well as Mayor Buddy (Pinder),” Russell said. “Laura (Lietaert), Maria Bassett and I walked the field and discussed vision and direction. There should be no suggestion this was covert.”

Fishing guides seek boat ramp access at Founders

Boat ramp access in Islamorada is slowly fading — a major blow for one industry contributing a significant portion to the Keys’ economy. Now, village officials are exploring ways to help local fishing guides, through the possible use of a ramp at Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina at Founders Park.

Acknowledging the hardships faced by local fishing guides to launch their boats, Vice Mayor Sharon Mahoney began looking into a ramp once used by the locals dating back to the 1960s. It’s a different ramp from the one used by locals for free and nonresidents who pay $40 round-trip. Mahoney started examining the feasibility of the former boat ramp.

“Right now this is at the baby stages,” she said, adding that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection said the village could renovate existing ramps. Mahoney said they

haven’t assessed how it would affect seagrass and mangroves in the area.

Mayor Buddy Pinder said he remembers using the old ramp.

“The poles for the dock are still there if you look at the mangroves,” he said.

Meanwhile, Capt. Steve Friedman, on behalf of the Florida Keys Fishing Guides Foundation, took to the podium to voice support for a past program that allowed local fishing guides to use the boat ramp at Founders. In the past, Friedman said the program allowed the guides to launch their boats during “odd” hours. The program existed for years and faded away following Hurricane Irma when guides were assisting in cleanups throughout the Keys.

“For some reason, it seemed that there was no more interest in the program, so they closed it. That was announced at a nearshore water committee meeting when I was on the panel and asked that it not be stopped,” he said. “They said (it) was for a lack of participation.”

With local marinas at capacity and other water access diminishing in the Keys, Friedman supported the idea of an additional ramp that could benefit the fishing guides and village.

“After all, I think everybody here could agree that the fishing guides are part of the backbone of the economy of this entire county and give back a lot,” he added. “To give back to the guides to allow a few of them to use this ramp would be very beneficial.”

Lisa Watts, dockmaster at Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina, said the idea of giving local guides access to the current ramp could pose a problem. The marina office and boat open at 8 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. every day.

“It’s going to be hard to open the ramp from 6 to 9 (a.m.) and just have guides,” she said. “Because then we’re open to the public at that point. Then you have traffic, and you have to have lights because we have no lights on the ramp.”

New interim manager Bryan Cook said the village is in an “exploratory phase” at the moment.

“Rather than have the brainstorming debate here, you can task staff to come back with options,” Cook told council.

Council seeks efficient meetings

Meetings of the Islamorada Village Council average roughly four hours dating back to mid-November when a new dais was sworn in. In a bid for shorter meetings — some have lasted six hours — the dais approved the establishment of a meeting procedure via 5-0 vote.

The 13-page document outlines everything from the dais’ seating arrangement to the way the council conducts its business from roll call to adjournment. It also explains decorum at meetings and the ability for the mayor or sergeant-at-arms, a sheriff’s deputy, to remove a person who’s unruly. At the request of Councilwoman Elizabeth Jolin, the council agreed to reword language allowing the sergeant-at-arms to remove a person who’s unruly or could pose a safety threat. Originally, the proposal stated that the sergeantat-arms had the authority to remove any person who violated any meeting procedures, or at the request of the mayor.

Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina at Founders Park in Islamorada. DAVID GROSS/Keys Weekly

U.S. 1 TRAFFIC SLOWDOWNS COULD END NEW DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE KEYS

The Overseas Highway, the 120-mile stretch of U.S. 1 that’s practically Main Street in the Florida Keys, has plenty of problems with slowdowns and traffic hitting a standstill.

But now, these U.S. 1 headaches could put a lockdown on new building permits – other than single-family homes – across the entirety of Monroe County.

Monroe County’s own 2023 traffic study, based on its policies and regulations in its 2030 comprehensive plan and land development code, earned a D grade for what’s called the “minimum level of service” for the entire length of U.S. 1.

The latest D grade factored in a median speed of 44.7 mph. The median speed needs to be 45 mph under the county’s own regulations.

A D means a freeze on any new major developments or redevelopments.

CARD SOUND ROAD UNDERGOES SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Atwo-lane road serving as an alternate travel route for motorists entering and leaving the Florida Keys is undergoing a series of improvements.

Card Sound Road, or County Road 905A, is one of two arteries — the other being the 18-Mile Stretch — connecting mainland Florida to the Keys. Along the way, motorists pass by Dagny Johnson State Park, traverse Card Sound Bridge and ride past Alabama Jack’s.

Like the 18-Mile Stretch, Card Sound Road has witnessed a number of accidents — some fatal — over the years, in addition to wear from the intense heat and use by vehicles and trucks. A project by the Florida Department of Transportation began Aug. 10 to resurface the road from the east end of Card

Sound Bridge to the intersection with County Road 905 in North Key Largo. In addition, crews will be installing striping, upgrading pavement markings and improving signs.

FDOT’s $6.4-million project runs from Card Sound Road to the intersection of U.S. 1 and Southwest 304 Street in Florida City.

Work will occur Sunday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Some construction will take place during daytime hours but will not require a lane closure. During evening construction hours, traffic will be reduced to one-lane, two-way alternating traffic, and the contractor will use illuminated nighttime flagging operations to direct traffic through the work zone. In the event of a hurricane evacuation, all lanes will be open, and construction will cease.

Weather permitting, improvement work is expected to finish this fall.

“This would mean that the county may not permit new development, other than single-family homes, unless the proposed development’s traffic impact is mitigated,” county spokes-

woman Kristen Livengood said in a press release.

This happened in 2019, when the traffic study came out as a D. But the county, in the end, didn’t adopt that study after a task force adjusted the methodology.

Monroe County Commissioners will address the study results and its ramifications when they meet Sept. 20. The 2023 study is technically a draft at this time and requires their approval.

The formal study, called the U.S. 1 Arterial Travel Time and Delay Study, is conducted by the county’s traffic engineering consultant, who uses the established systematic traffic monitoring program to rate traffic volumes and travel speeds on U.S. 1 – as well as on each of the 24 study segments on U.S. 1.

The consultant factored in the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority’s water main breaks and repairs that happened during the dates of data collection, Livengood said.

This study has been done every two years since 2013. Before that, it was an annual study starting in 1992.

DOCKED BOAT CATCHES FIRE IN KEY LARGO

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Firefighters rushed to Key Largo’s Manatee Bay Club to witness a 60-foot boat engulfed in flames early Aug. 21.

A call came in at 12:40 a.m. of a docked vessel on fire at the club, located at 100 Morris Ave. The Key Largo Fire Department said crews quickly worked to bring the fire under control and extinguish the flames. Due to the intense heat, multiple vessels located next to the burning boat sustained damage.

The Key Largo Fire Department and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said no injuries occurred from the incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the state fire marshal.

Monroe County Fire Rescue, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard assisted the Key Largo Fire Department.

Key Largo firefighters arrived at Manatee Bay Club to witness fierce flames coming from a docked boat. KEY LARGO FIRE DEPARTMENT/Contributed

Firefighters extinguish a docked boat engulfed in flames at Key Largo’s Manatee Bay Club on Aug. 21.

Monroe County’s own traffic study gave U.S. 1 a D grade due to slowdowns. FILE PHOTO

‘D’ GRADE DUE TO LOW SPEEDS

Florida Keys Electric Co-op Notice: Unclaimed Capital Credits

As a not-for-profit, member-owned utility, Florida Keys Electric Cooperative members receive Member Capital Credits — Your piece of the co-op pie! Member Capital Credits are our annual margins (total revenue minus operating costs) allocated to each member that received power from us for that year on a per-usage basis.

FKEC retains these allocated margins for a number of years to invest in improvements, maintain the electric system, and offset the amount of money the co-op has to borrow from banks, which in turn keeps your electric rates lower. Eventually these allocated margins are returned to members and called Capital Credits.

When a member or former member is due a Capital Credit return, FKEC attempts to

locate and return that member’s funds over a five-year period. In a final attempt to notify a member of their return, FKEC provides the names of the people owed unclaimed funds. To see if you, or someone you know, has unclaimed funds, please check our database online at www.FKEC.com/access-your-account

An FKEC member or former member on the list must claim payments within sixty days of August 28, 2023. Failure to make such a claim will result in an irrevocable assignment or gift by such member or former member of such Capital Credit return to the co-op pursuant to Article VII, Section 3 of the bylaws of the cooperative.

LOCAL FOUNDATION WANTS MORE DIVERSITY IN KEYS TEACHERS

BLACK EDUCATORS INITIATIVE PROVIDES FINANCIAL FELLOWSHIPS FOR BLACK TEACHERS

mandy@keysweekly.com

Public schools in Monroe County have about 1,500 black students, representing 16% of the overall enrollment, but as of two years ago, there were only eight black teachers in the county school district, representing 3% of all teachers. Gerald Adams Elementary School in Key West, for example, has a student population that is 40% black.

The Black Educators Initiative, created and funded by Key West businessman and philanthropist John Padget through his Golden Fleece Foundation, provides financial fellowships as an incentive for black teachers to apply for jobs in the Monroe County School District.

Research shows that having a black teacher has several positive effects on black students. One study found that black students who had one black teacher by third grade were 7% more likely to graduate high school and 13% more likely to enroll in college. After having two black teachers, black students’ likelihood of enrolling in college increased by 32%.

“I think the ramifications of this program could be dramatic,” Padget

Man on PWC struck by lightning

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Monroe County Fire Rescue responded to Cow Key Marina on Stock Island at about 1 p.m. on Aug. 20 after a man on a personal watercraft was reportedly struck by lightning.

Jeremy Greenfield, 38, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was reportedly in Cow Key Channel on a PWC when the incident occurred. He was taken to the nearby marina. Paramedics transported him in stable condition to Lower Keys Medical Center on Stock Island.

Accused boat thief arrested in the Keys

A 22-year-old Miami man wanted for boat theft in Broward County was arrested in Key Largo on Aug. 21 Cristian Urquiza Valdes was also charged with marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia in addition to the warrant out of Broward County.

The sheriff’s office received information that Urquiza Valdes may be in Monroe County on Sunday. He was

told the Keys Weekly on July 11.

“We expect this program to expand,” said Bryan Green, board member of the Golden Fleece Foundation that funds the fellowships. “Including the newly hired teachers, the district will now have 22 black teachers (provided the new hires can find housing in the Keys). The Black Educator Initiative has made good progress, but the goal is to have teachers that fully represent the demographics of the students.”

The Black Educators Initiative, with funding from the Golden Fleece Foundation, provides a $30,000 fellowship to black teachers who are hired by the local school district. Mashawn Thrasher, new Key Largo School seventhgrade teacher, was recently awarded a fellowship award as part of the Black Educators Initiative. At Plantation Key School, fifth-grade teacher Tisa Lall received a pioneer award for her work in promoting the Black Educator Initiative.

Padget emphasized that he and the foundation “have nothing at all to do with the hiring process,” so these educators need to apply through the normal routes, get hired by the school district and start teaching.

“Fellowship awards were pre-

stopped on U.S. 1 near MM 98.2 in a Ram truck at about 3:50 p.m. A small amount of marijuana was found in the vehicle. He was taken to jail.

