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3,667

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 of March 3, she had 3,685 points.

The biggest party in Marathon, with a stacked lineup of local musicians including I-Land Vibe, is set to take over Marathon Community Park this weekend for the 48th Original Marathon Seafood Festival. See below. SANDRA

LEE PHOTOGRAPHY/Keys Weekly

THE BIGGEST PARTY IN MARATHON IS BACK

48th Original Marathon Seafood Festival is this weekend

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

In just two more days, it’s time for a weekend of seafood, music and friends – plus a few beers – at the 48th Original Marathon Seafood Festival, set to pack the Marathon Community Park with locals and visitors alike this Saturday and Sunday.

Volunteers and sponsors, along with those who prepare the timetested recipes with the bounty from the sea, are the lifeblood of the festival each year. And just as important as the food on the plates is the “recipe” perfected by the Marathon Chamber of Commerce and Organized Fishermen of Florida for nearly half a century: icecold drinks, some of the best live music from South Florida to Key West, a plethora of vendors as diverse as they are talented, and a chance to celebrate our community with an event that puts Marathon on the map for travelers far and wide.

As always, visitors should eat, drink and be merry guilt-free – it’s all for a good cause, as proceeds from the festival go to fund education programs and scholarships given to MHS seniors by the Chamber and O.F.F.

So pull up a chair, drink up, chow down. We can’t wait to see you at the festival.

THE DETAILS:

Saturday, March 9 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday, March 10 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

@ Marathon Community Park

$5 admission. Kids 12 and under are free with a paying adult. Admission is free on Sunday for those who present a military ID.

PARKING

Stanley Switlik Elementary, 3400 Overseas Hwy. and neighboring lots wherever you can find it! Handicapped parking available inside the park. Free parking is also available at the old Kmart parking lot at 5561 Overseas Hwy., with transportation to the festival provided by Island Trolley Tours. $5 per person buys an all-day pass on the trolley.

THE FOOD

Florida lobster · stone crab · mahi-mahi · oysters · shrimp · conch fritters · crab cakes · smoked fish dip · conch salad · lobster cakes · burgers · hot dogs · sausages

THE MUSIC

Saturday: John Bartus & Adrienne Z, 11 a.m. · The Lady A Blues Band, 1 p.m. · I-Land Vibe, 3 p.m. · The Marshall Morlock Band, 5 p.m. · The Red Elvises, 7 p.m.

Sunday: Brian Roberts, 11 a.m. · AJ & Southern Stampede, 1 p.m. · Havoc 305, 3 p.m.

EYES TO THE SKY

Saturday patrons at the Fest will get an extra treat, as two U.S. Navy F-5N Tiger II jets from Fighter Squadron Composite VFC-111, known as the “Sun Downers,” are to perform a flyover at 1 p.m. VFC-111 is the Navy’s premier adversary squadron based at Naval Air Station Key West on Boca Chica Key.

REMEMBERING BENNETT

Around the time of the Sun Downers’ flyover on Saturday, festival organizers will pay tribute to Bennett Orr, local legend and one of the driving forces behind the inception of the Original Marathon Seafood Festival. Learn more about Orr and his impact on Marathon, in the words of those who knew him best, in this year’s official Seafood Festival guide.

GET THE GUIDE:

Visit keysweekly. com and click on the magazines tab, or scan the code below, to browse the official Marathon Seafood Festival guide, with a full rundown of vendors, music, scholarship recipients, and, well ... everything else you might want to know.

KCB TURNS 67

Hundreds flock to 7th Street for 2024

Key Colony Beach Day

Beautiful weather greeted Key Colony Beach Day as the Keys’ second-smallest city celebrated its 67th “birthday” since incorporating in 1957 on March 3. Presented by the KCB Community Association, the day included longtime favorite features, such as the famed “Barracuda Races,” live music and plenty of art vendors, along with new and renewed elements, including the Florida Keys SPCA’s “Pooch Promenade,” city-wide transportation from Island Trolley Tours and a parade for the occasion.

1. Cars, vendors and food trucks pack the end of 7th Street in KCB for Key Colony Beach Day.

2. Hammer Runyon, left, John Bartus, Mike Puto, Patrick Stevens and Jason Koler help sling drinks at the Rotary Club of Marathon’s booth.

3. Speedy pilchards give it their all in the famous ‘Barracuda Races.’

4. Members of the U.S. Coast Guard color guard open the morning’s parade.

5. Key Colony Beach Mayor Joey Raspe, left, greets onlookers.

6-9 Contestants in the second ‘Pooch Promenade’ to benefit the Florida Keys SPCA strut their stuff for the judges.

Photos by BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly. See full event gallery at keysweekly.com.

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

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MEASLES OUTBREAK IN BROWARD A CAUSE FOR CONCERN

Local pediatrician urges vaccination

JIM McCARTHY 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.

