Key West Weekly 26-0702

“The strength and power of despotism consists wholly in the fear of resistance.” — Thomas Paine

July 2, 2026

LET FREEDOM RING ROTARY HOSTS 50TH FOURTH OF JULY P. 6

SEARSTOWN TEAR-DOWN

PLAZA REDO STARTS WITH DEMOLITION | P. 4

WHO’S GOT THE POWER?

4 VIE FOR 2 UTILITY BOARD SEATS | P. 11

Celebrating America's 250th birthday and your smiles!

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

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

1776 MENU WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY $17.76, which includes a meal (Pepe’s burger,chicken breast sandwich , pulled pork sandwich or chicken Caesar salad), any cocktail, and a Key Lime Pie. FRIDAY SUNDAY: Breakfast: - Pulled Pork Burrito $19.95 - French Toast Specials $19.95 Lunch : Blackened Yellowtail Taco Dinner: - Surf and Turf ( 5oz bacon wrapped filet mignon and 7oz lobster tail and 2 sides ) $49.95 - Seafood Trio ( yellowtail, scallops, shrimp with homemade crab sauce and 2 sides ) $44.95 SHOW US YOUR MILITARY OR VETERAN ID AND RECEIVE A FREE SHOT! RESERVATIONS FOR DINNER AND LUNCH

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

KEYS

NEWSPAPERS

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

This July 4 marks 250 years of independence from British rule. On July 4, 1776, the United States separated from the British with the Second Continental Congress’ adoption of the Declaration of Independence. It came following years of protest against British policies, including the famous “No taxation without representation” unrest in Boston. The Declaration was originally crafted

by Thomas Jefferson with edits from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Congress.

This Fourth of July marks the Rotary Club of Key West’s 50th year hosting the city’s July 4 festivities and fireworks.

See what’s in store this weekend on page 6.

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

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SEARSTOWN REPLACEMENT STARTS WITH DEMOLITION Plaza to become Conch RePublix Shoppes MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

S

earstown Plaza is becoming the Conch RePublix Shoppes.

A five-year construction project to replace one of Key West’s three original strip malls began in a visible way this week with the demolition of the long-vacant Sears.

The department store for decades anchored the Searstown plaza, which was built in 1965 on North Roosevelt Boulevard.

A construction fence now surrounds the Sears end of the plaza, which includes the former department store and a separate, stand-alone building that was Sears Auto Center.

Demolition crews by June 30 had cratered a giant hole in the front of the Sears building.

In January 2022, Publix, which has anchored the other end for more than 40 years, bought the whole plaza that also includes Royal Furniture, TJ Maxx, Outback Steakhouse, Imagination Station toy store, medical offices and the local driver license office, operated by the Monroe County Tax Collector.

The Key West City Commission in April 2025 approved a major development plan to rebuild the shopping center in a multiyear, phased approach, but did not require the developer to include any workforce housing above the plaza, which city officials have discussed for more than 20 years.

According to the development plan, the project will start with the demolition and replacement of the old Sears space. Publix will move into that new space in a temporary facility while a new supermarket is built at the opposite end to replace the existing one.

Publix will then move back into its original location. Work to replace the other spaces will begin in sections.

The project will be completed in four phases to minimize interruptions for tenant businesses as much as pos-

Demolition begins at the long-vacant Sears as part of a multiyear replacement of the Searstown Plaza, which will be renamed Conch RePublix Shoppes. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

Architectural renderings show the look of the new Conch RePublix Shoppes, which will replace the current Searstown Plaza. CONTRIBUTED

sible, Key West attorney Bart Smith, who represents the developers, told the commission in April 2025.

The first of the four phases is expected to be completed and open by fall 2028, with the final phase expected to be finished by 2031, Smith said.

The commission approved the project n a 6-1 vote with commissioner Sam Kaufman casting the long dissenting vote due to the omission of any workforce housing from the development plans.

Kaufman at that meeting reminded his fellow commissioners that officials have for decades discussed the possibility of building workforce

housing apartments above Searstown Plaza, Overseas Market and Key Plaza.

“The city even approved a density increase of 40 units per acre to incentivize shopping centers to add housing,” Kaufman said last year, calling the plan a “missed opportunity.”

“How many times are we going to drop the ball and not require developers to provide affordable housing?”

