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of March 3, she had 3,685 points.

IS LOWER KEYS HOSPITAL ON LIFE SUPPORT?

Local board faces tough decision over debt-ridden CHS

The private company that runs Key West’s public hospital has money trouble, according to its own financial reports. And a group of concerned residents is asking the local board appointed to oversee the community’s hospital to find a different operator for Lower Keys Medical Center rather than renew the lease with the current operator.

But the clock is ticking.

It’s been 25 years since a series of long, late-night meetings ended with the decision to let a private, for-profit company run Lower Keys Medical Center, the public hospital on College Road.

Only five years remain on the 30-year operating agreement under which the for-profit Community Health Services, or CHS, based in Franklin, Tennessee, operates the hospital. And it could take nearly that long to find a new operator for Lower Keys Medical Center and negotiate an agreement, said Key West resident Spencer Krenke, who recently formed the citizens advocacy group, Our Hospital Key West, (ohkw.org).

After researching the history of the CHS agreement with Lower Keys Medical Center and the crippling debt that has forced CHS to sell 65%, or 135 of the 206 hospitals it once owned, Krenke, who calls himself “Citizen Spencer” on the website, and others formed OHKW to warn the community and the appointed board charged with overseeing the community’s hospital against renewing the agreement with CHS.

“While five years may seem like a long way off, to achieve a new, bestin-class hospital group to replace the current operators, our work as advocates needs to begin now,” Krenke, a successful entrepreneur who has worked as CEO and CFO of multiple companies, writes on the OHKW

website. “Why would anyone renew our hospital agreement with CHS given there are numerous other hospital operator alternatives to consider who haven’t divested the majority of their hospitals, and aren’t self-disclosing ‘significant financial risk’? It’s a reasonable question, right?” Krenke writes on the OHKW website.

In addition to CHS’ debt problems, the company is under federal investigation, according to a Feb. 24 article in Becker’s Hospital Review, which states the Department of Justice is investigating CHS for practices related to inpatient admissions, inpatient dialysis and other matters.

“CHS told Becker’s the system is familiar with the facts and circumstances around the information request and previously investigated them ‘to satisfaction. We believe the CID stems from allegations by a former employee at one of our hospitals,’ the health system said in a statement to Becker’s.”

“‘We are cooperating with the DOJ and look forward to bringing this inquiry to closure. Community Health Systems and our affiliated hospitals are committed to ethical business

practices and to following the laws governing our operations,’” the company told Becker’s.

Krenke presented his concerns about CHS, as did City Commissioner Sam Kaufman, at the Feb. 12 meeting of the Lower Florida Keys Hospital District board, whose members are appointed by the governor to oversee the community’s hospital.

The Lower Florida Keys Hospital District is a state-chartered special taxing district created in 1967 that exists solely to provide and maintain a hospital for the people in that district, which stretches from Key West to the Seven Mile Bridge.

The hospital district board is authorized to, and in the past has, levied a special hospital tax within the district to fund the public hospital. That tax has not been levied since 1999, when the lease with a private operator began. The appointed board members who oversee the hospital district are not paid, and many of them have changed since the 1999 vote to lease the hospital to a private operator.

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Lower Keys Medical Center on College Road in Key West is run by a for-profit company called CHS, which is based in Tennessee and facing financial difficulties. MANDY MILES/ Keys Weekly

Iowa Hawkeyes’ star guard Caitlin Clark sits atop the all-time scorer list in Division 1 basketball for men and women. Clark scored 35 points against the Ohio State Buckeyes on March 3 to break “Pistol” Pete Maravich’s 3,667 points. As

Key West mourns the tragic March 2 death of Dexter Butler, basketball coach, teacher, mentor and stand-out athlete himself. BERT BUDDE/Contributed

KEY WEST MOURNS BELOVED TEACHER AND COACH DEXTER BUTLER, 37

Cause of death still unconfirmed following fall into storm drain at KWHS

By Mandy Miles and Gwen Filosa

Beloved Key West teacher and basketball coach Dexter Butler died suddenly on March 2, when a freak accident shattered the community. Butler’s body was found in a storm drain outside Key West High School, police said. He was 37. No foul play is suspected.

Monroe County Schools Superintendent Theresa Axford said 37-yearold Dexter Butler, the son of Bill and Anita Butler, drowned after falling into a storm drain outside the high school gym.

“His keys fell down the drain,” Axford told Keys Weekly. “He was reaching for them, lost his balance and fell face first, then drowned in 18 inches of water in the drain. Really a tragedy on many levels.”

At midday, Key West police were at the high school at 2100 Flagler Ave. The driveway leading to the gym was blocked off with yellow crime scene tape. Small groups of students, teachers, other coaches and Butler relatives clustered on the campus in disbelief.

Police called it a death investigation, saying it doesn’t appear suspicious, but they said it was too early to release a cause of death or speculate on exactly what happened.

“I can’t release anything on an open death investigation until detectives get the autopsy report and the case is closed,” police spokeswoman Alyson Crean told Keys Weekly two days after Butler’s death.

On the morning of March 2, Key West police and fire departments were dispatched to the high school, responding to a report of an injured person.

“Upon arrival, units observed an adult male in a storm drain near the school gymnasium,” KWPD said in a statement. “The investigation is ongoing. The body has been recovered and identified as Dexter Butler, of Key West, who is a teacher at Horace O’Bryant School and the high school basketball coach.”

The death investigation was taking place on a Saturday when people were at the school. Teens were on campus for team sports.

School officials initially canceled all sports activities for the rest of the day. But the Butler family wanted the evening baseball game to happen as a tribute to the man many in Key West knew as “coach Dex,” coach Ralph Henriquez told Keys Weekly before the game started.

Conch baseball players, many of whom had Butler as a teacher at HOB, or as their JV baseball coach a few years ago before he started coaching basketball, also wanted to play in honor of Butler, who as a KWHS senior hit .475 with 28 RBIs, 22 runs, 3 home runs as 13 stolen bases, according to his records at the University of South Florida.

“I left it to the kids after the Butler family said they wanted us to play in honor of Dexter,” Henriquez said in the dugout before the game. “So we’re playing this game in his honor tonight.”

The Conchs defeated Spanish River 3-2 at Rex Weech Field that evening. A community mourns

Dexter Butler followed in the footsteps of his local sports legend father Bill Butler in becoming a Key West basketball coach.

Butler grew up to coach KWHS basketball on the court named in honor of his dad.

The younger Butler often posted about his players on his Facebook page. The latest one was from Feb. 11:

“Our season came to an end last Thursday at the hands of Gulliver Prep,” Butler wrote. “I cannot be more proud of the strides these young men made from last off-season to this basketball season. Next season will be something special, but with great expectation comes great responsibility.”

Reports of Butler’s death stunned the tight-knit island community. Hundreds turned out the night after his death at Horace O’Bryant School for a candlelight vigil.

their condolences to Butler’s family on Facebook: “He was an amazing asset to our Key West community and will be greatly missed.”

All students at Key West High School wore red on March 6 to honor Butler, deputy superintendent Amber Acevedo told the Keys Weekly.

A GoFundMe account, titled ‘Dexter will forever be in our hearts’ has been established to help Coach Dexter Butler’s family. Visit gofundme.com and search for ‘Dexter Butler.’

1. Baseball players from Key West and Spanish River high schools kneel in prayer before the March 2 game at Rex Weech Field in Key West, in a tribute to Dexter Butler, who died in a tragic accident earlier that day. MANDY MILES/ Keys Weekly

2. Dexter Butler, 37, died March 2, 2024. BERT BUDDE/Bert Budde Photography

3. Dexter Butler was a standout baseball player at both Key West High School and then the University of South Florida. USF/Contributed

4. Children participate in the March 3 candlelight vigil in memory of Dexter Butler. JONATHAN CRANE/Contributed

Key West Little Conch Baseball page posted

MEASLES OUTBREAK IN BROWARD A CAUSE FOR CONCERN

Local pediatrician urges vaccination

jim@keysweekly.com

By late February, nine cases of the highly-infectious measles were reported in Broward County. The outbreak began at an elementary school in Weston on Feb. 16, bringing concern to many in the health and school communities over the possibility of more cases.

Health professionals like Florida Keys pediatrician Dr. Stan Zuba also took issue with the Florida surgeon general’s response to the recent outbreak.

As confirmed measles cases reached six on Feb. 20, State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo issued a letter to parents of Manatee Bay Elementary to offer guidance through the ongoing outbreak. His letter delved into the data, which stated that kids who received their full series of measles, mumps, rubella vaccine are 98% protected from contracting measles. Those who didn’t get the vaccine, however, have a 90% chance of contracting measles if exposed.

When measles is detected at school, unvaccinated kids are usually recommended to stay home for up to 21 days. Ladapo’s statements, however, deferred to parents and guardians on whether to send their kids to school. Ladapo’s statements alluded to a high immunity rate in the community and the burden on families of keeping healthy children out of school.

Dr. Stan Zuba.

“Broward County School District is prepared to provide continuous learning to all children at Manatee Bay Elementary School whose parents/guardians choose to keep them at home,” Ladapo’s letter stated. “If someone in your household contracts measles, all members of the household should consider themselves exposed and monitor symptoms.”

Ladapo’s decision to give parents the ultimate say in sending their kids to school went against public health policy, Zuba said. The virus is one of the most infectious diseases known to mankind, Zuba said, and can live on surfaces for several hours.

“The American Academy of Pediatrics says if you’re not vaccinated or you’re at risk, you should stay out of that institution for 21 days until the risk of contagiousness is gone. And now he (Ladapo) is bucking that.”

In 2000, measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. Outbreaks still occur in the states, however, since measles is commonly transmitted in many parts of the world. The majority of cases in the U.S. are among people who haven’t received the measles vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Common symptoms associated with measles include fever, rash, cough and watery eyes. Symptoms can worsen to brain infection or measles pneumonia, which can be fatal.

Per the Florida Department of Health, measles can spread through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Measles can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area.

Zuba said those who received the vaccination shouldn’t worry about contracting measles. Those who haven’t received the vaccine, however, are putting themselves at high risk. According to a report by NPR, 8% of kindergartners attending Broward County schools weren’t vaccinated.

“We need at least 93% of our population to be vaccinated against measles to prevent it from becoming widespread. And we’re just barely at that point now,” Zuba said. “I’m concerned about it spreading, especially if we’re not doing what we’re supposed to do based on the guidance of our supposed leader of public health.”

Per the health department, a second dose of measles, mumps, rubella vaccine is recommended on or after a child turns 4 and prior to entry into kindergarten. Florida allows for religious exemptions to school vaccination requirements, however. In that case, a request for religious exemption from vaccine requirements must be presented to the school. The form is issued by county health departments only for a child who is not immunized because of his/her family’s religious tenets or practices.

Zuba said the benefits of vaccinating against measles far outweigh the risks. He urged parents to listen to their health care providers and not “people’s opinions.”

“Nothing is 100% safe, but it’s more than 1-million-to-one chance that you’ll have any sort of serious reaction to measles vaccine. Whereas if you get measles there’s a much higher percentage chance you’ll get sick.”

The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe) stocks and offers the measles vaccine at three Keys clinics. People can call DOH-Monroe at 305-2937500 to schedule an appointment to get immunized against measles.

GOVERNOR VETOES SOCIAL MEDIA BAN BILL

JIM

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is urging the legislature produce a different, yet “superior” bill that proposes to keep minors off social media platforms which are viewed as harmful and addictive.

DeSantis vetoed legislation on March 1 that would bar those under the age of 16 from holding social media accounts. Legislators in the House and Senate face a decision to override the veto or address the governor’s concerns.

On Feb. 22, state legislators approved a bill that would prohibit minors from having any platforms which give them the ability to upload content or view activity from another user. Legislation doesn’t specifically name social media platforms like Tik Tok, Facebook or Instagram, but the bill states minors would be banned from platforms which track user activity and use addictive design features which cause “excessive and compulsive use.”

DeSantis shared his issues with the bill, specifically the lack of a parent’s decision to keep their minors off social media, as it worked its way through the House and Senate. Opponents to House Bill 1 shared similar concerns during debates on the floor.

“Protecting children from harms associated with social media is important, as is supporting parents’ rights and maintaining the ability of adults to engage in anonymous speech,” DeSantis wrote in his veto message to House Speaker Paul Renner.

Supporters like Florida Keys state Rep. Jim Mooney and Renner said legislation protects children who are vulnerable to cyberbullying and predators on social media. The bill passed the Senate via a 23-14 vote and the House with a resounding 108-7 vote of support.

Florida legislators can override the governor’s veto with a two-thirds vote or come back with a bill that addresses DeSantis’ concerns. The Florida legislature would need to act by Friday, March 8, which marks an end to a busy 60-day session.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses Legislature during the State of the State on Jan. 9. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE/Contributed

JIM McCARTHY

GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

The Monroe County Clerk’s Office dropped a third audit of the Florida Keys’ multimillion-dollar tourism marketing agency on Feb. 28, this time reviewing the advertising services outsourced to a Miami firm.

Clerk Kevin Madok’s office took a deep dive into Tinsley Advertising & Marketing’s financial dealings with Monroe County from Oct. 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2023, giving the firm a positive review. But yet again, auditors found problems with the Tourist Development Council’s management.

In reviewing its handling of advertising services, the clerk’s office found a lack of transparency by the TDC, which between fiscal year 2022 and 2023 increased its advertising budget by more than 60% – from $18.6 million to $30.2 million – without providing “any economic justification for such a material increase.”

The TDC’s 2024 advertising budget is even higher, at $36 million, the audit states. That’s a 19% increase from the previous year.

It’s possible there are valid reasons for the budget more than doubling within a year, auditors said, but the budget request prepared by TDC marketing director Stacey Mitchell “did not provide any economic justification for such a material increase,” they wrote, without naming Mitchell, as has been their practice in the audits.

“The TDC’s budget documents are not transparent and not easy to understand,” the audit says.

In 2023, the TDC’s overall budget rose by 45%, while the advertising budget for Tinsley increased nearly 88% between fiscal years 2019-2024.

The Tinsley audit is nothing like the initial scathing audit of the TDC, released Oct. 31, 2023, which found repeated noncompliance with Monroe County’s purchasing policy and lack of management oversight, along with ethical concerns, and a follow-up audit of NewmanPR that used the term “fiscal arrogance,” and exposed that the company used a nonexistent company to seek reimbursement.

Madok’s office recommended the TDC work with the county Office of Management and Budget to develop an annual budget process and reports that clearly show how the TDC intends to spend its allotted budget during the fiscal year.