“Broward County School District is prepared to provide continuous learning to all children at Manatee Bay Elementary School whose par-

Dr. Stan Zuba.

ents/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 McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is urging the legislature to 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 the Legislature during the State of the State on Jan. 9. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE/Contributed

ADOBE STOCK

BAPTIST PASTOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTED UNCONSCIOUS MINOR, MCSO SAYS

The Marathon man, 62, is out on $75K bond

Monte Chitty was arrested March 4, 2024, on charges of sexual battery of a minor. MCSO/Contributed

GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

A62-year-old Marathon pastor was arrested March 4 after Monroe County deputies said he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl after serving her alcohol.

Monte Lavelle Chitty, the pastor of the First Baptist Marathon church, was charged with two felonies – sexual assault and lewd or lascivious molestation – and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a misdemeanor.

Chitty walked out of the county jail the same day he was arrested, having posted a $75,000 bond. He couldn’t immediately be reached for comment and it was unclear whether he had legal representation.

Chitty was a registered volunteer with the sheriff’s office who offered his services as a pastor in April 2023.

“To date he has not performed any services for the office,” MCSO spokeswoman Becky Herrin said in a statement.

The case started with an anonymous call to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the sheriff’s office, the caller reported overhearing the girl tell an adult she had been raped. The girl then boarded a dinghy with an adult and headed out into the harbor.

As deputies started looking for the girl, a second call came in about

the report. It was Chitty, who said he believed he was about to be accused of something and wanted to “get ahead of it,” Herrin said.

Chitty told a sheriff’s communications officer that a young girl at his church had passed out on a couch in the church's library after drinking. He said he helped her to lie down on the couch but didn’t touch her.

Deputies found the girl, who told them Chitty gave her an alcoholic drink she now believes was spiked with something else. After she drank it, she said she immediately began to feel weak and lost consciousness.

“She said when she woke up, she found Chitty sexually molesting her,” Herrin said.

Detectives found text messages the girl and Chitty had exchanged on both of their phones.

“Chitty made reference to having sexual relations with the girl while she was impaired,” the sheriff’s office said. The texts include messages from Chitty’s phone talking about what he did to her sexually, a law enforcement source said.

Chitty, who lives in Marathon, is originally from New Caney, Texas, and has a master’s degree in religion, according to his Facebook page.

On March 6, his page was riddled with angry comments by people referring to his arrest.

Facebook users posted about the rape allegations in the comments beneath Chitty’s own posts that include memes denouncing transgender people, immigrants and President Joe Biden. Chitty also shared posts with patriotic sentiments, support for the military and Christian beliefs.

“Jesus don’t like rapists,” one commenter wrote.

The church’s Facebook page includes livestreams of Chitty’s sermons and photos of him helping serve a Thanksgiving dinner for the needy in 2023. The video posts also have been targeted by commenters pointing out his arrest for sexual battery of a minor. An email sent to the church wasn’t immediately answered.

Sam Steele monroetaxcollector.com 305.295.5000

• 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

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 and 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.

Key West Little Conch Baseball page posted 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.

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

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-the-counter 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.”

LONG-TERM MANAGER CONTRACT PUTS CITY AT RISK

I was stunned when I learned that the city council was voting to approve Marathon’s proposed three-year city manager contract without an open discussion. The residents of Marathon are entitled to understand how council members feel about the job performance of our city manager, especially if they are approving a three-year contract.

Before I continue, I would like to clarify that this letter is not to criticize the performance of our current city manager. My comments here are addressing the process behind the contract renewal, not commenting one way or another on the individual currently in the post.

In today’s business and political world, it is commonplace to use longer-term contracts when recruiting for a key position like a city manager. However, after the initial period, it is also commonplace that the individual hired becomes either an “at-will employee” or receives a one-year contract when the longer-term contract expires.

The estimated value of the three-year city manager contract approved by the council (four voted in favor, one against), all in, could be valued at more than one million dollars, with a salary, annual raises, bonuses, vacation time, personal time off and other benefits included.

A current council member, who I am friendly with, pointed out the provision where our city manager can be terminated for cause and would only be entitled to receive a 22-week severance agreement That is a well thought out provision. However, in the real world, almost anyone who has a three-year contract and is terminated will lawyer up and litigate, which will lead to a settlement far greater than the 22-week severance agreement. If we eliminate longer-term contracts, most of the risks associated with employment contracts are eliminated.

The other issue was there was no discussion of the city manager’s performance, other than from councilman Matlock. I find this disturbing for the following reasons. Council members must abide by Florida’s Sunshine Laws, which means that council members can only meet to discuss the city’s business and job performance of their direct reports in an open, announced meeting or forum – such as council meetings and/or monthly workshop sessions – or some other form of an announced “executive” session.

To the best of my knowledge, there were not any such meetings where council publicly discussed the job performance of their direct reports, so when the four council members voted to approve the city manager’s three-year contract, according to the Sunshine Laws, they most likely approved the contract based solely on their own opinions. I believe this is wrong. Each member of council was voted into office to represent the people of Marathon, and therefore I believe each member of council should publicly give their thoughts on the job performance of each of the council’s direct reports. The electorate and our full-time residents deserve this.

