Marathon Weekly 23-1207

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‘December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy…’

CAPITOL RIOTERS PLEAD NOT GUILTY Marathon couple could face prison time | P.6 1,000-MILE GRIND Grassy Key cyclist completes grueling race | P.12

CITIZENS INSURANCE UNDER FIRE Senate seeks answers on liability | P.4

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2

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

WE’VE SOLD MORE PROPERTIES OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS THAN THE NEXT FOUR COMPANIES COMBINED CALL US TO FIND OUT HOW • 305.743.5181 JUST SOLD! CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SELLER!

JUST LISTED! 201 12TH STREET, KEY COLONY BEACH

ASKING PRICE $2,395,000 | 3 BEDROOMS & 2 BATHS

493 63RD STREET, MARATHON NATALIE ARDIS, ®

LELA ASHKARIAN,

RICK & SHERYL ANN PHILLIPS

305.481.3317 | natalie@cbschmitt.com305.395.0814 | lela@cbschmitt.com

Realtor®/Broker Associate 305.942.6771 | hookedonthekeys@aol.com

JUST LISTED! 21 SOMBRERO BLVD., #315, MARATHON

JUST LISTED! 6099 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, #93E, MARATHON

ASKING PRICE $425,000 | 1 BEDROOM & 1 BATH

ASKING PRICE $210,000 | 808 SF LOT

AMY PRUMO & TOM CARDEN, REALTORS 305.289.6562 | aprumo.realestatefloridakeys.com | 815.329.5220

JUST LISTED! 8053 PORPOISE DRIVE, MARATHON

KIM RABITO-SHOW, ®

305.304.8591 kimmieinthekeys@gmail.com

WANDA BROCK, ® 305.304.8862 wanda@midkeysproperties.com

JUST LISTED! 1219 ROYAL STREET, KEY WEST

ASKING PRICE $889,000 | 3 BEDROOM & 2 BATH

ASKING PRICE $2,995,000 | 3 BEDROOMS & 3 BATHS

SAM WILLIAMS, P.A.

TOM MCLAUGHLIN, REALTOR

call or text 305.942.6069 | www.midkeyshomes.com | #sellitwithsam

COLDWELL BANKER SCHMITT CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

305.600.1766 | keywesthomes4sale@gmail.com

Helping Keys Residents since 2002. The Coldwell Banker Schmitt Charitable Foundation was created in April 2002, and is dedicated to helping Keys’ residents whose critical needs are not being met through other means. The funds are donated to the Foundation through the generous hearts of the Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate agents, staff, associates, business partners, and the public. www.gooddeedsinthekeys.org

3

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

FULFILLING YOUR VISION IS WHAT’S NEXT

This stunning no detail overlooked property boasts four spacious bedrooms and three luxurious white marble bathrooms, providing ample space for you and your loved ones. Situated on a deep water

canal, this home offers 65 feet of Trex deck like dockage, extra concrete pilings allowing for larger or multiple vessels, a 15k lb boat lift and a covered and lighted fish cleaning station, adding extra convenience for boating and fishing enthusiasts. Step inside this exquisite home and be greeted by an open floor concept featuring a kitchen that will make any chef's heart skip a beat.

The kitchen is equipped with top-of-the-line Wolf gas range with heat lamps, SubZero refrigerator, Wolf microwave, and a 40 bottle SubZero wine cooler. Relax in the luxurious Kohler jacuzzi tub or unwind in the glass-enclosed walk-in shower after a day of boating. This canal front home offers not only comfort but also endless opportunities for outdoor entertainment. Complete with an in-ground pool with the option to heat or chill and outdoor BBQ grill & gas supplied fire pit, you'll find an elegant dining gazebo that can seat up to 12 people. The garage can accommodate two vehicles and offers tremendous storage, along with an approx. 320 sq feet air-conditioned tackle room. Come experience luxury living at its best.

MARATHON | $2,600,000 | Listing ID: 606670

10055 Overseas Highway, Marathon | 305.735.4095 | oceansir.com Each office is independently owned and operated.

4

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

9709 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 33050 Office: 305.743.0844 www.keysweekly.com

Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Marathon Editor / Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Staff Writers

Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Digital Editor / Gwen Filosa gwen@keysweekly.com

Director of Sales

Manuela Carrillo Mobley manuela@keysweekly.com

Business Development Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com

Production Manager

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Graphic Design

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com Diana Striker

Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844

Se habla español

THE MARATHON WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050. APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.

POSTMASTER:

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

News Deadline Tuesday Noon

Advertising Deadline Tuesday 2 p.m.

@KeysWeekly @theWeekly

Members of

2,403

On Dec. 7, 1941, 2,403 service members and civilians perished during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

In 1994, Congress designated Dec. 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Events are held every year at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.

Citizens Property Insurance Corp., already a lightning rod for criticism throughout Florida, will undergo a new probe at the federal level from the Senate Budget Committee over a potential ‘worst case scenario’ storm that could leave the company asking for a federal bailout. See below.

SENATE SEEKS ANSWERS FROM CITIZENS INSURANCE CORP. Lawmakers fear severe hurricane could require federal bailout

By Alex Rickert and Jim McCarthy

L

aments about the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp., with exorbitant rising rates in an island chain that functions as a “donor county” for the rest of the state, are nothing new.

But according to questions recently asked by federal legislators, even skyrocketing rates aren’t enough to assuage concerns that a “worst-case scenario” natural disaster in Florida could leave the corporation seeking a bailout from other Florida policyholders – or the federal government. Now, Congress wants a closer look.

In a Nov. 30 letter addressed to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky and Citizens President and CEO Tim Cerio, Senate budget committee chairman Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) requested “information and documents concerning Citizens Property Insurance Corporation’s plans to address increased underwriting losses from climate-related extreme weather events and other disasters.”

The letter goes on to detail “increasing concern(s) about the potential economic consequences of an eventual widescale decline in property values caused by increasing exposure to climate risks and the attendant increase in insurance premiums and decrease in insurance availability.”

The letter calls Florida’s insurance landscape “particularly dire,” referencing, among other items, that some Florida premiums have expected increases of more than 40% this year, while at least three quarters of the insurance policies in every Florida county are at risk of non-renewal or a rate increase.

It references a report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Federal lawmakers say they’re concerned a ‘worst case scenario’ storm in Florida could leave Citizens Property Insurance Corp. asking for a federal bailout. NOAA/ Contributed

Association that through less than nine months in 2023, the U.S. experienced “23 extreme weather disasters … with costs of $1 billion or more, the most in recorded history.”

When these factors are combined with Citizens’ “rapidly expanding market share” – now nearly 20%, more than double its 2020 figure – Whitehouse wrote that there is legitimate concern a major disaster could leave state leaders turning to the federal government for a bailout if the corporation can’t shell out billions in claims, “put(ting) the federal government (and by extension, all American taxpayers) at substantial risk.” He cited a 2018 University of Cambridge report that a major hurricane strike to the Miami area and panhandle could carry a projected cost of $1.35 trillion in damages.

Last March, DeSantis acknowledged that Citizens would likely be unable to pay out claims if the state faced another large hurricane.

“I think most people know Citizens has not been solvent,” he said at a press conference in Fort Myers, which took the brunt of Hurricane Ian in September 2022. “If you did have a major hurricane hit with a lot of Citizens

property holders, it would not have a lot to pay out.”

