Key West Weekly 25-0508

Here’s to the moms who made us who we are — and still love us no matter what. We love you, Mom.

May 8, 2025

NEAR-FATAL SHOOTING STARTED OVER MAC & CHEESE

FIREARM ESCALATES LATE - NIGHT FIGHT | P. 4

KEY WEST ‘CORRUPDATE’

WHAT’S THE LATEST WITH THE CITY INVESTIGATIONS? | P. 6

AN INTERVIEW WITH DUANE BETTS BEFORE HIS KEY WEST SHOW P. 19

A MUSICAL LEGACY LIVES ON Happy Mother’s Day!

Island Dental DR. LOUIS SPELIOS | DR. MELVIN EATON | DR. AMY MENESES

1721 Flagler Ave. | Key West | 305.294.6696

1¢

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

Omakase

DINING EXPERIENCE Journey through an interactive chef-curated Japanese tasting menu. Savor the culinary artistry of renowned Chef Wei, as he presents his Omawei experience for an exclusive four-week omakase residency.

May 1 - 31 Tuesday through Saturday Limited seatings at 6:00pm and 8:30pm $295++ per person

CULINARY & EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES

Mother’s Day

Full Moon Dinners

Father’s Day

Sunday Brunch Flavors of the island Dinner Specially curated menu

Intimate dining under the glow of the full moon May 12 | Flower Moon June 11 | Strawberry Moon with Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Tal Cohen

Sunday Brunch Flavors of the island Dinner Specially curated menu

L I T T L E PA L M I S L A N D.C O M | 3 0 5 . 4 2 2 . 4 2 3 6 | D I N I N G R O O M @ L I T T L E PA L M I S L A N D.C O M

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

KEY WEST | $2,699,000 | LISTING ID: 614772

The one with potential

If you are looking for location and a historic home, this triplex is tucked away on one of Old Town Key West's most peaceful lanes. This charming conch home won the distinguished Historic Florida Keys Preservation Star in 1988 and has been in the same family for over 40 years—a testament to its warmth, character, and enduring appeal. The main house features generously sized rooms, high ceilings, and Dade County pine walls, beautifully restored by local craftsmen. Attached to the main house is a versatile studio apartment, originally part of the home's original footprint and easily convertible back into a grand primary suite. In addition, there is a detached studio cottage perfect for guests or additional income, part of the historic preservation focused on the large wraparound front porch with delicate gingerbread trim. The original water cistern was turned into a pool. This residence is a living piece of Key West's vibrant history. Jimmy Buffett used to live next door for some time, writing his book and songs. Now available as part of an estate sale, don't miss your opportunity to be the next steward of this extraordinary legacy.

1075 Duval Street | Suite 15C | Key West 305.294.1117 | oceansir.com Each office is independently owned and operated.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

ON THE COVER KEYS

NEWSPAPERS

5450 MacDonald Ave. No.5 Key West, FL 33040 Office: 305.453.6928 www.keysweekly.com

60%

As temperatures rise in Florida, so does the desire to travel. According to AAA, 60% of Floridians are expected to take a trip away from the Sunshine State this summer. That’s up from 56% last year, highlighting a continued upward trend in travel intentions. June and July are peak months for travel among Floridians.

Duane Betts, son of Allman Brothers Band legend Dickey Betts, will perform with his band, Palmetto Motel, on Thursday, May 15 at the Key West Theater. But first, Betts joins Britt Myers and Josh Mothner on the Keys Weekly Podcast. See page 19. JEAN FRANK PHOTOGRAPHY/Contributed

Publisher / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com Publishing Partner / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com Editor / Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com Account Executive Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com Staff Writers Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com Production Manager Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com Design / Pre-Press Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com Diana Striker www.keysweekly.com Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844 Se habla español THE KEY WEST WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR

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MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

NEAR-FATAL SHOOTING STARTED OVER MAC & CHEESE Firearm escalates late-night fistfight, leads to 2 gunshot victims

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wo Key West men were shot by another Key West man in the pre-dawn hours of May 4 when a fight that started over macaroni and cheese at a Greene Street food stand escalated into gunfire.

Key West Police received a call about a fight in the 500 block of Greene Street just before 4 a.m. on May 4. While the caller was speaking with dispatchers, gunshots were heard.

Police responded and found two gunshot victims — DeAngelo Rivas, 25, and Charles Wing, 33, Wing had been shot in the ankle and was treated and released from Lower Keys Medical Center.

Rivas, though, had been shot twice in the abdomen, once in the leg and once in the face, according to the shooter’s arrest report, which the Keys Weekly requested and received from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Rivas was airlifted to a Miami trauma center, where he underwent at least one surgery and was still in critical condition as of May 6.

The shooter was identified as Alijah Helmar, 25, of James Street in Key West.

Detectives met with witnesses, interviewed Helmar and reviewed security footage from nearby bars and businesses to determine what happened to prompt the shooting.

Interviews with Helmar and a witness revealed that a fistfight started over macaroni and cheese from a food cart.

The stories told by Helmar and a witness differ as to how the fight began. Helmar claims the food cart was out of macaroni and cheese, but another customer who was there offered him his. Helmar told police that when he accepted the offered macaroni and cheese, a third man approached and took it from Helmar. Words were exchanged and a fight began.

Helmar told police he was “jumped” by the other men, who began punching him. Fearing for his life, Helmar pulled his gun, for which he said he has a concealed carry permit.

Helmar said he began shooting the man who was punching him, DeAngelo Rivas. He told police he kept shooting until the punching stopped, the arrest report states.

But the witness’ description of how the fight started differs greatly from Helmar’s account, and the security footage seems to match the witness’ statements, detectives wrote in their arrest report.

The witness, a 25-year-old Key West man, showed up at the police station around 10:20 a.m. on Sunday, May 4, about six hours after the shooting and said he was a witness and wanted to make a statement.

The witness told police that he and a friend had ordered and were eating macaroni and cheese and tacos from the cart on Greene Street, when Helmar walked up and said to them, “Let me get that,” meaning their food.

The witness and his friend refused to hand over the food, but Helmar reportedly took the mac and cheese and ate it, saying, “I should smack you right now,” adding a racial expletive.

Helmar told police he was

Alijah Helmar. CONTRIBUTED

familiar with the people involved in the fight, but did not know their full names.

As the verbal dispute began to escalate into a physical confrontation, Helmar reportedly said, “Be careful, I got my gun with me,” and raised his shirt to reveal a handgun, the report states.

A fight erupted, was broken up, then erupted again, ending with Helmar shooting the two men.

Detectives wrote in their report that video footage from multiple sources appears to align with the witness’ statements about Helmar allegedly starting the argument over food, flashing his gun, being punched by multiple people for about 25 secords, then re-escalating the fight after it had been broken up the first time and ultimately firing his weapon, hitting Rivas four times.

Helmar was arrested and jailed.

He faces a felony charge of attempted murder, two felony charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor charges of battery, discharge of a firearm in public and disorderly conduct.

The investigation is ongoing and Key West police have not released any reports or names of the victims or witnesses. The information here is from the arrest report filed with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and is public record.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

3 GREAT LOCATIONS IN FLORIDA SINCE 1997

THE LARGEST & MOST TRUSTED PROFESSIONALLY CONDUCTED ESTATE & MOVING SALES IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

FRI MAY 9 & SAT MAY 10 9A-NOON: 730 LOVE LANE Beautiful “like new” furniture and general household items.

KEY WEST 629 DUVAL STREET | 305.294.0102

3P-6P: 1800 ATLANTIC BLVD Women's clothing, jewelry & accessories galore! Also furniture, kitchenware & general household items.

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Check out SusiesKeyWestEstateSales.net for pictures for these sales

ORK’S TW

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ALL SERVING THE FOOD YOU KNOW & LOVE

RIN G G UY F

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Key West & Cuba’s Museum Quality Regional Art

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” – Pablo Picasso

CUBAN ART TOUR – November 10-14, 2025

Suzie dePoo Zuzek ST. AUGUSTINE 21 HYPOLITA STREET | 904.217.0291

INCLUDING OUR FAMOUS LOBSTER ROLL & CLAM CHOWDER

INDIAN SHORES 19705 GULF BLVD | 727.474.7407

Although Suzie is best celebrated for her textile designs, watercolors and porcelain tile creations, she also worked in reclaimed wood, centuries old glass, wire, roofing tin and just about anything that can be shaped or painted. She graduated from Pratt Institute and studied at the Art Students League in NYC on the GI Bill after serving in WWII. Her work, monochromatic or vivid in color, defined by expressive distortions, reminds one of what it takes to make fine art. Many of Key West’s most prestigious collections include Suzie Zuzek de Poo’s work, from the entire ceiling, walls, and doors of the fabled Ballast Key residence elegantly treated with color on wood, to the permanent collection of the metropolitan museum in New York. Suzie continued to weave a rich legacy into the fabric of Key West’s artistic archives until her 90th birthday.

Familia Domingo, 52” x 36”, Oil on Linen

The Gallery on Greene | 606 Greene Street | Key West, Florida galleryongreene.com | 305-304-2323

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

KEY WEST ‘CORRUPDATE’

FBI interviews of current & former city employees detail favors & cronyism at city hall MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

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ey West’s chief building official, Raj Ramsingh, remains on paid administrative leave while awaiting an employment hearing.

City manager Brian L. Barroso has indicated in a letter to Ramsingh that it is his intent to fire Ramsingh for violating several city policies, including falsifying building permits and records. Raj Ramsingh has been indicted on eight felony corruption charges.

His brother, Ron Ramsingh, the former Key West city attorney who was terminated without cause last week by the city commission, faces three felony corruption charges, and now-retired code compliance manager Jim Young faces one charge.

Raj Ramsingh was scheduled to have an employment hearing last week, but it was postponed at the request of his attorney.

Meanwhile, the state attorney’s office continues to pursue its investigation and trial of the three indicted men. Prosecutors last week released another cache of discovery documents in the case, this one containing summaries of FBI interviews with current and former city employees.

Those who were interviewed weren’t shy in describing an atmosphere of special favors, political influence, cronyism and corruption at city hall in recent years.

Enid Torregrosa, a historic preservation expert who recently retired from the city, described her job as “hell” while working with Raj Ramsingh as chief building official.

She told FBI investigators, according to the interview summaries, that Ramsingh would approve permits and projects without ever letting planning and historic preservation staff know about or review them.

Torregrosa told investigators Ramsingh would routinely go into the city’s permitting software and change entries, at one point making it look like Torregrosa had

noted, “No review required,” when in fact Torregrosa had noted several questions about the plans and requirements for a project in the historic district.

Torregrosa told investigators Raj Ramsingh routinely approved permits and variances for his personal friends, coworkers and politically powerful people in town.

Torregrosa and others, including current city planning director Katie Halloran, named names and businesses in their interviews, but as those people have not, as of yet, been charged with or indicted for any crimes, the Keys Weekly is not including them.

Torregrosa provided investigators with several documents and printouts from the city’s permitting software showing occasions when Raj Ramsingh allegedly altered entries.

Conflict of interest concerns The latest release of documents by the state attorney’s office also contains copies of dozens of checks that were written to StrykkerAvery Homes, a contracting and construction company that Raj Ramsingh owned and operated before he started working for the city, and which he continued to operate while working as the city’s chief building official, creating significant concerns about conflicts of interest that would arise from a building official also working as a contractor that needs approvals and permits from the city.

City records show that Ramsingh initially had permission from the city to operate StrykkerAvery Homes, but that eventually became a problem. State corporation records show that Ramsingh dissolved the company in 2021, but investigators obtained dozens of checks totalling more than $250,000 that were written to Strykker-Avery Homes in 2022, 2023 and 2024 for construction and remodeling projects.

The state attorney’s cases and investigations are ongoing. Stay turned to keysweekly.com for the latest updates.

HARRY RUSSELL TO RUN FOR KEY WEST CITY COMMISSION Longtime educator wants to represent District 5

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ongtime Key West resident and educational and civic leader Harry Russell recently announced his candidacy for the Key West City Commission, District 5, challenging incumbent commissioner Mary Lou Hoover. Hoover told the Keys Weekly on May 7 that she plans to seek reelection in 2026.

Russell said he brings a lifetime of service, leadership and a vision rooted in transparency, accountability, integrity and progress, states a campaign press release.

“With over five decades of deep roots in Key West, I understand the challenges and opportunities we face as a community,” said Russell. “Now is the time for experienced, forward-thinking leadership that puts people first and ensures a better future for everyone who calls this island home.”

Russell has lived in Key West for over 50 years. After earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from Florida State University, he launched his career in the Monroe County School District, progressing from substitute teacher to principal and now executive director. As principal of Sugarloaf Elementary/Middle School, he led the campus to become the county’s top-performing school and was named Monroe County School District Principal of the Year in 2020.

His leadership experience includes managing multimillion-dollar budgets, shaping district policy, negotiating contracts and mentoring future leaders.

Currently serving as executive director for human capital management and labor

Harry Russell. CONTRIBUTED

relations in the school district, Russell is also vice chair of the Key West Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

“My leadership approach is collaborative and practical. I believe in earning the public’s trust through honest communication, responsible decision-making, and putting residents before politics,” said Russell. “As commissioner, I will advocate for smart growth, improved public services, affordable housing and green spaces — while always acting with integrity and transparency.”

Russell is a charter member of the Sunset Rotary Club, where he was instrumental in founding the Bobby Menendez Scholarship, awarded annually at Key West High School. He has received the Rotary Outstanding Service Award.

Russell and his wife of over 20 years, Marla, are parents to daughters Marlee and Ciera.

“I am looking forward to the process and meeting the residents in District 5 along with the community at large.”

More information is at harryrussellforkeywest.com.

— Contributed

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

This Mother’s Day, gift her a symbol of love and legacy. Fine jewelry, historic shipwreck coins, and radiant island elegance — Only at Blue Marlin Jewelry.

Key West | 718 Caroline St | 305.517.6664 Islamorada | 81549 Old Hwy | 305.664.8004

www.bluemarlinjewelry.com

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

‘NOT A DROP TO DRINK?’ NOT ANYMORE Gov. DeSantis & Aqueduct Authority dedicate new water desalination plan

1 MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

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he Lower Keys is a little less reliant these days on the past-its-prime pipeline that brings drinking water from the mainland to the island chain. Occasional cracks in that crumbling pipeline drop the water pressure inside the pipe, leading to water shutoffs or precautionary boil-water advisories. That pipeline is currently being replaced in a massive construction project that will continue for years.

But as of May 5, the Lower Keys can produce 4 million gallons a day of drinking water.

The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority on May 5 dedicated the newly rebuilt Kermit H. Lewin Reverse Osmosis Facility on Stock island, which removes the salt from seawater through reverse osmosis to produce safe drinking water. Gov. Ron DeSantis stopped by the Stock Island ribbon-cutting to tout the $48 million facility, which was constructed with $30 million in state funds and $18 million in local funding from the FKAA. “After Hurricane Irma, in 2017, damaged the former desalination plant, it proved that the Keys needed a reliable backup drinking water supply,” DeSantis told the crowd that had gathered for the ribbon-cutting at the plant.

Since the start of the COVID pandemic, the Keys’ demand for drinking water has increased and surpassed the amount the island chain is allocated from the mainland aquifer that comes through the pipeline, David Hackworth, FKAA director of engineer-

ing told the Keys Weekly. “While we had initially planned to only use the new facility in emergencies, now we’re going to operate it continuously at 25%.”

Hackworth credited FKAA executive director Greg Veliz with changing the philosophy of the local water utility, which for decades was opposed to spending the money on reverse osmosis.

“Then, in Hurricane Irma, when the Keys lost water, it was proof that we needed this.”

The aqueduct authority is building a similar facility on Crawl Key near Marathon.

The capacity will be the same 4 million gallons per day, with construction expected to be finished in 2028.

1. The Lewin family from left, Kurt Lewin, son Patrick, his fiancee Jamie Pescatore and son Ryan, celebrate the reopening of the water facility named for former mayor and FKAA board member Kermit Lewin, who was Kurt’s father.

2. The new Kermit H. Lewin Reverse Osmosis Facility on Stock Island is complete and able to produce 4 million gallons of drinking water per day by removing the salt from seawater.

3. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the May 5 dedication of the new desalination plant on Stock Island. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

Mammograms: The best hug you can give yourself.

Schedule your mammogram today.

To schedule yours: BaptistHealth.net/Mammo 833-596-2473

A prescription and appointment are required.

If you don’t have a referring physician or medical professional to write a prescription for you, call 786-596-2464. Any abnormal findings will be sent to your referring physician. This offer is not contingent on receiving any additional services from Baptist Health. If further care is necessary, you can count on Baptist Health Cancer Care to provide you with the most comprehensive care.

For additional information, please visit BaptistHealth.net/Mammo.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

TO ALL THE GREAT MOMS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS AND BEYOND!

MAKE YOUR MOM SMILE THIS MOTHER'S DAY 2758 N. Roosevelt Blvd. (in the Overseas Market) • Key West • 305.294.9914 • doc@docguzman.com • www.docguzman.com

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

900 BUILDING RIGHTS AWAIT DESANTIS’ OK

Last-minute amendment would change hurricane evacuation requirements ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

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p to 900 building rights could be on their way to the Florida Keys, pending the stroke of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ pen.

The units come courtesy of Senate Bill 180, which saw a flurry of amendments over the final week of Florida’s 2025 legislative session before eventual passage in near-unanimous votes of both the House and Senate on May 2.