Finally, it is time for the council to openly discuss what they expect from Marathon’s city manager. This should include a detailed plan for the city manager, including his or her individual goals, what they need to accomplish, and what the city manager’s direct reports need to accomplish for each to be evaluated as to their overall performance, especially for annual raises and/or annual bonuses or special payments. Once this has been completed, the council can have an open discussion during a regularly scheduled meeting to discuss the performance of Marathon’s city manager.

Today, the political buzzword is “transparency.” If Marathon’s city council enacts the above procedures, then we will have true transparency.

Respectfully submitted,

James “Mike” Leonard

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YOUNG BUCS

Middle Keys sailors return from strong showing at Buccaneer Blast Regatta

JEN ALEXANDER www.keysweekly.com

On the morning of Feb. 3 at Islamorada’s Founders Park, a group of young Middle Keys sailors making their first foray into international competition were buzzing with anticipation. Eager to test their skills in the 15th annual Buccaneer Blast Regatta, they rigged their vessels and prepared to set sail.

The Marathon Yacht Club, through the Marathon Yacht Club Educational Foundation (MYCEF), sent a team of five young sailors to compete in the regatta’s "Green" class. Just over 200 young sailors, from ages 8 to 18, participated in the global event, with participating countries including Italy, France, the Philippines, Mexico, the United States and the territory of Puerto Rico. Representing the MYCEF team were youngsters Tanner and Jackson Snowden, Skylor Willis, Sophia Rodriguez and Alexsandra "Sasha" Garcia.

The race course featured a threemark loop leading to the finish line. In the opening race, Tanner Snowden dominated, leading 42 competitors to cross the finish line first. Although Snowden took the team out to an excellent start, weather conditions were less than ideal, and light winds forced the cancellation of most of the Feb. 3 races before tornado warnings and dangerous squalls canceled Sunday’s competitions.

“We were extremely proud of our team for their first time racing,” said Carolyn Shattuck, MYCEF board member. “They were not intimidated, did well on the starts, and none of our sailors were disqualified. Although none of our kids placed in the top 10, there were very cool pirate heads, skull heads and the like that were given away as prizes.”

The event and raffle all supported a fantastic cause: the Upper Keys Sailing Club's Mark Sorensen Youth Sailing Program. This program offers affordable, accessible and inclusive sailing camps and instruction for young people in the Upper Keys and south Miami-Dade, ensuring everyone has a chance to experience the joy of sailing.

More than 80 dedicated volunteers from the Upper Keys Sailing Club ensured a smooth-running Florida Keys regatta, all the way down to the age-appropriate prizes. Every participant received a memorable souvenir,

ranging from playful pirate heads and miniature ships in bottles to a bounty of "pieces of eight," ensuring each sailor departed with a piece of the regatta magic.

For more than a decade, Middle Keys Sailing, a program under the MYCEF, has ignited a passion for the sport in the hearts of young people in Marathon and beyond. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to fostering a fun and safe environment for the community on the water, with all funds raised going toward this mission.

Middle Keys Sailing offers affordable instruction to all local youth, with free options for those facing financial hardship. They extend their passion for the water to adults through sailing classes and even provide marine-related scholarships for teens and college students. Their partner organization, U.S. Sailing, complements their efforts by offering online sailing education accessible to everyone.

MYCEF prioritizes both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, fostering confidence and competence in its students. Their sailing courses, taught by U.S. Sailing-certified instructors for both youth and adults, emphasize environmental responsibility and integrate STEM and marine science components.

Young sailors can embark on their journey with summer youth courses, while adults can start their learning journey with online theory classes offered by U.S. Sailing. This online foundation prepares them for a diverse selection of sailing courses, where they can then step aboard with a professional instructor to solidify their practical skills.

“We are excited to offer yet another summer sailing program,” said Shattuck. “Our sailing and science program is a perfect combination for those summer campers looking to get out on the water but also learn about our local ecosystem. We are looking forward to offering this opportunity to children ages 7-16.”

For more information about MYCEF and to learn about summer opportunities, visit mycef.education.

1. Tanner Snowden opens competition on Feb. 3 with a strong start for Middle Keys sailing, beating out 41 other competitors to finish first in his first race of the day.

2. Middle Keys Sailing’s young team rigs their boats and preps for the trek to the water at Founders Park.

3. Skylor Willis finds time for a goofy moment before launching his boat.

4. Jackson Snowden waits to start the next race.

5. MYC’s youth sailors. Front row, from left: Skylor Willis, Jackson Snowden, Anthony Nagy. Back row, from left: Sophia Rodriguez, Jovanna Garcia, Alexsandra Garcia, Tanner Snowden. Not pictured: Aaron Hagar.

