Marathon Weekly 24-0425

For those with a vision

Staff Writers Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com

Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator

Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Graphic Design

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com

Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com

Diana Striker

Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

A total of $1.5 billion included in the 2024-25 Florida budget will support continued Everglades restoration and water quality improvements. Funding passed by the state Legislature during session brings Florida’s total investment in Everglades restoration and water quality improvements to $6.5 billion since 2019. $6.5B

Seven-year-old local James Platt III took home some hardware last weekend as the top junior angler – and first to catch a fish – in the 2024 Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament. See page 30. MIKEY FINIGUERRA/Mfin Media

SKATE PARK STAYS AT MARATHON COMMUNITY PARK, COUNCIL SAYS

city staff showed three alternative layouts for the project at the community park’s northeast corner.

An upcoming rebuild of Marathon’s skate park has seen more than its fair share of concepts, redesigns and debate. But a proposed move for the attraction from its previous site to Oceanfront Park behind City Hall appears to be off the table, judging from resident input and direction from the Marathon City Council at its April 23 workshop.

Previous preliminary renderings generated by design firm The Platform Group have seen consistent community feedback from other Marathon Community Park users concerned about encroachment of the redesigned skate park on existing soccer fields. Tuesday evening’s presentation from

While some would use the footprint of the original skatepark, others would incorporate a redesign of the community park’s eastern entrance while extending wheel park features into existing parking lots and green space. Though not included in renderings presented at the workshop, councilman Kenny Matlock spoke in favor of a fourth plan that would move the existing park’s footprint closer to U.S. 1, with a corresponding redesign and eastward shift of the community park’s east entrance.

Public commenters universally praised including the rebuild within the confines of the community park, noting the potential for mixed recreational activities for families with multiple children and cautioning against installing an attraction used by small groups of children in a less-trafficked area.

“(The Platform Group) are municipal designers with landscape architect

degrees,” said local businessman and action sports proponent Matt Sexton, who together with the firm has spearheaded the skate park’s redesign. “We can go back to them to have them flex this in there any way we want. … I don’t want to take away from the soccer fields, and I don’t want to take away from events and festivals. I would love to maybe have some trees and nicer places to sit.”

“We have no objection to the skate park,” said Marathon Youth Club board member Holly Harrington. “Our only concern is that we manage baseball and soccer recreational leagues, and they have grown exponentially. … Taking any of the green space away from the players is a disservice to them.”

“I hope that we can move forward with this,” said councilman Jeff Smith. “Our first workshop on this was February of last year … and here we are 14 months later still having the exact same discussion we had back then. I

continued on page 14

Rough renderings presented to the Marathon City Council on Tuesday night laid out options for placement of a rebuilt skate park in the northeast corner of Marathon Community Park. CITY OF MARATHON/Contributed

Marathon Health Center

2805 Overseas Highway MM 48.5  Marathon, FL 33050

Tavernier Health Center

91200 Overseas Highway, Unit 17 Tavernier, FL 33070

Key West Health Center

727 Fort Street Key West, FL 33040

ACCESSIBLE COMPREHENSIVE CARE FOR ALL

When you walk through our doors, you’re family. With comprehensive healthcare led by compassionate board-certified physicians, you can rest assured that you’re receiving the highest quality care at our health centers in the Keys. Visit

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

Marathon Services Include:

Primary Care Pediatrics

Telehealth Pharmacy

COVID-19 Testing

ALEX RICKERT

alex@keysweekly.com

Race World Offshore’s Seven Mile Grand Prix is back this weekend

Bumpy conditions are once again in the forecast as high-octane race teams gear up for the revitalized 2024 Seven Mile Grand Prix this weekend.

Races set for Saturday and Sunday, April 27 and 28 will pit the fastest boats on the water –think up to 140 mph – against one another on a 5.6-mile nearshore course that parallels the Old Seven Mile Bridge to kick off the American Power Boat Association’s Offshore National Championship Series.

Events around town and on the water will provide a comprehensive spectator experience for guests. Here’s what you need to know:

WATCH THE RACES

The primary viewing area is on the Old Seven Mile Bridge, but spectators may be able to see some parts of the races from the western gulfside edge of Marathon as shown in the course map. Reserved VIP areas will be sectioned off on portions of Old Seven as well as the park at the base of the bridge.

WATCH FROM THE WATER

Spectator vessels are welcome in the designated areas marked in the course map. The area around the race course and under the east end of the Seven Mile Bridge is closed to vessel traffic throughout Saturday and Sunday. The area will temporarily open to boat traffic from noon to 1:30 p.m. each day.

ADMISSION

Viewing the races from the Old Seven Mile Bridge is FREE.

Two-day VIP packages are available for $300 and include designated seating near the water’s edge at the foot of the Seven Mile Bridge and on top of the bridge, admission to special events throughout the weekend, and special parking. More details are at raceworldoffshore.com/marathon-7-mile-vip.

Reaching speeds of up to 140 mph, multiple classes of boats, including the famed Super Cat racers, will battle for top honors this weekend.

BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

THE RACE SCHEDULE

Offshore testing will take place from 10 a.m. to noon and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Saturday’s races are scheduled to run from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday’s races, including several classes of larger boats, will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For a full schedule, including individual class races, visit raceworldoffshore.com/marathonschedule.

SEE THE BOATS

Fans may visit boats and their race crews from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday, at the dry pit locations at San Pablo Catholic Church. Wet pits are located at Faro Blanco Marina and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

THE PARKING

Parking for spectators is available at Mara-

thon Community Park. The Pigeon Key train will run every 15 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday to deliver spectators from the park to Sunset Grille, where they can walk to the bridge. VIP guests may park at Sunset Grille. Please note that there is no general-admission parking at Sunset Grille, the entrance to the Old Seven Mile Bridge, or on the side of U.S. 1 leading to the bridge.

THE PARTIES

Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters will host a welcome party for racers and fans from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, April 26. An awards ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 28 at Sunset Grille.

CLOSURES

Stay tuned to keysweekly.com for potential boat ramp and marina closures.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Visit raceworldoffshore.com/marathon.

An illustration of the course map shows its run along the Old Seven Mile Bridge. Note the designated areas for spectator vessels and areas closed to vessel traffic. RACE WORLD OFFSHORE/Contributed

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Tranquil, waterfront home boasting a spacious 1620 Sq. Ft. floor plan with open water views! Ideal for entertaining, the interior features an open concept main living space and large kitchen. Retire to a generous primary suite complete with en suite bathroom and two walk-in closets. A full-length screened-in porch featur ing canal and partial open water views! 60' concrete seawall provides shallow-draft ocean and bay access!

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Spacious canal front home in desirable Jolly Roger Estates. No details were spared in the recent renovation transformation, resulting in impeccable design and comfort. Kitchen updates include stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Split floor plan allows

28532 DIRK ROAD

19527 INDIAN MOUND DRIVE

SUGARLOAF KEY | $2,199,000

Stunning Sugarloaf Retreat with private sandy beach, sparkling pool, and sprawling dockage! Enjoy elevated seaside living with a resort feel and jaw-dropping Views of the Gulf of Mexico. Dine al fresco and take in the endless sea breezes from the screened-in patio or relax

LITTLE TORCH KEY | $1,499,000

Spacious, canal-front home with enviable access to world-class fishing in minutes! With approximately 170' of waterfront on a clear, deep-draft canal, host multiple vessels along the expansive wood dock, boasting a swim ladder, fillet station, and davits. Inside, the open-concept main living space lends itself to entertaining and the split floor plan and generous bedrooms o er plenty of space for family and guests.

THE

lisaferringo@gmail.com

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1507 B SOMBRERO BOULEVARD

MARATHON | $3,850,000

Brand New 2024 CBS Construction with gorgeous Boot Key Harbor Views and excellent boating! Every detail has been considered in this turnkey pool home! Open-concept great room is bright and spacious and a wall of impact-resistant glass doors leading out to a full-length covered veranda boasting stunning open water views! An opulent primary suite o ers sweeping views of Boot Key Harbor and overlooks sparkling pool and generous T-dock.

20942 6TH AVENUE WEST

CUDJOE KEY | $1,999,999

Stunning canal front home with a massive 15,600 Sq. Ft. lot, and deep-water ocean access! 125' of concrete seawall with 15K boat lift, davits, and turning basin! Huge 2,772 Sq. Ft. floorplan boasts an open-concept living space and custom chef’s kitchen. Spacious screened-in lanai, solar system, security system and coveted 2 car garage are just a few of the endless features at this prime Cudjoe Gardens retreat!

COUNTY LEADERS WON’T TAKE OVER TDC

Also: Privately owned vacant lots in the Keys number 3K

The Tourist Development Council’s failed audits led to the firing of its top director and have subjected the tourism marketing agency to public scrutiny that it’s never faced in its 40-year history.

But the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners has no interest in taking over the TDC, according to officials.

It’s not the TDC’s structure – it’s the financial controls that were the problem, the BOCC agreed at its April 17 meeting.

A takeover would just mean more government, County Mayor Holly Raschein said.

But transparency and accountability must improve, she said, starting with routine TDC audits.

Even nonprofits on shoestring budgets have to undergo an audit every year, yet the TDC, dealing in tens of millions of dollars, chugged along for decades unchecked, the commissioners noted.

In October 2023, County Clerk Kevin Madok launched the first of four separate audits on the TDC and its advertising and marketing partner agencies.

When was the last time the TDC was audited?

No one has the exact date.

“It was talked about at the TDC that it was 20 years or longer since they had had an audit,” said commissioner Craig Cates, of Key West.

The TDC collects a four-cent “bed tax” on every dollar spent at Florida Keys hotels and lodging establishments. The money is used to advertise the Keys as a vacation destination, promote events that attract visitors and fund construction projects to enhance tourism.

They’re the experts on marketing the Keys, commissioner David Rice, of Marathon, said.

“It would be really easy to overreact,” Rice said. “When I think back through the years, we probably reached a point where the revenue for TDC became large enough that

they should have brought in a chief operating officer, a financial officer. That would have helped. Spilled milk.”

Rita Irwin, the TDC board chair, thanked the BOCC and county staff members who were sent in to work with the agency after the audit, which found repeated noncompliance with county policies and questionable accounting practices.

“I appreciate the confidence in us getting better,” Irwin said.

“We need to do this right and to keep Monroe County bringing in this tourist money that keeps our property taxes lower,” Irwin said. “It’s important to keep this engine running.”

A final tally

For years, people in the Keys have bandied about the number of privately owned vacant lots that remain to be developed in the Keys. It was always “nearly 8,000” or “about 7,900.”

Now, Monroe County staff has pinned down a realistic total at just under 3,000, as the county prepares a response to the state’s FloridaCommerce department on a request for building permits – which is directly tied to the Keys’ hurricane evacuation plan.

The 7,900 figure that the state was using as a reference had been based on the number of privately owned, vacant properties across the entire Keys.

But county staff found that if you take away the lots that can’t be developed due to environmental restrictions and zoning laws, the grand total of vacant developable lots is realistically 2,997.

“I am going to start saying 3,000, myself,” Emily Schemper, the county’s senior director of planning and environmental resources told the BOCC on April 17. “It’s an approximate number to begin with. It’s too much of a mouthful for me.”

FIFTH CLASS OF MHS STUDENTS TRAINING WITH MARATHON FIRE RESCUE

For these 10 high school students, the day doesn’t start at Marathon High School on Sombrero Beach Road; it starts at Marathon Fire Rescue Station No. 14 in the classroom whose quietest “student” is the CPR dummy on a gurney rolled in the corner.

“The most important thing they learn here is teamwork,” said firefighter paramedic Chris Cameron, lead cadet coordinator. “If someone is late, everyone does push-ups. They learn how to function together as first responders.”

The five seniors are arranged at desks in the front row, with juniors in the back. On this particular morning, the whiteboard glows with information. On other days they don full gear for skill drills. Come May, the five seniors will be the fifth class of students to graduate from the two-year Marathon Fire Rescue Cadet program.

“We are so encouraged by the level of interest and skill in the young men and women we have trained,” said Marathon Fire Chief John Johnson. “Our goal was to recruit and retain local professionals to serve our community and it is working.”