The bill, which largely deals with emergency preparedness measures, will raise the hurricane evacuation clearance time for permanent residents of the Keys from the previous statutory mandate of 24 hours to a new threshold of 24.5 hours. The number of new allocations bestowed to Keys municipalities, it says, will be based on evacuation models run by the Florida Department of Commerce – no more than 900 total, distributed over a period of at least 10 years.

Keys jurisdictions will split the new units based on their respective numbers of vacant buildable lots, a central phrase in the prior year of debate over the future of development in the islands.

“All permits must be issued for vacant, buildable parcels, of which only one may be awarded for any individual parcel, and the distribution of which must prioritize allocations for owner- occupied residences, affordable housing and workforce housing,” the bill states.

Previous bills filed by state Rep. Jim Mooney (HB 995) and Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez (SB 1326), made varying requests for additional building rights in the Keys. Mooney’s original bill asked for up to a 24.5-hour evacuation and 500 additional building rights over 10 years, and Rodriguez opted instead for a 26-hour evacuation and up to 3,550 more units over a minimum of 40 years. Both were later amended to settle on matching 825-unit requests with a 24.5-hour evacuation. Mooney’s bill passed the House on April 23, while Rodriguez’s bill was eventually withdrawn on May 3.

Language increasing the Keys’ hurricane evacuation time from 24 to 26 hours also appeared in former versions of Senate Bill 1730, filed by MiamiDade’s District 38 Sen. Alexis Calatayud

– but those amendments were removed from the final versions passed by the House and Senate on May 1.

Speaking with the Weekly by phone, Mooney said lawmakers were hesitant to approve bills that would grant thousands of units with few guardrails to an Area of Critical State Concern via a 26-hour evacuation.

“The average person would go, ‘what’s two hours?’ But two hours has a lot of ramifications,” Mooney said.

“After speaking with (SB 180 sponsor) Senator Nick DiCeglie, he agreed to take up our language, and it was pretty smooth after that.”

If signed, SB 180, by most accounts, would greatly aid Keys governments in staving off takings cases from property owners of buildable lots who could have been denied the ability to do so when the island chain exhausted its supply of building rights.

However, the new bill’s emphasis on providing one right per buildable lot leaves questions still to be answered for property owners whose lots could theoretically accommodate more than one building right, and for islands seeking to construct multiunit affordable housing complexes.

Debate during the past year among local leaders and residents over future development in the islands repeatedly returned to a discussion of evacuation safety, environmental concerns and a determination of the number of truly buildable vacant lots remaining in the Keys – the most likely starting point for takings cases, the cost of which could be paid by Keys taxpayers.

However, resolutions and requests to state lawmakers approved by Marathon and Monroe County in late 2024 supported extra units for affordable housing developments, along with a “borrow-forward” provision that could accelerate construction of these developments by allowing an award of building rights from future years.

Speaking to the Weekly by phone, Mooney called the bill “a victory for Monroe County.”

“The county and cities should be trying to acquire more money to acquire more land and bring this (takings cases) thing to a close, once and for all,” he added. “The reality is that 90 units a year over 120 miles is not urban sprawl.”

CLASS XXXII GRADUATES FROM LEADERSHIP MONROE COUNTY Nonprofit group hosts commencement festival & alumni reunion

The 32nd class to complete the nine-month Leadership Monroe County program celebrates its graduation at an alumni event in Marathon on May 3. Visit leadershipmonroecounty.org to apply for the next class, which begins in September. CONTRIBUTED

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eadership Monroe County celebrated the graduation of its Class XXXII with a “Nautical Fun in the Sun” community festival and alumni reunion on May 3 at Marathon Community Park.

The nonprofit community leadership program is designed for Florida Keys residents who are active in leadership roles within the private sector, government or community organizations. Through a series of sessions over eight months, participants examine the fundamental public and private sectors throughout the county. The program also gives participants the opportunity for awareness and discussion of issues affecting the Keys. These experiences provide connections and alliances across the county.

The monthly sessions are led by experts and leaders in the fields covered, including tourism, the Keys economy, environmental issues, education, the levels of government, the judiciary and law enforcement system, the historical and current military significance in the Keys, emergency management, health care, the arts, the nonprofit sector and media.

Established in 1992 to address the changing needs and concerns of the county, develop a group of well-educated leaders, help guide the community in a positive direction and foster nonpartisan, county-wide alliances, the program is governed by an alumni member board.

Each graduating class designs a group project to benefit the Keys community. Class XXXII raised $17,000 for Womankind women’s health organization through a raffle.

The application period for Class XXXIII will open in July. More information is available from Michael Shields at 305-394-3804 or at leadershipmonroecounty.org.

Class XXXII graduates: Erin Allison, Annie Briening, Jason Castillo, Kelly Dugan, Alex Flores, Christina Gardner, Matthew Hutchinson , Greg Lewis, Chris Massicotte, Brad Milsap, Jenna Moeller, Nick Parr, Michelle Pope, Afton Ridge, Heather Roberts, Suzi Rubio, Robert Salter, Cory Schwisow and Eric Silvoy.

— Contributed

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

LEGISLATURE PASSES A SLEW OF BILLS DESPITE CHAOS Session saw battle between governor and Florida House JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

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here were loud differences over priorities between the Florida House and Gov. Ron DeSantis throughout the 60-day legislative session in Tallahassee.

Added to the commotion at the state capital over the last few months were questions whether funds from a Medicaid overbilling settlement flowed from First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hope Florida Foundation to a political group that battled against a ballot measure to legalize marijuana last election. An investigation by the House seemingly came to an end as two witnesses never showed up to testify.

Among all the chaos, legislators in the Florida House and Senate passed more than 200 bills which now head to the governor’s desk for either a signature, a veto or no action at all.

Legislation unanimously passed through both chambers establishing permanent protections for public lands. House Bill 209 was prompted after reports last year surfaced over possible commercial developments — everything from pickleball courts to golf courses — for state lands like Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County. No state parks in the Florida Keys were ever considered for such development.

Legislation not only bans new commercial construction in state parks, but it also preserves native wildlife habitats and requires public hearings for any land use changes. The bills also mandate transparency in all park management planning.

Senate Bill 913 unanimously passed through both chambers to alleviate rising costs associated with owning a condominium after new “milestone inspection” laws went into effect in 2022 and 2023, after the tragic condo collapse in Surfside in 2021. For condos three stories and higher, those inspections needed to be complete by last December. As a result, some condo associations slapped large assessments on owners due to needed repairs and maintenance.

Legislation passing through the legislature this session not only pushes the deadline back for completing structural integrity inspections, but it also allows associations to use lines of credit or loans to meet reserve obligations, so long as a majority of the owners approve. It also allows associations to invest their reserve funds without a vote among unit owners.

Not all bills passing through the legislature were unanimous, however. Senate Bill 700, which, among other actions, prohibits the use of fluoride in public drinking water systems, passed via party lines in the House and Senate. Critics of the bill said the practice of adding fluoride to water systems has spanned decades.

“Not only is it safe, it’s a game-changer for dental health,” said Rep. Anna Eskamani, a Democrat from Orlando.

Supporters of eliminating fluoride from public drinking water, including state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, say there’s neuropsychiatric risk associated with fluoride exposure. There are currently at least 29 counties, including Monroe County, that actively fluoridate their water. Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority has added fluoride to its drinking water for decades. Water customers had the opportunity last December to share their thoughts regarding future use of fluoride in the supply. DeSantis signed the bill on May 6 in Miami-Dade County.

A bill passing through the Legislature on party lines to toughen the citizens amendment process in the Sunshine State was signed by the governor on May 2. House Bill 1205 adds tougher financial penalties, including a $50,000 fine, if a person who’s collecting or handling the individual petition either is not a U.S. citizen or has been convicted of a felony and hasn’t had their voting rights restored. If a person fills out more than one form, the sponsor is liable for a fine of $50 for each form, and if a form is filled out with a fictitious name, the sponsor will face a $5,000 fine.

The bill also revises the deadline by which petition forms must be delivered by the petition sponsor to a supervisor of elections from 30 days to 10 days. Legislation came after two citizen-led ballot initiatives went to voters in last year’s election. The measures included legalizing the recreational use of marijuana and the right to abortion before fetal viability. Neither secured enough voter support.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

‘EARN WHILE YOU LEARN’ IS TOPIC OF CFK EVENT Construction apprenticeship programs include free tuition, paid employment

An apprentice checks an electrical panel in class at the Upper Keys Center.

CONTRIBUTED

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he College of the Florida Keys invites prospective students to learn about its apprenticeships in construction technologies at a virtual information event on Wednesday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m. The college is offering the electrical program in Key West and the Upper Keys this upcoming fall semester, which begins Aug. 19. The deadline to apply is July 1.

The virtual information session will help prospective students learn about the trade professions, career outlooks, and the tuition-free “earn while you learn” programs.

Attendees will receive a code to waive the $30 application fee. Registration for the event is required. More information is at cfk.edu/apprenticeships.

To schedule a personal information session, contact Marissa Owens at recruiter@cfk.edu or call 305-809-3207.

The apprenticeships in construction technologies offer opportunities to help individuals train and advance

in high-wage, high-demand construction careers throughout the Florida Keys. In collaboration with local construction businesses, the apprenticeship programs provide education and training in all aspects of the respective trades — from conceptual to practical skills.

Students are employed and paid full-time with a sponsoring employer that is partnered with the college. They attend classes, which are tuition-free, while developing their skills through on-the-job training with their sponsor. As apprentice students advance through the program, their progress is rewarded with periodic raises.

Upon successful program completion, an apprentice will receive a four-level certification by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) as well as a nationally recognized completion-of-apprenticeship certificate by the state of Florida.

— Contributed

FACTS FROM THE TAX COLLECTOR

Sam Steele

monroetaxcollector.com 305.295.5000

MAY • To avoid the tax certificate sale, property taxes must be received in our office and paid with certified funds by 4:45 pm on May 30th. Credit cards will be accepted online until 5:00 pm on May 31st.

• The tax certificate sale will be held electronically on June 1 at 8:30 am.

To register, please visit lienhub.com.

• To sign up for BillExpress and have your bills sent electronically, please visit monroetaxcollector.com.

• As a reminder, online rental platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) DO NOT remit the 5% tourist development tax to our office.

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure the tax has been remitted.

Follow us on

• We now offer duplicate and replacement concealed weapon permit transactions, as well as photograph and fingerprint only transactions, at our Key West Main Office and Key Largo Branch Office.

• We have launched a new feature on our website that provides a streamlined process for customers to have their electronically held vehicle/vessel titles printed and ready for express pickup in our office.

• All our offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day.

for more imortant tax information.

14

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

PHIL CLARK: THE PIRATE WHO LOOKED AT FORTY

KEY WEST BACK IN THE DAY “Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call Wanted to sail upon your waters Since I was three feet tall You’ve seen it all …. You’ve seen it all.”

“A Pirate Looks at Forty” — Jimmy Buffett

I

fell in love with the song months before meeting the man, and I still don’t know whether to bless or blame Jimmy Buffett for subsequent events. That’s because the song was Buffett’s “A Pirate Looks at Forty,” a mesmerizing portrait of a charismatic, flawed CAROL rogue who didn’t fit in the SHAUGHNESSY modern world but would have flourished as an 18th-century has lived in Key buccaneer.

West for 40-plus It was 1978 and I was 22 years, witnessing and writing years old, an aspiring hippie about the island’s desperate to disguise my narenegade past, ivete, when the pirate walked shipwreck salvage into my workplace — a Native adventures and American jewelry store owned colorful presentday characters. by a New Jersey refugee who called himself Geronimo. It was an incongruous enterprise for Key West, but it occasionally drew customers.

That day they included the pirate, who told me his name was Phil Clark. He was a tall, darkbearded man, twice my age, with an extraordinary vitality that made everybody else in the store look faded by comparison. He was the picture of devil-may-care confidence, wearing a small Spanish coin on a hoop in his ear and a curved turtle claw hanging from a cord around his neck.

Overall, he was pretty overwhelming to an unsophisticated 22-year-old. After work I met Phil at the rowdy Green Parrot Bar, where he focused all his charm on me, and someone told me he was the subject of the Buffett song I loved.

It felt like fate. By the time I found out he made his living smuggling pot, it was already too late; I couldn’t imagine my life without him.

Phil Clark and the unsophisticated 22-year-old … who eventually grew up and wrote this column.

Photo processed by Lynne Bentley-Kemp. CAROL SHAUGHNESSY/Keys Weekly

Despite being a tough modern-day rogue, Phil Clark had a weakness for teddy bears. CAROL SHAUGHNESSY/ Keys Weekly

For the next five years, I was known around Key West as “Phil’s lady.” Because of his largerthan-life reputation, that meant I was protected and looked after by his ragtag cohorts, who treated me like a little sister.

In many ways, Phil’s reputation was well-deserved. He was one of the daring Keys renegades whose exploits made him practically a living legend. He had tried almost every hazardous occupation known to man — from mercenary soldier to gentleman smuggler to New York City advertising executive. (The last, he told me, gave him the biggest twinges of conscience.)

He had lived in Key West since the 1960s and loved it unconditionally. He was wickedly intelligent, a man of great personal integrity and a voracious reader who held endless discussions with the island’s vagabond literati.

Phil and I shared golden days full of laughter and raucous nights drinking at the Full Moon Saloon — once, unforgettably, with “gonzo journalist” Hunter Thompson. He brought me teddy bears, Shel Silverstein books, and $40,000 in a shoebox after a particularly lucrative score. He asked me to marry him and I said yes.

Of course, our life wasn’t all good. There were vicious arguments and days when, facing the realities of Phil’s outlaw profession, I felt an uncontrollable fear slithering down my spine.

Worst of all were the times he departed on unspecified “business trips,” because in his business, there was no guarantee he would come safely home.

Eventually he got busted, because luck runs out even for legends. He was caught on a boat carrying 10 tons of “cargo” and locked up in an Orlando jail.

When he bonded out and came back to Key West, his vitality seemed quenched; he had made private plans to say his farewells and disappear.

The last time I saw him it flashed through my mind that, in two years, someone would come to tell me he was dead.

I was wrong. It was only 18 months.

As Buffett foreshadowed in the eerily accurate final verse of “A Pirate Looks at Forty,” Phil drowned. He had been living on another coast, under an alias. It took weeks to properly identify him and bring his ashes home.

Yet his death was just one kind of ending.

Even now, survivors of the “old days” still smile at the mention of Phil Clark’s name — survivors who were captivated by the stories he told, shared his adventures for a time and inherited his love of Key West.

We’re still here. And when the strains of “A Pirate Looks at Forty” drift out from a speaker somewhere, we still listen.

15

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

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16

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

YOU ASKED, WE DELIVERED. SQUARE GROUPER IS OPEN IN KEY WEST

MIND ALTERING LUBRICANTS FOR SOCIAL INTERCOURSE

DINNER COCKTAILS MUSIC MONDAY - SATURDAY | 6P - LATE 524 DUVAL ST. | 305.296.1075

Our new location boasts the same unforgettable fresh & local seafood, craft cocktails, and fantastic wine selection that has made our sister restaurant one of the most popular dining destinations in the Florida Keys for the past 15 years.

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17

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS IN KEY WEST! EST. 1995

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Mother’s Day Brunch at One Duval

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Classic Caesar Salad Primavera farfalle salad Caprese Salad Spinach & Goat Cheese, raspberries, candied walnuts Baby field greens with cherry tomato and citrus viniagrette

Green Tea Crusted Ahi Tuna, ponzu, wasabi, ginger, wakame seaweed salad, crispy wonton chips

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18

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

MAY EXHIBITS ON VIEW MAY 1-29

The Way it Was

ISAAC VALDES Experience the historical charm and vibrant culture of Old Key West through intricate wood carvings. made possible by the Edna and Tom Majors Fund for Wood Artists, sponsored by Key West Historic Inns

Daydreams

LEIGH HOOTEN Animals, portraits and fantastical beings rendered in a fresh, illustrative style. sponsored by The Green Pineapple

Pile it On...Take it Off

SHERRY ‘SWEET T’ TEWELL Explore the interplay between abundance and minimalism. sponsored by Shade Ceramics and Shutter Photography

AT THE STUDIOS OF KEY WEST, 533 EATON ST. | TSKW.ORG

SELLING OR BUYING A HOME? Call Sean first!

YOUR “GO-TO AGENT” FOR SELLING AND BUYING KEY WEST REAL ESTATE

Sean Farrer, P.A.

YOUR KEY WEST REAL ESTATE AGENT Call or text: 305.924.0700 KeyWestRealEstateGuy@gmail.com 1201 White Street, Ste. 101, Key West

Search Keys homes for sale: www.Key-West-Real-Estate.net “Sean provided us with great service”

19

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

MILES TO GO

DUANE BETTS CONTINUES SOUTHERN ROCK TRADITION

Son of the Allman Brothers’ Dickey Betts joins the Keys Weekly Podcast

Duane Betts will perform with his band Palmetto Motel at Key West Theater on May 15. JEAN FRANK PHOTOGRAPHY/Contributed

D

uane Betts carries forward the legacy of his father, the legendary Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band, while forging his own path of soul-stirring blues blends, raw passion and six-string mastery.

Joined by his band, Palmetto Motel, Betts plays the Key West Theater on Thursday, May 15.

The Key West Weekly’s Britt Myers is joined by Josh Mothner on the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast, as they chat

with Betts about what it was like growing up with legendary musicians, flying around the Florida Keys as a child with his father and Don Johnson in a helicopter, along with upcoming projects with iconic producer Dave Cobb.