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LIVE

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

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TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME

Marathon Youth Club kicks off spring season with opening ceremonies

Young ballplayers filled Marathon Community Park on the morning of March 2 to officially kick off the Marathon Youth Club’s 2024 baseball and softball seasons with an opening ceremony. Led by emcee Jason Koler, the morning included an introduction of each team along with a first pitch from Marathon Mayor Robyn Still before teams took the field for scrimmages.

“The 2024 opening ceremonies exceeded all expectations,” said MYC board member Kerri Worthington. “A heartfelt thank-you extends to the players, parents, coaches and generous business sponsors whose contributions made this event truly outstanding. The atmosphere at the ball fields

1.

2-3. Dozens of children and families fill the park for opening day … and what’s

baseball without a trip to the concession stand?

4. DJ Trae Dae spins the tunes.

brimmed with excitement. … With such enthusiasm and support, there's no doubt that the season games ahead will be nothing short of spectacular.”

Team sponsors for the 2024 season include LJ’s Cafe, Small Town Marine, Reefside Construction, the Weekly Newspapers, Campbell Engineering Consultants, Marathon Lumber, Keys Car Wash, American Coastal Vacation Rentals, Marathon Seawall and Docks, Inc. and Marathon Garbage Service. Keys Computer Specialists will also serve as a general baseball and softball sponsor for the season, and thanks to the generosity of A.M. Electric/Sunmasters, baseball players will have access to a portable pitcher’s mound for years to come.

Freshly-uniformed teams line the field for a salute to Old Glory.

5. Marathon Mayor Robyn Still, left, MYC board member Kerri Worthington and Weekly publisher Jason Koler snag a photo with one of youth sports’ go-to men, Andre Garvey.

6. MYC board members Alicia Hrytzay, left, Kerri Worthington, Holli Harrington, Veronica Mir and Ryan Irwin are ready for the 2024 season. Photos by BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

ALEX

A PINDER ISLAND HOME

One of the Keys’ early pioneer families ran a farm

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.

& a schooner

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

FUNCTIONALLY CAFFEINATED WELLNESS

LET’S TALK ABOUT KETO…

Ithink every profession has this hazard to some degree. Tell people you are a lawyer, and you may find yourself getting invited for a social event more often to “pick your brain.” Tell people you are a “doctor” and watch out – you may be looking at a suspicious mole that hasn’t seen the sun in a decade before you can even tell the person you are, in fact, a dentist.

Tell people you are a nutrition coach, and watch as the people in your life explain why they have Doritos in their grocery cart and that they “don’t always eat like this” – or, after listening to a Joe Rogan podcast, that they decided that plants are dangerous to eat and eating only animal organs will sustain them while they are on the carnivore diet. Does organ meat contain a hell of a lot of nutrition? Yes. Can organ meat promote non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and bladder cancer? Also yes.

Nutrition misnomers, fad diets and uneducated podcasters have many people believing that this “all or nothing” approach to eating is the only way to lose weight. Since 90% of Americans pick diets for the goal of weight loss, I am going to stick with that desired outcome as an example. My least favorite and most asked about diet is the keto diet .

The ketogenic diet (KD) was introduced by modern physicians as a treatment for epilepsy in the 1920s. For two decades this therapy was widely used, but with the modern era of anti-epileptic drug treatment, its use declined dramatically. However, it remains one of the most popular fad diets. With “health” magazines, celebrity endorsements and KD food brands, the keto diet is a $9.7 billion dollar business – a business that preys on people looking to lose weight to hopefully become healthier.

The truth about keto

Beneath the surface lies a plethora of health risks that often go unnoticed or unaddressed. While proponents tout its effectiveness for weight loss, the keto diet's extreme restriction of carbohydrates and high intake of fats can have detrimental effects on long-term health.

JENNIFER BOLTZ HARVEY

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

By severely limiting carbohydrates, the keto diet restricts intake of many nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These foods are essential sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber, which are necessary for overall health and disease prevention. Prolonged adherence to the keto diet can lead to deficiencies in key nutrients like vitamin C, potassium and magnesium, increasing the risk of health problems such as weakened immune function, muscle cramps and electrolyte imbalances.

Despite claims that the keto diet can improve heart health by promoting weight loss and reducing blood sugar levels, research suggests that the high intake of saturated fats commonly associated with the diet may actually raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism found that long-term adherence to a ketogenic diet significantly increased levels of LDL cholesterol, the type of cholesterol linked to cardiovascular disease.

The keto diet's emphasis on high-fat foods can put stress on the kidneys, potentially leading to kidney stones and impaired kidney function. Ketones, byproducts of fat metabolism, can also acidify the urine, increasing the risk of kidney stone formation. A study published in the Journal of Child Neurology reported cases of kidney stones in children following a ketogenic diet for epilepsy treatment, highlighting the potential renal complications associated with this dietary approach.