Though Citizens is supposed to be Florida’s insurer of last resort, the corporation’s June 30 company overview, the most recent available on its website, showed a total of 1,345,400 policies, insured for a total value of more than $561 billion. And what some policyholders may not realize is that according to state law, if the company’s claims after a disaster exceed its ability to pay, it may collect “assessments” from other policyholders around Florida – regardless of whether or not they are Citizens customers.

A concerted effort by Florida lawmakers throughout the last year to move policies away from Citizens saw the passage of Senate Bill 2A in December 2022, which requires the corporation’s customers to accept offers from other private insurers if offered a rate within 20% of their Citizens premium. The months since have seen several insurers submit proposals to regulators to assume Citizens policies, including a late-July approval by Yaworksy that could see up to 184,000 policies move to Slide Insurance Co., Safepoint Insurance Co., Southern Oak Insurance Co., Florida Peninsula Insurance Co. and Monarch National Insurance Co. Florida policyholders, meanwhile, continue to blast rate increases by Citizens, and in August, Yaworksy ordered the corporation to go back to the drawing board with its proposed hikes. As originally submitted, Citizens’ rate proposal saw increases of 12% for “multi-peril” policies on primary residences – the maximum allowed in a single year, per state law.

Rate increases for Monroe County were eventually announced at 10.8% for wind-only policies on primary homes, 48.2% for wind-only policies on non-primary homes, 5% for windonly on primary residence condos and 14.9% for wind-only on non-primary condos.

continued on page 10

5

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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6

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

KEYS COUPLE PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO JAN. 6 RIOT CHARGES Bryan Bishop faces prison if convicted of assaulting officers with pepper spray MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

A Todd Kinsler leads the Mermaid Mafia in the 2023 7 Mile Bridge Run. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

SEVEN MILE BRIDGE RUN REGISTRATION OPENS IN LATE JANUARY West-to-east race set for April 13

T

he date for the 43rd annual 7 Mile Bridge Run is April 13, 2024. Plans are to again run from west to east.

Registration for the race is online only and opens on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, beginning at 6 a.m. Anyone can register on this date, but only 1,500 entries are accepted and the field fills very quickly.

Runners must show a photo ID when picking up their bib number that matches the address used to register.

Early registration opens for Monroe County residents on Thursday, Jan. 25 beginning at 6 a.m. To qualify as a Monroe County resident, runners must use a Monroe County address that matches a photo ID. There are a limited number of entries available for locals only who register on this date. If unsuccessful on Jan. 25, Monroe County residents may also try registering on Jan. 30.

Packet pickup is on Friday, April 12 until 8 p.m.

Runners must be present with a photo ID that matches the registration address to pick up each packet.

Runsignup.com will again be used for registration, so prior creation of an account there will help expedite registration. The registration fee is $100.

Accommodations have been made for Monroe County students who register at a discounted rate, courtesy of Keys Federal Credit Union, early in the month of January. Those students interested can send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Marathon Runners Club, P.O. Box 500110, Marathon, FL 33050, and a student registration form will be mailed to them. These student-only registration forms must be received back at the P.O. box no later than Jan. 19.

— Contributed

Marathon couple arrested in August in relation to their participation in the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol recently pleaded not guilty to federal charges.

Bryan Roger Bishop, 51, pleaded not guilty on Nov. 29 to nine counts in his federal indictment, which was posted to the online federal court filing system on Nov. 15.

He is accused, among other things, of assaulting two Capitol police officers with a dangerous weapon by spraying pepper spray under their helmets during the riot, carrying a dangerous weapon inside a restricted area, engaging in physical violence in a restricted area with a weapon and disorderly conduct.

The maximum sentence, under federal law, for assaulting a federal officer with a “deadly or dangerous weapon” is a 20-year prison term, depending on the severity and circumstances.

Bishop’s wife, Tonya, 47, is not accused of violence or weapons-related charges, but is accused of remaining in a restricted area and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted area and in the Capitol building. She pleaded not guilty to the four counts at her Dec. 1 arraignment, also held via Zoom.

A status conference hearing in Tonya’s case is scheduled for Jan. 30.

Bryan Bishop’s defense attorneys have until Dec. 20 to submit a proposal for trial and discovery dates and deadlines, according to online federal court records.

Bryan Bishop twice has asked the court to remove the ankle monitoring bracelet that was a requirement of his pretrial release. Tonya Bishop did not have to submit to location monitoring.

Federal prosecutors have opposed his request for removal of the bracelet, calling his arguments “unpersuasive.”

Bryan Bishop initially told the court in August that he lives on a boat and needs to enter the water to “constantly scrape barnacles off his vessel for maintenance.” In his second request for removal in October, Bishop added that he needs to spearfish to catch his meals and would “like the ability to swim to cool off” due to the Florida Keys’ unseasonably warm weather.

Prosecutors again opposed his request, writing, “the defendant’s arguments for why he needs to personally

Bryan Bishop leaves Monroe County Detention Center in August. MANDY MILES/ Keys Weekly

Tonya Bishop leaves Monroe County Detention Center after spending a night in jail following her arrest in relation to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

engage in spearfishing, as opposed to any other type of fishing that doesn’t require him to enter into the water, are unpersuasive.

“Because of the Defendant’s role in the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 … and his lack of showing as to why he must be permitted to engage in swimming, scuba diving and spearfishing, the United States now requests that that condition of release be enforced and that the defendant’s motion for modification of them be denied.”

The online court records do not show whether the judge has ruled on Bishop’s second request for removal of the ankle bracelet.

The Bishops could not be reached for comment, as the phone numbers listed in their arrest warrant had been changed or disconnected, states a recording from Verizon.

As of September, more than 1,100 people from all 50 states had been charged with a variety of offenses relating to their presence at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Of those, 378 had been sentenced to jail or prison terms. Others have been fined either after going to trial or accepting plea deals.

7

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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Excellent investment opportunity at this income-producing triplex where 7-day rentals are permitted! The lower level is two 2 bed 1 bath units, recently upgraded with tile flooring, quartz countertops and stainless-steel appliances. Upstairs is a sizeable 3 bed 2 bath offering views of the canal and 100 ft. dock. Downstairs, an abundance of on-site parking. Excellent central location providing proximity to restaurants and shops.

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Excellent boating at this gorgeous Cudjoe Key retreat with no-bridge access to Cudjoe Bay for frequent boating and fishing adventures! A generous back porch shows off peek-a-boo open water views and overlooks immaculately manicured yard. Deepwater canal with concrete dockage, fillet station, and swim ladder perfect for the avid boater. This exceptional property is tailor-made for enjoying the coveted Florida Keys lifestyle!

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Priceless open water views define this Lower Keys gem, providing an atmosphere of serenity and relaxation. Nestled at the end of the road in Gulfrest Park, this property boasts an oversized lot, with ample space for storage, entertaining, or potential RV parking. World class boating, fishing, and diving await immediately out of your backyard, and the neighborhood boat ramp affords further access and is only ½ mile away.

Brand-new Ramrod Key Retreat with excellent boating and stunning open water views! This gorgeous estate boasts open water access and 2023 construction, with an in-ground concrete pool, brand-new dock, fillet station, boat lift, and kayak launch! Inside, a massive great room with Chef’s kitchen, bar, and endless Ocean Views, is the ideal space for entertaining. The spacious split floor plan offers loads of room for hosting family and guests.