Then-commissioner Mary Lou Hoover agreed, saying, “We have indeed dropped the ball,” before voting in favor of the new Conch RePublix Shoppes. Hoover died in November 2025.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

14 WEEKS UNTIL FANTASY FEST

KEY WEST ROTARY TH HOSTS ITS 50 FOURTH OF JULY

Club adds new event at Casa Marina & honors tradition at the beach

‘Musical Icons & Iconic Musicals’ theme offers endless costume options

The Rotary Club of Key West has been hosting the Key West Fourth of July fireworks since the nation’s bicentennial in 1976. The tradition continues this year with a beach picnic and an additional fireworks viewing party at the Casa Marina. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

MANDY MILES Fantasy Fest 2026 runs Oct. 16-26 with the theme ‘Musical Icons & Iconic Musicals.’ The photo shows the Fantasy Fest parade in 2019, when the theme was ‘In Tune But ... Off Key.’ CAROL TEDESCO/Contributed

S

tart scrolling through your Spotify and review your Broadway favorites. Fantasy Fest 2026 is only 14 weeks away and there are decisions to be made.

“Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals,” is this year’s theme for Key West’s annual, 10-day costume extravaganza.

From Oct. 16-25, tens of thousands of attendees will celebrate music, musicians and musicals in style — from “Hamilton” to ’80s hair bands.

Revelers will see — and be — the spectacle, with celebrations including the worldfamous Fantasy Fest parade; the Captain Morgan Masquerade March (aka “Locals Pa-

rade”) and Paparazzi Row; the Bahamian Goombay Festival; Royal Coronation of the 2026 Fantasy Fest King, Queen and court; the towering Headdress Ball; the family-friendly Pet Masquerade; a mile-long Duval Street fair; plus concerts, pool parties, theater productions and more.

The costume options are endless. Fantasy Fest offers 10 days to celebrate all your favorites. And there are 14 weeks to decide and design the best tributes to “Musical Icons & Iconic Musicals.”

More information is at fantasyfest.com.

— Contributed

mandy@keysweekly.com

F

or the Rotary Club of Key West, this Fourth of July is kind of a big deal — and not just because it marks America’s 250th birthday, although that’s a big deal as well.

“This is Rotary’s 50th year hosting the Key West fireworks, in addition to America’s 250th, so we wanted to make the celebration exceptional, ” said Sam Steele, the newly installed Rotary president and county tax collector. “I told our fireworks vendor I wanted the biggest fireworks package he’s got. As Uncle Sam, I’d be doing Key West a disservice if we didn’t go all out this year. ” As such, the club has added an event to its traditional patriotic party and picnic down by Higgs Beach and Indigenous Park that leads into the fireworks show at 9 p.m.

This year, the club is also offering a beachfront fireworks viewing party at the Casa Marina starting on Saturday, July 4 at 5 p.m.

Tickets are $20 per person with kids under 10 admitted free.

Attendees are encouraged to bring beach chairs and blankets — but no coolers or outside food and drinks.

Enter through the side entrance on Seminole Street. Tickets are available at the door.

“We’ll have live entertainment, a cash bar and a beach barbecue,” Steele said. “But we’re not taking anything away from our traditional activities, which will be bigger and better than ever.”

The Higgs Beach festivities start at noon and last until the grand fireworks finale around 10 p.m.

Two bounce houses will be set up on the beach for the kids, along with games, two giant tents for shade and live entertainment, Steele said, adding that Imagination Station toy store has donated 250 of the “Dumplings” that are trending in the kids’ world these days.

“The Rotary club has been proudly hosting the Key West fireworks since the Bicentennial in 1976,” Steele said. “And we’re grateful to have partnered with the City of Key West and this year with the Casa Marina. Also, big thanks to Key West International Airport for being our biggest sponsor and helping to make this celebration spectacular,” Steele said.

Admission is free for the beach festivities, but food and drinks, including hot dogs and hamburgers, will be for sale, along with Rotary 250th T-shirts and drink koozies.

More information is at facebook.com/keywestrotary.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

As we celebrate our nation's freedom, let us remember the brave men and women who made it possible and the values that continue to unite us.

Have a safe and joyful 4th of July!

As a lifelong Key West native, I have spent more than 30 years serving our community.

As your Mayor, I took on City Hall reform, increased transparency, and delivered results.

Under my leadership, Key West opened a homeless shelter, built a community center, and helped move 126 affordable housing units from planning into reality.