The restrictive nature of the keto diet, with its strict limitations

on carbohydrate intake, can contribute to disordered eating patterns and unhealthy relationships with food. Individuals may develop feelings of guilt or anxiety surrounding food choices, leading to a cycle of restriction and binge eating. Moreover, the elimination of entire food groups can perpetuate a black-and-white mentality toward eating, making it difficult to maintain a balanced and sustainable approach to nutrition.

While the goal of the keto diet is to achieve a state of ketosis, where the body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates, prolonged or excessive ketosis can lead to a dangerous condition known as nutritional ketosis. This occurs when ketone levels in the blood become dangerously high, resulting in symptoms such as nausea, fatigue and confusion. In severe cases, nutritional ketosis can progress to ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication characterized by extremely high blood acidity levels.

In 2023, there were some 2,500 hospital stays in the United States directly related to complications from the keto diet, according to data from the National Institutes of Health. These hospitalizations underscore the importance of understanding the potential risks associated with this dietary approach.

So, while the keto diet may offer short-term weight loss benefits for some individuals, it's essential to weigh these potential benefits against the considerable risks to long-term health. Instead of resorting to extreme dietary measures, focusing on balanced nutrition and lifestyle habits remains the most effective and sustainable approach to promoting overall health and well-being.

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

In the Feb. 15 edition of the Marathon Weekly, captain Joel Brandenburg discussed fishing for yellow jacks in his column, including some discussion of the current world records for the species. I would like to correct what was written with more up-to-date information.

Capt. Joel stated that the current International Game Fish Association (IGFA) world record yellow jack was a 19-pound, 7-ounce fish caught by angler Peter Ernst in 2021. While that may have been a recordbreaking fish at the time, that catch was made in September 1985, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. It’s possible that the statement could have been made in error, as the online version of this 1985 article was updated in September 2021.

According to the IGFA website, the current world record fish is a 23-pound, 12-ounce fish caught off Duck Key on Nov. 19, 2013 by angler Douglas J. Pfeffer. This catch beat out a previous IGFA Florida state record yellow jack weighing 22 pounds, 9 ounces caught the same year aboard my boat with angler Stan Foltz.

Respectfully,

Captain

T.J. Yzenas Marathon, FL

Stanley Switlik Elementary School will host its 47th annual Career and Truck Day on Thursday, March 14 from 9 to 11 a.m. An annual staple at the school, the program helps students learn about the variety of career paths available to them right here in the Middle Keys community. The school is seeking additional businesses to participate this year. For more information or to sign up to participate, contact Switlik office manager Zoraida Roux at 305289-2490 x59303 or email zoraida. roux@keysschools.com. Pictured are Florida Highway Patrol troopers demonstrating the importance of seatbelts in a simulated vehicle rollover at the 2022 Career and Truck Day. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

SONGS & SEAFOOD

Great sounds for succulent eats

It’s the weekend we’ve all been waiting for — the Original Marathon Seafood Festival is back! The Chamber is excited … the fishermen are excited … the volunteers are excited … and the musicians are excited, too. (I should know.) We have a pretty incredible lineup of talent this year, and we are eager to hit the big Marathon Community Park amphitheater stage on March 9 and 10. Let’s start with the Saturday lineup:

SATURDAY, 11 a.m.: John Bartus & Adrienne Z. Singer/songwriters John Bartus and Adrienne Z bring their songs and talents together for the Seafood Festival. Both John and Adrienne have several album releases of original songs from which to draw material, with John’s new “After the Storm” CD and Adrienne’s “Chameleons” CD sure to provide material you’ll get to hear live. Plus, they are just as likely to pull out some Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks and Pink Floyd to keep the crowd satisfied.

SATURDAY, 1 p.m.: Original Lady A Band. Lady A, with her strong, earthy blues vocal style and harmonica playing, has carved a place all over Florida throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and now she has returned to her beloved Keys with talented guitarist Ric Arra ready for action. Blues, rock, soul — and don’t be surprised to hear Ric pull out some vintage Clapton!

SATURDAY, 3 p.m.: I-land Vibe. There are many bands in South Florida that claim to be reggae bands, because of the popularity of the Jamaican music form, but the members of I-Land Vibe prefer to think of the group as a Caribbean band, since reggae is not the only music from the islands. Get ready to dance to calypso, soca, ska and more! The island sounds are sure to be hot hot hot!

SATURDAY, 5 p.m.: Marshall Morlock Band. MMB is a Florida Keys local power trio that plays a wide variety of rock hits and original music. The band consists of Marshall Morlock, a prolific guitarist and singer raised here in the Keys. Scott Morlock, also known as “Marshall’s Dad,” plays bass, keyboard and sings simultaneously. Drummer Randy Stindt is a multi-talented musician, originally from Fresno, California. He completes the MMB trio with highpower, energetic drumming that keeps the entire crowd dancing all night long.

