Marathon Weekly 24-0328

Envision what’s next

Nothing compares to this Marathon condo situated on 17 acres of gated, lush grounds. Seawatch Condos consists of 48 units and is ideal for those who enjoy seclusion and amenities galore. Relax at Unit 104 that features two bedrooms plus a bonus room (used as an office) and two updated bathrooms. Step into the gorgeous Chef's kitchen featuring Carrera quartz countertops and backsplash with a modern, waterfall edged peninsula, white-oak cabinets, and all new appliances including two dishwasher drawers. Find updated “ocean blue” interior and closet doors with glass paneling. Open the new impact sliders to enjoy a true indoor-outdoor space and ideal plant sanctuary from the 400 sq ft screened-in porch. Primary bathroom is complete with a marble topped double vanity and new glass shower enclosure. With an additional bonus room that would easily convert into a third bedroom, enjoy room for all. If that is not enough, stay active at the tennis & pickleball courts or workout at the on-site gym. Relax by the brand new million-dollar pool and spa. Store your vessel, boat trailer, or even golf cart in the storage barn with 35-foot tall ceilings. Grill out at the on-site pool cabana or host gatherings at the clubhouse.

9709 Overseas Hwy.

Marathon, FL 33050

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According to the Associated Press, there have been 35 major bridge collapses worldwide due to ship or barge collisions. On March 26, a ship container lost power and collided with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, collapsing and sending vehicles into the water. A search for six construction workers was called off and they were presumed dead on March 27.

100-year-old Marathon resident Dorothy Bitzer has a look of pure joy as she completes her first road race, finishing Key Colony Beach’s 7 Meter Bridge Run with ease.

See page 24. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

ON THE ROAD TO ANSWERS

Live

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

Scientists hot on the trail of the root cause behind unprecedented sawfish deaths and spinning fish throughout the Florida Keys say they don’t have all the answers yet. But thanks to new information unearthed in a massive collaborative effort over the last three months, they could be on the right path.

An hour-long March 20 live stream conducted by the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT), one of several organizations on the front lines in combating the strange phenomena, provided arguably the most substantial public update so far, pairing BTT biologist Ross Boucek and vice president Kellie Ralston with Michael Parsons, director of Florida Gulf Coast University’s Vester Field Station, and the University of South Alabama’s Alison Robertson. Other leading collaborators include the Lower Keys Guides Association (LKGA), Florida International University, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Boucek outlined four “lines of inquiry” that began in January 2024 after reports of spinning fish began in October 2023 and seemed to intensify in December: potential contamination from human-generated sources, such

CORRECTION

A press release from the city of Marathon regarding a new lighting ordinance that appeared in the March 21 edition of the Marathon Weekly mistakenly stated that the new ordinance was unanimously approved. While ultimately approved by the Marathon City Council, councilman Kenny Matlock voted against the ordinance on March 12.

as wastewater effluent or pesticides; evidence of degrading fish health metrics, possibly indicating long-term illnesses or high loads of pathogens or parasites; contaminants stemming from the water column, including red tide; or toxins stemming from the sea floor.

So far, Boucek said, 25 research missions since mid-January including 30 biologists and 12 fishing guides have yielded 150 fish samples, 200 water samples and more than 200 substrate samples, along with more than 200 reports of symptomatic fish – all but two of which originated from inshore waters.

“The reports cover 35 different species from forage fish to game fish, sharks, rays and everything else in between,” he said. “Whatever this is, it does not discriminate based on species size, migratory pathways or behavior.”

Narrowing the focus

While some were quick to point to human waste or pesticides as news of the event spread, Boucek said that at the time of the live stream, partners

including DEP had yet to identify any elevated levels of human-generated contaminants in Keys waters. Similarly, fish health metrics from assessed samples are normal, and water chemistry parameters including salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and temperatures show nothing out of the ordinary. FWC scientists have yet to find elevated levels of the algae causing red tide in Florida (Karenia brevis), or the toxins associated with this algae, in the collected water samples, Boucek and Robertson said.

So what’s unusual?

The team’s first lead, Parsons said, came from elevated levels of a family of algae known as Gambierdiscus detected in the water column in areas with affected fish, as well as in the gut contents of some affected animals.

“It’s a benthic species, so seeing it in the water is a little unusual,” said Parsons, who added that abundances of the organisms were “anywhere from five times higher to about 30 times above averages we’ve seen over the

continued on page 12

Investigators complete a necropsy on a deceased sawfish. In addition to hundreds of reports of spinning fish, FWC has recorded 27 confirmed mortalities of the critically endangered species since late 2023.

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TOURISM BOARD FIRES MARKETING DIRECTOR IN UNANIMOUS DECISION

Stacey Mitchell’s lawyer blames political payback for criticism & ouster

GWEN FILOSA

gwen@keysweekly.com

The Monroe County Tourism Development Council Board fired its top employee, marketing director Stacey Mitchell, in a unanimous vote on March 26, five months after a county audit questioned her job performance and ethics.

County Mayor Holly Raschein, who sits on the TDC board as an elected official, made the motion during a regular meeting of the TDC board, which is Mitchell’s employer, at the DoubleTree Resort in Key West.

“Our community is craving some accountability,” Raschein said. “This is not personal. We’re a small community, a very close-knit community. Tourism is our No. 1 industry. After a lot of conversations and reflection, I wanted to bring this item forward.”

Mitchell had been on paid suspension since November 2023. She was promoted to the marketing director job in 2017, after 18 years of working as the TDC’s director of sales.

She took over the TDC in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, which devastated parts of the Lower Keys as a massive Category 4 storm.

On Tuesday, George Fernandez was the first TDC board member called to vote during the roll call. He paused for a moment and with a solemn expression said, “Yes.”

The rest of the board, which is largely made up of professionals who work in various tourism industries, followed suit, making an 11-0 vote to fire Mitchell without cause.

Mitchell didn’t appear at the meeting but her attorney Zachary Z. Zermay, of Coral Gables, told the board she is being “thrown under the bus” because she became a political target over TDC funding for Monroe County’s recent 200th anniversary celebration.

“It’s an election year,” Zermay said.

In the audience at the TDC board meeting once again was Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward, who since November 2023 said his office is taking a hard look at the TDC. Ward hired the Miami-based Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors (BPB) to

conduct a forensic audit, which is still pending.

Mitchell’s attorney: Politics is behind the criticism

The ongoing series of critical audits of the TDC’s finances arose out of political payback, according to Zermay, who in a March 22 letter directed county staff to only speak with him and not Mitchell in the future.

The TDC’s Key West Area District Advisory Council last year denied a request from Commissioner Craig Cates for $150,000 to put on a special drone show for the bicentennial, after the county’s own application for the funding request was late, Zermay said.

Monroe County did eventually receive funding by going over the TDC’s head and getting approval from the county commission. The drone lights display at the Truman Waterfront in Key West took place in March 2023 for the bicentennial, with 250 drones lighting the sky in various celebratory patterns as an alternative to fireworks.

“That may be the pretext for the animosity that we’re getting directed to Ms. Mitchell,” said Zermay, of the Zermay Law Firm, whose Florida Bar profile lists his practice areas as consumer and personal injury law.

Board members on Tuesday did not respond to Zermay’s comments. Instead, they took the advice of Assistant County Attorney Christine Limbert-Barrows.

“It’s not worth debating whether there is cause or not,” Limbert-Barrows told the board before the 11-0 vote removing Mitchell from the top job. “Proceed without cause is my recommendation. That is the path of least resistance.”

Zermay told Keys Weekly after the vote that Mitchell’s firing amounts to wrongful termination.

The county’s scrutiny of the TDC began Oct. 31, 2023, when County Clerk Kevin Madok released an audit criticizing TDC’s financial management, after his office found noncompliance with county policies along with ethical concerns.

“Ms. Mitchell is marketing director of the TDC,” Zermay said. “She’s not the comptroller. There’s a separate constitutional office to deal with this sort of thing.”

Mitchell, as marketing director, was in charge of the TDC, which currently has no chief financial officer or comptroller overseeing the accounting and financial reporting.

Managing the various TDC budgets was Mitchell’s job, along with managing the in-house staff and the outsourced advertising, public relations and website agencies. She was also the primary liaison to the TDC board and five district advisory committees.

BOCC expressed frustration with Mitchell

The unanimous vote comes a month after the same members stuck up for Mitchell and rejected a motion by Commissioner Cates to fire her, and a week after the Board of County Commissioners expressed frustration that she hadn’t yet met with Cherry Bekaert, the accounting firm they hired last year to review the TDC’s financial management.

“Interviewing Ms. Mitchell is the last interview, then they just need to finalize their report,” County Attorney Bob Shillinger told the BOCC at its regular meeting March 20. “We’re getting to the end of the audit. Time to make decisions is coming near.”

Commissioner Michelle Lincoln asked the county attorney what it would take to end the contract with Visit Florida Keys, the not-for-profit corporation that is the TDC’s executive office.

Shillinger called that move a “nuclear option.”

“I am extremely disappointed that this is the response that Ms.

Mitchell is making as a person on paid leave to not cooperate with the audit that our county is paying for to get clarification,” Lincoln said. “It’s a vote of lack of confidence in Stacey to even remain in this position and be paying her any more. It’s mindboggling.”

“I thought the last two audits were very clear they needed to change directors because of insufficiencies in several places,” Cates said. “We are paying that director I believe $17,000 a month on administrative leave, taxpayers’ money that the TDC funds. If she’s not cooperating, I think it’s time to move forward.”

Commissioner Jim Scholl said, “There’s no excuse for delays. You should be audit ready, you should be inspection ready, you should be investigative ready every day.”

Zermay on Tuesday said Mitchell wasn’t refusing to meet with auditors at all.

“We requested that the auditors go ahead and submit their questions in writing to us,” he said. “They declined to do so. I said, ‘OK, well I’d like to be present with Ms. Mitchell.’ They said that’s not required.”

The auditors weren’t cooperative with the requests, Zermay told the TDC board.

“They were taking the, ‘it’s our way or the highway,’” he said.

The Clerk of Court’s Office has released separate audits of the TDC, NewmanPR and Tinsely Advertising.

Only Tinsley received a favorable review. Auditors ripped NewmanPR – which has had a 40–year business relationship with Monroe County – on multiple business practices they said amounted to “fiscal arrogance.”

Andy Newman, president of the PR firm his father Stuart Newman originally started in Miami in 1946, and his attorney called the clerk’s audit on NewmanPR biased. The audit accused NewmanPR of doublebilling, having put in reimbursement requests for photography services separate from the firm’s monthly fee. But Shillinger had previously announced that he found no evidence of double-billing by NewmanPR.

“The clerk’s office is free to have a different view,” Shillinger told the BOCC on Nov. 8, 2023.

One county audit remains in progress. Two Oceans Digital, which handles the TDC website and digital media, is being reviewed.

Stacey Mitchell worked for the Tourist Development Council since 1999. FILE PHOTO

GOVERNOR SIGNS SOCIAL MEDIA BAN FOR MINORS

Bill changed to lower age limit & give parents a say

On March 25, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 3, which restricts those who are 14 and younger from having certain social media accounts. PIXABAY

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Abill prohibiting children from accessing certain social media platforms was signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during a March 25 press conference in Jacksonville.

The original legislation — passed with overwhelming support from Democrats and Republicans — aimed to restrict those 16 and younger from holding certain social media accounts. DeSantis vetoed that bill on March 1, citing the lack of parental power over allowing their kids on social media and the opportunity for Floridians to remain anonymous online.

A new bill proposed barring those younger than 14 from becoming a social media account holder. Language was also added to allow parents to decide whether their 14- and 15-yearolds can have a social media account. The new measure, House Bill 3, received House and Senate approval on March 6.

Under House Bill 3, social media companies will be forced to delete existing accounts of those who are under 14. Companies failing to comply could be hit with financial penalties up to $50,000 per violation, in addition to attorney fees and court costs. The bill aims to keep minors off social media platforms that allow them to upload or view content from other users, have addictive features like infinite scrolling, and use algorithms that analyze users’ data to select content for them. The bill doesn’t identify any specific social media companies.

DeSantis alluded to the threat of predators using social media to reach kids who are seemingly safe at home.

“You can do everything right, but they know how to manipulate these different platforms. It’s created huge problems,” DeSantis said.

Republican House Speaker Paul Renner said the bill is focused on the addiction associated with social media platforms and how that harms children, not the First Amendment right to speech. Renner said the bill addresses addictive features that give a dopamine hit to keep users online longer.

“Children are not set up to handle the addiction that some of us as adults had to face and step away from,” Renner said during the March 25 press conference. “Unlike an adult who can make an adult decision and say, ‘I drank too much last night, I need to drink less or stop drinking altogether’ … a child in their brain development doesn’t have the ability to know they’re being sucked into these addictive technologies and to see the harm and step away from that. Because of that, we have to step in and help them.”

The new law, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2025, could face a legal battle. NetChoice, in a March 8 statement, said House Bill 3 is an “unconstitutional law that will protect exactly zero Floridians.” NetChoice is a trade association of online businesses that advocates for free expression and free enterprise on the internet. Association members include X (formerly Twitter), Google, Etsy and Pinterest, to name a few.

“HB 3 is also bad policy because of the data collection on Floridians by online services it will in effect require. This will put their private data at risk of breach,” said Carl Szabo, vice president and general counsel for NetChoice.

Renner said the law will withstand scrutiny in the federal courts on First Amendment grounds because it zeroed in on addictive technology and not content.

REALITY CHECK: KEYS HAVE 3K BUILDABLE LOTS LEFT

County has legal defenses in potential takings cases

For years, the number of remaining vacant, buildable lots floating across the Florida Keys was just under 8,000.

People across the island chain would ballpark the number of privately-owned parcels still available at 7,900 when talking about development and real estate deals or concerns over quality of life and environmental health.

But realistically the number is less than half, hovering around 3,000, according to new findings by the county planner released to the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners on March 20.

The new estimated total of 3,000 in the Keys is based on applying zoning requirements that would allow construction on the lots, such as removing those that are essentially submerged land. It’s not a final tally, but rather a far more realistic take than the longstanding 7,900 figure.

“It is approximate; I probably missed some,” said Emily Schemper, the county’s planning and environmental resources director.

After two months of sifting through data and applying zoning laws to each parcel, Schemper found 2,200 lots in unincorporated Monroe that could potentially support development. The city of Marathon reported having about 550 while Islamorada clocked its total at 200.