Forty-eight students have passed through the program and one former student is a full-time medic with Marathon Fire Rescue. In 2023-24, the seniors are Allison Garcia, Mylan Henriquez, Ethan Sauders, Michael Merryman and Austin Peterson. Three say they intend to become full-time paramedics, and two are on a career path to become pilots. The juniors are Elena Eubank, Caylie Globe, Brayan Suarez, Gabriel Leal and Johnny Ferreiro. The effort to recruit and train local

firefighter and medic talent started more than a decade ago. The program is sponsored by the Monroe County School District, which allocates funds to Marathon Fire Rescue. The program is taught by Marathon Fire Rescue professionals: firefighter paramedic Chris Cameron (and lead cadet coordinator), driver engineer Thomas Wolhers, firefighter paramedic Isa Sanchez, firefighter paramedic Carlos Ornales and Lt. Cesar Moreton. Fire Rescue recruits vigorously at career fairs and through community outreach, but the program’s popularity is evidenced by student awareness and word-of-mouth recommendations.

In addition to the physical training and classroom experience, students volunteer 40 to 70 hours a year at community functions in Marathon and at local schools.

Marathon Fire Rescue senior cadets will graduate on Friday, May 17 at 1 p.m. during the Class 23-24 “Burn” at the Joe London Training Facility on Grassy Key.

— Contributed

Marathon Fire Rescue cadets practice with a forcible entry prop in front of Marathon Fire Station No. 14 where they attend a two-hour class Monday through Friday. CITY OF MARATHON/Contributed

The student cadets learn teamwork and get real-world experience of what it means to be a first responder, including regular maintenance of department equipment.

GWEN FILOSA

gwen@keysweekly.com

THE ADVENTURES BEGIN

Summer camps await Middle Keys kids

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

When school lets out, it’s time for camp in the Middle Keys. Marathon and Big Pine Key have plenty of opportunities for youngsters from the heart of the island chain, whether they’re young scientists-intraining, thespians waiting for their shot on stage, or sailors ready to hit the water.

PIGEON KEY MARINE SCIENCE SUMMER CAMP

What is it? Campers will learn all about different marine biology topics with a fun, hands-on approach. Activities include reef fish identification, invertebrate collection, snorkeling at Sombrero Reef and around Pigeon Key, participating in dissections, fishing, playing field games and relay races, and enjoying their own private island.

Where is it? Pigeon Key

When is it? Day camps run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 24 - 28, July 8 - 12, and July 29- Aug. 2. Overnight camps run from 9 a.m. Monday through 5 p.m. Friday on July 1-5, July 15 - 19, and July 22 - 26.

Age requirement: Day camps are for ages 8-16. Overnight camps are for ages 10-16.

How does it work? Find more information and registration at www.pigeonkey. net.

Cost: $500 per child for day camps, $1,550 per child for overnight camps

Contact: Email sarah@pigeonkey.net

ST. COLUMBA JUST FOR FUN CAMP

What is it? Just for Fun Camp offers fun activities, arts and crafts, science, games, field trips, healthy snacks, breakfast and lunch.

Where is it? St. Columba Episcopal Church, 451 West 52nd St., Marathon

When is it? July 8 through August 2, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Age requirement: Ages 5 and up.

How does it work? To sign up, email stcolumbamarathon.secretary@gmail.com or visit stcolumbamarathon.org.

Cost: FREE

Contact: Cathy Walters (305-743-6412) or email stcolumbamarathon.secretary@gmail.com

LOCALS’ DOLPHIN DAY CAMP

What is it? Locals' Dolphin Day Camp is a fun-filled, active five-day program that introduces children ages 8-10, who are full-time year-round Florida Keys residents, to the amazing world of dolphins. Campers will get to know and respect each DRC dolphin as a unique individual, go up close and observe them in action, learn more about each dolphin's unique behaviors and physical characteristics, and participate in handson activities (including dolphin interactive programs), group discussions, games, crafts and more.

Where is it? Dolphin Research Center

When is it? Camp runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday on one of the following weeks: June 10-14, June 17-21, July 1-5.

Age requirement: Children ages 8-10, who are full-time yearround Florida Keys residents.

How does it work? To receive an application link and begin the enrollment process, email education@dolphins.org with the camper's full name, birthdate and home location. Please do not share the application link with others – applications submitted without a prior request via email will be discarded. After submitting the online application, you will receive an email from education@dolphins.org within 3-5 business days.

Cost: $200 per child per week. Payment must be completed within three days of receiving the link in order to reserve your camper's space in the program. Tuition does not include meals or snacks.

CAMP CRANE

What is it? Fun activities and games including swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing

Where is it? Crane Point Museum & Nature Center

When is it? Camp begins at the end of the school year on May 28 and lasts until the start of the new school year on Aug. 10.

Age requirement: 5-11

How does it work? For questions and registration, contact Crane Point CEO Charlotte Quinn (cranepointmuseum@ gmail.com) or call 305-3939501.

Cost: $100 per week per child

DAYCAMP AT SEACAMP

MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATRE CHILDREN’S SUMMER THEATER PROGRAM

What is it? A six-week evening program with activities that touch on theater basics including auditioning, theater terminology, stage direction, the production process and more. Camp concludes with stage show performances in July.

Where is it? Marathon Community Theatre

When is it? June 3 through July 14 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m.

Age requirement: Ages 6-18

How does it work? Enrollment is by application. Applications are available online at www.marathontheater.org, or can be picked up at the box office at 5101 Overseas Highway in Marathon, Mondays through Fridays from noon to 4 p.m. For further information, contact info@marathontheater.org, or call 305-743-0994.

Cost: $150 per child. Assistance is available based on need.

Contact: Karen Witte, interim General Manager at gm@ marathontheater.org

What is it? Daycamp is a Seacamp program offered to children ages 10-13 who live in the Middle and Lower Keys. Located in Big Pine Key, the Daycamp science program educates campers about the distinct marine environment by exploring our surrounding areas. Campers will explore these unique locations through snorkeling, wading and kayaking excursions. In addition to the science program, campers spend their week participating in activities such as fisheries science, games, arts and crafts and swimming. Family and friends of Daycampers are invited to join in the fun by attending a campfire on Thursday evening during the week. The campers will perform skits, sing songs and make s’mores.

Where is it? Seacamp Association Inc., 1300 Big Pine Ave., Big Pine Key

When is it? Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m., and pick-up ends at 5:30 p.m. Sessions include July 1-5, July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29August 2, and August 5-9.

Age requirement: Ages 10-13.

How does it work? Email info@seacamp.org for application, information and enrollment forms. Visit www.seacamp.org for more program information.

Cost: $350 per camper per week, $50 registration fee due to secure spot as part of full camp fee. Tuition includes all activities, boat trips, lab experiments and kayak trips. Lunch is provided.

Contact: Call 305-872-2331 or email info@ seacamp for questions and information.

CITY OF MARATHON PARKS & RECREATION SUMMER CAMP

What is it? This eight-week summer camp is field-trip-based. Trips include Jacobs Aquatic Center, Miami Marlins games, Marine Camp and many more between Miami and Key West. Camp also includes once-a-week beach days. Where is it? Each day will begin at Marathon Community Park.

When is it? Camp begins June 10 and runs through August 2. Drop-off begins daily at 8 a.m. with pickup beginning at 4 p.m. Campers may register weekly, per month, or for the entire camp.

Age requirement: Ages 5-13

How does it work? To register, scan the QR code.

Cost: Full summer camp: $720 for 8 weeks per camper. Monthly: $400 per camper. Weekly: $120 per camper. Sibling discounts are available: $20 for a first sibling, $20 for a second sibling, and $10 for a third sibling.

Contact: Email Jennifer Ward (wardj@ ci.marathon.fl.us) with questions.

MIDDLE KEYS SAILING YOUTH CAMP

What is it? Local youth learn to sail and hone their skills on the clear water that surrounds our island home with Middle Keys Sailing and Science Camps. Where is it? 33rd Street Gulf, Marathon, at the point under the yellow shade. When is it? A new schedule for 2024, offering (2) two-week beginner/refresher sessions and several one-week intermediate/advanced sessions, some with racing or fun science themes. Session times are divided by age: Mondays through Thursdays, ages 7-9 in mornings, ages 10-16 in afternoons. All ages meet together on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Class sessions run from June 3 through August 8, with a regatta and end-of-season party TBD.

Age requirement: Ages 7-16

How does it work? Open to all local youth. For more information and signup, visit www.mycef.education.

Cost: Tuition is $170 per sailor per week. Sign up before May 20 to register a student for two consecutive weeks for $300. Financial assistance is available for those in need.

What's Happening at St. Columba Episcopal Church in May St. Columba Bingo Night

May 3rd 6:00

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with Mateo Guitar Concert

May 5th - Potluck at 5:00, Concert at 6:00

All are Welcome

New Summer Hours Starting May 5th Sunday, 10am

May the peace of the Lord be always with you

St.

SKATE PARK STAYS

from page 4

believe it can coexist with everything.”

“My thoughts on this tonight are proof that your showing up and commenting are effective,” said Marathon Mayor Robyn Still. “Before this meeting, I was 100% behind having that skate park right here behind City Hall. … At this point, I’ve listened to your comments and you’ve actually changed my mind.”

With no formal action taken at workshop sessions, the council unanimously directed staff to move forward with plans for installation of the park in the community park’s northeast corner.

Event permits ignite frustrations

Due to an event permit submitted nearly two weeks after its stated deadline, the council headed to an 8 a.m. special call meeting on April 25 to decide the fate of Race World Offshore’s 7 Mile Grand Prix powerboat races.

The late submission marks the third time in two months that a major community event has failed to submit a timely permit, City Attorney Steve Williams told the council. While permit submissions are required to be completed 30 days in advance of an event, Williams said an application with plans

to close off areas of Marathon, including the 33rd Street boat ramp and Seven Mile Marina, for the weekend of April 26 were not received until April 8.

Councilman Luis Gonzalez voiced frustrations with a plan that has yet to receive council approval and would conflict with multiple events at Stanley Switlik Elementary and the Marathon Rec Center during the same weekend.

“We had a meeting where we said that next time, we’re holding people to the fire,” said Still. “I hate to cancel things too, but at what point do we draw the line and say ‘We have rules, and you need to follow them?’ … If we don’t hold them accountable for the rules, how fair is it that we’re holding everybody else accountable?”

“I hate to penalize all of the families and drivers, and all the locals looking forward to it, because one (person) did this,” said Matlock. “That being said, moving forward … start putting in hefty fines if you’re late and you think you’re just going to get the filing through.”

Results of the special call meeting, which was set to address logistics with race organizers and potentially approve the event permit, were not available at press time. Notable changes on the table included a possible move from 33rd Street to the Quay boat ramp for launching race vessels.

Jody L. Owen, P.A. 305-923-1902 jodyowen@me.com

MCSO DEPUTY ARRESTED FOR SPYING ON HIS EX

He allegedly recorded couple having sex, police say

GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

AMonroe County Sheriff’s Office deputy is accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s home in the predawn hours of April 15 to spy on her and her new boyfriend, opening her bedroom window and shouting that he was recording them, according to Key West police.

Alexander Morales Jr., 26, of Key West, was arrested and charged with felony burglary and misdemeanor criminal mischief. He was arrested on April 15 and released from the county jail later that day after posting a $110,000 bond.

But four days later, on Friday, April 19, Morales was back in jail after sheriff’s office officials discovered he allegedly used his deputy status to look up information on the man dating his ex.

Three days after the alleged burglary, Morales was arrested on four felony charges of illegally using MCSO computers for unauthorized purposes. His bond for these charges was set at $100,000 and he posted it within a few hours after his arrest and was released from jail.

Key West police report that Morales arrived in his MCSO patrol car at the Eagle Avenue home of his 23-yearold ex-girlfriend around 1:30 a.m. on April 15.

A security camera reportedly captured Morales getting out of the marked MCSO vehicle and walking toward his ex’s residence. Several minutes later, he’s seen running back to the cruiser and driving off.

The woman and her boyfriend told Key West detectives they were having sex when they heard the bedroom window open. They saw a man open the window blinds and shine a light on them, states Morales’ arrest affidavit.

The couple panicked and began covering themselves with “whatever clothing they could find” as the burglar shouted he was “recording everything,” police reported.