SATURDAY, 7 p.m.: Igor & Red Elvises. Your favorite band. Evolving over the years, Igor’s music has been labeled “Siberian Surf Rock,” and it contains humorous lyrics and grooves

JOHN BARTUS

that force his audience to dance. Over the past 20 years, Red Elvises have constantly toured all over the world with occasional breaks to record new music and to participate in film and television projects. They have performed for large festivals and private parties and have played on massive stages, such as 2005’s Live 8 benefit concert. No matter where they perform, Igor & Red Elvises always bring the party.

And now on to Sunday…

SUNDAY, 11 a.m.: Brian Roberts. Brian performs more than 300 gigs each year from Key West to Key Largo. A consummate performer with a huge list of cover songs, Brian continues to write original songs, such as “SemiTropical Reasons,” “Barefoot Balladeer” and “All Of This Way.” His music embodies a unique island-rock genre that draws from his diverse influences. It's a perfect blend of acoustic music and the island lifestyle. Show up early to discover why Brian is one of the busiest musicians in these islands.

SUNDAY, 1 p.m.: AJ & Southern Stampede. Homestead’s young AJ Gaytan leads his kick-ass band Southern Stampede into some rollicking Texas Blues, classic rock and funk and rocking originals. This soulful band features well-written and arranged originals — plus a variety of cover songs. AJ has big hair, and the band has a big sound that does the big hair justice! It’s a great reason to come back and enjoy Sunday at the Original Marathon Seafood Festival.

SUNDAY, 3 p.m.: Havoc 305. South Florida’s premier Top 40 cover band will be playing all your favorite hits spanning the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and today. This high-energy band is the perfect way to wrap up another great Seafood Festival.

Come for the seafood … stay for the music! See you this weekend!

— Catch John live Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing, Saturday at the Original Marathon Seafood Festival, and Sundays at the Skipjack Resort Tiki Bar. Find his music anywhere you download or stream your music. www.johnbartus. com • johnbartus.hearnow.com

SMALL PLANE CRASHES ON OCEAN REEF GOLF COURSE

Pilot airlifted to Miami hospital

GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

One man was injured on March 1 when the singleengine plane he was flying crashed into the Ocean Reef golf course while landing at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo

The 66-year-old pilot was taken to Jackson South Hospital by a Miami-Dade County rescue helicopter, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. He was in stable condition, a source familiar with the crash told Keys Weekly.

Per the flight tracker FlightAware, the plane left Pompano Beach around noon on March 1. The plane, a Cirrus SR-20, arrived at Ocean Reef less than 40 minutes later. The plane belongs to Baker Consulting LLC out of North Dakota.

The Florida Highway Patrol and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. FHP said the investigation has been turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

A small plane crashed at Ocean Reef Club’s golf course on March 1 MCSO/Contributed

Ocean Reef Club is an exclusive gated community in Key Largo with two 18-hole golf courses and a private airport. About a mile northeast of Key Largo, the airport’s runway is 4,456 feet long and 70 feet wide, according to the club.

— Jim McCarthy contributed to this report.

TANKER CATCHES FIRE IN KEY LARGO

Driver reported an explosion

Afuel tanker caught fire while traveling on U.S. 1 in Key Largo on March 3. According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the driver reported hearing an explosion just before the blaze. The driver subsequently pulled into the Speedway gas station at MM 99. The tanker then moved to a parking lot next to the gas station. Deputies quickly responded and evacuated the area. The fire was reported to the sheriff’s communications officers at 7:40 a.m. By 8:05 a.m., firefighters had extinguished the fire. MCSO/Contributed

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

City of Marathon City Council Agenda

9805 Overseas Hwy., Marathon

Tuesday, March 12, 2023 5:30 P.M.

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

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

City Council Items

* A. Approval of Minutes

* B. Approval of Keys100 16th Annual Race May 18-19, 2024

C. Recognition of James Malmquist’s 20 Year Anniversary with the City on March 1st and Recognition of Brian Shea’s 10 Year Anniversary with the City on March 3rd.

City Manager Report

* A. MCSO Marathon Substation Report

* B. Grants Update

* C. Building Report

* D. Park and Recreation Report

* E. Marathon Fire Rescue Report

* F. Marina Report

* G. Code Report

* H. Wastewater Utilities Report

* I. Public Works Report

J. Landscaping Contract Options

K Extension of Emergency Response /Debris Contracts

* L. Request to Use Community Park for Farm

Share Food Giveaway on April 13th from 10am until 1pm.

Quasi-Judicial Public Hearings

A. Resolution 2024-25, Consideration Of A Request

By Uphoff Investments LLC For A Conditional Use

Permit, Pursuant To Chapter 102, Article 13 Of The City Of Marathon Land Development Regulations (“The Code”) Entitled “Conditional Use Permits”, Authorizing The Development Of Twelve (12)

Residential Units And Accessory Structures; Located

At 12640 Overseas Highway Which Is Legally Described As Section 5 Township 66 Range 33 Fat

Deer Key Part Lots 1-2, Monroe County, Florida, Having Real Estate Numbers 00100260-000000.