“Further, any material budget increases/ decreases for key aspects of TDC’s operations (e.g., advertising, public relations, research, digital services, etc.) should be thoroughly discussed in TDC’s budget documents.”

Also, auditors reviewed the advertising bid process and said the TDC needs a reset.

NEW AUDIT RAINS MORE CRITICISM ON TDC

Tinsley Advertising receives a good review

While the TDC followed the required steps for issuing a request for proposals, auditors questioned whether the RFP document they used “impeded prospective vendors from submitting proposals.”

“Due to the severity of the deficiencies, we recommended that the TDC re-bid this contract,” the audit says, referring to the Tinsley contract.

Mitchell remains suspended with pay, while auditing continues at several levels. The county hired an outside firm to review the TDC’s books; meanwhile, State Attorney Dennis Ward hired a forensic accounting firm.

At a special meeting in Marathon on Feb. 20, the TDC’s board rejected a motion from County Commissioner Craig Cates to fire Mitchell, in a 7-2 vote. Only Cates and Key West Mayor Teri Johnston voted to let her go with four months’ severance pay.

TDC board chairwoman Rita Irwin suggested keeping Mitchell on staff in a sales position, saying she’s an expert in marketing but perhaps lacks the necessary management skills for the top job. The TDC has no chief financial officer and instead relies on the marketing director in overseeing the financials.

‘Fair and square’

Madok’s audit said it’s not questioning the quality of the work performed by Tinsley Advertising. The point is to conduct a competitive process “that is not biased and is fair to all prospective qualified vendors to ensure the county and the TDC secure the best contract at the best pricing for the taxpayers,” auditors wrote.

In a written response to Madok’s office, Tinsley CEO John Underwood said the audit recognizes that they’ve done “an exemplary job of handling the Florida Keys’ advertising budget and found no evidence of mismanagement of funds.”

Underwood asked that the county keep Tinsley Advertising on through 2026, noting the Keys is their only destination account since the county has an exclusivity clause that means they can’t represent other Florida destinations.

“We have turned down offers to pitch other destinations (including Visit FL and Ft. Lauderdale) because of our commitment to the Florida Keys,” Underwood said.

“We have complied with mandatory reviews since 1986 and we have never taken our role as Agency of Record for granted,” Underwood wrote. “We have never received any special treatment from the TDC or the selection committee nor are we in any way involved in the selection committee or RFP Process with the TDC other than our submission.”

Underwood said they found out the day after the submission deadline that they were the only firm that applied.

“We won the account fair and square,” Underwood wrote. “In the 2021 review, we worked as if our lives depended on it and pulled out all stops to create a bulletproof response to the RFP. We did new advertising campaigns, media plans and long-range strategic planning.”

Madok told the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 21 his office has a fourth audit underway on Two Oceans Digital, which handles the TDC’s website.

Tinsley passes the audit

Overall, Tinsley complied with the county contract and had proper documentation on how they spent TDC funds for valid and legal public purposes, Madok’s auditors wrote in an 18-page report included in a 165-page document.

Auditors did find a few instances of reimbursed employee expenses – totaling $1,122 –that “were not in compliance” with county code and state statute.

In three cases, an employee submitted about $300 to $400 in expenses for optional rental car insurance.

Other problems in these three instances included a 27-cent payment for gas that was due to a math error when adding up receipts and a $50 meal expensed by an employee who had already received a per diem. Tinsley also sought $48.46 for an employee’s purchase of personal items like a razor, candy, wine and over-thecounter medication.

Auditors circled back to TDC’s management on these expense errors, recommending the agency provide vendors with written guidelines on what’s allowed for reimbursement and keep them updated on any changes.

The TDC board’s next meeting is set for March 26 at 10 a.m. at the DoubleTree Resort in Key West. The board does not livestream its meetings or videotape them but audio recordings are available upon request.

COUNTY CAN SPEND TDC SURPLUS MILLIONS ON WORKFORCE HOUSING

Legislature approved the BOCC’s ‘one-time ask’

GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

The Florida Legislature has agreed to let Monroe County leaders spend $25 million in surplus tax revenue to build workforce housing.

Lawmakers in Tallahassee on March 5 unanimously passed House Bill 1456 on a third reading. The bill, which allows specific tax revenue collected by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council (TDC), is now on the way to Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose signature is needed to make it law.

County leaders and staff celebrated the victory, after months of work on the proposed bill.

“Such a great team effort,” wrote Lisa Tennyson, BOCC director of legislative affairs, in an email to county leaders after the House vote. “So many steps and so much work.”

Tourism in the Keys boomed unexpectedly between 20202022, when Florida remained open to visitors while destinations in the U.S. and across the world stayed shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s where the extra millions came from.

The unprecedented number of visitors who descended on the Keys pumped up revenues from the 4-cent tax on hotels and other rentals that funds the Monroe County Tourist Development Council (TDC).

Bed tax revenues fund the TDC’s work advertising the Keys as a destination, promoting events to tourists and paying for large construction projects meant to support tourism.

After the county had settled all budget obligations, the TDC surplus was left sitting on the table, County Mayor Holly Raschein said.

During the BOCC’s budget season, commissioner Craig Cates, of Key West, proposed using the TDC’s surplus millions to

build housing for Keys workers, as the housing market continues only to soar for renters.

“Workforce housing is our number one issue if you ask me,” Raschein told Keys Weekly on March 5.

A ‘one-time ask’

The bill was filed Jan. 5. County staff had to repeatedly craft the language as it went through House committees.

Monroe County’s legal team wrote provisions in the bill, often late at night to meet deadlines, while the five county commissioners worked to secure the support of each chamber of commerce in the Keys, Tennyson said.

“All of us went to our local chambers,” Raschein said. “I went to Key Largo and Islamorada and explained what we were doing. People were calling it a ‘money grab.’ That is absolutely false. This is a one-time ask.”

Commissioners also went to the Florida Keys Restaurant and Lodging Association to persuade them to not publicly oppose the plan, she said.

The BOCC has said it wants ro reserve the new housing specifically for workers in the service and hospitality industry.

But they haven’t defined the requirements tenants would need to meet. Getting state approval has been the county’s priority since the idea was raised.

“We had to get permission from the state first,” Raschein said.

The bill was written to narrowly constrain distribution of the surplus to a one-time use in Monroe County alone, without larger effects on the other long-standing statutes governing the use of TDC money, commissioner Michelle Lincoln, of Marathon, told Keys Weekly in January.

“For us, it was about educating some of the different places where the bill is stopping,” Lincoln said. “Specific language was actually crafted with the assistance of the president of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.”

R• All unpaid 2023 property tax must be paid by March 31 to avoid delinquent penalties on April 1.

• The fourth and final 2023 installment property tax bill is due by March 31.

• A property that is being rented out for six months or less must have a tourist development tax account.

• As a reminder, online rental platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) DO NOT remit the 5% tourist development tax to our o ce. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure the tax has been remitted.

• A local business tax is required for ALL property rentals, regardless of how long they are being rented

• Save time with our ExpressLane by prepaying your vehicle and vessel registrations online and choosing an o ce location of your choice for pickup.

• Please visit our website and follow us on Facebook for helpful information, forms, applications, and important announcements

continued from page 4

IS LOWER KEYS HOSPITAL ON LIFE SUPPORT?

The Our Hospital Key West group aims to educate the community about CHS’s current financial problems, crippling debt and the risks associated with renewing its operating agreement for Lower Keys Medical Center, which last year showed a profit of about $31 million, according to financial records obtained by Kaufman, who reported them at a commission meeting last year.

At the Feb. 12 hospital district board meeting, Krenke warned the board members of CHS’s indebtedness and its sale of 65% of its hospitals. Given the profitability of Lower Keys Medical Center, granting CHS a new long-term lease, or operating agreement, could make the local hospital a more attractive asset and thus increase the likelihood that CHS would sell Key West’s hospital to an unknown entity, given the increased value that comes with a long-term operating agreement, Krenke said.

He emphasized that his concerns have nothing to do with the dedicated doctors, nurses and staff of Lower Keys Medical Center, but rather with the corporate management company of CHS, which, he said, answers to shareholders and creditors, who could demand that CHS sell off more hospitals to service their debt, rather than patients.

“With only five years left on the operating agreement, our hospital isn’t an attractive asset for CHS to sell, but if that lease gets renewed, then Lower Keys Medical Center becomes a prime target for sale,” Krenke told the Keys Weekly on March 4. “It is unreasonable to renew a lease with a company that has self-identified, in its own federal SEC filings, as a financial risk. CHS is not building a health care empire in Florida; it’s abandoning it.

“We insist that the local hospital district board consider financially sound hospital operator alternatives and to open these discussions to the public,” he said.

Meanwhile, at City Hall…

Kaufman also has raised concerns about the local hospital, namely about last year’s closing of a dedicated cancer treatment center and the hospital’s failure so

far to find a new provider. Kaufman and Krenke were due to meet March 6 with David Clay, who, as CEO of Lower Keys Medical Center, is employed by CHS.

“Lower Keys Medical Center is committed to the health and wellbeing of this community,” Clay said. “It is our strong desire to be part of the community for many years to come. We are very interested in renewing the lease when it expires in 2029.”

Clay also sent the Keys Weekly the report he gave at the Feb. 12 hospital district board meeting that detailed $45 million in investments and improvements CHS has made at the local hospital since 2016. Such improvements included the addition of robotic surgery, recruitment of physicians, more than doubled their mental health beds from 11 to 25, established a housing stipend for full-time employees and “improved the hospital’s quality performance, resulting in a 4-star rating for overall hospital quality from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

“Regarding Community Health Systems (CHS), I have pulled CHS’ year-end volume stats from the earnings report released two weeks ago, indicating growth across the organization — growth that has outpaced that of the majority of American health systems. This growth and ongoing initiatives have CHS well-positioned to make future investments in Lower Keys Medical Center. The company has continued access to capital and plans additional investment in Lower Keys Medical Center as part of its lease renewal,” Clay wrote.

“I don’t think people realize what a critical time we’re in with only five years left on this lease,” said Kaufman, who is forming a separate task force to investigate options with the hospital and alternative operators. “I’d like to be able to make a recommendation from the city that the hospital district board members do the right thing, and go out for competitive bids to seek a potential new operator for our hospital, which is a crucial resource for this community.”

To get involved with the task force, email Kaufman at skaufman@cityofkeywest-fl.gov.

T-SHIRT PROMPTS BIKER FIGHT ON BIG PINE

3 men charged with kidnapping and battery

GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

Four Florida Keys men were arrested March 2 on Big Pine Key after a fight over a T-shirt, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

The 3-on-1 scuffle happened at 12:30 p.m. at the Boardwalk Bar and Grill, 31044 Avenue A, Big Pine.

Three of the men belong to the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club, the sheriff’s office reported in a statement. They are Derek Marshall Queen, 41, of Key West; Anthony Eliopulos, 55, of Ramrod Key; and David Mirth, 60, of Big Pine.

The Pagan’s MC is defined by the federal government as an “outlaw motorcycle gang,” which officials say are highly structured criminal outfits often known for violent crimes and trafficking guns and drugs.

The arrests came after deputies said 49-year-old Jeffrey Jones, of Key West, was at the restaurant’s bar wearing a black T-shirt with white lettering that read, “Support Your Local Outlaws.”

Three Pagans showed up wearing their “gang clothing,” deputies said, and proceeded to forcibly walk Jones outside the restaurant and hold him against his will.

First, they stripped Jones of his Outlaws T-shirt and then pinned him between two vehicles, MCSO spokeswoman Becky Herrin said.

“That is when deputies arrived,” Herrin said.

Initially, the sheriff’s office said Jones was a member of the Outlaws, but later Sunday put out another statement. In further interviews after his arrest, Jones told detectives he is not an Outlaws member, he was just wearing the T-shirt showing support for them.

“The other three men are confirmed members of the Pagan’s motorcycle gang,” the sheriff’s office added.

No cooperation

No one connected with the dustup – not even the restaurant’s management – wanted to cooperate with law enforcement, Herrin said.

The alleged victim, Jones, repeatedly tried to leave the scene despite deputies warning him to stay put.

After 11 warnings from deputies, Jones tried once more to leave. Deputies handcuffed him and arrested him

on a charge of obstructing a criminal investigation.

All four men were still locked up at the county jail on Stock Island the day after the fight. But Jones was released in the afternoon without having to post bond. The Pagan’s members each have bonds set at $150,000.

MCSO detectives sought help from the Drug Enforcement Administration in gaining access to the restaurant’s security video because they said the management refused to hand it over.

Detectives obtained a federal subpoena for the video, which prompted management to release it.

‘Find an Outlaw’

The Big Pine arrests are the latest in a series of investigations related to outlaw biker gang activity that MCSO has taken on in recent years.

“We will not tolerate such groups operating here in Monroe County,” Sheriff Rick Ramsay said in a statement.

“We will continue to make the investigation of gang-related crimes a priority and will not allow the members of such groups to interfere with the day-to-day lives of the peaceful and law-abiding citizens we serve,” Ramsay said.

The Pagan’s club doesn’t have much of a clearly official online presence. However, the Outlaws have a website that gives a history of the organization and sells merchandise, including jewelry, hats and shirts – including the “Support Your Outlaws” type that Jones was reportedly wearing before the fight.

But the Outlaws make clear they don’t take questions over the phone or by email.

“Everything is done face to face, NOT online,” the home page states.

“DO NOT write us asking how to join! Find an Outlaw and ask him!”

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said it arrested four men who belong to motorcycle gangs at a Big Pine Key restaurant on March 2, 2024. MCSO/contributed

FLORIDA & THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS

MICHAEL TOUGIAS

New York Times best selling author, Michael Tougias will discuss the 13 harrowing days of the Cuban Missile Crisis and outline the steps President Kennedy made to reach a decision on a course of action. His talk will highlight the heroes of the crisis: the U-2 pilots that flew to Cuba to secure proof of nuclear missiles.

Thursday - March 14th - 7PM at Tennessee Williams Theatre

Sponsored by $5 ADMISSION Free for Monroe County & CFK Students

FL O RIDA K EYS SPC A

OUR BIG 16TH ANNUAL PARTY!

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FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024

TRUMAN'S LITTLE WHITE HOUSE

5:30PM VIP CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION & APPETIZERS

6:30PM DOORS OPEN FOR GENERAL ADMISSION

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µ MUSIC BY THE FKSPCA≤S FAVORITE DUO» GARMEN RODRIGUEZ ¶ MICHAEL THOMAS

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TICKETS

µ $60 General admission

µ $125 VIP preferred seating

µ $1,000 VIP preferred seating for 8

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HONORING SUE TURNER WITH OUR INAUGURAL CHAMPION OF ANIMALS AWARD!