I am committed to keeping Key West affordable, accountable, and moving forward for the working families, residents, and local businesses that make our city special.

Let's continue working together to keep Key West strong, welcoming, and moving forward for future generations.

Community is built one conversation, one handshake, and one act of kindness at a time.

If you’d like to support our campaign and help us continue the work ahead, you can donate at https://tinyurl.com/ DeeDeeDonate or scan the QR code

Proudly endorsed by: * Previous Mayor Craig Cates * Previous Mayor Dennis Wardlow * Professional Firefighters of Monroe County local #3909 * South Florida Police Benevolent Association * Key West Firefighters Local #1424 * International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union #1990 * Teamsters Local Union #769

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

IS THE BEACH NEAR THE OCEAN?

KEY WEST BACK IN THE DAY

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fter arriving in Key West in the late 1970s, and falling passionately in love with the island, I supported myself by taking a series of part-time waitressing and bartending jobs. Both were common occupations back then, when most of us worked only enough to cover the necessities — and spent the rest of our time enjoying our hippie-style, water’s-edge life.

I tended bar at Scallywags, an aptly named dive bar where scruffy bearded shrimpers and other “scallywags” drank beer and staged random fistfights, but protected me like a little sister. I waitressed at the Top of the La Concha, on the seventh CAROL SHAUGHNESSY floor of the then-closed La Concha hotel, where the sunset has lived in Key views were unparalleled and West for 40-plus customers ranged from local years, witnessing attorneys and pot smugglers to and writing about the island’s tourists trying to look like they renegade past, belonged. shipwreck salvage Later, I was a cocktail waitadventures and ress at Louie’s Backyard, the colorful presentoceanfront hotspot where elite day characters. fishing guides, Jimmy Buffett and his cohorts, and famous literary renegades spent lazy evenings telling tales over cocktails — seemingly oblivious to the visitors who were shamelessly eavesdropping.

Waiting on local friends was always enjoyable, as was glimpsing my beloved island through tourists’ eyes — and knowing that each shift would bring an ever-changing influx of people and viewpoints.

But there were two things I liked above all else.

One, admittedly, was a bit weird: saying goodbye to visitors. Watching them depart for homes in the “real world,” defined as any mundane locale that didn’t have Key West’s offbeat adventurous spirit, I always felt sorry for them … while glorying in the fact that I didn’t EVER have to leave.

The other is the crazy questions they asked.

Of course many guests were savvy, interesting people who knew something about Key West before their arrival. But a few had either left their common sense at home or enjoyed enough tropi-

1 2

1. As this vintage photograph illustrates, Key West’s beaches have always been near the ocean. JEFF BROADHEAD COLLECTION/Florida Keys History Center. 2. Much to some visitors’ surprise, Key West’s famed sunset only takes place once every 24 hours. CAROL SHAUGHNESSY/Contributed

cal cocktails to make them a little hazy on geography and the laws of nature.

For example, a redhead with huge diamond earrings once asked me, in all seriousness, “How many times a day does the sun set down here?”

Even then, Key West was known around the world for its incredible Technicolor sunsets. People savored the spectacle from waterfront bars and restaurants, or the nightly sunset celebration at Mallory Square, where they flocked to see artisans and street performers. So I gently informed her that, no matter how terrific it was, sunset only took place once every 24 hours.

Another unforgettable visitor, a rabid fan of the Miami Dolphins, apparently hoped to interact with his favorite players during his vacation.

“When I go to one of those ‘Swim with the Dolphins’ places, is that the football team or the Flipper-like dolphins?” he asked after a couple of rum drinks.

That wasn’t the weirdest question I heard from a sports fan. For decades, Key West has

hosted powerboat world championship races.

Each year, racers navigated a high-speed course that took them past a Navy-owned pier and several harbor-front hotels — so close that spectators could practically feel the salt spray as the boats thundered by.

For one memorable man at the Top, however, my description of the course just wasn’t detailed enough.

“That’s great,” he said enthusiastically. “So you mean the offshore powerboats race in the water?”

Ummmm … yeah. In the water.

My favorite question of all time, however, was a staggeringly simple one. It came from a brand-new arrival in a bikini and coverup, who was rubbing sunscreen on her arms as she ordered a tall rum and Coke.

“Tell me,” she asked breathlessly, “is the beach near the ocean?”