Nearest Mile Marker 53.

E. Ordinance 2024-07, Amending Chapter 104, Article 1 (“General Provisions”) By Deleting A Portion Of Section 104.66 Titled “Wireless Services Facilities (“WSFS”)”; Specifically, Subsection G Part 4 To Comport With Modern Constitutional Constraints; Providing For The Repeal Of All Ordinances Or Parts Thereof Found To Be In Conflict; Providing For Severability; Providing For The Transmittal Of This Ordinance To The State Department Of Commerce After Final Adoption By The City Council; Providing For Inclusion In The Code Of Ordinances And Providing For An Effective Date.

F. Ordinance 2024-08, Amending Chapter 107, Article 13 (“Concurrency Management”) By Amending Section 107.113 Titled “Enforcement” To Clarify The Penalties; Providing For The Repeal Of All Ordinances Or Parts Thereof Found To Be In Conflict; Providing For Severability; Providing For The Transmittal Of This Ordinance To The State Department Of Commerce After Final Adoption By The City Council; Providing For Inclusion In The Code Of Ordinances And Providing For An Effective Date. Resolutions For Adoption

*A. Resolution 2024-26 Terminating Certified Secondary Meter Accounts That Have Refunds Of Less Than $75 Annually Or Are Non-Responsive After A Twelve-Month Period; And Providing For An Effective Date

*B Resolution 2024-27, Accepting The Ranking And Recommendation Of The City’s Evaluation Team In Response To An RFQ For Professional Consulting Services For Various Disciplines; Authorizing The City Manager Execute The Contracts With The Ranked Firms.; And Providing For An Effective Date.

Ordinances for First Public Hearing

A. Ordinance 2023-15 Amending Chapter 104 “Specific Use Regulations”, Article 1 “General Provisions”, Updating Section 104.25 “Hotels Or Motels”; Providing For The Repeal Of All Code

Provisions And Ordinances Inconsistent With This Ordinance; Providing For Severability; Providing For The Transmittal Of The Approved Ordinance To The State Land Planning Agency, Florida Commerce; Providing For Inclusion In The Code Of Ordinances, City Of Marathon, Florida; And Providing An Effective Date. (Tabled From January 9th Meeting)

B. Ordinance 2024-04, Creating Chapter 107, Article 15, “Lighting”; Providing Criteria For Both Residential And Commercial Lighting Standards; Amending Chapter 110 Definitions; Providing For Severability; Providing For The Repeal Of Conflicting Provisions; Providing For The Transmittal Of This Ordinance To The Department Of Commerce After Final Adoption By The City Council; And Providing For An Effective Date.

C. Ordinance 2024-05, Amending Chapter 103 “Zoning Districts,’ Article 3 “Use And Intensity Tables”, “Standards,” 103.15 “Standards”, And Chapter 110, “Definitions,” Article 3, “Defined Terms;” Modifying Accessory Structures And Accessory Uses; Providing For The Repeal Of All Code Provisions And Ordinances Inconsistent With This Ordinance; Providing For Severability; Providing For Inclusion In The Code Of Ordinances, City Of Marathon, Florida; And Providing An Effective Date.

D. Ordinance 2024-06, Amending Chapter 101, Article 3 (“Planning Commission”) By Amending Section 101.04 Titled “General” To Delete A Portion Regarding A Mailing List; Providing For The Repeal Of All Ordinances Or Parts Thereof Found To Be In Conflict; Providing For Severability; Providing For The Transmittal Of This Ordinance To The State Department Of Commerce After Final Adoption By The City Council; Providing For Inclusion In The Code Of Ordinances And Providing For An Effective Date.

C. Resolution 2024-28, Approving The Ranking And Allocations Of The Market Rate And Affordable Residential Building Permit Allocation System (RBPAS) For Period 2, Year 32 (January 14, 2024 To July 13, 2024); And Providing For An Effective Date.

*D. Resolution 2024-29, Approving A One Year Extension Of The Renewable Contract Agreement With Sarah Matthis To Provide Services To The City As A Public Information Officer; And Providing For An Effective Date.

*E. Resolution 2024-30 Approving A Grant Agreement With The Florida Department Of Environmental Protection For the Stormwater Injection Well Project Funding of $500,000; Authorizing The City Manager To Execute The Grant Agreement On Behalf Of The City; And Providing For An Effective Date.

*F. Resolution 2024-31, Awarding A Work Authorization For FDEP Facilities Plan & Grant Funding Assistance for Deep Well Project to Weiler Engineering In An Amount Not To Exceed $143,120.00; Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into Agreements In Connection Therewith, Appropriating And Expending Budgeted Funds; And Providing For An Effective Date.

*G. Resolution 2024-32, Awarding The Contract For The Area 6 Chlorine Contact Tank Coatings Upgrade To Reynolds Construction, LLC In An Amount Not To Exceed $197,981.55; Authorizing The City Manager To

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

CHRIS M cNULTY

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.