At the very least, Monroe could put the new 3,000 number into hurricane evacuation models used by the state, Schemper said.

“I am not suggesting or proposing that that becomes the preferred number for proposed ROGO allocations,” she told the BOCC.

Many people have been focused on FloridaCommerce’s use of the 7,900 available lots to come up with various evacuation models that they released late last year.

Key Colony Beach doesn’t participate in ROGO and doesn’t appear interested in starting now, Schemper said. Ocean Reef also wasn’t included.

The city of Key West reported having 84 lots but has likely already assigned allocations for them, county staff said.

When the Florida state department rebranded as FloridaCommerce released hurricane evacuation models, linked to the number of new building permits made available to the Keys, it used a maximum figure of 7,954 – including some 6,000 in unincorporated Monroe.

The BOCC has the rest of the year to respond to the state with a request for Rate-of-Growth allocations and a hurricane evacuation plan. So they’ve assigned themselves a crash course in their available options.

In 2020, the county adopted ordinances to extend remaining allocations through 2026.

At the same time, people in the Keys say it’s time to stop encouraging development of an already fragile environment where traffic on U.S. 1 has become routinely nightmarish in the Upper Keys and the water pipeline is under construction due to failings.

“We need to take as few ROGOs as possible,” Dottie Moses, president of the Island of Key Largo Federation of Homeowner Associations. “Our future is at stake.”

Bracing for potential lawsuits

When it comes to limiting development, looming over Keys officials is the vision of having to fend off a crush of new lawsuits seeking millions upon millions in compensation.

Monroe County leaders and staff are studying takings case law, or the liability the government has for being accused of depriving people of property, in this case rendering it undevelopable, and how to fend off such suits.

The county could explore putting a moratorium on property development as it works on a response to the state on building permits, according to its legal team.

“A moratorium would be appropriate and would be defensible,” Assistant County Attorney Derek Howard told the BOCC at a special ROGO workshop in Key Largo on March 20.

“It’s not a permanent ban on development,” Howard said. “Just for the time being while we figure out how to proceed in the face of the shortage of allocations while we decide what we want to ask for from the state.”

GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

KEY COLONY BEACH COMMISSION APPOINTS DOUGLAS COLONELL

The Key Colony Beach City Commission is once again a five-member board, following the unanimous appointment of Douglas Colonell to the open commission seat on March 21.

Colonell’s appointment marks the second in four months for KCB, which since October has contended with significant commission and staff turnover following the resignation of former Mayor Patti Trefry in October and former commissioner Beth RamsayVickrey in early February.

While current commissioner Thomas DiFransico earned a unanimous appointment in November from a field of seven candidates, Colonell stood as the lone applicant in the morning’s session, with additional candidates Lin Walsh and Janet Bischoff withdrawing their applications weeks before the meeting. Though several candidates from November’s selection process have now adopted other roles within the city, none applied to fill the most recent vacancy.

Listing a 42-year commercial building career on his application, Colonell told the seated commission his knowledge of construction law and basic engineering would lend a helpful perspective to a city moving through infrastructure projects and repairs to its city hall.

“I will work hard and earn your trust, and I will be proud to serve the city and see this community thrive as the gem of the Florida Keys,” he said.

Borysiewicz to oversee building, code, fire inspection

Originally hired on an interim basis with Mayor and acting City Administrator Joey Raspe’s discretionary spending funds, former KCB Building Official Ed Borysiewicz will return to the post and assume oversight of the city’s code enforcement and fire inspection efforts. With unanimous approval, Borysiewicz’s annual salary was set at $160,000, an amount Borysiewicz said

was equal to the value of the salary and benefits paid to former Building Official Lenny Leggett.

Borysiewicz will oversee the reshaping of city departments that have seen a complete turnover in the last two months, beginning with the resignation of Leggett and former Code Enforcement Officer Barry Goldman in February and ending with former building assistant Karl Bursa’s departure on March 19.

Borysiewicz said he looked forward to hiring “friendly faces that will do their job, but do it in a nice manner” and spoke of “many different interpretations” to the city’s fire codes and building codes for existing and new buildings.

“My interpretations are going to be the ones to help the people that keep us safe, not just pick a line and say ‘you have to have this,’” he said.

Ironing out city administrator details

Following revisions to KCB’s city administrator job description with commissioner input, Raspe asked the board to relay their recommendations for salary, working hours and any additional items to him via City Clerk Silvia Gransee.

Raspe has stated over the past few commission meetings that he doesn’t necessarily believe the position requires a full-time work week, but on Thursday acknowledged the difficulty in filling a high-level position on a parttime basis.

“The department heads we have are outstanding,” Raspe said. “My recommendation is I’d like to see something in between, maybe a 30-hour-aweek job for less money and still have the department heads be able to run their departments.”

Vice Mayor Freddie Foster echoed Raspe’s sentiments, while SecretaryTreasurer Tom Harding recommended continued on page 21

35 MARATHON NONPROFITS VIE FOR FUNDING

City to award $150,000 of $417,000 requested

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

Middle Keys nonprofit representatives filled the Marathon City Council chambers on March 25 to make their cases as council members prepared to evaluate applications for the city’s 2024 nonprofit grant awards. Unanimously renewed by the council at its Feb. 13 meeting following the program’s reintroduction in 2023 for the first time since Hurricane Irma, the funds available increased from $100,000 to a 2024 cap of $150,000.

With an array of services ranging from animal rescues to housing assistance, child care, environmental protection and assistance for families facing special circumstances, representatives from each nonprofit were awarded equal time to verbally supplement their written applications before Marathon Mayor Robyn Still, Vice Mayor Lynn Landry and councilman Luis Gonzalez. Councilmen Kenny Matlock and Jeff Smith were not in attendance.

Requested funds for 2024 totaled $417,053.95, with an average request of $11,915.83 per application. Organizations requesting funding were required to show proof of fulfilling needed services within the city with little to no duplication by other organizations. Applicants must be able to provide cost-efficient, highquality services and demonstrate administrative and financial stability. Requests for each organization could not exceed 24% of the group’s operating expenses in its annual budget.

“These are awfully hard decisions,” Still told the representatives gathered. “Everybody’s worthy, and you are all doing wonderful work in our community, and I want to thank you for that – you don’t get thanked enough.”

Following independent scoring by the council members, as no formal motions or evaluations were made on Tuesday night, grant awards are set to be announced at the council’s next session on Tuesday, April 9.

Organizations requesting funding are as follows:

• Forgotten Felines of the Florida Keys - $7,500

• Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys - $3,000

• Payton’s Promise Sanctuary - $8,000

• Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament - $17,000

• Literacy Volunteers of America - Monroe County - $5,000

• Florida Keys SPCA, Marathon Campus - $15,000

• I.CARE Corporation - $30,000

• Keys AHEC Health Centers - $15,000

• Guidance/Care Center - $10,061.22

• Domestic Abuse Shelter - $20,000

• R3ACH - $12,000

• The Hammock House at St. Columba - $16,000

• Florida Keys Children’s Shelter - $2,500

• Crane Point Museum & Nature Center - $6,000

• MarineLab - $4,282

• Monroe County Education Foundation - $25,000

• The Educational Coalition for Monroe County - $20,000

• Florida Keys Concert Association - $10,000

• FIRM - $12,000

• Presents in Paradise - $7,000

• The Salvation Army - $5,000

• Independence Cay - $7,500

• Keys Area Interdenominational Resources (KAIR) - $7,500

• Special Olympics Florida - $2,000

• Grace Jones Community Center - $15,000

• Marathon Recreation Center - $15,000

• Kreative Kids Christian Academy - $6,000

• United Way of Collier and the Keys - $9,108

• Womankind - $18,400

• Marathon Wild Bird Center - $16,000

• Leadership Monroe County - $8,500

• Marathon Community Theatre - $10,000

• Marathon Yacht Club Educational Foundation - $5,000

• Conch Republic Marine Army - $40,320

• Community Cooperative Preschool - $6,382.73

The new-look Key Colony Beach City Commission. From left: Tom DiFransico, Doug Colonell, Mayor Joey Raspe, Vice Mayor Freddie Foster, Secretary/Treasurer Tom Harding. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

ON THE ROAD TO ANSWERS

past 10 years” near seagrass beds with fish exhibiting the erratic behavior.

“The maximum numbers we saw were below 10,000 cells per liter of water,” Parsons added. In that concentration, he said, the algae won’t trigger a visible color change in the water, as commonly observed with red tide.

“That (number) is a lot for Gambierdiscus, but it’s not a lot in terms of our typical blooming species. So that’s one reason why Gambierdiscus was kind of under the radar here.”

An umbrella term for a genus that includes more than a dozen individual species, Gambierdiscus abundance has historically been linked to recentlyimpacted areas of coral reefs through an increase in ciguatera poisoning. Caused by potent toxins known as ciguatoxin and maitotoxin, both of which can be produced by Gambierdiscus species, the acute illness can include symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, numbness, dizziness and weakness for those who ingest fish with accumulated toxins.

“The higher-than-normal water temperatures that we saw down in the Keys (last summer) could have perturbed the system in such a way that Gambierdiscus is now at an advantage,” Parsons said. “We’re trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together there and looking for clues at the scene of the crime.”

Ironically, Parsons said, the thing that may have put the harmful algae at such an advantage may also be the thing to eventually suppress it, as Gambierdiscus numbers tend to peak in the fall and winter months before dropping in the heat of the summer.

“The irony here is, did the hot summer cause what we’re seeing now? But this coming summer may actually suppress the Gambierdiscus population,” Parsons said.

Localized origins give clues about toxins

Though reports of affected fish have now spread throughout the Keys, “(the symptoms) have lingered in the central spots for a while,” said Robertson. “That gives us some information that whatever this issue is, it may have been on the bottom.”

So far, toxins produced by Gambierdiscus have been detected in “reef-associated” fish samples and bottom-dwelling algal samples studied by Robertson and her team. Also detected were levels of okidaic acid, a toxin produced by another dinoflagellate that’s more commonly associated with shellfish in northern latitudes, and a few other “novel compounds” still under study. While the presence of these

toxins themselves aren’t the “smoking gun” that researchers have been searching for, she said, “we could be looking at the fact that those background levels (of toxins) might make fish more susceptible to whatever is causing the spinning.”

Though seldom mentioned in coverage of the event thus far, spinning fish have been shown to recover in some cases when moved to clean water, supporting the idea that whatever causes the spinning behavior is in the water column and crossing the gills of affected fish, Robertson said. The symptoms reported in these fish, she said, are consistent with neurotoxins produced by algae.

Robertson’s team has been working “seven days a week, 12 to 14 hours a day” to grow neuronal cells and expose them to any possible chemical extracted from Keys water samples, algal samples or fish tissues, searching for evidence of cellular disruption or death.

Is it safe to eat fish and swim in the Keys?

Both BTT and FWC’s online dashboards to address the abnormal event recommend avoiding eating symptomatic or already-deceased fish, as well as fish harvested from areas where other affected fish are observed. Both say to avoid swimming in areas with dead fish.

What’s next?

Boucek, Parsons and Robertson all stressed that while investigators are following “the strongest lead” while avoiding “cold dead ends” in ongoing research, a definitive causeand-effect relationship has yet to be established.

“We haven’t solved this,” said Parsons. “(Gambierdiscus) seems to be the most promising lead, so that’s where we’re putting in a lot of effort.”

Upcoming experiments, Parsons and Robertson said, will continue to identify species of Gambierdiscus present in Keys water samples, as well as investigate sediment samples to try and identify biological or chemical markers of past disturbances in the Keys’ marine ecosystem. Expanded sampling through time outside of known affected areas should help in better understanding the spread and boundaries, if any, of the phenomenon. Meanwhile, controlled experiments exposing fish from unaffected regions to Keys water samples or individual toxins will attempt to reproduce the behaviors seen in the wild.

“As we look at these samples, we’re trying to be open-minded about what the cause might be,” Robertson said. “Mike and I have a lot of very focused individuals, and we’re not going to give up.”

What can we do?

Turn off the lights. While many on social media have been eager to venture out at night in search of symptomatic fish, “shining a flashlight on a fish that’s seemingly healthy before the light hits it can cause this seemingly erratic behavior,” Boucek said. Avoid shining flashlights in the water, especially in regions known for symptomatic fish.

If the fish are spinning, keep moving. Catch-and-release fishing seems to trigger symptoms in affected fish, Boucek said. If caught fish are spinning after they’re released, move to a new area. Investigators’ initial work has shown that distances of less than a mile can yield vastly different fish behavior.

Make official reports of affected fish or discolored water. While social media posts have helped to spread awareness, if fish are spinning or distressed or anglers see areas of discolored water, researchers need to hear through official channels. Scan the attached QR codes to make an official report through the Lower Keys Guides Association or FWC’s Fish Kill Hotline (800-636-0511). To report sawfish in distress, call 844-472-9347.

Donate to continued research. Initial event response funding provided by NOAA, along with $2 million included as a last-minute addition in Florida’s state budget set to take effect July 1, have aided in funding a continuous research response. Additional donations to fund immediate continuation of research may be made at www.bonefishtarpontrust.org/donate/.

TO DONATE

Report to FWC BTT live stream

Report to LKGA

On March 22, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida presented and certified the cornerstone at the Monroe County Emergency Operations and Public Safety Center being built at the Marathon airport. Monroe County Mayor Holly Raschein, commissioners Michelle Lincoln and David Rice, and acting County Administrator Kevin Wilson joined them in the ceremony. The new emergency operations center should be opening in April and will house 911 communications, fire rescue administration, and emergency management as well as be used during emergency events. Pictured, from left, are Rice, Grand Master Glen Bishop, Raschein and Lincoln. MONROE COUNTY BOCC/Contributed

Castaways Against Cancer has launched their 25th annual fundraising tour “HERE COMES THE SUN”

This year is my 10th year with this team.

In the past I have kayaked with the team, 110 miles in 5 days, they do 162 miles in 7 days all for the fight to end cancer.

We are a 501C non-profit. 100% of the money raised goes to Sylvester Cancer Center/UM to help fund research grants in the fight against cancer.

A DONOR AT UM ALSO MATCHES US 50 CENTS TO THE DOLLAR.

As I am turning 70 in September, my brain says let's do this crazy trip while my body says are you kidding me!!

So, I have challenged myself to do a “golden oldie triathlon.” I am walking, biking and kayaking to Key West but it will take 6 months to do it.

