RETIRING SUPERINTENDENT WRAPS LONG CAREER
Theresa Axford to pass reins to Ed Tierney July 31 | P. 11
July 10, 2025
COPS & KIDS FIGHT FISH — AND AUTISM
5th annual dolphin tournament raises $25K | P. 14
Officials approve cooperative ICE agreement | P. 4
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
All meals are served with housemade plaintain chips
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
SERVED WITH BREAD AND BUTTER OF THE DAY
Garbanzo Soup Lobster Enchilados with Rice
Guava Bread Pudding
Garbanzo Soup Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas Guava Bread Pudding
THURSDAY Bollos Grits-n-Grunts
Key Lime Pie
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Caldo Gallego Picadillo with Black Beans and Rice Key Lime Pie
Conch Fritters Mariscado with White Rice Guava Bread Pudding
Caldo Gallego Key West Seafood Rissotto Tia’s Flan
Mariscado Swordfish Picatta with Rice and Broccolini Tia’s Flan
Avocado Salad Ropa Vieja with yellow rice Tia’s Flan
Tostones with Cuban Chimichurri Picadillo with Black Beans and Rice Tia’s Flan
Ceviche Mojo Roast Pork with Black Beans and Rice Key Lime Pie
Conch Salad Snapper Creole with Rice Guava Bread Pudding
Conch Fritters Grits-n-Grunts Key Lime Pie Bollos Sunday Pork Chops with Potato Gratin Guava Bread Pudding
11am-7pm
1pm: Rum Revelations
Few moments in life are more special than having a baby, and choosing the right healthcare partner and location for the big day can make all the difference. Maternity services at Lower Keys Medical Center are minutes from home, and you’ll find a specialized team ready to care for you and your little Conch from prenatal appointments and delivery, to postpartum care and beyond..
Close care not only is convenient for doctor visits, but also reduces risks for mom and baby if complications should occur. Along with advanced, continuous monitoring, a Level 1 special care nursery is available if newborns need extra attention. The only maternity center in all of the Keys, Lower Keys Medical Center continues to make investments in maternity care, and last year we shared the joy of delivering 400 babies—right here. We’re always working to Keep Care in the Keys
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Another Fourth of July has come and gone, and so has another Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island in New York City. It’s no surprise the winner was Joey “Jaws” Chestnut. But what’s astonishing is the number of hot dogs eaten, a whopping 70-and-a-half hot dogs, beating second-place finisher by 24 hot dogs. It was Chestnut’s 20th appearance and 17th win.
MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com
Acapacity crowd filed out of City Hall shortly before 9 p.m. on July 8, their palpable hope and optimism from the prior three hours replaced with disgust and disappointment, after the city commission voted 4-2 to enter into an agreement between Key West Police Department and federal ICE agents to conduct immigration enforcement.
The commission could have postponed its decision on the so-called 287(g) agreement and awaited a legal determination by the courts about whether it is mandatory for city, or municipal, police departments to enter such agreements.
The pending lawsuit, filed by the City of South Miami against the state of Florida and Gov. Ron DeSantis, claims local law enforcement agencies are not obligated to sign such agreements, according to Florida Statutes. That South Miami case is still making its way through the courts and commissioner Monica Haskell on Tuesday proposed postponing their vote until it is decided. Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover agreed, as did commissioner Sam Kaufman, although he was absent from the meeting and could not vote. But four other local lawmakers —
A capacity crowd filled Key West city hall on July 8, but left in disgust after city officials voted to enter Key West police into a cooperative agreement to assist ICE agents with immigration enforcement.
LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly
where I live and of the people who represent me.”
The nation had been watching Key West since the city’s June 30 vote that determined its prior 287(g) agreement was void because it was signed by the police chief and not the city manager. The commission voted 6-1 on June 30 to consider that agreement void with Carey as the lone dissenting vote. National news stories followed, putting Key West in the spotlight as the tiny island opposed its state officials.
Resident Daria Wood told the commissioners, “A mandatory agreement? That’s literally an oxymoron. Silence, overriding and coercion? That’s not democracy, commissioners; that’s dictatorship. … The governor and attorney general want to fire you, but they didn’t hire you; we did.”
After hearing three hours of emotional input from more than 40 residents who opposed the ICE agreement — and just two who supported it — the commission voted 4-2 to direct the city manager to sign a 287(g) pact with ICE.
commissioners Lissette Carey, Aaron Castillo and Donie Lee and Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez — instead voted to direct the city manager to enter into the ICE agreement.
In explaining his vote, Commissioner Lee recalled his time as police chief, when the city occasionally sought an attorney general’s opinion to clarify a law.
“There were times I didn’t agree with the law, but still had to follow it,” Lee said. “The current Florida attorney general has opined that the statute requires municipal police departments to enter into 287(g) agreements, so until the courts rule on South Miami’s case, I will vote tonight with my head and not my heart and move to approve the agreement.”
The vote was seen by the more than 200 residents who filled city hall to capacity — the commission chambers and two additional conference rooms — as cowardice and capitulation to political pressure and threats from the Florida attorney general that the police chief and other officials could be removed from office for refusing to sign an agreement.
“The country is watching and I’m tired of being ashamed of being a Florida resident,” one of the 30-plus speakers told the commission during the meeting. “I’d like to be proud of
Haskell and Hoover voted against the agreement, wanting instead to wait for the legal determination about whether the agreements are mandatory for city police departments. There is no doubt that county sheriff’s offices must sign such agreements, as they operate county jails, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is in compliance.
Kaufman was out of the country and absent from the special meeting, which was scheduled on July 2, two days after the commission had voted on June 30 to designate the 287(g) agreement, which had been signed by the Key West police chief, as void. July 2 was also the day the city received a letter from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier claiming the city was violating the law and threatening to remove officials from office if they did not sign an agreement.
Henriquez told the Keys Weekly on July 7 that her vote on June 30 to view the 287(g) agreement as void was only done because the agreement had been signed by the police chief, and not the city manager, and was therefore invalid. “I’m not caving when I vote for the agreement at tomorrow’s meeting,” Henriquez said. “Because if it would have been signed by the city
Last week the Key West City Commission voted 6-1 to void its 287(g) agreement with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As an attorney and the Mayor of South Miami who recently took the State of Florida to court over this very issue, I applaud their decision. Other local governments should take note.
Florida law requires local jailers to enter into 287(g) agreements to facilitate and honor immigration detainer requests; it does not compel cities to deputize local police as immigration agents. That distinction is at the heart of the lawsuit South Miami filed in circuit court earlier this year.
Key West’s commission understood that distinction. The agreement its police chief signed in March also never received community input or legislative approval. By rescinding it, the city reaffirmed two principles: procedural transparency and community trust.
Tourism is the lifeblood of the Keys. Pushing immigrant workers and visitors into the shadows makes everyone less safe and hurts the local economy.
As mayors we are sworn to protect all who reside in, work in or visit our cities. Effective policing depends on trust: victims reporting crimes, witnesses coming forward, parents trusting officers stationed outside schools. Turning local police into proxy ICE agents chills that trust and undermines public safety.
Key West’s decision also exposes the hollowness of the “do it or else” threats coming from Tallahassee. If the state truly wanted 287(g) to be mandatory for municipalities, it would have made it law during this year’s special session. Instead lawmakers rejected that very proposal.
The reality is there are no sanctuary cities in Florida. South Miami and Key West comply with all state and federal immigration laws. We provide our best efforts to meet our legal obligations without putting public safety at risk or exposing our city to unnecessary and costly lawsuits.
Key West’s commissioners showed courage and fidelity to the rule of law and to their constituents. South Miami stands with Key West, and our legal challenge will continue because the rule of law and our oath of office to our constituents should carry more weight than political intimidation from Tallahassee.
Sincerely,
Javier Fernández Mayor, South Miami
The Monroe County School District earned an A grade from the Florida Department of Education this year. CONTRIBUTED
Monroe County School District announced on July 7 that it earned an overall A grade from the Florida Department of Education.
“This district-wide achievement reflects the dedication of our educators, students, families and community partners,” said Superintendent Theresa Axford, who will retire on July 31. “We are building a culture of excellence — one that honors progress, values equity and ensures every student feels seen, supported and empowered to thrive.”
Key Largo School ascended from a B to an A, joining the ranks of top-performing schools Poinciana Elementary and Plantation Key School, states a press release from the school district.
Gerald Adams Elementary rose from a C to a B, aligning with schools including Coral Shores High School, Key West High School, Marathon High School, Stanley Switlik Elementary and Sugarloaf School.
Horace O'Bryant School maintained its C rating, with ongoing support and targeted strategies to enhance future performance.
Monroe County’s continued academic momentum underscores a shared commitment to innovation, growth and the pursuit of success for all learners.
More information is at floridadoe. org.
— Contributed
INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL GRADES FOR 2024 AND 2025: Coral Shores 2024: B 2025: B
Key West High School 2024: B 2025: B
Horace O’Bryant 2024: C 2025: C
Marathon Middle/High School 2024: B 2025: B
Poinciana 2024: A 2025: A
Sugarloaf School 2024: B 2025: B
Stanley Switlik 2024: B 2025: B
Key Largo School 2024: B 2025: A
Gerald Adams 2024: C 2025: B
Plantation Key 2024: A 2025: A
CFK Academy 2024: A 2025: A
Sigsbee Charter School 2024: A 2025: A
May Sands Montessori 2024: C 2025: C
Treasure Village Montessori 2024: A 2025: A
Ocean Studies Charter 2024: A 2025: A
Somerset Island Prep 2024: A 2025: B
Big Pine Academy 2024: A 2025: B
For Michael Marrero, one creative medium could never be enough. A Key West native of Cuban descent, Marrero is a filmmaker, whose creations have been screened at more than 100 festivals; a playwright, whose “Locura” was staged in Havana as part of a historic Cuban-American theatrical exchange; a brilliant photographer, who characterizes his images as “Cuban Gothic Meets Florida Man”; an artist exploring and exhibiting distinctive woodcarvings; and an author, who recently completed his first novel.