Key Largo library re-opens Mondays

The Monroe County Public Library’s Key Largo branch will return to a schedule of six days a week starting on Monday, Sept. 11. The branch has been closed on Mondays since May because of a staffing shortage. Starting Sept. 11, it will be open until 8 p.m. on Mondays and close at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays. The library branch, at 101485 Overseas Highway in the Tradewinds Shopping Plaza, will be open Monday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m, Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Library books and DVDs are available 24/7 from the lending machine at Monroe County’s Murray Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Highway. There is also a pickup

sented to teachers in their respective classrooms by Terry Huff, representing the Golden Fleece Foundation,” Padget said.

Huff is a graduate of North Carolina Central University (NCCU), the nation’s first public liberal arts institution for African Americans and a Historically Black College/University in Durham, North Carolina.

The $30,000 fellowships are awarded to newly hired black teachers in Monroe County. Huff said that awardees from out-of-county receive $15,000 at the beginning of their first year. Then, coinciding with their continued employment, they receive $10,000 at the start of their second year, and $5,000 for their third year.

locker outside the Key Largo branch, so patrons can request items to be held there and pick them up any time.

Labor Day service at Hurricane Monument

Teacher Anita Linville was one of the first teachers to receive a BEI fellowship after being offered a job at Key West High School.

“The Black Educator Initiative is designed to bridge the gap of inequity and inequality so often seen in education today,” Linville said. “It is a powerful program to provide an opportunity for diverse students to learn from a diverse group of teachers. Because the intent is so radically genuine, the Golden Fleece Foundation makes the process easy for potential black educators.”

For more information and to apply, black educators should visit blackeducatorinitiative.com for details.

The Matecumbe Historical Trust will hold its annual Labor Day Service on Monday, Sept. 4 at 9 a.m. at the Islamorada Hurricane Monument, MM 81.5. The Hurricane Monument memorializes hundreds of American veterans and local citizens who died

in the Hurricane of Sept. 2, 1935. After World War I, returning veterans were promised bonuses but were not paid. As the misery of the depression overtook the country, many remained unemployed and large groups assembled in Washington in 1934, demanding their money. The newly-created Federal Emergency Relief Administration offered the unemployed veterans jobs. Over 600 of these men came to the Florida Keys to help complete U.S. 1, adjacent to the railroad. On Sept. 2, 1935, many of the civilians and war veterans perished in the 200-mph winds and huge storm surge. Each year the Matecumbe Historical Trust holds a service to pay tribute to those who lost their lives. The service will include the introduction, invocation, presentation of colors, national anthem, guest speakers, history of the hurricane, the laying of a memorial wreath, taps, patriotic songs and a benediction. The wreath is sponsored by Centennial Bank. More information is available from Barbara at 305-393-0940.

A gathering at the Hurricane Monument in Islamorada. CONTRIBUTED

Left: Pictured from left are Key Largo School principal Darren Pais; Mashawn Thrasher, Key Largo School seventh-grade teacher; and Terry Huff, Golden Fleece Foundation representative. CONTRIBUTED. Right: Pictured from left are Terry Huff, Golden Fleece Foundation representative; Tisa Lall, Plantation Key School fifth-grade teacher; and Plantation Key School principal Lisa Taylor.

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

MASON BUXTON

THE SCOREBOARD

THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS

Mason Buxton is no stranger to hard work. A member of Marathon’s varsity cross country team since the eighth grade, Buxton has been in the shadows of some of the greatest runners in Keys history, and yet his undogged work ethic and willingness to put in the miles have always kept him in the team’s top five. Now in his fifth season, he has come into his own, and it may just be others chasing him. Mason is intelligent, kind-hearted and talented as a runner and athlete in general. For his constant pursuit of self-improvement and willingness to put in the work no matter how challenging, Mason Buxton is the Keys Weekly Athlete

Senior, Marathon Cross Country

Photos by BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

“Mason is a strong runner who puts in the work to be successful. I’m looking forward to seeing how low he can get his times in his final season at MHS.”

– Jim Murphy, Marathon boys cross country coach

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

VS VOLLEYBALL

COLONIAL CHRISTIAN CORAL SHORES

AUGUST 24 | 4 p.m

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

Opposite page

Fab Louis Jeune slows down a Varela ball carrier while his backup arrives.

Tanner Ross (5) protects Carlos Lezcano as he receives the ball.

Photos by MIKKEL ROSS/Keys Weekly

Hurricanes running back Jhonathan Mesa runs the ball upfield.

A ’Canes defender attempts to disrupt a completed pass.

Photos by DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

The Key West Conchs open their season with a preseason contest against Trinity Catholic Ocala on Aug. 19. The Conchs fell to the Celtics, 56-13.

Photos by GRACE ANDREW/ Keys Weekly

Key West hosted Trinity Catholic out of Ocala on Aug. 18 in a preseason game that made up for a missed meeting last season. The Conchs were set to play the Celtics in the regular season in 2022 before Hurricane Ian forced some schedule changes. Chock full of D1 commits, Trinity Catholic is coached by former University of Florida quarterback John Brantley and has been able to pull athletes from quite a radius, building a reputation the past few seasons as the powerhouse of Marion County.

Last Friday’s score helped solidify the Celtics’ reputation, but Conchs coach Johnny Hughes was not distressed in the slightest with the 56-13 final score.

“Trinity Catholic brought a limited number of players, all starters,” he said, describing his opposition’s travel dilemma. An eight-hour trip each way is costly for any team, and Trinity had to leave their backups behind. Hughes entered the game with the plan being to play his starters for just the first half, then give the younger athletes a chance to get evaluated on film. At the end of the first half, the Conchs were down by 10, which indicates that Hughes’ team can hold its own against the top competition the district has to offer.

KICKOFF CLASSICS TEST KEYS FOOTBALL TEAMS

Hughes was pleased with quarterback Adrian Mira’s ability to control the offense in the first half. Mira was sidelined for much of the 2022 season by injuries. Now that he is healthy, the Conchs have a strong advantage with him taking the snaps.

Key West will need every advantage it can get to achieve its goal this season: winning the district championship. The team takes the first step toward that goal on Aug. 25, taking on the Tigers of Clewiston in a road trip that will take just under five hours. Due to districting, Key West will take road trips of similar length three more times later in the season to Fort Myers, Stuart and Estero, making the trip to Archbishop McCarthy in Fort Lauderdale seem like a quick one.

1A Marathon had a mismatched preseason game, facing the 7A Vipers of Varela High School. In what should have been an early game, Marathon waited out multiple rain delays in the locker room before the all-clear was given to play. A series of early turnovers cost the Fins, putting any hopes of a close game or win out of reach in the 37-0 loss, but coach Sean McDonald was undeterred.

“I’m really happy with the team’s composure,” he said, saying that the mistakes his team made can be fixed prior to their regular season opener against Pompano Beach.

“Some players were out of position and that caused other things to go wrong here and there,” McDonald said, adding, “The defense played well despite the score.” The Fins did not give up any big plays, forcing the Vipers to earn their TDs the hard way.

McDonald praised junior Tanner Ross for playing well on both sides of the ball, and felt positive about many of his freshmen. “Sean Westerband stepped up at wingback for us,” he said, adding, “The twins (Israel and Jesus Gonzalez) helped us a lot as outside linebackers. They’re undersized at the moment, but tenacious, and that is more than we can ask of them.” The Dolphins’ roster is heavy with underclassmen, with just two seniors this season, making their 2023 campaign especially challenging.

In Tavernier, coach Ed Holly has a wealth of upperclassmen, but he does have a different challenge facing him: Coral Shores opens regular season play with True North, the third-ranked team in the state. To prepare for what he knows could be the greatest challenge his team will endure this season, he scheduled a similar star-studded team for his preseason kickoff classic on Aug. 18. Although the ’Canes did not defeat Somerset Silver Palms (36-22), Holly saw a lot of positive things in his team’s play.

“Yemcel (Moreno) had 116 yards in 16 carries,” Holly said of his junior quarterback. Moreno drew a lot of attention last season and has been developing into a bigger, stronger, faster athlete lately. Holly also had a lot of praise for AJ Putetti, who stepped right into the running back position, becoming an instant contributor on offense for the ’Canes. Also impressing Holly were his offensive and defensive lines, which had to regroup from the massive holes left behind from some of the most talented players Coral Shores has seen in many years.

Despite the loss of his seniors, Holly was able to regroup his team enough to gain the praise of his opposition, with Silver Palms coach Matt Dixon saying he was “surprised by how physical the Coral Shores defense played.”

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

PREP VOLLEYBALL TEAMS READY FOR REGULAR SEASON

Prep volleyball teams have been practicing Keys-wide for weeks now, and two teams had the chance to test their play against one another in a friendly competition and a final run-through of their game plans.

Coral Shores traveled to Marathon on Aug. 17 to play some preseason matches, and though the Hurricanes came out on top winning all of the matches, both teams gained a lot from the experience. The ’Canes versus Fins game is normally a district rivalry, but in the preseason, Marathon and Coral Shores used the time to improve and learn from one another prior to their opening matches, both of which happen to be against the same team –Somerset Silver Palms.

Marathon has been working hard to fill the gaps left behind by a largerthan-average group of seniors last season. Facing your own team day in and day out in practice has been limiting for the Fins, and coach Kelley Cruz was pleased with her team’s ability to adapt to the play of another group of players.

“The girls and I didn’t talk about

Marathon and Coral Shores fine-tune skills in preseason matchup

With this year’s team also full of seniors, Cruz was happy with how her squad has come together. When asked who stood out to her, she gave blanket credit, saying, “All of our girls stepped up during the game.”

Coral Shores coach Sam Ovalle had a similar takeaway from the practice matches, giving credit to most of the Lady ’Canes’ starters.

“Brooke Mandozzi had a strong all-around game and led us with 15 digs and added six kills and finished with four aces,” he said. “Sofia Jans had an excellent game for us, with six digs and six serve receives, and Ivy Tiedemann added four digs from her setter position to go along with a number of assists.”

the area of serving. With more missed serves than he would have liked, Ovalle has been able to focus more on that facet in his final practices prior to regular season competition.

Marathon is scheduled to open its regular season on Aug. 21 at Somerset Silver Palms. Coral Shores will face the same team at home on the 23rd. Silver Palms is a district game for both teams. Key West faces Boca Raton Community High School, a non-district matchup for them, on the road on Aug. 26 for a tri-match to begin their regular season.

1. Coral Shores’ Lily Goodrich (24) goes up for a block.

2. Coral Shores’ Lily Goodrich (24) bumps the ball back over the net.

outcomes, but more of how we need to play our game but also adjust to theirs,” she said. “The first match was a learning experience, and we adjusted a bit to have a better outcome in the second match.”

He also praised Grace Leffler and Violet Matthews for their strong play in the middle, and Crystal Gutierrez and Deandra Valverde for strong hitting and some excellent teamwork and contributions on both offense and defense.

“I like the way we kept the ball off the floor as a team,” Ovalle said.