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10

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

from page 4

CITIZENS Insurance rate watchdog FIRM (Fair Read the full letter from Insurance Rates in Sen. Whitehouse here: Monroe) has listed a 10% cap for insurance premium increases as its top priority for Florida’s 2024 state legislative session, along with an increase from $1 million to $1.5 million for Citizens’ eligibility cap with rising statewide reconstruction values.

According to FIRM, from 2003-2021, premium payments to Citizens in Monroe County exceeded total claim payouts by $865 million. These numbers, the nonprofit said, “are not commensurate with Monroe’s risk, because they don’t take into account Monroe’s strict building codes and are founded on inaccurate modeling.”

FIRM president Mel Montagne noted the state has been helping property owners with insurance coverage for some 50 years, well before Citizens was created. In 1972, the Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association was formed as an insurer of last resort to provide windonly coverage in Monroe County.

Through time, coverage expanded to include other coastal regions. He noted that the ability to surcharge every policyholder “assures the state won’t have to go to the federal government for help.”

Montagne said he finds it interesting that the Senate’s investigation is coming to light just now amid DeSantis’ presidential run.

“I can’t help but think it’s politically motivated,” he said. “I’m not red or blue. Call a spade a spade.”

Whitehouse’s letter establishes a Dec. 21 deadline for a response to seven groupings of questions. Requested items include: • Information on modeling and analysis to show estimated total exposure to Citizens in various worst-case hurricane scenarios.

• Modeling and analysis to estimate Citizens’ market share for insurance policies over the next 10 years.

• Modeling and analysis to determine Citizens’ ability to fully pay out claims in various loss scenarios.

• The corporation’s current assets, as well as the maximum total claims it would be able to pay out without levying assessments on Florida policyholders.

• Communications between Citizens and DeSantis, Yaworsky and other state officials regarding the corporation’s current and future solvency, including what Citizens or the state of Florida would do if Citizens was unable to cover its losses from a disaster scenario.

• Communication between Citizens and these same officials regarding the possibility of a federal bailout if Citizens could not cover its losses.

FIERY CRASH KILLS TRUCK DRIVER ON U.S. 1

Sheriff says he warned FDOT a month ago about unsafe, unlit lane shift & barricade

Drone footage of the deadly crash on U.S. 1 shows the wreckage of a truck that hit a concrete construction barrier, which Sheriff Rick Ramsay had warned was improperly marked and poorly lit. MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE/Contributed

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

W

hen Lower Keys and Key West residents awoke Tuesday to the warming silence of a power outage shortly after 4:30 a.m., they were unaware of the fiery and fatal scene 21 miles up the road on U.S. 1.

A southbound semi-trailer hit an unmarked and poorly lit concrete construction barricade while traveling south at MM 21, near the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office substation, Sheriff Rick Ramsay told the Keys Weekly on Tuesday afternoon.

The truck exploded on impact and killed the driver, whose name has not been released.

It was an accident Ramsay predicted more than a month ago, when he warned Florida Department of Transportation officials about the unlit, unmarked and unsafe lane shift in the southbound lane at mile marker 21. The road work being done by FDOT and its contractors involves the replacement of underground communication lines for AT&T, the sheriff said.

“A couple months ago, I was on the radio talking about the FDOT’s improper signage for construction in that area and the unsafe lighting that didn’t light up the concrete barrier they had installed,” Ramsay said, adding that he had also called FDOT officials in Miami with the same warnings. “They never put up proper signage warning of the lane shift. They never installed proper lighting, and they didn’t implement a reduced-speed zone that is typical in construction areas.”

Ramsay said the orange roadside signs that should have been installed a half mile or so before the work site to warn of the impending traffic shift

were seen piled on the side of road “200 to 300 feet before the scene of the fatal accident.”

“I complained to FDOT. I said someone is going to get hurt or killed, and now who’s going to be held accountable for this deadly accident that was predicted and preventable?” Ramsay said.

“Who monitors these work sites to ensure the traffic management plan that must be approved ahead of time is actually being followed?

On top of all that, once the crews installed the new barrier and shifted the lane with no warnings, lights or signage, they walked away and have done no work in the area for a month or so,” Ramsay added.

“It makes you wonder why they’re doing a major traffic shift with no one working at the site during our heavy traffic season?

“Now this morning, a man loses his life in a horrible crash, the road is shut down for hours, the power is out and the whole county is impacted. But FDOT doesn’t seem to care.

They seem indifferent.”

The Keys Weekly has asked for comment from FDOT’s Miami office.

The accident and subsequent explosion knocked out the electrical transmission line that brings power from the mainland down the Florida Keys, prompting a power outage from Big Pine to Key West, said Julio Torrado, spokesman for Keys Energy Services.

“The outage affected all KEYS’ customers south of Big Pine Key, approximately 27,400 homes and businesses,” Torrado said, adding that power was restored to everyone 47 minutes later at 5:17 a.m.

The only road through the Florida Keys was closed for several hours on Dec. 5 as crews from Monroe Fire Rescue extinguished the fire and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash and cleared the road of profound wreckage.

The accident and road closure also canceled garbage and recycling collection on Tuesday from MM 21 to the Seven Mile Bridge. Trash service was expected to take place on Dec. 6, while Wednesday yard waste pickup would resume on Dec. 13, according to Monroe County spokeswoman Kristen Livengood.

11

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

Handel's Messiah December 17th 7:00 pm

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One plus acres with two plus acres of Bay bottom. Currently used for storage, lease expires in August 2024. Owner has plans for OVER 200' OF DEEP WATER DOCKAGE 300 boat storage on Racks and approx. 50 2 BR, 2BA corner waterfront lot with swimming in wet storage using the bay bottom. There pool. Minutes to the ocean or gulf. Covered is a 150 foot dock on the property now. The parking. Convenient to shopping, restaurants & sewage connection is to the property and bank. 2 miles to beach. $1,600,000 MLS#606825 paid for. $3,900,000 MLS#607041

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12

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

1,000-MILE GRIND

Grassy Key cyclist Marcin Sykut completes Arkansas High Country Race

Marcin Sykut celebrates at the end of the Arkansas High Country Race, finishing in nine days, nine hours and 46 minutes. CONTRIBUTED

JEN ALEXANDER

www.keysweekly.com

A

rkansas backcountry roads surrounded by waterfalls, swimming holes, sparkling streams – though it sounds like a beautiful bike ride, this high country road less traveled is not for the faint of heart. The hilly and hollow Arkansas High Country Race is a self-supported 1,037-mile cycling contest with punishing backroad sweetness. The half gravel, half pavement event not only gives its riders breathtaking mountain views and access to bustling cities, historic sites and shady rivers, but more than 80,000 combined feet of elevation change will also take plenty of breath away.

Grassy Key resident Marcin Sykut is one of 19 racers who entered the world-class offroad event on Oct. 7. Of the 19, only 13 finished the race. Sykut was able to complete this challenge in nine days, nine hours and 46 minutes – an impeccable time considering he is 61 years old.

“There are no age brackets for this race,” Sykut said. “The winner was five days ahead of me and the last finisher was two days behind. There are both men and women who compete in this race. We all just want to finish and accept the challenge that we completed something great.”

The competitors have to be wise when choosing what they will bring with them. Too little and they will get dehydrated or hungry; too much and the heavy load can weigh on how fast they go.

“Those guys who do it in four days, they don't carry much with them,” said Sykut.

“They carry a couple of power bars and two bottles of water and that’s it. They know better because they live over there. They know where to stop, where to buy things and they are so fast. They know when they’re going to be at the gas station and where they can buy water, Gatorade or whatever.