“I’ve always worked across mediums, but it wasn’t strategic,” said Marrero. “If the story fits a photo, I’ll shoot it; if it’s better served as a play, I’ll write it.”
“I’m a big believer in following the idea,” he added.
Many of those ideas draw on his heritage and the Key West community that helps feed his creativity. His play “Locura,” for example, spotlights the island city’s mid-1900s “bad old days” through the interaction of a young Key West man and his Cuban-born uncle. The script touches on smuggling, an escape from Cuba, cockfights, physical confrontations and other elements that characterized Key West at the time.
“’Locura’ was about tracking where the island was, versus what it’s become,” said Marrero, who plans to stage a new production of the play to mark its 10-year anniversary. “Part of my work is about holding onto what’s disappearing — the culture, the history, the traditions — and helping preserve them as best I can.”
His latest play, “King Tide,” expands on that theme by dealing with gentrification, affordability and the impact of climate change on coastal communities — issues that loom large in contemporary Key West. He’s also working on a “King Tide” photo series that will be featured in an upcoming Key West Art & Historical Society exhibit.
Marrero’s best known photography includes a breathtaking monochromatic collection titled “Orisha: The Lost Saints.” Juxtaposing Key West’s disappearing Santeria culture and traditional Catholic saints, his evocative large-format images were exhibited both locally and at Cuba’s 2022 Havana Biannual.
The multi-talented artist is also the execu-
tive director of Key West’s Williams Hall, a center for spiritual and social activities, classes, lectures, meetings, cultural presentations, concerts and the popular Unity Table dining experiences. As such, he leads programming and manages operations while encouraging community interaction and exchange.
Marrero balances his creative work and his stewardship of Williams Hall with roles as the husband of Key West event management superstar Liz Love and the father of two daughters. Isabel is 10 and loves theater and acting, while Stella is a 7-year-old powerhouse who he describes as a mini-version of her mother.
Despite skills that could make him successful in much larger creative arenas, Marrero remains happy to nurture his family and pursue his career in the supportive community of Key West.
“I’ve been around, and there’s nowhere quite like this island,” he said. “It has a real sense of place. I know the people, the history, the culture — that depth is rare.”
1. Michael Marrero has earned acclaim, ranging from local to international, for his work in multiple artistic mediums. CONTRIBUTED
2. Marrero, whose most recent creative passion is woodcarving, founded the Key West Woodworking Society to continue the island’s longstanding tradition in the craft.
3. Marrero is also a dedicated filmmaker whose works have been screened at more than 100 film festivals.
His most recent artistic pursuits involve woodcarving, a means of expression long practiced on the island. The late folk artist Mario Sanchez, who chronicled early 1900s Key West in painted basrelief carvings, lived across the street from Marrero’s grandmother.
“For me, it’s been a way to reconnect with my roots and ground myself in the older island traditions,” said Marrero. “It’s tactile, it’s off-screen — and in a world moving fast toward AI, that analog sensibility feels more essential than ever.”
Founder of the Key West Woodworking Society, he staged the society’s second annual showcase of members’ work at Wiliams Hall in March, celebrating the island’s rich tradition in the craft.
When it comes to filmmaking with collaborator Jon Rhoads, however, Marrero’s interest in offbeat experimentation and embracing the absurd takes center stage. His short films — some dealing with zombies, apocalyptic horror, and what he calls “the surreal slipping into the everyday” — have been screened at events ranging from the Key West International Film Festival to festivals in London, Amsterdam and Canada.
Despite his success in so many artistic disciplines, Marrero is soft-spoken and down to earth, addressing any challenges with an air of quiet confidence. What’s his secret for balancing multigenre creativity and myriad projects without becoming overwhelmed?
“A lot of naps,” he joked.
Actually, the secret is far more about attitude than naps.
“I never consider the projects work,” Marrero said. “If I get the opportunity to spend a day creating something, it’s a good day.”
Tierney takes Monroe County education
MEdward Tierney is the new superintendent of schools in Monroe County. He takes over from the retiring Theresa Axford. CONTRIBUTED
onroe County schools this month welcomed Edward Tierney as the new superintendent of schools. Tierney brings more than two decades of educational leadership from the school district of Palm Beach County — an “A” rated, academically high-performing district — where he most recently served as deputy superintendent and chief of schools.
Tierney has served in public education for 23 years, beginning at Indian Ridge School, in roles ranging from behavior intervention associate to principal. He later led John I. Leonard High School as principal for five years, increasing the graduation rate by 22% and narrowing achievement gaps in GPA, graduation and access to advanced coursework.
He then served as an instructional superintendent, supporting 15 schools in improving culture, systems and instruction. As chief of staff, he provided direct support to the superintendent and school board, managing districtwide initiatives and serving as liaison to the legislative liaison office, strategic communications and other key departments.
Tierney said he is committed to the belief that education changes lives and that success builds upon itself. In his first year, he plans to listen and learn from school stakeholders and build upon the district’s existing strengths.
“I am so honored to be the superintendent of Monroe County Schools and very appreciative of the warm welcome,” Tierney said on his first official day. “I look forward to working with this talented team to continue to improve outcomes for all students.”
— Contributed
MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com
In 1976, a young school teacher from Philadelphia arrived in Key West, where she had accepted a job teaching English at a Catholic school then known as Mary Immaculate High School (today’s Basilica School).
Theresa “Terri” Axford spent seven years teaching there and was promoted to principal before the Archdiocese of Miami closed the high school in 1986. At that time, Bookie Henriquez, then-superintendent of the county school district, hired Axford to teach English at Key West High School, launching what would become a 38-year career with the Monroe County School District. That career will end July 31, when Axford retires, having served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, district administrator and finally as superintendent. She will pass the reins to incoming superintendent Ed Tierney. Axford was
eral accomplishments that she views as capstones to her career.
“I’m most proud of having been able to move forward with creating teacher and employee housing on our Trumbo Road property in Key West,” she said, adding that the school board recently signed an agreement with Vestcor developers to build 150 housing units on the property that currently houses the district’s administrative headquarters, which will be moving into the school district-owned Bruce Hall building on United Street once it is renovated.
Axford two years ago secured $2 million in state funding for the phased plan to renovate Bruce Hall, move the administrative headquarters and make room for new housing for teachers. At this year's legislative session, Axford and the Keys’ elected officials in Tallahassee helped secure an additional $3.5 million “that will allow all the pieces to fall into place.”
Axford also oversaw a 29% increase in starting teacher salaries since she started as superintendent in 2020, raising the beginning salary from $48,000 to $62,100, which has helped alleviate the Keys’ annual teacher shortages.
“Theresa Axford has been more than a colleague — she’s been a mentor, a trailblazer and a fierce advocate for what’s right in education,” deputy superintendent Amber Acevedo said of her longtime colleague. “Her leadership has shaped the heart of this district, and her legacy will continue to inspire us as we build on the foundation she so thoughtfully laid.”
appointed to the district’s top job in 2020, just in time for COVID to upend everything the world had previously known.
“When I took over as superintendent, students were just starting to return to school, with high school kids attending every other day, because we didn’t have the capacity to spread them out as required,” Axford recalled when speaking with the Keys Weekly on July 7. “After the governor issued his mandate that schools reopen for in-person teaching, there was so much fear and ambiguity among students, parents and teachers. So I created a countywide back-to-school task force to navigate all the challenges and questions.”
After dealing for two years with spikes in infections, contact tracing, canceled sports seasons, the maelstrom over masks and constantly evolving variants of the virus, Axford was finally able to return the school district to normal over the past three years, and managed sev-
Under Axford’s leadership, the school district has more than doubled its fund balance, or rainy day savings for hurricanes and other emergencies, from $7.5 million in 2020 to $16 million this year.
“The lack of housing and lower salaries in 2023 really hit me hard,” Axford recalled. “We had to start school that year with more than 30 openings still unfilled.”
The long-awaited employee housing should help prevent such shortages for decades to come.
Axford said she is also proud to have increased the school district’s partnerships with local arts organizations to expose 6,000 or 9,000 total students to artistic field trips and cultural opportunities, and though she’s retiring, Theresa Axford isn’t going anywhere.
“I live in Key West; I’m staying in Key West and will continue to be involved in local education efforts.”
Teaching, leading and guiding the Florida Keys’ young people has been her passion since 1976, and some things never change.
alex@keysweekly.com
An endangered turtle hatchling in the Middle Keys got a second chance at life on the eve of the holiday weekend, thanks to the combined efforts of Marathon’s Turtle Hospital, caring neighbors – and a dog named Sailor.
When Rick Lee took his fourlegged family member for an evening walk on July 3 near Coco Plum Beach, he wasn’t expecting it to turn into a rare save.
But when Sailor drew his attention to a crevice next to the sidewalk in their condo complex, it was for good reason: trapped in the crack, covered in ants and not moving, was a freshlyhatched baby leatherback turtle.
“We thought it was dead at first,” said Lee’s wife, Candice.
Responding to the Lees’ calls, staff from the Turtle Hospital took the hatchling in for evaluation. Blood tests revealed normal levels in the active youngling, and just hours after its discovery, the hatchling – named “Sailor” after its rescuer – was ready for a sunset release off the beach, just yards away from where it was found.
The largest of all living sea turtle species, a leatherback nest in the Keys is an exceedingly rare occurrence – just her second in 20 years of work with the hospital, manager Bette Zirkelbach told the Weekly.
Two months before the rescue, staff had documented marks from what was believed to be a “false crawl” – tracks on land without a corresponding nest – on the beach. But with tracks from other hatchlings leading toward the water near where Sailor was found, at press time, the location of the nest was still unknown.
“The hatchling most likely followed artificial light away from the ocean – a reminder to please keep your lights off at night during nesting season,” the hospital wrote in a social media post announcing the rescue.
Sea turtle nesting season in the Keys runs from April 15 through Oct. 31. During these months, bright, artificial lights can disorient hatchlings, which rely on moonlight to find their way to the ocean after hatching.