The live action play was particularly beneficial to the Hurricanes in

3. Hurricane Deandra Valverde (21) receives a serve.

4. Hurricane Sofia Jans (6) receives a serve.

5. Lady Fin Elena Eubank (15) receives the serve.

6. Marathon’s Marquisha Abraham (6) and Elena Eubank (15) go up to block a Hurricane hit.

Photos by BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly. See more game photos at keysweekly.com.

RIDING TO KNIGHTS KEY

MIDDLE KEYS ISLAND, USED FOR FARMING, BECAME RAIL TERMINUS

Knights Key is found at the foot of the Seven Mile Bridge in the Middle Keys and is included under the Marathon umbrella. Not everyone is as aware of Knights Key’s rich railroad history — which is tremendous.

Nearby Pigeon Key attracts a great deal of the Middle Key’s attention when it comes to the train that used to rock, roll and steam up and down the Florida Keys. Pigeon Key served as a base of operations during the construction of the railroad bridges connecting Marathon to the Lower Keys — among other projects — and is a great place to visit to learn more about the railroad’s history.

While Key West was the southernmost terminus for the Over-Sea Railroad, it was not the first last stop on the Key West Extension of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway. Before the train roared down the tracks and all the way to Key West, the line’s terminus was Knights Key or, more precisely, at the long railroad trestle bridge and wharf extending out over the shallows of the clear Atlantic waters off of Knights Key.

What might be surprising to learn about the island is that it was being used as farmland long before Flagler and his train arrived. The Charleston Daily Courier of Jan. 10, 1858, described Knights Key: “…containing about one hundred and twenty-five acres of arable land, and has a comfortable house and cistern. On this Key we have twelve hundred cocoanut trees and about fifty thousand Sisal hemp plants, most of which are fit to cut and manufacture into hemp...”

Farming was not isolated to Knights Key or the Middle Keys but was a primary industry, especially for those hardy pioneers scratching out a way of life for their families up and down a then-isolated string of islands. In addition to coconuts and sisal agave, pineapples, limes, tomatoes, melons, cucumbers and onions were important cash crops.

Before Flagler’s train reached Miami in 1896, farmers sent the fruits of their labor through the shipping channels. Once the train arrived, first to Miami and next to the Keys, farmers could more efficiently get their product to east coast markets like New York, Boston and Philadelphia.

Just after the turn of the century, railroad workers began laying tracks and building the bridges necessary to connect the islands from one to another. Progress linking the Upper Keys to the Middle Keys was quicker than the heroic efforts being made to make all the connections required to reach Key West. From a newspaper clipping dated April 28, 1906: “A large number of workmen are now at work at Knights Key. They will build warehouses and docks there with the intention of making the Key a supply station. A large cistern and the big buildings are already on the Key and lumber and material for the other work is being hauled there in large quantities. The docks will be built on the west side and extend out to the 25-foot channel for the accommodation of deep draught vessels.”

The Knights Key dock and wharf were connected to the island by a wooden trestle bridge. The development of the project was documented in a story printed in the Florida Times-Union on Dec. 18, 1906: “Because of the large number of vessels visiting Knights Key with materials for the railroad extension work, the Key has recently been made a port of entry with Dr. Cotton as deputy inspector.”

The railroad tracks bridging the train depot in Miami to the trestle bridge and wharf extending into the Atlantic Ocean from Knights Key were completed circa Christmas Day 1907. When it was completed, the Knights Key dock stretched 4,000 feet into the Atlantic. No small endeavor, enough pilings and planks were used to support two warehouses, an office and depot building, and two sets of railroad tracks. The dock was additionally able to accommodate two steamers at a time.

At some point during the first week of January, the Florida East Coast Railway extended daily railroad service to the dock at Knights Key. Two trains heading to the Keys left the Miami depot every morning, one at 6:30 a.m. and one at 11 a.m. The 11 o’clock run from Miami to the Knights Key dock connected with a steamer running between Key West and Havana. Also, two trains rolled off the dock every morning, up the Keys, and stopped at Miami — the first left at 5:40 a.m. and the second at 10 a.m.

FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY WITH BRAD BERTELLI

Improvements continued to occur. On May 27, 1908, a post office and telegraph station began operating. The Knights Key dock, however, was not built to last. Its purpose was to serve as a temporary terminus for the Key West Extension while the bridges and tracks connecting the railroad to Key West were completed. When they were, and the southernmost depot was established, the dock up in the Middle Keys became obsolete.

The temporary terminus that operated from 1908-1912 is often missing from discussions about the Over-Sea Railroad. The primary focus is Flagler’s arrival on the island, when his private railcar, the Flagler Special, rattled and rolled over Key West on Jan. 22, 1912. Significant fanfare celebrating the event has been reported.

With the Knights Key dock no longer functioning or necessary, it was broken down. On Jan. 30, 1912, the Knights Key Post Office closed, and the mail was rerouted to the Marathon Post Office. The rest, as they say, is history.

A postcard image of the Knights Key dock from the Florida East Coast Railway Key West Extension. FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY CENTER/Contributed

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.

COMMUNITY HONORS BELOVED ARTIST VERONICA GUTIERREZ

CAROLYN DEPAULA www.keysweekly.com

Steadily, people entered Our Place in Paradise art gallery on Plantation Key on Aug. 12 to pay respects to the memory of Veronica Alegre Gutierrez, beloved member of the Upper Keys community who created stunning artwork. Gutierrez passed away on July 3 after a courageous two-year battle with aggressive cancer.

A wife, mother, sister, daughter and visual artist with a long list of accomplishments, Gutierrez was so much more. A dedicated mother to her two children, Luke and Simon, she touched many hearts and always had a smile and a kind word.

“Veronica brought sunshine into every room she entered,” said Judy Hull, Islamorada Chamber of Com-

merce executive director. “She was an angel among us and she will be sorely missed by our community.”

Born and raised in Lima, Peru, she was an art teacher in the Upper Keys for 14 years — from elementary all the way through high school Advanced Placement. Gutierrez also left her indelible mark with her heart for service in the community and for the San Pedro Catholic Church.

Gutierrez was a gifted stainedglass artist, and some of these colorful pieces were on display as those who knew her surrounded her family, husband Luis and her youngest son, Simon, who had recently graduated from Coral Shores High School. Gutierrez’s mother and sister came from Peru.

Our Place in Paradise also hosted a silent auction in which many gen-

Family and friends gather at Our Place in Paradise art gallery to remember the life of artist Veronica Gutierrez on Aug. 12. CAROLYN DePAULA/Keys Weekly

erous local artists and businesses donated their artwork and items, all to benefit the Gutierrez family. Local musician David Feder strummed his guitar and people brought in food to share.

The gathering showcased once again the close-knit Florida Keys com-

HALE GALLERY OPENS IN ISLAMORADA

DREAM’ EXHIBIT

The inaugural exhibition at the Hale Gallery in Islamorada invites viewers to explore the magic and beauty of nature featuring macrophotography by Ashlie Johnson Coggins, paintings by Jul Jankowski and Kathryn Crawford, as well as botanical installations by Sue Wright, Christy Perez and Jacque Barnes.

“We are thrilled about this first show,” said Kelly Hale, who owns the gallery with her husband, Taylor. “The artists’ unique perspectives blend together to create a beautiful, dreamy feel that celebrates the power of plants and hopefully brings viewers closer to understanding that humans, too, are a part of nature.”

The exhibition opened Aug. 12 with a well-attended reception.

“This was the largest reception we’ve seen in the space to date. It was exciting to see four generations of art lovers together in one place,” said Angela Valdesudo, office manager at Ocean Sotheby’s, where the gallery is located. The exhibition is on view through Sept. 30. Visitors can stop by the gallery, 81888 Overseas Highway Unit 2, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. To make an appointment with a gallerist, please call 305-204-1216.

munity. Gutierrez’s legacy lives on — in her sons, who embody her character and heart for service; in those who knew her, who will always remember her; and the community at large, which is more beautiful because she has lived here.

A picture on display at Veronica Guiterrez’s celebration of life showing sons Luke and Simon.

‘BOTANICAL

NOW ON DISPLAY

1. The ‘Botanical Dreams’ exhibition opened Aug. 12 with a well-attended reception. CONTRIBUTED. 2. The Hale family stands in front of the Hale Gallery, located at the Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty office at 81888 Overseas Highway Unit 2.

OVERSEAS MEDIA GROUP ADDS ERIN PERCHALSKI AS DIGITAL STRATEGIST

COASTAL FLORIDA SCHOOL BOARD OFFICIALS VISIT THE KEYS

Marine science was on full display during the Greater Florida Consortium of School Board Members’ recent visit to the Florida Keys. Sue Woltanski, consortium president, organized the two-day event with the likes of Mote Marine Laboratory, which provided a tour of their on-land coral nursery at Reefhouse in Key Largo, and MarineLab, which provided a tour of Florida Bay. Key Largo teacher Pam Caputo’s Everglades ambassadors discussed the importance of the bay with the consortium. Members of the Coral Shores’ marine science program met with school board members representing coastal communities at Reefhouse on Aug. 17. The consortium is composed of 11 counties. The visit was part of the consortium’s legislative conference.

— Keys Weekly staff report

Overseas Media Group, a company specializing in custom web development, social media strategies and SEO services, added to its growing staff by welcoming Upper Keys resident Erin Perchalski as digital strategist.

“A sensible digital marketing strategy is essential for any organization and we have been searching for the right person to help us meet the needs of the local business community,” said Overseas Media Group owner and Keys Weekly publisher Jason Koler. “While searching for a local specialist it was important for us to find the candidate with incredible talent in their field who also embraces our philosophy of community involvement. Erin checks all the boxes and then some and we are honored to have her join our team.”

A 2002 graduate of the University of Georgia, she received a bachelor of fine arts degree in graphic design. She caught the newspaper bug during college, working in production at the student paper and developing customer service skills at a local print ship.

Settling in suburban Atlanta, she crafted a reputation for being the “creative genius” and brand manager for an advertising agency. Perchalski was living the American Dream, having owned a home with her husband, two daughters and a fenced yard for the dogs. Her family wanted to experience more nature and less suburbia. Her husband pursued a career as a National Park Ranger. 2014 gave her family the opportunity to follow the park ranger dream and live in national parks in South Florida.

Living in the Upper Keys has given Perchalski’s family the best part of a “small town” feel while being close to city life. She also enjoys using her time and talents supporting many conservation and community efforts from catch-and-release fishing tournaments to coastal clean-ups.

She currently serves on the board for the Upper Keys Mark Sorensen Youth Sailing Program where she looks forward to promoting access to sailing and the selfreliance and independence it gives to young sailors. She also dedicated time to the growth and success of her daughter’s education at Ocean Studies Charter School.

Perchalski had the opportunity to become a licensed insurance broker in 2018, which complimented her advertising skills all while allowing her to support small businesses and community-oriented organizations.

“By joining OMG, I will bring our customized digital marketing services to the Upper Keys community and I look forward to working with local businesses, becoming an integral part of their success,” she said. “I know I will enjoy joining OMG and The Weekly as we spread our community spirit throughout the Keys.”