“I'm twice as slow as them because I'm sleeping at night. A lot of them don’t sleep much, so it's a balance between how much you carry, how much you can suffer without water or food and how much sleep you need.”

As a self-supported race, the riders who enter the contest through the flowing hills of Arkansas have high expectations. Some of these include policing themselves to ride the course completely solo. There are no chase vans, no food, gear or water caches, and riders are not allowed to “phone a friend” to bring them anything. The riders are required to post 12 selfies while on route to prove that they made it to mandatory locations, and a GPS tracker is mounted on each bike.

“After every bike race I learn more and more,” said Sykut. “The road gets really dark at night, so a bright light is necessary. I tried to plan out where to stay at night, but sometimes that didn’t work out. My plan for this race was to bike around 100 miles per day and to always stay somewhere where I had access to food and water. Sometimes I slept in a hotel when it was near a town and sometimes I slept on the ground.

“This is not a luxury race. I was definitely roughing it at times.”

Survival plans are necessary. All riders are responsible for their own health and welfare by ensuring that they are sufficiently fit for the 1,000-mile grind. The race administrators encourage good sportsmanship, environmental consciousness and for those cycling to be ambassadors of the sport.

Many of the riders experience what they call “trail angels” – everyday citizens and businesses cheering on the competitors by giving them gifts and words of encouragement.

These magic trail folk are vital to the mental health of the cyclists.

“It was a mental challenge to push myself … to get up and ride that early in the morning when it was so cold,” said Sykut. “I told my family to only send me positive texts.

Since I was on my own, it was motivating to hear the positive words. It gets lonely at times, but the scenery is beautiful. I definitely think about life a lot out there.”

Finishers of this year’s race received a patch that they can proudly display on their bikes, and of course, bragging rights.

More information on the race is at arkansashighcountry.com.

Marcin Sykut summits the highest mountain in Arkansas, Mt. Magazine, at 2,753 feet.

13

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

GREATER MARATHON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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305.743.5417 1.800.262.7284 info@floridakeysmarathon.com www.floridakeysmarathon.com

DAISY 6-months-old female domestic shorthair.

Looking for: A quiet space to call my own, with other cats.

Turnoffs: Too much stimulation – I’m a shy gal.

DIVA 2.5-year-old female mixed breed.

Looking for: I’m easy to please. I love people, dogs and swimming.

Turnoffs: Iguanas. Actually, all lizards. Grrr, I don’t like them.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

December 13 5:30-7:30pm

GREAT FOOD • GREAT DRINKS • GREAT FRIENDS • GREAT NETWORKING

Who: Fl Keys Aquarium Encounters When: December 13, 2023 5:30pm - 7:30pm Where: Aquarium Encounters, 11710 Overseas Hwy. What: Great networking, food & beverages; come promote your business and meet Marathon business owners, executives, and leaders!

SWIPE RIGHT

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Adorable furry faces are waiting for families at the Florida Keys SPCA Keys Weekly is thrilled each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for their perfect adoption “match” at the Florida Keys SPCA’s Marathon campus – complete with their best qualities, preferences and turnoffs to ensure the best fit.

From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you at one of the SPCA’s two campuses, in Key West and Marathon. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people. The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for special-needs and older animals that require a little extra TLC. See all the animals waiting for a home at fkspca.org. To contact the Marathon campus, call 305-743-4800 or visit at 10550 Aviation Blvd.

December 19th 12pm - 1pm

When: Tuesday, December 19 th12:00pm - 1:00pm Where: King Seafood Market & Restaurant 10925 Overseas Highway Speaker: Elizabeth Brown, Community Foundation of the Florida Keys SLINK 1-year-old ferret.

Looking for: I love cozy hammocks, warm socks and lots of sleep.

Turnoffs: When people call me stinky.

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RESERVATIONS REQUIRED – SPACE IS LIMITED E-mail RSVP to: Erika@floridakeysmarathon.com or Call 305.743.5417

WHY SHOP LOCAL?

Every dollar that is spent locally is recirculated locally on average 7 times.

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14

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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15

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

SHERIFF’S OFFICE ANNOUNCES CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMIES Classes offer in-depth look at law enforcement operations

FACTS FROM THE TAX COLLECTOR

Sam Steele

monroetaxcollector.com 305.295.5000

DECEMBER • The Tax Collector will be hosting our quarterly community blood drive at the Harvey Government Center in Key West on Wednesday, December 13.

• Mobile home registrations expire on December 31.

• Save money on your property taxes by paying in December and receive a 3% discount.

• As of December 5, 2023, the tax roll is 69% collected, or $292,593,069.19.

Follow us on

• The third property tax installment payment for 2023 is due by December 31.

• In observance of Christmas, our offices will close at 12:00pm on Friday, December 22 through December 26.

• Your friends at the Tax Collector’s Office would like to wish everyone and their families a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

for more important tax information.

MCSO’s annual Citizens Police Academy will offer a look into all aspects of the Sheriff’s Office operations. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

T

he Monroe County Sheriff’s Office will be holding its next Citizens Police Academies starting in April 2024, and the agency is looking for people who are interested in learning more about law enforcement and the Sheriff’s Office.

Classes will begin the week of April 2, 2024, and will continue through graduation the week of May 21, 2024.

There will be three separate academies — one each in the Lower, Middle, and Upper Keys.

Attendees will be asked to commit to spending one night a week between 6 and 9 p.m. in addition to the graduation ceremony in Marathon.

Classes will be held in the individual district holding the academy and will include about 15 attendees: • In the Upper Keys, classes will meet on Tuesdays at the Roth Building on Plantation Key. • In the Middle Keys, classes will meet on Wednesdays at the Sheriff’s Office aviation hangar in Marathon.

• In the Lower Keys, classes will meet on Thursdays at the Sheriff’s Office headquarters building on Stock Island.

Classes will include: • An orientation and introduction to patrol procedures.

• A tour of jail facilities.

• Introduction to weapons: Simunitions and Taser.

• Traffic/felony stops.

• Crime scene investigations, including a hands-on mock crime scene.

• Building searches.

• Introduction to specialty units: bomb, dive, SWAT, major crimes and special investigations.

Space is limited, so anyone interested should contact the captain in the area where they wish to attend. Applications are due by March 2, 2024.

• Lower Keys: Capt. David Smith, 305-745-3184 or desmith@keysso.net • Middle Keys: Lt. Lissette Quintero, 305-289-2430 or lquintero@keysso.net • Upper Keys: Capt. Spenser Bryan, 305-853-3211 or sbryan@keysso.net; or Capt. Derek Paul, 305-664-6480 or dpaul@keysso.net – Contributed

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MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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17

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

Barbara Ann Smith 1963-2023

Barbara Ann Smith, 60, unexpectedly passed as the result of a collision on U.S. 1.

Born on Sept. 15, 1963 and raised in Buffalo, NY, she followed her brother, Mark W. Smith, down to Marathon around 40 years ago. Barbara had a fantastic sense of humor, and her favorite song was “Free Bird.” She absolutely loved dogs.

Barbara was an unhoused woman who had been an integral part of a tight-knit encampment at Marathon Community Park.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to KAIR Keys Area Interdenominational Resources.

Visit KAIR at 3010 Overseas Hwy. in Marathon or call Phyllis at 305-743-4582.

Please join those who loved Barbara for a celebration of life at the Marathon Community Park amphitheater on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 11 a.m.