A Duane Betts and Palmetto Motel show is an unforgettable journey that no music lover should miss. For more visit thekeywesttheater.com.

— Keys Weekly staff report

MANDY MILES

WHY WORRY? MY MOM’S GOT THAT COVERED

My mom worries.

Constantly.

Clinically.

Pathologically.

Me? Not so much. I’m more the “Let’s cross the bridge when we come to it; what could possibly go wrong?” type of person.

But my mom’s mind constantly scrolls through each family member. Who’s on a plane that could crash right now?

Who has a doctor’s appointment or medical tests coming up?

Who’s short on money? (That’s always me.) Who’s changing jobs? Who hasn’t responded to a text promptly? Is she overstepping by sending that email about her concerns? Is someone upset with her? Is she being too pushy?

I don’t know what my mom would do if she stopped worrying. She’d have to take up a hobby.

But I also don’t know what the rest of us would do if she ever stopped worrying about all of us. Sure, we all roll our eyes and tell her how insane she sounds at times, but we wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves.

Case in point: Just the other day, it was my nephew’s birthday. I only got one text from my mom reminding me to call Jack. One text. Usually, those come every two hours until she receives confirmation from Jack that he did, indeed, hear from Aunt Mandy and Uncle Stan.

I actually texted my mom around 9 p.m. that night and asked if SHE was OK, as I had only gotten that single reminder text about Jack’s birthday. I told she was slipping.

My mom, of course, texted me back that had made the mistake of BELIEVING me when I had texted her that morning that I would call Jack from the car while I was driving up to Marathon.

drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should.

She’s married to a saintly — and handy — fisherman, and has been stringing words together in Key West since 1998.

I, of course, forget to do that, instead zipping up the Keys while listening to a political podcast.

But I did call Jack around dinnertime and we had a lovely chat.

But the absence of my mom’s worrying had become worrying to me.

What the hell had she done to me? This is NOT the sort of quality that should be passed on from one generation to the next. But then again, there are plenty of positive things my mom (and dad) have passed on to my brother and me — and for these I am forever grateful.

So, here goes…

Mom (and Dad), THANK YOU. Thank you for…

• Making us write thankyou notes. Handwritten ones.

That’s a sign of someone who was raised right.

• Making sure we had fulltime jobs every summer from the time we turned 14. Those jobs on the Ocean City boardwalk gave us our friends, permanent memories and a sense of importance. We had to call out sick for ourselves, cash our own paychecks and set our own alarms. That has made a huge difference in our adult lives.

• For checking our homework in grade school and quizzing us before tests.

• For showing up at every field hockey, basketball and softball game, and for getting up at the God-awful crack of dawn to take me to earlymorning practices and ALWAYS ensuring my uniform was clean.

• For understanding how important those new jeans were before a high school party.

• Most of all, for never stopping your worrying and for never letting me doubt for a single second that I am completely, thoroughly and unconditionally loved.

Happy Mother’s Day to the best in the world. I love you, Mom.

20

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

R E S T A U R A N T

B A R

T A P A S

COME CELEBRATE

MOM WITH US THIS MOTHER’S DAY

Tavern n Town will open at 4pm Sunday, May10th to help you celebrate the woman who makes it all happen.

S CHEFIALS SPEECGULAR & R MENU E ABL AVAIL

3841 North Roosevelt Boulevard | Key West | www.tavernntown.com Reservations recommended

21

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

WHAT’S COOKING, KEY WEST?

‘Dinner Theater’ with a dash of something different CAROL SHAUGHNESSY www.keysweekly.com

S

ince the Key West Players troupe was founded in 1939, the island city has been a center for theatrical magic. Today the first-rate performing arts community presents musicals, comedies, compelling dramas and original plays in venues including the Waterfront Playhouse, the Red Barn Theatre, the Tennessee Williams Theatre, Fringe at the Armory, the historic San Carlos Institute, The Studios of Key West and the Key West Theater — as well as nontraditional and pop-up spots.

Recently a new type of onstage attraction debuted in the island city: dinner theater experiences produced by the Key West Cooking School, located upstairs at 291 Front St. While these “shows” might not resemble the typical play or musical, they’re every bit as fun, entertaining and memorable.

Directed by chef Keith St. Peter, renowned for his culinary talents, the four-act productions are a tasty blend of narration, action and cuisine. A cast of chef-storytellers guides the unfolding scenarios — shedding light on Key West’s dramatic heritage, its traditions and the foods that help define the island’s character.

The curtain goes up on a 1950sstyle kitchen, with set pieces ranging from a vintage turquoise fridge and stove to a quaintly curtained door leading offstage. As befits an immersive production, other set pieces and props surround the audience — including tropical fruit trees and a vivid backdrop depicting Key West Harbor in an earlier era.

The classes feature a dash of improvisation as the chef-storytellers answer questions and trade quips with participants, reveal culinary secrets and share tales based on their own experience. There’s even audience participation — from fun-filled “pop quizzes” to chances for class members to step into the limelight, assisting the lead “actors” as the action unfolds.

Highlighting each performance is the onstage creation of a four-course meal, from appetizer to dessert, while

Chef-storyteller Melanie Rodriguez answers audience questions during a Key West Cooking School dinner theater performance. KEY WEST COOKING SCHOOL/ Contributed

audience members learn the preparation techniques and savor each featured course. The guiding concept is “watch it … learn it … eat it.”

In addition to evening performances, matinee showings are offered. Productions bear names such as “Tropical Bites,” starring dishes like mojo roast pork and Key lime pie; and “Island Indulgence,” featuring seafood risotto and flan among others. There’s also “Key West Comfort,” with treats including conch salad and Cuban picadillo.

Three classes per day are staged Tuesday through Saturday, and each presents a unique experience, storyline and cast of characters — as well as different menu items that spotlight ever-varying elements of Key West’s colorful past and vibrant present.

As with most theatrical productions, reservations are required for the shows — and can be made by calling the “box office” at 305-294-COOK or at keywestcookingschool.com.

LAST BITES Dish of the week: mojo roast pork.

This traditional island dish features boneless pork shoulder marinated (usually overnight) in a handcrafted blend of sour orange, citrus, spices and garlic — then slow-roasted for maximum flavor. The marinade gives it a zesty kick, while the roasting technique results in melt-in-your-month tenderness.

Helpful kitchen hack: For recipes that call for rings of serrano peppers or other small chiles, remove their unappealing pepper seeds the easy way.

Simply cut them in the middle and roll them on the counter to push the seeds out and achieve perfect rings.

KEY WEST NAMES NEW GROWTH MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR Wright has public- and private-sector planning experience

T

he city of Key West recently welcomed Patrick Wright back to city hall as director of growth management.

Wright is an experienced planner with expertise in land use throughout the Florida Keys.

Since 2008, his planning career has spanned both the public and private sectors in Key West and Monroe County.

Most recently, Wright served overseas with the U.S. Department of Defense as a community planner based in Naples, Italy, supporting the Europe, Africa and Central Commands. In this role, he led international, interdisciplinary teams on planning and engineering studies and military Patrick Wright returns to the city construction and infrastructure of Key West as its projects across regions stretchnew growth maning from the High North to the agement director.

Middle East.

CONTRIBUTED Wright’s federal service also includes work with the U.S. Navy at Naval Air Station Key West, where he served as an installation planner. Prior to his federal work, he was the planning director for the city of Key West, having held nearly every position in the planning department, starting as a college intern. His private sector experience includes years as a land use planning consultant in Key West and Monroe County, during which time he also served on the city’s Historic Architecture Review Commission.

Now returning to the community he called home for 14 years, Wright brings institutional knowledge and a strong understanding of local planning and development.

— Contributed

22

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

FROZEN PHOENIX CLASS XXXII

Erin Allison, Annie Briening, Jason Castillo, Kelly Dugan, Alex Flores, Christina Gardner, Matthew Hutchinson, Greg Lewis, Chris Massicotte, Brad Milsap, Jenna Moeller, Nick Parr, Michelle Pope, Afton Ridge, Heather Roberts, Suzi Rubio, Robert Salter, Cory Schwisow, Eric Silvoy

Thank you! On behalf of all Womankind

23

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY AVAILABLE IN KEY WEST

AVOID THE LONG DRIVE TO MIAMI AND HAVE ALL YOUR CHILDREN’S NEEDS MET RIGHT HERE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS. Dr. Christina Smith DDS is now accepting new patients and is thrilled to be part of the 7-time Bubba Award-winning Doc Guzman’s office.

BES

T D E N TI ST

2758 N. Roosevelt Blvd. (in the Overseas Market) • Key West 305.294.9914 • doc@docguzman.com • www.docguzman.com

24

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

THE MAGIC OF MOMS

EMILY FREYTAG, 9 Basilica School ‘She cuddles with me, and reads books with me, and she drives me to all my sports and stuff.’

GRAYSON AVERETTE, 9 Gerald Adams Elementary ‘She’s kind and nice and helpful to me and my little sister.’

KEY WEST KIDS BRAG: ‘MY MOM IS THE BEST BECAUSE…’

FELIX TARANENKO, 6 Basilica School ‘She lets me play video games; well, sometimes. And she takes good care of me because she likes me best.’

ANDY PEREZ, 6 Gerald Adams Elementary ‘She takes me on cruises and she gets me Chik-Fil-A whenever we’re near one.’

BOGDAN CRETU, 11 Basilica School ‘She takes great care of me and my sister and she always makes me feel good when I’m around her.’

DENNIS ZELEDON, 9 Basilica School ‘She cooks really, really good Nicaraguan food.’

ELLIOT COTTER, 6 Gerald Adams Elementary ‘She takes care of me and my three brothers, so we’ll get her balloons shaped like hearts and I’ll try not to fight with my brothers all day.’

FLORENCE GIACOPUZZI, 7½ Gerald Adams Elementary ‘She’s kind and she always gives me hugs and kisses. She takes care of me and my little brother and my dad. And she always gets me presents, even not just for Christmas, but for, like, Valentine’s Day, and Easter and Halloween.’

HENRIETTA BOZA, 8 Gerald Adams Elementary ‘She’s very nice and she cooks way more than my dad. He only makes two things — grits and picadillo.’

JACK NICKLAS, 7½ Gerald Adams Elementary ‘She always does our dishes and takes care of us and our house, and if we didn’t have our house, I don’t know what we’d do. So we’ll let her sleep late and probably bring her breakfast in bed.’

25

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

JULISSA FLEUIDOR, 9 Gerald Adams Elementary ‘She’s a really, really great mom and always makes me feel better and laugh when I’m down. She’s really funny and in my opinion, she’s the best mom ever and I don’t know what I’d do without her.’

LEILANI BARNES, 10 Gerald Adams Elementary ‘She takes care of me. She cleans and she cooks, and whenever I’m sad, she makes me feel better.’

OLIVIA PEREZ, 9 Gerald Adams Elementary She’s very loving and she helps me when someone is being mean to me.

But she only cooks when my dad has bocce.’

LUNA BETHEL, 7 Basilica School ‘She gives me hugs and gives me every treat in the world. She’s the best mom I’ve ever had.’

JUNIOR JEAN, 9 Gerald Adams Elementary ‘She always supports me, even if I, say, lose a football game, or get a C. She always says it’s OK as long as I did my best. And I love her cooking.’

VIRGINIA SPOTTSWOOD, 7 Basilica School ‘She always says that me and my little sister are the best in the world. She takes really good care of me, and she spoils me sometimes, but not as much as my grandma does.’

OCEAN DAYAO, 6 Gerald Adams Elementary ‘She brings me to my favorite places to eat like McDonalds and she gets me that pink drink from Starbucks and she reads stories with me.’

KENDALL WILLIAMS, 11 Gerald Adams Elementary ‘She puts a smile on my face whenever I’m sad or feeling down and she takes me shopping for new school clothes each year, and not every kid gets to do that.’

YGACHAEL FILSAIME, 11 Gerald Adams Elementary ‘She knows what to do and say in any situation and she works hard to give me everything I need.’

26

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

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THE COFFEEMILL DANCE STUDIO CELEBRATES 42 YEARS OF DANCE IN KEY WEST AND PRESENTS DANCEWORKS 22!

Featuring a dance adaptation of

PLUS a fusion of many different dance styles including Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, HipHop, Aerial Arts, West African Dance, Bellydance & Special Guest Artists!

SATURDAY, MAY 17 @7P SUNDAY, MAY 18 @3P TENNESSEE WILLIAMS THEATRE

TICKETS $20-$35 KEYSTIX.COM OR 305.295.7676 COME VISIT OUR SILENT AUCTION IN THE THEATER LOBBY THE DAYS OF THE SHOW & HELP SUPPORT YOUNG DANCERS ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS! MORE INFO AT COFFEEMILLDANCE.COM

27

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

APPRENTICESHIPS: CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGIES

VIRTUAL INFO SESSION WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 5:30 P.M. RSVP AT CFK.EDU/APPRENTICESHIPS

EARN WHILE YOU LEARN & BUILD A STRONG CAREER

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ELEGANCE MEETS ISLAND STYLE

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AFFORDABLE LUXURY FOR EVERY WOMAN

28

This week, the planets are CHRIS inviting you to McNULTY heal through is an astrologer, thoughts and wanderer, barwords and to tender and become calmly advocate for queer justice. He aware of the is a loquacious shadows of love Gemini with a and pleasure. cozy Cancer rising. Find him at Mercury, the coshearthandherald- mic messenger, astrology.com conjoins Chiron, the woundedhealer. Chiron is actually a giant asteroid that represents our core vulnerabilities and the ways that we process and heal them. When these two come together, it is prime time to think about the ways we either succumb to our pain or work through the difficulty. The choice is yours. At the same time, Venus, the planet of love and pleasure, is forming a 60-degree sextile to Pluto, the dark one. This is a formation of ease and reciprocity. During this transit, we are able to confront the ways in which our inner demons come forth when we participate in relationships and seek gratification.

Consider how you either lose or achieve your higher purpose when chasing ecstasy. This week, it is the perfect time to focus on the healing capacity in your mindset and in your love-seeking. Be kind to yourself as you observe your impulses.

Here are your horoscopes for the Mercury-Chiron conjunction and the Venus-Pluto sextile. Read for your rising and sun signs.

TAURUS April 20 - May 20 Spend time alone to think about what makes you feel vulnerable. Get curious and talk to yourself or write about the ways in which your wounds are the places where the light comes in. You have to look at the cuts to heal them, and it is high time to appreciate the beauty in scars. You don’t have to publicly advertise how you love the way you mend yourself, but find power in showing the world the effects of your inner work.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

GEMINI May 21 - June 20 Talking about pains and sorrows with trusted friends is how we heal and how we connect. Your friends are not your therapists, but they can see your better self when you cannot. Let your tribe shower you with healthy ideas about yourself now.

As your friends bring you joy, they also support you in transformative adventure. Carry their love with you as you explore what’s beyond the horizon.

CANCER June 21 - July 22 The work that you do in the world and how you are perceived by “the public” can be a source of healing when you communicate your vulnerabilities outwardly. This is not an invitation to air your grievances, but a call to be honest about your humanity in a public setting.

Others can resonate with your truth.

Allowing yourself to love your work will empower your ability to collaborate.

LEO July 23 - Aug. 22 A new perspective on how you work with your wounds can change the way you think about them. Get out of your comfort zone and go somewhere new or try something different. Your thought patterns will change with different stimuli, and you just might find a new way to soothe your worries. Love your adventure and you may just uncover a powerful new partnership.

VIRGO Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 Now is the time to think about the ways that you collaborate with others to achieve a goal. Working in community and finding connection through conversation is a powerful way to heal the struggles of life.

Everyone has difficulties, and while we can only heal ourselves, togetherness is a great medicine. Love the way you share and you can discover powerful new routines for yourself.

LIBRA Sept. 23 - Oct. 23 One-on-one partnerships tend to be the places that we work out our most nagging pains and insecurities, and now is the perfect time for a cathartic conversation with a loved one. Be vulnerable and honest. See how the talking releases the pressure. Experiencing love with another will unleash your creative potential in a way that will surprise you.

SCORPIO Oct. 23 - Nov. 21 Infusing your daily chores and routines with love and gratitude is a powerful practice. It’s easy to fall into unconscious patterns, but bringing joyful attention to your regular routine will spark a volcanic metamorphosis in your experiences with home and family. Every action you take has the potential to make your life better. While it is impossible and unnecessary to analyze every moment, bringing healthy attention to your habits is available to you now.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 Healing is a creative act, and creativity is a method of mending what is broken. Think of the ways that your creative outlets bring about cathartic outcomes, and lean in to them. Bringing awareness to your blissful projects will enhance their healthy effects. The more you simply love your joyful creativity, the more you will find power in your familiar world.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 While our most intimate people and places can be sources of wounding and pain, they are also potential sources for working through our hardships. Home and family, however you define them, are locations to articulate your progress right now.

Find your words there. When you find love in your intimate spaces, you can also empower your ability to materialize your value system.

JUST BE AWARE

AQUARIUS Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 Allow yourself to put your wounds into words right now. Your biological or chosen siblings are prepared to listen, and articulation is a tool for mending painful experiences. Focus on the release rather than the difficulties. As you find love in familiar places, you empower your own sense of self and individuality.

As you let go, let your self fill in the open spaces.

PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20 How do you use objects to fill the void? Do you use retail therapy willy-nilly or do you purchase things that actually fulfill a need? Think about the ways that you put your values into practice, and you can get really intentional about the ways you exchange feelings for objects.