— Keys Weekly staff report

Month-long book sale in Key Largo

The Friends of the Key Largo Library is hosting a book sale during the month of September. Choose as many books as you like — for a price you can’t resist and make a donation to the Friends. Donate $10 or more and earn a free book bag. New titles will appear each Wednesday. Books will include popular fiction, large print books and coffee table books for a donation. There will be free children’s books and paperbacks. All donations are used to supplement and support community programs and concerts at the library. The book sale will go on each week from Monday through Saturday. The Key Largo library is located at the Tradewinds Shopping Center.

Marine science students at Coral Shores attend a gathering with the Greater Florida Consortium of School Board Members at Reefhouse in Key Largo on Aug 17. Also pictured is Beth Ronsenow, marine science teacher, Theresa Axford, schools superintendent and Sue Woltanski, school board members. CONTRIBUTED

School board members from coastal Florida communities go on a tour with MarineLab to Florida Bay. MARINELAB/Contributed

Erin Perchalski is digital meeting strategist for Overseas Media Group. KEYS WEEKLY PHOTO

BEGGING FOR BALANCE

SANCTUARY ADVISORY COUNCIL ADDRESSES CORAL BLEACHING EVENT, DEBATES MEDIA PORTRAYAL

Though some rainfall and winds through late July and early August have provided a brief chance for coral scientists battling an extreme heat wave and bleaching event to catch their breath, the Keys remain entrenched in a historic marine ecological event. It’s no stretch to say that the next few months could – and should, according to many – alter the landscape of coral restoration and preservation practices for years to come.

How exactly to communicate the severity of this year’s event – preserving hope and perseverance while acknowledging a crisis larger than most have ever experienced – headlined the Aug. 15 meeting of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC).

The council’s afternoon session opened with a briefing by sanctuary Superintendent Sarah Fangman on the ongoing heat event, followed by presentations from stakeholders like Reef Renewal USA, Mote Marine Laboratory and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council (TDC).

“I’m not here to tell you it’s all doom and gloom, but I’m also not here to tell you everything’s fine,” Fangman said. “The story has yet to be fully written, but the good news is that there are healthy corals out there.”

She pointed to an ongoing research cruise with an 11-member scientific diving team set to visit Mission: Iconic Reefs sites starting late last week as a valuable tool in assessing damage from bleaching thus far. A follow-up cruise is tentatively slated for January or February 2024 to provide a final assessment once water temperatures drop for the winter. New temperature buoys capable of providing readings both at the water’s surface and at depth should also provide practitio-

ners with real-time data to better inform preservation, restoration and outplanting efforts.

Offering snapshots of bleaching impacts as her team continues its work combating stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD), Nova Southeastern University’s Karen Neely provided an overview of bleaching at 14 reef sites over the past three weeks, described in relation to each location’s Degree Heating Weeks (DHW) – a way to quantify heat stress accumulated in a particular area.

While Upper Keys reefs such as Carysfort Reef and Hen and Chickens had yet to exhibit bleaching-related coral mortality, several Middle and Lower Keys reefs – at 10 to 12 DHWs – showed significant mortality along with “extensive black band disease,” another tissue degradation ailment.

Not helping matters for several Middle and Lower Keys reefs is a sunken layer of dense, heated hypersaline water flowing out of the islands’ shallow bay side – one that divers have described as a “reverse thermocline” as they descend into warm layers of water “cooking” corals on the seafloor.

Though silver linings are hard to come by in this heat wave, Neely took care to discuss “a small point of hope”: Her team has observed a significant scaling down of the deadly SCTLD with

the arrival of bleaching each summer.

Reef Renewal USA technical director Ken Nedimyer touted his team’s emergency move of healthy Upper Keys corals in shallow nurseries to deeper, cooler 70-foot temporary nurseries, tipping his cap to quick permitting responses from governing bodies that sped up a normally months-long timeline into two or three days when needed.

He praised corals produced by Mote and sent to Reef Renewal by Tampa’s Florida Aquarium (FLAQ). Paired with a different algal symbiont than other corals – the expulsion of which defines bleaching and a coral’s increased vulnerability – Nedimyer said 50 or 60 different corals with separate genotypes placed in upper-level nurseries have all shown impressive resistance to bleaching, even with water temperatures into the 90s.

“There’s hope that we can produce corals that can handle conditions of the 21st century,” he said. “We’re staying the course, but it’s nerve-wracking.”

Reef Renewal board member and SAC vice chair Ben Daughtry described his company Dynasty Marine’s contribution to the puzzle. By this fall, a 30,000-gallon tank formerly used for sharks and rays will serve as an emergency coral housing system for Middle and Lower Keys nursery specimens.

Keys Marine Lab (KML) director Cindy Lewis touched on the human side of exhaustive ongoing efforts. She thanked organizations for their trust in KML as the facility works to maintain a Noah’s Ark of sorts of rescued corals, some of which visit the facility as a “halfway house” on their way to Mote Marine Lab’s genetic bank in Sarasota.

“The emotional strain on these people has been incredible,” she said. “My heart goes out to them, and I can’t thank everybody enough for entrusting us with all of these corals right now.”

Mote Marine Lab’s Erinn Muller outlined the laboratory’s work to preserve existing coral genotypes in Mote’s land-based nurseries and Sarasota gene bank, but highlighted Mote’s decision to leave some representatives from all genotypes in in-water nurseries.

“We need to know what’s going to withstand this event, because this isn’t, unfortunately, going to be unique in the future,” she said. “We shouldn’t be outplanting for those years in between stressful events; we should be doing restoration planning that these events are going to occur.

“The more research we can do to make those corals that are heat tolerant or disease resistant, while also maintaining genetic diversity, is going

to give that population the resistance we need.”

A presentation by Andy Newman on behalf of the TDC acknowledged, as several other stakeholders did, the extreme media interest in the bleaching event. But Newman was critical of sweeping initial statements made at the start of the heat wave, calling out reports that painted Keys reefs as “destined for annihilation.”

A lengthy discussion following Newman’s presentation left the room silent at several points in between passionate comments, with all seeking to balance an acknowledgement of the bleaching event’s true severity and repercussions with a need to rely on facts and data instead of emotion and sensationalism when painting a picture of a fragile ecosystem in a tourismdependent economy.

It was a setting befitting what one observer described to the Weekly as “a room full of people who just got their job titles changed from restoration practitioners to endangered species conservationists overnight.”

Several thanked Nedimyer for his positivity in reports on Upper Keys reefs, crediting his optimism for providing “great energy to keep trying” as practitioners continue their efforts.

“It’s a terrible situation, and it’s a catastrophic event … (but) all hope is not lost,” said Daughtry. “That’s really critical for people to understand that.”

“There are scientists out there with prestigious institutions that have not signed on to (the severity of this),” Newman said.

Others acknowledged the importance of hopeful reports, but didn’t want to sugarcoat an undeniable underlying issue.

“I had a reporter tell me, ‘You know, the science is still out on (the warming event),’” said flats fishing guide Will Benson. “I was so upset by that when I hung up the phone. You’re telling my doom-and-gloom story, and we’re down here suffering, but you don't want to acknowledge what every scientist all around the world is saying? You’re just happy to tell my death story, but you’re not going to report the facts on it?”

“There’s lots of great work that is going on, but there’s no cohesive, collaborative effort that’s working together to integrate novel interventions in a targeted way,” added Muller. “I’m hoping this event will move that to the forefront of everybody’s mind.”

Fangman closed with an addition to her earlier briefing, saying she was “frustrated by the very small toolbox” the sanctuary had on hand to deal with the extreme temperature stress.

Reef Renewal USA’s Ken Nedimyer addresses the Sanctuary Advisory Council. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Mote Marine Lab’s Erinn Muller outlines the laboratory’s recent preservation efforts. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

ALEX RICKERT

SPEAK YOUR MIND ABOUT CHANGES TO LOCAL LEGAL SYSTEM

SHOULD MONROE COUNTY BE PART OF MIAMI’S JUDICIAL CIRCUIT?

Have you ever considered what it would be like NOT to have any local representation on our judiciary or through our locally elected state attorney and public defender offices? Local courthouse staff and essential courtroom services also could be severely affected if the Florida Supreme Court and state legislature approve the consolidation of some judicial circuits.

State officials are seeking public input on the potential consolidation of Monroe County’s 16th Judicial Circuit with Miami-Dade’s 11th Judicial Circuit, which would affect the composition of Monroe County’s local legal system.

Monroe County’s law enforcement and judicial stakeholders are against this consolidation as it will affect all county residents.

Monroe County encompasses Florida’s smallest circuit, and Miami-Dade is Florida’s largest. County Mayor Craig Cates raised his concerns in a letter to Florida’s Speaker of the House.

“A look at the voter registration numbers dispels any argument that Monroe County voters will have a meaningful voice in electing local representation should the two circuits be consolidated,” said Cates. “Monroe County’s 50,762 registered voters comprise only 3.3% of a combined electorate of 1,532,614 for a consolidated Judicial Circuit due to Miami-Dade’s 1,481,852 registered voters.”

Increasingly important would be local issues important to Monroe County residents, like resource violations, which may take a back burner to more extensive criminal-related court proceedings on the mainland. Monroe County Assistant County Attorney Christine Limbert is a part of the local working group closely following the topic.

“I fear that matters important to locals, like over-the-limit lobster violations that affect our environmentally sensitive ecosystem and our local commercial fishermen, won’t get the same attention in Miami-Dade given their larger caseload,” said Limbert.

16th Judicial Court State Attorney

A state committee is exploring the possibility of consolidating some of Florida’s judicial circuits, including combining Monroe County with the much larger MiamiDade legal system. CONTRIBUTED

Dennis Ward, who prosecutes many resource violations in the Florida Keys, said, “The Florida Keys are unquestionably one of the most unique and environmentally diverse areas in Florida, the United States, and on earth. To preserve this pristine ecosystem for our grandchildren, the character of the Keys, and our residents’ access to justice, the Keys should not be merged with any other circuit.”

To make it as easy as possible for Florida Keys residents, located from Ocean Reef to Key West, Monroe County has courthouses located in Key West, Marathon, and Plantation Key. Driving, it is 165 miles from Jackson Square in Key West to Miami-Dade’s courthouse.

“The consolidation could lead to severe logistical challenges for all stakeholders involved in the judicial process,” said Robert Lockwood, public defender, 16th Judicial Court. “Residents of the Florida Keys would face significant hardships having to travel long distances to attend court hearings or access essential legal services in Miami-Dade.

To voice your opinion on the consolidation, take the survey at flcourts. gov/Administration-Funding/CourtCouncils-Commissions-and-Committees/Judicial-Circuit-Assessment-Committee/JCAC-Surveys. The survey could take about 10-20 minutes to fill out depending on how detailed someone would want to be in the responses, and has some technical questions on it, but it will be well worth having a voice on this important issue. Survey responses are due on Friday, Sept. 1 by 5 p.m.

With 20-plus di erent avors to choose from, Sandbar Donuts is the go-to mobile food truck to treat any sweet tooth whether you want chocolate sweet or fruity sweet. Donut varieties include blueberry, cinnamon toast, French toast, key lime, mint chip, strawberry delight and more. Established in 2022, Sandbar Donuts serves up fresh, hot cake-like donuts made to order and customized. Beverage o erings include traditional and specialty co ees, juice or soda.