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

WHAT IS THE KEY WEST UTILITY BOARD? Four vie for two seats overseeing Keys Energy Services MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

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he Key West Utility Board oversees operations of Keys Energy Services, the power company that provides electricity to about 30,000 customers from Key West to the Seven Mile Bridge.

The five-member utility board meets monthly with little fanfare and no controversy. A review of its past year of meeting agendas and minutes shows the board, which meets for about 30 minutes on the second Wednesday of each month for regular meetings, has been unanimous in its approval of every item proposed by the power company it oversees. Workshop meetings every few months tend to last one to three hours, according to board minutes.

Utility board members earn about $24,520 with the board chair getting $28,000.

Each board member also receives full health insurance coverage while serving on the board, Keys Energy spokesman Julio Torrado told the Keys Weekly last year.

Four candidates are vying for two of the five seats on the board — Seat A and Seat D. All four candidates spoke at a June 12 Meet the Candidates event held by the nonprofit and nonpartisan voter education group, Hometown. Here are some of the comments from each candidate.

KEY WEST UTILITY BOARD SEAT A Jim Marquardt Jim Marquardt, general manager of the Gardens Hotel on Angela Street, has touted the reliability and service of Keys Energy Services, and has called for its meetings to be broadcast online to encourage more public participation in the board’s operations and decisions.

“We deserve reliable and affordable utilities, which affect every family and every business in our communities,” Marquardt said at the June 12 Hometown event. “People deserve leadership that listens, plans ahead and spends taxpayers’ and ratepayers’ money responsibly.

“I believe we need practical solutions such as maintaining infrastructure before problems become emergencies, keeping rates as fair as possible, and making deci-

sions openly so the public understands where their money is going.

“I’m committed to accountability, common sense and treating every resident with respect. This campaign is about service, not promises that can’t be delivered. We do need fresh eyes and leadership in seat A. If elected I’ll work hard, ask tough questions and always put the community first.”

For more information visit jimmarquardtforutilityboard.com/.

Mona Clark Mona Clark is a retired educator who has served on the utility board since 2004.

“For over two decades, I have had the privilege and honor of serving you on the utility board,” Clark said at the June 12 event. “When it comes to decision making for our customers and the community, the community and the customers come first. Through our planning, we work on safety diligently, protecting our unique environment, the integrity, quality relationships and optimization of using technology, and other ideas to improve our service at the lowest reasonable rates.

“We make it better for our customers by offering them rebates to help them save energy and save money. We also have started a pilot program to enroll in called a time-ofuse program where representatives in our customer service department will help those customers with ideas that can help them to save money.

“I stay engaged in state and national municipal electric associations to keep up with the trends and changes that take place in the industry. l’m running for reelection to the utility board Seat A to ensure Keys Energy’s future is built on experienced leadership committed to this community.”

KEY WEST UTILITY BOARD SEAT D Javier Garrido Javier Garrido is a real estate agent and vacation rental manager. At the Hometown event, he told the audience he’s a charter member and past president of the Sunset Rotary Club.

“I’ve also raised about $100,000 for local

scholarships through the Key West Gator Club, sending kids to University of Florida.

“There’s a lot we can do up here but at the end of the day, we just want to keep the lights on. I manage a $5 million budget for my company. The utility board is really about keeping things affordable and reliable. I think what they have been doing for years is great. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it, but we can always make it better.

“I’d like to see some green energy discussed, maybe a little more solar, some renewable energies with tides and whatnot.”

For more information, find “Javier Garrido for Utility Board Member Group D” on Facebook.

Tim Urbanski Tim Urbanski is a 12-year resident of Big Pine Key, a Vietnam veteran and electrical contractor.

“Keys Energy is a great company. It’s run fantastically, but it needs a utility board to assure the public that it is performing its function in an efficient and skilled manner. … We’ve got a unique area we live in and you have to consider the crazy things that happen here with electricity. Power comes all the way down from the mainland through the tie line — 38,000 volts on those triple lines — over saltwater.

“Keys Energy has maintenance issues.

They have operational issues and they’re a good company. They stay on top of them.

But these are things that the utility board does. Remember when it got cold a couple months ago? Everybody saw the notice to cut back your power. Why? … The mainland didn’t have enough power to supply us. We had to light the generators at the Key West plant to stay active. Keys Energy can do that.