When the burglar broke the blinds, partially lunging through the window, the woman immediately recognized

Morales and shouted at him to leave, reports state.

Moments later, Morales allegedly approached the front door of the residence and peered inside the house through the window at the top of the door. The woman told police she had the porch light on and clearly saw it was Morales.

Morales asked her to come outside, “so they could talk,” the affidavit states. She refused and called a friend for help. Morales was already gone when the friend arrived,

The only way to get to the woman’s home is through a closed gate on the property, the affidavit states.

‘You’re mad that you got caught’

It’s unclear in court records whether Morales has legal representation, and he couldn’t be immediately reached for comment on April 19.

Between 11:39 p.m. April 14 and the time of the burglary on April 15, his ex-girlfriend told police she had received six missed phone calls, including three from a blocked caller ID.

While detectives were doing a follow-up interview with the woman, she received a call from a number that had no caller ID. It was Morales, police said. On the phone, Morales began to chastise his ex for having sex, calling her “disgusting.”

She told him she didn’t know why he came into her home through the window. “I didn’t come in nowhere, I opened the window,” Morales said. “Who cares? You’re mad that you got caught.”

When asked what he did with the video recording, Morales replied, “Why do you care? … You’re disgusting,” the affidavit states.

Key West detectives recorded the call on a body-worn camera.

Morales allegedly also made a vulgar post on Snapchat about the victim’s sexual activity in which he included her full name, police said.

Key West police later arrested Morales outside his Key West home. When he saw an officer approaching, he turned around and put his hands behind his back, reports state.

On the day of the arrest, Sheriff Rick Ramsay announced that Morales was on unpaid administrative leave pending a hearing.

“I am committed to keeping this community informed of significant events that occur in this agency,” Ramsay said in a statement. The sheriff’s office Internal Affairs Division is also investigating.

SCHOOL BOARD DENIES $4 MILLION STADIUM PRICE HIKE

Restroom & concession building would have cost double the initial estimate

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

The school board this month pressed pause on a $4 million price increase that would have put the cost of Key West High School’s new football stadium and baseball complex at nearly $24 million.

In March, the board had expected to approve a $2 million change order for a new restroom and concession building, but instead was hit with a $4 million spike in the price.

Postponing their decision until the April 9 meeting in Key West, the board ultimately voted 3-2 to deny the change order, citing various concerns about the lack of specificity in the initial estimates submitted by Ajax Building Co., which has built several Monroe County schools and facilities.

“Maybe they’re just getting too comfortable with us,” board member John Dick said at the meeting.

Board chair Mindy Conn added, “I’m not comfortable saying we’re going to rubber-stamp a $4 million project.”

She questioned Pat Lefere, the school district’s director of planning and operations, about who was in charge of approving, line by line, cost estimates for multimillion-dollar construction projects.

“I’m assuming we have someone whose job it is to notice that estimates don’t include things like site work, concrete and masonry,” said Conn, who has butted heads with Lefere over aspects of the stadium design.

Lefere said his team is charged with reviewing such estimates, but added that Ajax had not submitted a detailed estimate that would have enabled Lefere’s team to notice the omissions until the design phase was already 75% complete.

Board member Darren Horan, who joined Conn and Dick in denying the change order, has suggested that the district rebid the portion of the project that Ajax is saying would cost $4 million.

“I think it’d be the best bang for our buck to see if someone else can come in and we can see what they can do for $4 million or less,” Horan said.

With the denial of the change order, work will proceed at the stadium, but the future of the new concession and restroom building on the baseball side of the complex remains up in the air for now.

Alexander Morales Jr. MCSO/ Contributed

An architect’s rendering shows the proposed concession and restroom building at the Rex Weech Field baseball complex. CONTRIBUTED

WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS

Dr. Christopher Forsee, DMD is seamlessly taking the reins from the iconic “Barefoot Dentist,” Dr. Troxel, where the laid-back vibe extends even to the choice of footwear. Dr. Forsee delivers personalized comprehensive dental care tailored to your needs. Whether it's routine maintenance or advanced procedures, trust Dr. Forsee to rejuvenate your smile with meticulous precision and compassionate care.

MARINE LIFE NEEDS MORE MANGROVES

Groups team up for Keys corals & coastlines

JEN ALEXANDER

www.keysweekly.com

Two foundations teamed up on April 20 in the Lower Keys to highlight the importance of mangrove restoration for the Florida Keys’ marine environment.

The groups, CoastLove and Plant A Million Corals (PAMC), challenged community members to find mangrove propagules, or seeds, and bring them to Summerland Farms, where a collection container encourages people to drop off the propagules along with any donations of gardening materials such as pots and soil.

At the April 20 event, the public helped plant the propagules, toured the coral and mangrove nurseries and enjoyed music, food, snow cones, raffles and a discussion of the foundations’ efforts.

$3 DOMESTIC BOTTLES

Monday

Mangrove forests are the lifeblood of Florida Keys waters. They act as marine nurseries, protecting countless juvenile species while helping to prevent coastline erosion, filtering water and storing carbon.

With worldwide mangrove forests rapidly declining, the foundations are working together to restore the vital marine ecosystems.

“We are so excited to be partnering with CoastLove,” said Dee Dee Vaughn Smause of PAMC foundation. “Their commitment to community-driven conservation, education and restoration aligns perfectly with that of Plant a Million Corals. We each have our missions to make the much-needed impact on our coral reefs, coastlines and our community, which depends on healthy coral reefs and mangroves.”

A CoastLove booth on April 20 offered framed selfie photos of people who pledged to be part of efforts to reduce single-use plastic bags while local firefighters handed out snow cones to little ones.

“Through action and education we are bringing information to the community through events and partnerships such as this,” said CoastLove program manager Dawn Bowles.

Tours of the facility featured small fragments of growing corals and baby mangroves that eventually can be planted in the ocean

“Our tanks not only are more efficient for coral restoration and monitoring, but they can be made in one to two days for a fraction of the cost of industry-standard, fiberglass tanks,” facility manager Jason Smause said. “They are one of the tools we use to scale up coral restoration to the level needed to save our reefs.”

Donations of planting materials such as pots, soil, gloves, shovels and mangrove propagules are always accepted at Summerland Farms, 23801 Overseas Hwy., MM 23.

More information is at plantamillioncorals.org and coastlove.org.

Top to bottom: Jason Smause, Plant a Million Corals facility manager, poses with one of the coral tanks he built. Volunteers help to plant mangrove propagules at the April 20 event. CoastLove program manager Dawn Bowles runs the event booth. JEN ALEXANDER/Keys Weekly

Monday: Men’s Breakfast 7am at 7 Mile Grill.

Tuesday: Sisters in Christ 9:45am. All are welcome!

"Truly

Jass Tremblay PA

has been a realtor for 10 years and is an Affiliate of the Middle & Lower Keys Board of Realtors. She is knowledgeable about the Fl Keys market as both a seller and buyer agent. Jass enjoys working closely with her clients to help them achieve their goal in every real estate transaction. Jass Tremblay PA 305.735.4095 Jtremblay@oeansir.com 10055 Overseas

WHEELS LIKE MIKE

Inaugural car show gives United Way a boost

helped 25 show entrants and dozens of visitors raise $789 to go with 200 pounds of donated food.

BIG FIRM CAPABILITIES, SMALL FIRM CARE

LK & Associates announces expansion

After nearly 20 years of serving the Marathon community, one of the largest accounting firms in the Middle Keys is taking the next step forward.

Formerly known as LK Financial Services & Management under owner Linda Kruszka, the newly-rebranded LK & Associates welcomed guests to an open house at Marathon Community Theatre on April 18 to celebrate the firm’s expansion, adding staff and new partner Antonio Necuze.

Adding Necuze’s 30-plus years of experience in the accounting sector, the firm continues to provide a wide suite of services to the Middle Keys community, including tax planning and preparation, accounting and bookkeeping services, small business and IT consulting, payroll services, budgeting, CFO services, and condo and homeowner association management.

More information is at www.lkfinancial.us, via email to team@lkfinancial.us or at 305-289-5862.

High-octane enthusiasts made their way to Town Square mall on the morning of April 20 to vie for the top prize in the Keys Young Professionals Network’s inaugural ‘Be Like Mike’ summer car show and benefit. Named after the late Monroe County commissioner and Islamorada restaurateur Mike Forster, proceeds from the event supported United Way’s Feed the Keys summer initiative for local families.

Support from Centennial Bank, CocaCola, Seafarer Realty and the Middle and Lower Keys Association of Realtors

“We had support from Miami all the way down to Key West with participating vehicles,” said show organizer Alexia Mann. “The food drive goes through May 17 and all donations and funds stay in the Keys. If you missed the car show, you can still donate towards the food drive.”

To learn more about the Feed the Keys initiative, scan the QR code.

From top: Guests fill the gallery at Marathon Community Theatre to commemorate LK & Associates’ expansion.

LK & Associates’ Michelle Hobson, left, and Danielle Spinola welcome guests to the firm’s open house.

LK & Associates partners Linda Kruszka, right, and Antonio Necuze welcome Marathon Mayor Robyn Still.

Appetizers from Chef Heather are always a plus at any event.

Photos by ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Lenny Roslan’s 1964 Corvette wins ‘Kids Choice.’ Photos by ROSS SMITH/Keys Weekly. See more photos at keysweekly.com and instagram.com/islandexposureco.

Saturday’s show saw visits from classic trucks, Mustangs, Corvettes, Camaros – and even a 1958 armored personnel carrier.

Craig Murdock, center, accepts his ‘Best Custom Car’ award from United Way’s Michelle Nevel, left, and show organizer Alexia Mann.

Paint jobs and wheels buffed to a mirror shine filled parking spots at Town Square Mall.

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

Nearly 200 guests attended An Evening of Gratitude benefiting Baptist Health Fishermen’s Community Hospital, which was held on April 6, 2024 at Oceanfront Park in Marathon, Florida. The event raised $350,000 as the Foundation honored its Giving Society members and other donors to Fishermen’s Community Hospital. All proceeds from the evening will support the hospital’s most critical needs. Thank you to the sponsors, donors, event committee and attendees for making an impact on healthcare in the Florida Keys.

We are truly grateful for your continuous support of your community resource, Fishermen’s Community Hospital.

Lookout Foundation

Geraldine & William Weir

BIRD OF PARADISE SILVER SPONSORS

ORCHID BRONZE SPONSORS

Rosemary Thomas KeysBank.com

Susan Ruck

Dee & Don Swatik

Debbie Sterling & Ron Anderson

Dr. Ruddy & Barbara Valdes

Betty & Jim Howe

Nancy & Jay Hershoff, Baptist Health Board of Trustees Chair and Stacey Berrios, Baptist Health Caregiver

Jane Packard & Jim Rifkin Fishermen’s Community Hospital & Mariners Hospital Vice President of Professional Services, Candy Fincke, Gayle & Eddie Maimo and Tom Matthews

George Neugent, Don Swatik, Jane Packard, Nancy Hershoff, Sue Williamson, Aleta Williamson, Fishermen’s Community Hospital & Mariners Hospital CEO, Drew Grossman, Linda Coggins, Ally Kelley and Jason Koler

Top Row: Baptist Health Foundation CEO, Alex Villoch, Drew Grossman; Bottom Row: Kelley & Joan Bergstrom

OPEN MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FLORIDA KEYS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION, INC.

MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2024

AT 1:00 P.M.

FKEC TAVERNIER HEADQUARTERS, BOARD ROOM

MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATRE IS NOW HIRING:

GENERAL MANAGER

Full-Time, Permanent, Base Salary $55,000, Higher Salary may be negotiated based on qualifications and experience

Oversees all business operations of Marathon Community Theatre including the Playhouse and Cinema. Ensures the theater 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

To apply for this position, email your resume and cover letter to gm@marathontheater org or mail it to Marathon Community Theatre, 5101 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050

Students were reminded: drive sober, or cherished friends may not make it home.

‘YOUR LIFE CAN CHANGE IN 30 SECONDS’

Marathon High gets chilling reminder before prom

Marathon High School juniors and seniors this week received a sobering reminder of the true consequences of getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. Police lights and a demolished car took up residence on the front lawn of MHS on the morning of April 23 to simulate a drunk driving crash as part of the Educational Coalition for Monroe County and Champions for Change’s annual Safe and Sober Prom event. As MHS Fire Academy students worked with Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol and Marathon Fire Rescue personnel to extract the student “victims” from the damaged vehicle, Marathon Fire Inspector Mike Card addressed the gathered students and staff, reminding them of the realities that can occur with poor decision making on prom night.