ALBERT WELLS MURPHY 1929-2024

With great sorrow, we announce the passing of Albert W. Murphy on Feb. 1 with the love of his life for 40 years by his side. Albert was a remarkable man who touched everyone he met for 94 years.

Al is additionally survived by two children, William Murphy and Carole Parkerson.

Al graduated from Burlington City High School in New Jersey. He was an Army veteran and he was very proud of his service to his country. He was a past commander of the American Legion and an active member of the American Legion for many years. He was involved with the Shriners for more than 60 years. Al was also a Mason.

There is a Remembrance of Life for both Al Murphy and Phyllis Angrick on Saturday, March 9 at 1 p.m. at the American Legion, 4115 Overseas Highway in Marathon. Fellowship and light refreshments will take place after the service

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Al’s name to the American Legion in Marathon, Florida or to the charity of your choice.

PHYLLIS ANGRICK 1934-2024

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Phyllis Angrick of Marathon, a remarkable woman who graced this world for 90 years. Phyllis passed away peacefully on Feb. 25, one day after she celebrated her 90th birthday.

She was the beloved partner of the late Albert Murphy and a loving mother to Erick (Rick) Angrick, Jay Angrick and Donna Phipps.

Phyllis and Al were long-time members of the American Legion in Marathon. She loved spending time with Al at the Legion and spending time with her friends, especially Kathleen and Annette. Phyllis was loved by many people. Phyllis was a lover of life and leaves behind a legacy that resonates with love, service and spirit.

A Remembrance of Life will be Saturday, March 9 at 1 p.m. at the American Legion, 4115 Overseas Highway in Marathon, with fellowship to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests a donation in Phyllis’ name to the American Legion Auxiliary or to a Marathon charity of your choice.

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. Depu-

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

ties 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!”

THURSDAY, MARCH 7

JAMES HATSO 6:30PM

FRIDAY, MARCH 8

DAN SULLIVAN 3PM

GLENN HARMANN BAND 8PM

SATURDAY, MARCH 9

MIKE ROONEY 3PM BOBBY HOWARD BAND 8PM

SUNDAY, MARCH 10

TONY MANFREDI 3PM DOCKSIDE SUNDAY JAM 7PM

MONDAY, MARCH 11

SHAWN BROWN 3PM RED ELVISES 7PM

TUESDAY, MARCH 12

TACO TUESDAY ALL DAY

JAMES HATSOE 3PM COUNTRY NIGHT WITH JIBSEA COWBOYS 7:30PM

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13

MIKE ROONEY 3PM

LUKE SOMMERS 6:30PM

• COLD BEER, COCKTAILS & INCREDIBLE SPECIALTY DRINKS

• DELICI OUS FOOD - TRY OUR FAMOUS CHIC KEN POT PIE OR AUTHENTIC STREET TACOS!

OPEN SUN THRU THURSDAY, 11 AM - 11 PM | FRI-SAT 11 AM - MIDNIGHT

35 SOMBRERO BOULEVARD OVERLOOKING BOOT KEY HARBOR

We're super excited to share some awesome news: we helped our neighbors sell their homes quickly, all thanks to our amazing team!

We used a lot of cool ways to show off their houses, like making videos and telling stories about them online, so

KICKIN’ IT

Stanley Switlik holds fourth- and fifth-grade kickball showdown

As February drew to a close, young athletes at Stanley Switlik Elementary completed the school’s inaugural kickball tournament. Led by Switlik’s health and wellness coordinator Bill Eller, and fueled by some friendly rivalry, fourth- and fifthgraders spent the final weeks of the month learning the game and competing in a double-elimination tournament during recess.

When the brackets were completed, the school crowned its first victors: Stacie Gonzalez’s fourth-grade class and Kaia Miller’s fifth-graders.

“The tournament has been a fun way to teach teamwork, school spirit and good sportsmanship among the students – as well as some innocent competition and banter among teachers,” Miller told the Weekly via email.

“There's no better feeling than watching children learn and seeing the knowledge you've given them put into action,” said Eller, who reportedly didn’t shy away from his own “stir-thepot” tactics with students’ competitive juices throughout the tournament. “That's the benefit of teaching a sport; we get to physically see their development. I am so proud of these kids.”

“Next year, third grade will also be included as we see which classes come out on top,” said Miller.

— Contributed

2. Javier Contreras.

3. Daniel Martinez.

4. Charley Ferreiro.

5. Jeiliany Salas Del Rio.

6. Kaia Miller’s fifth-graders emerge victorious.

Photos contributed.

1. Stacie Gonzalez’s fourth-grade class celebrates their tournament win.

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.

Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Managing Editor / Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

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Manuela Carrillo Mobley manuela@keysweekly.com

Business Development

Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com

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Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator

Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

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Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com

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Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844

Se habla español

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

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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.

Marathon - Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Upper Keys - Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com

Key West - Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

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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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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

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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