“A gorgeous, beautiful, elegant woman.

Barbara was my free-spirited, fun, exciting person who loved those around her and was so kind and generous to others. She would give the literal shirt off her back if there was someone who needed it more, I know that is where my giving, empathetic personality came from.

Barbara was much loved in the community and was impossible to forget once you crossed paths with her.

She enjoyed being with others and loved rock music while dancing and having a fun time with her friends or family at the local bar. She never could be held down in one place – she went from New York to Virginia to Florida, living her life one day at a time.

My gorgeous mother, you are forever locked in my heart so you will always be in two places at once: wherever I am and whatever adventures I am experiencing, and wherever your soul chooses to go, whether that be heaven or on the beach or spending time with your beloved sisters or brother Mark in Florida.

I will continue your legacy and bring your spirit along with me everywhere I go. I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you, but I will never stop fighting for you.

You deserve the world, and now you have it, so please tell me all the places you go either in my dreams or when I gaze at the stars dancing around the moon.

I love you, Mom. You may have crossed over physically, but you will always be with me in my heart spiritually. Please never forget that as long as I’m still here, so are you. We will conquer this world together.”

– Robert Ward

“Barbara, you were always funny and kind.

You’re going to be missed.

Thank you for being my sister.”

– Mark Smith “I have great respect for Barbara’s tenacity and zest for life. She did not let life’s struggles get her down. She was a very kind and caring person. Barbara loved animals, always asking about other people’s pets and giving little gifts. I consider it a privilege to have known her and she will be greatly missed.”

– Barbara Nevers “We will miss you, Barbara.”

– “Whiskey” “You will be missed.

We love you, Barbara.

Fly high until we meet again.”

– Keith and Michelle “We miss you.

You are always in our prayers.” – John “Yahweh loves you.”

– Daniel Scott Behl

18

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

LIVING, BREATHING HISTORY

Switlik fifth-graders present annual Wax Museum ALEX RICKERT

alex@keysweekly.com

V

isitors to the Stanley Switlik cafeteria during the school’s Parent to Kid (PTK) night on Nov. 30 were treated to a walk through history, courtesy of a Living Wax Museum presented by the school’s fifth graders. Tasked with choosing a historical figure to present during the museum, students were responsible for research, note-taking and report writing in order to produce a poster and create an in-person costumed representation of their chosen individual.

“The living wax museum not only showcased the students’ dedication and hard work, but also served as a unique presentation with a deeper understanding of history and honing valuable academic skills,” said Switlik social media contact Kerri Worthington. “Kudos to the fifth-grade students for their outstanding achievements in bringing history to life.”

Top row from left: Fressia Flores Olivas, left, as Cleopatra with Jostin Lopez as Ernest Hemingway.

Chris Calvo as Bill Nye the Science Guy. Atli Schwartz as Mel Fisher.

Middle row from left: Logan Nehmadi, left, as James Madison with Declan Merryman as Jackie Robinson.

Haylie Diaz as William Shakespeare.

Josue Correa as Luis Munoz Marin.

Bottom row from left: Sage Brabham as Bob Ross.

Samantha Perez Amador as Sacagawea.

Daquila Alexander as Ruby Bridges.

Photos by ALLISON SAYER/Contributed

19

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

2

WORTH THE WAIT Hundreds flock to Coldwell Banker Schmitt for Santa’s visit 1

T

hose arriving on time for Santa and Mrs. Claus’ visit to Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co. on Dec. 1 found a line already winding through the entire parking lot.

In one of the company’s busiest annual events ever, more than 500 children and families made their way up the brokerage’s front steps for a photo op with the First Family of the North Pole and free goodie bags.

3 4

5 6

1. Santa and Mrs. Claus made the trip from the North Pole to visit the children of Marathon.

2. Bertha Garcia, second from left, and Sialia Alonso take their turn with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

3.: Being first in line this year meant arriving even earlier than usual for one of Marathon’s most well-attended holiday events.

7

4. Adelle Bainbridge, Wendy Davis and Dee Dee Schmitt are ready with goodie bags after youngsters greet Santa.

5. Members of Santa’s Marathon Fire Rescue escort greet city officials. From left: Jackie Gonzalez, councilman Luis Gonzalez, Peter Meneses, City Manager George Garrett, Ray Rodriguez, Mayor Robyn Still, ‘First Dude’ of Marathon Chris Still.

8

6. Zaylee, left, Sophia and Nevaeh have a blast under the snow machine in their holiday dresses.

7. Even in a winding line, decorations on all sides at Coldwell Banker Schmitt provided plenty of photo ops.

8. A spot close to the front of the line means Anthony Serret is all smiles.

Photos by ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

21

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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22

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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anta and Mrs. Claus were there.

The Grinch was there. A flock of penguins even showed up.

Key West’s annual Hometown Holiday Parade on Dec. 2 didn’t disappoint. Thousands of kids and families lined the sidewalks along Truman

Avenue and Duval Street, eagerly collecting the candy thrown from floats.

Local businesses, utilities, city officials, Fantasy Fest royalty, the high school marching band and countless other groups took part in one of the island’s favorite holiday happenings.

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Key West’s annual Holiday Parade winds its way down Truman Avenue and Duval Street on Dec. 2, featuring more than 75 entries, from the high school marching band to law enforcement and local businesses. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

23

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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24

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

‘CHECK’ OUT THESE BOOKS A romcom, a true story and a famous novella.

Dive into these chessinspired winners CHECK & MATE

By Ali Hazelwood

QUEEN OF KATWE

By Tim Crothers

CHESS STORY

By Stefan Zweig

Mallory Greenleaf hasn’t touched a chessboard in four years. Obsessed throughout childhood, too many bad memories linger to face those 16 pieces again. The loss of her father, her mother’s health and her two younger sisters’ demands fill her days. As her best friend Easton prepares to leave for college, she begs Mallory to help her with a fundraiser chess match to raise money for a good cause. Mallory is seated across from the bad boy of chess, “Kingkiller” Nolan Sawyer, alarmingly handsome and currently ranked #1 in the world. She crushes him, shocking the audience and herself. It doesn’t take long to receive offers she cannot refuse. Mallory is pulled back into the electrifying world of chess. But the closer she gets to victory, the more guilt haunts her. Painful memories squash any semblance of joy. As Mallory focuses on taking care of her family, Sawyer becomes harder to ignore.

Maybe it could be a win-win after all.

A delightful romance where love takes the lead and checkmates follow. Intelligent, fun and even a little spicy. Don’t be fooled if you’re not a chess player – I couldn’t put this one down.

As a poor, young child living in one of the harshest slums of Katwe, Uganda, Phiona Mutesi never dreamed of a future. Always hungry, 9-year-old Phiona followed her brothers in search of food. What she discovered changed her life forever. Phiona meets an extraordinary man named Robert Katende, an educated missionary who worked with the Sports Outreach Institute teaching soccer and motivating children to strive for a better life. On colored cardboard with bottle cap pieces, Robert taught a group of children chess, challenging them to think differently. When Phiona joined they had 25 players, with the girls separated. She won against all the girls, and then beat the boys. Embracing her natural gift, Phiona quickly became a champion.

Strategizing her way through a tough game came easily, a survival instinct she learned young. Robert became her coach and chess would be Phiona’s ticket to a world outside of war-torn Uganda. In 2010, 14-year-old Phiona is selected to represent Africa at the World Chess Olympiad in Russia – and that is only the beginning. This remarkable journey of a real-life chess champion has also been adapted as a Disney movie.