The relationships in your life that are built on shared values are a source of powerful solitary meditation. Focus on them.

ARIES March 21 - April 19 You are the only person in your life who truly knows your struggle.

Now is the time to think clearly about your hardships, not so you can collapse in the difficulty, but so you can observe them and make healthy changes. Clarity brings action. When you really love yourself, scars and all, you will be amazed by the powerful backing you receive from your friends and support system.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

Healthy

Life

By Dr. Raymond Rodriguez

Cardiovascular Health in Women Why women should pay attention to their heart health, especially after menopause

Cardiovascular problems often manifest themselves differently in women and are frequently subtle or misdiagnosed. Although estrogen offers cardioprotective properties by maintaining cholesterol levels, supporting blood vessel flexibility, and reducing inflammation, this protection falls short after menopause—raising women's risk of cardiovascular diseases and even surpassing that of men.

Risk Factors After Menopause to Be Aware Of: High Blood Pressure Atherosclerosis (or the buildup of plaque) Heart Disease Insulin Resistance Proactive Steps Women Can Take: Know their family history Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol Eat a heart-healthy diet (Recommended: Mediterranean diet) Create an exercise routine Find stress management tactics and get 7–9 hours of sleep Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake The bottom line? Cardiovascular problems can affect everyone. Women, especially after menopause, must prioritize their heart health through awareness, regular screenings, and lifestyle changes to live longer, healthier lives.

Schedule an appointment today with one of Mount Sinai’s Key West cardiologists by calling 305.294.8334.

Dr. Raymond Rodriguez is a cardiologist with board certification in cardiology and internal medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Rodriguez earned his medical degree at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine, and a cardiology fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. He has coordinated clinical trials and published research in the areas of cardiovascular disease.

www.reallygreatsite.com Key West

Sponsored by Mount Sinai Key West

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

TAKE ME HOME? FIND A FRIEND AT THE FLORIDA KEYS SPCA

HELP KEEP KEY WEST CLEAN JOIN A 1-HOUR CLEANUP FRIDAY MORNINGS

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

From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people.

The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for specialneeds and older animals that require a little extra TLC. Check these pages each week for just a few of the animals waiting for a home and see them all at fkspca.org.

Meet Crepe, our resident play-hard-toget kitty with a whole lot of sass. At 3 years old, she’s got a personality that’s as bold as it is lovable. Crepe will paw at the door, begging for you to come in and give her love, but once you do — she’ll pretend you’re not even there. It’s all part of her charm. She keeps us on our toes, and we love her for it.

Meet Tigger, a 4-year-old male cat who knows how to make his presence known. If you’re petting another cat, he won’t hesitate to run over and demand attention. Sweet and friendly, Tigger loves affection and is always ready for a snuggle. His playful personality and need for attention make him an entertaining and loving companion.

Meet Bo, an 8-month-old husky who’s playful, energetic and incredibly cute. Bo seems to get along well with other dogs and enjoys being around his furry friends. As a young husky, he’ll need some training to help him grow into the best boy he can be, but don’t worry — he’s a quick study and loves working for treats.

Oreo is an 8-year-old male kitty who loves people and enjoys all the attention he can get. Oreo seems to get along well with other cats and would make a great addition to any home. With his black and white fur, he’s just like an Oreo cookie — sweet and hard to resist. Oreo is a true lap cat, always ready for cuddles and affection.

Meet Bixby, a 3-year-old rabbit with a flair for cleanliness. He’s always got a neat and organized cage, keeping things tidy and in order. Bixby’s attention to cleanliness makes him a standout in the rabbit world. He’s not just about keeping things spotless — he’s also a friendly and sweet companion who loves a little attention. If you’re looking for a well-mannered bunny who takes pride in his space, Bixby could be the perfect fit for your home.

Twenty-four volunteers met at Lazy Way Lane on April 28 to clean up after the Conch Republic Independence celebration. It was a small area, yet they collected four gallons of cigarette butts, 39 pounds of trash and 15 pounds of recycling. Please dispose of your cigarette butts properly. Given our proximity to the water, most butts — with their chemicals and microplastics — will eventually end up in the ocean. CONTRIBUTED

The Friday cleanup on May 2 was an all-day event that broke another participation record for the Trash Derby. A total of 36 volunteers were collecting trash from land and water, removing a total 1,931 pounds of trash and recycling for the day. Thank you to all the volunteers who made it happen.

CONTRIBUTED

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

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

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

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

The May 2 cleanup ended with the Ploggers supporting the Rotary Conference service project with a cleanup at the Triangle. Fifteen Rotarians collect a total of 29 pounds of trash, 8 pounds of recycling and 1 gallon of cigarette butts. CONTRIBUTED

Please pick up around your home or apartment complex. Every piece of trash picked up is one less that may end up in the ocean that surrounds and sustains our island community. It is not just the large items you can see easily when you are walking, but the smaller items such as bottle caps and cigarette butts that are collected by the volunteers that make the biggest difference.

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

— Contributed

Upcoming cleanups this week: Thursday, May 8: 9 a.m. to noon at Smathers Beach, hosted

by Keller Williams.

Friday, May 9: 8 to 9 a.m. in the GFS Parking lot, hosted by Mt. Sinai.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

Key West

Cooking School

Dinnertainment Cooking Classes All meals are served with housemade plaintain chips

MORNING

AFTERNOON

3p-5p

11a-1p

EVENING

7p-9p

SERVED WITH BREAD AND BUTTER OF THE DAY

TUESDAY Tropical Bites

WEDNESDAY Island Indulgence

THURSDAY Catch of the Day

FRIDAY A Taste of Havana

SATURDAY Key West Comfort

Conch Fritters Mojo Roast Pork with Black Beans and Rice Key Lime Pie

Tostones with Cuban Chimichurri Ropa Vieja with Yellow Rice Tia’s Flan Caldo Gallego Picadillo with Black Beans and Rice Key Lime Pie

Garbanzo Soup Lobster Enchilados with Rice Guava Bread Pudding

Bollos Grits-n-Grunts Key Lime Pie

Conch Fritters Mariscado with White Rice Guava Bread Pudding

Mariscado Swordfish Picatta with Rice and Broccolini Tia’s Flan

Avocado Salad Cuban Mix Tia’s Flan

Ceviche Mojo Roast Pork with Black Beans and Rice Key Lime Pie

Bollos Snapper Creole with Rice Key Lime Pie

Tostones with Cuban Chimichurri Picadillo with Black Beans and Rice Tia’s Flan

Conch Fritters Grits-n-Grunts Key Lime Pie

Conch Salad Sunday Pork Chops with Potato Gratin Guava Bread Pudding

Garbanzo Soup Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas Guava Bread Pudding

Cocktail Classes 1pm

5pm

Rum Revelations Key West History A Cocktail Adventure Through Craft Cocktails Bar 1 Happy Hour 4pm - 6pm

Caldo Gallego Key West Seafood Rissotto Tia’s Flan

Use Promo Code 50KWCS & Save 50% Now Through May 30

291 Front Street, Upstairs • 305-294-2665 • KEYWESTCOOKINGSCHOOL.COM

32

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

‘ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL’ Minister bestows blessings on all island animals

Reverend Daybree Thoms of Unity of the Keys brings blessings to all the island’s animals, making stops at the Key West Wildlife Center, the Key West Police Department’s horses and K-9 officers, the Key West Aquarium, the Hemingway House cats and every adorable (and adoptable) animal at the Florida Keys SPCA on Stock Island.

UNITY OF THE KEYS/Contributed

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ev. Daybree Thoms of Unity of the Keys has been criss-crossing Key West, bestowing blessings to the island’s animals — all the animals.

The newly renovated Key West Wildlife Center hosted the 4th annual Blessing of the Animals on April 26.

This annual event celebrates the bond between humans and all living beings, honoring the creatures with whom we share our world.

In addition to blessing numerous pets, Thoms included the mounted police horses of the Key

West Police Department and the trained dogs of the K-9 unit.

But she didn’t stop there. Her mission took her all over town, from the SPCA and the Hemingway Home & Museum, from the Key West Aquarium to chance encounters with chickens, geckos and the occasional iguana.

Thoms also offered blessings through photographs, including for pets who have passed on, ensuring that love and remembrance reached every corner.

More information is at unityofthekeys.org.

— Contributed

SO LONG, SONGWRITERS; SEE YA NEXT SPRING 29th festival wraps up a week of music

Country duo LoCash and other Nashville singer-songwriters hit the Duval Street stage on May 3 for a free concert as part of the 29th annual Key West Songwriters Festival. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

F

ive days. Sixty live performances. More than 200 singer-songwriters. One island.

Throngs of music lovers packed Key West last week for the 29th annual Key West Songwriters Festival.

On May 3, the 200 block of Duval Street was packed for a free concert featuring a lineup of artists who write some of country music’s most memorable songs.

Platinum-selling country music duo LoCash (pronounced LowCash) brought the heat to Duval Street, belting out hits like their chart-topping single, “Hometown Home,” and the song they wrote for Tim McGraw, “Truck Yeah.”

The Key West Songwriters Festival has become a rite of passage for rising country stars, and a tradition for fans looking to enjoy their music at Key West’s bars, restaurants, theaters, waterfront resorts and pool parties.

Proceeds from the five-day event benefit the BMI Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1985 that supports music education and creation through various grants and scholarships, along with Michelle’s Foundation, a Key West-based nonprofit that helps children and families in need.

— Contributed

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

MINIMAL REGATTA MEANS MAXIMUM FUN Schooner Wharf Bar hosts hilarious homemade boat contest on May 25

CADETS GRADUATE FROM ACADEMY CFK holds ceremony; nine grads have jobs with MCSO

Cadets in CFK’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy No. 92. CONTRIBUTED

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The 34th annual Schooner Wharf Minimal Regatta challenges teams to build homemade boats with minimal materials, including duct tape, and navigate a course in Key West Harbor. CONTRIBUTED

M

inimal construction and marginal seaworthiness should produce maximum hilarity Sunday, May 25, during the 34th annual Schooner Wharf Minimal Regatta. Only boats made of thin plywood, duct tape and a pound of fasteners are allowed in the Memorial Day Weekend regatta.

Prizes are awarded for Fastest Boats, Most Creative Designs, Best Costumes, Best Paint Jobs, Sports-

manship Awards and that dreaded category – Sinker Awards.

Minimal Regatta kits are available at Manley deBoer Lumber in Key West. All entries receive two Minimal Regatta T-shirts; those who register before May 19 get two extra team T-shirts.

More information is available at 305-292-9520, at Schooner Wharf or at schoonerwharf.com.

— Contributed

he College of the Florida Keys (CFK) held a graduation ceremony for Basic Law Enforcement Academy No. 92 on April 30 at the Key West Campus.

Nine cadets successfully completed the 770-hour training program and, upon passing the state officer certification exam, each will be eligible to become a Florida law enforcement officer.

Through partnerships with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, all graduates have already secured employment. During the ceremony, Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay swore in the nine cadets, inducting them into their new professions.

Cathy Torres, director of the CFK Institute for Public Safety, recognized top performing graduates. The leadership award was given to class captain Darlene Pointer while Preston O’Neill-Cottle was recognized for his academic achievement. The “Top Gun”

shooting skills award went to Victor Herrera. Gary Leo received the Physical Fitness award. The “PIG” award, which recognizes pride, integrity and guts, went to Stanley Jean Baptiste.

CFK’s law enforcement vocational program satisfies the training requirements of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. CFK is accepting applications for one upcoming training academy at the Upper Keys Center. Applications are due on July 11 for Basic Law Enforcement Academy No. 95, starting in August 2025 and ending in June 2026.

More information is available by scanning the QR code.

— Contributed

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

THE GREAT FLORIDA KEYS ROAD TRIP: GRASSY KEY Dolphin allure flips to protection and education

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he island was called Ellis Island by the cartographer DeBramn in 1772.

It was not the name that stuck. In Gerdes’1849 pamphlet, Reconnaissance of the Florida Reef and all the Keys, he wrote: “The string of islands from Tom’s Island to the West, except the last, larger one, is FLORIDA called Grassy Islands.”

KEYS Assuming the last, larger HISTORY one was Key Vaca, Grassy WITH Islands was not quite the name BRAD that stuck, either. When Charles BERTELLI Smith conducted the official Brad is a local government survey in 1872, he historian, author, labeled it Grassy Key. That was speaker and the name that stuck. Why the Honorary Conch who loves sharing name was chosen is something the history of the of a mystery. A U.S. Coast & Florida Keys.

Geodetic Survey field report from 1935-1936 stated: “Local information is that the key was named after an old settler and not because it was partially covered in grass.”

Of all the islands linked by the asphalt and bridges of the Overseas Highway, Grassy Key has a special story to share. Grassy Key’s unique contribution starts with a dark-haired man of Mediterranean descent who, though small in stature, left a footprint on the Florida Keys that was larger than life. Milton Santini was his name.

Santini was a fisherman. What brought the man notoriety was his skill at catching dolphins — not the catch of the day, mahi-mahi dolphin served as fingers, sandwiches and tacos — but Flipper dolphin. When Santini heard that the Miami Sea Aquarium offered $100 per live dolphin delivered to Tavernier or Marathon, he started chasing them down.

During the 1950s, when sea aquariums began to spring up around the country, Santini made a name for himself by capturing the marine mammals. When taking his skiff and patrolling the seagrass meadows, cuts, banks and shallows of the backcountry, he had a partner in a companion skiff cruising beside him. If a pod was sighted, the two skiffs sped across the water in hopes of “bulldogging” the dolphins or using the two

A postcard of Mitzi, star of the movie ‘Flipper’ pulling a boat at Santini’s Porpoise Training School on Grassy Key. Postmarked April 9, 1969. HAFFENREFFER COLLECTION/Florida Keys History Center

boats to separate one of them and chase it into the shallows where a net could be thrown over the animal.

The dolphin’s alarm would scatter the pod into deeper waters if they missed. When they were successful, the skiffs would tow their catch up on the seagrass shallows so the two men could jump out and race to secure it. One thing they had to learn was that when they managed to catch a dolphin, they had to act quickly in order to get its head to the surface and prevent it from drowning.

Santini reached legendary status when he caught the world’s most famous dolphin, one he fished out of the Florida Bay in 1955. He named her Mitzi. Mitzi was a natural performer and quick to learn tricks. He considered the dolphin more intelligent than most people he knew.

Mitzi gained notoriety when she was cast to portray the beloved character Flipper. One of several dolphins to perform the role, Mitzi was said to be the most photogenic of the bunch.

By 1962, calls for wild dolphins came in from as far away as Texas and Michigan. According to a Miami Herald story dated Nov. 30, 1966, the price Santini was being paid for a wild dolphin had increased. He sold them to aquariums for between $500 and $1,500 each. As his business grew, Santini needed to expand his operation and purchased Campbell’s Grassy Key Lodge. He dynamited the limestone substrate along the shore of his new property to create holding pens. The pits were flooded and partitioned off from the open water.

Mr. Santini is remembered as a kind man by the local children; he would let them slip into the pens and swim with the dolphins. Sometimes, he charged them a quarter. At the Grassy Key property, he opened Santini’s Porpoise School, where Mitzi was one of as many as 15 performing dolphins. Mitzi was the star of the show until she died of heart failure in 1972. Santini was said to have been heartbroken by the loss and sold his Grassy Key property to Wometco Enterprises.

It was 1972, too, when the Marine Mammal Protection Act was passed. Prior to 1972, any Tom, Dick or Milton could race a skiff across the water and capture a wild dolphin. After the act was passed, it became illegal to harass, capture, injure or approach a marine mammal, be it a dolphin, whale, seal, otter or manatee.

Wometco Enterprises cashed in on Mitzi’s notoriety and opened Flipper’s Sea School, showcasing trained dolphin acts for the public until Jean Paul Fortem-Gouin purchased the property in 1977. A cetacean conservationist, Fortem-Gouin closed the property to the public, renamed it the Institute for Dolphin Research and studied the language and behaviors of dolphins.

Considered a leader in the rights of whales, when voluntary cessation of the hunting of some species was achieved, ownership of the property was transferred from Fortem-Gouin to general manager Jayne Shannan and Mandy Rodriguez, the facility’s head trainer. Shannan and Rodriguez re-christened the facility the Dolphin Research Center.

Located at MM 59, it has been open to the public since 1984 and continues to serve as an educational facility promoting marine mammal awareness. If you are old enough to have grown up watching the adventures of Flipper on television, you can pay your respects at Mitzi’s grave which can be found on the property.

While driving west down the highway, the two giant dolphin statues in the parking lot make it hard to miss. On the contrary, what is easy to miss is the “bridge” linking Grassy Key to the next island in the chain, Crawl Key. The two islands were connected by a line of railroad fill back when the right-of-way for Henry Flagler’s train was being developed. When you pass Banana Boulevard, which will appear on the oceanside, you are on Crawl Key. Grassy Key and Crawl Key are also part of the collection of islands that fall under the Marathon umbrella. Marathon has a much larger story to tell.

37

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

1

CUSTOM-DESIGNED FOR A SPECIAL SOMEONE

2

3

TVM students sweep Mother’s Day jewelry contest JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

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wo Keys moms and one grandmother received a Mother’s Day surprise — in the form of custom-made jewelry designed by their young loved ones — during a special presentation at Treasure Village Montessori on May 5.

Blue Marlin Jewelry’s 10th annual Saige Raiche Memorial Junior Designer Mother’s Day Contest saw TVM students winning in all three categories — and that’s something to be said for a contest spanning across all Keys schools.