"Sandbar Donuts as a food truck strives to create good vibes and great donuts for every customer who stops by," owner Lindsay Ashba said. "Developing good relationships with locals is extremely helpful and we want to ensure all customers have an exceptional experience during the visit."

Sandbar Donuts is located in Key Largo in the parking lot of Sundiver Snorkel, 102840 Overseas Highway. Open Thursdays (starting Aug. 31) and Fridays 7 a.m.-1 p.m., as well as Saturdays and Sundays 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Also available to cater for special events (weddings, bridal/baby showers, birthday parties). Call 305.619.4541 or email sandbardonuts@gmail.com. for more information.

Online orders accepted for pick-up and delivery via DoorDash and UberEats.

FOX FIELD TRIPS

SANCTUARY OBTAINS LICENSE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL VISITS

Hi friends! Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.” I have some big news to report this week.

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.

On Aug. 18, we had a visit from veterinarian Mario Mercado with the USDA-APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service).

My mom, Nicole Navarro, has been considering the idea of becoming a USDA-licensed sanctuary for a while now, so she submitted her application two months ago and last Friday was the day of our pre-licensing inspection.

Regulations established under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) set standards for the humane care and treatment for certain animals that are exhibited to the public. Facilities using regulated animals for regulated purposes must provide their animals with adequate housing, sanitation, nutrition, water and veterinary care, and they must protect their animals from extreme weather and temperatures. Inspectors use the AWA standards and regulations as the baseline by which they assess a facility’s level of care provided to animals. If a facility is meeting the federal standards, USDA knows the animals there are receiving humane care and treatment.

When a facility is licensed by the USDA, that means it can allow the general public to visit and take animals out of the facility for public education presentations, which also is something my mom has been considering for a while now so she can raise even more awareness about the cruel fur trade that is happening here in the United States.

I am happy to say we passed our inspection with flying colors. No changes were needed during the prelicensing inspection, so our license was issued the same day. I, of course, was my usual, charming self. All of the other foxes just lounged around while Mercado observed how we live. He even told my mom that he wouldn’t mind living here once he retired; that’s how comfortable we all are.

So what does that mean for you all? It means in the coming months my mom will be implementing a way for people to book appointments to come see us in person, get in-depth education on our stories, fur farming and how you can advocate even more for a fur-free fashion world. I am super excited to start meeting new friends. I will keep you all posted on how you can book a tour of the sanctuary when it is all set up.

If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to email me at reef@pawsitivebeginnings.org, but keep in mind we are not accepting visitors yet. There is still a lot of planning that needs to happen first.

Anywho, that’s all for this week. Until next time, Reef, over and out!

PAULINA

A2-year-old shih tzu mix, Paulina is seeking her forever home. She’s playful and sweet and ready for a new beginning. If you would like to make Paulina a part of your family, or to learn more about other pets available for adoption, give the Upper Keys Humane Society (UKHS) a call at 305-451-3848. UKHS is a nonprofit no-kill shelter that provides food, shelter, medical care and adoption services for unwanted and abandoned animals.

Thursday, Aug. 24

• Foster parent training classes begin at Wesley House Key Largo office, 99451 Overseas Highway, Suite 200. To register or for more information call Megan Burgess at 305-8095020 or e-mail Megan.Burgess@ WesleyHouse.org. Registration is required.

Monday, Aug. 28

• Bereavement group meeting at 6 p.m. at the St. James the Fisherman Episcopal Church conference room. For details, call Janet Gillow at 561396-5626.

Tuesday, Aug. 29

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

Wednesday, Aug 30

• Just Older Youth (JOY) Center

classes from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Visit justolderyouthinc.org for a complete schedule.

Friday, Sept. 1

• Month-long book sale hosted by the Friends of the Key Largo library.

• Sit and Sew from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Key Largo library. Bring your current project and meet new friends.

Sunday Sept. 3

• Florida Keys Wild Bird Center presents Flocks on the Rocks at 2 p.m. at Caribbean Club, Key Largo. Enjoy music, food, raffles and more.

Monday, Sept. 4

• Matecumbe Historical Trust presents the Labor Day Service at 9 a.m. at the Hurricane Monument, MM 81.5.

Reef the fox inside his enclosure in Key Largo. PAWSITIVE BEGINNINGS/Contributed

SWEEPING TRASH

SOCCER TEAM’S BEACH CLEANUP YIELDS DONATION FROM ROBBIE’S

On Aug. 19, the U9 Islander boys soccer team organized a beach cleanup at Long Key State Park and participated in an education lesson given by park rangers on the negative effects of trash on the wildlife and environment. In return for the team’s beach cleanup, Robbie’s Marina made a donation to the team that will cover its first tournament in Miami over the Labor Day weekend. The Florida Keys Soccer Club offers competitive and recreational soccer for boys and girls ages 3-18. Visit floridakeyssocccer.com for more information. CONTRIBUTED

SHERIFF OFFICE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS RECEIVES NATIONAL RE-ACCREDITATION

SCIENCE BEHIND THE STRESS

Imagine you are accustomed to eating 2,000 calories per day.

What if your diet was suddenly cut down to 300 calories per day? You could survive on 300 calories per day, but for how long? This is the issue facing bleached corals during the current marine heat wave.

What is coral bleaching?

Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay recently announced that the Bureau of Corrections has been re-accredited by the American Correctional Association demonstrating compliance with nationally established standards. ‘I am proud of the men and women who work in our Bureau of Corrections for their continued dedication and professionalism,’ Ramsay said. ‘The residents and visitors of this great community can know their jail facilities adhere to the strictest and safest guidelines in the nation.’ The re-accreditation means the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections is in compliance with all of the ACA’s standards in all areas, including facilities’ safety, security, order, inmate care, inmate programs, legal access/assistance and administration. MCSO/Contributed

Just like humans, corals become uncomfortable and stressed when they are outside of their temperature zone. Unlike humans, corals cannot put on shorts and a tank top, or turn on the air conditioning. Corals in the Florida Keys are comfortable when water temperatures are 73 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the temperature exceeds 88 degrees, corals may start to spit out the microscopic algae, called zooxanthellae, which lives inside each coral polyp and supplies more than 85% of their food. In addition to supplying most of the coral’s nutrition, the zooxanthellae provide the coral’s color. This is why coral bleaching turns the coral polyps transparent and you can see the white mineral skeleton underneath. Corals use their tentacles to capture food, but this is a small percentage of their diet. When high temperatures occur over the short-term, coral paling and bleaching do not usually kill the corals because they can still find food, just not enough to survive more than a couple of weeks of above-average water temperatures. When the water temperature cools, the zooxanthellae regrow inside the corals. Unfortunately, if the food deficit lasts too long, these corals may die from starvation in addition to the stress of very hot water.

According to NOAA, the current sea temperatures in many locations in the Florida Keys are the warmest mid-summer water temperatures ever recorded. The current marine heat wave is concerning because it started early and NOAA forecasts a

70% to 80% probability that aboveaverage ocean temperatures could persist until October. Long-term higher-than-average ocean temperatures are the result of humans burning fossil fuels that add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. We have recently entered an El Nino weather pattern, which is a weakening of the trade winds around the equator. In addition to high temperatures, we have not had very many windy days, rain, or cloud cover. Windy days, ocean currents, waves and tides help to mix the ocean water and can bring cooler water from the seafloor and offshore. As a result of the current marine heat wave, the coral restoration agencies and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have been moving the nursery corals to land-based facilities or out to deeper cooler water.

What can I do? Report coral bleaching and healthy corals. Your photographs are an important tool. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection Southeast Florida Action Network has a citizen reporting tool at SEAFAN.net. You can submit up to 10 photographs and there is a map to set a pin with the location of your observations. Data showing where corals look healthy is just as important as knowing where they are bleached or paling. Your data will be available to scientists and there is a public BleachWatch dashboard where you can see your anonymous report.

Elkhorn coral beginning to pale and bleach off Key Largo. KATY CUMMINGS, FWRI

is the University of Florida, IFAS Monroe County Extension Florida Sea Grant Agent.  Shelly is a marine biologist and provides sciencebased education about coastal environments.

SHELLY KRUEGER

FKEC TAVERNIER HEADQUARTERS, BOARD ROOM

INVITATION TO BID

LEGO Construction Company and Department of Management Services –Florida Highway Patrol cordially invite interested subcontractors to complete and submit sealed bids by September 14th, 2023 no later than 3 p.m. for the followingproject/bid packages:

ADA Restroom Renovation – Marathon FHP – Phase 2 (02219020)

SELECT TRADE BID PACKAGES (see below)

This invitation to bid (ITB) includes the following trades. All contractors certified as SBE, MBE & M/WBE are encouraged to participate in any of these trades:

• Demolition

• Fencing

• Sitework

• Concrete & Masonry

• Metals

• Acoustical Ceilings

• Door, Frames, Hardware

• Windows

• Flooring and Wall Tile

• Drywall

• Painting

• Toilet Accessories

• Toilet Partitions

• Signage

• Plumbing

• Mechanical

• Electrical

• Final Cleaning

The bid manual, bid requirements, bid forms, specifications, drawings, and other construction documents will be available by reaching out to Ruturaj Sonawane at rs@legocc.com or at 305-381-8421 Ext 105. There will be a Non-Mandatory Prebid conference and site visit on August 28th, 2023 at 12 p.m

All bids must be received no later than September 14th, 2023 @ 3 p.m. at LEGO Construction Co office located at 1011 Sunnybrook Road Suite 905, Miami Florida 33136. Bids must be delivered in a sealed envelope clearly marked “Sealed Bid for ADA Restroom Renovation – Marathon FHP – Phase 2” along with the name of your firm and the trades covered in your bid. Subcontractors interested in working with LEGO must obtain prequalification with LEGO prior to bidding. All questions regarding prequalification & the bid process should be directed to Ruturaj Sonawane at rs@legocc.com.

Publish: August 24 & 31, 2023. The Weekly Newspapers

Key Lime Medical Associates

John W. Norris III M.D. PA 508 Southard Street, Suite 103 Key West, Florida 33040

Key Lime Medical Associates is transferring care of its patients and location to Keys Medical Group (KMG) effective September 1, 2023.

Patients’ medical records will remain at Key Lime Medical Associates, 508 Southard Street, Suite 103, Key West, Florida 33040 under the custodianship of Keys Medical Group providers and staff.

Patients wishing to pick up their records may do so after a signed medical records release is received after September 1, 2023.

Publish: August 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Pursuant to Florida Statute

713.585 F.S. United American

Lien & Recovery as agent w/ power of attorney will sell the following vehicle(s) to the highest bidder; net proceeds deposited with the clerk of court; owner/lienholder has right to hearing and post bond; owner may redeem vehicle for cash sum of lien; all auctions held in reserve Inspect 1 week prior @ lienor facility; cash or cashier check; any person =interested ph (954)

563-1999

Sale date September 15, 2023

@ 10:00 am 3411 NW 9th Ave Ft Lauderdale FL 33309

38346 2010 Jeep VIN#:

1J4HA5H14AL226899

Lienor: Key West Chrysler Dodge 1618 N Roosevelt Blvd., Key West 305-294-5128

Lien Amt $788.13

Licensed Auctioneers FLAB422 FLAU 765 & 1911

Publish:

August 24, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property under the Florida Self Storage Facilities Act Statutes (Section 83.801 –83.809). The undersigned will sell online by competitive bidding on August 31, 2023, at 10:00am.