PURCHASE TICKETS ¶ TABLES

FKSPCA.org/hhumane-education-events

Scan QR for tickets and more information

THE STUDIOS OF KEY WEST presents

tour through Bahama Village to visit the homes & studios of:

CARRIE DISRUD, TOM JORIS & RENNIE DISRUD JORIS; JOHN MARTINI & CAROL MUNDER; PHILIPPE SPENCER; DAVID WEGMAN; LOREN ILVEDSON; EMANUEL JEFFERSON

sponsored by Truman & Company, image by Carrie Disrud

JEFFREY CHAPPELL

SOLO PIANO CONCERT

SAT MAR 16, 8PM

$65 front row, $45, $35 mbrs. International concert pianist and composer Chappell weaves together jazz and classical compositions and invites you to reconsider the very ways that music communicates.

sponsored by S/V Argo Navis

DUELING PIANOS

FRI MAR 22 & SAT MAR 23, 8PM

$250 table for four, $55, $45 mbrs.

Get ready for a rib-tickling showdown: Broadway’s dueling pianists/singers Adam La Salle & Paul Rigano will have you tapping your toes & doubling over laughing. sponsored by Marquesa Hotel

OROPEZA & ESQUINALDO VIE FOR UTILITY BOARD SEAT

Members oversee Keys Energy Services from Key West to Seven-Mile Bridge

Local community advocate Rachel Oropeza announced on March 4 that she is running for the Key West Utility Board, Seat C against Harrison Esquinaldo of Bertha Street in Key West.

“I want to be more involved on a city-wide level,” she said. “A seat on the Utility Board will give me that opportunity.

Key West is my home, and the local utility is an institution that takes care of this city. Based on my past experiences on local boards, working in higher education, spending 20 years as a Rotarian and working within the Florida Legislature, I feel I have a wide range of experience to bring to the position.”

Oropeza is a fourth-generation Conch who runs the president’s office at the College of the Florida Keys. With a long history of work in the hospitality industry, she previously was catering director at the Marriott Beachside Hotel. She was also the chief legislative aide to then-State Rep. Debbie Horan.

She was the 100th president of the Rotary Club of Key West, past assistant governor for Rotary District 6990, and was twice named Rotarian of the Year. She has traveled to India, Haiti, Venezuela and Peru for Rotary humanitarian projects.

Oropeza served on the commissioning committee for the Coast Guard ship USS

Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee. She is the past fundraising chair for Irreverent Warriors, volunteered for Cooking with Love and has been a mentor with Take Stock in Children. She is a founding board member for the Key West Symphony.

Oropeza was recently selected as a Samuel’s House Woman of Integrity & Men of Valor honoree.

“I have the knowledge and strong skill set to become a contributing part of the Utility Board,” she said. “I will work collectively with the board and staff to make informed decisions. I look forward to listening to your concerns and earning your vote.”

The Utility Board oversees operations of Keys Energy Services, the public power provider for customers from Key West to the Seven-Mile Bridge. The board meets twice a month and includes a seat from outside of Key West to represent customers in the Lower Keys.

Utility Board members receive an annual salary of $24,520 while on the board. The board chair receives an annual salary of $28,000. Each board member also receives full health insurance coverage while on the board, according to Keys Energy spokesman Julio Torrado.

— Contributed

TAKE ME HOME?

FIND A FRIEND AT THE FLORIDA KEYS SPCA

The Keys Weekly family loves animals as much as our friends at the Florida Keys SPCA do, and we’re honored each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for adoption at the organization’s Key West campus.

From cats and dogs to Guinea

pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect

to your family is waiting for you. 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.

Check these pages each week for just a few of the animals waiting for a home and see them all at fkspca.org.

Meet Luffy, a 1-year-old male tabby cat with the biggest heart. He craves attention and adores humans.

Cricket is a 10-year-old senior calico cat who loves sleeping the day away.

Meet Pepe, an adorable 5-year-old bulldog. All he wants in life is a comfy bed and belly rubs.

Jim is a small, fluffy white rabbit who loves tanning on the beach while reading his favorite book: ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People.’

Eileen is the sweetest — and we’re not just saying that because we’re biased. She’s the best. At just a year old, she is ready to give you love and cuddles.

addition

LOVE IS LOVE. FASHION IS EVERYTHING.

Queer Keys and Kirby’s Closet team up for benefit

The Out of the Closet fashion show and fundraiser is coming up Wednesday, March 13 at 6 p.m. at Opal Key Resort during the golden hour of Key West’s iconic sunset. Directly behind the Shops at Mallory, the runway sits between Mallory Square and Opal Key’s Gulf-facing bars.

The show will open with a vocal performance by Jessica Wachs, followed by the infectious beats of the Junior Junkanoos from the Bahama Village Music Program.

With the musical support of Key West favorite, DJ Sanaris, 14 models will then hit the runway in tropical glam styles from Kirby’s Closet, Key West’s women’s boutique. The event is free and open to the public, and attendees will be asked to make a suggested donation to Queer Keys, though everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend regardless of ability to donate.

“Femme expression is an important part of queer culture, and I am so happy that we have a lineup

AGATHA CHRISTIE THRILLER OPENS AT WATERFRONT PLAYHOUSE

of entertainment and models from a broad cross-section of our island community,” said Chris McNulty, co-founder and board member of Queer Keys. “Kirby has been a supporter of Queer Keys since the beginning, and we are so grateful for her glamorous support.”

Kirby Myers, owner and executive director of tropical glam at Kirby’s Closet is co-organizing and styling this event.

“Chris has been a friend for years and I’ve been blown away by what he has done for this community in such a small amount of time,” she said. “Their mission is so important and I’m excited for our island to come out and support them in a fun and fashionable way.”

All proceeds from the fundraiser will go directly to advancing Queer Keys’ mission to support, educate, empower and celebrate the queer community of the Florida Keys through youth programming, trans and nonbinary healthcare, and their up-and-coming community center.

— Contributed

“Murder on the Orient Express’ runs March 13-April 6

The Waterfront Playhouse on Mallory Square has begun rehearsals for its production, “Murder on the Orient Express.” A stage adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel was written and adapted by Ken Ludwig and premiered in New Jersey in 2017. Based on the Christie novel that was first published in the United States in February 1934, it was originally published under the name “Murder on the Calais Coach.” “Murder on the Orient Express” is directed by Tom Thayer, designed by Michael Boyer, costumed by Leigh Hooten, lighting design by Kris Hodge and stage managed by Renee Austin.

The twisted plot is full of a wild cast of characters. As Poirot puts it, “It was like a painting by Pablo Picasso.” The play opens in Istanbul at the Tokatlian Hotel, where the audience meets Poirot, played by David Black. He runs into his old friend, Bouc (played by Dominic Paolillo), who arranges a trip on the Orient Express, which he owns. Upon boarding the train, one by one, Poirot meets odd characters, much like boarding a train to Carnivale. As the train departs the

station amid the snowy conditions, the layers of each passenger peel back like an onion.

The passengers are misfits, all with their own reasons for being on the train. Outside of Monsieur Bouc and Poirot, passengers include Helen Hubbard, a widow (Glenda Donovan); Mary Debenham, an English governess (Morgan Pierson); Greta Ohlsson, a Swedish missionary (Jessica Miano Kruel); Samuel Ratchett, an American businessman (Mathias Maloff); Ratchett’s secretary/translator Hector MacQueen (Ray West); Natalia Dragomiroff, a Russian princess (Barbara Mundy); the Countess of Hungary Elena Andrenyi (Cassidy Timms); an English colonel by the name of John Arbuthnot (Maloff) and conductor Michel (Karl Stahl).

During the ascent up the mountain on the way to London, the train becomes stuck in its tracks in the snow. Shortly following the abrupt stop in the late hours of the evening, a murder occurs and Hercule Poirot is on the case.

Tickets may be purchased by calling 305-294-5015 or by visiting waterfrontplayhouse.org.

From left, boutique owner and stylist Kirby Myers prepares model Sarrai Cardenas with Queer Keys co-founder Chris McNulty at Kirby’s Closet on Whitehead Street. CONTRIBUTED

Waterfront Playhouse presents ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ March 13-April 6. CONTRIBUTED

MARK HEDDEN

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

The belted kingfisher was making a series of runs down the moat at Fort Zach, complaining pretty much every time it flapped along the outside of the half-hexagon of the fort’s brick facade, which was kind of expected. Belted kingfishers are some of nature’s greatest malcontents. They are innately, and seemingly constantly, disgruntled, especially when compared to other species of birds that seem, as a group, to be largely gruntled. It’s their call that gives this impression, long and staccato and loud, sounding a bit like an air-powered machine gun shooting out a clip full of glass marbles. Ratta ratta ratta ratta. (The impression their call makes in other people’s brains may vary.)

I’ve always thought John James Audubon’s description of their shape was pretty apt: “Head large, neck short, body robust.” It should be added that their plumage is a mix of white and a slaty Wedgwood blue, and that they have this great spiky crest on their head, which also makes them seem a little unhinged. In the bird world, if a species’ genders aren’t nearly identical, the males are usually the more colorful ones. But the belted kingfisher is something of a gender bender, where the female actually has a mahogany band – or belt – across her chest, making her the more colorful one.

You generally hear belted kingfishers before you see them, though. And when you see them, they are generally flying away, at least if you’re on foot. If you’re driving past them while they are sitting on a wire near a highway, they don’t seem much bothered. But park your car and open your door, and they will be leaping off their perch and flying in the opposite direction – a long stream of avian invective trailing behind them – usually before you have time to lift your binoculars.

Belted kingfishers are piscivores, feeding primarily on small fish swimming less than two feet below the surface. They are one of the few species that can hover in midair, their body, wings and tail constantly adjusting, their head staying rock steady. But they will also perch on tree branches or, more often in the Keys, on utility lines next to calm water, to spot prey. And then they will dive into the water, snatch it up, come back to their perch, and beat the fish against the wire or branch on which they are sitting until it stops wriggling. Then they will toss it up and gulp it down.

In order to spot their small, fast-moving prey, often from something of a distance, they have forward-facing eyes and some serious binocular vision, superior to humans and on

ONE OF NATURE’S GREATEST MALCONTENTS

par with some hawks and falcons. The point being, they are built to see you coming, and they always do.

They are also loners. There is no such thing as a flock of belted kingfishers. There is no belted kingfisher jamboree. The only time they seek, or even tolerate, the close presence of other birds is when they are mating and raising young – about 25% of the year. The rest of the time they prefer their solitude.

It is, no doubt, anthropomorphic to consider belted kingfishers to be malcontents. We have no idea what a belted kingfisher’s worldview – or umwelt, if you want to use the current scientific term – is. Or what its emotional state is. But they only seem to make their loud, repetitive racket when disturbed and leaving a scene. Or if they fly back past the scene they just left and whoever or whatever disturbed them is still there. Theirs is a song of unwelcoming. It is a song of wanting you to leave.

It’s hard to take that as anything other than a complaint. Especially since they never actually get aggressive with people or other birds not of their species. They just leave loudly. You get the feeling that if doors were common in their world, and they could figure out a way to slam them, they would.

Kenn Kaufman, noted bird expert and Arnold Schwarzenegger fan, once pointed out that most of the decent photos you see of belted kingfishers are of young birds taken in the late summer or early fall, and when they’re only a couple months old. “Apparently their elusive, wary behavior is learned through experience,” he wrote in a piece for Audubon Magazine.

That experience has usually been gained by the time they make it to South Florida for the winter.

I’ve been seeing kingfishers all season, on wires and the occasional mangrove, passing them by without giving them much thought because a distant look is all you will get, and I’ve had a lot of distant looks.

But walking around the moat at Fort Zach I heard the rattle call and caught sight of the bird flying away from me and toward the Navy end of the moat. A few minutes later it flew by again – yes, still complaining – and flew towards the end of the moat near the blacksmith shop.

When I bought my first big camera lens – a 400mm, but on a crop-censored camera, meaning it was the equivalent of a 640mm lens – I thought, that’s it, now I can take a good picture of anything, any bird, no matter how far away it is. Which I quickly learned was not the case. No lens is ever big enough to capture everything. Or even most things.

I’ve never managed to get a decent shot of a belted kingfisher. But this one bird, despite its complaints, didn’t seem inclined to leave the moat area. For some reason I thought that, if I was patient enough, I had a chance, for once, at a decent shot.

So I spent some time standing there. Half an hour, 45 minutes. I’m not totally sure. Occasionally the bird would fly by and I would try to get a shot of it in the air and miss. Or it would land on the wall and I would lean out from the bush I was hiding behind and lift my camera, and it would take off before I could bring it to my eye.

The light was fading but eventually I managed to get a shot or two of the kingfisher sitting high on the fort wall. Not great shots, but shots where you at least knew it was the eternally peevish belted kingfisher.

I told myself in the moment that not everything needs to be easily attainable. Maybe it’s good for some things to be hardly attainable at all. The important thing is not to become a malcontent yourself.

A belted kingfisher perched on the wall at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

DISTORTION: THE ART OF NOISE

Distortion is something to be avoided — in most applications. It’s viewed as a plague, a deal-breaker. But in rock music distortion is the signature, the benchmark and the highway to everlasting rock ’n’ roll glory.

As early as the 1940s players realized if they cranked up the volume of the amplifier, the increased signal would overload the vacuum tubes and begin to emit a sound that came to be known as overdrive.

A guitar player named Junior Barnard was one of its first practitioners. He lived a short life, but is still remembered as having recorded some of the first distorted guitar sounds. In the early ’50s artists like Howlin’ Wolf and Goree Carter recorded the first real fuzz tones in their raw blues style. In early 1951, Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats released “Rocket 88,” regarded by some as the first rock ’n’ roll recording. Its now-iconic guitar tone was a result of packing the back of a damaged speaker cabinet with balls of newspaper. Throughout the 1950s a trend continued of guitar players damaging their equipment for the sake of sound. One such player was Link Ray. After stabbing his speaker with a pencil he recorded the song “Rumble” — a song (with no lyrics) that was banned because the word “rumble” is slang for gang fights and the piece’s harsh sound may have instigated gang violence. It was the first and only instrumental to be banned in the United States.

RAY WEST

In 1964

Dave Davies, guitar player for the Kinks, slashed his speaker cone with a razor and created the legendary guitar tone for the song, “Girl, You Really Got Me Now.”