“It’s important for people during nesting season, when they see something, say something,” said Zirkelbach. “Call the hotline at 305-481-7669 if you’re unsure of what you are seeing. It gives the babies a chance.”
For more information on ways to protect sea turtles with residential lighting, scan the QR code.
The Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival returns July 11 and 12 for a one-of-a-kind celebration beneath the sea. Now in its 41st year, the event combines coral reef conservation with whimsical entertainment, featuring costumed mermaids and submerged speakers playing ocean-themed music.
Held about six miles south of Big Pine Key at Looe Key Reef, this submerged songfest invites divers and snorkelers to explore one of the most beautiful reefs in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, while listening to a soundtrack of sea-inspired classics.
Presented by the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce and US1 104.1 FM, the festival blends music with a message to protect and preserve our underwater playgrounds. For four hours on Saturday, July 12, special speakers hanging beneath boats will beam music straight into the sea. Think Jimmy Buffett, the Beatles and Disney favorites, all echoing through the reef’s aquatic amphitheater.
The weekend kicks off Friday, July 11, with a free welcome bash from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mote Marine Laboratory’s Coral Reef Research Center on Summerland Key. Guests can tour the high-tech facility, meet marine scientists, enjoy live music and light bites and dive into cutting-edge coral restoration efforts happening in the Keys.
Then it’s all fins on deck Saturday morning as boats set course for Looe Key. Throughout the broadcast, festivalgoers will also hear eco-friendly dive tips, like how to avoid harming coral, the right way to use mooring buoys and why respecting the reef is key to keeping it alive and thriving.
“We’re not just making waves — we’re making a difference,” said Steve Miller, executive director for the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce. “This festival is pure underwater Florida Keys fun, while respecting, protecting and enjoying our reefs.”
More information is at lowerkeyschamber.com/chamberevents.
— Contributed
The winning dolphin, weighing 24.04 pounds, was caught by Joe Trotta of Key West with Capt. Mike Macko on the vessel Diggin’ Life. CONTRIBUTED
5th annual PBA fishing tournament raises & pays money
The fifth annual PBA Dolphin Fishing Tournament took place June 27-29 at Oceans Edge Resort & Marina on Stock Island and raised $25,000 for the Autism Society of the Keys.
Organized by Key West Police officers Frank Betz and Mike Pettee, the tournament’s entry fees, silent auction and donations raise money for the Autism Society of the Keys and the KWPD’s Love Fund, which helps officers and their families experiencing financial hardship.
A captains meeting took place on June 27, with fishing and weigh-ins on June 28 and 29. An awards ceremony on June 29 ended the tournament and included the presentation of trophies and bragging rights.
For more information or to get involved in next year’s tournament, email keyspbadolphintournament@ gmail.
The winning mahi, worth $7,500 in prize money, weighed 24.04 pounds, was caught by Joe Trotta of Key West with Capt. Mike Macko on the vessel Diggin’ Life.
Additional winners were as follows:
2nd place dolphin – $3,000 17.50 pounds
Caught aboard: Gray Eagle
Captain: Rob Harris
Angler: John Timura
From: Islamorada
3rd place dolphin – $1,500 15.70 pounds
Caught aboard: No Doubt
Captain: Desi Perez
Angler: Desi Perez
From: Key West
4th place dolphin – $750 11.68 pounds
Caught aboard: Halftime
Captain: Fred Deno
Angler: Justin Deno
From: Ramrod Key
TOP JUNIOR ANGLER — $500 6.16 pounds
Caught aboard: Halftime
Captain: Fred Deno
Angler: Justin Deno
From: Ramrod Key
TOP FEMALE ANGLER — $1,000 12.46 pounds
Caught aboard: Fin Crusher
Captain: Murry McDonald
Angler: Elizabeth Goeman
From: (Not provided)
TOP PBA MEMBER — $1,250 9.28 pounds
Caught aboard: PBA - Leviathan
Captain: Frank Betz
Angler: Frank Betz
From: Key West
BIGGEST TUNA
(blackfin or yellowfin) — $500
17.42 pounds
Caught aboard: Fin Crusher
Captain: Murry McDonald
Angler: Hope Drewry
From: Ponce Inlet
from page 4
manager in the first place, I would have absolutely voted to keep it in place and to ensure the city of Key West is in compliance with state and federal laws.”
Henriquez added that she was disgusted by many of the social media comments she had been seeing and said, “I am sick and tired of this city being legislated via Facebook.”
Though absent from the hastily scheduled meeting, Kaufman submitted a letter that was read into the record at the start of the meeting. It states in part:
“I am out of the country on a long-planned family trip, but this meeting — one of the most important we’ve faced — was scheduled without checking if all commissioners could attend. That’s not just disrespectful; it’s unacceptable. … Why? How was this date chosen? Was there any discussion? Any transparency? Or is this another behind-closed-doors move — like how the former city manager was ousted?
“Nevertheless, let me be clear: I support our police. I fully support our chief. And I absolutely stand with our immigrant community — our neighbors, our workforce, our friends.
“Unfortunately, we landed in this legal mess because we didn’t get proper guidance before the June 30 vote. We should have had expert legal counsel from the start. Why didn’t we? Now, instead of slowing down and considering all of our options — including joining South Miami’s legal challenge — the mayor rushed to reverse course. The city’s expert legal counsel has confirmed we are in a strong position by doing nothing. We haven’t entered or rescinded an agreement. There’s no legal liability. So why panic? The mayor scheduled this meeting prior to discussing the legal options with the attorneys. Why not wait for the courts to decide whether the 287(g) agreement is mandatory or voluntary? Florida law does not require cities to sign 287(g). It only applies to sheriffs. Our police chief signed that agreement without public input or commission approval. That’s a problem. And we were right to recognize it as void.
“If the mayor’s resolution is approved (which I do not support) to enter into the 287(g) agreement, then at least let’s fight it in court alongside South Miami. But make no mistake — entering into the 287(g) agreement is the worst option for our community.”
The bronze statue of Bishop Al Kee at Key West’s Southernmost Point has come loose from its base and poses a safety hazard. When a new base is made, the statue will be temporarily displayed at the Duval Street Pocket Park, 1400 Duval St., while crews repair the seawall and renovate the plaza surrounding the iconic Southernmost Point Buoy at Whitehead and South streets. CONTRIBUTED
The Bishop Albert Kee bronze statue at the Southernmost Point is being temporarily removed. The heavy bronze likeness of Key West’s iconic Kee, who was a mainstay at the Southernmost Point for decades, has come loose from its base and poses a safety hazard.
The city of Key West will create a new base and place the statue at the Duval Street Pocket Park while a temporary Southernmost Point Buoy is installed later this summer.
The statue was created in 2015 in honor of the beloved Bishop Albert Kee, who was a preacher, businessman and Key West's official ambassador of goodwill. Bishop Kee and his father before him greeted visitors at the famous corner of Whitehead and South streets, sharing Key West history, selling conch shells and teaching people how to blow the conch shell musically.
The Southernmost Point Buoy will be replaced by a replica later this summer so that damage to the seawall and plaza at the intersection can be repaired. The replica buoy will enable visitors to obtain their legendary photo ops just up the street at 1400 Duval St.
When the seawall repairs and Southernmost Point plaza renovations are complete, the buoy and the Kee statue will be replaced in their familiar location.
Contributed
... is a photographer, writer, and semi-professional birdwatcher. He has lived in Key West for more than 25 years and may no longer be employable in the real world. He is also executive director of the Florida Keys Audubon Society.
The flamingo was in the ugliest part of the pond. Out in the middle, where it was probably about a foot deep, the surface was smooth and unbroken, reflecting the lovely hues of a later summer early evening. But the flamingo was working the edge of the pond, where the water looked to barely cover its feet and the surface was pocked with little piles of mud, giving it a somewhat blotchy, and decidedly less photogenic, appearance. The flamingo had been there in the same pond on Grassy Key for more than a week. A half-dozen photographers I knew had posted photos – great photos that showed that flamingos aren’t just pink, but a subtle melange of rose, apricot, salmon, tangerine, Halloween orange, ecru and tacao. Great photos that showed the flamingo with its neck curved into a perfect S, or with its leg lifted, or with water droplets dripping off the end of its bill, big puffy clouds and a moonstone-blue sky reflected in the water.
And I had gone to the effort to get in my car, deigned to cross Cow Key Channel Bridge, and then drove an hour farther north. What did I get? A distant pink bird wading through the aquatic equivalent of acne.
Which proves once again that nature doesn’t care about your ego, your sense of entitlement, your aesthetic sensibilities or your artistic insecurities. Or at least she doesn’t care about mine.
Still, it was a real live American flamingo, just standing there out in the wild, as if it was some sort of everyday bird. I figured I might at least watch for a while.
Usually, when I see flamingos feed, they almost fully extend their neck and plunge their head down a few inches beneath the water, close to their feet. But this bird wasn’t doing that. Instead he was slow-stepping through two or three inches of water, his head upside down, but just breaking the surface of the water like a boat, or more specifically, a tugboat pulling his body along. Which got me curious.
It feels disingenuous to say flamingos are a rarity in the Florida Keys, at least in recent times, when a few have been reported consistently every year. I’ve probably had about two dozen sightings in the U.S., which is not something I take for granted.
Multiple early naturalists in the Keys reported flocks of 500 flamingos off Indian Key. W.E.D. Scott, head of ornithology at Princeton University, wrote of seeing a line of flamingos over a mile long while sailing off of Cape Sable. But the species was essentially eradicated in the U.S. by the plume hunters of the late 1800s and early 1900s, and any birds seen in the decades after were thought to be escapees from Florida institutions like Hialeah Race Track or Cypress Gardens.
Recently, 125 American flamingos were counted during an aerial survey of Florida Bay, 122 of them in flight in the same flock. The number has been pretty steady in size since Hurricane Idalia blew them all over from the Yucatan in 2023. And a flamingo known as both Peaches and US02 was spotted in the Yucatan helping to raise a chick,
meaning once-broken migratory pathways may be being repaired.