The following:

#104 Cameron Willett misc. home goods

#405 Jessice Williamson misc. personal items, home goods #450 Brian Stevens misc. home goods #128 Kylie Safford misc. home goods #256 Kylie Safford misc. home goods #235 Mark Bewer misc. home goods #329 Melissa Bellovich misc. home goods

#461 Lisa Kicker misc. home goods #420 Thomas Morgan misc. home goods #249 Julie Allen misc. home goods will be auctioned online by Storage Treasures via website at storagetreasures.com. All purchased items sold as is. Items are located at Big Pine Storage at 30677 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, Florida 33043 and must be collected within 72 hours of auction.

Publish:

August 17 & 24, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on September 20, 2023, at 9:00 A.M. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at the Murray E. Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, intends to consider adopting the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

AMENDING SECTION 8-37 (“PASSAGE OF FOUR YEARS TO PROSECUTIONS”) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF MONROE COUNTY TO CLARIFY THAT CODE COMPLIANCE PROSECUTIONS MUST BE INITIATED WITHIN FOUR YEARS OF THE ACTUAL DISCOVERY OF THE VIOLATION BY THE MONROE COUNTY CODE COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT; PROVIDING THAT THIS CONSTITUTES AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE THAT THE RESPONDENT CARRIES THE BURDEN TO RAISE AND DISCHARGE BEFORE THE CODE COMPLIANCE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE; TO CLARIFY THAT THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO PROSECUTION(S) BASED UPON FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PERMIT; TO CLARIFY THAT WORK

LEGAL NOTICES

WITHOUT A PERMIT, SUCH AS DEVELOPMENT (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CONSTRUCTION OR LAND CLEARING), IS CONSIDERED A CONTINUING VIOLATION THAT CONTINUES UNTIL REQUIRED AFTER-THEFACT PERMIT(S) ARE OBTAINED AND CLOSED OUT.

The proposed ordinance may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by viewing the agenda packet for the September 20, 2023 meeting, which will be posted beginning on September 15, 2023 at: http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/citizens/default.aspx. The ordinance may also be viewed at the Monroe County Attorney’s office at 1111 12th St. Ste. 408 Key West, FL 33040. The public can participate in the September 20, 2023 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, FL by attending in person or via Zoom. The Zoom link can be found in the agenda at http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/citizens/default.aspx. ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 2924441, between the hours of 8:30a.m.—5:00p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”. Live Closed-Captioning is available via our web portal @ http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/Citizens/Default.aspx for meetings of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. Dated at Key West, Florida, this 17th day of August, 2023.

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

Publish:

August 24, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-000097-P

IN RE: ESTATE OF LOUIS A. SADLER Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of LOUIS A. SADLER, deceased, whose date of death was July 4, 2023; is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Ste. 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representatives and the personal representatives’ attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of the first publication of this notice is August 24, 2023.

Personal Representatives:

Whitman, MA 02382

Attorney for Personal

Representatives:

Suzette M. Alfonso

Florida Bar Number: 13439 6310 Bayshore Rd. Palmetto, FL 34221

Telephone: (813) 892-9596

E-Mail: suzettealfonso@gmail. com

Publish:

August 24 & 31, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 2021-CP-048-M

IN RE: ESTATE OF JOEL CURTIS COLLISON, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Joel Curtis Collison, deceased, whose date of death was March 10, 2021, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050. The estate is intestate. 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 the 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: August 24, 2023.

Personal Representative:

Sijabulisiwe Dube P.O. Box 500796 2000 Coco Plum Drive Marathon, FL 33050

Attorney for Personal Representative: James J. Dorl, Esq. Florida Bar No. 618403 JAMES J. DORL, P.A. Suite 12 First Professional Centre 5701 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050

Telephone: (305) 743-6565

Facsimile: (305) 743-4143

e-mail: jjdorl@yahoo.com

Publish:

August 24 & 31, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE SIXTEENTH CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 23-CP-0054 IN RE: ESTATE OF JOHN FRANCIS KISSINGER, III, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of JOHN FRANCIS KISSINGER, III, deceased, whose date of death was April 18, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. The estate is intestate. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER

OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME 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: August 24, 2023.

Personal Representative: JOHN KISSINGER 406 Eleventh Street St. Augustine, FL 32084

Attorney for Personal

Representative: HEATHER@EPPGLAW.COM

Heather S. Maltby Florida Bar No. 116571

E.P.P.G. Law of St. Johns, PLLC St. Augustine, FL 32084 Telephone: 904-875-3774

Publish:

August 24 & 31, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-000095-P

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF SAMUEL JAMES FRIEDMAN a/k/a SAM JAMES FRIEDMAN, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of SAMUEL JAMES FRIEDMAN, deceased, whose date of death was July 2, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court, for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is: 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Tavernier, Florida 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS AND OBJECTIONS NOT SO FILED 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 August 24, 2023.

Personal Representative:

EDWINA B. FRIEDMAN 24 Dockside Lane PMB

SPRUCE UP YOUR RICE

NEIGHBOR OF THE WEEK

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 highlight our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.

This week’s neighbor is Amy Young, a Key Largo resident who’s spent the last two years working at Good Health Clinic in Tavernier. Ask Young how she’s enjoying the job, and she’ll tell you she loves it there. She previously worked at Florida Ankle and Foot Institute as office manager for 12 years.

FIRE UP THE FLAVOR WITH THIS RECIPE

Since I was a kid, I struggled eating just plain old rice. I always needed black beans or something to bring it to life. Nowadays, one of my favorite recipes is toasted coconut rice. The flavor is so amazing and pairs well with just about any protein. Take it up another notch by buying a pineapple, cutting it in half vertically and scooping out the inside to make a shell. Save the pineapple flesh for a future snack, of course. Nestle some coconut rice and teriyaki chicken side-by-side in the hollow pineapple shell and get ready for a dinner that looks like resort-level plating. But really pick anything you want to accompany this stellar rice.

For the rice you’ll need:

• 14 oz. can full fat regular coconut milk

• 1 1/2 cups jasmine rice

• 1/3 cup shredded coconut (I prefer unsweetened)

• 1/4 cup of sugar

• A nice pinch of salt

• The smallest pinch of nutmeg

First off, take the jasmine rice, rinse it well, strain and put aside. Grab a saucepan, and on medium low heat, toast the shredded coconut until golden. It burns quickly so keep an eye on it. Put it aside to cool.

Grab that same sauce pan so we keep dirty dishes at a minimum, and combine inside the coconut milk, sugar, salt, nutmeg, rice and roughly a can full of water. Stir it up and bring it to a boil. Once you see bubbles, stir one more time and reduce the heat to a light simmer. Put the lid on the pan and leave it for about 20 minutes.

AMY YOUNG

What’s one thing people don’t know about you? I lived in Germany when I was 16.

SAMANTHA DELLILO

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

At the 20-minute mark, I take the lid off and give the rice a poke to make sure the texture feels cooked and correct. You will see a creamy layer form on top; this is normal. Remove the pan from the heat, take a fork and fluff the rice gently. Put the lid back on and let it rest for about 10 minutes.

Bear in mind this rice has a slightly stickier texture than regular rice, but it should still be a fluffy rice texture. Scoop some out onto a plate, or pineapple, and top with your toasted coconut. I hope you love it!

What can people find you doing when you’re not working? The kiddo hustle and hopefully painting or creating something fun.

What would you do if you won the lottery? Smile hard, keep a small amount and give the rest away. I’d like to be comfortable, but definitely not rich.

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

What is the best and worst part of the Keys? The best part is when you are driving home (even to Miami and back) and you drive over Jewfish Creek Bridge. I believe something chemical happens up there. The worst would have to be the affordability, but really it’s everywhere.

If you could improve one thing in the Keys, what would it be? No more bikini beach on the Stretch.

What is your spirit animal? I like the idea of a beautiful duck. Flying and traveling seasonally.

The title of my autobiography would be: “Better late than never.”

Your favorite movie: “The Lorax.”

Favorite app on your phone? Hopper, where are we going next?

Labor Day weekend halts pipe placement

Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) announced the southbound U.S. 1 rolling lane closure will be suspended from 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31 through 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 5 for the Labor Day weekend.

A rolling lane closure means that sections of U.S. 1 are closed in 1,000to 1,500-foot increments while crews install the new transmission main; however, a northbound and southbound lane will always remain open. While traveling through the work zone, motorists should stay vigilant and abide by the 35-mph speed limit.

As of Aug. 10, 12,500 feet of the new main has been installed. The Islamorada Transmission Main Replacement Project is estimated to be completed by February 2025; however, traffic impacts will lessen by March 2024. Work will halt for major holidays and events.

More information is at fkaa.com/322/Traffic-Advisories

FLORIDA KEYS EATS

Here’s a way to take rice from ordinary to amazing. SAMANTHA DELLILO/Keys Weely

BRIEFLY

LEGAL NOTICES

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

DIVISION: PROBATE

FILE NO.: 2023-CP-125-K

IN RE: ESTATE OF STUART A. MEAD

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Stuart A. Mead, deceased, whose date of death was December 3, 2021, 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 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 August 17, 2023. The date of the second publication of this notice is August 24, 2023.

Personal Representative:

Erin Maltbie 49 Flanagan Drive Framingham, MA 01701

Attorney for Personal

Representative:

Anthony J. Barrows

Attorney for Andrew C. Von S. Smith Florida Bar Number: 662569

WRIGHT BARROWS PLLC 9711 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-8118

Fax: (305) 489-0307

E-mail: Tony@keysclosings.com

Publish: August 17 & 24, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-202-K

DIVISION: LOWER KEYS

IN RE: ESTATE OF ALLEN NOEL MURPHY

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Allen Noel Murphy, deceased, whose date of death was July 3, 2023, 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 ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must

file their claims with this court

WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

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

The date of first publication of this notice is: August 17, 2023.

Personal Representative:

Allen P. Murphy

117 Sun Lane

Key West, Florida 33040

Attorney for Personal

Representative: Richard E. Warner

Attorney

Florida Bar Number: 283134

RICHARD E. WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050

Telephone: (305) 743-6022

Fax: (305) 743-6216

E-mail: richard@rewarnerlaw.com

Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com

Publish:

August 17 & 24, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

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

CASE NO.: 23-DR-0000590-K

ORLANDO MACHADO GALIANO

Petitioner, and, NIURKA JIMENEZ PAZO, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE TO: NIURKA JIMENEZ PAZO RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 240 LIBERTAD MORON CA, CUBA 65110

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 ORLANDO MACHADO GALIANO, whose address is 2111 FLAGLER AVENUE, KEY WEST, FL 33040 on or before SEPTEMBER 25, 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: August 21, 2023

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

By: Riza Hall

Deputy Clerk

Publish:

August 24 & 31 and September 7 & 14, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF SALE

To: The Owners of certain weeks and units at the Marathon Key Beach Club Condominium II, to-wit:

respective units)

ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that the above units(s) of interval ownership, all of which are a part of the Marathon Key Beach Club Condominium II, according to the Declaration of Condominium, recorded in Official Records Book 859, at Page 786, in the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and as amended in Official Records Book 874, at Page 2169, of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, as subsequently may have been amended, together with the percentage interest appurtenant thereto, in the remainder over in fee simple absolute, as tenant in common with the other owners of all the Unit Weeks in the abovedescribed condominium parcel. WILL BE SOLD by the foreclosure trustee duly appointed by the Condominium Association, Margaret A. Broz, Esq., whose business address is: 434 Chatham U, West Palm Beach, FL 33417.