I started my walk on New Years Day and completed the 107 miles to Key West on March 1. I am now finished biking and will ride into Key West this Friday, March 29, thus finishing the 107 miles biking. Then paddles away in April.

I dedicate my trip to my dear friend Janet, a good and compassionate woman, who passed from pancreatic cancer this past June. Janet was my church friend Jeni's mom, a supporter of VOICES, a group dedicated to making foster children's life as good as it can be and a woman who wore many hats at the Marathon Garden Club. Hearing the words "you have cancer" is so fearful for the patient and devastating to the families. I have done each leg of my walk and ride in honor of so many people who have heard those words. I say to everyone keep the faith and stay strong.

WE’RE READY TO SERVE YOU

We want our boating community, both pleasure and commercial, to know we are here and ready to serve your needs. It’s always better to plan ahead. Whether it be storage or a bottom job, stop by, call or email us and let us know what we can do for you.

We want to thank our loyal customers for their business and our dedicated and talented sta members for their hard work. Our crew is a great mix of experience, positive work ethic and attitude who are committed to providing unbeatable service and quality work.

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OTHER ONSITE SERVICES INCLUDE

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THURSDAY, MAR 28

LAURA THURSTON 3PM

KEVIN MCCABE 6:30PM

FRIDAY, MAR 29

DAN SULLIVANN 3PM

DOTTIE KELLY BAND 8PM

SATURDAY, MAR 30

MIKE ROONEY 3PM

GLENN HRMAN 8PM

SUNDAY, MAR 31

TONY MANFREDI 3PM

DOCKSIDE SUNDAY JAM 7PM

MONDAY, APRIL 1

JOHNNY LIVE 3PM

TUESDAY, APRIL 2

TACO

SNAPCHAT DEATH THREAT PROMPTS KWHS LOCKDOWN

Police charge Isaac Holmes, 18, for threat to kill Key West student

GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

An 18-year-old Upper Keys student is in jail on a half-milliondollar bond after deputies said he threatened to kill a Key West teen in a Snapchat post that prompted a March 12 lockdown at Key West High School.

Isaac Rodney Holmes. MCSO/ contributed

Isaac Rodney Holmes, 18, a senior standout football player at Coral Shores High School, was arrested March 18 on a felony charge of intimidation, which Florida law defines as sending “written or electronic threats to kill, do bodily injury or conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism.”

A week before his arrest, Holmes posted a video on his Snapchat account that tagged a Key West teen with the sentence, “w8 for u gon see cheeto.”

“Cheeto” was the nickname of Garrett Hughes, the 21-year-old Key West man and former KWHS athlete, who was fatally shot behind the former Conch Town bar on North Roosevelt Boulevard in the early hours of Feb. 13, 2023, after the Super Bowl.

It was more than the words in the Snapchat video deputies were concerned about. In the video, Holmes appeared to have a gun concealed in his pants, Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies said.

Holmes said he had a BB gun in his pants during the video, but added that he threw it away because he was afraid Key West students would screenshot the Snapchat video and call the police, according to the arrest warrant.

On March 12, school officials and police feared Holmes, having threatened to kill the 17-year-old Key West student, was headed to KWHS on a bus with a sports team coming from Coral Shores High School for an event.

Locking down the high school at 2100 Flagler Ave. took about 30 police officers along with school staff, “which resulted in a high number of resources due to Holmes making the threat,” the arrest warrant said.

The victim, whom Keys Weekly is not identifying, told deputies he saw the video with the threat on the night of March 11.

Deputies obtained an arrest warrant for Holmes on March 14, two days after the KWHS lockdown.

Key West police spokeswoman Alyson Crean said the lockdown ended with “no reason to believe a suspect was on the scene” at KWHS.

Crean said that at 1:30 p.m. on March 12, police dispatch took a call from a male who said he was sitting in a car in front of KWHS and was going to shoot people. While police were responding to the call, they learned of the social media threat, she said, describing the threats as separate instances.

Crean said the phone call was likely an act of swatting – a hoax call threatening dangerous crimes, made to send a large police presence with SWAT teams to a location. Often, the caller makes it appear as if the call is coming from a victim at the location.

Holmes has had prior trouble

At press time, Holmes remained locked up at the county jail on Stock Island on a $500,000 bond. His arraignment is set for 9 a.m. on April 9 before Monroe County Judge Mark Wilson at the courthouse in Key West.

Holmes is under a no-contact order that forbids him from contacting the juvenile victim in any way, or coming within 500 feet of the victim’s home or Key West High School.

“Holmes has been involved in several altercations at Key West High athletic events,” MCSO’s arrest warrant states, and school officials across the Keys are familiar with him.

This isn’t Holmes’ first brush with law enforcement.

On Oct. 23, 2023, Holmes was arrested on a burglary charge and misdemeanor theft, but the case record is sealed as a juvenile case.

Holmes was charged as a juvenile because he was 17 at the time of the crime, Monroe County State Attorney’s Office spokesman Steve Torrence told Keys Weekly.

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

TWO MEN FOUND DEAD IN MARATHON

‘No obvious signs of foul play’ for bodies found on

IAvenue A

nvestigators from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit continue to investigate the deaths of two men found early in the morning on March 22, MCSO said in a press release.

According to the release, deputies responded at 6:30 a.m. to a male witness who said he found both men near the rear of a car parked in the area of 104 Avenue A off Coco Plum Drive. The witness said he is a friend of one of the men, according to the release, and deputies found no obvious signs of foul play in the area.

Two days later, an additional release identified the men as 68-year-old Carlos Bascoy and 27-year-old Steven Thompson, both of Marathon.

An official cause of death has not yet been released, as the sheriff’s office will work with Monroe County’s medical examiner and other sources to determine how the two men died.

ALEX RICKERT

CALLING ALL PRINCESSES

In recent weeks, Marathon Community Theatre has received inquiries from young princesses and Disney fans eager to meet their favorite characters. Since the theater’s current show ‘Disenchanted!’ is not appropriate for younger audiences, the princesses would like to invite all their younger adoring subjects to a special tea party on Saturday, March 30 from 6:15 to 7 p.m. at MCT. The royal meet-andgreet will include treats and photo ops with all of the show’s princesses. The event is free, but donations to the theater are always greatly appreciated. Performances of ‘Disenchanted!’ are still PG-13 and will continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through April 6. More information and tickets are at marathontheater.org. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

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Build your own island dream home on this ROGO exempt canal front lot in a prime location with open water views! Incomparable open water access, this lot boasts a deep water canal with 30' of concrete dockage. Enjoy access to world renowned fishing and diving within minutes! Take advantage of this excellent investment opportunity, and the chance to personalize this build to suit your ideal Keys lifestyle!

WHAT EVERY KEYS RESIDENT SHOULD KNOW ABOUT OUR CAPACITY

The idea of capacity arises often when talking about our quality of life in the Keys, but it has different meanings. Let’s take a closer look at Keys’ capacity, and key factors that may influence our thinking about it.

Simply put, capacity is how much a given container can hold — pour 10 ounces of water into an 8- ounce glass to experience being over capacity. But in the Keys, the idea of capacity isn’t as clear. In this essay, think of our container as all of Monroe County, and the quantity as the number of people (residents and visitors) here at any one time.

Some think we’re over capacity, while others believe there’s still room for growth, i.e. we’re under capacity. Our community is divided on this question.

FloridaCommerce’s 2023 Hurricane Evacuation Model and local governments’ responses to it have been in the news recently. While hurricane evacuation time is important to consider when thinking about our capacity, it is far from the only meaningful factor. Let’s also consider waste water and its effect on the environment, fresh water, traffic and housing, all of which weigh on our quality of life. Waste water

People flush toilets, and the more people we have, the more toilets flush. That waste water has to go somewhere. While the infrastructure for processing our waste water has been improved, harmful toxins are still being discharged into nearshore waters, impacting the marine life on which tourism depends.

Fresh water

All the fresh water we use to drink, cook, bathe, clean, water plants, and yes, flush those toilets, comes to us via a single pipeline from the mainland. Multiple breaks in that pipe in 2023 highlighted its fragility (it is being replaced, slowly, at great cost), and necessitated reduced water pressure to our homes. Further demand for water, especially during peak tourism periods, risks more pipe failures and even further pressure reductions.

Traffic

Nearly everyone in the Keys is delayed, inconvenienced or otherwise unhappy with congestion on U.S. 1. Continuous construction (like the pipeline replacement project) and several single-lane sections of the road add to delays. Some sections of the road received failing grades (which would entail capping some development) in a 2023 study that was shelved by the county commission. We all agree that traffic is bad now, and has gotten worse in recent years. Congestion isn’t just inconvenient; it lengthens first-responder arrival times and necessary trips to the mainland for medical treatment.

Tourism and housing

New construction is limited by law, but demand for visitor housing continues to grow. Our economy depends on tourism, and relentless and successful tourist tax-funded promotion of the Keys has driven hotel room rates to levels unimagined before the pandemic. Increased demand spurs current owners and speculating buyers to convert owner-occupied and long-term rental homes to short-term vacation rentals (some of which are illegal). Hospitality workers and professionals vital to our community (think teachers, first responders, health care professionals, municipal employees, retail workers, etc.) find it

increasingly difficult to afford to live here, with rental rates rivaling those in Manhattan. Long-term renters lose their homes when property owners convert them to vacation rentals. And some employers have had to become landlords to attract and retain workers.

Legal limits on capacity

There are indeed legal limits on Keys capacity. Despite Florida’s emphasis on growth, the state Legislature years ago designated Monroe County and Key West as Areas of Critical State Concern, a legal designation that requires measures to control growth. The Rate of Growth Ordinance (ROGO) intends to ensure safe evacuation of residents and visitors in the event of an approaching hurricane, and also intends to protect the Keys’ natural resources. Residential building permits released under ROGO are awarded through a scoring mechanism called the Building Permit Allocation System (BPAS). With thousands of buildable vacant lots in the Keys, demand for building permits always exceeds the available supply.

FloridaCommerce, a state agency, updates the Hurricane Evacuation Model every 10 years to predict how long it would take to safely evacuate the Keys. The current cycle of this process began in 2023 and will continue through 2024, with the outcome determining whether and how many additional building permits will be released to local governments via BPAS. It’s political. Developers and property owners want more, some community members want none or fewer, and the county and its municipalities must balance these strongly voiced sentiments, as well as the real risk of significant financial liability (to be borne by taxpayers) under so-called “takings” lawsuits filed by property owners who are denied building permits for their lot.

Opponents of new permits contend that the evacuation model is flawed, notably in assumptions used in its complex formulas. Recent and frequent instances of rapid intensification of tropical storms into hurricanes, uncertainty of human behavior, traffic and construction on both U.S. 1 and the mainland, and myriad other factors not clearly outlined in the model cast doubt on whether we could safely evacuate everyone before an approaching dangerous storm.

Does capacity matter to you?

Everyone’s quality of life is affected by capacity challenges here. Perhaps your living costs have gone up or even caused you to think of moving away. You may have a longer commute. Water pressure is lower than it was a year ago. And our precious corals are dying.

Whether you believe that growth should proceed without limits, be carefully managed within practical considerations or curtailed altogether, your voice in this community matters, and will make a difference in how critical policy decisions affecting us all will play out. But only if you speak up. Your vote is vital, but so is your active participation by attending commission meetings, donating to, joining and volunteering with one of our many advocacy groups, or even running for office yourself. Our voices now can mean big changes in our future.

Robert S. Gold

Robert S. Gold lives in Key West and serves on the board of directors of the community advocacy group Last Stand.

from page 11

allocating funds to pay a grant writer separately from the administrator position.

Next steps for city hall

Thursday’s meeting marked the first regular session for the commission in the recentlyreopened Marble Hall section of KCB’s City Hall. While the building’s administrative offices remain closed due to a partially collapsed floor slab, Raspe said the city is “in a phase where we need to get going on drawings to have that part of the building either repaired or replaced.” Raspe said he had already received input from the city’s department heads on spaces required for staff to work “comfortably and efficiently,” but was eager to translate informal drawings into formal engineered plans to put the project out for bid and pursue possible grant funding.

“This could go two ways: We could do a repair, or we may have people, even the same companies, who may be interested in doing a replacement,” Raspe said. “But the first thing we need to do is sit down with an engineering firm and get these drawings solidified.”

Borysiewicz said he believed settlement of the floor slab could be addressed through the use of structural foam or pin piling inside the building. He added that concerns with asbestos in the administrative area of the hall have already been treated and tested, further confirmed by the Weekly through documents obtained in a public records request. In the meantime, he said he hoped to move the city’s building department into the second floor of the hall in the coming weeks.

In other news:

• After an extensive proposal and discussion of a solar installation by Burke Energy Solutions to power the city’s wastewater plant, the commission agreed to seek further resident input and explore grant funding for the project before making a final decision. Addressing the commission, Burke COO Gregory Galmin said the installation could provide annual cost savings of roughly $110,000 per year.

• Resolution 2024-05, unanimously approved, authorizes Raspe to renegotiate and execute a lease with the United States Postal Service, required as the post office moves from its temporary location back into City Hall.

1. Go to tinyurl.com/wbs24

2. Take approximately 10 minutes to complete the survey.

3. Share the survey with your family and friends!

TWENTY-TWO FEET TO GLORY

Key Colony Beach holds annual 7 Meter Bridge Run

Move over, Seven Mile Bridge Run.

March 21 was a day for “Seven Meters of Grueling Running” as Key Colony Beach residents and visitors braved a daunting three-foot (we think) incline in the Key Colony Beach Community Association’s 7 Meter Bridge Run. What the annual jaunt over the Sadowski Causeway bridge lacked in length, it certainly made up for with the colorful costumes of all who “ran” – from butterflies and Parrotheads to tie-dye shirts, snorkel vests, baby bows and canes. Before the run, the field of “racers” gladly deferred to several elite athletes who completed the course on their own as guests of honor – including 100-year-old Marathon resident Dorothy Bitzer as the first to break the tape.

1. Susie, left, Kim and Sharon are ready to soak race finishers at the ‘water station.’

2. The lovely ladies of ‘The Wind Beneath Their Wings’ get ready to take flight.

3-4. Only in the 7 Meter Bridge Run can you win, or even finish, a race in flip flops and snorkel gear.