... a professional musician, singer, actor and executive director of the Key West Music Awards, is known to sacrifice his comfort for that of his cat.

COLLEGE HONORED FOR ITS MARITIME CAREER TRAINING

CFK named a 2024 Center of Excellence

Needless to say, this period of destroying expensive sound equipment was short-lived. How could a 15-year-old boy in his garage possibly obtain the sound of the gods?

Along came the fuzz box.

Like so many great inventions, this one also came about through a mishap. In 1961 Grady Martin, bass player for Marty Robbins, played his bass through a mixing board with a bad connection.

The sound was distorted, yet unique. A nerdy sound engineer named Glenn T. Snoti reverse engineered the circuit, put it in a box, called it the Maestro Fuzz Tone, and started a business. This was the first guitar pedal, and like many firsts, it wasn’t initially received well. But one person who did seem to enjoy it was a player named Keith Richards. He proceeded to use it to create one of the most iconic guitar riffs – maybe ever – in a song called “Satisfaction.”

After that the fuzz race was on. It would be nearly impossible and certainly of questionable reasoning to attempt to ascertain how many musical innovations these first few pioneers inspired. How many pieces of music in our collective zeitgeist were created as a result of these effects in creative hands? Try to imagine the first time we as a people (and our family members as individuals) experienced their first taste of distortion at the hands of Jimi Hendrix and his guitar through an Arbiter Fuzz Face pedal in the opening seconds of his band’s debut album “Are You Experienced.” Minds were blown.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced that the College of the Florida Keys (CFK) is among 32 entities designated as Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE) in 2024. This is the second consecutive time CFK has received the designation, which it will hold for the next five years. The college was among the first recognized by MARAD in 2021, the last time the designations were bestowed. The CoE designation recognizes colleges and training institutions that are demonstrably successful at preparing students for careers in the maritime industry. These institutions are located in 17 states and one U.S. territory. CFK is one of two organizations and the only college in Florida to receive the designation.

“Our country depends on a highlyskilled mariner workforce to strengthen both our economy and our national security,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a press release from MARAD. “The 32 Centers of Excellence we’re designating today will promote training opportunities outside of traditional four-year degree programs and will bring more Americans into these great maritime careers.”

For over 50 years, CFK has supported local and regional maritime industries with education and training opportunities at its waterfront Key West campus. Programs include an associate in applied science in marine engineering, management, and seamanship, certificates in marine technology and welding, as well as non-credit courses. Through these opportunities and others, the college provides professional training for careers in many maritime sectors, including gasoline

and diesel engine repair and maintenance, welding, fiberglass boat building and repair, small boat handling and operations training, diving business and technology, marine environmental technology, and ecotourism and hospitality. Over the past year, the college has expanded its marine science programs, including marine engineering courses, to its Upper Keys Center in Key Largo.

With the CoE designation, CFK can work with MARAD to enhance programs and services for students and faculty, upgrade facilities, award credit for military service, and potentially receive assistance in the form of surplus equipment or temporary use of MARAD vessels.

“This honor is a testament to the caliber of CFK’s maritime education and career training programs. It speaks to our dedication and effectiveness as a premier workforce provider,” said Jonathan Gueverra, CFK president and CEO. “The CoE designation is an important stamp of approval that CFK’s reputation and relationships with industry partners is among the best. Our students and faculty can be proud of the programs’ quality, and our partners now have additional validation of our efforts.”

CFK has active partnerships with industry and workforce education providers such as Yamaha Motor Corporation, the National Maritime Workforce Alliance, and the Professional Association of Dive Instructors. The college is a member of the Marine Trades Accreditation Program with the American Boating and Yacht Council (ABYC), the American Welding Society, the American Academy of Underwater Science (AAUS), and Diver’s Alert Network (DAN).

The Maestro Fuzz Tone, the first overdrive pedal, was made famous by Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones in the song ‘Satisfaction.’ CONTRIBUTED

Left: A CFK student drives a boat with marine engineering instructor Anthony Margiotta.

Right: CFK marine engineering students Cat Olortegui and Luke DeFalco work on an outboard engine. CONTRIBUTED

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‘LIVIN’ MY LIFE LIKE A SONG...’

Jag Gallery art show honors Jimmy Buffett

Jag Gallery in Duval Square is assembling a new art exhibit, dedicated to and celebrating the life of Key West’s favorite son, the legendary Jimmy Buffett. “Livin’ My Life Like a Song” features artwork and reflections from a circle of noted artist and writer friends including Dalva Duarte, David Wegman, Rita and Fred Troxel, Carl Hiaasen, Vaughn Cochran, Letty Nowak, Cayman and Robin Smith-Martin, Dan Rizzie, G. Love, Tony Caramanico and others with a portion of art sales donated to Singing For Change, one of Buffett’s favored organizations.

”I know Jimmy’s wish was for everyone to keep the party going — to be joyful. It is a sweet desire and not always the easiest thing to do when you’re missing the guy, but who is not going to try and give him what he would want, right? To that goal, with some of Jimmy’s exceptional friends who happen to

be fine artists and writers involved, I think it’s going to be a fascinating exhibit and that opening night will be a fine party,” said longtime friend and guest curator Rita Troxel.

The exhibit opens with a gallery reception on Saturday, March 9 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., which is free and open to the public. The show runs through March 24.

Considered a top destination for fine contemporary art, offering carefully curated exhibits of work by prominent artists from Key West and beyond, Jag Gallery is located at the Simonton Street entrance to Duval Square, 1075 Duval St. with ample, free parking. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., Mondays by appointment. For more information, call 305-4076202 or email jaggallerykw@gmail. com and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

A few of the Jimmy Buffett-inspired pieces of art in the upcoming show at Jag Gallery include ‘Howie’s Lounge’ by David Wegman, ‘Buffett’s Raven’ by Dan Rizzie and ‘Jimmy Buffett and Chill’ by G. Love. The show runs March 9-24. CONTRIBUTED

HELP KEEP KEY WEST CLEAN

One year ago this month, First Horizon Bank broke the record for volunteers by hosting the first-ever Friday morning cleanup that drew more than 50 participants. On March 1, the bank’s goal was to break the current record of 71 people. First Horizon fell just short, with 67 volunteers, who collected 376 pounds of trash, 35 pounds of recycling and 4 gallons of cigarette butts in one hour. CONTRIBUTED

One hour a week makes a huge difference, and volunteers are welcome every Friday and some Saturday mornings, from 8 to 9 a.m., when the Key West Ploggers clean up a designated area of the island.

Gloves, pickers, buckets, vests, hand sanitizer and a parking pass are provided to all volunteers.

A troubling number of cigarette butts and plastic bags have been included in recent hauls. Please remember your reusable bags when shopping so we can keep the plastic off the streets, parking lots and, most importantly, out of the water. And dispose of cigarette butts in any receptacle rather than the street or sidewalk, as from there, they easily end up in the ocean.

The city of Key West and its residents ask everyone to do their part to help keep Key West beautiful. With simple steps like making sure you bag your trash before putting it in your Waste Management trash cans or Dumpsters, and making sure the lids on Dumpsters are closed, will keep a lot of trash from blowing into the streets. Call Waste Management at 305-296-8297 for any furniture items left on the city right of way.

Please pick up around your home or apartment complex. Every piece of trash picked up is one less that may end up in the ocean that surrounds and sustains

our island community. It is not just the large items you can see easily when you are walking, but the smaller items such as bottle caps and cigarette butts that are collected by the volunteers that make the biggest difference.

It takes committed community involvement to keep Key West beautiful and we are making progress with every cleanup event and every spot that’s adopted. Call Dorian Patton at 305-809-3782 to find out how your business, nonprofit or club can help.

— Contributed

Join a Friday morning cleanup each week from 8 to 9 a.m.

March 8: Duval and Virginia streets. Meet next to Flamingo Crossing Ice Cream on Varela Street.

March 15: Varela & United streets. Meet in front of the Montessori Children’s School and park at City Hall.

March 22: Kennedy Drive & N. Roosevelt Blvd. Meet in the parking lot next to H&R Block.

March 29: Flagler Avenue and 14th Street. Meet in the parking lot at 3208 Flagler Ave., to the left of Bank of America.

CHRIS McNULTY

is an astrologer, wanderer, bartender and advocate for queer justice. He is a loquacious Gemini with a cozy Cancer rising. Find him at hearthandheraldastrology.com

Y’know those moments when your mind wanders on its own, sometimes for hours, then when you try to remember what you were thinking about, you’ve got absolutely nothing? With Mercury, the Messenger God, and Neptune, the Sea God, conjoining this Friday, March 8, we can all expect our minds to be in a somewhat dreamy haze. Communications may come through in a manner difficult to translate and we may have a hard time focusing. Our intuition will be our greatest guide. Thoughts will dissolve one into the other and our dreams will speak to us in vivid imagery. Under this sky, entering meditative states will be much more powerful than trying to think things through in an orderly fashion. Imagination is the key word right now, so focus on the most ideal possibilities for yourself rather than the practical means for achieving them. Practicality can come later.

Here are your horoscopes for the Mercury-Neptune conjunction. Read for your rising and sun signs.

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

While this sky lends itself to an identity crisis for you, Pisces, it also offers you the chance to dream your most ideal form of self-expression. When it is most difficult to think of yourself clearly, it is also the most wonderful time to experiment with a fresh canvas. How will you share your inner workings in creative and imaginative ways? You are poetry manifested, so practice with different meters and rhymes.

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

Get ready to hold your breath. You are deep-diving into your creative unconscious. So much exists beneath the surface of our waking awareness, and this sky is sending you to the depths. What is down there and how can you make heads or tails of it? I recommend painting or singing or engaging in other forms of creative expression to bring your wisdom forth.

TAURUS

April 20 - May 20

Some confusing messaging may be passing through your friend group right now, like a rumor that simply can’t be based in reality. Rather than playing detective, practice being more of a witch doctor and sense the truth instead of analyzing it. All of that aside, it’s also a great time for late-night conversations that seem to go nowhere, but cover everything. Have fun with your peeps.

GEMINI

May 21 - June 21

Are the computers going down at work or are your boss’s instructions simply gibberish? Effective and efficient communication is not the priority right now. Thinking into the best of all possible scenarios in your work life is paramount. When you picture your public reputation and your career, what is the highest dream? Get the image now so you can do the work later.

CANCER

June 22 - July 22

Sometimes, knowledge comes to us all at once in moments of high inspiration. You are being offered that capacity right now. There is so much available to you in your intuition rather than through your book learnin’. Trust it. Perhaps you will have dreams with images and scenarios that are brand new to you. Those are particularly important messages, so pay attention.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 22

There is a reality to the group-mind that forms when a crew of committed people share a project with a mission. It’s as if the project has a mind of its own and you are simply a neuron in the web. This sky is offering you entrance into such a project or to catch a glimpse of the group-mind that oversees a project you are already working on. Trust the intelligence there.

VIRGO

Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

Are you and your partner having a difficult time understanding what the other is saying? Confusing conversations are emblematic of this sky for you, so don’t dig into the dialogue so much. Rather, let your hearts communicate directly through eye contact, facial expression, dancing and other forms of non-verbal communication. See the message rather than trying to think it.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

There are always more creative ways to get stuff done, like listening to an audiobook while washing the dishes or having a pizza party when asking friends to help rearrange your furniture. Rather than working smarter, trying to work dreamier right now. Your work will get done when you aren’t thinking about it.

SCORPIO

Oct. 24 - Nov. 21

Your creative mind is brimming with new ideas, and this is the perfect time to get your fingers covered in paint, your vocal cords vibrating or your other blissful expressions out. It is also a great time to do something akin to reading a fantasy story to a group of children. Imagination is soaring in the most creative ways for you, so figure out how to channel it.

PURE IMAGINATION

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

Home means something different to everybody, and sometimes it is literally a state of mind. What makes you feel as if you’re in your element, where you can relax and let your guard down? Let your mind float on its own and see what kind of home inspiration you receive through your cosmic antennae. Perhaps it’s time for a new paint job, a new room arrangement or a new space entirely. Your intuition will guide you.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

As the universe evolves, every little action taken within this vast process changes things for future iterations. Choosing to move your little toe or not to move your little toe can have wide-ranging effects. Now, generally that is all too much to consider and can leave us immobile if we try. Right now, though, you have an opportunity to sense how you can move and direct the flow of things. Use your powers for good.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

Money is a part of life, like it or not. At this point, it seems that money issues might be a bit confusing for you. Fret not because you are not supposed to be doing any serious accounting. Instead, you are meant to be dreaming of new ways to make and spend money for your best life. What would you do if you had no financial limits? Get that image, then do the accounting.

A PINDER ISLAND HOME

One of the Keys’ early pioneer families ran a farm & a schooner

FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY WITH BRAD BERTELLI

Brad is a local historian, author, speaker and Honorary Conch who loves sharing the history of the Florida Keys.

This Florida Keys story begins and ends in Key West. Like many told about the archipelago, it reaches well beyond a single island.

The story is mainly about John William Pinder and a little bit about his farm, his schooner and the Red Cross house where he lived before his death. The Pinder name denotes a Bahamian connection, as many of the early pioneer families who came to the Keys from that string of islands shared the names Pinder, Curry, Albury, Johnson and so many more. John William Pinder, like most Conchs, had a nickname.

He was Brush Pinder, and often remembered as John “Brush” Pinder, and not so much as William. He was born in Key West on Dec. 5, 1870. However, Brush is not known for his time in Key West, as his branch of the Pinder family made a name for themselves on Plantation Key in what is today the Islamorada area of the Upper Keys. The 1935 U.S. Census listed John W. Pinder, head of household, as a farmer.

By 1935, Pinder’s Plantation Key farmlands had been established for decades. His homestead stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Florida Bay. Brush Pinder farmed pineapples, Key limes and melons, among other crops. These days, when driving across Plantation Key, Pinder’s former fields are easy to spot as they are now home to Founders Park at MM 87.

Before the railroad rocked, steamed and rolled down the island chain, one of the challenges for island farmers was shipping the fruits of their labor to East Coast markets. By 1896, local farmers had two options. Produce could be shipped via steamer from Key West or the railroad from Miami.

To help himself out, Brush Pinder decided to build a schooner. He hired a gentleman, a Bahamian described as part Black and part Indian, named “Old Whiskers” Wilkerson to work alongside Pinder and John Watkins, who traveled up from Key West to build the ship. The schooner was constructed on the Atlantic shore of Brush’s homestead, and according to the stories told about the ship, Wilkerson “eyeballed” the construction of the 60-foot, two-masted, flat-bottomed, centerboard schooner designed to navigate the shallows and shoals surrounding the island chain.