This sale is being conducted in accordance with F.S. 721.855, for delinquent assessments the Claim of Lien for which was recorded in the Monroe County, Florida, Public Records, as set forth above, and which secures an amount representing delinquent assessments and taxes, interest and penalties accrued thereon, attorney’s fees and costs, and which amount will bear interest from the date of recording to the date of sale at a per diem rate equal to the highest rate allowed by law (currently 5.52% per annum).

Unless redeemed as set forth below, the sale will be held on August 31, 2023 at the Marathon Key Beach Club, 4560 Overseas Hwy., Marathon, FL 33050, commencing at 1:00 p.m. Obligor may redeem this timeshare interest on or before the sale date, by paying the amount set forth above together with the per diem amounts, in cash or certified funds remitted to the foreclosure trustee: if the week(s) are not so redeemed, the foreclosure trustee with proceed to conduct the sale pursuant and to issue a Certificate of Sale to the highest bidder at such sale.

List of Timeshare Properties for Sale

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

1. Sioux Shelton, 1712 Rio Vista, Ft. Pierce, FL 34949, Wk 47/E-202, Due $2,070.07

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

3. John & Kimberly Chandler, 2501 Snow Creek Lane, Charlotte, NC 28273, Wk 45/E-102, Due $2,756.98

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

5. Dario Morell, 13405 SW First Terrace, Miami, FL 33184, Wk 40/E101, Due $2,318.94

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

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

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

9. Douglas & Laura Merrill, 40 Main St., Hampton, NJ 07827, Wk 17/A102, Due $13, 081.76

10. Estate of Violet Sibert, 132-855 Third Avenue East, Owen Sound, Ontario N4K 2K6, Wk 7/C-102, Due $3,484.92

11. Estate of Linda Nascarella, 13337 Lamirada Circle, West Palm Beach, FL 33414, Wk 41/D-101, Due $2,318.70

12. Estate of Ronald Little, 17030 No. 49th St., Apt. 1026, Scottsdale, AZ 85254, Wk 15/D-101, Due $3,474.92

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

$5,610.39

14. Robert Fine C/O Mathew & Michael Fine, 1408 Brickell Bay Dr. #701, Miami, FL 33131, Wk 34/D102, Due $7,168.31

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

$4,349.76

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

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

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

$5,681.82

19. Estate of Jerry & Sarah Hagler, 5341 S.E. Bumingtree Circle, Stuart, FL 34997, Wk 40 and 41/B-101, Due $3,982.87 Margaret A. Broz, Esq. Florida Bar No. 712507

Law Office of Margaret A. Broz

434 Chatham U West Palm Beach, FL 33417

Telephone: 305-743-2222

561-312-3263

Publish:

August 17 & 24, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION/SALE FOR NON-JUDICIAL TIMESHARE

FORECLOSURE

RE: MARATHON KEY BEACH CLUB II ASSOCIATION, INC.

MONROE County, Florida

Non-Judicial Timeshare

foreclosure process

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, pursuant to an action for nonjudicial foreclosure of timeshare units on the Claim of Lien, which is dated May 30, 2023 and was recorded June 12, 2023, in the Official Records of Monroe County, Florida in Official Records Book 3229, Page 1458 as Instrument Number 2421351, Florida, I will sell, to the highest and best bidder for cash, at MARATHON KEY BEACH CLUB CONDOMINIUM II RESORT Manager’s Office, 4560 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 on the 5th day of SEPTEMBER, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., the following described real property located in MONROE County, Florida, to-wit:

Annual Timeshare Periods as set forth below in MARATHON KEY BEACH CLUB CONDOMINIUM II, according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof, recorded in Official Records Book 859, at Page 786, as amended in Official Records Book 874, at Page 2169, all of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida and all subsequent

and exhibits thereto.

22 Teller Street Rehevot, Israel 76444

E 102/51

$4,680.93 with a per diem amount of $2.31 from March 9, 2023

Ray Epstein C/O Brad Epstein 388 Bridge Street #39A Brooklyn, NY 11201

E 101/31

$4,680.93 with a per diem amount of $2.31 from March 9, 2023

Richard Fevang 245 Sunnyridge Avenue, Apt 6 Fairfield, CT 06824-4643

C 102/25

$6,671.90 with a per diem amount of $3.29 from March 9, 2023

Francis M Flynn and Rhoda K Radow 4621 Hollywood Blvd Hollywood, FL 33021

C 102/30

$6,516.30 with a per diem amount of $3.21 from March 9, 2023

C 102/31

$6,516.30 with a per diem amount of $3.21 from March 9, 2023

Jason Godown P.O. Box 814 Hobe Sound, FL 33475-0814

A 210/23

$5,609.22 with a per diem amount of $2.77 from March 9, 2023

George Klaus 4875 NW Second Street, Apt B Delray Beach, FL 33445

A 201/33

$4,447.31 with a per diem amount of $2.19 from March 9, 2023

Dennis Krausman 260 DaVinci Drive

Punta Gorda, FL 33950

E 101/05

$5,643.03 with a per diem amount of $2.78 from March 9, 2023

Dennis Krausman, as Trustee of The Dennis Krausman Living Trust Dated March 31, 2014 and any amendments thereto 260 DaVinci Drive

Punta Gorda, FL 33950

A 201/06

$5,643.03 with a per diem amount of $2.78 from March 9, 2023

Gary A Le Duc and Stephanie A

Le Duc 69 Old Nugent Farm Road

Gloucester, MA 01930

E 201/21

$7,542.19 with a per diem amount of $3.72 from March 9, 2023

Gary A Le Duc 69 Old Nugent Farm Road

Gloucester, MA 01930

E 101/22

$7,542.19 with a per diem amount of $3.72 from March 9, 2023

Michael Maurer and Gena Healy 174 Laux Road, Site 94 Monroeville, NJ 08343

E 201/28

$5,572.31 with a per diem amount of $2.75 from March 9, 2023

Frank Lynn Providenti and Jenna

Lynn Providenti 3922 Roseland Drive West Windsor, ON N9G 1Z5 Canada

E 202/05

$3,605.88 with a per diem amount of $1.78 from March 9, 2023

Jeffrey Scott Silen and Doris Silen 10422 Kirby Smith Road Orlando, FL 32832

B 202/42

$6,701.46 with a per diem amount of $3.30 from March 9, 2023

B 202/43

$6,701.46 with a per diem amount of $3.30 from March 9, 2023

D 102/41

$6,701.46 with a per diem amount of $3.30 from March 9, 2023

E 102/44

$6,701.46 with a per diem amount of $3.30 from March 9, 2023

Richard Tappenden and Marjean

Tappenden 9103 58th Avenue SE

Olympia, WA 98513

C 102/12

$3,605.88 with a per diem amount of $1.78 from March 9, 2023

$5,108.18 with a per diem amount of $2.52 from March 9, 2023

A 201/39

$5,108.19 with a per diem amount of $2.52 from March 9, 2023

The assessment lien created by the Claim of Lien was properly created and authorized pursuant to the timeshare instrument and applicable law, and the amounts secured by said lien are as set above.

You may cure the default at any time prior to the public auction by paying the amount due, as set forth in this notice, to the undersigned Trustee at the address set forth below.

THIS NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION/ SALE is dated this _14th_ day of _AUGUST___, 2023.

I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of this NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION/SALE FOR NON-JUDICIAL TIMESHARE FORECLOSURE has been furnished by regular First-Class U.S. Mail to each of the obligors at the above listed addresses on this __14th__ day of _AUGUST______, 2023.

THOMAS L AVRUTIS, ESQUIRE TRUSTEE FOR MARATHON KEY BEACH CLUB II ASSOCIATION, INC 201 Fletcher Avenue, Second Floor Sarasota, FL 34236

Telephone (941) 955-7715

Facsimile (941) 953-7625

Email: john @vacationfla.com

Publish:

August 17 & 24, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

STATE OF FLORIDA

FLORIDA BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS

FEMC Case No.: 2022043254

FLORIDA BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS, Petitioner, vs. DAVID HEMMEL, P.E., Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION

TO: David Hemmel, P.E.

Post Office Box 4255

Key West, Florida 33041

UNLICENSED ACTIVITY

The Florida Board of Professional Engineers has filed an Administrative Complaint against you, a copy of which may be obtained by contacting, Rebecca Valentine, Legal Department, Florida Board of Professional Engineers, 2400 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee, Florida 32308, (850) 521-0500 ext. 106.

If no contact has been made by you concerning the above by September 14, 2023, the matter of the Administrative Complaint will be presented at a hearing pursuant to 120.57(2), F.S. before the Florida Board of Professional Engineers.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the individual or agency sending notice not later than seven days prior to the proceeding at the address given on the notice.

Telephone: (850) 257-6097; 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800955-8770 (v), via Florida Relay Service.

Publish:

August 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

AUTOS ALL YEARS!

Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks. Runs or Not. $CASH 305-332-0483

BOATS FOR SALE

2021 Cobia 262 CC twin Yamaha 200hp (only 59 hours) Garmin screens 12 inch Reverso flush unit aqua traction floor windless anchor bath rm w/ trailer. Asking $157,000 John 706-897-6953

BOAT SLIP FOR RENT

Boat Dockage for rent in Marathon. Private bay bottom, up to 40' boat, self containing, offshore water, car & dingy parking space provided. 305-610-8002

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED; HOUSEHOLD MANAGER

Live in household manager/caregiver. Single or couple. Private apartment and auto provided. 7 months in N Key Largo and 5 months in Canada (Ontario) Salary based on skills and experience. Reply to: safd12@aol.com

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

Coast to Coast Pizza Company in Marathon is looking for Full and/ or Part-time Cashiers to join our team! Fulltime with a potential to become our Front of House Assistant Manager.Salary commensurate with experience and includes tips and 401k.Please call Nicole at 305-4330515 or email nicole@ themoongroupfl.com.

with a per diem amount of $1.76 from March 9, 2023

Kevin Cole and Eva Cole

1009 North Road Fox River, IL 60021

A 102/03

$3,592.23 with a per diem amount of $1.77 from March 9, 2023

Kai Cremata 14900 East OrangeLake Blvd Kissimmee, FL 34747

C 101/23

$5,619.22 with a per diem amount of $2.77 from March 9, 2023

Gideon Eidelbaum

Vista Holdings, Inc C/O Deena Birenbaum 5408 Legacy Oaks Place Asheville, NC 28803

C 202/08

$4,641.43 with a per diem amount of $2.29 from March 9, 2023

Lee Wanous 7236 E Lanai Street Long Beach, CA 90808

B 102/18

$7,732.19 with a per diem amount of $3.81 from March 9, 2023

David Williams

235 S Lake Avenue

Lake Butler, FL 32054

D 101/20

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time line cook. Responsible for food and kitchen prep. Competitive pay at a private club, opportunities to advance. Flexible afternoon/evening hours Wednesday – Saturday. Call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview.