The American flamingo seems to be slowly repopulating its historic ecological niche. At least that’s what many people hope these more regular sightings mean.
The reason for the Grassy Key flamingo’s solo status was known only to him, but flamingos spotted in the U.S. are often alone, possibly because they are on the edge of their range.
One of my favorite things about flamingos is how they feed. They are filter feeders, kind of like whales. But where whales use a ram filtration feeding model, propelling themselves through clouds of krill and filtering them through their baleen, flamingos rely on their tongues and feet.
Flamingo tongues are so muscular they were once served as a delicacy. The muscularity allows the tongue to work like a piston, drawing water in and then expelling it.
For a better understanding of the subtleties of a flamingo’s mouth, I tracked down a paper with the approachable title of “Filter Feeding in Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber),” which was published in the journal The Condor in 1995. Everything that came after the title sent me scuttling to Google or the dictionary. The paper’s abstract contained such easily penetrable linguistic gems such as, “We present a provisional morphospace of avian filter feeding mechanisms derived by nomological deduction from an initial pecking mechanism and develop in this domain preliminary historical-narrative hypotheses of the evolution of avian filter mechanisms.”
Despite my English-major understanding of the world, I bravely carried on, which was good, because the actual text of the paper was far more comprehensible. Plus, there were pictures.
Essentially, flamingos want to eat things between 0.1 mm and 4 mm in size. Brine shrimp, fly larvae, seeds, small mollusks, the occasional bit of algae found in the muck. To do this they tend to leave a gap of 1 to 4 mm between their upper and lower mandibles. A series of spiny tooth-like structures along the edges of each mandible called lamellae work as a kind of mesh to keep oversized objects out. Food gathers on the tongue, then is swallowed, shepherded by a series of lamellae on the back part of the tongue.
If they had a long, straight bill like, say, a heron, it would be hard to keep that gap consistent, as it would widen the closer it got to the end of the bill. But flamingo bills bend about 60 degrees at their midpoint, allowing the gap to stay consistent.
More recently (May of this year), a paper was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences with the title “Flamingos use their L-shaped beak and morphing feet to induce vortical traps for prey capture,” a less succinct title at the top of a far more readable paper.
The paper documented how flamingos – specifically closely-related greater flamingos and the American flamingos – use hydrodynamics to catch their (very small) prey in four different ways. Flamingos feed with their heads hanging upside down, sometimes partially under water, sometimes totally under water.
Sometimes you see them seemingly march in place, stamping their feet up and down while locomoting anywhere. This creates vortices, or little tornadoes that swirl up, concentrating prey inside of them, which they can then dip into and filter with their bill. Sometimes they will do what’s called chattering, opening and closing their bill quickly, which can increase what they capture by about sevenfold.
Sometimes they will push their head down to the bottom of the water and lift it up, creating a vertical vortex, from which they will filter prey.
The behavior I was witnessing is described in the paper as a recirculation trap, wherein they drag their partially submerged bill upside down along the surface of the water, like a boat, with eddies that concentrate the prey forming at the backward-facing tip of the bill. Which was edifying to learn.
A few days after I went up to Grassy Key, I ran into photographer Rob O’Neal while we were both taking pictures of people eating Key lime pie without using their hands. Rob asked if I’d gone up to see the flamingo. I told him my experience. He said he’d gone up twice, but the flamingo had stayed at the far end of the pond.
So I guess I’m ahead of the game. Unless I make a little more effort.
Taste some of the best cocktails in the Keys, made by the best of the best. Watch, taste and enjoy while 12 TOP Mixologists compete for Best of Show and to WIN some incredible prizes! 201
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CHRIS
McNULTY
is an astrologer, wanderer, bartender and advocate for queer justice. He is a loquacious Gemini with a cozy Cancer rising. Find him at hearthandheraldastrology.com
The big astrological news this week is Uranus shifting from Taurus into Gemini. Uranus, the planet of disruption and liberation, has been shaking up Taurus since May 2018. We witnessed radical shifts in financial systems, body autonomy movements, sustainability innovations and climate crises.
TAURUS LIKES STABILITY; URANUS DOESN’T. Over these past years, we’ve been learning that security isn’t the same as safety, and that the things we thought were solid aren’t as immovable as we believed. Now, Uranus moves into Gemini, where its revolutionary charge finds a new playground: the mind. Communication, technology, travel, education and how we share ideas will be the next frontiers of collective change. Expect shakeups in the way we think, speak, learn and move. Language will evolve, identities will multiply, and the internet as we know it may start to splinter into something else entirely. This is a time to speak up, to challenge norms with ideas instead of inertia, and to use social networks not just for visibility, but for real liberation. The future is being written in real time, and our words are the ink.
Here are your horoscopes for Uranus’s ingress into Gemini. Read for your rising and sun signs.
June 21 - July 22
The revolution begins in your inner world. Thoughts you’ve kept tucked away begin to stir, asking for air and light. Over time, you may feel called to explore therapy, spirituality or private creative practices that shift your understanding of yourself. Sudden insights may arrive in dreams or solitude. Don’t rush to share what’s still ripening in the dark. Not all transformation needs an audience.
July 23 - Aug. 22
Your communities are changing, and so are you. Over the next several years, your social circles may expand in unexpected directions, challenging your sense of belonging. New movements, friendships or digital platforms might awaken your voice in a more collective way. You are not just seeking applause, you are seeking connection that sparks change. Let your roar evolve into dialogue.
Aug. 23 - Sept. 22
Your public presence becomes a lightning rod for ideas. A restless urge to pivot your career, change your role or speak out on important issues may take hold. What you do and how you are seen could change drastically. This is not about chasing recognition. It is about breaking the mold. Your true calling may arrive not in a straight line, but as a signal interrupting the usual broadcast.
LIBRA
Sept. 23 - Oct. 23
The horizon cracks open. Uranus urges you to question the beliefs and systems you once relied on. What do you know, and what are you still learning to unlearn? Over the years ahead, you may be drawn to study, travel or explore philosophies that once seemed foreign. Freedom comes from questioning the story you have inherited and daring to write your own.
Oct. 23 - Nov. 21
The revolution touches your deepest bonds. Shared resources, intimacy and power dynamics become places of awakening. You might find yourself renegotiating agreements, releasing entanglements or uncovering truths long buried. This is not just about money or trust, it is about shedding skin. The more you let go of what no longer resonates, the freer you will be to love and live with clarity.
Nov. 22 - Dec. 21
Uranus lights up your house of partnership, sparking change in how you relate. Whether romantic, platonic or professional, your relationships will shift sometimes suddenly. This is not about instability for its own sake, but about breaking free from patterns that limit your growth. You are being asked to love with more honesty, to collaborate with more freedom and to expect surprise where you once expected certainty.
Dec. 22 - Jan. 19
The habits that once structured your life may no longer hold. Uranus shakes up your routines, health practices and work environments, asking you to redefine what it means to be well and productive. Innovation becomes your ally, whether through technology, new skills or unconventional paths to healing. Liberation is found not in control, but in adaptability.
Jan. 20 - Feb. 18
Creative blocks, beware. Uranus jolts your zone of play, romance and self-expression, encouraging experimentation. Whether it is falling in love differently, exploring queerness more openly or changing your artistic medium, you are being asked to shake up what joy looks like. Trust your spark. The way you make meaning is evolving, and the world is ready for it.
Feb. 19 - March 20
Home is where the change begins. Your living situation, family dynamics or sense of emotional grounding could shift dramatically over time. But what is being rebuilt is your relationship to security. Let go of what no longer feels like true shelter. You are allowed to redefine comfort on your own terms, even if others do not understand at first.
March 21 - April 19
Your mind is the revolution’s front line. Uranus activates your thoughts, communication style and daily interactions. You might experiment with new technologies, radical ideas or different ways of thinking and speaking. The way you process the world will not be the same by the end of this transit, and that is a good thing. Stay curious, even when your certainty is shaken.
April 20 - May 20
After years of Uranus shaking your identity, the focus now turns to your values. What is worth your energy, time and trust? How do you define abundance on your own terms? Over time, you may develop unusual income streams, new relationships to money or a deeper understanding of self-worth. What you build next will reflect not what you have inherited, but what you believe in.
May 21 - June 20
The revolution is you. Uranus enters your sign and electrifies your identity, asking you to become even more authentically yourself, even if it shocks a few people. Change may come quickly and often. You will shed skins, rewrite your self-image and experiment with how you move through the world. Let yourself evolve. You are not meant to be consistent, you are meant to be true.
A historical look at a dog tax and the hunt of precious Florida Keys wildlife
When Key West was organizing and systems were being put into place, the town council made a declaration that appeared in the island’s first newspaper, the Key West Register & Commercial Advertiser.
The July 2, 1829, edition, Volume 1, No. 25, printed: “Be it ordained by the Town Council of Key West that from and after the passage of this Ordinance each and every Dog in the Town of Key West (Terriers excepted) shall be subjected to a tax of two dollars a year to be paid by the owner of said dog.”
Each dog, except for terriers, was required to wear a collar with the owner’s initials stamped on it. Any dog running around without one, or any dog that had not had its tax paid, “shall be shot or otherwise killed by any citizen.” The town’s marshal collected the tax. Fortunately, views can change over time. Often, it is the result of increased awareness brought about through education. The good news is that it is no longer legal to shoot a dog in Key West because it isn’t wearing a collar, just like it is no longer legal to cull a manatee.
When John James Audubon visited the Florida Keys in 1832, he stayed at a two-and-a-half-story boarding house on Indian Key, run by James Egan — who had other occupations. Audubon hired Egan as a guide, too. Later, he wrote about Egan: “For years his employment had been to hunt those singular animals called Sea Cows or Manatees, and he had conquered hundreds of them, ‘merely,’ as he said, because the flesh and hide bring ‘fair price’ at Havannah.”