5. Jim Preston, right, leads the Parrotheads of Casa Clara to the bridge.

6. Key Colony Beach Mayor Joey Raspe, left, greets 100-year-old Dorothy Bitzer.

7. Not many races can be run in a sundress, but Martha Cowan is taking full advantage.

8. Joe Turgeon preps racers for the starting ‘gun.’

9. 100-year-old Dorothy Bitzer, center, gets ready for the world’s shortest race with daughter Cindy Casey, left, and son-in-law Thomas Casey.

Photos by ALEX RICKERT/Keys

QUESTIONS WITH THE CHAMP

Before the race, the Keys Weekly was fortunate enough to sit down with 100-year-old Dorothy Bitzer to learn more about her life, what led her to the ‘Seven Meters of Grueling Running,’ and the key to hitting triple digits.

When did you move to Marathon? 11 years ago.

What made you decide to do the run? I’ve done just about everything in my life, but I’ve never done one of these. It was a good time to start.

In 100 years, what’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done? That would be hard to point out, but I’ve been in a submarine down to 850 feet, I’ve gone parasailing, and I’ve walked on the bottom of the ocean in a helmet feeding fish in Bora Bora.

What’s the secret to living to 100? I don’t have anything to complain about, so I just don’t complain. I’ve had a wonderful life. My family takes care of me. And I stayed working at a real estate office until I was 79.

Weekly

MARINELAB MAKES A SPLASH

Funding boost aids hands-on marine science education

STRANGE DAYS INDEED

You’ll never guess what’s coming next…

No one can deny that these are strange days. It’s reminiscent of the ancient Chinese blessing/curse: May you live in interesting times. Fish are spinning. People are just crazy. And idiots populate social and regular media with all sorts of absolute excrement, so little of it true.

Yet people still believe it.

That makes this column somewhat difficult to write. Much of what I am going to reveal will sound less than believable — but who would have believed fish spinning in canals a year ago?

It’s no secret that the Calusa tribe roamed these islands long before Bahamian or Spanish explorers showed up. According to the College of Education at the University of South Florida, the Calusa controlled most of South Florida, with an estimated population of 50,000. The Calusa lived on the coast and the inner waterways, building their homes on stilts (centuries before FEMA). They wove Palmetto leaves to fashion roofs, but they didn’t construct any walls.

MarineLab announced donations totaling $37,000 from organizations dedicated to environmental stewardship and marine education. This funding, made possible through the collaborative efforts of Johnny Morris Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Triad Foundation, Marathon Rotary Club and Ocean Reef Conservation Association, aims to support various scholarships at MarineLab.

The contributions are specifically designated to provide opportunities for Title I socioeconomically underserved Florida students to participate in MarineLab programs at no cost through the Art Mitchell Scholarship Fund. Additionally, funds allocated by the Marathon Rotary Club will enable Marathon students to attend MarineLab free of charge with MarineLab’s Saltwater Superheroes Fund. The funding will also support the Mangrove Ecology program for Upper Keys

fifth graders and the Coral Reef classroom program for Upper Keys seventh graders.

“We are immensely grateful to Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Triad Foundation, Marathon Rotary Club and Ocean Reef Conservation Association for their generous support,” said Ginette Hughes, MarineLab CEO. “These contributions will allow us to continue providing hands-on marine science education to students who may not have had access otherwise.”

MarineLab, located at 51 Shoreland Drive in Key Largo, remains committed to fostering a love for marine science and ocean stewardship among students, and this funding will play a crucial role in furthering that mission.

More information about the Marine Resources Development Foundation and MarineLab is at www.mrdf.org or www.marinelab. org.

— Contributed

The Calusa were known as the Shell Indians — their shell mounds can still be found today in many parts of southwestern Florida. Needless to say, environmentalists and conservation groups work to preserve many of these remaining shell mounds.

Conservationists and archaeologists have found some of these shell mounds — and what seems to be a Calusa burial ground — right here in the Middle Keys. Boot Key, in the city of Marathon, seems to have been the site of a Calusa village sometime in the 15th through 17th centuries. This was right around the same time as the Spanish explorers arriving in Florida.

The archaeologists working on the site have done their level best to keep their operations a secret from the surrounding community and local media, fearing that something bad could disrupt their preservation efforts. Sadly, in these strange times, they have been proven correct.

A relatively new Facebook group called Calusa Descendants has cropped up, and they are trying to find people who may have ancestors in the Calusa Tribe. It sounds innocent enough on the surface. But this group has ties to some wealthy real

JOHN BARTUS

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

estate developers who are looking for old Indian burial grounds and village sites, as well as the tribal descendants who may have a claim on the land.

If you still don’t understand the reason, just look at the Seminole Tribe and what they’ve accomplished on their reservation lands in South Florida. Then look at the island of Boot Key, a largely undeveloped but rather large parcel of land that may have Calusa roots. It’s not that far-fetched to envision a future that might see a Calusa Casino and Golf Tropical Beach Resort right here in Marathon. Imagine the Hard Rock in Hollywood with golf, fishing and an ocean view with a beach.

An unnamed former city official said, “At least they’d fix the Boot Key Bridge.”

The Calusa Facebook group listed the admin as one April F. Day. I tried messaging her. I tried looking her up on LinkedIn. I did one of those stupid people searches on one of those stupid people-search websites. I still have no idea if April F. Day is a real person or just a fictional character used to establish the group.

The ramifications of all this are quite huge. Do the Keys need another mega resort? Should Calusa descendants have a chance for their payday like the Seminoles did? What will we do with even more traffic?

And just who the hell is April F. Day?

If you’ve read this far and wonder what else may be coming down the pike, the Weekly Newspapers will begin charging a $100 annual subscription fee for home delivery. Invoices will be sent on April 1. Welcome to April … fools.

- Catch John live Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing, Friday night at Havana Jack’s, Sundays at Skipjack Tiki Bar, and this Monday at Carnegie Hall. Find his music anywhere you download or stream your music. www.johnbartus.com • johnbartus.hearnow.com

Above: The MarineLab vessel Nari takes students to the reef in May 2023. MARINELAB/Contributed. Inset: Key Largo’s Ocean Studies Charter School students examine microplastics.

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IN HER WORDS

ADVOCACY, LITERATURE AND WOMEN’S HISTORY

FIRST LADIES

By Marie Benedict

Mary McLeod

KAREN NEWFIELD

Bethune descended from parents who had once been enslaved. She was born free as the 15th of 17 children in a rustic log cabin in South Carolina. When a teacher in her small country schoolhouse witnesses Mary’s abilities, she helps her obtain a scholarship for higher education. Ultimately Mary establishes a school for girls (later renamed Bethune-Cookman University) in Daytona Beach, Florida. Mary sacrifices her life fighting for civil rights, equality and women. At first glance, Eleanor Roosevelt couldn’t be more different, yet when the two women meet they are instantly two peas in a pod, sharing the same goals and beliefs. Although Eleanor hails from one of the most prominent families in America, she feels an immediate connection to Mary, and their friendship blossoms. Eleanor is on board with Mary’s struggles, and what begins as a whisper in Franklin’s ear becomes a groundbreaking speech for the world to hear. Their agenda places Mary in federal positions, and with Eleanor at her side the world can no longer ignore her pleas. Through decades of disappointments and incredible triumphs, Mary and Eleanor never lose their faith. A powerful and inspiring journey of friendship and history.

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

LOOKING FOR JANE

By Heather Marshall

In 1971 Evelyn and Maggie become friends under the harshest of circumstances. They have been sent to a home in Toronto for unwed “fallen” women. These young ladies are barely out of their teens when they become pregnant, and their distressed families have them spend the months prior to delivery in a horrific home run by the church. Evelyn and Maggie cling to each other during the hardest days of their lives. With no outside contact, the girls are shamefully coerced to repent, put their babies up for adoption and keep this all a secret. In 2017, Angela finds a letter in the antiques shop she manages. Buried deep in a drawer, the tearful saga details a dying mother’s wish to tell her adopted daughter the truth of her birth and reveal what little information she has hidden. Angela, who is struggling through infertility procedures and knows she is adopted, feels deeply for these strangers. She begins researching various names and events and in the process makes a terrifying discovery. Loosely based on actual events, this ugly truth is a difficult but necessary read, especially due to the recent changes taking place with abortion legislation.

FINDING MARGARET FULLER

By Allison Pataki

In 1836, Margaret Fuller visits philosopher and author Ralph Waldo Emerson. She is welcomed to the family’s home in Concord, Massachusetts. Next door lives the Alcott family (Louisa May is a child) and Henry David Thoreau, a young man who helps around the house. Emerson was anxious to meet this female, unmarried author who was making a name for herself as the best-read person in New England. Margaret’s lifestyle was often criticized, as wives frowned upon their husbands’ dizzying displays of attention to Margaret’s every thought. Expecting a boy, Margaret’s father had decided to raise her as one through education. After his passing, her family struggled, and the pressure was on Margaret to venture out in the world and earn a living. That responsibility, coupled with her love of learning, led her to build a network of friendships with some of the most prestigious people of the time. When Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, sends Margaret overseas, she becomes the first female news correspondent. This true account reads like a fascinating novel filled with the rich history of a woman who should have been a household name, but never was.

#WORTHWATCHING

You can watch “She Said,” streaming on Prime Video and Apple TV. This compelling true tale follows two female journalists from the New York Times as they uncover one of the most significant stories for contemporary women. Their revelation dismantles years of abuse and sexual assault in Hollywood, sparking a pivotal shift in American policy.

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.

I’d just watched three or four videos about how to properly tape drop handlebars on a bicycle, which apparently gets really tricky around the brake levers.

I felt I had the technique down in concept, but wanted to take a break before I went and realworld screwed it up on my actual bike, so I spent a few minutes scrolling through Facebook. Mostly it was the usual political jeremiads, as well as memes offered as behavioral correctives, but after 30 or 40 such things, I saw something interesting. There was a post, literally from a minute before, about a pearly-eyed thrasher at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden. They’d included a grainy photo.

A pearly-eyed thrasher is common in much of the Caribbean, though not in Cuba and still somewhat rare in the Bahamas, where it has been increasing. The species has never been reported in North America.

Honestly, I’m always a little skeptical when someone reports an amazingly rare bird in the Keys, largely because we get so many visitors unfamiliar with the area, a small number of whom are very determined to see an amazing bird. Not to mention I’d seen broadly similar-looking brown thrashers breeding at the botanical garden a few years ago, and that seemed a lot more likely.

There’s a common dictum in journalism: “If your mother says she loves you, check it out.” I feel this applies to rare birds, too. It’s in everyone’s interest not to take things on faith.

Also, I really didn’t want to put on shoes and socks, get in the damn car and drive all three-and-a-half miles out to Stock Island if I didn’t have to.

The woman who posted about finding the bird was named Emily Guarino. A little Googling let me know that she was a scientist and trainer at the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key. Which gave me hope that my skepticism was a bit unwarranted.

The photo she posted was grainy, but even in bad light it was clear the bird wasn’t rufous enough to be a brown thrasher. Also, brown thrashers have saffron yellow eyes. This bird’s eyes were, in fact, pearly white.

I quickly looked up all the other thrasher species that have been seen in North America, and it wasn’t any of those, either.

Guarino had posted the photo on the Facebook page, Florida Rarities and Bird Migration, where members would deconstruct a bad

NOTES FROM A CATEGORY

5 MEGARARITY

identification, especially of a mega-rarity, pretty ruthlessly and quickly. Congratulations were being offered all around. Several people were saying they’d expected to see this bird show up in Florida for years now.

On the American Birding Association’s scale of rare birds, a pearly-eyed thrasher was a category 5 out of 6, and 6 was extinct.

I texted a few people, then went to find my shoes and socks.

I met Mark Whiteside in the parking lot and went in. Guarino said the bird had been seen in a gumbo limbo two right turns from the entrance. When we made it to the tree we ran into Matthew Jolley, who’d also seen the post.

We stared into what we thought was the right tree until we were sure it wasn’t in there, then we began to look about a bit. I’m not sure how long it was. Five minutes? Fifteen? Then Jolley said, “There it is,” lifted his camera, and took a few shots while trying to explain to us where it was.

Whiteside and I were both looking in the wrong tree further down the boardwalk, and it hopped down before either of us got a look, but Jolley showed us a really good shot he got of the bird, which didn’t make me feel at all simultaneously jealous, petty and covetous.

Jolley got us on the right tree, though, and a few minutes later the thrasher popped up. It even stayed up long enough for me to get a decent shot myself, before dropping back down into the thicket.

Ellen Westbrook arrived, and we told her how we’d just seen the bird 10 minutes before, and no doubt it would pop up again, though that turned out not to be the case.

I didn’t get to the botanical gardens until an hour after it opened on Monday. The parking lot was already full and I had to park out on the road, as there were already about 40 birders there. I knew some of them, but hadn’t seen them since before the pandemic, and there were a good number of birders I’d never met. Most were from Florida, or from elsewhere and happened to be in Florida when the bird was put up on the ABA’s Rare Bird Alert.

Emily Guarino was also there, birding with Mary Stella, who recently retired from the Dolphin Research Center. So I asked Guarino to sit down on a bench for a few minutes and tell me about finding this amazing bird.

She said she’d come down to Stock Island with her husband Mike Guarino because migration was starting and they wanted to see some warblers. Which they did. And also a lot of gray catbirds eating berries in the gumbo limbo near the entrance. And just out of the corner of her eye, she saw something that looked just a little … different.

“We both got our binoculars on it, and immediately knew this was not a species we’re used to seeing here. And so we watched it for a good long while, just reciting field marks to each other, memorizing them, so we could then ID it in a guide,” Guarino said.

“I knew what it wasn’t. I knew it was thrasher-like, but I knew it wasn’t a brown thrasher. I knew it was about the size of a Bahama mockingbird, but it wasn’t that,” she said.

“We’ve lived here for over 20 years and we knew what it wasn’t. So then it was just a matter of taking in and reciting and memorizing field marks so we would be able to identify it together. We were calling things out to each other, like large pale bill, dull upper parts and white underparts with brown streaking. Things like that so we could confirm what the other person was seeing,” she said.

“It was really useful, in this circumstance, to have two different birders, noting and settling on the same field marks. And then we felt confident,” she said.

The grainy photo she posted was one she’d shot with her iPhone, which to me counts as 10 out of 10 for difficulty.

“It was a good lesson as a birder. Don’t overlook things. Don’t just assume it’s another catbird or something like that,” she said.