Sarah Albury, the oldest child of Brush Pinder, recalled the 1903 launch of the ship –christened the Island Home – in Nikki Beare’s “Pirates, Pineapples, and People.”

“It was a sight and event I’ll never forget. All of the children were so excited. None of us had ever seen so much excitement. Everyone was laughing and joking. Oh! We all had a happy time that night.”

One of the primary uses of the vessel was shipping Pinder’s pineapples and Key limes to Miami, where they could be loaded onto the East Coast Railway train cars and reliably ushered to market in a matter of days. The Island Home transported more than fruits and vegetables, including mail, daily staples like coffee and sugar and friends and family traveling between Miami and Key West. According to a history of the ship told in the book “Key Largo Island Home” (The Key Largo Foundation Inc., 1967), during the dry season, the schooner transported barrels of fresh water “from the springs on the west shore of Key Biscayne” to Key Largo communities.

For those unfamiliar with the schooner, you have heard the name Island Home in one form or another, even if you do not realize it. While many stories have been told about Islamorada being the Purple Isles, the name has nothing to do with what is one of my favorite colors. It was named for Pinder’s schooner. Islamorada was a railroad town established by one of Henry Flagler’s engineers, William J. Krome, circa 1907. Krome named the new townsite Islamorada, a Spanish name that can be broken down to “isla” for island and “morada” for home.

Five years later, Flagler’s train linked Miami and the mainland to Knights Key, located at the foot of what is today the Seven Mile Bridge. When it did, produce from Upper and Middle Keys farms became easier and more reliably shipped to markets. According to Brush’s daughter, the Island Home was sold in 1923 to a Miami businessman. In a story printed in the April 5, 1926 edition of the Key West Citizen, the Island Home was captured by the U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Boat C.G. 299 with 1,800 cases of liquor and 600 cases of alcohol on board. The schooner, renamed Madan, and its crew were apprehended 22 miles west southwest of Egmont Key (offshore of St. Petersburg on Florida’s west coast) and towed to Mobile, Alabama.

Without his schooner, John “Brush” Pinder traveled between his farm on Plantation Key and his family at Key West aboard the Key West Extension of Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railway. That stopped when the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane devastated the Upper Keys and ended the run of Flagler’s train.

Brush Pinder’s Plantation Key home was destroyed in the storm. In the aftermath, 28 Red Cross or hurricane houses were built for those families who lost everything in the Category 5 storm – still considered the strongest hurricane to make a North American landfall. While most of the “storm-proof” homes were built on Upper Matecumbe Key, a few were built on Plantation Key and Key Largo.

One was built for Brush Pinder and his family. For anyone who has driven across Plantation Key over the course of the last 87 years, his house is the one built next to the Old Highway, across from Founders Park, at MM 87. It has since been painted yellow and blue (or green).

John William “Brush” Pinder died in 1946. He was buried at the Key West Cemetery.

The Schooner Island Home with crew Adolphus Sawyer, Joe Pinder, John Pinder, Ben Albury and Charlie Chabent. GEORGE STEVENSON/Florida Keys History Center

THE BEARDS WERE BACK IT’S SHOWTIME

Rams Head Presents ZZ Top at Key West Amp

mandy@keysweekly.com

They’ve been playing their own brand of rock and roll since 1969, and still, ZZ Top thrilled the packed house at the Key West Amphitheater on March 2.

“They were fantastic, what a great show,” one resident said the next day.

Billy Gibbons (vocals and guitar), Dusty Hill (bass and vocals) and drummer Frank Beard — ironically the only one of the trio without a beard — launched the band in Houston, Texas and have been touring ever since.

Hill died in 2021 and at his request was replaced on stage by the band’s longtime guitar tech, Elmore Francis.

They didn’t disappoint the Key West crowd, with favorites like “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and, of course, “Legs.”

Birdcage Cabaret at Aquaplex opens with style

The Aquaplex entertainment complex on Duval Street celebrated the grand opening of its transformed Birdcage Cabaret on March 1 with a new drag and variety show starring renowned female impersonator Christopher Peterson, who performs in and directs the shows each week.

Peterson’s Birdcage Cabaret performances blend his traditional impersonations of famous divas with elaborate new elements — and will also feature a rotating cast of Aquanettes, the complex’s signature drag queens.

Mike and John Barrett, new owners of the Aquaplex, renovated the space previously called Sidebar, with an entrance on Angela Street, to feature an enlarged stage with theater curtains, an enhanced sound system, a full bar and cabaret-style tables and chairs.

Located at 504 Angela St. just off Duval Street, the Birdcage can seat 80 to 100 guests depending on table configuration.

Peterson’s new 90-minute cabaret show is performed Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Plans call for Drag King shows at 7:30 p.m. every Sunday at the venue. — Contributed

MANDY MILES

ZZ Top performs to a packed house at the Key West Amphitheater March 2, featuring Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard and Elmore Francis, who replaced Dusty Hill following his death in 2021.

Christopher Peterson’s new Birdcage Cabaret in the Aquaplex — the bar formerly known as Sidebar — celebrates its grand opening drag and variety show on March 1. LARRY BLACKBURN/ Keys Weekly

Cawley (left) is wearing the Natasha dress from our Likely brand and Amelia is wearing our Brooklyn wrap from Never Fully Dressed

SHELF HELP

Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection.

What: “Daisy Darker” by Alice Feeney

Why: This suspense thriller opens with all of Daisy Darker’s family members returning to her decaying Gothic house for her 80th birthday after many years avoiding each other. The tension begins to build as we learn the house is cut off from the rest of the world for eight hours every day as the tide comes in plunging the narrow spit of land connecting it to the mainland under water. Feeney, a New York Times best-selling author known for her total mastery of plot twists, reveals each family member’s individual secrets as they grudgingly arrive to celebrate Nana’s birthday.

At the stroke of midnight – as a storm rages – Nana is found dead. Soon, another family member is discovered murdered. The tide has come in, washing away any exit from the property. Now trapped, they are being picked off one by one. The family is forced to confront their hidden past while the tidal time clock continues to tick.

This clever nod to Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None” is haunting yet refreshingly reinvented. The numerous plot twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seat. This classic thriller is well worth the ride.

Where: This is available in regular and large print, audiobook on CD, e-book and e-audiobook from the Monroe County Public Library system.

How: You can request books online by logging in to your account keyslibraries.org and get e-books and e-audiobooks 24/7 at estuff. keyslibraries.org. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register online to get one. Questions? info@keyslibraries.org

Recommended by: Nancy Truesdale, library associate, Key Largo Library branch

See previous recommendations at keyslibraries. org/shelf-help

SAVE THE DATE

Thursday, March 7

• Get certified or renew your certification in CPR (adult, child and infant). 2 p.m. at the Monroe County Community Center in the Winn-Dixie Plaza on Big Pine. Cost is $31. Call 305-292-4501 to register.

Friday, March 8

• Fiona Morehouse presents a plein-air watercolor workshop in the Toppino Nature Chapel at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, 10 a.m to noon. Registration is required. $25 per person. Registrants must bring their own supplies.

Saturday, March 9

• The Key West chapter of NOW will host its annual live orchid auction, silent auction and fundraiser with live music to benefit the Connie Gilbert Scholarship Fund. 1-4 p.m. at The Gardens Hotel, 526 Angela St.

• Key West music photographer Ralph De Palma celebrates the release of his latest book, “Soul of Key West, vol. 3” at The Studios of Key West. De Palma has assembled a 15-piece band for the occasion. The book sale and signing starts at 7 p.m. The music starts at 8.

Thursday, March 14

• Get certified or renew your certification in CPR (adult, child and infant)

& first aid. 9 a.m. in the Gato Building, 1100 Simonton St., Key West. Cost for combined CPR & first aid certification is $41. Call 305-292-4501 to register.

• The College of the Florida Keys continues its 2024 VIP Series with “Florida and the Untold Story of the Cuban Missile Crisis” at 7 p.m. in the Tennessee Williams Theatre on the Key West Campus. The presentation will be led by New York Times bestselling author Michael J. Tougias.

Wednesday, March 13

• The fourth annual Key West NOW Women’s Film Festival continues each Wednesday in March at the Tropic Cinema, 6 p.m. The second film of the festival’s month is Elaine May’s hilarious directorial debut, “A New Leaf” (1971).

Tuesday, March 19

• Get certified or renew your certification in CPR (adult, child and infant) & first aid. 9 a.m. in the Gato Building, 1100 Simonton St., Key West. Cost for combined CPR & first aid certification is $41. Call 305-292-4501 to register.

Thursday, March 28

• Get certified or renew your certification in CPR (adult, child and infant). 2 p.m. at the Monroe County Community Center in the Winn-Dixie Plaza on Big Pine. Cost is $31. Call 305-292-4501 to register.

FREE CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS START MARCH 7

The Key West library is now hosting a creative writing workshop at 4 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

The first session on Thursday, March 7, will focus on learning about and practicing memoir writing and creative nonfiction, with writing exercises.

At the second session, March 21, participants can bring their writing in to receive feedback in a group workshop session.

Attendees are encouraged to attend both sessions, but it’s not mandatory. All levels of writing experience are welcome and writing materials will be provided. The program is free. You do not have to have a library card to take part.

If you have questions, stop by the library at 700 Fleming St., call 305-292-3595 or email info@keyslibraries.org.

COME FOR THE FOOD. STAY FOR THE VIEW. CASUAL WATERFRONT DINING

WORLD FAMOUS LOBSTER PIZZA

TOP RATED GLUTEN-FREE PIZZA AND VEGETARIAN MENU

Healthy Life

By Dr. Christina Sawyer

National Kidney Month

Why you shouldn’t ignore kidney health.

Many of us don’t give much thought about our kidneys on a daily basis, unlike our hearts or lungs, which we actually feel functioning regularly But these vital organs are working double time to eliminate excess fluid and waste from our body. They are vitally important to ensure that our electrolytes and pH are balanced, as well as help our bodies maintain a normal blood pressure During National Kidney Month, it’s worthwhile to take a few moments to consider what we can do to help preserve the function of our precious kidneys

Hydration is a great first step: Dark or cloudy urine may be an indication of dehydration If you are experiencing these symptoms, consult your primary care provider to ensure that you are not drinking too much fluid, which could worsen other medical conditions

You are what you eat: What is good for your body is also good for your kidneys Eating a healthy diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and avoiding processed foods high in sodium and other preservatives is a great start

Check your blood pressure routinely: If you have high blood pressure or it runs in your family, make sure to monitor it often High levels can hurt your kidneys so it’s important to ask your doctor or provider about what you can do to achieve good blood pressure control

Florida

of Florida and her medical

degree in 2015 at

FOUR UP, FOUR DOWN

Lady Fins start 2024 with unbeaten streak, top ranking | P.10

MARCH 7

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK LARIZ

3/9

THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS

MARCH 7

Lacrosse Key West 6:30 p.m.

The Marathon Dolphins’ softball team has come charging out of the gates to open the 2024 season, earning a 4-0 start and the top ranking in Florida’s 2A classification while outscoring their opponents 48-4. See page 10. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

Anthony was a warrior last night, throwing a complete game. A super performance, the kind that wins championships for ball clubs.”

– Ralph Henriquez, Conchs head coach

10

3-3 strikeouts

at the plate

High school baseball players can be under enormous pressure even in regular circumstances. Add to that the high-stakes reality of every game for a perennial contender like Key West, and it can become next-level pressure.

When senior Anthony Lariz was handed the ball last Saturday night to pitch against Spanish River, a team the Conchs had lost to one night prior on March 1, the young man became a superhero. After the tragic loss of Conch baseball legend Dexter Butler earlier that morning, Key West made the difficult decision to play the game, knowing that it was what Dexter would have not just wanted, but expected. The big righty held the collective weight of the entire island’s hopes to win it for Dexter in his hands.

And win, he did. Lariz threw a complete game, striking out 10 batters for the Conchs. He was perfect at the plate, walking twice and driving one of Key West’s 5 hits. He was perfect in the field, delivering an error-free performance on an extraordinarily difficult night. Under unimaginable pressure, Lariz did not fold; he and his team somehow managed to deliver the impossible to the grief-stricken community and won it for one of their own. For his composure at the plate and on the mound, Anthony Lariz is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

THIS WEEK

Anthony

Senior, Key West Baseball

fled to the Keys from the frozen mountains of Pennsylvania hours after graduating from college and never looked back. She is a second-generation coach and educator, and has taught in the public school system for over 25 years. She and her husband met at a beginning teacher meeting in 1997 and have three children born and raised in Monroe County. In her free time, McDonald loves flea markets, historical fiction and long runs in the heat.

grew up in Miami and moved to the Keys in 1997. He has spent the last 25 years teaching physical education and coaching virtually every sport for Florida Keys kids ages 4 to 18. If you are reading this and live or lived in the Florida Keys, he has probably taught, coached, or coached against someone you know.

The Keys Weekly Sports Wrap is proud to be the only locally-owned publication providing prep sports coverage from Key Largo to Key West. Together with our writers and photographers, we are committed to providing a comprehensive overview of the world of Keys sports with photography that allows our readers to immerse themselves in game action.

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KEY WEST’S GREATEST HITTER REMEMBERED

Conchs’ coach and teacher left behind legacy of positivity and selflessness

The Key West community suffered an enormous loss last week with the passing of teacher, coach and athletic legend Dexter Butler. Butler was not simply a coach or a former player or a record holder – he was a truly special individual whose broad smile and kind heart touched everyone fortunate enough to meet him.

Most recently, Butler was coaching the Conchs’ hoopsters in a rebuilding year. The good-natured coach had exactly the perfect balance of patience and discipline to push his young team in the right direction. Under Butler’s leadership, the Conchs gained momentum, and the coming seasons were truly exciting to anticipate. Now, it is difficult to imagine anyone filling Butler’s shoes.

Before Dexter Butler was a coach at his alma mater, he was a typical Key West kid, playing at the junior football field, Clayton Sterling Complex and the Police Athletic League gym. He was a standout athlete in any sport he tried and often enjoyed the coaching of his father, Conch legend Bill Butler. The pairing not only afforded extra father-son bonding time – it gave a ringer to each team the duo graced.

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When Dexter got to Key West High School, he was in the shadow of his father and his brother Devin. Devin owned a state championship with Conch baseball, and Bill had won a title in basketball. Even with such great expectations for a young athlete, Dexter did not remain in the shadows long. He started out at Key West playing football, basketball and baseball, quickly becoming a standout in all three.