MHS Fire Academy students

to cut away portions of the damaged car and extract the trauma victims inside.

work

MHS Fire Academy students simulate CPR on a trauma victim.

Photos by ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

HOMETOWN ANGLERS CLEAN HOUSE

Third annual Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament hooks biggest charity haul yet

more than years past, but the vibe was on another level.”

Back for its third year, the Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament lent its most significant helping hand yet to the nonprofit Mission Fishin’ after two successful days of catch-and-release sailfish hunts.

The 2024 iteration of the tournament, running on April 19 and 20, saw 75 anglers aboard 16 boats rack up 30 sailfish hook ups, resulting in 27 successful releases and five fish tagged for research purposes. An awards banquet held at Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters concluded the festivities and awarded top teams and anglers, the vast majority of whom hail from Marathon.

Through Mission Fishin’, chosen by tournament founder Katie Lewis as the beneficiary of the tournament since its inception in 2022, proceeds will support fishing trips and other marine adventures for special needs children, foster children and their families who would not otherwise be afforded these opportunities.

Past tournaments have historically raised around $10,000 per year for the nonprofit, but Lewis said the 2024 event is on track to up that amount by about 50% when the dust settles.

“I was blown away by the crowd that night,” Lewis told the Weekly. “You could feel the generosity. I expected

Dates for the 2025 tournament are already set, with an April 24 captains meeting preceding two days of fishing on April 25 and 26.

THE WINNERS’ CIRCLE

Top overall team: No Slack Sportfishing, 4 releases – Captain James Platt, mate Ely Hernandez, anglers Melissa Bennett and James Platt III.

Second-place team: Yeti or Knot, 4 releases – Captain Jared Dieguez, mate Todd Picariello, anglers Tony Palm, Jonathan Sanchez, Luca Picariello, Caden Hudson and Kevin Reid.

Third-place team: Memory Maker, 3 releases – Captain Jon Henry, mate Casey Yaworsky, anglers Christina Henry, Alissa Keiler, Sean Marrero and Christin Selmon.

Top male angler: Jonathan Sanchez, Yeti or Knot, 2 releases

Top female angler: Alissa Keiler, Memory Maker, 3 releases

Top junior angler: James Platt III, No Slack, 1 release

Most tagged fish: Yeti or Knot, 2 tagged fish

1. With four successful releases, team No Slack Sportfishing wins first place overall in the 2024 Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament.

2. Team Yeti or Not takes second place overall with four successful releases. The team also won the tournament prize for most fish tagged for research.

3. Team Memory Maker takes third place overall with three successful releases.

4. With three successful releases, Alissa Keiler of Team Memory Maker earns the tournament’s top female angler honor.

5. Jonathan Sanchez of Team Yeti or Knot earns the tournament’s top male angler award with two successful releases.

Photos by MIKEY FINIGUERRA/MFin Media and contributed images.

FKCA would like to Thank Marathon Lumber for Presenting Sponsor of the Annual FKCA Golf Tournament April 6th 2024 at Florida Keys Country Club as well as all Golfers, teams, Volunteers, Donors and Stan Haines and the Old Chickens as well as:

I.CARE TRASH DERBY

Electric

Eagle • All Aspects Inspection Services

Birdie • Shelter Bay • Paver Dave • White Marlin

Par Sponsors • Wright Barrows Law firm

Rudy Krause construction Sandbar Design Studio Inc

Ernest Rhodes Plumbing- donor of Yeti cooler

Leslie Christensen PA

• Campbell Engineering

First Horizon Bank

Armand Messina, FKCA President, would like to thank Volunteers Eric Davis from Maine, Bruce Schofield set up and break down and Board Members of FKCA! www. ca.org | admin@ ca.org

MAY 2-5 KEYS-WIDE

THURSDAY, May 2, 6:15-7:30 p.m., Bud N' Mary's Marina Mandatory Team Leader meeting (in-person and virtual), gear pick-up and Mote coral nursery tour.

Free beer from Florida Keys Brewing Co.

FRIDAY, May 3 and SATURDAY, May 4, Sunrise to Sunset Debris clean-up Key Largo through Key West.

SUNDAY, May 5, 12 noon-6 p.m. I.CARE Trash Derby Festival & Awards Ceremony at Founders Park Islamorada.

Food, Vendors, Raffle, Silent Auction and Awards. Performances by the well-known singer songwriter Leah Sutter and Southern Stampede, a touring rock band with amazing vocals and incredible guitar work.

• Register your own team on your own boat

• Register your own team for a shore-based cleanup

Grants for Good

First Horizon celebrates 160 years by awarding $1,600,000 to nonprofit organizations across the Southeast.

By First Horizon Bank

To honor First Horizon’s 160th anniversary, celebrate the company’s ongoing strength and stability, and reiterate their commitment to the communities they serve, First Horizon Bank has announced its new Grants for Good program. The First Horizon Foundation will be awarding 160 grants of $10,000 (totaling $1.6 million) to eligible nonprofit organizations.

The program launched on March 25, First Horizon’s 160th anniversary. “As we commemorate 160 years of excellence, the Grants for Good campaign underscores our long-term commitment and ongoing dedication to strengthening our communities,” said Market President, Dwight Hill. “We are honored to collaborate with organizations committed to uplifting those in need, fostering sustainable growth and fortifying resilience through impactful programs that strengthen the financial health and well-being of our beloved communities.”

Submissions will be accepted through April 30.

Grant requests will be reviewed and decisioned by First Horizon local committees through May 31.

1864 established

Winners will be announced publicly the week of June 17.

Only one submission per organization. The campaign is subject to all federal laws and regulations.

The Grants for Good campaign underscores our long-term commitment and ongoing dedication to strengthening our communties”

– Dwight Hill, Market President

An organization’s submission must highlight how support from the First Horizon Foundation will strengthen our communities through programs and services provided by the organization. Areas of impact include, but are not limited to:

• Financial stability, such as:

• Financial literacy training

• Down payment assistance

• Emergency financial support

• Community stability, such as:

• Rebuilding efforts

• Affordable housing

• Sustainability projects

By the numbers:

$1.6M total donation

160 nonprofits

• Community health and wellness, such as:

• Healthcare services

• Food service, food pantry

• Educational programs

• Social determinants of health

ABOUT FIRST HORIZON

First Horizon Corp. (NYSE: FHN), with $81.7 billion in assets as of December 31, 2023, is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states across the southern U.S. The company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation’s best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines. More information is available at firsthorizon.com.

$10K per grant

THE LAGOON + MOTHER NATURE

Grassy Key park revives Earth Day Mural Fest

GEvery wall of the Lagoon’s buildings was a painter’s playground as muralists from South Florida descended on Grassy Key for the two-day celebration. Photos by SANDRA LEE PHOTOGRAPHY/Keys Weekly. See more photos at keysweekly.com. ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

rassy Key lived up to its tagline as “the place to be” to celebrate Earth Day in Marathon. Reviving its Mural Fest for the first time in three years, the Lagoon on Grassy Key celebrated mother nature with two days of live music, a board sports extravaganza, a mangrove cleanup and the reopening of the park’s Saloon Surf Shoppe. As promised by owner Matt Sexton, renowned artists from throughout Florida spent the weekend overhauling “every paintable surface,” at the Lagoon, bringing fresh creations of flamingoes, undersea scenes, abstract pieces and more to life.

MARINE SANCTUARY ANNOUNCES NEW DEPUTY CHIEF

Former JIATFS leader Burke named to position

David Burke, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and 32-year military veteran, is the new deputy superintendent for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. He began the role on Earth Day, April 22.

“Captain Burke is skilled at managing complexity and risk, with wide-ranging experience overseeing programs, finances and human resources,” said sanctuary superintendent Sarah Fangman. “These are the exact skills required for a deputy superintendent’s role, and the fact he is already in the Keys and familiar with the landscape, makes him perfectly suited. We feel lucky to have him.”

Burke came to Key West in 2020 and served as chief of staff for Joint Interagency Task Force South, known as JIATFS, home to more than 500 personnel from all branches of the military, Federal agencies, civilians, contractors and senior officers from more than 20 partner nations. He began his naval career as a helicopter pilot before transitioning into management roles, including chief of staff of Carrier Strike Group Twelve.

“The Marine Sanctuary has a very different mission than the one at JIATFS, but it relies on similar skill sets — seamless integration of a complex organization and excellence in execution, balanced with uncompromising stewardship,” Burke said. “There will always be more work than resources, so in order to get the job done we have to be super creative managing assets and relationships.”

In addition to his undergraduate degree from the Naval Academy, Burke has earned master’s degrees from the University of San Diego and National Defense University. He is a member of the local chapter of Navy League and the 2025 president-elect of the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club.

“When driving down to Key West in 2020, looking out from the Overseas Highway with all the different colors of blue in the water, I immediately recognized the uniqueness of this world-renowned natural environment. Shortly after arrival, my wife looked at me and said, ‘I don’t ever want to leave.’ We were fortunate to find a home in town, and following my Navy retirement, I’ve been actively engaged in this vibrant community. The sanctuary feels like a perfect fit.”

The sanctuary was designated in 1990 and protects 3,800 square miles of waters surrounding the Keys. It is administered by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and is jointly managed with the state of Florida.

— Contributed

OFFSHORE BITE BEGINS… JUST THE TIPS

So there’s some stuff going on, and there are some things happening. Be more specific? You got it…

After what seemed like an eternity, some life has finally arrived offshore. It’s definitely not full-on mahi season, but there are some fish out there. Certainly working birds are the sure-fire sign, but there aren’t a ton of birds out there yet, so definitely focus on weed lines, rips, edges and floaters. There have been lots of small ones, with about a 50/50 mix of keepers from what I’ve seen, so make sure you have a de-hooker on board that you know how to use.

Bringing a mahi on board, letting it flop on the deck, grabbing it, squeezing it, digging the hook out, and holding it for a picture will definitely kill that fish. Even if it appears to swim away, it’s dead, which entirely defeats the purpose of the size and bag limit. Just run the de-hooker down the line to the hook, pull it up towards the sky and pull the line down, and give a little shake or twist over the side of the boat, and that peanut should flop right back into the water.

I’d recommend trolling one small mahi lure and one fresh naked or skirted ballyhoo. The small lure (a squid skirt, jet head, Billy bait, chugger or similar) will get you hooked up to a schoolie so you can see what size fish you’re into and cast baits at them if they’re keepers. The ballyhoo will get the attention of a larger mahi or a billfish.

Although the typical sailfish zone is 100 to 300 feet of water, there haven’t been any sort of numbers of them in there to speak of – just a few here and there. There seem to be just as many out in 650 feet of water where you’d fish for mahi. I hooked one last week on a weed line in 650 while trolling, as have a number of other people. I’ve also had reports of a few marlin out there as well, and I’ve caught a few trolling both ballyhoo and artificials. The once ever-reliable Marathon Hump is anything but lately.

CAPT. NICK BORRACCINO

is the owner and operator of Noreaster Sport Fishing in Marathon. A Massachusetts native, Nick fished for bluefin tuna and striped bass before moving to the Keys in 2005.

I’ve had a few good days there trolling recently, and also a couple of busts. The sharks are ever-present, which makes it even more difficult. The last few times there, though, there was no shortage of amberjack down deep. They’re not great to eat, but a good fight.

As you might expect for the end of April, the tarpon at the bridges are biting. Mornings and evenings are usually the best. Permit on the spawning wrecks are doing their thing, and we have been catching them with consistency, which is a lot of fun. The yellowtail snapper bite has been particularly good. On both east and west currents, as long as it’s moving, we’re getting some really nice fish.

And my gosh, the groupers –I’ve stopped dropping baits down. I can’t wait for May 1 (which I happen to still somehow have open, hint hint).

Good luck and be safe and courteous out there, everyone.

To book a trip with Captain Nick and Noreaster Sportfishing, call 508-7694189.