Sadly, the pearly-eyed thrasher was not seen again Monday or Tuesday. My guess is it will pop up again, maybe at the botanical garden, maybe somewhere like Fort Zach or Indigenous Park. But that’s just a guess.

A pearly-eyed thrasher, the first one reported in North America, seen at the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden this week. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

PUPPIES!

2-month-old rottweiler mixes.

Looking for: We will soon have eight large-breed puppies for adoption.

Turnoffs: Nothing. They are happy, healthy, playful puppies.

SWIPE RIGHT

Adorable furry faces are waiting for families at the Florida Keys SPCA

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

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

See all the animals waiting for a home at fkspca.org. To contact the Marathon campus, call 305-743-4800 or visit 10550 Aviation Blvd.

DIVA

2.5-year-old female mixed breed.

Looking for: I’ve been looking for a home for 11 months – almost a whole year.

Turnoffs: Cats and iguanas.

OJ

1.5-year-old male domestic shorthair.

Looking for: Someone to “talk” to.

Turnoffs: I’m the new guy, so we’re not sure yet...

LIVE

MAKING WAVES AGAINST CANCER

Annual swim from Founders supports research

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

For Islamorada resident Glenn Latham, a love for swimming and a mission to join in the battle against cancer were married two years ago with the inaugural Swim Across America — Florida Keys Open Water Swim.

Latham, 69, is celebrating his 12th year cancer-free following a diagnosis in 2008 and four years of treatment.

“Cancer is something we’ve either faced or known someone who’s battled through over the years,” said Latham, the Florida Keys open water swim coordinator with his wife, Susan, and Bob and Lisa Coakley.

On April 20, swimmers will don goggles and caps as they take part in a noncompetitive, social swim to support the fight against cancer. Participants will gather at the beach at Founders Park in Islamorada.

Swim Across America — Florida Keys Open Water Swim enters year three with distances including the 2-mile, 1-½ -mile and half-mile. Young participants who can swim 100 feet or more can join the fun kids’ splash. The Lathams said the races aren’t competitive, but more “go at your pace.”

“We’ll have big mats they (young swimmers) can swim to and play on before swimming back and running through the arch,” Susan Latham said.

More than $210,000 was raised in the two previous open water swims in the Florida Keys. Proceeds support ongoing cancer research and patient care programs at the Baptist Health South Florida’s Miami Cancer Institute. This year’s open water swim seeks to raise $150,000.

Receiving a cancer diagnosis in his early 50s wasn’t actually a surprise to Latham — his parents and two siblings all battled cancer. Latham’s father battled prostate cancer, and his mother passed away at 48 from breast cancer — a disease that also affected two of his sisters, of whom one succumbed to the disease.

“I believe we need to expand cancer research, and the funding that Swim Across America and our swim generates is of huge value,” he said.

Funding for cancer research is especially critical in a time of rising cancer diagnosis. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 2 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S this year.

Swim Across America holds events

throughout the country to support cancer research at hospitals and institutions. More than $100 million went to fund cancer research and clinical trials. According to Swim Across America, 100% of grants it issues are applied only to approved clinical trials or research projects.

The idea for a swim originated with a group of women tennis players, including Glenn’s wife, Susan, who started swimming for additional exercise at the Founders Park beach and around the jetty. The small group welcomed other interested swimmers, including Bob Coakley.

“He (Bob) was involved with Swim Across America events for a long time,” Susan said. “We just got to talking. He said Founders Park is an absolute jewel for this kind of swim.”

“It raised a passion for us,” Susan said about a swim to support the fight against cancer. “We wanted to do something in our community.”

Former Olympic swimmers will join participants during the swim event. Steve Lundquist won gold in the 100-meter breaststroke and the 4-by100-meter medley relay in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Decorated Olympian and Islamorada resident Jon Olsen will also be on hand. Olsen, who coaches the Coral Shores High School swim team, won five gold medals and one silver medal at the 1986 Olympics, three golds and a bronze at the 1992 Olympics and two gold medals at the 1996 Olympics.

Other notable swimmers include Eric Wunderlich, Tony Corbisiero and Coakley. Glenn Latham said the decorated swimmers will also serve as angel swimmers.

“Any swimmer who maybe isn’t comfortable in open water can swim alongside them,” he said.

Swim participants 18 and over pledge to raise at least $500, while those under 18 are asked to get $200 in donations. A person can swim alone or as a team.

Swimmers, volunteers and those wishing to donate can visit swimacrossamerica.org/floridakeys. Donations can also be made to support cancer research on the website. Interested swimmers who can’t make the Swim Across America event in Islamorada can participate virtually by visiting the website, clicking the “get involved tab” and clicking “SAA My Way (Virtual).”

1. Swimmers take off from Founders Park beach to Florida Bay for the Swim Across America’s Florida Keys Open Water Swim. CONTRIBUTED. 2. Participants in the Swim Across America — Florida Keys Open Water Swim at Founders Park beach. STEPHEN FRINK/Contributed 3. Glenn and Susan Latham, middle, with family.

This week at St. Columba Episcopal Church

Good Friday Service: Noon

Easter Vigil: Saturday 5:00

Easter Services: 9:00 am & 11:00 am

Don’t Forget This Saturday World Famous $5 00 Bag Sale 8:00-12:00

Easter Egg Hunt 10:30

COMMERCE CORNEr

Established in 2022, KeysCations specializes in maximizing revenue for our homeowners while maintaining a proactive approach to maintenance and property upkeep. Our commitment to excellence is exemplified through our exceptional communication standards with both our guests & partners. We understand how big of a life goal it is for someone to own a home in paradise or to get to vacation here just once in their life, so we take pride in offering personalized, 5 star quality service in everything we do.

CONTENT CREATORS

Are you a storyteller with a passion for digital marketing?

Do you thrive on creating engaging and shareable content? If so, Overseas Media Group is looking for someone like you to join our Digital Strategist team as a CONTENT CREATOR.

We’re searching for individuals who are passionate about digital marketing, have a strong work ethic, and are committed to excellence. If you have a drive to succeed and a desire to contribute to a company that values innovation, teamwork and growth, we want to hear from you!

Apply at omg@overseasmediagroup.com

KeysCations is led by a dynamic husband and wife duo, Bert and Milly Perez, who were born and raised in Marathon, fostering strong ties to the local community and workforce. "This deep-rooted connection streamlines property maintenance and improvement. Additionally, KeysCations distinguishes itself through its commitment to innovation, harnessing the latest cutting-edge technology to maximize revenue and efficiency" says Perez. Call us today to join the KeysCations Family!

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

Hold on to your hats and sunglasses because we have officially entered eclipse season. Roughly every six months, the sun, the moon and the Earth line up in just the right proximity to put us through a short series of new moon and full moon eclipses. We just had our full moon eclipse on March 25 and everyone is talking about the upcoming new moon eclipse on April 8, the totality of which will be experienced by folks from Mexico to Maine. During every eclipse season, we experience transformational changes in hyperdrive. It is a concentrated time of transition where nothing is quite what it seems because the lights are obscured. Taking place across the Libra-Aries axis, we are in the very middle of a two-year cycle of eclipses focused on self and others, independence and interdependence, courage and solidarity. These are the themes that are being re-written for us. Think back to the second half of October 2023 to get a glimpse of the lessons that will be coming up for you now. In the midst of this eclipse season, Venus is forming a friendly 60-degree sextile to independent Uranus, showing us that our relationships can support our liberation and that love can set us free.

Here are your horoscopes for the Venus-Uranus sextile. Read for your rising and sun signs.

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

Under this sky, it appears that you either love taking time alone or are entertaining a secret romance. There’s a major love in the hiddenplaces theme. This experience is supporting your financial freedom in some way. Enjoy the time you’re having in your secret place and notice how it is helping you with unconventional money management.

TAURUS

April 20 - May 20

Your friends and comrades are showering their appreciation on you right now, so soak it up. They are encouraging you to be your radical, unique, weird self. Use their admiration to fuel your fire and show everyone what you’re made of. Be free. While you may feel a bit like you’re going off on your own, the only way to form real friendships is by being true to yourself. Trust.

GEMINI

May 21 - June 21

You’ve been finding more and more that you feel liberated when you’re alone. For a sign that loves the social life, appreciating alone time is not the easiest feat. Right now, there is kindness and grace being offered to you at work in a way that supports your independence, particularly the independence you experience when you’re isolated from everyone else. Appreciate the support.

CANCER

June 22 - July 22

Are you just loving learning something new or traveling to places you’ve never been? There’s a “new horizons” theme taking place for you and it seems that you’re really falling in love with the unfamiliar. This experience is helping you to make unexpected friendships and to find freedom from any groups of people that are holding you back. Embrace change right now and seek out fellow adventurers.

LEO July 23 - Aug. 22

Is there a mission-based project that you are investing in with a group of like-minded people? Or are you enjoying managing some resources that are shared with others? This experience is helping you feel emancipated from the drudgeries of work. Perhaps you are even developing ways to free yourself from the 9-5. You don’t have to do it like everyone else, so see what you come up with.

VIRGO

Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

Whether you are experiencing romance or just feeling love for a significant person in your life, that feeling is offering an adventure that is radically new. The first step is to accept that the feelings are there; then you can leave the familiar behind and see where the wind takes you. Open yourself up to the vistas that await, and let your love for another be the threshold to cross.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

Routines are not always rote and humdrum. Settling into a regular routine can help to free your mind so it can focus on other things that genuinely interest you. Right now, you are being asked to love the routines and habits that you’ve developed. When you do so, you will free yourself to participate in the group projects you’ve been hoping to get involved with.

SCORPIO

Oct. 24 - Nov. 21

You are on a creative high right now, Scorpio. Artistry is flowing through your veins. Let the muse take over and share your unique vision with all of us. By letting your creativity flow forth, you will also manage to support an unconventional relationship in your life. Perhaps you and your partner find new ways of relating, or perhaps you literally free yourself from the relationship. Trust your muse.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

If home is where the heart is, you better be appreciating your time there. Perhaps you’re reconnecting with family or you’re rearranging your home space. Loving your roots is where it is at. As you sit in the deep appreciation for home and family, you will find that your routines are changing to make space for your shifting priorities. Changing your habits can be really good for the soul.

RADICAL LOVE

Capricorn

Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

As you move through your daily business in your local neighborhood, take some time to see how beautiful your familiar surroundings are. Turning your perspective to find the heavens in the wildflowers will spark an unexpected creativity. Independence and freedom are being offered to you in your creative outlets, and your everyday world is the inspiration.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

Your source of income is creating unexpected changes in your home life, for the better. If you let your passion be your guide for the ways that you make money, the benefits that you garner will be great. You may free yourself from your family’s oversight or you may find a new home that feels liberating. But first, identify what you love when it comes to paying your way,

Pisces

Feb. 19 - March 20

Self-love is, in many respects, the most important love. As RuPaul says, “If you can’t love yourself, how the hell are you gonna love somebody else?” Under this sky, you are being afforded the opportunity to really fall in love with who you are. When you do that, you will find a new freedom in your familiar world. Drop the shackles of despair and appreciate yourself.

. E n j o y

E a s t e r B r u n c h

Ea er Menu

Sunday, March 31 6pm-9pm

STARTERS

Conch Chowder | 18 G

Traditional Bahamian Style Chowder in a Spicy Tomato Broth

Butternut Squash Soup | 16

Herbs, Butternut Squash

Warm Goat Cheese | 22

Marcona Almond Crust, Amarena Cherries

Shrimp Cocktail | 22 G

Lemon/Lime Wedge, Cocktail Sauce

Lump Crab Cakes | 24

Jicama Slaw, Chipotle Aioli

Spring Salad | 18

Mixed Greens, Mandarin Oranges, Raspberries, Dry Canberries, Feta Cheese, Pecans, Champagne Citrus Vinaigrette

Butter y Salad | 19

Mixed Greens, Blue Cheese, Pecans Caramelized Onions, Carrots, Mango Balsamic Vinaigrette

Caesar Salad | 19

b y M a h i n a a t

I s l a B e l l a ’ s

T o w n S q u a r e

M a r c h 3 1 s t : 1 1 a m - 3 p m

Romaine, Parmesan Cheese, Brioche Croutons, House Caesar Dressing

Tomato & Mozzarella Salad | 19 G

Fresh Florida Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella, Balsamic,Virgin Olive Oil, Fresh Basil

ENTREES

Easter Ham | 42 G

Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Tri Color Baby Carrot

Mahi Mahi | 48 G

Key Lime Butter,Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Broccolini (Grilled Or Blackened)

Herb Roast Lamb Chop* | 56 G

Grilled Lamb Chops, Rum Raisin Béchamel Sauce, Smoked Celery Root, Tri Color Baby Carrot

Caribbean Jerk Chicken | 46

Marinated Bone-In Breast, Pineapple Chutney, Coconut Rice, Seasonal Vegetables

Grilled Salmon | 52

Grilled Salmon, Lemon And Capers Butter Sauce, Coconut Rice, Asparagus

Yellowtail Francaise | 48

Lightly Battered Filets Sautéed, Lemon And Capers Butter Sauce, Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Broccolini

Seafood Frutti Di Mare | 45

Linguini Pasta, Shrimp, Fish, Scallop, Spicy Tomato Sauce, Parmesan Cheese

Scallop Risotto* | 54 G

Parmesan Risotto, Roasted Red Pepper Brandy Cream Sauce (sub Shrimp) Filet Mignon* | 59 G

Onion Marmalade, Red Wine Demi,Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus

2600 Overseas Highway

Marathon | tranquilitybay.com

*Consuming raw or uncooked foods may increase your risk of food borne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions. Prices do not include applicable sales tax and gratuity. 20% gratuity will be added to all checks. G - Gluten Free

STORIES OF SOUTHERNMOST SKUNK APE

Tales tell of sightings in Key Largo

When you write a book about a local cryptid called the Skunk Ape, stories find you.

The Skunk Ape is Florida’s Bigfoot and a legendary presence in South Florida and the Everglades. Occasionally, it makes an appearance in the Florida Keys, too. My book, “The Florida Keys Skunk Ape Files,” is based on a 1977 event that occurred on Key Largo in July. The sighting garnered local and national attention and scared one family out of the Keys. After a particularly terrifying incident, the police interviewed the wife of the family experiencing the phenomenon. She was awakened at 3 a.m. when she “could hear limbs ‘snapping and breaking’ as if something big was walking through them. Through a gap in the jalousie window, from where I was lying in bed, I saw these bright, colorless eyes. They must have been reflecting the backyard light, like a cat’s would. They were evil-staring. I could see the silhouette of its huge shoulder and head above an 8-foot bush, 30 feet from the bedroom window.”