Dexter gave up basketball early in his high school career, then stopped playing football after his junior season. He wanted to focus on his best sport: baseball. During his three years as a Key West Conch varsity player, Dexter won two district championships. Known for his strong bat, he once hit two home runs in a single game and hit a grand slam in another one. Butler owns the Key West record for the highest career batting average. During his three-year varsity stint, he averaged .460, a mark which will likely stand for a very long time.

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PODCAST HOST

MARKET EDITORS

After high school, Butler played ball at the University of South Florida, where he started at shortstop as a freshman. The following year, he played third base. As a junior, he moved again, starting at second base. For his final season, he transferred to Nova Southeastern, where he split the season at shortstop and third base, proving his ability to roll with the changes and be undeniably great anywhere his team needed him.

Butler was similar in his role in the community, filling any role needed and doing so with grace and positivity. “Dexter always had a smile on his face and something positive to say,” said Judd Wise, who both taught and coached Butler. “He was a great athlete and a better person.”

Key West administrator and track coach Dave Perkins agreed. “Whenever I spoke to Coach Dexter about basketball, he always stayed positive,” he said. “Even though his team was rebuilding, he always kept everything focused and his team moving in a positive direction.”

Butler’s greatest moments arguably came after his own athletic career was complete. He coached various sports, including Little Conch baseball teams, middle school basketball at Horace O’Bryant School, where he taught, and varsity basketball at Key West High. Butler also spent his time giving hitting lessons to the children of Key West who looked up to him the way he had looked up to others growing up.

When Butler took over the Conchs’ basketball program in 2022, all the coaches up and down the Keys knew: Key West basketball was back – it was just a matter of time. Coach Butler immediately started to put in the time with his team, dedicating himself to them. In the offseason, tournaments and training became the norm. Butler believed that putting in the work was important, but he also held his team to a higher set of ex-

pectations. Butler served as a strong moral compass for his players, believing that making them responsible young men was as, if not more, important than sharpening their basketball skills.

It is not often a coach, player and human being such as Dexter Butler comes along, but it seems that when one does, we often take for granted that they will grow old and continue to give so generously of themselves.

Now, at a time when the community is hurting, we need to embrace the teachings coach Butler offered and be the best we can be in sports and in life. Dexter Butler now becomes an all-time legend in Key West, joining the ranks of such revered Conchs as Tommy Roberts and Glynn Archer. He is gone too soon, but his legacy will remain and continue to grow as those whose lives Dexter touched reach out and share their time and talents with others, just as he did.

1. In 2023, Dexter Butler became the Key West High School varsity basketball coach, a job he was born to do. He was respected and loved by his players, assistant coaches and the community.

2. Dexter (second row, left) played his youth baseball in the Little Conch baseball league. In this picture, Dexter was coached by his father Bill Butler and Big Dave Burgos.

3. Butler coaches tee ball in Key West.

4. Dexter Butler during his time at the University of South Florida, where he started at shortstop, third base and second base.

5. Butler, right, with teammate and friend Clinton Storr. Butler played baseball for Key West from 2001 to 2004.

6. Butler attends the Perfect Game baseball combine. During his time at Key West High School as a player, Key West won two district titles, with Butler holding the highest career batting average (.460) in school history.

Photos contributed

6

3 2

Listen to the Sports Wrap podcast honoring Dexter Butler

HURRICANE HUNTERS

Lady Conchs defeat Coral Shores at home; boys suffer first loss

Key West’s girls had split results in their two lacrosse games last week, starting with a Feb. 27 loss to Archbishop McCarthy. Colbie Turner scored 2 goals while Maeve O’Hearn, Eisley Whitehead, Ava Brock and Kaitlyn Piloto netted 1 goal each for the Conchs. Goalkeeper Courtney Grabus had 11 saves in the loss.

On March 1, Key West hosted cross-county rival Coral Shores in The Backyard. The Conchs pulled off a 7-6 victory over the ’Canes in an exciting showdown between the Keys’ only girls teams. Senior captain Brock led the Conchs with 3 goals. Taylor Gibson netted a pair and Piloto and Turner scored 1 each. Low defender Maeve O’Hearn came up with 4 ground balls to keep the Conchs on the offensive. Ella Bishop scooped up 4 ground balls as well, something head coach Marissa Giacopuzzi called, “game changers in a tight game.”

Giacopuzzi described the win as “much needed,” crediting it in part to some big plays and dominance in draw controls and adding that Turner and Bishop, with 3 draw controls each, helped seal the win. The team’s combined 5 caused turnovers kept the Conchs in control while Grabus had 6 saves and a pair of huge interceptions in the 7-6 win. A third game scheduled for Saturday afternoon against Miami Country Day was canceled. The Lady Conchs’ next home game is a district matchup against Gulliver Prep on Friday, March 8 at 4 p.m.

Key West’s gentlemen played one last week, facing the Mavericks of Archbishop McCarthy on Feb. 27. The Mavericks handed Key West their first loss of the season in a closelyfought 8-7 battle. Smith Switzer led the Conchs in scoring

with 4 goals. Switzer had 6 ground balls to his credit as well. Noah Collins netted 1 goal and assisted 2 more along with 5 ground balls and 4 takeaways added to his season stats. Joseph Garr scored 1 goal, scooped 7 ground balls, earned 3 takeaways and forced 7 turnovers. Max Louchheim scored the Conchs’ final goal and was credited with 4 ground balls. Reif Wallen assisted on 1 goal while Eddie Moline grabbed 5 ground balls and Ryan Kight had 3 takeaways. Goalkeeper Mateo Lopez helped keep things close, saving 7 shots on Key West’s goal.

Key West remains unbeaten in district play and has a chance to add three more district wins in the coming weeks against Ransom, Westminster and Coral Shores in a rematch Tuesday, March 12 in Tavernier.

The Key West Lady Conchs and Coral Shores Lady ’Canes renew their Keys rivalry with a showdown at The Backyard on March 1. Key West prevailed, 7-6. Photos by GRACE ANDREW/Keys Weekly. See full game gallery at keysweekly.com.

HURRICANES BLOW CONCHS OFF COURT Lady Conchs blank Fins at home

In Keys boys tennis action, Coral Shores swept Key West on Feb. 27, with wins coming from the entire ’Canes team. Makani Burga, Aidan Althouse, Johann Smith, Erik Moerner and Corden Dean all won their singles matches. Burga and Althouse, plus Smith and Moerner, teamed up in doubles action to add another two wins for Coral Shores.

The Conchs were the big winners the following day against the traveling Marathon Dolphins. Adrien Holdinga was the lone winner for the Fins, while Key West’s Martin Burnett and Devon Soni registered singles wins for the Conchs. John Picco and Burnett also won the only doubles match against a short-handed Marathon.

In girls tennis, Coral Shores defeated Key West on Feb. 27. Key West’s Gabriela Aguero won the No. 1 singles match and Leyla Atilla won the No. 5 match for a pair of Conch wins. Olivia Hughes, Kai Guth and Kai Redruello all registered ’Canes wins in singles while Charlotte MacEachern and Hughes, plus the duo of Guth and Redruello, teamed up for two wins in doubles for Coral Shores.

The following day, Key West hosted Marathon for a clean 7-0 sweep of the Fins. Eva Drozdetskaia, Gabriella Aguero, Leyla Atilla, Juliana Strunk and Violet Jangraw won in their singles matches. Drozdetskaia teamed up with Zoe Gehin to win the first doubles match while Aguero and Strunk won the second. All three teams will become more familiar with each other this week. Key West is at Coral Shores on Thursday, March 7. Key West will face Marathon on Monday, March 11, and Coral Shores is at Marathon on Thursday, March 14.

The Hurricanes’ Kai Guth, pictured, and Kai Redruello registered victories in singles and doubles matches.

Photo by DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

CONCHS OVERCOME ODDS TO WIN IT FOR DEXTER

Dolphins go 3-3 in second week of baseball action

When the Key West community needed them most last weekend, the Conchs pulled through on the diamond.

Key West played three games last week, starting off with a road win over NSU University School on Feb. 27. The Conchs needed an extra inning to defeat the Sharks, but racked up 13 hits in the win. Roman Garcia earned some extra bases with 4 total. The freshman’s bat came alive with a pair each of singles and doubles. Nelson Ong had 3 hits and Sam Holland and Jose Perdigon each had 2. Xavier Perez and Steel Mientkiewicz accounted for the final 2 hits. Jacob Burnham got the start and struck out 4 over 3 innings. Anthony Lariz, Felix Ong and Christian Koppal all pitched in to finish off the Sharks in the 3-2 win.

On March 1, the Conchs were back at home, hosting Spanish River High School. A trio of errors cost the Conchs dearly in the 5-2 loss. Noah Burnham, Jacob Burnham, Nelson Ong, Perez and Perdigon each had a base hit. Jacob Burnham started on the mound, striking out 6 in 6 innings, and Christian Koppal finished the game.

The following morning, the Coconut Telegraph was abuzz with the tragic news that Key West had lost one of its own. The accident that took Dexter Butler’s life robbed his family and the entire community of one of the kindest, most dedicated souls the island has known. Butler’s legacy was larger than life and he shouldered it with unassuming ease. He owns a spot in the top 10 greatest hitters to ever stand at the plate in a Conchs uniform and owns the school record for career batting average.

While school officials debated whether to cancel the

Marathon and Ransom Everglades, frequent playoff foes throughout the last few years, duke it out in an early-season matchup on March 1. After trading leads for the first few innings, the Dolphins pulled away for an 8-4 win. Photos by BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly. See more game photos at keysweekly.com.

game, it wasn’t even a question for many of those who knew and loved Dexter and supported his family. The game was important, not for a team whose quest for a historic 12th state title was on the line, but for a grieving community with no idea what to do next. So they did what Conchs do: With the blessing of Butler’s family, who were consulted before the game, the island poured into the Rex Weech complex to watch the Conchs play for redemption against Spanish River, for a shot to stay alive in the title hunt and for a much-needed reprieve from the grief of the entire community.

Prior to the game, longtime Conchs radio announcer and Key West sports fixture Judd Wise was asked how he was going to be able to call the game. Wise, who, like so many other community members, is close to the Butler family, answered, “Very quietly.” During the game, Wise was, indeed, much quieter than usual.

Anthony Lariz started on the mound for Key West, tasked with the impossible. “Anthony Lariz pitched the game of his life,” Wise said. Lariz threw a total of 107 pitches, just three shy of the limit which would have retired him to the dugout and necessitated a reliever. He fanned 10 batters over 7 innings, walking 2 and allowing 6 hits. The team combined for a total of 5 hits, 2 from Garcia and 1 each from Lariz, Sam Holland and Perdigon, who doubled. Down by 2 in the first inning, the Conchs somehow held their composure and battled back one play at a time to win for Butler, his family and every proud Conch fan. The 3-2 score did not reflect the enormity of the night.

“The boys played their hearts out,” said Wise, “and we forgot about life for a while. For about two-and-a-half hours we cheered, roared and played. The win was for coach Butler. He was there cheering with us as you can feel it. We needed this.”

Marathon added three wins to its record last week, bringing the Fins to 5-1 on the season. The first game was Feb. 26 against district matchup Somerset South Homestead, in which Marathon racked up 10 runs with just 3 hits. Leo

Mendez, Tommy Norris and Gabe Leal all singled in the abbreviated five-inning game. Gabe Leal pitched all 5 innings, striking out 9 and allowing just 3 hits and no walks in the 10-0 mercyrule win.

On Leap Day, Marathon played Downtown Doral to another shortened game, winning 17-7 in 6 innings. Marathon’s bats were ablaze with 16 hits, including 4 from Mason Thornton. Dylan Ziels and Gabe Leal had 3 hits each, with Ziels reaching base 5 times for a perfect on-base percentage. Gavin Leal and Mendez had 2 hits each and Norris and Aidan Gonzalez added the final 2 hits for the Fins. Marathon was busy rounding the bases, with a dozen walks and 4 batters hit by pitches. Gavin Leal and Thornton paired up on the mound for 5 strikeouts.

The Fins’ final game of the week came on March 1 against Ransom Everglades. Marathon had just 4 hits, with 2 from Jack Chapman. Thornton added a double and Gavin Leal accounted for the final Dolphin hit. Three batters hit by pitches and 13 walks helped the Fins add points while Ziels effectively retired the other side inning by inning until he hit the top of his pitch count. Ziels fanned 9 in 6 innings and handed the ball to Gabe Leal, who closed out the game in three-up, three-down fashion.

Coral Shores split its games last week, losing to Dade Christian at home on Feb. 26, then beating Somerset Silver Palms in a home matchup on March 1. The Hurricanes registered 8 hits against Dade Christian, with 2 apiece from Campbell Lavoie, AJ Putetti and Eddie Holly. Maykol Bonito-Rodriguez was good for 1 base hit and Benjamin Friedman added an extra base with a double. The ’Canes worked through four pitchers in their loss against the Crusaders. Tate Brumbalow started on the mound and spanned 3 innings. When he retired to the dugout, the Hurricanes were ahead 3-0. Dade Christian broke things open in inning four and slowly pulled away in the next 3 innings to defeat Coral Shores 9-4.

Things were a little different on Friday night, when the visiting Somerset Academy Silver Palms team struggled against the pitching of Donovan Thiery and Lavoie, who combined on the mound for 13 strikeouts. The ’Canes’ bats were good for 8 hits, with 2 coming from Lavoie. Friedman had his second double of the week with the other base hits, all singles, coming from Thiery, Riley O’Berry, Michael Snyder and Grady Temkin. The ’Canes won the district game 3-2, evening their record to 2-2.

KEY WEST’S RALPH RICHE MEDALS AT STATES

Senior claims fifth place at Kissimmee

Four Conchs traveled to Kissimmee for the FHSAA 1A State Wrestling Championships. Sheyla Figueira, Abram Canet, Dostmukhammad Bakhtiyorov and Ralph Riche represented the Southernmost City at the event, each qualifying for a chance to win a state title by placing in the top four at regionals. One wrestler battled his way through the brackets to the medal round.

Riche entered the event seeded ninth. The 285-lb. senior was not new to the state championship arena, nor to the medal podium – Riche brought home a fifth-place medal last year competing in the 220-lb. category. Riche grappled his way into the history books, winning a second fifth-place medal, this time in the heavyweight category.

“After a tough first match at states, Ralph was able to fight back and take fifth place. His ability to win match after match after coming up short early in the tournament shows his determination and resilience,” said Key West athletic director Justin Martin. “He has grown into a strong leader and the embodiment of Conch Pride. We are beyond proud of him.”