While the Marathon Humps haven’t been as reliable as usual, there are still some hard-fighting amberjack to be found. NICK BORRACCINO/Keys Weekly

David Burke. CONTRIBUTED

MATEO

1.5-year-old male pit bull mix.

Looking for: I just want to be loved and petted. Turnoffs: Cats. No cats.

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.

SUMMER

3-year-old female domestic shorthair.

Looking for: All the cuddles you can give me. Turnoffs: Nothing – I’m just a love bug.

BOB

3-year-old male domestic shorthair.

Looking for: This will be my first ever home.

Turnoffs: Life on the streets was way too hard for me.

2 SEA TURTLES HEAD HOME ON EARTH DAY

Hospital treats, releases juveniles rescued last year

In celebration of Earth Day, the staff from the Turtle Hospital released two rehabilitated green sea turtles back to their ocean home from Sombrero Beach in Marathon.

“Sherry” was rescued in September 2023 off Marathon, where she was found floating and entangled in fishing line, and suffering from fibropapillomatosis, a debilitating tumor-causing viral disease that affects sea turtles around the world.

The larger of the two turtles, “PG,” short for “Pretty Girl,” was rescued in October 2023 off the Upper Keys where she was found with a heavy tumor load.

Treatment for both turtles included tumor-removal surgeries, broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluids, vitamins and a healthy diet.

Both turtles are now tumor-free, swimming strongly and back in good health.

“There’s no better way to celebrate Earth Day than releasing two green sea turtles back to their ocean home in the Florida Keys,” said Bette Zirkelbach, the Turtle Hospital’s manager.

“It’s important to protect our oceans for future generations,” Zirkelbach added. “Sea turtles are an indicator species – what happens to them is eventually going to affect all of life.”

Before the turtles were released, kids and their parents had a chance to see the turtles up close and learn from Zirkelbach about the need to protect the world’s oceans.

The Turtle Hospital, based in Marathon, opened in 1986 as the world’s first state-licensed veterinary hospital solely dedicated to the rehabilitation of endangered sea turtles. — Contributed

Staff from the Turtle Hospital prepare to release two green sea turtles, ‘Sherry,’ left and ‘Pretty Girl,’ at Sombrero Beach in Marathon on Earth Day, April 22. The two juvenile sea turtles were rescued in the fall of 2023 suffering from a tumor-causing disease that affects sea turtles around the world. BOB CARE/Florida Keys News Bureau

CROSSING BORDERS

EXPLORING IMMIGRATION THROUGH FICTION, HISTORY AND A BEAUTIFUL MEMOIR

EXIT WEST

By Mohsin Hamid Saeed

KAREN NEWFIELD

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

and Nadia meet at the onset of civil war. Saeed notices Nadia in class one evening and invites her for coffee. She wears a floor-length black robe, so Saeed is shocked when this independent woman accepts and drives away on her scooter. As their friendship blossoms, they become obsessed with the hidden doors that are rumored to exist throughout the city. When it is too dangerous to stay – food, electric and phone service are long gone – the couple searches for the door. In Narnia fashion, these doors symbolize entrance into another world. These fictional doors resemble immigration issues we face today. People leaving families, jobs and homes carrying a small bag and a glimmer of hope. These immigrants who dare to cross invisible lines called borders are often viewed as a burden wherever they land. With each stop, the people are annoyed they cannot instantly assimilate, speak the language and dress accordingly. Scared and lonely, they find comfort in groups with people similar to themselves. Together they beg for a chance to start over while the nativists revolt. This beautifully-written story follows the couple as they search for a place to call home.

THE NEXT SHIP HOME

By Heather Webb

Escaping war, drought, famine and religious persecution, people have always dreamed of a new life in a new country. In 1902, these men, women and children made their way through Ellis Island. Francesca and Maria escaped their abusive father in Sicily, boarding a ship filled with the poor, sick and desperate. A woman named Alma works at Ellis Island as a matron. She lives with her strict German family on the lower east side of New York in a community where, at 21, she is an old maid. Fluent in English, German and Italian, Alma dreams of becoming a translator – a job not yet available to women. When Alma and Francesca meet during inspection, an unlikely friendship blooms. Alma helps Fran get a job and brings her home against her parents’ wishes. Her older brother Fritz is instantly smitten. As we are immersed in the history of discrimination, battles over unionizing and mistreatment of immigrants, it becomes clear these mirror the issues in our headlines today. It is daunting to see how quickly these families, only one generation American themselves, feared anyone different who wanted the very same things their ancestors sought in America.

MY SIDE OF THE RIVER

By Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez

Although she was born in Tuscon, Arizona, Elizabeth struggled to feel at home in America. Her parents’ visas allowed them to work temporarily in the U.S., but when she and her brother Fernando were born, it complicated matters significantly. Her parents dreamed of giving them an American education. Scrambling financially, they worked long hours under the radar performing odd jobs no one else wanted, constantly in fear of deportation. At a young age, Elizabeth was a curious and intelligent student. She took to heart her mother’s constant whispers: “To succeed in America, you have to be the best.” At 15, a miscalculated move left her parents in Mexico with their visa renewal denied. Her young brother remained in their care, but Elizabeth, a top student, arranged to stay with a teacher’s family to finish high school. Overcoming extreme poverty and sleeping on a couch for years, Elizabeth persevered. She became valedictorian and was accepted to a multitude of top colleges. Elizabeth’s success story is a beautiful testament to the strength of family. It’s also a reflection of our broken immigration policies that separate loved ones, using these migrant workers and then throwing them away.

#WORTHWATCHING

“The Swimmers” is a biographical sports drama following the lives of two Syrian sisters known for their remarkable story of survival and bravery after fleeing Syria’s ongoing civil war. One of the sisters goes on to compete in the Olympics. A must-see on Netflix.

TRUSTS • WILLS POWERS OF ATTORNEY LADYBIRD DEEDS

Whether you are a resident or a snowbird, it is important to have your assets properly titled in a way that will avoid those assets going through probate.

KATHLEEN HENDRICKSON ATTORNEY AT LAW

TRIUMPH OVER TRASH

Second I.CARE derby aims high

TIFFANY DUONG

tiffany@keysweekly.com

I.CARE wants to put hope in people’s hands. From May 2-5, Islamorada’s hometown coral restoration and ocean conservation superpower will host its second annual Trash Derby, a Keys-wide marine debris extravaganza.

It’s slated to be the biggest-ever cleanup event these islands have ever seen.

Last year’s inaugural event collected 12,759 pounds of trash; this year, the self-professed coral nerds are gunning to smash that record. Organizers are aiming to reach 20,000 to 40,000 pounds of debris picked up from Keys waterways and coastlines over the two-day cleanup. Participant numbers are more than double compared to last year’s derby, and organizers hope double the trash is gathered in year two.

“I don’t think any one entity has ever been so crazy as to pull something off like this,” said I.CARE cofounder Michael Goldberg. “It’s going to be a blast. Let’s go have some fun helping our ocean.”

Collecting as much trash as possible is the obvious goal. Participants can clean shorelines through land-based cleanups and the seas via Dives Against Debris. To participate in the former, folks can walk the shoreline, use paddleboards or kayaks, or join organizations hosting land cleanups.

For the latter, scuba divers can join participating dive shops throughout the Keys or take a private boat. Visit www.icaretrashderby.com/ participate to register for any of the three cleanup categories. The winner in each category (land-based, dive shop and private boat) gets $1,000 and bragging rights.

Volunteers are still needed to help at debris drop-off locations for teams. Register online at www. icaretrashderby.com/volunteer to add your availability and to complete a mandatory online training.

So, what does trash removal have to do with coral restoration? Everything, it turns out.

Key Dives instructor Nikki Sunshine uses a lift bag to haul up old line from the seafloor during the 2023 I.CARE Trash Derby. KURT TIDD/Contributed

Derby Schedule

• May 2: Team leader meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Bud N’ Mary’s Marina

• May 3-4: Debris collection from sunrise to sunset from Key Largo to Key West

• May 5: Free festival featuring awards ceremony, raffles, food and music from noon to 6 p.m., Founders Park, Islamorada

Debris-free reefs offer a “clean slate” for citizen-scientist divers working with I.CARE to transplant corals onto,” said Amanda Hudon, I.CARE trash derby coordinator. Restoration practitioners cannot do the important work they do if our oceans are full of trash. Additionally, she added, marine debris like fishing line, derelict traps and plastics from shore can smash, break and abrade fragile corals and entangle or choke sea turtles, dolphins, whales and seabirds. Clean oceans allow for healthy oceans.

All debris collected by land or sea during the derby will be sorted, counted and reported into global marine debris databases that inform waste management policies.

And, in true Keys fashion, it all ends with a big party and festival at Islamorada’s Founders Park.

The event is generously supported by the National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation in support of Goal: Clean Seas and other local and international sponsors. All cleanups will be conducted under the applicable FKNMS and FWC permits.

SADNESS IN N.Y.

How does a person get to this point?

Ahorrific story from last week was the sad tale of the man who self-immolated outside Donald Trump’s hush-money trial in New York City. While news cameras were rolling and reporters tried to give the latest updates, 37-year-old Max Azzerello set himself ablaze. According to news sources, the St. Augustine, Florida resident was consumed by conspiracy theories and decided on this drastic action to “draw attention” to his beliefs.

Mr. Azzerello had been protesting at a park near the courthouse all week. Before self-immolating, he published a manifesto online that included conspiracy theories stating that “the U.S. government and world economy are near collapse and that cryptocurrency is a Ponzi scheme designed to help take it all down.” He claimed that Mr. Trump and President Biden were in on the conspiracy, and that, together, they were “about to fascist coup us.” He also referred to New York University as a “mob front” and insinuated that former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Al Gore were also in on the conspiracy. And he tossed a lot of conspiracy theory pamphlets on the ground just before he lit himself up.

It seems that no one or nothing is immune from conspiracy theories. The recent Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore — resulting from a legitimate accident — was the target of conspiracy theorists hours after it happened. People blamed a cyber-attack, the Obamas, Israel, even a ship captain under the influence of a COVID-19 vaccine. Some social media users suggested that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives were linked to the bridge collapse, posting that more qualified candidates were passed over for consideration in order to meet hiring mandates, and that this somehow contributed to the accident.

I recently wrote about the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce/Super Bowl conspiracy theories being pushed by everyone from Alex Jones to Vivek Ramaswamy. And my Facebook news feed often features posts from pages dedicated to gems like “The Moon Landing Hoax,” “Chemtrails Are Real,” “9/11 Was an Inside Job” and “The Earth is Flat.” I swear I’m not making this up. And I have no idea why Facebook’s bots keep throwing up those garbage pages in my feed

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

when I have never clicked through to any of those nutjobs’ manifestos.

I’ve written columns about conspiracy theories (and those who believe them) before. It’s amazing just how quickly a crazy alternate reality can spring up from an event in the news. While some have a financial motive for spreading misinformation (like Alex Jones selling doomsday survival kits), others do it perhaps simply because they don’t trust any media outlet. And maybe some just do it because they can. But posting this kind of nonsense can lead to more horrific and disastrous results.

I have no idea what was going through Mr. Azzerello’s mind as he was contemplating his final course of action. I can’t even imagine the thought process that led him to dousing himself with a flammable liquid and then lighting himself on fire. What mental illness possibly could have prompted a healthy young individual to stand on a New York City street, burning, until he collapsed on the ground in agony?

Mr. Azzerello’s story is very sad indeed. His paranoia and delusions led him to take his own life, in the most public and horrific way possible. Mr. Azzerello’s mental illness is what brought on his suicide, make no mistake. But it was likely hastened by the culture of the Disinformation Age in which we live.

It’s sad that so many of us will believe the ramblings of online provocateurs and take them as fact, while legitimate sourced and factchecked media outlets are deemed untrustworthy. But why trust the people whose jobs are to report facts as opposed to the conjectures of any idiot on Facebook?