Second-grader Will Miller’s necklace design with two angels won the K-3 category.

He presented the piece of jewelry to his mom, Brittany Miller. A seventh-grade student, Nia Melendez-Lopez’s heart locket necklace won the grades 4-7 category. The special jewelry designed by Melendez-Lopez was presented

to her grandmother Jackie Lopez. Eighthgrader Nick Giordano presented a customdesigned ring to her mom, Kristen Giordano.

The team at Blue Marlin, with locations at 81549 Old Highway in Islamorada and 718 Caroline Street in Key West, reviewed the first round and chose the finalists. From there, the submissions were sent to a fresh team of judges, non-Blue Marlin employees, to pick winners. Winners weren’t only judged on their designs. The stories associated with the custom-made designs also played a big role.

TVM art teacher Diana McGuirk-Hille said she was proud of the students who submitted the jaw-dropping designs.

“The effort you put towards it … they (the judges) had such a difficult time just picking those three winners,” she said.

“This is quite an accomplishment for what you guys have achieved here,” said Armando Gonzalez, owner of Blue Marlin Jewelry. “And I love that you’re doing it.”

1: TVM second-grader Will Miller presents his winning jewelry design and the necklace produced by Blue Marlin Jewelry to his mom, Brittany. TVM art teacher Diana McGuirk-Hille and Blue Marlin Jewelry owner Armando Gonzalez are also pictured. 2: Seventh-grader Nia Melendez-Lopez presents her custom-designed necklace to her grandmother, Jackie Lopez. 3: Armando Gonzalez discusses how Blue Marlin Jewelry produced eighth-grader Nick Giordano’s ring design. The piece was presented to Giordano’s mom, Kristen. 4: Mom Kristen Giordano gets a look at the ring. 5: TVM students hold their winning jewelry designs next to their loved ones, Armando Gonzalez and Diana McGuirk-Hille. Photos by JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

Thank you

Nurses you for the difference make Nurses are more than medical professionals, more than caregivers. Nurses come alongside us in some of our most vulnerable moments to not only provide care, but comfort. Not just treatment, but hope.

National Nurses Week is the perfect time to share our gratitude to the nearly 200 nurses at Lower Keys Medical Center and Keys Medical Group. You pour skill, compassion and heart into each patient interaction, and we thank you.

Thank you for the role you play in helping those in the Lower Keys get well and live healthier. Thank you for your dedication, your resilience and for serving as an advocate for your patients.

LKMC.com

40

Remembering Bruce Mitchell: Publisher, Activist, Key West Icon

Former newspaper publisher, activist and beloved Key West resident, Bruce Mitchell, 71, died April 29, 2025 at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Fla, holding the hand of his wife of 38 years, Susan.

Formerly Ohio residents, Bruce and Susan raised sons, John and William Mitchell, and welcomed Turkish Rotary Exchange student Orhan Mentese into the family fold.

Born in 1953 to Ohio State sociology professor and WWII Air Force veteran, John Boyd Mitchell Jr, and social worker, Pauline Drysdale, Bruce was raised in Upper Arlington, Ohio alongside his brothers Boyd, Kent and Mark Mitchell.

After four years of participating in Vietnam War protests, and other campus activism, Bruce graduated from Ohio University in 1975. Bruce founded The Athens News in 1977, an independent local newspaper, establishing a business partnership with lifelong friend Guy Phillips.

In 2015 Bruce retired from publishing, and lived out his long-time dream of relocating to Key West. There, he continued his activism, establishing the Key West Rapid Ripoff Response Team to root out aggressive, predatory sales practices on Duval Street via a campaign of targeted guerrilla-style street protests, permanently improving the safety and atmosphere of Key West for tourists and locals alike.

In retirement, he provided more than 800 historic bike tours of Key West. He was also a proud member of the Key West Bike Club, where every morning at 8:01, he would exclaim “Play Ball!” before the assembled bikers would ride.

When he wasn’t wearing a bicycle helmet, Bruce was well-known for his colorful attire. Until his very last days, Bruce spent his time traveling adventurously, cheering for the Cincinnati Bengals, and doing everything he could for the countless people he deeply cherished.

A celebration of life for Key West Friends will be held at Willam Weech American Legion on Saturday, May 10 at 5 p.m. on Emma Street in Bahama Village. A celebration of life for Athens friends will be held on Saturday, May 24. Details will follow.

In lieu of flowers: Friends are encouraged to donate to: William Weech American Legion Post 168, PO Box 903, Key West, FL 33041

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

SEBASTIAN STRONG, KEYS FISHERIES TEAM UP TO FIGHT KIDS’ CANCERS

Recycle Right Every Day. Remember these three simple rules each time you recycle:

May 14 event to help fund treatments and research

Keep food and liquid out of your recycling

Recycle clean bottles, cans, paper, cardboard and glass

No loose plastic bags and no bagged recyclables

To learn more, visit wm.com/recycleright

Need A BAGSTER®? BUY. FILL. GONE. • Bagster® bags are available at home improvement stores and online.

Left: SebastianStrong paddlers take a break at Molasses Key just off the Seven Mile Bridge during their 2024 paddle. CONTRIBUTED. Right: The SebastianStrong gang and Keys Fisheries staff celebrate a successful Middle Keys rest stop during the 2023 trek. ALEX RICKERT/ Keys Weekly

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

T

he upstairs bar at Keys Fisheries will be a welcome respite next week for mission-driven kayakers pulling their weight to help eradicate the world’s most hated disease.

A select group of paddlers will pause in the Middle Keys as they complete a daunting 110-mile paddle down the length of the Keys island chain in support of the SebastianStrong Foundation. Created in 2017, the foundation takes its name from Sebastian Nicolas Ortiz, a 15-year-old who was diagnosed with a rare soft-tissue cancer and passed away after a 14-month battle including four surgeries, 32 rounds of chemo and 23 rounds of radiation.

Under the guidance of Sebastian’s father Oscar, the foundation raises and awards funding to support cuttingedge treatments and research for rare pediatric cancers that may struggle to receive funding and attention from mainstream sources.

It’s a mission, the elder Ortiz told the Weekly, that has become all the more relevant in the face of severe cuts to government-funded research, and has led to prestigious investigators turning to smaller organizations for help.

“These indiscriminate cuts to National Institutes of Health funding are going to cost people lives,” Ortiz said. “Grants that have normally been renewed without question are all of a sudden up in the air.

“Applications (for funding) we

had this year were from people who normally wouldn’t apply to us. These are Howard Hughes investigators – people who would have never had to ask us for funding.”

Beginning Monday, May 12, Ortiz and his crew will undertake the multiday paddle from Key Largo to Key West – and on Wednesday night, Keys Fisheries will donate 15% of all sales from 6 to 8:30 p.m. to fund childhood cancer research and support families facing a cancer diagnosis.

The cause is personal for the restaurant and fish market, which lost beloved bartender Shannon Gosselin to her own battle with cancer in 2021. The staff, with the help of SebastianStrong, are currently rallying behind Switlik Elementary School student David Hernandez, the son of Keys Fisheries’ own Alex Hernandez, who was diagnosed in late 2024 with osteosarcoma at just 8 years old.

“We’ve been partnering with Keys Fisheries for years,” Ortiz said. “Obviously, these unfortunate circumstances hit home. We’re going to bring 12 or 13 families (dealing with a cancer diagnosis) down to kayak the last mile with us in Key West and give them as normal of a weekend as we can.”

Raffle tickets will be available to win an “Ultimate Sun and Sand Adventure Pack” with all manner of beach and boat equipment, plus a good amount of booze, and tickets are available online by scanning the QR code for those who can’t make the evening in person.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

LITERARY LOVE FOR MOM

THREE ENGAGING READS EXPLORING COMMUNAL LIVING, POWERFUL WOMEN AND A SINGLE-MOM MYSTERY

The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone

By Randy Susan Meyers In 1964, Annabel Cooper is a young woman who travels to Mississippi to register African-American voters during Freedom Summer, a key initiative of the civil rights movement. This life-changing experience opens her eyes to a world where people are punished based on the color of their skin.

Afterward, Annabel and her partner Guthrie move to Boston while he attends Harvard.

They live in a communal house called Puddingstone, shared by 10 adults and a growing number of children. These roommates are all activists, some fighting for equality in the workplace while others rally for better welfare benefits. They are intelligent, passionate and want to change the world.

As the children get older, the adults decide city life is not healthy – they want their offspring to explore nature and creativity. One member buys an old farmhouse in Vermont, developing an idyllic homestead with the mothers rotating visits and the adults back in Boston continuKAREN ing their fight for justice.

NEWFIELD Narrated by Annabel First and foremost and her daughter Ivy, a reader, she has this novel chronicles reviewed hundecades of their evolving dreds of books on relationship shaped by her blog www. readingandeating. unique circumstances. It is rich with drama, hiscom. And, more tory, friendship and the recently, this new deep-seated yearning for Keys resident has also begun writmothering that all living ing. beings need.

Like Mother, Like Mother

By Susan Rieger Lila Pereira grew up without a mother.

At 2 years old, she and her siblings were abandoned to the care of their abusive, heartless father and his cold, complicated mother. The story they were told is that their mother Zelda was crazy and admitted to a mental hospital, where she later died. For Lila, her brother and sister, their childhood was a nightmare. Somehow, Lila makes her way to college, where her strength and beauty capture the heart of Joe. He is handsome, kind and smart. After they marry, Joe remains committed to raising their daughters as Lila’s career skyrockets. The girls excel and Lila, rarely at home, becomes an impressive editor at The Globe. Grace, their youngest, is a talented writer and, as journalism becomes her life’s goal, she continues to search for answers to her mother’s secret past. “Like Mother Like Mother” is a gripping generational story of mothers, families and friends. The fast-paced writing, coupled with references to books and authors, kept me hooked from start to finish. As decades pass, the women’s deep need to understand their mothers echoes through time, drawing you in so completely that there’s no escape.

All the Other Mothers Hate Me

By Sarah Harman Addicted to reality TV and delivering party balloons for a living, Florence Grimes never expected to be a single mom. In her early days she was lead singer in a hit girl band, experiencing moderate fame and invites to the hottest clubs. A decade later, she shuttles her 10-year-old son Dylan to his fancy private school where none of the other moms like her very much. One day Dylan’s class is going on a field trip. When the bus returns, a boy named Alfie, the class bully and most wealthy child in the school, is missing. Some impeccably-manicured fingers quickly point to Dylan, who has a troubled history involving a turtle and was Alfie’s designated partner on the trip. Florence has a hard time getting answers from Dylan, who is painfully introverted. At risk of losing her son, Florence decides to take matters into her own hands. If she can decipher what happened to Alfie, she can clear Dylan’s name. With laugh-out-loud snarky humor that transforms into a twisted mystery, this quirky mom spirals through the streets of London, tumbling into a whirlwind of trouble.

#WORTHWATCHING “Nonnas” - A Vince Vaughn comedy based on an actual restaurant in Staten Island, New York, where the chefs are local grandmothers who cook their families’ famous dishes.

It’s hard to get a reservation these days (I tried!) but you can check it out on Netflix on May 9.

44

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

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45

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

Lemurs at Home

photos by Drew Fellman, © IMAX® film “Island of Lemurs: Madagascar”

Founded by Betty Debnam

Mini Fact: Ring-tailed lemurs stay together for extra protection during the day.

A

bout 60 million years ago, our distant cousins, the lemurs (LEE-mers), were castaways on Madagascar, an island off the coast of Africa. For millions of years, this island was a wonderful home for the lemurs — until humans arrived.

Today, lemurs are endangered, and many species are extinct. Experts say they are one of the most endangered mammals in the world.

Wild lemurs are found nowhere on Earth except Madagascar.

This week, The Mini Page learns more about these cute animals.

DISTANT RELATIVES Lemurs were one of the first primates (PRYmates), the family that includes humans, monkeys and apes. Primates have digits, or fingers and toes, that can grasp things. Most have fingernails instead of claws.

Primates have big brains for their body size.

The lemur brain is smaller than those of later, similar-sized primates such as monkeys.

LEMUR PARADISE Scientists believe lemurs originated in Africa about 65 million years ago. Some time later, a storm swept a group of small mammals, these early lemurs, out to sea. They floated from Africa on a natural raft

of plants until they reached an island about the size of Texas.

This island, Madagascar, was so isolated from other land that there were no other mammals or birds present. There were few predators, or enemies, of the lemurs. Snakes and crocodiles lived on the island, but no other predators arrived for about 40 million years.

Lemurs spread throughout the island. They developed into hundreds of different species, ranging from some as big as a gorilla to others as tiny as a mouse.

THE ARRIVAL OF HUMANS When people first landed on Madagascar about 2,000 years ago, they began burning the lemurs’ forest home. Now, more than 90% of the forests there have been destroyed. All the large species of lemurs are extinct. More than 75% of the remaining lemurs are endangered.

Most of the people in Madagascar are poor. They Most lemurs are arbomay kill lemurs for food. real (ar-BORE-ee-uhl), Sometimes they are scared or animals that live in of the strange-looking anitrees. Species such as mals. Lemurs have wide-eyed the ring-tailed lemur stares, and some kinds move travel easily through around at night, so many the forest. The ringnative people believed they tailed lemur also is at were spirits. “Lemur” means home on the ground, which is not true for “ghost” in Latin.

LEMUR LIFE Female lemurs are dominant, or the most powerful animals in a group. Usually in primate groups, males are dominant.

Different types of lemurs get together, or Lemurs such as this sifaka socialize, in different ways. Many groups stay eat fruit and other plant matter. Small lemurs also together for years. Noceat insects, and some eat turnal lemurs, or those frogs too. that are active at night, often seek food alone but nest together during the day. Many females, and sometimes a male, may share a nest.

In a group of black-and-white ruffed lemurs, all the females have their babies at the same time. They reproduce only when there is enough food to support lots of babies. They may go years without having any at all. When there is enough food, they may each have two to five babies in a litter.

Lemurs keep track of other lemurs by calls and smells. They have different calls for greeting and alarms. Lemurs may rush to help lemurs of a different species or even to help birds that aren’t lemur enemies.

On the Web: • lemur.duke.edu • bit.ly/MPKidz4Lemurs At the library: • “Lemurs of Madagascar” by KeriAnne Jelinek

all lemurs.

The Mini Page® © 2024 Andrews McMeel Syndication

Words that remind us of lemurs are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:

AFRICA, ARBOREAL, CALLS, DIGIT, DOMINANT, ENDANGERED, EXTINCT, FEMALE, FORESTS, GHOST, ISLAND, LEMUR, MADAGASCAR, NEST, NOCTURNAL, PREDATOR, PRIMATE, SMELLS, SOCIALIZE.

S A U F E P R O U F P E N L C L D R V M D I A N E I P A A E A D F C A L R L A N M A I O S T E E T Z B I O S U T E R V R T S H R A C S A G A

I M A T E E V L Z E B C X W T T A P U T F S S N A N I O O S L A L N R H Y L L N C E G U R L E I S E Q E T A M M I G I D R C S O R U M E L E O D D A M B E Y D N

More than half of Earth’s land ecosystems are experiencing unprecedented conditions due to human activity, a new study reveals. Researchers found 58% of the planet’s land is exposed to a combination of human-caused climate change, species extinctions and disrupted plant life. The Amazon, New Zealand and Mediterranean regions were among the most affected, with even protected areas showing similar levels of disruption. Scientists say their findings highlight the need to focus on slowing or managing change rather than trying to restore ecosystems to their original states. adapted with permission from Earthweek.com

46

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 8, 2025

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3

MAY 8, 2025 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP

THE SCOREBOARD

MAY 8

Team

Sport

Opponent

Date

Marathon

Baseball

Fort Meade

4/28

L, 4-1

Key West

Baseball

American Heritage

4/28

L, 6-1

Marathon

Baseball

Fort Meade

4/29

L, 15-1

Key West

Baseball

American Heritage

4/29

L, 9-5

Key West

Softball

Lourdes Academy

4/29

W, 12-3

Marathon

Softball

Moore Haven

4/29

L, 15-0

Key West

Softball

American

5/1

W, 11-1

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK THIS WEEK

Josh

JOHNSON

Sophomore, Key West Track & Field Thrower

MAY 8

THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS Date

School

Sport

Opponent

Start Time

5/9

Key West & Coral Shores

Track & Field

States @ Jacksonville

8 a.m.

5/10

Marathon

Track & Field

States @ Jacksonville

8 a.m.

5/13

Key West

Softball

Possible Regional Semifinals

TBA

His hard work, natural talent and dedication to mastering the shot put are clearly paying off.

It takes real drive to focus and compete at that level so early on.”

— Mike Caldwell, Key West throwing coach

WON

2025 FHSAA 2A District 16 shot put

47’ 9.75” ON THE COVER As this paper rolls off the press, the district-champion Lady Conchs softball team is battling to advance in the regional tournament. Top: Shylo Sanchez. Second Row: Ryleigh Harnish, Brianna Brenner, Aaliyah Mcleod. Third row: Skye Sterling, Alexa Condella, Vera Rodger. MAICEY MALGRAT/ Keys Weekly

Key West school record shot put

In just his first year of varsity track and field competition, Key West sophomore Josh Johnson has already achieved more than most athletes do in their entire careers. In late April, Johnson won the 2025 FHSAA 2A District 16 title in shot put, and last week he finished second in the same event at regionals. His 47’ 9.75” toss of the 12-pound ball did not just earn him a spot on the state championship roster this season; it broke Key West’s school record and placed him in contention for a medal at the state level. For his fantastic performance in last week’s regional meet and dedication to constant improvement, Key West’s Josh Johnson is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

Photos by Maicey Malgrat and Rick Mackenzie

4

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP / MAY 8, 2025 SPORTS WRITER

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.