Deputy Bill Haase from the sheriff’s substation on Plantation Key was the first to respond to the bizarre call. After arriving on the scene and investigating, Haase reported no sign of the creature.

It may have been hiding; it had not disappeared, as Haase was not the only officer who investigated what became a series of sightings. Sgt. Rondoll Chinn of the sheriff’s office and Capt. Jack Gillan from the marine patrol also arrived at the family’s home when the creature was seen again. “There is definitely a problem there,” reported Chinn. “These people are truly scared to death. It’s unlikely that someone is pulling a practical joke

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.

because it would require a great deal of effort. If it is a joke, someone’s liable to get hurt.”

Beyond the Key Largo sighting, which occurred in the area of what is today Snappers Restaurant, the book I wrote is primarily fiction. Whether or not you believe in this sort of thing, strange things happen all over the world all the time — they certainly do in the Florida Keys. However, in the last several months, people have told me a few unusual stories. Shared as personal experiences, they smell a little like Skunk Ape events.

One occurred at Jewfish Creek. Two men from Miami were fishing in the creek one day when they observed something large, bipedal and covered in fur come out of the mangroves. They called it la criatura, the creature. When I heard the story, my wife and I were standing in line at a local fish market, waiting to buy some hogfish filets. When it happened, the person who told us was living on a houseboat at a marina on Jewfish Creek.

La criatura reportedly walked through the shallows before stepping back up into the mangroves and out of sight. When more closely examined, reportedly, there were signs that something large had moved through the area — broken branches, for instance, were observed.

Another interesting story I recently heard dates back to the 1990s. The strange and interesting event occurred on Key Largo, too, and not too far from where the Jewfish Creek story is said to have played out. This time, it was night, and inside the stilt house bordering the mangroves between Dusenbury Creek and Blackwater Sound, the family dog was barking. It was not a small dog, not a terrier or a collie, but 135 pounds of riled-up dog. When the owner of the house opened up the back door, two things happened. First, the dog raced out, but quickly had a change of heart and hid beneath the house. The second thing that happened was that the owner was hit with a pungent and overwhelming smell described as extreme body odor and dead fish.

My initial response was what I usually say when the topic of the cryptid’s smell comes up. “If you lived in a swamp, wore a fur coat, and never bathed, you’d smell, too!”

The third story I wanted to share I cannot because I don’t know it. Some time ago, someone left a comment

about the Skunk Ape on one of my social media posts. I don’t remember his name or what he was commenting on, but he said that if I ever wrote another Skunk Ape book, he had a story about something that happened in the Lower Keys. I responded immediately because I love so many facets of the local history. I never heard anything else. Maybe, when he reads this, he will reach back out and share his story.

Trust me when I say that I have heard 100 stories about the Skunk Ape, and most come with a punch line about some late night at the Caribbean Club, Brass Monkey or any number of drinking establishments in Key West.

Truthfully, some things I hear are more interesting than others and perhaps more interesting to me than others. The thing is, at least for me, I embrace them all because all of them, the stories about wrecking, sponges, the railroad, Key lime pie or even the Skunk Ape are all threads in this glorious fabric that is Florida Keys history.

The Southernmost Skunk Ape Society was established in 1977. CONTRIBUTED

BRIEFLY

Man arrested for drugs following car crash

A 24-year-old Stuart, Florida man was arrested on March 26 for allegedly trafficking fentanyl following a singlevehicle car crash on Grassy Key. Brian Michael Lenihan was also charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. The sheriff’s office responded to Peachtree Avenue around 5:15 a.m. regarding a Nissan pickup truck in the mangroves with an unconscious driver, later identified as Lenihan. Lenihan was holding a glass bong in plain view, officials said. A total of eight glass pipes, 6.8 grams of fentanyl and 1.3 ounces of marijuana were found, the sheriff’s office said.

Marathon Masonic Lodge feeds first responders

The Marathon Masonic Lodge 323 would like to thank the following companies and individuals for their donations toward the lodge’s third annual St. Patrick’s dinner. This year the lodge served more than 200 meals for the first responders of the Florida Keys. Thanks to Omar and Nicole Maldonado, owners of the S.S. Wreck and Galley Grill; Maria Ely, owner of the Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House; and the Marathon Shrine Club for paying incidental expenses. The lodge would also like to thank Masonic brothers for the donation of their time to make this event possible.

MHS football set to host live pro wrestling in May

On Friday, May 3, the Marathon High School football team is set to host a live pro wrestling fundraiser as Coastal Championship Wrestling visits the MHS gym for “Trouble in the Tropics.” The evening’s show will feature wrestlers Cha Cha Charlie, Ariel Levy, Ruthie Jay, Chris Farrow, Jackal Stevens and many more. The event is familyfriendly, and doors will open at 7 p.m. Tickets and additional details are available at ccwrestlingfl.com.

Leadership Monroe festival to celebrate 2024 grads

Leadership Monroe County (LMC) will celebrate its Class XXXI graduation with Leadership Spring GradFest, a community festival and alumni reunion to be held Saturday, April 27 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Marathon Community Park. The family-friendly event will feature food trucks, games, a bounce house, artist booths, members of the Key West Police Department mounted patrol unit, music, vendors, Monroe County non-profit booths and a Class XXXI raffle and graduation ceremony. Admission is $10; children aged 12 and under are free. LMC is an educational, nonpartisan, nonprofit

community organization that brings together existing and emerging leaders to build constructive alliances in the Florida Keys. More information is at leadershipmonroecounty.org or 305394-3804.

Literacy tutors needed in Middle and Upper Keys

If you have two hours a week to help an adult in your community learn to read, write, speak, understand and better communicate in English, please call, text or email Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) Middle Keys coordinator Maria Triana or Upper Keys coordinator Raymond

Reigadas. There is no charge for training and every volunteer gets to choose his or her own student or students. Please reach out to Triana at 305-393-6064 or trianamaria@comcast.net; or Reigadas at 305-338-8067 or rrrr6491@gmail.com.

Marathon band seeks instrument repair sponsors

The Marathon High School band is asking for the community’s help in providing working instruments for the growing number of students in the program. Currently there are 60 older wind and percussion instruments that are in need of repair and maintenance. Most repairs are more than $150 to $200 per instrument this year. The band is seeking community members to “adopt” an instrument for repair. Each sponsorship is for $100 and will include the sponsor’s name, foundation name or business name in a prominent location on a new band website. Each instrument repair sponsor will also be listed in the band concert programs for the remainder of the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years. Support of these repairs helps keep participation for band and steel drum programs free. Please make checks payable to the Marathon Band, with “instrument repair sponsorship” in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to the school or dropped off in the front office.

Healthy Start Coalition announces doula program

The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition (FKHSC) is seeking passionate individuals to join its community doula program. Through this program, FKHSC will sponsor qualified candidates’ tuition and liability insurance as they equip themselves with the skills and knowledge needed to support families during pregnancy, childbirth and the early postpartum period. Once students begin the doula program, they will have flexibility to complete the training within two years, which includes attending three births.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY

‘IN A FUNNY WAY’

New comedy show takes on the legendary writer’s life

GWEN FILOSA

gwen@keysweekly.com

What’s so funny about Ernest Hemingway?

James Scott Patterson, a writer and standup comedian currently in Key West, found plenty of material beneath the novelist’s larger-than-life mystique.

“This guy’s life was dark,” said Patterson. “I’m trying to hit this note where the tone is sort of reverential. But every joke is about what a jackass he was. The jokes are about the myths, his own myth-making. It’s tricky. I’m presenting the overall arc that he was this estimable figure. He was taken seriously.”

“Hemingway in a Funny Way” debuted at Comedy Key West on March 20, and is scheduled every Wednesday through April 17.

The one-hour show is billed as a special happy hour. Tickets are $20 and include a glass of wine. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the shows start at 5:30.

For the show, Patterson will present a video of Hemingway images and other photos while standing to the side of the stage narrating it all. Then he’ll take questions from the audience.

“I know a ton about Hemingway, but I’m not an expert,” said Patterson, 48, a New Jersey-born comic. “It’s a little daunting to do it. I’m more curious than anyone how this will go.”

For “Hemingway in a Funny Way,” Patterson steered away from the most commonly told Hemingway tales.

“I found stuff about his childhood, his high school paper, The Trapeze in Oak Park, Illinois,” Patterson said. “Then I have stuff about the wars. I’m hoping all of these are stories no one has heard before. It’s weird stuff.”

Patterson based everything on his research into the life of Hemingway –who was known for embellishing and exaggerating his life experiences.

“I have citations for everything,” Patterson said.

‘Clever and dark’

Known for his dark humor, Patterson has performed regularly at Comedy Key West since 2021.

“The perfect blend of clever and dark,” said Steven Crane, another regular comedian at the club. “James’ jokes can heal old wounds with abundant laughter.”

Patterson has appeared on Comedy Central, at the prestigious Just for Laughs Montréal comedy festival and has his own special, Superior Design, available on streaming sites.

At 21, Patterson moved to Boston for its comedy club scene and scored success. He started appearing on Comedy Central after coming in third in their national comedy contest. He’s bounced around cities for years, racking up about 10 years total in Los Angeles, with stints in New York and Denver.

Choosing Hemingway

Patterson wanted to create a new type of comedy show for the local comedy club, Comedy Key West, and Hemingway was an obvious choice.

The Hemingway tourism route runs directly through Patterson’s stomping grounds in Key West: the Hemingway Home and Museum sits at 907 Whitehead St. while the comedy club is at 218 Whitehead.

“The club is between his house and Sloppy Joe’s,” Patterson said.

So, two months ago, he assigned himself a crash course in literature and history.

“By the time the show has started, I will have reread all the novels,” Patterson told Keys Weekly. “I had read most of his books, but when I was 20.”

On top of the nine Hemingway novels, Patterson read five biographies of the writer, who in the 1930s lived in a mansion in Key West and made headlines for his fishing expeditions, sparring sessions and drinking bouts.

“Hemingway was one of the most famous people,” Patterson said. “You could claim there’s still never been a more recognizable novelist. His face was recognizable to everybody.”

Patterson admits he signed on for a larger workload than he expected, but his years of stand-up and comedy writing intersect in “Hemingway in a Funny Way.”

Stand-up comedy has a DIY work ethic and an addictive payoff that requires big risks, not unlike fiction writing.

•

FILTER & ABSORB

Sponges are more than a cleaning staple

Sponges are animals that are incredibly important for improving water quality. Ounce for ounce, the amount of water they filter per day is astounding.

A basketball-sized sheepswool sponge can filter over 500 gallons of water per hour, which is over 12,000 gallons per day. Since sponges do not have tissues or organs, all of this is happening at a microscopic level with tens of thousands of tiny flagella waving water in through thousands of tiny pores called ostia and out through the larger oscula.

Sponges are the dominant filter feeders in the Florida Keys and they are eating phytoplankton, bacteria and viruses. They are essential fish habitat for juvenile spiny lobsters, stone crabs and bonefish. These sponges are important places to hide from predators and provide a buffet of tasty invertebrate snacks.

In the Florida Keys, these three species generate more than $150 million to the economy from seafood, fishing and tourism. There is also a commercial sponge fishery and Monroe County leads the state in the number of sponges landed. Unlike most commercially-fished species, sponge landings are recorded by the piece and not by the pound.

From 2020 to 2023, there was an annual average of 135,000 sponge pieces landed in Key West and Marathon. The average price per sponge piece was less than $2, with an estimated average annual value of $262,935.

The city of Key West has a very long history with sponges. Until the early 20th century, sponges were a major export from Key West, second only to hand-rolled cigars. Before DuPont created synthetic cellulose sponges in the 1940s, these wild harvested sponges were a household staple for bathing and cleaning. When most people think

about sponges, they probably picture a bath sponge. Yet out of the nearly 9,000 sponge species, only a couple of dozen worldwide are the types suitable for harvest because they stay soft and spongy when processed and dried.

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

In the Florida Keys, these are the species with the common names sheepswool, yellow, grass, mountain, hardhead and basket sponges which inhabit the shallow nearshore waters associated with seagrasses and hardbottom.

Sponges are also incredibly important in the search for new human medicines. Since sponges cannot bite, pinch or swim away, they have developed complex chemical defenses to ward off would-be predators. It turns out many of these chemicals have very potent antiviral and anti-cancer properties. In fact, we have a very famous sponge located in just a few feet of water all over the Florida Keys. The scientific name is Tectitethya crypta, commonly called the volcano sponge because of the volcanic shape and a single large, raised oscula; it is usually covered in algae and sediments and very well camouflaged.

In 1969 this was the first human medication from the ocean, and it was used to treat leukemia and now synthesized to make medications for herpes, HIV and ebola. Next time you snorkel or dive, take a moment to admire these magnificent animals.

Sheepswool sponge in the Florida Keys. SHELLY KRUEGER/Contributed.

SHELLY KRUEGER

Willie

over the years.

couldn't have made it to 40 without you!

Meet the Keys’ boys basketball and girls soccer all-stars | PGS. 6,8

4/3

THE SCOREBOARD

MARCH 28

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

THIS WEEK

MARCH 28

MYERS

Defensively, he is a rock behind the plate and has a rifle arm. He is a joy to coach and I’m anxious to see what his sports future holds for him.”

— Tony Hammon, Coral Shores baseball coach

4/4

Trinity School 4:30 p.m.

4/4 Coral Shores Softball South Homestead 5 p.m.

4/4 Coral Shores Track & Field Key West 3 p.m.

4/4 Coral Shores Tennis Westminster Christian 12:30 p.m.

3-4 errors

Baseball is a game in which the little things make all the difference. Senior Zeke Myers is clearly doing them. Batting in the critical number four spot and described by his coach as a power hitter, Myers’ bat has come alive in clutch moments this season, helping the ’Canes to overcome some of their fiercest competition. Defensively, he is as dependable as it gets; Myers is error-free thus far this season.

“Zeke is a gifted athlete and leader,” said coach Tony Hammon. “As a member of our team council, he provides strong leadership both on and off the field.”

For his contributions to the Hurricane baseball program in both athleticism and leadership, Coral Shores’ Zeke Myers is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

With spring break providing a short respite from a full slate of games for Keys teams, the Keys Weekly is proud to take a look back and introduce our 2023-24 All-Keys teams in boys basketball and girls soccer. See pages 6 and 8. Photos by Barry Gaukel, Grace Andrew and Doug Finger.