Coach Chaz Jimenez echoed Martin’s sentiments. “Ralph is the type of kid that coaches love to coach,” he said. “His grit and determination sets him apart and is what will make him a success in life. I’m truly blessed to have coached such a great young man.”

Former Conch Ailee Briggs, who was part of Key West’s inaugural girls program last season, won silver in a crimsonand-gray singlet in 2023. This year, the sophomore wrestled for Lemon Bay and won the state championship in the 135-lb. category.

Conch senior Ralph Riche, left, shows off his fifth-place medal at the 2024 Florida state wrestling championships with coach Chaz Jimenez. CONTRIBUTED

LADY FINS RANKED #1 IN 2A

Marathon remains unbeaten in regular-season play

Marathon had no problems hanging on to its perfect record last week. The Fins improved to 4-0 after a pair of wins, starting with Lourdes Academy on Feb. 28. Allison Garcia struck out a dozen batters over 7 innings and managed to log 3 hits offensively, including a double. Sara Robinson earned 3 hits of her own, while Elena Eubank and Madelyn Thornton each had 2. Maeve Merryman, Shynell McGuire and Daniela Gonzalez accounted for the remainder of Marathon’s hits.

On March 1, Marathon sent the visiting Raiders of Ransom Everglades home early in a 15-0 mercy-rule stomping. Eubank added another 3 hits to her stats. Robinson had 2 hits with Thornton, McGuire and Ryleigh Garcia driving a hit apiece. Allison Garcia struck out 11 of 15 batters faced over 4 innings, allowing no hits and just 2 walks. Marathon’s success out of the gates this season allowed its ranking to rocket to No. 1 in 2A across Florida. The Fins are batting .396 as a team with a .508 on-base percentage to help boost their wins as well as their ranking.

The Hurricanes had no games on the schedule last week. Coral Shores will play its home opener Thursday, March 7 against Colonial Christian. The Lady Conchs did not see any game action last week, either. Their schedule included Mater Lakes Academy on March 2, which was canceled. Next up for Key West is a doubleheader against John Carroll Catholic, set to be played in The Backyard on Saturday, March 9 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Lady Fins complete a 15-0 thrashing of Ransom Everglades on March 1. Buoyed by an unbeaten record through the first four games of the season, Marathon softball is ranked as the top 2A team in the state at press time. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly. See more game photos at keysweekly.com.

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

WHEATON’S SERVICE CENTER

gives notice that on 3/29/2024 at 10:00 AM, the following vehicle(s) may be sold by public sale at 101500 OVERSEAS HWY, KEY LARGO, FL 33037 to satisfy the lien for the amount owed on each vehicle for any recovery, towing, or storage services charges and administrative fees allowed pursuant to Florida statute 713.78. Wheaton’s Service Center reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.

1ZVBP8AMXD5259346 2013

FORD

3GNAXJEV9LS672069 2020

CHEV

3GNFK16308G173009 2008

CHEV

3N1BC13EX9L414547 2009 NISS

JN8AS5MV4BW673122 2011

NISS

JTLZE4FE3CJ028591 2012 TOYT

KM8R5DHE3LU036063 2020

HYUN

WBABN33402JW60768 2002

BMW Publish: March 7 & 14, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

DISTRICT II ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC II)

(From the City Limits of Key West to the West End of the Seven Mile Bridge) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

has an opening for a TOURIST RELATED BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE - Shall be persons involved in business which is interdependent upon the tourist industry who have demonstrated an interest in tourist development but who shall not be employed in any position within the lodging industry (motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks, and other tourist accommodations and whose business is in the tax collection district for which they are applying.

Any person wishing to participate on the District II Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys.com.

Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys. com or may be sent via U.S. mail to the address below:

Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040

The deadline for receipt of application at the above address is 5:00 p.m. on Friday April 5, 2024. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: March 7, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

DISTRICT III ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC III)

From the West End of the Seven Mile Bridge to the Long Key Bridge) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Has an opening for an “At Large” representative - Any resident who is not directly involved in a tourism business and who shall represent the general public and shall live or work within the tax collection district for which they are applying (The operative word within this description is directly. This word means someone who is not in business, nor whose business or economic activity are dependent upon tourists)

Any person wishing to participate on the District III Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys.com.

Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys. com or may be sent via U.S. mail

to the address below:

Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102

Key West, FL 33040

The deadline for receipt of application at the above address is 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 28, 2024. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: March 7, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, THAT THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH WILL BE HOLDING

PUBLIC HEARINGS ON:

DATE/TIME:

Planning & Zoning Hearing:

Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 9:30 A.M.

City Commission Public Hearing:

Thursday, April 18, 2024, 9:30 A.M.

LOCATION:

City of Key Colony Beach Temporary Meeting Place at the Key Colony Inn Banquet Room, 700 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051, to hear a Request from China Beach USA, LLC, owners of the property located at 1000 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051. This meeting will be available virtually via Zoom Meetings. Members of the public who wish to attend virtually may email cityclerk@ keycolonybeach.net or call 305-289-1212, Ext. 2 for further instructions on attending via Zoom Meetings. Applicant requests an architectural review in accordance with the City of Key Colony Beach Land Development Code Sections 101-28, 101-12(8) and the City of Key Colony Beach Code of Ordinances Ch. 6, Section 6-3(2) (b)2 to allow a new, two-story standalone single-family residence with a zero lot line setback to the neighboring property to the north. Interested parties may attend the Hearing and be heard with respect to the requested architectural review. If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission of the City of Key Colony Beach with respect to any matter considered at the Architectural Review Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

If you are unable to attend the Hearings on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, or Thursday, April 18, 2024, but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051, or cityclerk@ keycolonybeach.net and your comments will be entered into the record.

Published: On or before March 11th, 2024 City Clerk, City of Key Colony Beach Publish: March 7, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on March 20, 2024, 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 OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 18-27

OF THE MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, ENTITLED “RULES OF CONDUCT AND OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN PARKS” TO INCLUDE PARK HOURS FOR HARRY HARRIS PARK, BLUE HERON PARK, AND PINE CHANNEL PARK AND MODIFICATION TO THE HOURS AT BAY POINT PARK, BIG COPPITT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT PARK, FRIENDSHIP PARK, KEY LARGO COMMUNITY PARK, BIG PINE KEY PARK, AND MURRAY E. NELSON GOVERNMENT CENTER PARK AND CODIFYING THE CREATION OF THE PINE CHANNEL NATURE PARK AND BLUE HERON PARK; BY AMENDING CHAPTER 18, ARTICLE II, BY THE ADDITION OF SECTION 18-31 TO INCLUDE A SECTION ON CONDUCT SPECIFIC TO THE PINE CHANNEL NATURE PARK FOR PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AND REGULATIONS AND PARK HOURS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION INTO THE MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The proposed ordinance may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by viewing the agenda packet for the March 20, 2024 meeting, which will be posted beginning on March 8, 2024, 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 March 20, 2024 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) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30a.m.—5:00p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voiceimpaired, 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 1st day of March, 2024.

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

Publish: March 7 , 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on March 20, 2024, 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 OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 5-21 OF THE MONROE COUNTY CODE; AMENDING WHERE AIRCRAFT CAN BE LEGALLY

PARKED; REGULATING THE USE OF AIRPORT APRONS; REQUIRING UNATTENDED AIRCRAFT BE PROPERLY SECURED; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION INTO THE MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

The proposed ordinance may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by viewing the agenda packet for the March 20, 2024 meeting, which will be posted beginning on March 8, 2024, 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 March 20, 2024 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) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30a.m.—5:00p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voiceimpaired, 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 28th day of February, 2024.

KEVIN MADOK, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Ex Officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida Publish: March 7, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on March 20, 2024, 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 OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 5-22 OF THE MONROE COUNTY CODE; AMENDING WHERE AIRCRAFT RUNUPS CAN BE CONDUCTED; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION INTO THE MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

The proposed ordinance may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by viewing the agenda packet for the March 20, 2024 meeting, which will be posted beginning on March 8, 2024, 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 March 20, 2024 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) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30a.m.—5:00p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voiceimpaired, 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 28th day of February, 2024.

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

March 7, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER

ADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on March 20, 2024, 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 OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING SECTION 4-82 OF THE MONROE COUNTY CODE; SETTING FORTH REGULATIONS FOR ANIMALS AT THE KEY WEST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION INTO THE MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

The proposed ordinance may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by viewing the agenda packet for the March 20, 2024 meeting, which will be posted beginning on March 8, 2024, 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 March 20, 2024 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) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30a.m.—5:00p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voiceimpaired, 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 28th day of February, 2024.

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

Publish: March 7, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

The Pigeon Key Foundation is seeking bids on the ada ramp installation project. Interested parties should email pigeonkey@aol. com for details related to bids and the project with the subject line ADA RAMP INSTALLATION PROJECT.

Publish: March 7, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

The Pigeon Key Foundation is seeking bids on the shed / paint foreman re roof project. Interested parties should email pigeonkey@aol. com for details related to bids and the project with the subject line SHED/ ASST. PAINT FOREMAN RE ROOF.

Publish: March 7, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

Key West Noise Insulation Program (NIP) Construction Project, Group 1, up to 14 Homes Monroe County, Florida Pursuant to F.S. § 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from the County’s electronic bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl. bonfirehub.com OR www. monroecounty-fl.gov/ BonfireBids. The Public Record is available upon request.

Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform. Please do not email, mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Emailed/mailed/physically delivered bids/proposals/ responses WILL NOT be accepted.

The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform at https:// monroecounty-fl.bonfirehub. com, no later than 3:00P.M. on April 18, 2024. There is no cost to the bidder to use the Bonfire platform. Please do not submit your confidential financial information as part of your proposal. There are separate uploads for each set of documents, including confidential financial information. All proposals will be made public on the platform after an intended decision or 30 days, whichever is earlier, unless the bids/proposals are rejected in accordance with F.S. 119.071.

If your proposal document includes financial information, that information will not be considered confidential and will be available and viewable to the

LEGAL NOTICES

public in accordance with public records law.

The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on Thursday, April 18, 2024. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156

Meeting ID: 4509326156

One tap mobile:

+16465189805,, 4509326156# US (New York)

+16699006833,, 4509326156# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location:

+1 646 518 9805 US (New York)

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

Publish: March 7, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF ACTION

RE: THE CALOOSA

COVE RESORT OWNERS

ASSOCIATION, INC

MONROE County, Florida

Non-Judicial Timeshare foreclosure process

TO:

Unit Owner(s)

Last Known Address

Unit/Week(s):

Amount due:

Baron Fry

2595 Edenville Path

The Villages, FL 32162 204/42

$4,450.88

Brenda Bashaw

3089 Newburgh Street

Port Charlotte, FL 33952 126/35

$2,562.11

126/36

$2,562.11

Charles McClure 5087 Raintree Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15236 215/42

$3,537.26

Edward Lutz

The Estate of Edward Lutz

All heirs and devisees of the Estate of Edward Lutz

Mary Lutz

The Estate of Mary Lutz

All heirs and devisees of the Estate of Mary Lutz

615 Mazur Avenue Paramis, NJ 07652

227/07

$3,160.11

224/10

$3,160.11

227/08

$3,160.11

220/24

$3,160.11

224/09

$3,160.11

Forrest McGinley 204 East Cypress Avenue Howey In The Hills, FL 34737 222/32

$4,311.36

Gary Iverson 334 French Road Onalaska, WI 54650 204/46

$3,537.26

Jerald Torano 1105 Carraway Street Tallahassee, FL 32508

227/25

$4,139.64

Judith Hagopian 7420 Cedar Avenue Tacoma Park, MD 20912 124/50

$2,562.11

Kathy Gates-Mason 17360 Warrior Drive Howard City, MI 49329

218/49

$3,537.26

Linda Asta 2 Loon Lane Placida, FL 33946

210/18

$3,161.11

Moody Manor, Inc 7150 Holatee Trail Ft Lauderdale, FL 33330

206/20

$3,160.11

Sherry Taylor

4701 NW 45th Court Tamarac, FL 33319-3669

227/40

$3,537.26

Steven Sebby 201 Leisure Street Yorkville, IL 60560 215/50

$2,562.11

William Distaso 553 Tennant Road Manalapan, NJ 07726 224/18

$3,160.11

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED

of an action for non-judicial foreclosure of timeshare units on the Claim of Lien on the following described real property, located in MONROE County, Florida, to-wit:

Those certain Unit Numbers and Weeks as set forth above in CALOOSA COVE RESORT, a Condominium, according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof, recorded in Official Records Book 827, Page 2050, of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida and all amendments and exhibits thereto, together with an undivided share in the common elements appurtenant thereto. has been filed against you. If you fail to cure the default as set forth in this notice or take other appropriate action with regard to this foreclosure matter, you risk losing ownership of your timeshare interest through the trustee foreclosure procedure established in Section 721.855, Florida Statutes. You may choose to sign and send to the trustee an objection form, exercising your right to object to the use of the trustee foreclosure procedure.

If you would like an Objection form, you should contact the undersigned Trustee, Thomas L Avrutis, Esquire, in writing.

Upon the trustee’s receipt of you signed objection form, the foreclosure of the lien with respect to the default specified in this notice shall be subject to the judicial foreclosure procedure only. You have the right to cure your default in the manner set forth in this notice at any time before the trustee’s sale of your timeshare interest.

Objections must be made in writing to:

Thomas L Avrutis, Esquire TRUSTEE FOR THE CALOOSA COVE RESORT OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. 201 Fletcher Avenue, Second Floor Sarasota, FL 34236

within 30 days of the first date of publication of this Notice.

If you do not object to the use of the trustee foreclosure procedure, you will not be subject to a deficiency judgment even if the proceeds from the sale of your timeshare interest are insufficient to offset the amounts secured by the lien.

DATED this 20th day of FEBRUARY, 2024.

Thomas L Avrutis, Esquire, TRUSTEE TRUSTEE for THE CALOOSA

COVE RESORT OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC

Publish: February 29 & March 7, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

CASE NO.: 24-DR-194-K KALAMKAS AKHMETOVA

Wife, and, ANDRE WILLIAM WALTERS

Husband.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

TO: ANDRE WILLIAM WALTERS

2213 STAPLES AVENUE

KEY WEST, FL 33040

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Kalamkas Akhmetova, whose address is Law Office of Wayne Dapser, 300 Southard Street, Suite 208, Key West, FL 33040 on or before April 6, 2024, 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. 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 Notice of Current Address, Florida Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed to the address 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: March 4, 2024

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

By: Destiny Johnson

Deputy Clerk

Publish: March 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

CASE NO.: 23-CP-000145-P

IN RE: ESTATE OF WILLIAM SCOTT NORMAN, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of WILLIAM SCOTT NORMAN, deceased, whose date of death was September 11, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN 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: March 7, 2024.