World chess champion Mirko Czentovic is traveling by ocean liner from New York to Buenos Aires. An unfriendly and surprisingly uneducated man, he keeps to himself. A group of passengers offer the champion money to play against them. While they lose each match and all their cash, another passenger quietly observing begins to subtly hint at calculating moves to Czentovic’s opponents that win matches. Shocked that this mysterious man called Dr. B should possess such skills, the audience cannot help but wonder how he learned to play with such precision. While these matches continue, Dr. B’s anxiety noticeably heightens and the narrator slowly describes the shocking tale that led such a shy gentleman to this precise moment in time. Originally called The Royal Game, this German novella was written by Austrian author Stefan Zweig in 1941, just months before he and his wife died by suicide. Despite its length, this powerful story became the inspiration for the production of multiple artistic endeavors such as an opera, stage production and movies over the last 80 years. Gripping and emotional, you do not need to be a chess player to appreciate each and every strategic move.

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

#WORTHWATCHING: Orphaned at a young age, Beth Harmon is a quiet girl with few friends. When a kind man teaches her to play chess, her life is transformed. To everyone’s surprise, Beth becomes a champion.

Watch “The Queen’s Gambit” series on Netflix.

25

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

Jan. Jan.14 &15

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SUNDAY SERVICES

10AM IN THE SANCTUARY Pastor Mary Ashcraft Monday: Men’s Breakfast 7am at Irie Island Eats.

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MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

SEMINOLES SCREWED FSU alumni and fans are right to be disgusted

T

COMMERCE CORNER Florida Keys Therapy & Wellness, LLC Established in 2013, Florida Keys Therapy & Wellness LLC (formerly In Home Therapy of Monroe County) provides Occupational Therapy rehabilitation services including generalized strengthening, balance training and fall prevention. Florida Keys Therapy & Wellness also offers wellness and fitness through therapeutic yoga, and client centered exercise sessions, including programs for Parkinson's and post-Covid weakness.

Owner, Christy Minor specifically specializes in the rehabilitation of the upper extremity shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist and hand and is the only Certified Hand Therapist in the middle or upper Keys. She is also the only ASTYM certified therapist in the area and is certified in Therapeutic Dry Needling. She has recently added Kaasen Cryo-therapy to the list of services.

"When I interviewed for graduate school over 25 years ago, I was asked why I wanted to be an occupational therapist and my answer was that I wanted to help people regain their function and independence after injury or illness and that desire has never changed," said Minor.

Christy L. Minor (Owner) 6799 Overseas Hwy Suite #3 Marathon, Fl 33050 305.481.5180 | floridakeystherapy.com

he final regular weekend of NCAA football is over, and the College Football Playoff matchups are set. One team was legitimately screwed by the selection process — an undefeated Power 5 conference champion at that. We’ll get into the reasons behind this most unkind slight to Florida State University.

At the outset, let me declare that I haven’t a dog in this fight. I am an alumnus of the University of South Carolina, a team which has won multiple national championships in sports other than football. South Carolina’s football team was ranked No. 2 at one point late in an undefeated season back in the 1980s, then proceeded to lose the very next week to Navy. Go Cocks.

Back to this horrible snub — FSU played a 13-game undefeated season and won the ACC championship. They managed to keep winning without their starting quarterback, and without their backup. If that doesn’t show true grit, mettle and team spirit, I’m not sure what does.

FSU earned the right to one of those final four slots.

The College Football Playoff selection committee felt differently.

This closed-door committee, made up of 13 administrators, former players and coaches, and former sportswriters, totally ignored FSU’s undefeated season and awarded playoff berths to two one-loss teams: Texas and Alabama.

Mike Norvell, the coach at Florida State, said, “What happened today goes against everything that is true and right in college football. A team that overcame tremendous adversity and found a way to win doing whatever it took on the field was cheated today. It’s a sad day for college football.”

As much as I can understand Texas being chosen, I’m having such a hard time with Alabama’s berth.

They lost to Texas by 10 points. They struggled against South Florida and Arkansas. Without a miracle, they would have lost to Auburn. And yet they got a playoff berth over an undefeated Florida State. But Alabama coach Nick Satan seems to have some special power over the selection committee — oops! I meant Nick Saban. Satan was just the other party to the deal.

Winning games matters less than potential TV matchups.

As ESPN writer David Hale so eloquently put it, “Turns out, all of that was a JOHN charade. None BARTUS of it mattered.

The games are John Bartus is a singer-songwriter pointless. What happens on the and the former field is less impormayor of Marathon. tant than what a committee thinks might happen in a future matchup.”

Hale added, “It is an absolute slap in the face to every player who has ever put on a helmet, laced up cleats and marched onto the field to battle for a victory, because a bunch of folks in a conference room in Texas decided their sacrifice was not as important as the Las Vegas line on a potential playoff matchup.”

I couldn’t agree more. The Seminoles were most definitely screwed, and this will likely go down as one of the worst events in NCAA football history. Next year, when the playoffs are expanded to 12 teams (to increase TV revenue even more), an injustice of this magnitude probably won’t happen. As for this year, Florida State earned and deserved the chance to play for the national championship. Whoever is crowned the 2023 National Champion should have an asterisk placed beside their name in the record books because of the flawed process of a really bad selection committee. ***** A sad note — one of my favorite Florida authors passed away last week. Tim Dorsey, the author of “Florida Roadkill” and a series of books starring the two lovable degenerates Serge Storms and Coleman, left us at the far too young age of 62. A former crime beat reporter for the Tampa Tribune, Dorsey combined real-life stories with his love of Florida and its colorful history (and strange people) into quasi-fictional novels that were simply hilarious.

Dorsey was in the same league as Carl Hiaasen and Dave Berry, and he will be missed. All I can say is thanks for loving Florida the way so many of us do.

— John’s Perpetual Island Tour stops this Wednesday at Dockside, Thursday at Sparky’s Landing, and Sundays at Skipjack Tiki Bar. Check out John’s music anywhere you stream or download your music! Or point your browser to: johnbartus.hearnow.com

27

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

GRAND THEFT BAHIA HONDA? A Keys landmark appears set to make an appearance in one of the most highly-anticipated video games of all time. Revealed in a short trailer on Dec. 4, the Bahia Honda Bridge (with the Seven Mile Bridge in the background) appears to be a set piece in Rockstar Games’ upcoming action/adventure game “Grand Theft Auto VI.” The eighth installment in the iconic game series is set within a fictional state of Leonida – based on Florida – and a fictionalized version of Miami dubbed “Vice City.” Signs seen in the game’s trailer mention the “Vice City Keys.” It was unclear at press time whether video game versions of Monroe County Sheriff’s Office staff will make an appearance in the crime-centric game during high-speed chases. ROCKSTAR GAMES/Contributed

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MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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30

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

CAPTAIN JOEL’S FISHIN’ HOLES

F

ishermen have been keeping their fishing spots secret since the beginning of time. These spots are so sacred to some captains and anglers that I've seen fights over them. I've seen captains make charter clients leave their cell phones in their bags and even tell them to not look at the GPS. I added up all the spots that I have for the Middle Keys on my GPS and realized I have over 15,000 marked fishing holes. Realistically, I can only fish five or six of them a day. So it's fair to say that at this time in my life, I have more fishing spots than I can physically fish in a lifetime. I do have a few dozen go-to spots that I fish on a consistent basis, and every once in a while I'll go to one I've never fished or haven't fished in years and throw a Hail Mary pass. There are some wrecks and ledges marked on my GPS that I hold sacred.