Egan was not alone in his endeavors. In 1885, the following was recorded regarding the state of the manatee in Florida: “(T)en years ago the meat could be bought at fifty cents a pound. The animals are becoming far too scarce to admit to its being sold at all. There is no doubt that the manatee is fast becoming an extinct animal. … The sea cow will pass out of existence … and the only remaining trace of its former existence will be a few old bones.”
As it turns out, sometimes animals need protection to ensure, among other things, that populations are not decimated beyond a point of recovery. Often, it is the passion of an individual that brings the right people together and sparks the necessary work.
Once upon a time, flocks of herons, egrets, storks, roseate spoonbills and other brilliantly feathered birds clouded the skies above the Everglades and Florida Bay. In the decades immediately before and after the turn of the 20th century, the demand for their feathers spiked. Certainly, they were used for ornamental purposes for thousands of years, but for a few decades, it became something different, and women’s fashion was the culprit.
Hats decorated with feathers became all the rage. To meet commercial demand, the world turned to Florida, where, at first, pioneer families hunted birds to supplement their incomes. When the public learned of the kind of money at stake, crews from outside the Sunshine State came to hunt. For instance, an ounce of feathers from the snowy egret rivaled the value of an ounce of gold.
Millions of birds were taken every year. In cases like that of the snowy egret, a favorite due to its delicate white plumage, they were hunted to near extinction. Help arrived in 1900 with the passage of The Lacey Act, which prohibited the interstate trafficking of animals and plants taken in violation of state laws. That same year, American painter, naturalist and wildlife advocate Abbott H. Thayer established the Thayer Fund. William Dutcher, chairman of the American Ornithologists’ Union Committee on Bird Protection, administered the fund. Later, it was managed by the Audubon Society. The important thing
KEYS HISTORY WITH BRAD BERTELLI
Brad is a local historian, author, speaker and Honorary Conch who loves sharing the history of the Florida Keys.
about the fund was how the money was used — to hire wardens charged with upholding laws that protected wildlife.
In 1901, Dutcher came to Florida. In 1902, he hired Guy Morrell Bradley, South Florida’s first game warden. Bradley was born in Chicago on April 25, 1870. He did not live a long life. Although privately funded, Bradley was also deputized by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, where he served from 1902 to 1905.
In every society, there exists a segment that feels as if the rule of law does not apply. On July 8, 1905, while attempting to take suspected poachers into custody, among them Walter Smith, a known (notorious) poacher, Bradley was shot and killed. He was 35. The crime occurred near Flamingo, located in the Everglades, in the backcountry area of Florida Bay.
The first Florida game warden killed in the line of duty, Bradley’s name has not been forgotten. In Flamingo, there is the Guy Bradley Visitors Center. About one mile west-southwest of Flamingo, there is Bradley Key, named to honor the man’s work and his sacrifice. The news of his death and others helped to turn the tide on the feather trade.
The organization of the first Audubon Society didn’t hurt, either. Realizing the toll the feather trade was taking on bird populations, Harriet Lawrence and Minna Hall formed the Massachusetts Audubon Society in 1896. Thankfully, Audubon societies spread across the country and are still hard at work, as are nonprofits around the globe, creating awareness about the health, welfare and importance of wildlife.
In the Keys, among other notable groups, we have the Audubon Society, Florida Bay Forever, the Turtle Hospital and Key Largo’s Pawsitive Beginnings. Led by Nicole Navarro, it is as a sanctuary for foxes rescued from the fur trade. Along with her spokesfox, Reef, she tirelessly works to educate the public about the fur trade because awareness is an essential part of change. The foxes at her Key Largo sanctuary are also helping to heal individuals, one survivor to another, with a bit of fox therapy.
It is important to support local history and everyone working to foster a deeper understanding of the world. If you haven’t heard of Navarro, Pawsitive Beginnings, Reef and the other foxes, her sanctuary will open your eyes.
The Keys Weekly family loves animals as much as our friends at the Florida Keys SPCA do, and we’re honored each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for adoption at the organization’s Key West campus.
From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect 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.
Midnight, a 2-year-old black Lab with energy to spare and a serious love for tennis balls. This playful pup is always ready to chase his favorite toys and make new friends. Midnight would thrive in an active home where he can get plenty of playtime and attention. He’s great with kids and other dogs.
Double Bubble is a 4-year-old tabby who’s been with us since he was just a kitten. He’s a bit on the shy side and prefers to hang back and observe rather than dive into the spotlight — but don’t let that fool you. Break out a Churu, and he’ll be your best friend. Double Bubble would do well in a calm home with other cats, especially if they can help show him the ropes.
The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for special-needs and older animals that require a little extra TLC. Check these pages each week for just a few of the animals waiting for a home and see them all at fkspca.org.
Flaco is a 1-year-old cat with major teenage energy and a big heart for his fellow felines. He’s especially fond of kittens and loves spending time with other cats, whether it’s playing, cuddling or just hanging out. Flaco is super social and would thrive in a home where he has animal companions to keep him company.
Jaguar is a 4-year-old orange and cream-colored cat with the heart of a senior and the soul of a nap enthusiast. Though technically a young adult, he carries himself like a wise old man who’s seen it all and just wants a soft lap to curl up on. Jaguar is calm, cuddly and happiest when he’s your little shadow, following you quietly from room to room before settling down for another well-earned snooze.
Munchkin is a 2-year-old brindle-colored rabbit with a mellow personality and a love for lounging. He’s sweet, quiet and easy to be around — perfect for someone looking for a gentle companion. He enjoys calm spaces, soft pets and tasty snacks. Munchkin isn’t demanding, but he’ll happily keep you company while you read, relax or watch TV.
Kim Works, left, and ‘Tart Tales’ partner Yvonne Jefferson, right, react upon being presented with the first-prize trophy for their entry in the 2025 Key Lime Pie Drop at the Key West Lighthouse on July 6. A highlight of the annual Key Lime Festival, the competition challenges participants to create a device or container capable of keeping a pie from splattering on impact when dropped from the light’s 88-foot-high observation deck. CAROL TEDESCO/ keylimefestival.com
Reese Simons, 12, of Key West and Washington, D.C., with mom Kasey, displays her ‘Biggest Flop’ trophy, won for her entry in the Key Lime Pie Drop. Reese’s advice for future competitors: ‘Use lots of bubble wrap, throw it way out towards the trees and make it kind of heavy.’
Rotary Club & city once again partner for annual fireworks display
MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com
Key West did it again.
The city and the Rotary Club of Key West’s Independence Day celebration started early in the morning on July 4 and lasted well past dark, when the smoke from the fireworks display cleared. Thousands of residents and visitors lined the island's southern edge to watch the fireworks off Edward B. Knight Pier, after the Rotary Club hosted its annual, family-friendly cookout for families.
Every summer, Mount Sinai Medical Center treats a wide range of emergencies, from dehydration and heatstroke to water accidents and severe sunburns.
To stay safe while enjoying Florida’s sunshine, keep these precautions in mind:
Hydrate frequently, and don’t wait to feel thirsty to drink water and electrolytes
Wear SPF 30+ and reapply every 2 hours
Avoid peak sun times (10 a m –4 p m ) to prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke
Swim safely and be mindful of rip currents, marine life, and weather patterns
Use bug repellent to protect against mosquitoborne illnesses (make sure it’s EPA-approved!)
Wear life jackets and avoid alcohol during boating or water sports
Dizziness, rapid pulse, confusion, and nausea can signal heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion or dehydration. If you experience any of these symptoms, act quickly find shade, hydrate, and seek medical attention right away
Let’s keep this season fun, safe, and healthy To schedule an appointment with one of Mount Sinai’s PCPs in Key West, please call 305 434 9205
Dr Gannon Dudlar is a board-certified emergency medicine physician with extensive experience in emergency departments and urgent care centers He has contributed to protocol development, clinical operations, and pandemic response planning Passionate about health care innovation, his interests include human factors, workflow efficiency, health span optimization, and longevity medicine
CAROL SHAUGHNESSY www.keysweekly.com
When chef Andrew Berman says he plans to prepare a simple meal, wise listeners take his statement with a grain of salt. That’s because Berman — who spent more than 17 years as executive chef at Key West’s elegant Café des Artistes/Pisces and almost a decade as a partner in Kojin Noodle Bar — defines “simple” quite differently than most people do.
“It takes a lot of experience and a lot of time and hard work to make something beautiful that is simple,” said Berman, who has a background in fine French cuisine and is currently a personal chef in Florida’s St. Petersburg.
For example, he recently returned to Key West to stage an exclusive onenight-only dinner at the request of his former Kojin partner, chef Keith St. Peter.
St. Peter is the executive chef at the Key West Cooking School, located upstairs at 291 Front St. — and Berman’s sold-out six-course dinner was the first in the school’s planned “guest chef” events for cuisine connoisseurs.
The menu included caviar with crème fraiche, seared foie gras, short rib beef bourguignon and a dessert torte with chocolate custard ganache and white chocolate mousse.
“It was a countryside French dinner, using the best ingredients we could get hold of and preparing things very intelligently, with as little fuss as possible — keeping it simple,” said Berman, drawing on his unique definition of the word.
Each course was complemented by carefully selected wines or cocktails, and both cuisine and spirits drew rave reviews from diners.
“I was excited to start up the Guest Chef Series as a creative outlet and an exciting way to present fun new experiences to our patrons,” said St. Peter, who envisions staging exclusive dinners in the series several times each year.
Other upcoming special events at the school include a “Hemingway Feast” set for 11 a.m. Thursday, July 24. American literary legend Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote in Key West for most of the 1930s. The learnand-dine offering is part of the annual Hemingway Days festivities, scheduled July 23-27 this year, that celebrate his connection to the island.
Diners enjoy a chocolate torte at the
guest
The traditional Key West dish called grits and grunts is the featured entrée at the Key West Cooking School’s upcoming ‘Hemingway Feast’ learn-and-dine experience. KEY WEST COOKING SCHOOL/Contributed
Attendees can savor a four-course meal of traditional Key West dishes from the author’s era — and learn to prepare them — during the demonstration-style class. Led by a chefstoryteller who recounts kitchen tips and tales, the culinary adventure even features the savory “grits and grunts” mentioned in Hemingway’s classic Key West novel “To Have and Have Not.” Advance reservations are required; call 305-294-2665.