PLACE YOUR EMPLOYMENT AD HERE FOR $25/WEEK FOR UP TO 5 LINES OF COPY. CALL 305-743-0844.

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES AUTOS WANTED LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Housekeeper, HVAC Maintenance Mechanic, Personal Care Aide, Resident Assistant, Cook, 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.

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

Immediate openings for experienced plumbers and helpers (with or without experience - we will train the right person). Must have a valid driver's

license & clean driving record. Please apply in person at 10700 5th Avenue Gulf, Marathon or email resume to: eerpinc@gmail.com

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 Guardresponsibilities include but are not limited to observing marine mammals to ensure quality care, the ability to follow written instructions, and follow protocol and procedures as directed. Candidates must be able to lift 50 lbs and must be able to stay awake and alert for a 13 hour shift (6:00pm-

Location: Upper Keys

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

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE

We are now hiring for the following positions:

7am). DPMMR is a drugfree workplace. To apply, please send your resume to nancyc@dpmmr.org.

The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a Customer-Service Oriented Server for the pool deck, beach and/ or bar lounge. Open year round, 10am-7pm daily. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

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

HOUSING FOR RENT

2 Bedroom 1 Bath house in Marathon. Tile floor, appliances, gated property. No pets. $2,700/mo. including electric, water, & sewer. 305-610-8002

RV Site for rent in Marathon. Up to 35', private gated property. $1,500/mo plus water & sewer (electric included). Dockage available - inquire for price. 305-610-8002

YARD SALES

PLACE YOUR YARD SALE AD HERE FOR $25/WEEK FOR UP TO 5 LINES OF COPY. CALL 305-743-0844.

TRANSFER STATION OPERATOR

MONROE COUNTY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT is looking for a responsible applicant for the Long Key Transfer Station, MM 68. The primary function of this position is to weigh vehicles in and out of transfer station and maintain transfer station property.

Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED, working knowledge of computers and other office equipment, and a Florida Driver’s License Class B CDL within 6 months of hire. This position is designated as a safety sensitive position. An employee in this position is subject to the mandatory Department of Transportation drug testing program which involves random drug testing. Starting salary: $40,188.94 plus benefits

Application available at: www.monroecounty-fl.gov via the position link on our employment page. For more information, contact Human Resources at: Careers@monroecounty-fl.gov or call 305-292-4554. Veteran’s Preference Available; E.O.E.

NOW

MARINA CASHIER

Must have customer service experience working in a retail environment and using a point of sale system. Additional duties include restocking, completing purchase orders, daily ordering of basic items in the store, and maintaining a clean appearance in the store. This is an hourly position and compensation is based on experience. Work hours are flexible and we try to maintain a set weekly schedule.

Please respond by email (Ma at islamarinama @gmail.com) with any relevant previous experience and at least two references.

NOW HIRING IN ISLAMORADA

BOAT RENTAL STAFF

FLEXIBLE HOURS & COMPETITIVE WAGES

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

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

NOW HIRING DIVE INSTRUCTOR

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

11710 OVERSEAS HWY, MARATHON

SUNSET GRILLE IS HIRING

• Hosts

• Waitstaff

• Bartenders

• Bar Backs

• Bussers

• Line Cooks

• Dishwashers

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

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.

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Housekeeper, HVAC Maintenance Mechanic, Personal Care Aide, Resident Assistant, Cook, 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.

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

Immediate openings for experienced plumbers and helpers (with or without experience - we will train the right person). Must have a valid driver's

license & clean driving record. Please apply in person at 10700 5th Avenue Gulf, Marathon or email resume to: eerpinc@gmail.com

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 Guardresponsibilities include but are not limited to observing marine mammals to ensure quality care, the ability to follow written instructions, and follow protocol and procedures as directed. Candidates must be able to lift 50 lbs and must be able to stay awake and alert for a 13 hour shift (6:00pm-

Location: Upper Keys

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

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE

We are now hiring for the following positions:

7am). DPMMR is a drugfree workplace. To apply, please send your resume to nancyc@dpmmr.org.

The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a Customer-Service Oriented Server for the pool deck, beach and/ or bar lounge. Open year round, 10am-7pm daily. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

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

HOUSING FOR RENT

2 Bedroom 1 Bath house in Marathon. Tile floor, appliances, gated property. No pets. $2,700/mo. including electric, water, & sewer. 305-610-8002

RV Site for rent in Marathon. Up to 35', private gated property. $1,500/mo plus water & sewer (electric included). Dockage available - inquire for price. 305-610-8002

YARD SALES

PLACE YOUR YARD SALE AD HERE FOR $25/WEEK FOR UP TO 5 LINES OF COPY. CALL 305-743-0844.

TRANSFER STATION OPERATOR

MONROE COUNTY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT is looking for a responsible applicant for the Long Key Transfer Station, MM 68. The primary function of this position is to weigh vehicles in and out of transfer station and maintain transfer station property.

Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED, working knowledge of computers and other office equipment, and a Florida Driver’s License Class B CDL within 6 months of hire. This position is designated as a safety sensitive position. An employee in this position is subject to the mandatory Department of Transportation drug testing program which involves random drug testing. Starting salary: $40,188.94 plus benefits

Application available at: www.monroecounty-fl.gov via the position link on our employment page. For more information, contact Human Resources at: Careers@monroecounty-fl.gov or call 305-292-4554. Veteran’s Preference Available; E.O.E.

NOW

MARINA CASHIER

Must have customer service experience working in a retail environment and using a point of sale system. Additional duties include restocking, completing purchase orders, daily ordering of basic items in the store, and maintaining a clean appearance in the store. This is an hourly position and compensation is based on experience. Work hours are flexible and we try to maintain a set weekly schedule.

Please respond by email (Ma at islamarinama @gmail.com) with any relevant previous experience and at least two references.

NOW HIRING IN ISLAMORADA

BOAT RENTAL STAFF

FLEXIBLE HOURS & COMPETITIVE WAGES

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

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

NOW HIRING DIVE INSTRUCTOR

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

11710 OVERSEAS HWY, MARATHON

SUNSET GRILLE IS HIRING

• Hosts

• Waitstaff

• Bartenders

• Bar Backs

• Bussers

• Line Cooks

• Dishwashers

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

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.

STUDIO SPOTLIGHT

South Florida is a haven for talented artists and writers. This talent has led to some outstanding achievements. Take, for instance, Kathleen Denis, who’s one of the United States’ top licensed artists.

ARTIST KATHLEEN DENIS DEPICTS JOY THROUGH PAINTINGS

is an artist, designer and gemologist who believes in the power of art.

Her artwork has appeared on hundreds of home décor and gift products – wallpaper, kitchenware, bathroom collections and much more. Her talent extends beyond licensing her artwork: the art has won many outstanding awards nationally and internationally, including the highly lauded Plein Air Magazine’s Salon.

You can see her artwork in movies and television shows such as “Hawaii 5-0” and “Bloodline.” Denis is a member of the American Impressionist Society, National Oil and Acrylic Society, Oil Painters of America and she’s an official United States Coast Guard Artist. Her artwork hangs in the homes of celebrities and political figures.

Denis was born in Miami and grew up in Fort Lauderdale. She spent much of her time between the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. This greatly influenced her subject and colorful style.

“My love of art began at the age of 4 when taking art lessons from a fashion illustrator in Hollywood, Florida,” she said. “After graduating from University of Miami with a BFA degree in graphic design, I continued my painting skills by studying from noted master artists such as Scott Christiansen, Anne Blair Brown and Camille Przewodek.”

When you meet Denis, the first thing that strikes you is her sense of calm, and when you talk to her, you realize her power. She is at the top of her craft and she knows it. She is a rare juxtaposition of mastery and serenity. Denis is a generous and academic instructor; she has been teaching classes and workshops in person and online for over 10 years at art centers, including the Winslow Art Center Online.

“Depicting joy through my paintings, as well as capturing the effect of warm sunlight, is of great

importance to me,” she said. “Having grown up in South Florida, island life has greatly influenced how and what I see when I paint. Brightly painted buildings, colorful landscapes, turquoise waters and the locals who live there always capture my attention. Whether the subject matter is a timeworn cottage, a day at the beach or a sun-drenched garden, my desire is to capture the warm light and invite the viewer into the scene as they imagine being there.”

Denis is a plein air artist, or one who paints outdoors, typically in natural settings. The phrase “plein air” is French for “in the open air.” She saw her first plein air event in Apalachicola about 14 years ago; she was fascinated with it.

“As I started painting ‘en plein air’ and participating in plein air events I realized the importance of direct observation instead of relying on photos to paint from and how it would reveal the true colors and light of the scene.”

It is the feeling of the moment that’s important to Denis, everything from the light, colors, seeing a focal point and building the composition. Some of her favorite painters are Bonnard, Sorolla and Hopper. She admires their use of color and light, brushstrokes, edges and composition.

“I paint the same technique in plein air as in my studio,” she said. “I start with sketches, value studies, color scheme selections, mix paints, tone canvas and apply the darks first, then build up my lights with thicker paint.”

She generally mixes her colors with a palette

knife, sometimes with a brush. She uses a warm and a cool of each primary plus white to mix most of her colors. Some of the challenges while painting plein air are capturing the light on canvas before the light changes. Things move while painting them, or get in the way of the scene — like cars and people.

Other factors which can affect the painting process can be weather immediately turning bad or forgetting something in the studio. She manages her time by being prepared with equipment and by starting with sketches and color mixing. That way she formulates a plan which helps her paint faster. The most important thing is to know the light — its direction, its intensity and its temperature.

Those wishing to learn more about colors and painting from Denis can visit winslowartcenter. com. Originals are found at kathleendenis.com, Our Place in Paradise Gallery in Islamorada, and Camden Falls Gallery in Camden, Maine. Prints are found at HomeGoods and by searching online for “Kathleen Denis + Prints.”

WILLIAM DEPAULA

‘Together again.’

‘Gonna be late.’

‘Taking a dip.’

‘Blossoms.’

Artwork by Kathleen Denis has been featured in movies and television shows such as “Hawaii 5-0” and “Bloodline.”

VISIT CHI IN THE KEYS

YOUR MEDICAL HOME

Visit

Tavernier Health Center

91200 Overseas Highway, Unit 17

Tavernier, FL 33070

Marathon Health Center*

2805 Overseas Highway MM 48.5

Marathon, FL 33050

Key West Health Center

727 Fort Street Key West, FL 33040

MOST INSURANCES ACCEPTED INCOME-BASED PAYMENT SCALE FOR UNINSURED PATIENTS EVENING AND WEEKEND HOURS ALSO AVAILABLE

Tavernier Services Include:

Primary Care

Pediatrics

Telehealth

OB/GYN available at Marathon Health Center*

Pharmacy

COVID-19 Vaccinations

(786) 756-7646 chisouthfl.org/tavernier