Personal Representative: BRETT SCOTT NORMAN 80 Flicker St. Memphis, TN 38104

Attorney for Personal Representative: VICTORIA MIRANDA, ESQ.

Florida Bar No. 1015363

HERSHOFF, LUPINO & YAGEL, LLP 88539 Overseas Highway

Tavernier, FL 33070

E-Mail: VMiranda@HLYlaw.com

Publish: March 7 & 14, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

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

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 2024-CP-000078-K

IN RE: ESTATE OF IRIS S. OSBORN

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the Estate of IRIS S. OSBORN, deceased, whose date of death was April 18, 2022, 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: March 7, 2024.

Personal Representative:

Lawrance L. Osborn 69 Main Street, Wainscott East Hampton Town, New York 11975

Attorney for Personal Representative:

Laura Lavie, Esq. Attorney

Florida Bar Number: 534080

LAURA LAVIE, P.A. 20700 West Dixie Highway Aventura, FL 33180 (305) 407-1696

laura@lavielaw.com

Publish: March 7 & 14, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

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

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 22-CP-27-M

IN RE: ESTATE OF JONATHAN A. PAUL,

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Jonathan A. Paul, deceased, whose date of death was September 11, 2021, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. The names and addresses of the personal 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 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: March 7, 2024.

Personal Representative:

Gina Jensen 351 43rd Street

Marathon, FL 33050

Attorney for Personal Representative:

James J. Dorl, Esq.

Florida Bar No. 618403 JAMES J. DORL, P.A.

First Professional Centre 5701 Overseas Highway, Suite

12 Marathon, FL 33050

Telephone: (305) 743-6565

Email: jjdorl@yahoo.com

Publish:

March 7 & 14, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 24-CP-000084-P

IN RE: ESTATE OF ROBERT G. THOMSON

Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the Estate of ROBERT G. THOMSON, deceased, whose date of death was November 17, 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, Florida 33070.

The names and addresses of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against Decedent’s Estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against Decedent’s Estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN

THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH

IN 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: March 7, 2024.

Personal Representative: LYNNE P. THOMSON, Petitioner

15 West Snapper Point Drive Key Largo, FL 33037

Attorneys for Personal

Representative: ALEXANDER NOSTRO

Florida Bar Number: 115548

JOHN C. MORAN

Florida Bar Number: 505072

GUNSTER YOAKLEY & STEWART,

PA

Brickell World Plaza

600 Brickell Avenue, Ste. 3500

Miami, Florida 33131

Telephone: (305) 376-6074

Fax: (786) 425-4076

E-Mail: anostro@gunster.com jmoran@gunster.com;

Secondary E-Mail: mrichards@ gunster.com;

LEGAL NOTICES

eservice@gunster.com Publish:

March 7 & 14, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

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

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 24-CP-62-M IN RE: ESTATE OF REBECCA BOOMGAARD, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Rebecca Boomgaard deceased, whose date of death was December 2, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. The names and addresses of the personal 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 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: March 7, 2024. Signed on 3-1-24.

Personal Representative: Dona Hoffman 428 80th Street Marathon, FL 33050

Attorney for Personal

Representative:

James J. Dorl, Esq. Florida Bar No. 618403

JAMES J. DORL, P.A.

First Professional Centre 5701 Overseas Highway, Suite 12 Marathon, FL 33050

Telephone: (305) 743-6565

Email: jjdorl@yahoo.com

Publish: March 7 & 14, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 24-CP-101-P IN RE: ESTATE OF LUCINDA L. STAVELY, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of LUCINDA L. STAVELY, deceased, whose date of death was January 24, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Ste. 2, Tavernier, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate 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: March 7, 2024.

Personal Representative: ROBERT STAVELY 96000 Overseas Hwy, APT E1

Key Largo, FL 33037

Attorney for Personal Representative: VICTORIA MIRANDA, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 1015363 HERSHOFF, LUPINO & YAGEL, LLP 88539 Overseas Highway Tavernier, FL 33070 E-Mail: VMiranda@HLYlaw.com

Publish: March 7 & 14, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

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

DIVISION: PROBATE

FILE NO.: 2024-CP-69-M

IN RE: ESTATE OF SUSAN SARI MYERS Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Susan Sari Myers, deceased, whose date of death was May 20, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050. 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 February 29, 2024.

The date of the second publication of this notice is March 7, 2024.

Personal Representative:

Jerry A. Myers

4284 Calkins Road Flint, MI 48532

Attorney for Personal

Representative:

Anthony J. Barrows

Attorney for Jerry A. Myers

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:

February 29 & March 7, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 24-CP-79-K

DIVISION: LOWER KEYS

IN RE: ESTATE OF DONNA L. KING AKA

DONNA VIERLING KING

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Donna L. King aka Donna Vierling King, deceased, whose date of death was February 4, 2024, 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: February 29, 2024.

Personal Representative:

Matthew L. Campton 604 Riverview

Flagler Beach, Florida 32136

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: February 29 & March 7, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

AUTOS

AUTOS ALL YEARS!

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

BIKES FOR SALE

Never used: 26" bike

Hilltopper Horizon 36 volt conversion kit, thus 20 m.p.h. ++ Compare @ 899 + tax, offered @ $450 obo. Call Peter @ 305 741 7422.

BOATS FOR SALE

1986 SeaRay 268

Sundancer - Live aboard, furnished, on trailer at Grassy Key Marina, Marathon. $8,000 Call Ben at 712-790-1333

Fly N Fish Sailboat, 1981, 36' diesel, low mileage, one owner. Located in Marathon. $18,000 OBO. 305-709-7234

Place your BOAT FOR SALE ad here.

$25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

BOAT SLIP FOR RENT

Place your BOAT SLIP FOR RENT ad here.

$25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

CAMPING SITE

Camping site at marina available in Marathon. $30/day + misc. Free use of dingy & fishing on dock. 305-610-8002

EMPLOYMENT

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 13.5 hour shift (5:30pm-7am). DPMMR is a drug-free workplace. To apply, please send your resume to andreaw@dpmmr.org.

Hiring: Lead Gutter Installer - EXPERIENCE REQUIRED – valid Driver’s License - must be comfortable with heights - located in Tavernier. To apply, please call or text Jay 305-587-1581.

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

The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is now hiring for the following positions: Server, $10/hr + tips, 9:30am-7pm, Beach Shop Attendant, $18/ hr, 9:30am-5pm, and Part-time Office Clerk, $18/hr, Thu/Fri/Sat, 9:30am-7pm. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

Pigeon Key in Marathon is seeking a Customer Service Rep/ Ramp Attendant. to join our island team. Position includes greeting customers, giving information and taking admissions. Outgoing professionals can contact pigeonkey@aol.com for additional details.

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

Marathon Auto Air looking for Shop Help - full or part-time. Pay based on experience. Apply in person at 2525 Overseas Highway, Marathon. 305-289-9884

Fullers Insurance in Key West is looking for a customer service rep. or agent. Hours are 8-5 Mon-Fri. Paid holidays, vacation, and health insurance. Apply in person at 1432 Kennedy Drive, Key West, FL or email resumé to norman@ fullersinsurance.com.

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: PT Receptionist, Assistant to Director of Housing, Housing Assistant-Key West, Protective Service Aide, Housing ManagerMiddle Keys, HVAC Maintenance Mechanic, and Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker). 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.

Place your EMPLOYMENT ad here. $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844

HOBBIES/COLLECT PRIVATE COLLECTOR

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

Place your Hobbies/ Collectibles ad here. $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844.

HOUSING FOR RENT

ANNUAL RENTALKey Largo - 2BR/2BA Spacious Doublewide, 1400 sq ft modular on canal w/40’ dock, direct ocean access. Very nice community. $3,500/ month 786-258-3127

2BR/2BA Furnished Apartment in Key Largo. Top floor of conch house, full kitchen with new appliances, living room, covered deck, W/D on site, pets ok, NO SMOKING in unit. $2750/mo. incl. utilities. Background check and references required. Call Tim for more info 516.526.4820

HOUSING FOR RENT

Large One Bedroom Suite, Conch House, carpet, tile, appliances, available for rent in Marathon. $2,000/ month furnished, $1600/ month unfurnished includes electric, water, sewer, cable & internet. No Pets. 305-610-8002

Place your Housing For Rent ad here. $25.00/ week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844.

RV LOT FOR RENT

Large RV Lots for Rent in Marathon. Full hook up. Dry & Waterfront lots. $1300 - $1700/ month plus utilities. F/L/S 305-731-5042

Place your RV Lot For Rent ad here. $25.00/ week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844.

VACATION RENTAL

Key West House

For Rent - 28 day minimum. Recently renovated. 2 Units: 3BR/3BA or 2BR/2.5BA. 1 block to Schooner Wharf @ Historic Seaport. Starting $214/night. Sweet Caroline Seaport.com

VACATION RENTAL

WANTED

Senior Canadian couple, excellent tenants, seeks Keys vacation rental January to March 2025.Must have reliable internet, 3 bdrms, 2 bath, on or close to beach. Contact elaine@newmanarb. com or 416 618 4413

YARD SALES

Community-wide Yard Sale - Sat. March 9 from 8a-3p. Community of Port Antigua, MM 74.5 Individual yard sales throughout neighborhood.

Multi-Family Yard Sale - Sat. March 9 from 8am - 1pm. 144 Key Heights Drive on Plantation Key. Call 305-852-4773. Sales to benefit Key Largo Lutheran Church.

Place your YARD SALE ad here. $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

FULL-TIME POSITION POLICE OFFICER

The City of Key Colony Beach is accepting applications for a FULL-TIME Police Officer.

Applicants must posses a current Florida Certification as a police officer. Applicants will undergo a thorough background investigation, including drug screening, medical, polygraph and a psychological exam.

Salary: $60,000.

Full Health & Dental Insurance, 457 (b) Participation.

Email resume to:

Chief of Police at: chief@keycolonybeach.net

Or call for additional information: 305-289-1212 ext. 1

Preference in the selection of vacant positions will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of veterans. The Key Colony Beach Police Department is an EEO employer, drug-free and nicotine-free workplace.

CODE ENFORCEMENT & ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Reports: to City Clerk

The City of Key Colony Beach is accepting applications for Code Enforcement & Administrative Assistant. Position includes but is not limited to data entry, preparing letters, filing and organizational skills, front desk, answering multi-line phones, processing mail, administrative support to all Staff, ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with Commission, staff, and public, providing exceptional customer service.

Minimum High School graduate with two years of work experience in customer service and administrative support. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite. Applicants must possess strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

$49,000.00 - $52,000.00 Competitive Salary based on experience. Full benefits provided. Contact City Hall for an application at 305-289-1212, opt. 2. Applications are also available at www.keycolonybeach.net; see “City Government” then “Forms”. Submit applications in person, via email, or by mail to: cityadministrator@keycolonybeach.net, or

City of Key Colony Beach City Hall 600 West Ocean Drive PO Box 510141

Key Colony Beach, FL 33051

Attn: City Administrator

Equal Opportunity Employer. Open until filled.

KEYS AHEC COUNSELOR/EDUCATOR-KEY WEST

Key AHEC is seeking a Full Time Counselor to assist individuals in quitting tobacco through counseling, use of nicotine replacement therapies, and developing individual quit plans. Candidate must be comfortable with speaking to small groups, counseling patients and delivering health programs in a community setting.

Qualified candidate should have a counseling, health care, education and/or public health background as well as be comfortable with computer systems. Position o ers a highly competitive salary, health insurance, PTO and retirement plan. Bi-lingual is a plus.

KEYS AHEC DENTAL ASSISTANT/FRONT DESK-MARATHON

The Keys AHEC Health Center is looking for a Part-time dental assistant/front desk professional for its Children’s Dental Program. Candidates will work the front desk receiving/ scheduling/confirming patients as well as with patient care, based on experience.

Position is 2+ days per week (M & F) but may o er more days depending on program need and candidate’s availability to join the dental team on the Mobile Dental Unit. The Dental Unit visits schools Tues-Thurs on a rotating basis. Position will o ers a highly competitive salary. Bi-lingual is a plus.

Qualified applicants should email a resume and cover letter to Michael Cunningham, CEO at michael@keysahec.org

•

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

FT

for all phases of the operation of the Adult Day Training Program in accordance with The Agency for Persons with Disabilities and Medicaid Waiver minimum standards. This includes the worksites and contracts, personnel, and training programs. The Workshop Manager will maintain a close liaison with the Group Home Managers and Medical Staff in order to maintain program consistency. Bachelor’s degree required and 2 years’ experience in field required. Computer skills: moderate to advanced. FL driver’s

The

benefits and opportunities for advancement.

online at www. aa.com/212/opportunities

OPENINGS AVAILABLE

PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS

- Medical Assistant, Marathon, Orthopedics, Part Time

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- MC Multi-Modality Imag Tech, $20k Sign-on Bonus*

- Medical Technologist, Part Time

- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, $20k Sign-on Bonus*

- Pool Group Exercise Instructor, Per Diem

- Pool Physical Therapist, Per Diem

- Pool Yoga Instructor, Per Diem

- Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, $25k Sign-on Bonus*

- Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit, $15k Sign-on Bonus*

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- ED Team Coordinator

- First Cook, $5k Sign-on Bonus*

- MC Multi-Modality Imag Tech, $20k Sign-on Bonus*

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

- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, $20k Sign-on Bonus*

- Patient Care/Nursing House Supervisor, $15k Sign-on Bonus*

- Patient Experience Advocate

- Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care Center, $25k Sign-on Bonus*

- Registered Nurse, Post Anesthesia Care Unit, $15k Sign-on Bonus*

- Security Of cer

- Ortho Support Tech, Tavernier, Orthopedics, Part Time All

APPLY AND LEARN MORE

careers.baptisthealth.net or call 786-243-8507

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

KEY WEST

Peer Support Specialist

Prevention Specialist (any location)

) EEOC/DFWP

Volunteer Resources

Administrative Assistant (Full-Time, Permanent)

Facilities Maintenance Apprentice (Full-Time, Permanent)

Education Program Host (Full-Time, Permanent)

Staff Photographer (Full-Time, Part-Time, Seasonal)

Media & Marketing Assistant (Full-Time, Permanent)

Special Events Coordinator & Membership Liaison (Full-Time, Permanent)

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

Full job descriptions available at www.dolphins.org/career_opportunities

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

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

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