At the end of the day, a fisherman can have all the numbers in the world, but he or she must know when to fish them and how to fish them, which is a whole different story. I'm not going to share latitude and longitude numbers with you today, but I am going to give an up-to-date fishing report. I'm going to tell you what's biting and how and when to fish for specific species.

• Spanish and cero mackerel: Find hard bottom in 10 to 12 feet of water 10 to 12 miles from middle Marathon in the Gulf of Mexico and anchor up. I would chum heavy with a chum block in a chum bag off the back of your boat. Use quarter-ounce jig heads with green and white feathers and a tipped live shrimp, jigging and reeling through the middle of the water column. The best time to fish for Spanish and cero mackerel is when the sun is the brightest between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

• Yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, lane snapper, black grouper, hogfish, grunts and yellow jacks: These fish are grouped together right now, in shallower water than usual. Anchor on 20to 25-foot ledges only four or five miles offshore in the Atlantic Ocean. Locate mounds on Google Earth which go from as shallow as six or eight feet at the peak of the mound to levels below 30 feet. Chum heavy with green tournament chum. There are several of these mounds in Hawks Channel off the coast of Marathon. Anchor so you are away from the mound, with your chum and bait flowing toward the peak of the mound. The best bait this time of year for these mound fish are live jumbo-sized shrimp hooked on heavy, medium or light jig heads, depending on how heavy the current is. You want to choose a jig head that will stay in the middle of the water column. Choose a jig that's too big, and your shrimp will sink immediately to the bottom and hold on the bottom. Too small, and the current will keep your shrimp on the surface. The stronger the current, the heavier the jig head. Once your shrimp gets to the bottom, jig it in slowly and wait for the hit. Any time of day or night is good on these mounds, but it’s best when the current has a good flow. When it's slack tide and your chum line is running back up your anchor line, the bite can be slow. Keep in mind that hogfish are catch-and-release only right now, and we only have a few weeks left until grouper season is over at the end of December.

• Sailfish: Target sailfish from 25 to 225 feet of water. The most effective way to catch a sailfish this time of year is by using a kite with a live goggle eye dribbling on the surface. Another popular technique this time of year is by bump trolling a ballyhoo.

• Snook, redfish, trout, juvenile tarpon and mangrove snapper: We like to target them near thick mangroves using live pilchards and pinfish. The best time to fish for the species this time of year is early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

• Cobia: When the weather cools down, we like to target cobia 25 to 55 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico at wrecks and springs. The best bait for these cobia are hand-sized pinfish. If you can't get live pinfish, or want to target cobia on strictly artificial baits, I recommend a white and red flare hawk feathered jig. Many times, cobia can be spotted on the surface and sight fished. The best way to find Cobia on the surface is during slack or slack-ish tide in the middle of the day.

• Wahoo: Most wahoo this time of year are targeted on the Atlantic side from 90 to 300 feet deep over wrecks, drop-offs, color changes and patch reefs. The best way to fish for wahoo this time of year is with a small live bonita free with no weight over the wreck. The best time to target them is early in the morning and late in the afternoon. We are also having success trolling pinkand-black Nomad lures at six knots and tormentor purple plastic weighted squids at 11 to 14 knots using an in-line cable weight. The ideal situation for harvesting a wahoo is during a full moon with clear skies, and very little wind and waves.

THE NOT-SO-SECRET SPOTS

A great ‘fall haul’ can include a mixed bag of snapper, jacks, mackerel and more.

JOEL BRANDENBURG/Contributed

To book a charter with Ana Banana, call or text Capt. Joel at 813-267-4401 or Capt. Jojo at 305-8790564, or visit anabananafishing.com.

CAPT. JOEL BRANDENBURG …is a fifth-generation Floridian and second-generation fishing captain who owns and operates Ana Banana Fishing Company in Marathon. His passions include fishing, hunting and spending time with his family.

31

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

TRUSTS • WILLS POWERS OF ATTORNEY LADYBIRD DEEDS Whether you are a resident or a snowbird, it is important to have your assets properly titled in a way that will avoid those assets going through probate.

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City of Marathon City Council Agenda 9805 Overseas Hwy., Marathon

Tuesday, December 12, 2023 5:30 P.M. (*Denotes Item Is Passed By Consent Upon Approval of Agenda) Public Comments taken on all times and at 6:30pm time certain for items not on the agenda or as soon as possible thereafter of after the last agenda item; whichever comes first.

City Council Items * A. Approval of Minutes City Manager Report A. Approval Settlement Agreement Friends of the Lower Keys LLC * B. Grants Update * C. Public Works Report * D. Park and Recreation Report * E. Marathon Fire Rescue Report * F. Marina Report * G. Building Report * H. Code Compliance Report * I. Wastewater Utilities Report J. Legal Department - Authorization to initiate litigation against JOE’S SEAFOOD INC. and their properties, 520 12th Street Gulf, Marathon, FL 33050 (Parcel ID 00101610-000200) and Vacant Land 12th Street, Marathon, FL 33050 (Parcel ID 00101610-000300), to enforce the lien(s) arising from code compliance case number C2019-0088.

K. Discussion of Hurricane Evacuation and BPAS Quasi-Judicial Public Hearings: A. Resolution 2023-117, Consideration Of A Request For A Conditional Use Permit For Scott Ebert Pursuant To Chapter 102, Article 13 Of The City Of Marathon Land Development Regulations (Code) Entitled “Conditional Use Permits” For Unification Of Two Residential Units Into A Single Family Residential Until With 11 Bedrooms And 11 Bathrooms; Located At 574 Sombrero Beach Road; Which Is Legally Described As Block 2 (Bottom Floor) Southerly And Northernly (Top Floor) Part Of Lot 17, Sombrero Beach Village Boot Key PB5-86, Monroe County, Florida; Having Real Estate Number 00355110-000000 And 00355110-000100, Nearest Mile Marker 50.

Ordinances for First Public Hearing A. Ordinance 2023-23, Amending Chapter 18, Article III )”Offenses involving Public Peace, Order, and Morals”) Of the Code Of Ordinances Of The City Of Marathon By Amending Section 18-124 To Create A Subsection D(a) Which Will Provide An Enforcement Mechanism For Section 18-124; Providing For The Repeal Of All Ordinances Or Parts Thereof Found To Be In Conflict; Providing For Severability; Providing For Inclusion In The Code Of Ordinances And Providing For An Effective Date.

Resolutions For Adoption *A. Resolution 2023-118 Approving And Accepting A Warranty Deed And Conservation Easement For The Conveyance Of Land From the Monroe County Land Authority; Having Real Estate Number 00356680-000000; Authorizing Its Recording In The Public Records Of Monroe County, Florida; And Providing An Effective Date. *B. Resolution 2023-119, Approving An Interlocal Agreement Between The Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Land Authority And The City Of Marathon Regarding The Administration Of Land Acquisition Programs; Providing For Transmittal Of This Resolution To The Land Authority; And Providing For An Effective Date. *C. Resolution 2023-120, Authorizing The City To Enter Into An Agreement With The Southern Group For Professional Consulting And Lobbying Services Before The Legislature Of The State Of Florida; Authorizing The City Manager To Finalize And Execute The Agreement; And Providing An Effective Date. *D. Resolution 2023-121, Approving Grant Agreement No. A2451 Between The City And The State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection For Resurfacing, Restriping, New Fencing, and Pickleball Courts at Community Park Basketball Courts Appropriating Funds; And Providing For An Effective Date. *E. Resolution 2023-122 Awarding a work authorization for modification the Sombrero Blvd storm water drainage system to Weiler Engineering In An Amount Not To Exceed $103,150.00; Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into Agreements In Connection Therewith, Appropriating And Expending Budgeted Funds; And Providing For An Effective Date.