PODCAST HOST

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.

DISTRI

Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Managing Editor / Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Business Development

Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com Jill Miranda Baker jill@keysweekly.com Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com

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Graphic Design

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com

Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

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.

MARKET EDITORS

Marathon - Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844

Se habla español

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APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.

Upper Keys - Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com Key West - Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

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

From left: Alexa Condella’s bat is coming in clutch in the postseason. In the dis-

trict championship game last week, Condella drove in five runs off two hits.

Photos by Maicey Malgrat and Addison Collins

Lucy Katz is batting .394 this season. Her stats include a double she regis-

5

MAY 8, 2025 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP

ICT CHAMPS! LADY CONCHS SOFTBALL ADVANCES TO REGIONALS; FINS OUT OF CONTENTION

A

fter a pair of demolition derbies in their run through the district brackets, the Key West Lady Conchs played for a regional championship this week.

Key West advanced directly to the 4A Region 4 semifinals after earning a bye for the quarterfinals. They faced Lourdes Academy, making short work of the Royal Lions.

The Lady Conchs won via mercy rule after five innings, but not before Vera Rodger amassed three hits, including a pair of doubles.

Shylo Sanchez doubled and tripled and Kaleya Cervantez added a triple to her stats as well. Key West had 12 hits in total, then went on a stealing spree. Lilee Gage stole two of the team’s total of five stolen bases. Sophomore Brianna Brenner pitched five fantastic innings, striking out eight, walking three and giving up just three hits.

The 12-3 win put Key West into the district championship game on May 1 against American High School.

It was more of the same for the overpowered Patriots. The sixinning game ended early after an 11-run onslaught, propelled by Alexa Condella’s five RBIs off a single and double. Shylo Sanchez and Lucy Katz doubled and Tavyn Gage, Lilee Gage and Aaliyah McLeod each added one base hit to the count. Brenner had another excellent showing in the circle, fanning six, walking none and giving up four hits for a single unearned run. The win sealed the deal for Key West, earning them the 4A District 16 title and a place in brackets at regionals.

The Lady Conchs joined 31 other teams still in the hunt for a state title, with regional quarterfinals slated for May 7 (results not available at press time). Their opponent was Barron Collier, the District 12 champs. A win against Barron Collier would place the Conchs in the regional semis on May 13 against the winner of the Archbishop McCarthy vs. Dr. Joaquin Garcia contest.

Marathon’s quest for postseason hardware came to an end at Moore Haven on April 29, when the Terriers nipped away the Fins’ chances for a district title in their first season in the FHSAA 1A Rural classification. Moore Haven dispatched the Dolphins in three innings, ending the district semifinal game early via mercy rule.

Shynell McGuire registered the lone hit of the day for Marathon in the 15-0 loss, essentially closing out the season for the Fins, who finished with a 9-7 record.

tered against American High in the FHSAA 4A District 16 Championships.

Brianna Brenner continues to shine for Key West as their go-to pitcher.

Marathon junior Shynell McGuire watches for the pitch in a recent game.

6

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP / MAY 8, 2025

POWER IN NUMBERS 2 3 4 5

1

Track and field stars nab 3 regional titles, punch 15 state championship tickets

K

eys teams traveled to Calvary Christian School for their respective FHSAA Region 4 Championships last week. When the final race was complete, three local athletes had secured regional titles, six qualified automatically for the state meet and nine others earned at-large bids with their performances. The top two finishers in each event qualify automatically, while the next best 10 in the state’s four regions receive at-large spots. In total, 15 Conchs, Hurricanes and Dolphins will make the trip to Jacksonville for the big show.

The Conchs and ’Canes competed May 2 in the 2A classification and the Fins took their marks a day later for the 1A meet.

KEY WEST Key West’s boys finished second in Region 4 with an impressive showing in the field events. Senior Ian Newton won the pole vault event, clearing the bar at 14’3.25” and placing him in contention for a medal at next week’s state meet. Sophomore Josh Johnson broke the school record with his second-place shot put, which traveled 47’9.5”, and fellow throwers Shane Lavallee, Peyton Zubieta and Jeremiah Harvey, all seniors, placed second through fourth in the javelin competition. Newton, Johnson and Lavallee qualified for states automatically while Zubieta and Harvey each earned at-large spots. Joining them at states will be Noah Mercer, whose third-place discus toss made the mark, and Malachi Telisma, whose tie for third in high jump also earned an at-large bid.

The Lady Conchs will have three representatives in Jacksonville.

Sophomore Ariel Newton won the girls pole vault event with a 9’10” jump. Senior Caylaa Makimaa placed third in the 3,200-meter race with a strong enough time to garner an at-large spot. Junior Audrey Smith’s dual at-large bids illustrate the strength of the South Florida region in both events. Smith placed fourth in discus and fifth in javelin with distances that made the top-10 list for a spot on the state roster in both events.

1. Coral Shores junior Alaric Rodriguez strides it out for a fourth-place finish in the 800-meter run.

6. Key West’s Audrey Smith throws the javelin at Calvary Christian last week at the FHSAA 4A Regional Championships.

2. Jeremiah Harvey launches the javelin for a fourth-place finish at regionals last week.

7. Justice Lee unleashes her regionalchampionship shot put.

3. Coral Shores’ Ali Wheatley, left, and Key West’s Caylaa Makimaa battle it out on the track in the 3,200-meter race.

Wheatley finished second and Makimaa finished third, with both runners advancing to the state meet with their performances.

4. Hurricane harrier Sammy Bates races to a school record in the 800-meter run.

5. Marathon senior Vance Bursa works hard to stay in front of a competitor in the 3,200 race last week.

8. Marathon’s Ava Merryman gets inverted as she clears the bar in the girls pole vault.

9. Key West high jumper Malachi Telisma clears the bar at regionals last week.

Telisma qualified for states with a thirdplace tie in the event.

Photos by RICK MACKENZIE/Contributed

7

MAY 8, 2025 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP

6 7 8 9

CORAL SHORES Hurricane freshman Ali Wheatley finished the 3,200-meter race in second place with a time of 11:33. Wheatley’s finish secured a lane at the state meet, where she will be the lone athlete in a Coral Shores uniform. Though he did not qualify for states, junior Alaric Rodriguez had a fantastic fourth-place finish in the 800 and Sammy Bates broke her own school record in the same event in the girls race, finishing 10th.

MARATHON Four Fins will make the trip to Jacksonville this week. Justice Lee brought home a trio of regional medals and earned an automatic spot at the state meet in two events and an at-large bid in a third. Lee qualified automatically with her first-place 37’4.5” shot put and a second-place 111’ toss in the discus event. Her third-place javelin throw landed 101’7” away and earned her an atlarge spot in a third event at the state meet. Joining Lee for the Lady Fins will be fellow junior Ava Merryman, who matched her school-record pole vault best at 9’10”. Merryman’s third-place finish earned an at-large bid for the big show.

Marathon’s boys had a pair of qualifiers, both on the track. In the shortest event, senior Jay Marshall sprinted to a fifth-place finish in the 100-meter race, crossing the line in 11.08 seconds. His time secured a lane at the state meet. Senior Vance Bursa earned his spot in the longest race of the day.

Bursa completed eight laps in 9:40 to place third and win an at-large spot in the 3,200-meter race. He went around the track four more times to qualify for another at-large spot in the 1,600-meter race.

Two of the Dolphins’ youngest competitors did not qualify for states but broke Marathon school records in their regional performances last week.

Sixth-grader Molly Joly and seventh-grader Maverick McDonald both set new school records in the 3,200 and pole vault, respectively, each breaking their own marks set earlier in the season.

STATE DETAILS 2A Key West and Coral Shores will head to Jacksonville a day earlier than 1A Marathon for the FHSAA State Championships. All events are being held at University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium. The Conchs and Hurricanes compete on Friday, May 9 while the Dolphins take their marks the following day.

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Monroe Concrete Marathon 1500 107th Street Gulf Marathon, 305-743-5800

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KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP / MAY 8, 2025

8

Conchs dominated county rivals in ’24-’25 season

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Photos by Barry Gaukel, Maicey Malgrat and Rachel Rusch

SOPHOMORE KEY WEST | MIDFIELDER

Just a sophomore, Sonny Bowden has already made a name for himself, netting 11 goals in his first full season with the Conchs.

Bowden was praised for his drive and determination, which resulted in two of his season goals coming in the district semifinals, including the game-winning shot just moments from the end of extra time.

MEET THE 2025 ALLKEYS BOYS SOCCER TEAM

ey West was a formidable force on the pitch this year, earning a stellar 11-4-3 record, which included an FHSAA 4A District 16 Championship. The Conchs went on a tear, knocking off the top two seeds in their district to bring home the title. The team also earned the county crown, defeating Marathon and Coral Shores twice each and registering shutouts in all four games.

The 3A Hurricanes secured eight wins for an 8-14 record, boosted by a pair of victories over Marathon. The Dolphins finished 3-12-1 on the season in their 2A designation.

Sonny Bowden

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Sebastian Camargo

JUNIOR | KEY WEST FORWARD

Whatever the Conchs needed, junior Sebastian Camargo gave, and he put in the extra hours to prepare.

Camargo scored nine goals and a team-high nine assists, and his technical skills and superior work ethic will serve him well in his senior campaign.

MVP

6

DJ Barrett

SENIOR | KEY WEST MIDFIELDER

Barrett was a team captain and four-year starter for Key West. The senior midfielder scored the game-winning goal in the district championship match, and coach Nic Farrar praised him as much for his leadership as his skills on the field. “As one of only three seniors this year, he brought his experience to a young team,” Farrar said.

“At practice, he was there to drive the other teammates to be better.” Barrett recently signed to play soccer in college and the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) State Soccer Committee honored him with a nod to represent the South Team in the 2025 FACA All-Star Soccer Classic.

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Loubins Fleuridor

JUNIOR | KEY WEST FORWARD

A team captain, Fleuridor has been a star on the Conchs’ front for the past three seasons. “He continues to demand more from his teammates,” said Farrar of Fleuridor’s leadership.

Fleuridor scored 13 goals this season, including one in the team’s district championship win.

5

Kieran Smith

JUNIOR | KEY WEST DEFENDER

Junior Kieran Smith helped anchor the defense for the Conchs, serving as a solid organizer for the back line.

“He was always available and willing to help out with anything for the team, including helping organize Senior Night items,” said Farrar.

“On top of that, he scored a brace against Somerset Silver Palms and was a constant threat from set pieces.”

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MAY 8, 2025 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP

5

Jayden Rosete

JUNIOR | MARATHON CENTER MIDFIELDER

15

Angel Cardona

JUNIOR | MARATHON DEFENDER

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Fabbianho Louis Jeune

SENIOR | MARATHON CENTER BACK

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Jay Marshall

SENIOR | MARATHON STRIKER

A member of Marathon’s varsity team since he was in the seventh grade, junior Jayden Rosete was described

by Fins coach Shannon Wiley as a good leader who controls the midfield well.

Rosete used those skills to assist on four goals and net one of his own this season.

Praised by his coach and teammates for his positive attitude and consistency, junior Angel Cardona helped the Fins on defense by blasting away balls. Cardona is fast, agile and has fantastic endurance, giving him all the attributes needed for a successful senior campaign with the Dolphins.

Marathon’s Fabbianho Louis Jeune was a top-tier defenseman for the Fins until they needed help up front. He then moved to the offense and netted seven goals, assisting on seven more. The fearless four-year starter used his size and athleticism to outhustle and edge out opponents to benefit his team.

A four-year starter for Marathon, Mikail “Jay” Marshall used his explosive speed to outmaneuver his opponents and become the most prolific scorer for the Fins this season. Marshall finished out his senior season with nine goals, registering one hat trick to lead the Dolphins in points.

Preston Carroll

Xol Placencia

Armando Picado

Alaric Rodriguez

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SENIOR | CORAL SHORES MIDFIELDER

Hurricane senior Preston Carroll served as team captain and led the ’Canes in scoring, netting 23 goals and assisting on a dozen more. Carroll’s ability to find the back of the net and his patient leadership made him an asset, leaving big shoes to fill next season.

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SENIOR | CORAL SHORES FORWARD/MIDFIELDER

Coral Shores’ Xol Placencia combined speed and evasive agility to score 13 goals this season. The sure-footed senior was also credited with an assist, and was a scoring threat anywhere north of the midfield line.

7

SENIOR | CORAL SHORES FORWARD

Credited for his excellent passing and unselfish play, Coral Shores’ Armando Picado scored six goals this season and set up his teammates for six assists as well. A solid technical player with speed to boot, Picado earned respect from teammates and opponents alike.

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JUNIOR | CORAL SHORES MIDFIELDE

Junior midfielder Alaric Rodriguez scored one goal this season for the ’Canes, but it was his play on defense that made him most valuable.

Rodriguez is credited for his vision and ability to set up plays, and with both speed and size, he helped maintain control and set the tempo throughout the season.

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KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP / MAY 8, 2025

FINAL FRAME Conchs, Fins fall in regional semifinals

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ey West’s quest for a 12th state championship ended on April 29 after a two-game slide against American Heritage High School. In game one, the Conchs held their own against the Patriots until a fourth-inning grand slam put the win too far out of reach.

Kade Maltz batted in the lone Conch run off a base hit. Auggy Davila, Xavier Perez, Sam Holland and Nelson Ong each added a hit to the team total. Vinny Moline pitched four innings for Key West, giving up five runs on five hits. Moline struck out five Patriots and walked seven more in the loss.

The following night, Key West was back in Miami for game two, hoping to tie up the series and force a third game, which would have been at Rex Weech Field. Conch fans did not get the chance to see their boys at home again, however, with a 9-5 loss ending Key West’s season.

Trailing 3-0 in the top of the second, Sam Holland hit a solo homer to right field to put the Conchs on the board. Kade Maltz sent a shot to left field in inning five to add another run for Key West. However, the Patriots unloaded a dozen hits, including four homers, against the Conchs, and a seventh-inning threerun rally came too late for Key West to close the gap.

The 9-5 loss ended the Conchs’ season with a 20-12 record.

Maltz’s home run was one of two hits for the freshman. His second was a double. Davila doubled, Roman Garcia added a hit and two RBIs and Nelson Ong singled. Four Conchs saw work on the mound, including Kasey Kasper, Jon Carlos Lampas-Gormley, Maltz and Davila.

MARATHON After upsetting Fort Meade to win the FHSAA 1A Rural District Championship, Marathon earned a pair of home rematches with the Miners April 28 and 29. The home-field advantage was not enough to boost the Fins over Fort Meade, which traveled to the Keys with payback in mind.

In game one, Marathon got off to an early lead after senior Leo Mendez laid down a sacrifice bunt to score one run. That would be the Dolphins’ only score of the game, though, and a stingy Fort Meade pitcher held the Fins to just three hits, one each from Roco Piscetello, Gavin Leal and Bryan Broche. A pair of errors did not help the Fins in what became a 4-1 loss.

Mason Thornton struck out eight over six and one-third innings, walked two and gave up two hits and three runs before handing the ball to Dylan Williams for the final batters.

Game two brought renewed hope and electric energy to the Dolphins’ dugout, but the Miners came out swinging, pounded Marathon with a six-run offensive showing in the first inning and never let up. The outcome, a 15-1 five-frame game, was not what the Fins had hoped for, ending their run toward a state title. The team amassed a respectable six hits, with Gabe and Gavin Leal leading the charge with two each, but Fort Meade hammered 17 hits to keep the pressure on. Marathon finished their historic season with 18 wins, 11 losses, a conference championship and a district championship in their first year competing in their new division.

From left: Mason Thornton winds up for a pitch.

Bryan Broche, left, and Roco Piscetello chase a Fort Meade pop-up.

Marathon coach Joey Gonzalez rallies his players.

SEAN WESTERBAND/Keys Weekly

THE REGAN ROTH TEAM IS HERE TO PROTECT YOU...

YOUR FAMILY, YOUR LIFESTYLE, YOUR HOME!

Family owned and operated since 1958 Tavernier 305.852.3234 | Marathon 305.743.3414 | Email Response@ReganRoth.com

11

MAY 8, 2025 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Stevens Paint & Blinds located at 236 Sombrero Beach Road, Marathon, FL 33050 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Weezer Keys, LLC Publish: May 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

Darreth Dellagnese Plaintiff, Vs William H. Foster Defendant, AMENDED NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY given that pursuant to a Writ of Execution issued in the Circuit Court, of Monroe County, Florida, on the 16th day of July, 2024, in the cause wherein Darreth Dellagnese is Plaintiff and William H. Foster was defendant, being Case No. 24-CA-000594-K in said court, I, Richard A. Ramsay, Sheriff of Monroe County, Florida have levied upon all right, title, and interest of the defendant, in and to the following described real property to wit: SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY:

From the warranty deed that states the following described land, situate, lying and being in Monroe County, Florida towit (With certain exceptions): Legal Description(s) – The southerly 15 feet of Lot 30, WHISPERING PINES PLAT NO. 3, according to the map or plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 4, Page 59 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida.