— Catch John live Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing, Friday at Isla Bella, this Saturday at the Leadership Monroe County Graduation, Sundays at Skipjack Tiki Bar, and Monday at Havana Jack’s. Find his music anywhere you download or stream your music. www.johnbartus.com • johnbartus. hearnow.com

JOHN BARTUS

18th Annual Marathon Offshore BULL & COW DOLPHIN TOURNAMENT

Friday May 3rd

Final Registration & Tournament Bag pick up for and Capt. Meeting 9am-6pm

Located at Two Conchs Bait & Tackle 11499 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, Fl 33050

Saturday May 4th

8am-3:30pm Fishing Day 1

4pm-6pm Weigh-in located at Two Conchs Bait & Tackle 11499 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, Fl 33050

Sunday May 5th

8am-3:30pm Fishing Day 2

4pm-6pm Weigh-in located at Two Conchs Bait & Tackle 11499 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, Fl 33050

7:00pm Awards banquet at The Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters 11710 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, Fl 33050

1st Place Prize Schedule for Largest Bull & Cow Dolphin Combined Weight

GUARANTEED $18,000

90-99 boats $20,000 100 plus boats $25,000

LARGEST DOLPHIN WEIGHED IN ON A FRONT RUNNER BOAT WILL WIN $5000

We reward for participation only you can grow the jack-pot!

Also Cash Awards for: Largest Bull Dolphin, Largest Cow Dolphin, 3 Largest Dolphin Combined Weight, Largest Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna & Tripletail 1st-3rd places

Boat Registration Fees: $995

May 3-5th 2024 ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY

Tournament rules and registration. | www.MarathonOffshoreTournament.com

GUNS BLAZING

Fins baseball headed to conference championship | P.5

THE SCOREBOARD

With a win over Ransom Everglades, Mason Thornton, Gavin Leal, Dylan Ziels, Gabe Leal (clockwise from left) and the Marathon Dolphins are headed to another conference championship matchup against Riviera Prep. See page 5.

BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Gabe is having one of the best offensive seasons I’ve ever seen at MHS. He consistently barrels the bat hard and finds ways to produce when it matters most.”

– Joey Gonzalez, Marathon head coach

31 .431 hits batting average

Marathon junior catcher Gabe Leal quietly took over the leaderboards this season, amassing the sort of stats that garner attention from collegiate scouts and strike fear into the hearts of opponents. Leal has been in beast mode at bat, with 31 hits, 27 RBI and a massive .431 batting average. His offensive stats, however, do not include the most impressive number behind Leal’s name this season. That would be 1.000, his fielding percentage, which spells perfection behind the plate defensively this season. Leal is top in the district in RBI, third in batting average and No. 2 in wins as pitcher, because when he isn’t driving in runs or covering the plate, he is on the mound, delivering heat to batters. For his well-rounded repertoire of fantastic statistics and leadership on the field, Marathon’s Gabe Leal is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

Gabe

Junior, Marathon Baseball

tracy mcdonald

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.

sean mcdonald

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.

Marathon - Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Upper Keys - Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com

Key West - Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

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

Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

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Se habla español

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

Key West’s Clerf Alexandre gets some distance in the second phase of his triple jump on April 19. RICK MACKENZIE/Contributed

On this week’s Keys Weekly Sports Wrap Podcast, Sean and Tracy discuss all the games, scores and events of the week. Get your behind-the-scenes information and find out about last-minute schedule changes. This week, you will get an early report on district championship competition from Key West and Coral Shores’ track and field teams.

Marathon’s boys baseball team improved its win streak to five last week, thanks to a trio of wins in an end-of-season run toward playoff action.

The Fins defeated Somerset South Homestead 15-1 on April 15, aided by 3 hits from junior catcher Gabe Leal. Dylan Ziels and Jack Chapman had a pair of hits each and Aidan Gonzalez, Dylan Williams, Leo Mendez and Tiago Rivero accounted for the rest. Rivero’s hit was an inside-the-park home run off a massive line drive, scoring 2 runs for Marathon. Mason Thornton only needed 5 innings on the mound to seal the win, striking out 5, walking 4 and allowing 3 hits from Somerset.

The following night, Miami High would be the next victim, falling 3-0 to the Dolphins. Ziels started with the ball, lasting 4 innings before handing it off to Leal. The duo combined for 6 strikeouts, no walks and 3 hits in the win. Leal and Thornton had 2 hits each and Leo Mendez had 1.

The final game of the week was the most important for Marathon, as April 20 was their first in their conference playoff series. The Fins were matched against Ransom Everglades, a team they had mixed results against in the regular season. The Dolphins turned to Ziels,

FINS MAKE IT FIVE IN A ROW

Marathon’s Tiago Rivero connected for a home run last week against South Homestead. BARRY

GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

Coral Shores and Key West add one to each column

their ace, to secure a spot in the South Florida Baseball Conference finals against Riviera Prep on Thursday, April 25. Ziels pitched a complete game, adding 10 Ks to his stats in the big 4-0 win. Gabe Leal had another pair of hits for the Fins, making it 7 in one week. Ziels had another pair of hits and Thornton and Williams added 1. Gavin Leal, playing in his first game since suffering a hip fracture earlier in the season, had the final hit of Marathon’s 7. Coral Shores split the week, with a win on April 16 followed by a loss on the 19th. Against Somerset Silver Palms, the ’Canes brought home a 9-1 win, racking up 13 hits in the lopsided game. Donovan Thiery and Zeke Myers each had 3 of those hits. Campbell Lavoie and Maykol Bonito Rodriguez had 2 apiece. Riley O’Berry, AJ Putetti and Grady Temkin had the other 3. Lavoie pitched 6 innings, striking out 6 and allowing nine hits with no walks. Thiery closed the game, striking out 2 in his inning on the mound.

Next up for the Hurricanes were the Lions of Chaminade-Madonna. Coral Shores lost that one 7-5, scoring all of their runs in inning 7. Myers and Lavoie had matching hits, with a single and double each. Ross and Thiery teamed up to strike out 6 batters in the loss.

Key West played at FIU stadium on April 18, facing Westminster Christian School. Despite matching the Warriors hit-for-hit, the Conchs came up short, losing the game 6-4. The freshman bats were on point, with hits coming from Roman Garcia and Nelson Ong. Auggy Davila added 2 and Noah Burnham, a junior, had the final hit for Key West. Anthony Lariz, Jacob Burnham and Vinny Moline teamed up to strike out 9 batters in the loss.

The following night, Key West returned home to Rex Weech Field and defeated the 7A Buccaneers of South Dade High School in front of a delighted home crowd. Steel Mientkiewicz, Caden Pichardo, Nelson Ong, Lariz and Garcia had a base hit each in the 4-1 win. Another trio of Conchs worked together to strike out seven batters. Christian Koppal, Felix Ong and Moline all spent time on the mound, with Koppal being credited with the win. The Conchs have a pair of games at home against the Eustis Panthers on Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27, before turning their focus to defending their district title.

LADY CONCHS SEAL WIN AT HOME MEET

Athletes peak right on time for districts

On April 19, Key West hosted Marathon and Archbishop McCarthy in a late-season trimeet. The Conch girls won the meet with 79.5 points. Marathon was third with 31. The boys of Key West came in second to Archbishop McCarthy but edged out the Fins 74-24.

Key West’s girls had seven first-place finishers in their final home meet of the season. Dazmine Jenkins closed out her regular-season career with a win in the 100-meter dash. Alyssandra Camargo was first in the 400, Caylaa Makimaa was first in the two-mile race, and Sophia Powell won the 100-meter hurdles.

In field events, Audrey Smith won the javelin competition, Anabel Portuondo won pole vault and Kaylee Matas Cabezuelo won the triple jump. Matas Cabezuelo was second in long jump and third in discus for a very productive day of events. Colleen Barter was second in high jump and third in the 400. The Lady Conchs’ second-place finishers included Naima Thomas in the 800, Valeria Juarez in the 400 hurdles and Riley Richard in pole vault. Claiming third-place finishes were Lilia Mook in the 200, Emerson Jackson in the 800, Claire Boysen in shot put and Gemma Nesgaard in high jump.

The Conch boys had plenty of strong finishes, particularly in the field events. Anthony Jenner won the 110 high hurdles, took second in the 400 hurdles and discus and was fourth in javelin to win points in every event he entered. Shane Lavallee was first in javelin, followed by Peyton Zubieta then Jeremiah Harvey. Noah Mercer won the discus competition and took third in shot put. Teammate Jean Louis was second in shot put. Malachi Telisma and Brondson Etienne tied for third in the high jump event. Jeef Dejean had a pair of seconds in the 100 and 200; Clerf Alexandre was right behind him to place third in the 100. In the distance events, Colbin Hill was second in the two-mile and third in the one-mile race. Andrew Fedor was second in the one-mile and Rayan Barrios was third in the 800-meter race.

Marathon’s boys had three first-place finishes, with two coming from Jay Marshall. Marshall set a new personal and school best in the 100 and matched his own personal record, which just happens to be the school record as well, in the

1. Marathon’s Caylie Globe stretches it out in the long jump competition.

2. With dominant performaces on the track and in the field, the Lady Conchs finished first in their home meet on April 19.

3. Conchs senior Dazmine Jenkins wins first in the 100.

4. Key West’s Anthony Jenner wins the 110 high hurdle event.

5. Fins sprinter Jay Marshal blazes into first place in the 100.

200. Tony Bursa won the two-mile race for Marathon’s other first place. Caleb Shelar was second in the 400, with Fabbianho Louis Jeune one place behind him. Thomas Torres finished third in the 110 high hurdles for the Fins’ final topthree finishes on the boys side.

The Lady Fins had three wins, all in field events. Daysi Williams won the high jump event. Caylie Globe was first in the long jump and second in the 100 hurdles. Justice Lee was first in shot put, setting a new school record. She set another Dolphin record in discus, in which she placed second. Lee was also second in javelin with teammate Marti Kilbourne claiming third place. Ava Merryman was third in the pole vault, and Shilo Yeider was third in the 100 hurdles.

Coral Shores had an intrasquad meet on April 19 to get in some final practice prior to districts. The ’Canes did see some competition on April 17 when they traveled to Barbara Goleman High School to compete against Goleman and Miami Palmetto. Coral Shores took second place in the girls and boys events behind the Goleman Gators. Coral Shores’ boys proved to be strong in the distance events, with all three of their first-place finishes coming from there. Adrik Gadea won the 800, Alaric Rodriguez won the one-mile and Lochlain James was first in the two-mile race. Danny Malagon was second in the 200-meter race with Uriel Gutierrez right behind him in third. Ambrose Sanchez was second in the 400 hurdles while Xavier Johnson was third in the 110s. Nick Calderon was the only top-three placer in field events, claiming a third-place finish in the discus competition.

Lady ’Canes athletes saw their greatest success in Sammy Bates’ first-place finish in the 800. They had a trio of second places with Brooke Mandozzi in the 100, Mira Jones in the 400 and Hayden Teal in the one-mile race. Julieanna Oddo was third in the 100 hurdles and Susan Mendoza was two places behind Bates in the 800 event to round out the Hurricanes’ top finishers.

All three teams have now completed their regular seasons. Key West and Coral Shores competed on April 24 for the FHSAA 2A District Championships held at Tropical Park (results not available at press time). Marathon and the rest of the 1A competition have their meet at Palmer Trinity School May 1.

Photos by: RICK MACKENZIE/Contributed

Coral Shores’ Makani Burga (pictured) and Aidan Althouse were the team’s only duo to advance to the second day of district competition.

DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

COURTS ADJOURNED

Keys tennis seasons end at districts

All three of Monroe County’s tennis teams showed strong performances this season, but despite their steady improvement, no Keys athletes made it to the regional matches.

Though there were no district champions, the Keys did have some highlights. Coral Shores’ boys No. 1 doubles team, consisting of Makani Burga and Aidan Althouse, did advance to day two of district play after beating Palmer Trinity School 7-5 on April 15. They lost their semifinal match against Ransom Everglades, ending their hopes of advancing to regionals.

Another bright spot was Marathon No. 1 singles player, Adrien Holdinga, whose bracket opponent was Brennon Chow of True North Classical Academy. Chow, Dade County’s Tennis Player of the Year last season, is ranked nationally and committed to play collegiately for Air Force. Holdinga managed to get on the scoreboard against him, losing 8-1 but showing grit and promise for next season. All three schools return talented athletes next year with underclassmen comprising the majority of rosters.

MARATHON SOFTBALL STAR DOMINANT ON SENIOR NIGHT

Key West gets needed rest as postseason play nears

Two Keys softball teams are closing out the regular season with hopes of making a deep postseason run.