Dish of the week: Grits and Grunts. Creamy, buttery grits are combined with small fish known as “grunts” in this hearty dish that was a Key West staple during the Depression. Simmered slowly in heavy whipping cream and chicken stock, grits are topped with the seasoned pan-seared fish for a unique fusion of flavors.
Helpful kitchen hack: Island residents whose fruit trees are producing over-abundant crops this summer can trade their harvest for a Key West Cooking School experience. Anyone who provides the school with a halfbushel of tropical fruit from one of a dozen species will receive a ticket to an entertaining learn-and-dine class. Fruit can be dropped off at the school from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays.
Hungry for more? Visit keywestcookingschool.com.
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association expresses concerns with
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
They may not be native to the Florida Keys, but peacocks have long called Islamorada’s Plantation Key home.
Drivers traversing the Old Highway around MM 88 often see the large, colorful birds strutting along and across the road. Longtime residents say the peacocks have been seen in Islamorada for many decades.
Their residency in the village almost came to an end, however, after a local homeowners association was seeking to have bounty hunters remove the birds, which have been flocking onto their property. It caused quite a stir in a community with residents who’ve come to adore the peacocks’ existence on the island.
A large response from the community to protect the peacocks led the Port of Call Townhouses Homeowners Association’s board of directors to hold off on their removal.
“While our efforts to humanely remove and relocate the overpopulated and non-native peacocks from our property were in full compliance with Florida law, we have chosen to pause these efforts,” reads a statement from the homeowners association’s attorney to village officials on July 8, the same day bounty hunters were set to round up the peacocks via snaring, for transportation to a Georgia farm.
It all began more than a week ago when information surfaced regarding the impending removal of the peacocks by two bounty hunters. It was directed by the board of the directors for the quaint townhouse neighborhood Port of Call, which consists of 10 privately-owned residences on the oceanside. The move came following issues they were facing with the birds on their property. They say upwards of 60 to 80 peacocks are wreaking havoc on the property.
Per the homeowners association’s attorney, the root cause of the peacock problem was the continuous feeding of the animals by two owners within the community — a violation of the association’s rules. Despite multiple violation letters sent by the association and its legal counsel, the letter states, these owners continue feeding the
peafowl and exacerbating the issue.
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission characterizes peacocks as nuisance birds, meaning they have no specific protections.
“If the landowner or HOA is seeking removal and there is no local ordinance or regulation prohibiting it, the property owner may remove the birds themselves or hire a third party to do that work for them,” states FWC.
Further, FWC says any live-captured nuisance wildlife must be released legally or euthanized humanely within 24 hours of capture or trap inspection.
Per FWC, nonnative fowl species, including peacocks, have become established in municipalities across the state by escaping from properties or by release. They can exhibit nuisance behaviors when their numbers multiply or when they are being fed by people, which has been the case for Port of Call.
“As a result, our owners are left to contend with the waste they produce, along with their territorial behavior toward children, vehicles and pets, as well as noise disturbances and safety concerns,” reads a statement from the homeowners association.
“Unfortunately, the feeding of these wild animals by residents, visitors and guests has also led directly to their overpopulation on our grounds.”
Village Manager Ron Saunders stated in his weekly newsletter that he spoke with FWC officers, who said no permits were issued or needed regarding peacocks. Saunders said the village’s legal counsel researched the issue and found the Monroe County animal control ordinance applies within the village. The ordinance requires any seizures and impoundments must be done “in a humane manner” and any person who seizes an animal must “exercise utmost care to treat the animal humanely and to avoid any injury.”
Mayor Sharon Mahoney said the council will review its ordinances related to farm animals at a July 22 meeting at the Founders Park Community Center.
“This is part of a broader effort to ensure our codes reflect the needs and values of our community as a whole,” she wrote in the recent village newsletter.
officers, with support from federal
and tips from
State and federal wildlife agencies netted a Washington State man after he allegedly captured several species of butterflies from a state park in Key Largo.
Tad R. Norman, 76, was charged on June 5 with unlawful take and possession of wildlife.
Since 2021, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), has received multiple reports of butterfly poaching within Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park. The removal of any wildlife from the park is strictly prohibited.
Despite increased patrols and public reports, the only lead in the case had been a vehicle with Washington State license plates.
On June 5, a witness reported seeing a man, later identified as Norman, using a butterfly net near the
park and leaving the area in a truck bearing Washington State tags. FWC and FWS officers quickly responded and found the vehicle. An FWC officer conducted a traffic stop and discovered Norman in possession of 15 deceased butterflies, each individually stored in small envelopes. The butterflies were identified as Julias, Great Southern White (Ascia monuste) and Florida Purplewing (Funica tatila).
Norman was issued a notice to appear. His arraignment was July 9 before Judge Sharon Hamilton at the Plantation Key Courthouse.
"Floridians know our natural resources are our greatest treasure," said Major Alberto Maza, South Bravo Regional Commander. "The poaching of any wildlife will not be tolerated on state lands."
The public is encouraged to report potential wildlife violations by downloading the FWC Wildlife Alert app, calling the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922), or submitting a tip online at MyFWC. com/WildlifeAlert.
— Keys Weekly staff report
NEWS OF THE WEIRD
The U.S. Sun reported on June 26 that a woman aboard Aeroflot flight SU734 from St. Petersburg, Russia, to Egypt finally had to be restrained after she launched into a tantrum about not being upgraded to business class. The woman screamed at flight attendants that she had “pain in my butt” and needed business class “because I was working.” She then threatened to open the emergency exit and began to remove her shirt, presumably hoping that would help her cause, but no: Some burly passengers moved her to the back of the plane, where she was restrained until Egyptian authorities took her off after landing.
John Calvin (1509-1564), theologian/reformer; Nikola Tesla (18561943), physicist/engineer; Marcel Proust (1871-1922), author/critic; Carl Orff (1895-1982), composer; David Brinkley (1920-2003), TV journalist; Alice Munro (1931-2024), author; Arthur Ashe (19431993), tennis player; Arlo Guthrie (1947- ), singer-songwriter; Urban Meyer (1964- ), football coach; Sofia Vergara (1972- ), actress; Chiwetel Ejiofor (1977- ), actor; Jessica Simpson (1980- ), actress/ singer.
In 1940, Nazi forces began an air attack on southern Britain that would last 114 days and become known as the Battle of Britain.
The United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, which battled the German Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain, counted 11 American pilots among its 2,900 members.
“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.”
Founded by Betty Debnam
During the heat of summer, cool, smooth ice cream is a favorite treat. But where did this sweet confection come from? Sunday, July 20, is National Ice Cream Day. This week, The Mini Page learns all about the tasty goody we all scream for.
HOW IS ICE CREAM MADE?
To make ice cream in a dairy might take eight hours from start to finish.
It starts with milk and cream and then goes through these steps:
1. At the dairy, milk and cream are mixed with sweeteners and flavorings.
2. The mixture is heated in a pasteurizer to kill any germs.
3. A homogenizer beats the mixture so it is creamy and smooth.
4. The mixture is cooled to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. In a barrel freezer, blades whip the mixture, adding air to it. Fruits, nuts and other solid foods can be added during this process.
6. The softened ice cream is packaged in cartons.
7. The ice cream is hardened in a blast freezer so it won’t melt on the way to the store.
8. Delivery is made to stores or restaurants. Ice cream history
Some historians can trace dishes similar to ice cream back to the first and second centuries. In China and Persia, ice or snow were mixed with fruit and
honey. Later, Italian explorer Marco Polo brought recipes for frozen desserts from China to Europe.
Making ice was difficult. In the 1700s, people collected frozen river ice in the winter and stored it in sawdust. Horse-drawn wagons delivered it to homes. In the mid-1800s, Nancy Johnson invented the first hand-cranked freezer for making ice cream. The first manufacturing plant for ice cream opened in 1851 in Baltimore. People in the early 1900s enjoyed going to “ice cream parlors” or got ice cream directly from dairies.
Around the middle of the 20th century, ice cream became available in grocery stores, and people could eat it at home.
Drinking sodas was so much fun that some people thought they should not be served on such a serious day as Sunday.
Soda fountain owners came up with a new dish using only ice cream topped with syrup and candies. Since these were served on Sunday, they were named after that day. The spelling was later changed to “sundae.”
Words that remind us of ice cream are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
BARREL, BLAST, CHINA, CONE, DAIRY, DESSERT, FROZEN, FRUIT, GOOD HUMOR, HOMOGENIZER, ICE CREAM, MILK, NUTS, PARLOR, PASTEURIZER, PERSIA, SUMMER, SUNDAE, TREAT.
• Nearly three-quarters of Americans eat ice cream at least once a week.
• The average American eats about 19 pounds of ice cream per year — about 4 gallons!
• Ice cream sandwiches are the most popular novelty product.
• President George Washington was a fan of ice cream. It was made at his home at Mount Vernon.
• Dolley Madison, the wife of the third president, John Madison, often served ice cream at the White House.
• Cones were probably invented when Ernest A. Hamwi set up his Syrian waffle stand at the 1904 World’s Fair next to one selling ice cream. When the ice cream stand ran out of cardboard dishes, Hamwi shaped one of his pastries into a cone.
• In 1920, Harry Burt Jr. of Ohio came up with the idea of ice cream on a stick. He called it the Good Humor Bar. Burt’s customers did not have to come to him: He used specially decorated white carts to bring the treats right to customers.
On the Web:
• bit.ly/MPicecream
At the library:
• “Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better” by Glenda Armand and Kim Freeman
All 28 of the most populated U.S. cities are sinking to some degree, largely due to excessive pumping of groundwater, according to a new satellite-based study published in the journal Nature Cities. In 25 of those cities, at least 65% of the land is subsiding. Some neighborhoods are sinking faster than others, putting buildings and roads under stress.