But they’re looking at margins. They’re looking at ways to improve things … to reduce the load on the grid. We have a lot of old infrastructure.”

Running out of time, Urbanski asked the audience to learn more about him at timforutilityboard.com.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

FLORIDA KEYS GET $60 MILLION IN BUDGET SIGNED BY DESANTIS Funds slashed for college project, transitional housing for older youth JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

A

state budget signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 29 will send tens of millions of dollars to the Florida Keys.

But not all local projects received state funding.

In total, DeSantis vetoed $1.7 billion from a budget the state Legislature approved during a special session in May. With the governor’s cuts, the total spending for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which begins July 1, will be $117.6 billion.

Among the items vetoed were $3.5 million to update the College of the Florida Keys’ air conditioning system. The college, in its request to the state for funding, said the current infrastructure is “increasingly unable to meet the growing demand for cooling services.” The Legislature included the funding in its approved budget.

The veto didn’t necessarily single out CFK, as roughly 30 other collegerelated projects for about $20 million were axed by the governor.

CFK did receive $11.6 million in operating funds for its baccalaureate programs.

DeSantis also slashed $500,000 for the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter to establish a new transitional living program in the Upper Keys. The shelter originally asked for $1 million but legislators approved $500,000, which DeSantis vetoed. The project would have expanded housing and support services for older youths’ (ages 18-22) transition to independence.

“Right now, they don’t have anywhere to go,” said Ben Kemmer, children’s shelter CEO. “It’s pretty disappointing, but we’re going to make it happen within the next year or two.

It was the No. 1 goal in our four-year strategic plan, so our board is all in on making it happen.”

Kemmer said the organization plans to work with individuals and foundations in the community to get the project off the ground, but they’ll also look to apply for state funding next year.

Vetoes by the governor can be overturned by two-thirds vote of the Florida House and Senate.

Before signing a budget on June 29, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $1.7 billion in spending. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE/Contributed

Despite these cuts, Florida Keys municipalities and organizations came away with roughly $60 million in funding from the state.

“I think in the big picture we did really well,” state Rep. Jim Mooney told Keys Weekly following the governor’s budget signing. “I’m always disappointed when stuff gets axed, especially for organizations like the children’s shelter. We’re working with the Department of Health on how to get that request postured for next year.”

“I always said appropriations are not what you run your organization on, as it’s truly icing on the cake,” Mooney continued. “If you get it, good. If you don’t, you should still be able to operate.”

A program supporting water quality projects in the Keys received $20 million. Known as the Florida Keys Stewardship Act, it allows local municipalities to use state dollars to restore and clean murky canals or improve stormwater infrastructure. Funds can also be used for land acquisition.

An affordable housing project in Key West received $5 million. That will allow for the construction of 150 units of housing on land owned by the Monroe County School Board.

Employees of the school district would get first priority, followed by local and state government employees and essential service personnel in the county. The district also received $1.75 million for the renovation of Bruce Hall, where staff will relocate from the current administrative building at 241 Trumbo Road, and the historic Reynolds School, the future site for adult education and district maintenance.

A total of $10 million in state funds is going toward the Florida Keys Aqueduct’s Crawl Key reverse osmosis plant. The new facility aims to enhance emergency water supply capacity by 4 million gallons, ensuring a continuous and reliable water service to citizens

during times of crisis. The project will also address the need for additional water supply due to population growth and provide an additional backup water source to curb reliance on the Biscayne aquifer.

Marathon will get $2.5 million for a deep injection well project, which consolidates effluent from five wastewater treatment plants. Key West received $3 million for a Stock Island landfill remediation feasibility study and $2.5 million for stormwater enhancements, wastewater improvements and phase one of a Mallory Square area pump station and resilience project.

Islamorada collectively received $1,375,000 for expansion of the village’s rideshare program, a schools to neighborhood pedestrian project, a breakwater project at Sea Oats Beach and improvements to the North Plantation Key pump station. Key Colony Beach got $475,000 for beach water reclamation facility improvements.

A total of $750,000 was secured for local Habitat for Humanity affordable housing projects. And Keys AHEC, now known as Keys Kids Health Centers, received $500,000 to support its children’s medical and dental program.

Funds were also secured for Pigeon Key — $600,000 for a hurricane restoration and protection project —, and $50,000 for a Harry S. Truman Little White House restoration project.