Key West lost a heartbreaker on the road on April 16, falling to the Florida Christian Patriots, 2-1. Despite not committing a single error and holding Florida Christian to just 3 hits, the luck was with the Patriots.

Two Patriot hits came in the bottom of the first, including a home run which scored the only 2 runs for Florida Christian. The Conchs’ Vera Rodger, Tavyn Gage and Alexa Condella each registered a hit. Breanna Breener struck out 6, walked 1 and allowed just 3 hits in the loss.

An injury-plagued Key West team will dig deep in the coming weeks as the regular season comes to a close. Rest and recuperation will be key for the Lady Conchs with the postseason approaching. With only two teams in their district participating in the playoffs, the Conchs will punch their card directly into the district championship game against St. Brendan on May 2 at St. Brendan High School.

Marathon had mixed results last week, first losing to Miami Country Day on April 15. The Fins were without their starting pitcher and facing a team which had already beaten them by 10. Daniela Gonalez and Daniuska Perdomo had the only 2 hits for Marathon, and Sara Robinson filled in at pitcher, striking out 2 batters in h first-ever performance at the position.

The Lady Fins did not take the 11-0 loss lightly, coming for Mater Academy Bay with a vengeance on April 18. Senior Allison Garcia was back in the circle for Marathon on Senior Night. Garcia fanned 5 batters in 5 innings, walking 1 and allowing 4 hits. Offensively, Garcia, who has been a staple on the team since the 2019-2020 season as an eighth-grader, went 2-for-2 with a single and double while adding 2 RBIs. Robinson and Elena Eubank each had a single and triple while Eli Roque and Gonzalez each had a pair of singles.

The 11-1 victory gave the Fins a 10-4 record with one game to go before district play. Regardless of the outcome, Marathon will most likely face Mater Bay again, this time at Florida Christian High School in the first round of postseason action on Monday, April 29.

Coral Shores participates independently for softball, making them ineligible for district competition. The Lady ’Canes, whose roster was without an upperclassman, ended their season April 12 in a loss to Everglades City. The young team went 0-5 this season.

Left: Batting .444 on the season, senior Allison Garcia is one of the Lady Fins’ top offensive and defensive performers.

Right: The Lady Conchs’ Vera Rodger registered a hit in a 2-1 loss to Florida Christian on April 16.

Photos by: Barry Gaukel and Maicey Malgrat

JOHNSON, ROSS TOP 10 IN STATE

Keys lifters compete among Florida’s best

Three Keys weightlifters qualified for the FHSAA 1A State Championships last week in Lakeland, representing Monroe County within an elite group of the strongest prep athletes in the state.

Marathon’s Chase Leird qualified in the 119-lb category after placing third in the region in the traditional event. Leird, a junior, had a phenomenal season for the Fins, and his trip to states this season should prove to be a valuable experience for his upcoming senior campaign.

Teammate Tanner Ross qualified in the Olympic event at 199 pounds. Ross qualified after placing fourth at regionals. He managed to boost his regional performance by 20 pounds to claim ninth place in the event. Like Leird, Ross is a junior with another season of eligibility remaining and, with that, another shot at a medal next year.

Coral Shores’ AJ Johnson qualified in both the Olympic and traditional events at 219 pounds. The senior strongman earned his ticket to states by placing second at regionals in the Olympic event and third in traditional. Johnson improved his performance in both events and placed eighth in Olympic lifts, cracking the top 10 and just two spots from a medal.

Top: Coral Shores’ AJ Johnson qualified in both the Olympic and traditional events at 219 pounds.

Middle: Tanner Ross qualified in the Olympic event at 199 pounds. Ross qualified after placing fourth at regionals.

Bottom: Marathon’s Chase Leird qualified in the 119-lb category after placing third in the region in the traditional event.

Photos by: Barry Gaukel and Doug Finger.

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of TWO ROCKS DIVING, located at 229 Banyan Lane, Monroe County in the City of Tavernier, Florida 33070-2710, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated at Tavernier, Florida this 19th day of April, 2024.

By:

Marvin George Sharrock

Publish: April 25, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of AMERITECH RESTORATION, located at 101 11th Street Ocean, Lot 13, Monroe County in the City of Marathon, Florida 330502051, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated at Marathon, Florida this 19th day of April, 2024.

By:

Codi Bender

Publish: April 25, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE U-HAUL COMPANY OF MIAMI

Notice is hereby given that on May 13th, 2024, Leonard Richford Jr. Storage Auctioneer, Executive Administrator for U-Haul Company of Miami, will be offering for sale under the Judicial Lien Process, by Public Auction, the following storage units. The Terms of the sale will be cash only. U-Haul Company does reserve the right to refuse any bids.

The sales will begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue day by day until all units are sold. The names of whose units will be sold are as follows:

103530 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037

Chez Adams – 1579 $588.68

Brian Long – 1504-51

$1,255.62

Sheila Chamberlain – 1167 $429.65

Alex Murgas – 1580 $517.80

Shannon Weatherman – 1161 $328.27

James Stogner – 1652 $491.00

Cheryl Trent – 1180 $260.25

Publish: April 25 & May 2, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

during the scheduled meeting.

Meeting Agenda and Zoom Webinar information is available 7 days prior to meeting date on the Monroe County Web Calendar and the Contractors Examining Board webpage: www. monroecounty-fl.gov

PURSUANT TO FLORIDA

STATUTE SECTION 286.0105, be advised that, if a person decides to appeal the decision made by the Contractors’ Examining Board with respect to any matter considered at today’s hearing, that person will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

Notice is Hereby Given To Whom it may concern, that on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 the Monroe County Contractors Examining Board (CEB) will hold a scheduled meeting at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, Second Floor, BOCC Room, Marathon, Florida scheduled to commence at 9:30 A.M. This meeting is to hear the following: any person(s) to come before the board; any reports from Monroe County Assistant Attorney; any reports from Monroe County Building Official; any reports from Staff. The Monroe County Contractors Examining Board (“CEB”) will review Certificate of Competency Trade applications and the Industry Input Section. All public participation in this meeting may be conducted via Communication Media Technology (“CMT”) using Zoom Webinar platform,

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special recommendations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator's Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call “711”.

NOTICE: It shall be the responsibility of each Respondent or other person addressing the Board to have an interpreter if the party is not able to understand or speak the English language.

Rick Griffin, Building Official/ Board Secretary Jamie Gross, Senior Contract Licensing Coordinator – CEB Board Monroe County Building Department

Publish:

April 25, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers PUBLIC

The District I Advisory Committee (DAC I) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., at the Harvey Government Center, 1200 Truman Avenue, #207, Key West, FL 33040.

All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, they will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning 305-292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish: April 25, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District II Advisory Committee (DAC II) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., at the Tennessee Williams

Theatre, 5901 College Road, Key West, FL 33040.

All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, they will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning 305-292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish: April 25, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District III Advisory Committee (DAC III) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., at the Courtyard by Marriott, 2146 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050.

All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, they will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning 305-292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish: April 25, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District IV Advisory Committee (DAC IV) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., at the Cheeca Lodge, 81801 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036.

All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, they will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim

record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning 305-292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish:

April 25, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District V Advisory Committee (DAC V) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., at the Murray Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037.

All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, they will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning 305-292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Effective April 1, 2024, Karisa Falden, D.O., is no longer practicing with Baptist Health

Primary Care at the following location: 5701 Overseas Highway, Suite 17, Marathon, FL 33050.

Patients who wish to receive copies of their medical records may log into our patient portal at myBaptistHealth.net, call 305-434-1400 or fax 305-743-0962 to request a records release.

Publish: April 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

33050 (MSFM-02102080)

SELECT TRADE BID PACKAGES (see below)

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

LEGAL NOTICES

3:00P.M. on May 30, 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, May 30, 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: April 25, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: Engineering Design and Permitting Services for the Big Coppitt Road Elevation Resiliency and Adaptation Project Monroe County, Florida Pursuant to F.S. § 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from the County’s electronic bidding platform at https:// monroecounty-fl.bonfirehub. com OR www.monroecountyfl.gov/BonfireBids. The Public Record is available upon request.

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

The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl. bonfirehub.com, no later than 3:00P.M. on June 5, 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 Wednesday, June 5, 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: April 25, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: Upper Keys HVAC Maintenance and Service-Multiple Locations Monroe County, Florida Pursuant to F.S. § 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from the County’s electronic bidding platform at https:// monroecounty-fl.bonfirehub. com OR www.monroecountyfl.gov/BonfireBids. The Public Record is available upon request. Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform. Please do not email, mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Emailed/mailed/physically delivered bids/proposals/ responses WILL NOT be accepted.

The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl. bonfirehub.com, no later than 3:00P.M. on May 23, 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, May 23, 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; April 25, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

Middle Keys HVAC Maintenance and ServiceMultiple Locations

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

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

The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl. bonfirehub.com, no later than 3:00P.M. on May 22, 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 Wednesday, May 22, 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: April 25, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

Lower Keys HVAC Maintenance and Service-Multiple Locations

Monroe County, Florida

Pursuant to F.S. § 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from the County’s electronic bidding platform at https:// monroecounty-fl.bonfirehub. com OR www.monroecountyfl.gov/BonfireBids. The Public Record is available upon request.

Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids via the Bonfire electronic bidding

platform. Please do not email, mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Emailed/mailed/physically delivered bids/proposals/ responses WILL NOT be accepted.

The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl. bonfirehub.com, no later than 3:00P.M. on May 21, 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 Tuesday, May 21, 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: April 25, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 2024-CP-000117-P DIVISION: PROBATE

IN RE: ESTATE OF ORLANDO GARCIA, SR., Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of ORLANDO GARCIA, SR., deceased, whose date of death was December 9, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, 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

gmail.com

Publish: April 25 and May 2, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 24-CP-000131-P IN RE: ESTATE OF RICHARD KULKASKI, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of RICHARD KULKASKI, deceased, whose date of death was February 19, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Ste. 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal 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: April 25, 2024. Personal Representative: KIRIANE KULKASKI JOHNSON 134 Peace Ave Tavernier, FL 33070

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

Publish: April 25 and May 2, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 24-CP-000185-P IN RE: ESTATE OF BARBARA

the

BARBARA JEAN TIMMERMAN, deceased, whose date of death was June 16, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe

and addresses of

personal representative and

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: April 18, 2024. Personal Representative: COREY W. TIMMERMAN 661 Township Road, 650E Carman, Illinois 61425 Attorney for Personal Representative: CATHERINE C. INGRANDE Florida Bar # 115985 Ingrande Law 3935 16th Street North, STE 100 St. Petersburg, FL 33703 Tel # (727) 231-1930

catherineingrande@gmail. com Publish: April 18 & 25, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN

estate of Philip R. Haring, Jr., deceased, whose date of death was January 15, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Tavernier, Florida 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. 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: April 18, 2024. Personal Representative: Michael E. Haring 1955 N.W. 108th Lane Coral Springs, Florida 33071 Attorney for Personal Representative: Richard E. Warner Attorney Florida Bar Number: 283134 RICHARD E. WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050

Telephone: (305) 743-6022

Fax: (305) 743-6216

E-mail: richard@rewarnerlaw. com

Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com

Publish: April 18 & 25, 2024

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

To the Defendant: The Plaintiff has filed a Complaint for Divorce requesting that the Court grant a divorce for Irretrievable Breakdown, Custody & prohibit Defendant from imposing restraint on personal liberty

The Complaint is on file at the Court.

An Automatic Restraining Order has been entered in this matter preventing you from taking any action which would negatively impact the current financial status of either party. SEE Supplemental Probate Court Rule 411.

You are hereby summoned and required to serve upon: Johnny Floriant 165 Carl Avenue Apt. 184 F Brockton, MA 02302 your answer, if any, on or before 05/20/2024. If you fail to do so, the court will proceed to the hearing and adjudication of this action. You are also required to file a copy of your answer, if any, in the office of the Register of the Court.

WITNESS, Hon. Patrick W. Stanton, First Justice of this Court.