Metropolitan Houston is sinking the fastest, with more than 40% of the area dropping more than 0.2 inch per year and 12% sinking at twice that rate.
INVITIATION TO BID ITB 2025-04
SHELTER BAY DRIVE - WET DETENTION POND FOUNTAIN SYSTEM – PHASE 2.1
CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH, FLORIDA
Sealed Bids for the construction of the Shelter Bay Drive – Wet Detention Pond Fountain System project will be received by the 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 July 24, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. local time. At that time, the Bids received will be publicly opened and read aloud.
The Project includes the following Work: Furnish and install electrical service and fountain system for wet detention system being constructed through a separate contract.
Bids are requested for the following Contract: Shelter Bay Drive – Wet Detention Pond Fountain System.
The Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents is: CPH Consulting, LLC, 580-1 Wells Road, Orange Park, Florida 32073, (904) 278-0030. Prospective Bidders may access and download the Bidding Documents online at www.mittauer.com upon submission of contact information and registering as a Plan Holder. 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.
A Pre-Bid conference will not be held.
To be considered qualified, Bidder must 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 3 years.
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.
ISSUING OFFICE
CPH CONSULTING, LLC 580-1 WELLS ROAD ORANGE PARK, FL 32073 904-278-0030
PLEASE CONTACT THE ISSUING OFFICE WITH QUESTIONS!
Publish: July 10, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
Sealed Bids for the construction of the Shelter Bay Drive – Wet Detention System Landscaping project will be received by the 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 July 31, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. local time. At that time, the Bids received will be publicly opened and read aloud.
The Project includes the following Work: Furnish and install landscaping package around a wet detention system as shown on the Drawings.
Bids are requested for the following Contract: Shelter Bay Drive – Wet Detention System Landscaping.
The Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents is: CPH Consulting, LLC, 580-1 Wells Road, Orange Park, Florida 32073, (904) 278-0030. Prospective Bidders may access and download the Bidding Documents online at www.mittauer.com upon submission of contact information and registering as a Plan Holder. 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
THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH WILL BE HOLDING PUBLIC HEARINGS
To: Property Owners within 300 feet of 150 11th Street
From: The City of Key Colony Beach
Key Colony Beach Planning & Zoning Board and the Key Colony Beach City Commission NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, THAT THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH WILL BE HOLDING
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON:
DATE/TIME:
Planning & Zoning Hearing: Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025, 9:30 A.M.
City Commission Public Hearing: Thursday, August 21st, 2025, 9:30 A.M.
LOCATION:
City of Key Colony Beach City Hall Auditorium ‘Marble Hall’
600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051, To hear a Variance Request from Dale and Jennnifer Hamill, owners of the property at 150 11th Street, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051. This meeting will be available via Zoom Meetings. Members of the public who wish to attend virtually may email the City Clerk at cityclerk@keycolonybeach. net or call 305-289-1212, Ext. 2 for further instructions on attending via Zoom Meetings. The applicant requests a variance to the City of Key Colony Beach Land Development Regulations, Article IV, Sec. 101-26, for the construction of a residential pool that would encroach into the setback by 5 feet. Interested parties may attend the Hearing and be heard with respect to the requested variance.
If any person decides to appeal any decision made
by the City Commission of the City of Key Colony Beach with respect to any matter considered at the Variance Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. If you are unable to attend the Hearings on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025, or Thursday, August 21st, 2025, but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to the City Clerk at P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051, or via email at cityclerk@ keycolonybeach.net, and your comments will be entered into the record.
Published: On or before July 13th, 2025
City Clerk, City of Key Colony Beach Publish: July 10, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: Native Habitat Restoration Project on Monroe County Conservation Lands Pursuant to F.S. § 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from the County’s electronic bidding platform
John Sheldon, O.D.
Island Vision Care 6400 Overseas Highway Marathon, Florida 33050
at https://monroecounty-fl. bonfirehub.com OR www. monroecounty-fl.gov/ BonfireBids. The Public Record is available upon request.
Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform. Please do not email, mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Emailed/mailed/physically delivered bids/proposals/ responses WILL NOT be accepted.
The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl. bonfirehub.com, no later than 3:00P.M. on August 7, 2025. There is no cost to the bidder to use the Bonfire platform. Please do not submit your confidential financial information as part of your proposal. There are separate uploads for each set of documents, including confidential financial information. All proposals will be made public on the platform after an intended decision or 30 days, whichever is earlier, unless the bids/ proposals are rejected in accordance with F.S. 119.071. If your proposal document includes financial information, that information will not be considered confidential and will be available and viewable to the public in accordance with public records law. The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on Thursday, August 7, 2025. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156
Meeting ID: 4509326156
One tap mobile:
+16465189805,,4509326156#
US (New York)
addenda, if any, obtained from sources other than the Issuing Office.
A Pre-Bid conference will not be held.
To be considered qualified, Bidder must 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 3 years.
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.
ISSUING OFFICE
CPH CONSULTING, LLC
580-1 WELLS ROAD ORANGE PARK, FL 32073
904-278-0030
PLEASE CONTACT THE ISSUING OFFICE WITH QUESTIONS!
Dr. John Sheldon will be closing his optometry practice, Island Vision Care, located at 6400 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050, e ective August 8, 2025. Patients wishing to pick up their medical records may do so until August 7th, 2025. Please call 305-743-2020 before August 8th if there are any questions.
Patient’s medical records will remain with Dr. John Sheldon. He will be joining Key West Optical, located at 1444 Kennedy Dr, Key West, Florida 33040, beginning on September 2nd, 2025. Please call 305-294-9711 to schedule appointments, to request records or for any questions starting September 2nd.
Publish: July 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: East Martello Casemate Windows Replacement Monroe County, Florida Pursuant to F.S. § 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from the County’s electronic bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl. bonfirehub.com OR www. monroecounty-fl.gov/ BonfireBids. The Public Record is available upon request. Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform. Please do not email, mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Emailed/mailed/physically delivered bids/proposals/ responses WILL NOT be accepted. The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl. bonfirehub.com, no later than 3:00P.M. on August 21, 2025. There is no cost to the bidder to use the Bonfire platform. Please do not submit your confidential financial information as part of your proposal. There are separate uploads for each set of documents, including confidential financial information. All proposals will be made public on the platform after an intended decision or 30 days, whichever is earlier, unless the bids/ proposals are rejected in accordance with F.S. 119.071. If your proposal document includes financial information, that information will not be considered confidential and will be available and viewable to the public in accordance with public records law. The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on Thursday, August 21, 2025. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting
Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of RHONDA LYNN KUNTZ, deceased, whose date of death was April 27, 2025, Case: 25-CP-249-K, is pending in the Circuit Court, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
The date of first publication of this Notice is: July 10, 2025.
Personal Representative: DENNIS KUNTZ
c/o Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq.
Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A. 3130 Northside Drive Key West, Florida 33040
Attorney for Personal Representative: Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq. Florida Bar No. 0144304
Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A. 3130 Northside Drive Key West, Florida 33040 Email designation for service: Service.Probate@ samkaufmanlaw.com Telephone: (305) 292-3926 Fax: (305) 295-7947
Publish: July 10 & 17, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 23-CA-000268-M RED MANGROVE HOLDINGS, LLC, a Florida Limited Liability Company, Plaintiff, v. MARATHON DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, CEDAR OAK REI, INC., an Idaho for-profit corporation,MARK RAY GERENGER, personal guarantor, ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, AND AGAINST THE HEREIN NAMED INDIVIDUAL DEFENDANT(S) WHO ARE NOT KNOWN TO BE DEAD OR ALIVE, WHETHER SAID UNKNOWN PARTIES MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSES, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS, and ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN OCCUPANT(S) or TENANT(S) of 329 63RD COURT GULF, MARATHON, FLORIDA 33050 AND 57468 AND 57478 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, GRASSY KEY, FLORIDA 33050, Defendants. NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 23rd day of July, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., on the front courthouse steps at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale
and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Property Address: 329 63RD COURT GULF, MARATHON, FLORIDA 33050; AND 57468 and 57478 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, GRASSY KEY, FLORIDA 33050. Pursuant to the FINAL JUDGMENT of FORECLOSURE SALE SCHEDULED FOR July 23, 2025 AND SALE DATE entered in a case pending in said Court, of July 23, 2025, the Style of which is: RED MANGROVE HOLDINGS, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, Plaintiff, vs. MARATHON DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, et al., Defendants, and the Docket Number of which is 23-CA-000268-M. WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 27TH day of June, 2025.
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT By: Shonta McLeod As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within sixty (60) days after the sale.
Publish: July 10 & 17, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 25-DR-677-K DIVISION: FAMILY BEKA MTCHEDLISHVILI, Petitioner, and ANTHONY D. HENDERSON, Respondent. NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT)
TO: ANTHONY D. HENDERSON RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: NEVADA 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 BEKA MTCHEDLISHVILI, whose address is 926 TRUMAN AVENUE, KEY WEST, FL 33040 on or before August 11, 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: July 2, 2025
Kevin Madok, CPA
Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Sheryl LaTorre
Deputy Clerk Publish:
July 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CASE NO.: 2025-CA-342-K
HENRY GUERRIOS an individual,, Plaintiff and FREDERICK J. HUGO, Defendant.
NOTICE OF ACTION TO: FREDERICK J. HUGO 1408 SE 2nd CT Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Key West, FL 33040 (last known address)
Current address unknown
Current residence unknown YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a lawsuit for breach of contract has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, on JOHN MARSTON, Esquire, attorney for plaintiff, at 1011 Truman Avenue, Key West, Florida 33040, on or before August 4, 2025 and file the original with the clerk of this court immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint or petition. Dated: June 23, 2025
KEVIN MADOK CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT By: Shonta McLeod As Deputy Clerk
Publish:
July 3, 10, 17 &24, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CASE NO.: 25-DR-36-K
DIVISION: FAMILY
TARA PATRICK, Petitioner, and BRYAN CASTRO, Respondent. AMENDED NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: BRYAN CASTRO RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 44 KROG ST. N.E. UNIT 602, ATLANTA, GA 30307 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 Tara Patrick, whose address is 201Coppitt Rd, Apt. 301A, Key West, FL 33040 on or before July 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: Chase Southwest Plus Credit Card debt $9,247.00. All charges made solely by Bryan after we split up.
Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address.
(You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or
e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.
Dated: June 12, 2025 Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Destiny Johnson
Deputy Clerk
Publish: June 19 & 26 and July 3 &10, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
AUTOS ALL YEARS! Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks. Runs or Not.$CASH 305-332-0483
2003 Ford Explorer. 174k miles, runs great, A/C works. $3,500.00 Or best offer. Located in Marathon area. CALL 305-417-0169
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
19’x40’ slip in Marathon, could handle somewhat larger boat with approval from dockmaster. Desirable location in marina, easy in, easy out. Available 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
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-ourteam/
Boat rental company in Marathon needs workers – Boat drivers, Truck drivers, Boat cleaners & Boat detailing. Call 305-481-7006
OPPORTUNITY! Earn $100+ daily! No experience required!. Call our 24-hour voicemail hotline: 904-680-2909
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 ManagerFT-Marathon, CarpenterFT, 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.
Serve/Bartend on the ocean! The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a customer service-oriented Server/ Bartender. Serve on pool deck, beach and/ or bar lounge. Open year round, 9:30am7pm 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.
Full time office position with strong computer skills, KCB Condominium, $78K per yr., apply by e-mail to HardingThomasL@ aol.com, text or call 734-476-0531. HIRED IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!!!
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 HIRED IN EIGHT WEEKS!
PLACE YOUR EMPLOYMENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Pease call 305-4170871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com
WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call 305-743-4578
2BR/2BA on the water w/ dockage in Pirates Cove, Key Largo. Fenced & fully furnished. Short and long term available. From $3500/month. Credit check required. 28 day minimum. Call 305-588-6723
UNFURNISHED 2/2
HOUSE FOR RENT ON CANAL, MM27, Ramrod Key, recently refurbished and painted, w/d, utilities paid by owner, $3000/month, security negotiable, fenced yard, available now. Pete 786-649-9833 or pprm1119@aol.com
Furnished Studio Apt. for rent in Marathon. 1 person only. No smoking. No pets. $1,100/ month incl. water and electric. 305-743-9876
3BR/3BA fully furnished home for rent in Marathon. Avail July 1. $3,900/mo. 618-559-9143
2BR/1BA house for rent in Marathon. Tile & carpet floors, new appliances, gated property. No pets. Avail in July. $2700/mo incl. electric only. F/L/S Dockage available for sep. fee. 305-610-8002
2BR/1BA for rent in Key Colony Beach. 800 sq. ft., fully furnished, across from park, one block from beach. 3 month min. $3000/month + sales & TDT taxes. F/L/S 786-285-9476 fjvillegascpa@ gmail.com
Available Now, Stock Island near CVS. Traveling nurses/ Working professionals only. No pets, smokers or drugs. Gated, safe, quiet, has parking and a pool. Fully furnished room w/private bath, smart TV, washer/dryer. House and kitchen privileges always, w/ fridge and cabinet space. Monthly rent REDUCED to $1,400.00 All Included. First and Last due at move in time. Call 305-797-5600 RENTED IN THREE WEEKS!
1BR/1BA fully furnished Apt. for rent in Marathon. Ideally one person. On canal w/boat lift, W/D, Wifi. $1,950/ mo. 850-376-7137 RENTED IN THREE WEEKS!
PLACE YOUR HOUSING FOR RENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-417-0871. HOUSING FOR
RV Lot For Sale in Lake Cumberland, Kentucky. Full hookup, close to marina. $59,900 or $2,000 down & $500/month. Call Nate 317-440-4709
PLACE YOUR RV LOT FOR SALE AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-417-0871.
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
PLACE YOUR YARD SALE AD HERE. $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-417-0871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com
All things CHRISTMAS!! YARD SALE: Sun. July 13 from 9 am -12 Noon. 1901 S. Roosevelt Blvd. Las Brisa, Key West
Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Generation Department:
Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $40.15/hr - $44.97/hr
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.
The Keys Collection is seeking a Complex Sales Manager and a Sales & Events Coordinator to drive revenue and build lasting client relationships across three properties: Blue Flamingo Resort, Hilton Garden Inn and Fairfield Inn. Ideal candidates will have hospitality sales experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for delivering exceptional results.
Apply today at highgate.com/careers
Must have experience with Excel. We are willing to train the right candidate.
Send resume to admin@cbtconstruction.com Or call 305-852-3002
is accepting applications for the following position in its Engineering Department:
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.
Captain Pip’s & their sister properties are looking to hire for general of ce help.
Send resume to captpips@aol.com or come in the of ce to ll out application. 1480 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050
CAPTAIN PIP’S IS AN AWESOME PLACE TO WORK, WE TREAT OUR EMPLOYEES GREAT. COME JOIN OUR TEAM!
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 opening available. Scan the QR code to visit the careers page on our website.
FACILITIES MAINTENANCE APPRENTICE (Full-Time, Permanent) GUEST SERVICES (Part-Time, Weekend)
e 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
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.
COME JOIN THE FAMILY! Email your resume and a DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org. EOE
DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER 58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL Teaching... Learning... Caring
THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.
JOIN A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE NONPROFIT 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
Behavioral Health Counselor (Children)
Behavioral Health Therapist (Children)
KEY WEST
Case Manager (Children, Adult) (FT)
Behavioral Health Therapist (Adult, PT) Prevention Specialist Advocate
MARATHON
Prevention Specialist Care Coordinator (PT) Driver (CDL not required) (PT)
RN/Licensed Practical Nurse (FT,PT)
*Support Worker (Assisted Living) (PT)
*Behavioral Health Technicians – 3 shifts (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 - Get Involved/ Join our team/Job Opportunities/location/zip
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 eld required.
Of ce located in Marathon. Contact Marcia at 305-704-0117.
We are now hiring for the following positions:
Diesel Mechanic Truck Helpers
CDL Drivers
Applicants must apply in person to be considered.
4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon
PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS
- Advanced Practice Provider (APRN-PA-C)Surgical, Ortho, Tavernier
- Medical Assistant, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus
- Medical Assistant, Upper Keys-Gastro, $5k Bonus
- Medical Assistant, LPN, EMT or Paramedic, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus
MIAMI CANCER INSTITUTE KEY WEST
- Radiation Therapist, $12k Bonus
- Pool Advanced Practice Provider (APRN/PA-C), Medical Oncology, Per Diem
TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL
- Cook, Dietary
- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (Mammo & X Ray), Radiology, $50k Bonus
- Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
- ED Team Coordinator 1, Emergency Department
- AC Mechanic-Licensed
- Manager Imaging Services
- Pool Medical Technologist
- Pool Registered Nurse, Cardiac Rehab
- Patient Access Associate, $1k Bonus
- Patient Scheduler 2, Radiology, PT
- MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, CT Scan, $50k Bonus
- Patient Financial Associate, Patient Access, $1k Bonus
- Registered Nurse, ICU, $15k Bonus
- Registered Nurse, ICU, PT
- Registered Nurse, PACU, Per Diem
MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (CT & X Ray), Radiology, $50k Bonus
- Pool Pharmacy Tech 2
- Pool Occupational Therapist
- Registered Respiratory Therapist, PT, $12,500 Bonus
- Sr. Phlebotomist
- Security Officer, FT
- Patient Financial Associate, $1k Bonus
- ED Team Coordinator, Emergency Department
- Inventory Control Administrator, Keys/Marathon Supply Chain
- MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 2, (MRI & X Ray), Radiology, $50k Bonus
- Patient Care Nurse Supervisor, PT, Nights
- Registered Nurse, Oncology, PT
- Registered Nurse, Surgery, $15k Bonus
THEME: SUMMER VIBES ACROSS
1. Baking ingredient
5. Accounting pro
8. Depletes
12. ____ reflection
13. Painter Chagall
14. Feeling of resentment
15. Member of Germany’s NSDAP
16. ____ lily
17. Light shade of blue
18. *Summer thirst quencher
20. Same as tsar
21. Subside
22. Tierra ____ Fuego
23. Taken without consent
26. Even greener, as in fruit
30. Dot follower
31. Largest hot dessert
34. Australian palm
35. Evian, backwards
37. A in FANBOYS
38. *Like a lightning bug
39. Prima donna
40. *Midsummer’s maypole dance, e.g.
42. *William Blake’s “To Summer,” e.g.
43. Any voting citizen
45. *Sun to ice cream
47. Feeling of veneration
48. Two-door
50. *Beach bag, usually
52. *Summer rays
55. Rock bottom
56. Altar location
57. Milk ____, candy
59. Small stream
60. Turned to the right, like a horse
61. Starchy tuber
62. *It’s knee-high by the 4th of
July
63. Ctrl and Delete partner
64. Type of tide
DOWN
1. *____-kissed
2. Birthstone after sapphire
3. Nod off
4. Kind of instinct
5. Diamond weight unit
6. Bluenose
7. Climber’s destination
8. *Intensely hot
9. Greenish blue
10. Make like a cat
11. “Monkey ____, monkey do”
13. Sometime in the future
14. Indianapolis basketball player
19. With BMI over 30
22. Piece of evidence, acr.
23. Type of probe
24. *Summer hiking path
25. Nose of a missile
26. Pakistani tongue
27. Sitcom trial
28. Lyric poem
29. Less experienced
32. *Boat ____, don’t care!
33. *Uninvited picnic guest
36. *Break from summer routine
38. First in Hebrew alphabet
40. Fish eggs
41. Entertained
44. Twist plus jerk
46. City in Netherlands
48. Precious metal extraction cup
49. Early stages
50. #61 Across cousin
51. ____-Eaters
52. Literary genre
53. In the buff
54. Collection of Norse mythology
55. Oldest of the “Big Three” TV networks
58. Dip into liquid