‘While no budget is perfect, I believe this one strikes a responsible balance between meeting today’s needs and protecting Florida’s long-term financial health.’

— State Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez State Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez said she was pleased to see Florida Keys projects funded. She said the state’s investments in the island chain will strengthen critical infrastructure, support the local economy, enhance public safety and improve residents’ quality of life.

“While no budget is perfect, I believe this one strikes a responsible balance between meeting today’s needs and protecting Florida’s longterm financial health,” she said.

CITY PROJECTS SURVIVE GOVERNOR’S VETO PEN

Key West’s state funding requests are included in state’s final budget

T

he City of Key West learned from its state lobbyists that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the fiscal year 2026-2027 state budget on June 29, and based on review, all its projects submitted during this legislative cycle survived the veto process and remained in the final budget.

The approved appropriations of state funding include: • Stock Island landfill remediation feasibility study — $3 million.

• Duval Street pump station design — $1 million.

• Wastewater treatment facility project — $750,000.

• College Road outfalls project — $750,000.

“This is an exceptional outcome,” city manager Brian L. Barroso said. “Notably, both the Wastewater treatment facility and College Road outfalls projects were originally submitted as $500,000 requests and ultimately received $750,000 each in the final budget. The funding for the Duval Street pump station design represents another important investment in strengthening our stormwater infrastructure, while the Stock Island landfill remediation feasibility study marks the critical first step in evaluating the long-term future of the landfill.”

Barroso noted that between $2 million and $4 million in requested funding is pending.

“These appropriations do not include any potential funding through the Florida Keys Stewardship Act,” he noted, “which staff continues to coordinate with Monroe County and our legislative partners.”

— Contributed

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

DEALING WITH THE WEEDS County offers guidance on sargassum overload

GRAND JURY INDICTS CUDJOE KEY MAN FOR FIRST-DEGREE MURDER Bradly Shadduck to be charged for killing his wife, Lynne Shadduck

In Key West, the seawall along South Roosevelt Boulevard tells the story of this year’s sargassum inundation. SHELLY KREUGER/Contributed

M

onroe County is coordinating with state regulating agencies and local partners to publish guidance on the widespread influx of sargassum grass affecting oceanside shorelines and canals throughout the Florida Keys.

Sargassum grass is a naturally occurring seaweed found in the ocean that is essential to protecting habitat for a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, crabs, shrimp and other juvenile sea creatures. Influxes that wash ashore or into canals can become a nuisance, and as the sargassum decays, it produces a hydrogen sulfide gas.

This year, the influx of sargassum grass is causing periodic inconveniences in some areas and contributing to fish kills.

The county has been coordinating with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which provided staff with an update on current conditions and regulatory guidance. According to DEP, this year’s sargassum bloom is widespread and extends throughout the Keys along the ocean side of the island chain and is expected to continue throughout the summer.

Sargassum grass is protected offshore and regulations govern its removal. Clearing sargassum from canals may provide temporary relief, but it is not a long-term solution. Additional blooms are anticipated, and removed material will likely be replaced by future influxes. While removal is not suggested, residents should be aware of the state regulations governing sar-

gassum removal. These are at myfwc. com/research/about/ear/sargassum/.

Health considerations The Florida Department of Health advises that decomposing sargassum can produce hydrogen sulfide gas, which has a strong odor similar to that of rotten eggs. While the gas is generally diluted outdoors, it may irritate the eyes, nose and throat and can affect individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions more severely. Residents experiencing irritation are encouraged to limit exposure, avoid direct contact with decomposing seaweed, and seek medical advice if symptoms persist.

Monroe County Parks and Beaches crews are continuing onshore sargassum cleanup efforts at Harry Harris Park and other county-owned beaches using county equipment, including clamshell trucks.

Report fish kills and environmental concerns Decomposing seaweed in canals can remove oxygen from the area, causing fish kills. Residents who observe fish kills can report them through the following state hotlines: • FWC fish kill hotline: 1-800-6360511 • DEP fish kill or fish disease reporting (Southeast Florida Action Network): 866-770-7335 Monroe County, DEP and partner agencies will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as needed.

— Contributed

A

Monroe County grand jury has indicted a Cudjoe Key man, Bradly Shawn Shadduck, 56, for the first-degree murder of his wife, Lynne Shadduck, on May 28.