Date: March 13, 2024

Matthew J. McDonough Register of Probate

Publish: April 25, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2024-01

Notice is hereby given that TLGFY, LLC CAPITAL ONE, N.A., AS COLLATERAL ASSIGNEE OF TLGFY, LLC holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate Number: 2021/1262 Alt Key No: 1484121 Date of Issuance: June 1, 2021

AS COLLATERAL ASSIGNEE OF TLGFY,

Alt Key No: 1467928 Date of Issuance: June 1, 2021 RE: 00384240-000000

the highest bidder at the Old Courthouse Steps: 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL Sale Date: 5/29/2024 Sale Time: 10:00am Dated this 15th day of March 2024 KEVIN MADOK CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MONROE

in which assessed: WARD FRANK D All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder at the Old Courthouse Steps: 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL Sale Date: 5/29/2024 Sale Time: 10:00am Dated this 15th day of March 2024

KEVIN MADOK CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 25 and May 2, 9 & 16, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2024-05

Notice is hereby given that SCOTT V MORTON holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows:

Certificate Number: 2018/934

Alt Key No: 1406180

Notice is hereby given that GLENN BREDA holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate Number: 2018/1235 Alt Key No: 1457477 Date

Date of Issuance: June 1, 2018

RE: 00331061-009200

Description of Property:

BK 4 LT 32 & PT OF SANDY AVE

SEA-AIR ESTATES VACA KEY PB6-91 (AKA BAYBTM) OR847768 RES NO 373-1981

Name in which assessed: SEA-AIR ESTATES INC

Notice is hereby given that 5T WEALTH PARTNERS LP holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows:

Certificate Number: 2017/100

Alt Key No: 1027847

Date of Issuance: June 1, 2017 RE: 00027070-000000 Description of Property:

OR648-837 OR1086-1400/08 OR24131501/03 OR2772-779 OR2791142/44 OR3172-1526

Name in which assessed: SOUTHERNMOST CABANA TOWNHOMES OWNERS ASSOCATION INC

All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida.

2021 World Cat 325CC Twin 300 Yamaha, 200 hrs, Minn-Kota Instinct & Spot Lock w/many, many extras. Located in Key Colony Beach. 724-689-9085

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

EMPLOYMENT

Personal Assitant needed for Key Colony Beach couple. Two times/week - driving to doctor appts, handyman projects, gardening, light housekeeping, must be capable of lifting large male if needed and be good with animals. Must have references. Call Christina 954-483-5426

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

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring part-time servers and bartenders. Private club, friendly atmosphere, guaranteed gratuities. Flexible lunch/dinner shifts available Tuesday – Sunday. Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Call 305743-6739 to schedule an interview or email office@ marathonyachtclub.com.

Sale Time: 10:00am

Dated this 15th day of March 2024

KEVIN MADOK CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 25 and May 2, 9 & 16, 2024

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a full-time line cook. Private club, friendly atmosphere, afternoon/ evening hours Tuesday – Sunday. Must provide checking account for direct deposit, photo ID, and social security card or passport. Call 305743-6739 to schedule an interview or email office@ marathonyachtclub.com.

City of Marathon Current Job Openings: Part-time Custodian/ Maintenance. Full Benefits for full-time positions. EOE Please see City website for details www.ci.marathon.fl.us

Coast to Coast Pizza Company is looking for full and/or part-time pizza makers and cashiers to join our team. We offer 401K, tip-sharing, and competitive pay. Please call Nicole at 305-4330515 or email nicole@ themoongroupfl.com

The S.S. Wreck and Galley Grill is looking for bartenders, servers, and line cooks. Will train, but should be self-motivated, quick learner, and team player. Salary commensurate with experience and includes 401k. Please call Nicole at 305-4330515, or email nicole@ themoongroupfl.com

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Housing Choice Voucher Asst., 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.

Serve/Bartend on the ocean! The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a customer service-oriented Server/Bartender. Serve on pool deck, beach and/ or bar lounge. Open year round, 9:30am-7pm daily. Full time/Part time. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

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

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

1BR/1BA Apt. for rent in Key West. Unfurn. W/D avail. on property. Parking for one vehicle. $2,400/mo incl. water & sewer. F/L/S Text only 305-294-2561

Place your HOUSING

Venetian Shores home for rent long term. 3BR/2BA on canal. Available now. $4,000/mo. utilities included. 315-405-5202

Long-term rental on Lower Matecumbe. 2BR/1BA Tile floors, W/D, 2nd floor w/wrap

D’Asign Source is seeking the following professionals. Overtime and benefits are available. For full details & additional openings, please visit DAsignSource.com/careers

Cabinetry Designer

Strong background in designing custom manufactured cabinetry, remodeling, and FF&E specifying.

Interior Designer

Apply knowledge & creative skills to projects at our high-end design center. Must possess history of achievement in quality projects and a strong sales background.

Office Administrator

Ensure smooth operations at the Front Desk and provide essential administrative support. Involves coordination, communication, and document management to facilitate efficient workflow.

NOW HIRING IN ISLAMORADA

MARINA CASHIERS

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

GENERAL MANAGER

Full time position in Key West, Florida. Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, or foreign equivalent plus 2 years experience in Restaurant Management. Must have F & Bev knowledge. Must have knowledge of Asian food and sushi ingredients. Supervise a staff of 22.

Send resume to:

Sushi Song Izakaya, LLC dba Sushi Song

Wijai Ketsuwan/Mgr. 4041 NE 34th Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308

Email: song@sushisong.com

FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER

Full time position in Key West, Florida. High School Diploma, or foreign equivalent plus 2 years experience as an Assistant Manager or related, in the food industry. Cooperate with chef, servers & customers to ensure smooth service.

Supervise a staff of 14.

Send resume to:

Sushi Song Izakaya, LLC dba Sushi Song

Wijai Ketsuwan/Mgr. 4041 NE 34th Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308

Email: song@sushisong.com

The Monroe County Homeless Services Continuum of Care (MC-CoC) is seeking an EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. The position of Executive Director is a full time exempt salaried supervisory position. This position requires a bachelor's degree in public administration, non-profit management, social services or related field - a graduate degree is preferred - and five (5) years of experience in management and supervision. The executive director will work with the Board of Directors to meet the goals and objectives of the agency.

Please send resume or contact

Steve Torrence by email: eywsteve@icloud.com and/or Diana Flenard by email: diana.flenard@monroehomelesscoc.org

FLORIDA BAY FOREVER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR is the key management leader and is responsible for overseeing the administration, educational programs and fundraising for the organization. Other key duties include marketing, community outreach and volunteer management. The position reports directly to the Board of Directors. For more information email info@floridabayforever.org. Learn more about our work at www.floridabayforever.org.

REAL ESTATE CLOSING POSITION

Busy law office on Big Pine Key seeking a highly organized, detail and customer serviceoriented individual, who is computer savvy and can handle a fast-paced environment.

Duties include managing closing files, coordination with Realtors, sellers, buyers and lenders, regularly updating all involved parties. Prior experience a plus. Salary, health insurance, bonuses, overtime pay and 401k.

Email resume to: greg@oropezastonescardenas.com

e Turtle Hospital in Marathon

Join our team! Full and part-time Educational Program Guides/ Gift Shop Sales. Public speaking & retail sales experience helpful. $18/hour to start. Send resume to: turtlehospital@turtlehospital.org

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.

Workshop Manager (Key West)

FT administrative, salaried position. The Workshop manager will be responsible for all phases of the operation of the Adult Day Training Program in accordance with The Agency for Persons with Disabilities and Medicaid Waiver minimum standards. This includes the worksites and contracts, personnel, and training programs. The Workshop Manager will maintain a close liaison with the Group Home Managers and Medical Staff in order to maintain program consistency. Bachelor’s degree required and 2 years’ experience in field required. Computer skills: moderate to advanced. FL driver’s license with clean driving record. Pre-employment training online and in person. Ability to pass a Level II background screening and references.

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

Plant Store/Nursery Associate (PT/FT)

Position requires a min. of high school completion and 1 yr. exp. Must be knowledgeable in tropical plants and have good social/business skills, above average computer skills (knowledge of POS a plus). Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds. English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must. FL driver’s license w/clean driving record, references and background screening required.

Come join our family! EOE

Apply at the MARC office, 1401 Seminary St., Key West. Or online at www.marchouse.org. For more information, please contact hr@marchouse.org. Phone: 305-294-9526 *32

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

OPENINGS AVAILABLE

PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS

- Medical Assistant, Orthopedics, PT

- Patient Access Associate, Orthopedics, $1,000 Bonus, FT

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- Cook, Per Diem

- Exercise Physiologist, Per Diem

- Manager Wellness Center, FT

- Multi-Modality Imag Tech, $20,000 Bonus, FT & PT

- Nuclear Medicine Tech, Per Diem

- Pool Group Exercise Instructor

- Pool Yoga Instructor

- Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, $25,000 Bonus, FT

- Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care Center, $25,000 Bonus, FT

- Registered Nurse, Surgery, $15,000 Bonus, FT

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S

COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- ED Team Coordinator, Emergency Room, Part Time

- ED/Acute Care Tech, Emergency, Room, FT & PT

- Environmental Tech, $5,000 Bonus, FT

- First Cook, $5,000 Bonus, FT

- Multi-Modality Imag Tech, Radiology, $20,000 Bonus, FT

- Mechanic, Facility Operations, FT

- Medical Technologist, Laboratory, $15,000 Bonus, FT, PT and Per Diem

- Patient Experience Advocate, FT

- Radiology Technologist, $15,000 Bonus, FT

- Security Of cer, Security/Safety, FT & Per Diem

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

*Sign-on bonuses are available only for select full-time positions based on candidate experience.

APPLY AND LEARN MORE

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

KEY WEST

Peer Support Specialist

Advocate (PT)

Behavioral Health Therapist (Adult)

Behavioral Health Counselor (Child)

Case Manager (Adult, Forensic)

Substance Abuse Counselor

MARATHON

Prevention Specialist (any location) Care Coordinator (PT)

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child)

RNs/LPNs - 3 shifts (PT/Per Diem)

Peer Support Specialist

*Support Worker – Assisted Living (PT)

*Behavioral Health Technicians

3 shifts (also Per Diem)

*No experience required for this position. Will train. A caring heart & helpful hands required.

Background and drug screen req. COMPETITIVE PAY! EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS!!! Check out all available positions at: www.westcare.com (search by zip code) EEOC/DFWP

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER IS HIRING

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)

Membership & Development Coordinator (Full-Time, Permanent)

GCC offers excellent benefits for full-time employment, but we realize some would prefer part-time to enjoy the Florida Keys lifestyle more. All positions can be considered for full or part-time unless notated. Apply at westcare.com and enter your availability. MARATHON

We are now hiring for the following positions:

Diesel Mechanic Truck Helpers CDL Drivers Applicants must apply in person to be considered.

4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

Medical Technician (Full-Time, Permanent)

Human Resources Assistant (Part-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

•Health, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance

•Tuition Reimbursement

•Paid Holidays, Vacation & Sick Time

•401K Employer Match

Work with the BEST!

•Quarterly Cash Profit Sharing

•Fun, Fast-Paced Environment

•Great Hours

Voted Best Bank 2014 - 2023

Key West Full Time Teller

Customer Service Representative Administrative Assistant

Customer Service Representative/Online Banking

Islamorada Full Time Teller

Marathon Full Time Teller

Key Largo Upper Keys Floating Teller

Apply Online at KeysBank.com/Careers

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER IS HIRING

Human Resources Assistant (Part-Time, Permanent)

Dolphin Research Center has an opening for a Human Resources Assistant (Part-Time, Permanent) for immediate consideration.

Duties include: Supporting HR Director on everyday activities for the department, recruitment, record keeping, employee support, etc. Must be an organized team player with excellent computer & communication skills. Prior HR experience will be a benefit. Benefits include: medical insurance, 401(k), paid vacation & holidays & so much more!

Job description available at www.dolphins.org.

Email resume & DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org. EOE 58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL Teaching... Learning... Caring

DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OPERATORS

LOCATION: MARATHON

The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority is looking for Distribution System Operators to perform semi-skilled work, involving the repair and maintenance of FKAA water distribution and transapplicants. Requires a High School, Diploma or GED and valid Florida Driver’s License. Salary: $50,376.48. Excellent benefits and opportunities for advancement.

EEO, VPE, ADA, DFW