PARCEL B – “LESS AND EXCEPT” – (AUTHORED BY THE UNDERSIGNED PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY TONY ANDRE) A portion of Lot 30, WHISPERING PINES PLAT NO. 3, according to the map or plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 4, Page 59 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and being more particularly described as follows:

Commencing at the Southeasterly corner of the said Lot 30 and run thence S89°53'00"W along the Southerly boundary line of the said Lot 30 for a distance of 99.00 feet to the Easterly face of an existing pool coping, said point also being the Point of Beginning of the parcel of land hereinafter described; thence N0°01'48"E along the said Easterly face of an existing pool coping for a distance of 0.78 feet to the Northeasterly corner of the said existing pool coping; thence N89°58'12"W along the Northerly face the said existing pool coping for a distance of 21.77 feet to the Northwesterly corner of the said existing pool coping; thence S0°01'48"W along the Westerly face of the said existing pool coping for a distance of 0.83 feet to a point on the said Southerly boundary line of the said Lot 30; thence N89°53'00"E along the said Southerly boundary line of the said Lot 30 for a distance of 21.77 feet back to the Point of Beginning.

(Containing 45.15 Sq. Ft +/-) Copy of Exhibit A available upon request from the Sheriff’s Office and on the date of sale.

SPECIFIC LOCATION OF REAL PROPERTY: Vacant Sands Road, Big Pine Key, FL 33040 All bidders must have a valid Driver’s License with them and must register with clerk at location of sale prior to start time of sale.

I shall offer this property for sale, at Monroe County Court House located at 500 Whitehead Street Key West, Florida 33040 in the County of Monroe, State of Florida, on the 18th day of June, 2025, at the hour of 10:00 A.M. or as soon thereafter as

possible. I will offer for sale all of the said defendant’s right, title, and interest in the aforesaid real property at public auction and will sell the same subject to all taxes, prior liens, encumbrances and judgments, if any, to the highest and best bidder for CASH IN HAND. The proceeds to be applied as far as may be to the payment of costs and the satisfaction of the above described execution.

Dated at Key West, Monroe County, Florida this 1st day of May, 2025.

Richard A. Ramsay Sheriff of Monroe County, By: Donald Stullken Deputy Sheriff In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the Civil Division no later than seven says prior to the proceeding at (305)8093041.

Publish: May 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

Boat Yard, 2055 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050.

Silent Hunter Boat Yard, LLC dba Marathon Boat Yard, reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

Publish: May 8 & 15, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

response to the RFP for the Auditing Services Selection.

Pursuant to section 286.0105 of Florida Statutes, if a person decides to appeal any decision made by any board, commission, or council with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

In accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, persons needing assistance to participate in this meeting should contact the city clerk at (305) 7430033 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.

Publish: May 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

AMENDED NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY CASE NO: 24-CA-000594-K

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS 7TH AND SHELTER BAY DRIVE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, PHASE 1 CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH, FLORIDA Sealed Bids for the construction of the 7th and Shelter Bay Drive Drainage Improvements, Phase 1 project will be received by City of Key Colony Beach, Florida, at the office of the City Administrator, Key Colony Beach City Hall, 600 West Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051, until May 20, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. local time. At that time, the Bids received will be publicly opened and read aloud.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Please take notice that in accordance with Florida Statute 328.17, Silent Hunter Boat Yard, LLC dba-Marathon Boat Yard claims a possessory lien on the following described vessel: Owned by Darryl Wayne Hansen for unpaid storage fees: a 1981 Formosa 51’ 6” vessel

by Formosa Boat Bldg Co., “Dragonfly”, Florida Registration # FL4642RH and HIN #FBB510330481 and 2021 Saturn 21’ vessel Registration #FL0988TD and HIN #VEJ51669B121.

Sealed bids will be accepted on May 30, 2025 at Marathon

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Lien Sale Notice is hereby given that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described as blow to enforce a lien imposed on said property under the Florida Self Storage Facilities Act Statues (section 83.801-83.809) The undersigned will sell online by competitive bidding on May 16th, 2025, at 9am. #250 Patrick Carlin - Personal Property #452 Danny LivernoisPersonal Property # 302 David Morris-Personal Property Will be auctioned online by Storage Treasures via website at storagetreasures.com. All purchased items are sold as is.

Items are located at Big Pine Storage at 30677 Overseas Highway Big Pine Key, Florida 33043 and must be collected within 72 hours of auction.

Publish: May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE THE CITY OF MARATHON NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN an Evaluation Committee of the City of Marathon will meet at 1:00 PM Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the City Conference offices located at 9805 Overseas Highway, in Marathon to review, evaluate and make a recommendation to the City Council concerning the proposals received in

The Project includes the following Work: Conversion of existing dry detention pond into a wet detention system with outfall structures, check valves, and miscellaneous drainage improvements.

Bids are requested for the following Contract: 7th and Shelter Bay Drive Drainage Improvements, Phase 1.

The Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents is: Mittauer & Associates, Inc., 580-1 Wells Road, Orange Park, Florida 32073, 904-278-0030.

Prospective Bidders may examine the Bidding Documents at the Issuing Office, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), and may obtain copies of the Bidding Documents from the Issuing Office as described below.

Bidding Documents will be provided electronically as portable document format (PDF) files. Printed Bidding Documents can be provided for a non-refundable charge of $150.00 per set payable to “Mittauer & Associates, Inc.” Printed Bidding Documents will be sent via UPS Ground upon receipt of payment. Partial sets of Bidding Documents will not be available from the Issuing Office. Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of Bidding Documents, including addenda, if any, obtained from sources other than the Issuing Office.

Bidding Documents also may be examined at City Hall, City of Key Colony Beach, 600 West Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051, 305-289-1212, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).

A Pre-Bid Conference will not be held.

Bid security must be furnished in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders.

To be considered qualified the Bidder shall be licensed to engage in the business of contracting in the State of Florida by the Construction Industry Licensing Board. In addition, the Bidder shall have successfully completed, as prime contractor, a minimum of 3 projects of a similar nature within the past 5 years each having a minimum contract value of $300,000 with at least one project having a contract value in excess of $500,000.

The City of Key Colony Beach, Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Instructions to Bidders: For all further requirements regarding bid submittal, qualifications, procedures, and contract award, refer to the Instructions to Bidders that are included in the Bidding Documents.

Publish: May 8, 2025. The Weekly Newspapers

Effective April 17, 2025, Francis Fraboni, M.D., is no longer practicing with Baptist Health Primary Care at the following location: 3303 Overseas Highway, Suite 100, 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: May 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE Florida Keys Council of the Arts Notice of Upcoming Meetings The Florida Keys Council of the Arts will hold the following meetings via Communications Media Technology using a ZOOM webinar platform. The access points to view the Zoom meetings or for members of the public to provide public input will be: JOIN ZOOM via the Zoom app and use each meeting ID and password listed.

Meetings are open to the public, and all are invited to attend. Questions, or to RSVP, please email Liz Young at director@keysarts.com Cultural Umbrella Committee Meeting May 19, 2025, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time Marathon Government Center – BOCC 2798 Overseas Hwy. 2nd Floor Marathon, FL 33050 Art In Public Places Committee Meeting May 20, 2025, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 813 3559 8782 Passcode: 867042 Board of Directors Meeting – Zoom Only May 22, 2025, at 04:00 PM Eastern Time Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 832 6378 5620 Passcode: 381971 Publish: May 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on May 21, 2025, at 9:00 A.M. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at the Harvey Government Center, 1200 Truman Avenue, Key West, Florida, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, intends to consider adopting the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE OF THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AMENDING SECTION 2-429 OF THE MONROE COUNTY CODE; CLARIFYING THAT VOTING CONFLICTS DO NOT APPLY TO GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL(S) SITTING ON ADVISORY BOARDS WHEN PRESENTED WITH MATTERS REGARDING THEIR OWN GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY/ AGENCIES; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION INTO THE MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The proposed ordinance may be inspected by the public at

12

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP / MAY 8, 2025

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

the Monroe County website by viewing the agenda packet for the May 21, 2025, meeting, which will be posted beginning on May 16, 2025 at: http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/citizens/default.aspx.

The ordinance may also be viewed at the Monroe County Attorney’s office at 1111 12th St. Ste. 408 Key West, FL 33040.

The public can participate in the May 21, 2025, meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, FL by attending in person or via Zoom. The Zoom link can be found in the agenda at http:// monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/ citizens/default.aspx.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30a.m.—5:00p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voiceimpaired, call “711”. Live Closed-Captioning is available via our web portal @ http:// monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/ Citizens/Default.aspx for meetings of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners.

Dated at Key West, Florida, this 10th day of May, 2025.

KEVIN MADOK, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Ex Officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida Publish: May 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

Representative: BRIAN M. CASEY Florida Bar Number: 92715 WRIGHT BARROWS PLLC 9711 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-8118 Fax: (305) 489-0307 E-mail: Brian@keysclosings. com Publish: May 8 & 15, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on JOSE PAULINO SANTOS MEJIA, whose address is 2828 FOGARTY AVE., KEY WEST, FL 33040 on or before May 19, 2025, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter.

If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address.

(You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information.

Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: April 14, 2025 Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Sheryl LaTorre Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information.

Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: April 11, 2025 Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Destiny Johnson Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 4th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 4th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-08 Notice is hereby given that, MARCIO AUGUSTO DE LA CRUZ GOMEZ, 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 No: 2020/1327 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2020 Account Number: 1451681 Parcel ID: 00368500-000000 Description of Property: NW'LY 4 FT LOT 1 BLK 19 CRAINS SUBD OF GRASSY KEY PB 1-51 OR39-216-217 Names in which assessed: DOROTHY LEE JARO, JARO JACK 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 4th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA DIVISION: PROBATE CASE NO.: 25-CP-155-K IN RE: ESTATE OF KENNETH ALAN LASSIG Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of KENNETH ALAN LASSIGl, deceased, whose date of death was January 11, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 WHITEHEAD STREET, KEY WEST, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is May 8, 2025.

Personal Representative: Cathy D. Fox 1565 Sunrise Drive Big Pine Key, FL 33043 Attorney for Personal

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 24-CP-000401 IN RE: ESTATE OF RACHEL JANE SIEGEL Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the Estate of RACHEL JANE SIEGEL, deceased, whose date of death was June 6, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the physical address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the decedent's estate, on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of the first publication of this notice is May 1, 2025.

Personal Representative: Naomi T. Siegel 1514 Cameron Court Tampa, FL 33629 Attorney for Personal Representative: Stephen D. Hayman, Esq. 6605 Gunn Highway Tampa, FL 33625 FBN: 0113514 Ph: (813) 968-9846 Fax: (813) 963-0864 Primary E-Mail: Stephen@ sdhayman.com Secondary E-Mail: info@ sdhayman.com Publish: May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 25-DR-410-K JOSE PAULINO SANTOS MEJIA, Petitioner, and ESTELA JUDITH DIONISION GOMEZ, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: ESTELA JUDITH DIONISION GOMEZ RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: UNKNOWN YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed against you and that you

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 25-DR-414-K PAOLA MELISSA ZEPEDA LAZO, Petitioner, and HECTOR MANUEL CABAN GONZALEZ, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: HECTOR MANUEL CABAN GONZALEZ RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 1213 14TH STREET, LOT W, KEY WEST, FL 33040 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on PAOLA MELISSA ZEPEDA LAZO, whose address is 3328 EAGLE AVENUE, KEY WEST, FLORIDA 33040 on or before May 17, 2025, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 302 Fleming Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter.

If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address.

(You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-02 Notice is hereby given that, ASSEMBLY TAX 36, LLC ASSEMBLY TAX 36, LLC FBO SEC PTY, 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 No: 2022/117 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 1036145 Parcel ID: 00035290-000000 Description of Property: KW MOFFATS SUB PB1-12 ALL LOT 6 AND PT LOT 8 SQR 3 TR 14 OR106-113/114 OR395891/92 OR1292-464D/C OR1294-1030/33 OR12981250/51L/E OR1303-1725D/C OR1318-711/14 OR1323-450 OR2966-45NAME/CHG OR2991-2420 Names in which assessed: VINSON CYNTHIA JEAN REV TRUST 09/14/2019 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 4th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-03 Notice is hereby given that, ASSEMBLY TAX 36, LLC ASSEMBLY TAX 36, LLC FBO SEC PTY, 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 No: 2022/764 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 1376221 Parcel ID: 00304180-000000 Description of Property: BK 32 LTS 1-2 SANDS SUB 1-65 BIG PINE KEY OR622-272 OR742-430C/T OR12801827D/C OR1495-2321AFF OR1495-2322 OR21761063/64 OR2691-575C/T OR2726-40C/T OR27502109/10 OR2750-2111 OR2791-796/802 OR29081900/01 OR2952-2223 ALONG WITH MOBILE HOME: TITLE NUMBER: 4754739 VEHICLE ID NR:FT168FL2250 YEAR:1971 MAKE: IN-HOUSE PKWA BODY:HS Names in which assessed: FIGUEROA LUIS All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-04 Notice is hereby given that, ASSEMBLY TAX 36, LLC ASSEMBLY TAX 36, LLC FBO SEC PTY, 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 No: 2022/887 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 1410012 Parcel ID: 00333641-003100 Description of Property: LT 31 STIRRUP KEY SUBDIVISION PB7-4 STIRRUP KEY OR754-470 OR925-253AFF OR925-254D/C OR925-255 OR1018-1545/48 OR1882-103 OR2668-1885/86 OR2687-413/14 Names in which assessed: BROWN GARY 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 4th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-05 Notice is hereby given that, ASSEMBLY TAX 36, LLC ASSEMBLY TAX 36, LLC FBO SEC PTY, 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 No: 2022/151 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 1056456 Parcel ID: 00055910-000000 Description of Property: BK 2 LT 3 KW PB5-19 PEARLMAN ESTATES SECOND ADDITION OR300-332/33 OR503-201 OR1487-626/27 OR2750-742LET/ADM OR2762-196ORD OR27861389/90 Names in which assessed: NESIUS THEODORE II 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-06 Notice is hereby given that, ASSEMBLY TAX 36, LLC ASSEMBLY TAX 36, LLC FBO SEC PTY, 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 No: 2022/992 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 9085848 Parcel ID: 00355430-000149 Description of Property: UNIT B-38 SOMBRERO MARINA A CONDOMINIUM OR3120-1942 Names in which assessed: BROWN GARY 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 4th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-07 Notice is hereby given that, ASSEMBLY TAX 36, LLC ASSEMBLY TAX 36, LLC FBO SEC PTY, 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 No: 2022/531 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 9090619 Parcel ID: 00104180-002310 Description of Property: BOAT DOCK SPACE SW 31 INDIGO REEF MARINA HOMES OR2180-626/684DEC OR23151697 OR2687-915AMD OR2736-1492C/T OR32630841 Names in which assessed: MFRA TRUST 2014-2 C/O FAY SERVICING LLC 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 4th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-09 Notice is hereby given that, KEYS FUNDING LLC - 7022, 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 No: 2022/124 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 1041513 Parcel ID: 00040830-000000 Description of Property: KW TROPICAL BLDG AND INVESTMENT CO SUB LOT 17 AND PT LOTS 10 AND 18 SQR 2 TR 19 PB1-34 G49-309/10 J2-121 OR122-236/37 OR491599 OR491-600 OR491602(PROB-81-357-CP-12) OR845-2195/2197-WILL OR1051-2301/02 OR1464-723 OR1607-1970/71 OR178258/59 OR1782-60 OR22401359 OR2279-1491/92T/C OR2421-2421/29F/J OR26461539/40C/T OR2701-2199/201 Names in which assessed: DGK KEY WEST LLC 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 4th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-10 Notice is hereby given that, KEYS FUNDING LLC - 7022, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax

13

MAY 8, 2025 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

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 No: 2022/542 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 1210064 Parcel ID: 00164560-000000 Description of Property: LT 64 SUGARLOAF SHORES SEC D SUGARLOAF KEY PB488 OR414-663 OR446-605/06 OR937-183 OR937-184D/C OR1207-584 OR2692-1570/72 Names in which assessed: HOME ON KINGFISHER LLC 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 4th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

Names in which assessed: HELLIESEN FRANCYS M 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 4th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 4th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-11 Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, 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 No: 2022/315 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 910454 Parcel ID: 00097680-000100 Description of Property: 20 64 36 LOWER MATECUMBE KEY PT GOVT LOT 2 OR30401431 Names in which assessed: KEYS STEVEN L 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 4th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-12 Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, 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 No: 2022/711 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 1337960 Parcel ID: 00266320-000000 Description of Property: BK 6 LT 9 EDEN PINES COLONY PB4-158 BIG PINE KEY OR404157E OR460-781 OR1167998DC

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-13 Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, 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 No: 2022/864 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 1402974 Parcel ID: 00328740-00000 Description of Property: BK B LT 8 PART A OF MASTER PLAT OF N MARATHON SHORES PB3-8 KEY VACCAS OR453-665-666 OR624-371 OR686-867 OR1571-945 OR1823-886/87 OR1832-393 Names in which assessed: ANTHONY D'AIUTO, JOSEPH D'AIUTO 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 4th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-14 Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, 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 No: 2022/334 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 9088412 Parcel ID: 00100371-018700 Description of Property: UNIT 55C BOAT HOUSE CONDOMINIUM OR2738-1752 OR2822-2314/15 Names in which assessed: SHELLFISH ENTERPRISES LLC 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-15 Notice is hereby given that, DAY INVESTMENT AND CONSULTING 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 No: 2021/1161 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2021 Account Number: 1451690 Parcel ID: 00368510-000000 Description of Property: BK 19 LT 2 CRAINS SUBD OF GRASSY KEY PB 1-51 PT SECS 24-25-26 TWP 65S R 33E OR39-218/219 CASE #86-47CP-23 OR972-1185/1190WILL OR996-1715/1716P/R OR1006-38/42 OR1011-500 OR1018-205Q/C OR2094408/09 Names in which assessed: ARLENE KAISER, ROBERT KAISER 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 4th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-16 Notice is hereby given that, CHARLES WEITZEL, 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 No: 2019/924 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2019 Account Number: 1406414 Parcel ID: 00331061-011301 Description of Property: SEA-AIR ESTATES KEY VACA PB6-91 W1/2 LOT 17 BLK 5 & ADJ PT OF ANA COURT OR1550-2356-62RES Names in which assessed: SEA-AIR ESTATES INC C/O GOSS RICHARD 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 7th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8,