Shadduck was arrested the night of the murder, and faced a second-degree murder charge until the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office completed its investigation.

“The indictment supersedes the previously filed second-degree murder charge,” states a press release from the Monroe County State Attorney’s Office. Shadduck remains in jail on Stock Island, and is being held without bond.

The indictment states that Shadduck beat his wife to death at their Cudjoe Key home the night of May 28. The sheriff’s office was called to the scene when Bradly Shadduck showed up at his neighbor’s house, wrapped in a blanket, but naked underneath. He allegedly told

Bradly Shadduck

the neighbor to call 911, because there was “blood everywhere.”

Lynne Shadduck was found unconscious with injuries to her head, face, neck and hands. She was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

“An indictment is a formal charging document returned by a grand jury upon a finding of probable cause,” the state attorney’s office stated. “The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”

Major Crimes Assistant State Attorney Colleen M. Dunne will prosecute the case.

— Contributed

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

BRIEFLY Address numbers must be visible from the street by Aug. 1 City officials are reminding residents and businesses that all properties must display the address numbers so they can be seen from the street. Any property owner not in compliance has a month to properly display their address numbers. As of Aug. 1 code enforcement will begin enforcement actions for properties in violation.

Wildlife officials demonstrate how to wrangle a Burmese python during a recent media day in the Everglades. FWC/Contributed

STATE CONTEST SEEKS TO RID EVERGLADES OF PYTHONS

T

here’s a contest in Florida with prizes for those who remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Ever-

glades.

Dubbed the Florida Python Challenge, registered participants will be able to collect the nonnative species beginning Friday, July 10 at 12:01 a.m. through Sunday, July 19 at 5 p.m. The contest — with a $10,000 grand prize — is hosted by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District. A highlight of this year’s event is the return of Everglades National Park as a partner and one of eight official Florida Python Challenge competition locations.

Registration recently opened for this year’s 10-day event and will remain open until the last day of the competition on July 19. Visit flpythonchallenge.org to register and take the required online training, as well as get access to educational information on Burmese pythons and the unique Everglades ecosystem, optional training opportunities, and resources for planning travel to South Florida for the event.

Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and harm native

wildlife. This invasive species is found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem in South Florida where they prey on birds, mammals and other reptiles. A female Burmese python may lay 50 to over 100 eggs at a time.

“We look forward to the challenge each year as a way to raise awareness about nonnative fish and wildlife, while also encouraging the public to get involved in Everglades conservation by removing invasive Burmese pythons,” said Roger Young, FWC executive director.

Last year, participants removed a competition record of 294 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades, resulting in a total of 1,406 of the nonnative constrictors being removed cumulatively during all competitions so far. In 2025, 934 people from 30 states and Canada registered for the 10-day competition.

In addition to python removal opportunities on 32 FWC-managed lands which are available year-round, Burmese pythons may be humanely killed on private land at any time with landowner permission and no permit or hunting license required.

— Keys Weekly staff report

Firefighters complete search-and-rescue training Twenty-four members of the Key West Fire Department recently completed a structural collapse operations course, a critical component of the urban search and rescue curriculum.

The course provided information and hands-on training required to respond effectively to an incident involving a collapsed building.

Training was conducted at the former diesel plant near Truman Waterfront and the Toppino industrial property on Rockland Key. Lt. Michael Anderson thanked Charley Toppino & Sons Inc., saying, “Their support and partnership made it possible to provide our personnel with realistic, hands-on instruction that will directly enhance our ability to protect the citizens and visitors of the Florida Keys.”

MLK Community Pool open daily, but not July 3 The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Pool, 300 Catherine St., is open seven days a week for the summertime, but will be closed Friday, July 3 for the federal holiday.

The pool is open weekdays for lap swimming from 9 to 11:45 a.m, and for open swimming from 1 to 5:45 p.m. There is no lap swimming on weekends.

Keys need foster parents; classes begin Aug. 25 Every child deserves a safe, loving and supportive home. Foster parents make that possible by opening their hearts and homes to children in need — including sibling groups who need to stay together.

Wesley House Family Services is offering foster parent licensing classes beginning August 25th. If you can offer love, stability and support to a child or sibling group, you can be a foster parent.

To take the first step, call Amy Eichen at 305-809-5020 for more information about becoming a foster parent.