Zeke

Senior, Coral Shores Baseball

JOY SMITH/Purely Joyous Photography

vs. Mater Academy Bay

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.

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All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.

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This week on the Keys Weekly Sports Wrap Podcast, Sean and Tracy go over all of the scores and events for the past week. Hear some behind-the-scenes details you won’t catch anywhere else. Additionally, you will get a firsthand account of the Marathon vs. Coral Shores baseball game from March 25 before you read about it. If you want to hear how the latest Battle of the Keys went down, be sure to check out this week’s episode.

Listen to the Sports Wrap podcast

Marathon’s Dylan Williams (11) preps for a tag attempt against the Hurricanes’ diving Benjamin Friedman (6). BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

tracy mcdonald

sean mcdonald

CONCHS LOSE THREE IN CALI Hurricanes split spring break

Grayden Ross. JOY SMITH/Purely Joyous Photography

Conch baseball took their talent to the west coast over spring break to see how they measured up to some of the highest-rated ball clubs in California. They opened their long-distance series with the Sonora Raiders, who hail from La Habra, just outside the Anaheim city limits. Key West struck first in inning three when Auggy Davila walked, then was advanced when the pitcher balked with Nelson Ong at the plate. Ong then laid down a sacrifice bunt to get Davila to third and Caden Pichardo grounded out, giving Davila the opportunity to cross the plate and give Key West the lead. Sonora tied it up in inning four and from there, it was a defensive battle into extra innings. Anthony Lariz pitched a phenomenal game, lasting 8 innings and striking out 11 batters in the process. But the game would last 10 innings, and Sonora managed to score the walk-off run to end it, 2-1. The Conchs had 5 hits in the loss, with 1 each from Steel Mientkiewicz, Caden Pichardo, Sam Holland, Jacob Burnham and Roman Garcia.

The following day, Key West was paired with the Wolverines of Aliso Niguel High School. The Conchs’ bats were in action, with Garcia leading the way with a pair of doubles. Mientkiewicz and Lariz had two hits each and Holland, Pichardo and Noah Burnham had one each. Key West outhit the Wolverines, but 6 walks, 4 hit batters and 3 errors outweighed the Conchs’ 7 hits en route to an 11-6 loss.

The final game of the trip was against the Tritons of San Clemente. The game was scoreless through 4-1/3 innings until the Tritons broke the game wide open, scoring 5 runs off of 4 hits, a walk and an error to take the lead. Key West answered with 2 runs in the sixth but the Tritons scored 4 more in the final inning to put the game out of reach. Key West registered 6 hits, with 1 each from Holland, who doubled, plus Noah Burnham, Nelson Ong, Davila, Mientkiewicz and Garcia. Jacob Burnham pitched 6 innings, striking out 6 Tritons, and Christian Koppal closed the final inning, striking out 2 in the 11-6 loss. Key West will get some rest before they host the Bandits of ABF Academy Homestead on Friday, March 29.

Coral Shores stayed closer to home over break, traveling as far as Miami to face the 7A Buccaneers of South Dade High School on March 18. The 3A ’Canes struggled offensively, losing 11-0 in 4-1/3 innings. Keller Blackburn had the only hit for Coral Shores, a single in the fifth inning. The Hurricanes had better luck at home on March 21 against the independent Rays of Mater Academy Bay. Grayden Ross started on the mound for the ’Canes, pitching an entire game and striking out a dozen batters, walking 1 and allowing 3 hits. Donovan Thiery was 3-for-4 at the plate with a triple and 2 singles. Ezekiel Myers was also 3-for-4 with a double and a pair of singles. Maykol BonitoRodriguez and Mason Clark accounted for the rest of the Hurricane hits in the 6-0 win.

Marathon took a break last week, returning to action in perhaps its most challenging game of the season. Coral Shores made the short trip to the Middle Keys to play Marathon on March 25 in what would prove to be a pitchers’ duel until the final innings. In a game that went scoreless through the first five frames, just a single run at the top of the sixth inning would eventually give Coral Shores a 1-0 victory. For full game coverage, see the April 4 edition of the Sports Wrap.

Key West’s James Osborne averaged a stellar 17.1 points and 2.3 assists per game for the Conchs, shooting with 49% accuracy and improving with each game he played. Coach Dexter Butler had plenty of praise for his young shooting guard, saying, “James had a phenomenal sophomore campaign this season as he led the way offensively and really took a huge leap forward with his ball handling, passing, and how can I not mention scoring.”

Coral Shores sophomore Donovan Thiery led his team in both scoring, averaging 14.4 points per game, and shooting percentage, with 52% accuracy. The talented guard is deadly all over the court, with the ability to sink a three as easily as he can dunk the ball. His coaches were particularly pleased with his strong performances at key times throughout the season.

THE 2023-24 ALL-KEYS BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM

Monroe County’s boys basketball teams gave fans competitive games to enjoy all season long, especially in their in-county matchups.

Key West finished on top this season with an 11-12 record, including a postseason win against Sunset and sweeps of Marathon and Coral Shores. Though it once was the expectation that the larger-school Conchs defeat their smaller in-county opponents, that has not been the case for several years. However, the late Dexter Butler’s leadership led his young squad in the right direction. Without a single senior on their roster and only one junior in the starting lineup, the Conchs look to grow even stronger in the coming seasons.

Marathon, 7-9, managed to pick up steam as the season wore on. The Fins lost their first two games against Coral Shores as well as both against Key West, yet managed a win in their third go at the Hurricanes. Though Marathon graduates three starters, their bench is young yet experienced, including a pair of middle schoolers who saw significant playing time during the season.

Coral Shores finished 7-13 with two of their wins against neighboring Marathon. The ’Canes will certainly feel the loss of a senior-heavy roster, but have plenty of talented juniors and underclassmen waiting to fill in the spots on the lineup.

Conchs junior Kameron Roberts averaged 9.8 points and nearly 2 assists per game offensively. With 1.4 steals per game, he proved to be a formidable defender as well. “Kameron had another solid season for us – he is always all over the court, making timely shots when we need them and always ready to play,” said coach Dexter Butler. “This will be a huge senior season for him.”

Demarcus Deroche averaged 10.3 points per game with a 64% field goal percentage. His dominance in the paint is illustrated by his 7.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. When Deroche joined the Conchs midseason, head coach Dexter Butler said he “gave us a missing piece to our puzzle,” adding that the freshman is “a special kind of athlete, with the ability to dominate in the paint for the next three years.”

Marathon’s Adrian Cruz scored 322 points this season for a career total of 487. He was credited with 69 assists as well. Described by coach Jim Murphy as “a leader on and off the court,” Cruz finished his 60-game career with the Fins with a standout senior campaign.

2

James Osborne

Demarcus Deroche

Adrian Cruz Kameron Roberts

SOPHOMORE | KWHS SHOOTING GUARD

FRESHMAN | KWHS CENTER

0

SENIOR | MHS SHOOTING GUARD

JUNIOR | KWHS POINT GUARD

MVP

Donovan Thiery SOPHOMORE | CSHS GUARD

Photos by Barry Gaukel, Doug Finger and Grace Andrew

Grant added 244 points to make it a career 302 for the Fins in his senior season. In addition to what coach Jim Murphy described as “many game-changing threes in big games,” Grant accumulated 105 rebounds to keep the ball in Marathon’s possession.

Described by the Coral Shores coaching staff as “a consistent tough competitor,” Ayden Lane led the ’Canes in both offensive and defensive rebounds. The junior forward averaged 11 points and 2.4 assists per game, making him an allaround solid player.

Praised by his coaches for his hard-playing style, AJ Johnson was key for the Hurricanes in locking down their opponents on defense. Johnson was second in rebounding for Coral Shores and he used his athleticism and will to win to give his team a spark when it was most needed.

Garcia, a first-year varsity player, stepped up big-time for Marathon, scoring 217 points and earning 27 steals. The only Fin to start all 27 games this season, Garcia was a dependable workhorse for Marathon’s defense.

THE 2023-24 ALL-KEYS GIRLS SOCCER TEAM

Squads chock full of young talent

Though the final records of girls soccer squads throughout the island chain may not be what teams had hoped for, there’s plenty of reason for optimism from Key Largo to Key West.

Key West finished the season 7-8-1 despite the loss of multiple key players due to injury, securing the district runner-up trophy after knocking out the top seed in the semifinals. The Conchs graduate five seniors, but have a deep pool of talent waiting on the roster for a chance to step up next season.

Coral Shores was 3-10-1, with two of those wins and the tie coming from matches against Marathon. The ’Canes graduate a single senior, which meant an enormous amount of playing time for the young roster and tremendous potential for the next few seasons.

Marathon went 2-10-2 on the season, including an 8-0 shutout against International Studies. The Fins will lose three seniors to graduation, but with players who made the varsity roster as middle schoolers, the squad has plenty of potential to gel and become a force in the coming seasons.

MVP

00Teagan Lavin

SENIOR | KWHS GOALKEEPER

The Lady Conchs’ keeper Teagan Lavin was subjected to a tough schedule this season and still managed to help lead her team to 7 wins. The senior leader shut out the opposition 4 times last season and anchored the Conch defense with a great combination of leadership and patience. Head coach Scott Paul said, “Teagan is a player that is always focused and has top-level keeper skills that she developed over the years.”

11

Rain Banks

SENIOR | MHS MIDFIELDER

Marathon’s Rain Banks ended her seventh year of varsity play for the Fins leading her team in both goals and assists. A captain for the past three seasons, Banks enriched the Dolphins with her leadership and experience. “She is driven and hardworking on and off the field,” said coach Cathy Warner. “She has really good footwork, and controls the ball with grace and ease.”

21

Kai Redruello is a player with a fantastic final touch with quick instincts to boot. She was looked to as a finisher for the ’Canes for her ability to put the ball into the net from nearly any spot on the field. Despite her talent, the sophomore was selfless in her play, assisting others’ goals as often as she scored her own.

Photos by Barry Gaukel, Doug Finger, Mark Hedden and Sarah Baxter

Kai Redruello SOPHOMORE | CSHS FORWARD

Described as a leader on and off the field for the Conchs, Grace Andrew used the past two seasons honing her skills to become one of Key West’s top players in 2024.

Coach Scott Paul praised her contributions to the team, saying Andrew “continued to be dominant this season, holding down the middle of the field (and) combining physicality, intelligent play and athleticism in her play in the middle of the defense for us.”

After changing positions this season, Key West’s Maeve O’Hearn immediately took to her new role as sweeper, leading her team with a quiet, positive presence.

“Her tenacity along with a very smart field presence helped us develop into a team that could rely on the defense when our offense was not clicking,” said coach Scott Paul. “She was key to the back line working as a unit that continued to grow from last season.”

Jordan MacDonald used her role as a midfielder to set up others to finish, particularly with her skill at taking kicks. The hard-working junior proved to be both talented and selfless on the field. Coach Cathy Warner described MacDonald as “a fantastic complement to the girls around her, always aware of her surroundings, making plays and setting up others to finish.”

Tiny but mighty, Coral Shores’ Saydie Hendrix paired her agility with pure athleticism to steal away opponents’ opportunities and feed the ball upfield to her own team time and again last season. Described as “a force to be reckoned with” by coach Zach Owens, Hendrix was crucial in the Hurricane defense the past two seasons.

3 Kaitlyn Franco JUNIOR | KWHS MIDFIELDER

Lady Conch Kaitlyn Franco did not miss a beat after a change in position this season. The speedy junior took to her new role as midfielder as if she were born to play there. Coach Scott Paul said of Franco, “Kaitlyn’s skill level with her feet combined with her vision of the field made her a force to be reckoned with in the midfield for us this season.”

With 5 goals and 9 assists last season, Key West’s Maddie Kilduff stepped up when it counted for the Conchs. After the team lost several players to injury, Kilduff filled in and quickly made it apparent that she belonged in the starting lineup. “Maddie’s skills, combined with a high-intensity field presence, increase every year, and she should be absolutely dominant next season for us,” said Conchs coach Scott Paul.

Ali Beth Wilson has the speed and footwork necessary to make her deadly whenever the ball is in her possession. A scoring machine for the Hurricanes, Wilson has another season to go. The swift forward has shown steady improvement, making her senior campaign an exciting one.

Described by coach Cathy Warner as “the wheels and speed” of the Fins’ defense, Perdomo combined her hard work and athleticism to become a key distributor for Marathon. “She was always there to clean up anything that got in the way of the goal,” added Warner.

Jordan MacDonald

Ali Beth Wilson

Saydie Hendrix

Maeve O’Hearn

Isabel Perdomo

Madison Kilduff

JUNIOR | MHS MIDFIELDER

JUNIOR | CSHS FORWARD

SOPHOMORE | CSHS DEFENDER

SENIOR | KWHS SWEEPER

SOPHOMORE | MHS DEFENDER

SOPHOMORE | KWHS MIDFIELDER

21 Grace Andrew SENIOR | KWHS MIDFIELDER/DEFENSE

3 Daniuska Perdomo FRESHMAN | MHS GOALKEEPER

Just a freshman, Perdomo already has two career shutouts to her credit, and the hardworking keeper got better as the season progressed. Coach Cathy Warner praised Perdomo, saying “she has an innate ability to read a field and cut off the play.”

10

GISSELLE “JAZZY” DIEGUEZ

Key West’s Jazzy Dieguez proved to be a multi-talented athlete this season, splitting time as a forward and midfielder for part of the season, then shoring up the Conch defense as the team made its way through the district brackets. Dieguez was described by her coach as “a player who is constantly working on her game, and she put this on display finishing the season with 9 goals and 2 assists to lead the team in scoring.”

2

Conchs head coach Scott Paul summed up Turner’s role for Key West succinctly, saying, “Colbie is on track to being one of the very best defenders in the Keys after completing her sophomore year by taking over the outside defender position the second half of the season. Colbie is fast, physical, and getting to be quite a skillful player on the field.”

6

Jans

Hurricane midfielder Sofia Jans was key in ball distribution for Coral Shores. Described as a team player who will not be outworked, Jans’ quick instincts and ability to put the ball into the net or pass it off to a teammate with a better shot make her an asset all over the field.