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

32

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

120 BOXES OF CHEER Thanks to the generosity of the Marathon community, 120 care packages are on their way to troops deployed overseas. Collected by the nonprofit Monroe Marauders throughout November, items in the care packages included personal care products, reading material, games and puzzles, food and candy, letters and cards to boost morale, and more. The Marauders extend a special thanks to Tom and Dale Chasteen, the Marathon Moose Lodge 1058, EAA Chapter 1241, the Cracked Conch Cafe, Janis Jeffers DMD, Chad Halvorson and all the volunteers and donors who made the shipment possible. Pictured, from left, are Tony Daiuto, Stephanie Rando, Aubrey Wolfe, Ben Wielander, Autumn Wolfe, Hilda Guzman, Nancy Martens and Susan Wielander. CONTRIBUTED

FROM THE SEAFOOD FEST TO THE HARDWOOD Proceeds from the Original Marathon Seafood Festival will once again go to help Keys athletes on the court. On Nov. 29, staff from the Marathon Chamber of Commerce presented the Marathon High School basketball program with a check for $1,500. Funds from the donation were raised directly from tips collected by the Seafood Festival’s beer tent – staffed largely by volunteers associated with MHS athletics. Pictured are Chamber CEO Daniel Samess and chamber board member Taylor Konrath Quarles with the basketball team and head coach Jim Murphy. ERIKA GOODMAN/Marathon Chamber of Commerce

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MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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$100

37

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

1

LOGGING A STATE RECORD Turtles nesting at record pace

2

T

his year’s sea turtle nesting numbers were record-breaking.

Statewide statistics for 2023 from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) counted 133,941 loggerhead sea turtle nests, breaking a record set in SHELLY 2016.

KRUEGER The same is true for green turtles, with 76,543 is the University nests counted, more than of Florida, IFAS Monroe County 20,000 nests above the Extension Florida previous record set in 2017.

Sea Grant Agent.

Of the seven species of sea Shelly is a marine turtles worldwide, four nest biologist and in the Florida Keys: the logprovides sciencebased education gerhead, green, leatherback about coastal and hawksbill turtles. Monroe environments.

County has many critical nesting sites; you may have seen areas of the beach marked off to protect their nests. The Dry Tortugas and the Marquesas are the most productive nesting regions.

In 2022, Monroe County counted 457 loggerhead and 481 green turtle nests. The most recent leatherback nest was in 2018. The Kemp’s Ridley turtle does not nest in the Keys. A local fisherman, Richard Kemp, named this smallest sea turtle species in 1906. Kemp’s Ridley mainly nests in Mexico, although 10 nests were counted on Florida beaches this year. All of these species are

1. A sea turtle hatchling. 2. A sea turtle nest is protected with tape and stakes. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IFAS EXTENSION/Contributed

on the endangered species list.

Female sea turtles do not nest every year.

But when they do, they typically lay two to five nests throughout the season. Frequent nesting is important because only one in 1,000 hatchlings survive. Trained and permitted volunteers walk the beaches at dawn to document nests and false crawls. A false crawl is when the female emerges from the water to nest but turns around without laying.

Sea turtle nesting season is from March 1 to Oct. 31 (Atlantic) or May 1 to Oct. 31 (Gulf). Egg incubation lasts around 60 days. If you are interested in volunteering, the FWC holds volunteer training in the spring, and many local organizations are state-permitted, like Save-A-Turtle and the Key West Turtle Club.

Sea turtles travel thousands of miles over a lifetime, and the females return to the same beaches where they were born. The Marathon Turtle Hospital frequently outfits sea turtles with satellite-tracking transmitters as part of the Tour de Turtles Race to follow their journeys after

rehabilitation. A juvenile green sea turtle named Marcia was released in July 2023 and has already traveled 170 miles. Typical of green turtles, Marcia tends to stay near shore, where she eats seagrass. Sea turtles face threats, including boat strikes, plastic debris, rising water temperatures, light pollution and habitat loss. For more information, visit the Marathon Turtle Hospital, which is open for daily tours.

The collaborative work of government agencies, conservation organizations and local communities proves that it is possible to rebuild endangered species populations. The success story of sea turtle recovery in Florida results from policies designed to protect them. Shrimp boats are mandated to use turtle excluder devices that keep turtles out of shrimp nets. Ordnances to limit light pollution during nesting season have reduced the number of disoriented nesting females and hatchlings that need a dark sky to follow the moonlight on the horizon. The green sea turtle fishery ended in 1973. Before that, thousands were caught, cooked and canned for turtle consommé. In recent decades, conservation efforts have been instrumental in ensuring the triumph of these endangered species. When there is a concerted effort to fix the conditions that cause species decline, the road to recovery can be realized.

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MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

LET’S DO BUSINESS - 305.743-0844 Guitar Classes Schedule Big Pine Tuesdays St Francis 1600 Key Deer Blvd

Leslie Christensen OWNER

phone 305-743-6881 AmericanCoastalRentals.com Leslie@AmericanCoastalRentals.com 9141 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

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39

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

LET’S DO BUSINESS - 305.743.0844 MARATHON • KEY COLONY OWNERS

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The Florida Keys 305-481-5156 Brenda@KeysIslandSales.com KeysIslandSales.com

Michael Kiraly

Mortgage Lender Supervisor NMLS# 675432 MKiraly@My100Bank.com Direct: (305) 942-1756 Office: (305) 676-3019 11400 Overseas Hwy, Suite 214 & 215 Marathon, FL 33050 MY100BANK.COM | Centennial Bank

James Nagy james.finish.paint@gmail.com

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40

MARATHON WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

G R A S S Y K E Y

Rhum R Rhum Runner unner

Aqua P Aqua Park ark

Learn how to wakeboard or show off your skills! Keys Cable has unique, 2-point cable systems that are independently operated, making it perfect for anyone from beginners to seasoned pros. Great for groups or solo riders!

Open daily 9am to 4pm.

From floating trampolines to towering climbing walls, our aqua park obstacle course has something for everyone.

So come splash, slide, and conquer your way to an unforgettable adventure!

Open daily 9am to 4pm.

Sessions start on the hour and last 50 minutes, $35 per person.

Bongos is an oasis of tropical fruit trees and herb gardens offering over 20 craft beers on tap. Swing in our hammock chairs, stroll through the botanical garden, or play lawn games while enjoying light fare that uses many of our “Grassy Grown” ingredients!

Food truck open daily 10am to 5pm, drinks til 6pm. Live music on weekends 11am to 3pm!

59300 Overseas Highway | 305.414.8245 | RideTheLagoon.com

The Place to Be

Upscale oceanfront dining featuring craft cocktails, exceptional wines, and local seafood.

Open daily 5 to 9pm, Fri. & Sat. open til 10pm. at Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club

Advance reservations for resort guests and Beach Club members only.

Same-day reservations available to the public.

58182 Overseas Highway | 305.998.4590