LEGAL NOTICES 2025 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-17 Notice is hereby given that, ASSEMBLY TAX 36, LLC ASSEMBLY TAX 36, LLC FBO SEC PTY, 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 No: 2022/1561 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 1670022 Parcel ID: 00546530-000000 Description of Property: BK 3 LT 8 AMD PLAT OF WINSTON WATERWAYS PB4144 OR297-77 OR725-787/88 OR858-221/22 OR1063-1340 OR1874-999 OR2366-681/82 OR2797-1106/07 Names in which assessed: LEGNA INVESTMENTS LLC 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 7th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-18 Notice is hereby given that, ASSEMBLY TAX 36, LLC ASSEMBLY TAX 36, LLC FBO SEC PTY, 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 No: 2022/1560 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 1669911 Parcel ID: 00546420-000000 Description of Property: BK 2 LT 5 AMD PLAT OF WINSTON WATERWAYS PB4-144 OR575-383 OR978936 OR999-35 OR999-34 OR1793-1400 OR1793-1401 OR1793-1402 OR1793-1403 OR2068-2148/49 OR30241180 OR3030-1245 OR31192376 Names in which assessed: KARIM-URROZA DAVID, LARYSA KULISH SMITH 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 7th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-19 Notice is hereby given that, TLOA OF FLORIDA, LLC FOR SECURED PARTY, 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 No: 2022/1191 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 1512907 Parcel ID: 00416730-000000 Description of Property: BK 8 S 1/2 LT 13 KEY HEIGHTS SECTION 2 PB3-159 PLANTATION KEY OR392266/67 OR824-2483 OR908908 OR1362-392 OR1362393/94PR OR1433-1787/88 OR1433-1789/93 OR1478555/56EST/ORD OR1479-1738 OR1479-1739DC OR14791740DC Names in which assessed: NEZBED MELBA E JR 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 7th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

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 No: 2022/1473 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 9104464 Parcel ID: 00513300-001600 Description of Property: BK 3 LOT 16 PARADISE POINT PB3-16 KEY LARGO G72302/03 OR187-483/84 OR269553/554 OR274-113/114 OR369-350 OR414-363/64 OR460-485/492Q/C OR502923 OR506-756 OR609-430 OR722-687 D/C OR744734/737 OR869-650/55 OR890-1650/51PR OR8921002 OR950-563P/R OR11081408/1409 OR1216-2072/73 OR1341-2326 OR1341 2330 OR1531-135/36 OR1552-1557 OR1971-2251/52 OR259238/39 OR2975-982 OR2977997C Names in which assessed: COBIA LLC 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 7th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No: 2022/1059 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 1457043 Parcel ID: 00373970-000000 Description of Property: CRAINS SUBD OF GRASSY KEY PB 1-51 PT SECS 24-25-26 TWP 65S R 33E LOT 6 SQR 54 G30-189-190 OR900-2496 OR1331-184 OR2426-295 OR2836-1631 OR3110-0230 Names in which assessed: TORRES WILGENS SR 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 7th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-20 Notice is hereby given that, TLOA OF FLORIDA, LLC FOR SECURED PARTY, 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 No: 2022/1260 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 1551864 1512907 Parcel ID: 00452230-000000 00416730-000000 Description of Property: LT 92 PORT LARGO PB5-3 KEY LARGO OR647-575 OR696-121 OR3062-1391 Names in which assessed: DERRIEN JEANNINE 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 7th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-22 Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-23 Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, 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 No: 2022/1499 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 1642843 Parcel ID: 00523590-000000 Description of Property: BK 2 LT 5 AMD PLAT OF PB3-62 KEY LARGO PARK KEY LARGO OR381-151 OR1249-144 OR1240-1459/62 OR1786-7 OR2177-1751C OR2196-1574 OR3109-2275 Names in which assessed: ARIAS CARLOS LUIS 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 7th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-24 Notice is hereby given that, JPL INVESTMENTS CORP, 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

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-25 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 No: 2022/1070 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022 Account Number: 8918194 Parcel ID: 00378381-000101 Description of Property: UNIT B-001A & B-001A EXPANSION VILLAGE AT HAWK'S CAY DUCK KEY OR1488-190/265DEC OR14882199/02 OR1910-1972/1973A OR1967-1550/52 OR27972198/200 OR3044-165 OR3127-0667 Names in which assessed: PATRICIA D PYTLESKI, PYTLESKI VICTOR 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 on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com Sale Date: May 28, 2025 Sale Time: 10:00am.

Dated this April 14th 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers

14

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP / MAY 8, 2025

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • •305.743.0844 AUTOS WANTED

EMPLOYMENT

HOBBIES/COLLECT.

AUTOS ALL YEARS! Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks.

Runs or Not.$CASH 305-332-0483

HELP WANTED: Two Conchs in Marathon is now hiring a Full Time Retail Sales Person in our Tackle Shop/Marina. Competitive wages.

Contact George 305-289-0199

P R I V A T E C O L L E C T O R WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches.

Old Model Military Clocks & Watches.

Call 305-743-4578

S e r v e / B a r t e n d on the ocean! The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a customer serviceoriented Server/Bartender.

Serve on pool deck, beach and/or bar lounge. Open year round, 9:30am7pm 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.

HOUSING FOR RENT

AUTOS FOR SALE 1972 MGB Convertible White w/tan, 4-speed Turnkey survivor. Garage kept.

Located in Homestead. $14,000 305-972-4055 PLACE YOUR AUTO FOR SALE AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy!

Pease call 305-4170871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com BOAT SLIP FOR RENT 19’x40’ slip in Marathon, could handle somewhat larger boat with approval from dockmaster. Desirable location in marina, easy in, easy out. Available 1 May 25 thru Oct 25, possibly long term lease. $1,400/ mo. Please contact Vern Rozier, 904 626 5279, or 904 626 8224 and leave call back info. Or email vrrozier@yahoo.com.

Boat Dockage for rent in Marathon. Private bay bottom, up to 40' boat, self containing, offshore water, car & dingy parking space provided.

305-610-8002

EMPLOY.MENT HIRING Ticket Sales & Customer Service Representative for the Yankee Freedom III in Key West. FT/PT available. Must be self-motivated, have excellent sales & customer service skills and ability to read/write/speak clear English. For application by email contact Brett@ Ya n k e e F r e e d o m . c o m .

Apply in person at 100 Grinnell Street, Suite 200, Key West, FL 33040.

Night Monitor – FREE Private Room in exchange for overnight availability at our Assisted Living Facility. 5 nights on, 5 nights off 10pm-8am plus weekly stipend, Drug & background screen required. www.westcare. com/join-our-team/ The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring for the following positions: Resident Care Supervisor with min.

3 yrs. experience of an LPN, Housing Manager- FTMarathon, Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: wrightk@kwha.org or 305-296-5621 ext. 224.

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.

Fantastic part-time Housekeeper position available in Key Colony Beach!

Immediate start date. Primarily on weekends, with excellent pay for the right candidate.

Reach out to Continental Inn Beachside at Vivian 952-208-2850 or Cheryl 305-505-8747

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time bookkeeper. QuickBooks experience required.

Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Email office@ marathonyachtclub.com to schedule an interview.

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time line cook. Private club, friendly atmosphere. Flexible lunch/ dinner shifts available Tuesday – Saturday, some Sundays. English proficiency required.

Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Email office@ marathonyachtclub.com to schedule an interview.

HOBBIES/COLLECT.

3BR/3BA fully furnished home for rent in Marathon.

Avail June-Jan. $5,500/mo.

6 1 8 - 5 5 9 - 9 1 4 3 Studio rental in Marathon, long-term, fully furnished, price includes water, electric, internet, gas, pest, and lawn @ $2200 all in. Call or text 3054330515.

Studio House with Queen size bed available in Marathon. Furnished, kitchen, dining, newly renovated.

No pets. $1,299 + utilities F/L/S 305-610-8002

VACATION RENTAL Key West House For Rent - 28 day minimum.

Recently renovated. 2 Units: 3BR/3BA or 2BR/2.5BA. 1 block to Schooner Wharf @ Historic Seaport.

Starting $214/night. Sweet CarolineSeaport.com

YARD SALES MOVING SALE: Saturday May 10 from 9 am - Noon.

Artificial plants, tools, diving equip, fishing equip, boating equip, household goods, some furniture, freezer. Lots of stuff!

160 1st Street, Key Colony Beach.

LIVE IN PARADISE AND SEE DOLPHINS PLAY EVERYDAY! DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER is a fun, environmentally friendly non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation specializing in education, research, and rescue of marine mammals.

We have the following openings available.

Scan the QR code to visit the careers page on our website.

FACILITIES MAINTENANCE APPRENTICE (Full-Time, Permanent)

(Under new management) Stop in for an application at 1791 Bogie Drive Big Pine Key, FL 33043 305-872-2241

NOW HIRING! The Turtle Hospital in Marathon wants you to join their team!

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM GUIDES/GIFT SHOP SALES Full and part-time. Public speaking and & retail sales experience helpful. $19/hour to start.

Send resume to: turtlehospital@turtlehospital.org

BARTENDERS WAIT STAFF - HOST/HOSTESS BUS PERSONS Apply in person at

SUNSET GRILLE & RAW BAR 7 Knight’s Key Blvd, Marathon

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER (Full-Time, Part-Time, Permanent) DRC seeks to provide for the well-being of its employees by offering a competitive total package. DRC currently offers a 401k retirement plan, medical benefits, HSA account, paid holidays, vacation, sick and an employee assistance program. DRC also provides life and disability insurance at no cost to the employee.

NOW HIRING PART-TIME & FULL-TIME

COME JOIN THE FAMILY!

CAFÉ TOUCH TANK ATTENDANT GUEST SERVICES

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

Call 305-407-3262 or email info@floridakeysaquariumencounters.com

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

11710 OVERSEAS HWY, MARATHON

Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Engineering Department:

Old Wooden Bridge Resort & Marina NOW HIRING Front Desk Clerk

SUNSET GRILLE NOW HIRING

ELECTRICAL PROJECT ENGINEER D’Asign Source is seeking the following professionals. Overtime and benefits are available.

Accounts Payable Specialist D’Asign Source is seeking a detailoriented and organized Accounts Payable Specialist to join our dynamic team. Ideal candidates should have prior experience in accounts payable or general accounting and be proficient with accounting software and Excel. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits in a supportive work environment.

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $136,979/annually $140,815/annually For more information, including job duties and required qualifications, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com.

KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.

Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

NOW HIRING TECHNICIAN MARINE REPAIR Specializing in Yamaha outboard engines.

Landscape Designer/Sales Project Foreman For complete details and to apply, please visit: DAsignSource.com/careers

RETAIL PARTS/COUNTER HELP Marine outboard knowledge and QuickBooks experience a plus.

Hours M-F 8a-5p for both positions.

Apply in person at: All Keys Yamaha 2001 Overseas Highway, Marathon.

305-743-3530

15

MAY 8, 2025 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC && LEGAL NOTICES • • 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 The Guidance/Care Center, Inc. a division of “Uplifting the human spirit since 1973”

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

IS HIRING!

JOIN A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE NONPROFIT HELPING PEOPLE COPE AND CHANGE FOR 52 YEARS! We provide Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs to the Florida Keys community while valuing and rewarding our employees.

KEY LARGO

Advocate (FT) Behavioral Health Counselor (Children) Behavioral Health Therapist (Children)

KEY WEST

Case Manager (Children, Adult, Forensic) Behavioral Health Therapist (Children) Prevention Specialist Front Desk Specialist Advocate

MARATHON

Care Coordinator (PT) Driver (CDL not required) (PT) RN/Licensed Practical Nurse (FT,PT) Behavioral Health Therapist (Adult) Maintenance Specialist *Behavioral Health Technicians – 3 shifts (FT,PT) *Support Worker (Assisted Living) (FT,PT) *Night Monitor (Assisted Living - Free Housing) *No experience required for this position. Will train.

A caring heart & helpful hands necessary.

Background and drug screen req. EEOC/DFWP COMPETITIVE PAY! EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS!!!

Apply at guidancecarecenter.org Search Employment/Portal/Location/zip

DUI FRONT DESK CLERK & EVALUATOR/INSTRUCTOR The Advocate Program DUI school is hiring for part time positions.

Front desk: 3 days a week, high school diploma and computer data entry skills required.

DUI instructors and evaluators: 2 days a week, Bachelors or Masters degree in substance abuse field required.

OPENINGS AVAILABLE PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS

- Advanced Practice Provider (APRN-PA-C)Surgical, Ortho, Tavernier - Advanced Practice Provider (APRN-PA-C), BHMG Multispecialty - Marathon, $5k Bonus - Medical Assistant, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus - Medical Assistant, Upper Keys-Gastro, $5k Bonus - Patient Access Associate, Multispecialty, Marathon, $5k Bonus - Patient Access Associate, Primary Care, Marathon, $5k Bonus - Radiation Therapist, $12k Bonus - Registered Nurse, Chemotherapy Infusion, $15k Bonus - Advanced Practice Provider (APRN/PA-C), Medical Oncology, $5k Bonus - Pool Radiation Therapist

- Cook, Dietary - Radiology Technologist 1, Imaging-MRI, $40k Bonus - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (Mammo & X Ray), Radiology, $50k Bonus - Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, $25k Bonus - ED Team Coordinator 1, Emergency Department - MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, Ultrasound/Vascular with Echo, $50k Bonus - AC Mechanic-Licensed - Registered Nurse, ICU - Registered Nurse, Outpatient Center

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Diesel Mechanic Truck Helpers CDL Drivers

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.

Applicants must apply in person to be considered.

4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

Key West Customer Service Representative Full Time Teller Controller

Marathon Customer Service Representative

Apply Online at KeysBank.com/Careers

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

We are now hiring for the following positions:

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE

Voted Best Bank 2014 - 2024

MIAMI CANCER INSTITUTE KEY WEST

- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (CT & X Ray) Radiology, $50k Bonus - Radiology Technologist 1, $40k Bonus - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (Mammo & X Ray) Radiology, $50k Bonus - Social Work Case Manager, Case Management, $10k Bonus - Pool Pharmacy Tech 2 - ED Team Coordinator, Emergency Department - Service Worker, Dietary, $5k Bonus - Patient Financial Associated, $1k Bonus - Pool Occupational Therapist - Registered Nurse, Oncology-Outpatient - RRT, Respiratory Therapy - Sr. Phlebotomist - Supervisor Supply Chain - Supervisor Patient Access Operations

Office located in Marathon.

Contact Marcia at 305-704-0117.

Work with the BEST!

• Health, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance • Tuition Reimbursement • Paid Holidays, Vacation & Sick Time • 401K Employer Match • Quarterly Cash Profit Sharing • Fun, Fast-Paced Environment • Great Hours

APPLY AND LEARN MORE careers.baptisthealth.net

Member FDIC

EOE-M/F/V/D

Equal Housing Lender

WE ARE HIRING! CLIENT MEDICAL SERVICES ASSISTANT, CNA (FT) Assisting our clients with dental, medical and transportation appts. Act as liaison between clients, families and support staff. Requires some on-call responsibility. Min. requirement - Florida certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant.* SUPPORTED LIVING COACH (FT) Responsibilities include management of developmentally disabled clients in independent living environments, management of office and in-home support staff. Must be available for some evenings and weekends. Bachelor’s degree in related field or experience working with developmentally disabled clients in lieu of degree. Must have a valid FL driver’s license. Salary commensurate with experience.* DIRECT CARE STAFF – NIGHTS/WEEKENDS – GROUP HOMES 24/7 (FT) These positions are available at our Windsor and Von Phister Group Homes.

Providing direct-care services and support to our clients in their home. Must be willing to work flexible shifts including overnights. This position requires a minimum of high school completion or GED and 1 year of experience with care giving or 30 hours of college coursework.* DIRECT CARE STAFF/DRIVER AT ADULT DAY-TRAINING PROGRAM (FT/PT) This position is available at our Adult Day program. Providing direct care service and support for our clients in the day program. Requires the minimum of high school completion or GED. Prefer experience with caregiving or working with adults with disabilities* *ALSO REQUIRED FOR ALL POSITIONS: Fluent in English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must. Level 2 background screening and valid Florida driver’s license. 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

Come join our family!

Canes, Conch & Dolphin Pride FREE CASH BACK Checking Accounts are perfect for wherever life takes you!

• Earn CASH BACK for you and your school.

• Get FREE nationwide ATM transactions.

• Learn about money with FREE online and mobile financial education programs.

• Access and manage your account from anywhere in the world with mobile banking. *E-statements, e-receipts, a debit card, savings and S15 checking account required. Specific transactions required for each reward level. Restrictions may apply. See us for details. NCUA Insured.