Colbie Turner

JUNIOR | KWHS UTILITY

SOPHOMORE | KWHS DEFENDER

Sofia

JUNIOR | CSHS MIDFIELDER

KEY WEST HANGS ON TO DEFEAT VERO BEACH IN EXTRA INNINGS

Alexa Condella’s single seals Lady Conch victory

Vero Beach braved the high season traffic and torrential downpours to play the southernmost softball team on March 23 in the only game to take place during Monroe County’s spring break.

The visiting Indians took the lead in inning three and held on until the seventh when the Lady Conchs tied it up, sending the game into extra innings. Key West had a chance to win it in inning 8 when Tavyn Gage singled, then advanced on a passed ball, but the Indian defense locked down the rest of the lineup, leaving Gage stranded on second.

In the ninth inning, Brianna Brenner fanned three in a row to end any chance for a Vero Beach rally. Alexandra Rodriguez then

singled to get things going for the Conchs. Vera Rodger made contact next, sending a line drive deep into right field and sending Rodriguez clear to third. Alexa Condella then singled to center field, bringing Rodriguez home with the walk-off to end the game.

Rodriguez went 4-for-5 on the afternoon, while Gage and Scarlet Niles each hit a single and a double. Rodger, Condella, Shylo Sanchez and Monica Bueno accounted for the rest of Key West’s dozen hits. Brenner and Nevaeh Arnold paired up to strike out 12 Vero Beach batters. The 4-5 Conchs will have to wait a week to even up their record; no games are scheduled for any Keys teams due to Miami-Dade and Broward counties being on spring break this week.

Alexa

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On or about April 13, 2024,

The City of Marathon will authorize Westcare Florida, Inc. to submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Project Funding Grant funds under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328) and the Explanatory Statement for Division L of that Act, which was printed in the Senate section of the Congressional

The City of Marathon has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the City of Marathon Planning Department, 9805 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Marathon Planning Department, 9805 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050. Comments also may be submitted by email to planning@ci.marathon.fl.us.

All comments received by April 12, 2024 (within 15 days following the publication date of this notice) will be considered by the City of Marathon prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Marathon certifies to U.S. HUD that Brian Shea in his capacity as Planning Director consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The State’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Westcare Florida, Inc. to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

U.S. HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Marathon’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Marathon (b) the City of Marathon has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by U.S. HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by U.S. HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

Insurance Consulting Services

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 bonfirehub.comhttps://monroecounty-fl. 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 bonfirehub.com,https://monroecounty-fl. no later than 3:00P.M. on April 25, 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 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 25, 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 28, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

The administration of the estate of PAUL F. OBRECHT, JR., deceased, whose date of death was January 26, 2024; is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 24-CP-000139-PK, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 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, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this notice, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

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

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME

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

THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS: MARCH 28, 2024.

Personal Representative: PAUL F. OBRECHT, III 10525 Stevenson Road Stevenson, MD 21153

Attorney for Personal Representative:

JOHN MICHAEL LYNN, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 0147273

Turner & Lynn, P.A. 7 Barracuda Lane

Key Largo, Florida 33037

Telephone: (305) 367-0911

turnerlynnpa@gmail.com

Publish: March 28 & April 4, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL

CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

CASE NO.: 24-CP-143-K

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF SUSAN RITA HAWXHURST, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of SUSAN RITA HAWXHURST, deceased, whose date of death was March 8, 2024, Case: 24-CP-143-K, is pending in the Circuit Court, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE

ON THEM.

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

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

The date of first publication of this Notice is: March 28, 2024.

Personal Representative:

SAMUEL J. KAUFMAN

c/o Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq.

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

3130 Northside Drive

Key West, Florida 33040

Attorney for Personal Representative:

Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq.

Florida Bar No. 0144304

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

Key West, Florida 33040

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

Telephone: (305) 292-3926

Fax: (305) 295-7947

Publish: March 28 & April 4, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 24-CP-85-M DIVISION: MARATHON

IN RE: ESTATE OF MARTIN RAYMOND WALKER

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Martin Raymond Walker, deceased, whose date of death was February 1, 2024, 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 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 28, 2024.

Personal Representative: Richard Marcarelli 595 Belair Avenue Merritt Island, Florida 32953

Attorney for Personal

Representative: Robert K. Miller, Esq.

Attorney

Florida Bar Number: 359173

Cunningham Miller Rhyne PA 10075 Overseas Hwy PO Box 500938

Marathon, FL 33050

Telephone: (305) 743-9428

Fax: (305) 743-8800

E-Mail: service@ floridakeyslaw.com

Secondary E-Mail: rmiller@ floridakeyslaw.com

Publish:

March 28 & April 4, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 24-CP-23-M

DIVISION: MARATHON

IN RE: ESTATE OF HENRY BERNARD SPITZIG

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Henry Bernard Spitzig, deceased, whose date of death was June 29, 2022, 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 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 21, 2024.

Personal Representative:

Margaret A. Spitzig 1505 Sombrero Blvd., #203 Marathon, Florida 33050

Attorney for Personal

Representative:

Robert K. Miller, Esq.

Attorney Florida Bar Number: 359173

Cunningham Miller Rhyne PA 10075 Overseas Hwy PO Box 500938

Marathon, FL 33050

Telephone: (305) 743-9428

Fax: (305) 743-8800

E-Mail: service@ floridakeyslaw.com

Secondary E-Mail: rmiller@ floridakeyslaw.com

Publish: March 21 & 28, 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-1-M IN RE: ESTATE OF SALLY J. PRINCE Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Sally J. Prince, deceased, whose date of death was October 2, 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 March 21, 2024.

The date of the second publication of this notice is March 28, 2024.

Personal Representative: Marty Prince 1365 Marlin Drive Marathon, FL 33050 Attorney for Personal

Representative:

Anthony J. Barrows Attorney for Marty Prince 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: March 21 & 28, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

CASE NO: 24-CP-119-P

IN RE: ESTATE OF GEORGE WOOD, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of GEORGE WOOD, deceased, whose date of death was 10 July 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, Florida 33070. The names and addresses of the Personal Representatives and the Personal Representatives’ attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE 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 21, 2024. Co-Personal Representatives: Elizabeth Wood 94381 Overseas Hwy. Tavernier, FL 33070

Jessica Wood

182 Carroll Street Islamorada, FL 33036

Attorney for Co-Personal

Representatives:

Tom Woods, Esq. Florida Bar No.: 0525197

116 Porto Salvo Drive

Islamorada, Florida 33036

Phone: 305.664.2200 Fax 2205

Email: tom@tomwoodslaw.

com

Secondary Email: eserve@ tomwoodslaw.com

Publish:

March 21 & 28, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO: 23-CP-000120-P IN RE: ESTATE OF TED JONES, a/k/a Ted Warren Jones, a/k/a Ted W. Jones, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The Administration of the Estate of Ted Jones, deceased, whose date of death was August 5, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, 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 21, 2024.

Personal Representative:

Keith Edward Jones 4197 Baker Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94306

Attorney for Personal Representative:

Cyrus Malhotra, Esq.

Florida Bar No. 0022751

THE MALHOTRA LAW FIRM

P.A.

Attorneys for Petitioner 3903 Northdale Blvd., Suite 100E Tampa, FL 33624

Telephone: (813) 902-2119

Fax Number: (727) 290-4044

Email: filings@ FLprobatesolutions.com

Secondary Email: sandra@ FLprobatesolutions.com

Publish: March 21 & 28, 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

AUTOS WANTED

AUTOS ALL YEARS!

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

$CASH 305-332-0483

BOATS FOR SALE

2008 Precision 165

Sailboat for sale. Length: 16.5’ Beam 7’2” Draft 1’9” Fiberglass w/ two 6’8” berths. Trailer and 1.5 hp Honda outboard. $6,500. Located on Summerland Key. Call Kyle 928-231-0442

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!

COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR SALE OR LEASE

COMMERCIAL OFFICE/ RETAIL SPACE For Sale or Lease, Middle of Marathon. Excellent Highway Exposure, 1,900 + sq. ft. Available May 1st. Call or text 305-731-6021

EMPLOYMENT

Las Marias Medical Center- Hiring bilingual: Front Desk, RN, Medical Assistant & Local Driver. Tavernier, MM 91. 305-780-7730

Aluminum Installer needed in the Upper Keys: (Handy Randin) Install pool cages, hurricane shutters, railing. No exp. needed. Pay rate $17$25/hr depending on experience. 305.394.5929

Joseph Molinaro

CPA, LLC in Tavernier is looking for an Office Manager. Duties include answering phones, client screening, accounts payable and purchasing, accounts receivables, file management and other office duties. Must know Quickbooks desktop and Microsoft suite. Monday – Friday 10-5. Email resume Joe@jmolinaro.cpa

Computer Network Support Specialist.

Marathon, FL. Anlyz, test, troubleshoot, & eval existing netwk systs, such as local area netwks (LAN), wide area netwks (WAN), cloud netwks, servers, & other data comm'ns netwks. Perf netwk maint to ensure netwks operate correctly w/ min interruption. Req 2 yrs exp in job offered. Send resume to: ESHIP Corp, 241 W Seaview Dr, Marathon, FL 33050.

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.

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.

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time dishwasher. Private club, friendly atmosphere, flexible afternoon/ evening hours available Tuesday – Sunday. Must provide photo ID and social security card or passport. Call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview or email office@ marathonyachtclub. com

City of Marathon

Current Job Openings: Administrative Asst. Fire Department and Part-time Custodian/ Maintenance. Full Benefits for full-time positions. 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

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.

IS HIRING!

DIRECT CARE STAFF/DRIVER (FT/PT)

KEY WEST OFFICE

This position is available at our Adult Day program. Providing direct care service & support to our clients in the day program. This position requires the minimum of high school completion or GED. English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must. FL Driver’s license w/clean driving record, pre-employment training online and in person. Ability to pass a Level II background screening and references.

Apply at the MARC office, 1401 Seminary St., Key West, or online at www.marchouse.org.

For more information contact hr@marchouse.org

Phone: 305-294-9526 *32. Come join our family! EOE

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: PT Receptionist, 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.

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

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

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

YARD SALES

SARA’S ESTATE SALE: 7525 Gulfstream Blvd, Marathon | Fri, March 29 & Sat, March 30 9a to 1p both days. PART TWO: MASSIVE ESTATE SALE @ waterfront home featuring outdoor furniture, pots & designer interior. Look for deep, comfy

MARINA CASHIERS

Telescope armchairs and Highwood adirondak (both of Marine Grade Polymer), patio umbrellas and beautiful glazed pots, sm to lg. Outstanding pieces: two glass-topped dining tables – one coral base, one Bali driftwood; dichroic art glass; and 4-ft wooden fish & coral sculpture. See the beautiful lime-green sectional, electric blue (and electric operated) recliner, and twoperson office furniture. Also: light up makeup mirrors, makeup table and a fully stocked kitchen: Margaritaville blender, pots and pans, dishes, fine china, glasses, a Keurig and adorable coffee center. Please follow the signs and park with consideration. Photos at estatesales.net.

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

NOW HIRING IN ISLAMORADA

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

DOCKHANDS

Duties include customer service, helping customers with bait and ice and helping cashiers with restocking. Morning & a ernoon hours available.

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

NOW HIRING ADMINISTRATION/OFFICE HELP

Fast paced, busy resort in need of Of ce Help. Must be able to multi-task, stay calm under pressure and have great communication skills. Be dependable, able to work weekends, 3 to 4 days a week, hours til 7pm.

If you want to be part of a great team, please apply!

Send resume to captpips@aol.com or come into the of ce at 1480 Overseas Highway, Marathon to ll out an application.

CAPTAIN PIP’S IS AN AWESOME PLACE TO WORK, WE TREAT OUR EMPLOYEES GREAT. COME JOIN OUR TEAM.

LEGAL

EMPLOYMENT

CLIENT CARE COORDINATOR

The ideal candidate will possess excellent phone skills and a passion for helping people. The role involves phone call follow-up, scheduling appointments, and utilizing strong computer skills. The hours are up to 30 per week, and the pay rate is $25 per hour. After successful training in Marathon, the role may permit working from home. Call 305-783-3395 to schedule an interview.

MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATRE IS NOW HIRING:

GENERAL / BUSINESS MANAGER

Full-Time, Permanent, Salary Commensurate with Experience

Oversees all business operations of Marathon Community Theatre including the Playhouse and Cinema. Ensures the theatre venue is ready for events by adhering to prescribed timelines and requirements and by coordinating with staff, production crews, volunteer committees, and outside vendors. Meet deadlines for grant submittals, compliance reporting, and production needs. Responsible for accounting processes including bank deposits, invoice payment, and budget adherence. Coordinate with the building committee chair to ensure the building is safe and maintenance needs are met.

A candidate should possess:

• Strong management skills with ability to delegate (supervise 4-6 employees and many volunteers)

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Self-Motivation

• Strong working knowledge of common computer applications (Gmail, Google Sheets, GoDaddy, Canva, Excel, Word) and ability to learn unique industry applications (Audience View, Veezi etc.)

• Strong organizational skills

CUSTODIAL TECHNICIAN

Part-Time, Permanent, 30 hours per week

Reports to the General/Business Manager. Responsible for the day-today custodial maintenance and minor repairs/maintenance of the playhouse and cinema.

To apply for either position:

start. Send resume to: turtlehospital@turtlehospital.org

Email/mail a cover letter and resume to: gm@marathontheater.org

Marathon Community Theatre, 5101 Overseas Highway, Marathon.

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.

•

•

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The

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.

PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS

- Medical Assistant, Marathon, Orthopedics, Part Time

- Ortho Support Tech, Tavernier, Orthopedics, Part Time

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- Cook, Per Diem

- Exercise Physiologist, Per Diem

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

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

- Nuclear Medicine Tech, Per Diem

- Pool Group Exercise Instructor, Per Diem

- Pool Yoga Instructor, Per Diem

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

- Registered Nurse, Surgery, $15k Sign-on Bonus*

- Registered Respiratory Therapist, Part Time

- Wellness Center Manager

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- ED Team Coordinator

- Environment Tech, $5k Sign-on Bonus*

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

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

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

- Patient Experience Advocate

- Radiology Tech, $15k Sign-on Bonus*

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

- Security Of cer

All

APPLY AND LEARN MORE

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

KEY WEST

Peer Support Specialist

Prevention Specialist (any location)

(PT)

Behavioral Health Therapist (Adult)

Behavioral Health Counselor (Child)

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)

Visual Communications Coordinator (Full-Time, Permanent) Trainer (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

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