Women’s group offers scholarships; apply by July 15 The Key West Chapter of the National Organization for Women is accepting applications for the Connie Gilbert Scholarships. A total of $10,000 will be awarded — three $2,000 scholarships and four $1,000 scholarships — to Florida Keys applicants who identify as female, wish to continue their higher education career entering at least their second year of college, earn a certification or procure a professional license.

The application deadline is July 15 and scholarships will be awarded by Aug. 1. Email kwnowinfo@gmail.com for an application.

The late writer Connie Gilbert was an organizer of the Key West chapter and is remembered for her commitment to social justice, equality and patronage of the arts.

20

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

Join The Studios of Key West for our Fourth of July Rooftop Party SATURDAY, 7-10PM

Key West & Cuba’s Museum Quality Regional Art Celebrating Cultural Resilience

James P. Kerr

On the Hook, 36 x 36”, Oil on linen

Celebrate Independence Day from one of the most vibrant rooftops in Key West.

A live DJ will keep the party going with an upbeat mix of dance favorites and summertime classics while guests enjoy drinks, sunset views, and festive rooftop vibes. Catch a semi-obstructed view of the Key West fireworks display from above the island streets. $25 tickets. Live DJ. Cash bar.

Contemporary art center, steps off Duval Street.

James P. Kerr’s oils are instantly recognizable for their vibrant color, confident brushwork, and luminous sense of place. Whether capturing the tropical light of Key West, the cool clarity of New England, or the moody glow of New Orleans, Kerr distills each scene into expressive, energetic strokes that feel alive.

Alongside his landscapes, Kerr’s figurative work and portraits reveal his gift for character and gesture — fishermen, market vendors, musicians, and beach bathers rendered with warmth and immediacy.

With decades of exhibitions and placement in major private and corporate collections, Kerr remains one of the most collected contemporary American painters. Gallery on Greene has represented him since 1996.

Always free to visit! Open Tue-Sat, 10am-4pm Works Available on Approval & Concierge Services from Key West to Key Largo 533 EATON STREET, KEY WEST | 305-296-0458 | TSKW.ORG

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

21

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

FLORIDA KEYS COMMUNITY COLLECTS FOR VENEZUELA FOLLOWING EARTHQUAKE JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

F

lorida Keys community members are mobilizing to help the people of Venezuela affected by a pair of powerful earthquakes last week.

Intense searches continue following the 7.2-magnitude and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes on June 24. Buildings collapsed in the capital of Caracas and coastal communities in La Guaira, trapping many people. Death toll reports have grown to 1,700. Some 50,000 people are still missing.

Key Largo Sunset Rotarian Manuela Mobley, whose family lives near the capital, said rescuers are still searching for her cousin and four other people who were in a grocery store in La Guaira during the time of the earthquakes.

“It’s been six days at this point,” she said.

Mobley said the rest of her family is safe and doing OK, although aftershocks are keeping them on edge.

Search-and-rescue teams operating under the U.S. Department of State, including Florida Task Force One and Miami-Dade’s Urban Search & Rescue, descended on the region to help comb through disaster-affected buildings to save the trapped. More than 32 countries are involved in response and relief efforts.

Locally, Mobley has led an effort to establish a collection in the Keys to support the people in Venezuela. She was able to establish a connection with the Caracas Rotary Club District 4370 in order to get food, baby items and other necessities into the hands of those who need them the most.

“My mom helped me to connect with Rotary because her boss is a Rotarian,” she said.

“I wanted to reach out because I obviously wanted to help. But I knew shipping anything there would be expensive. That’s when I found out the shipping company Tealca was sending a container of items there.”

The collection effort has spanned from the Upper to Lower Keys with help from local Rotary clubs. Supplies and financial contributions have been pouring in from generous local residents, including visitors who learned about the efforts through a social media post.

“We’re going to keep on going with the goal to fill the shipping container by July 6.

From there, it will leave Miami to Caracas, where the Rotary club there will collect the boxes and distribute the items to those in need,” Mobley said.

Florida Task Force One teams conduct search-and-rescue operations in Playa Grande, La Guaira, Venezuela, following the devastating earthquakes that hit the region. FLORIDA TASK FORCE ONE/Contributed

In the Upper Keys, people can drop off supplies at the Room Nail Bar at 99348 Overseas Highway, Key Largo; 91865 Overseas Highway, Tavernier; 85960 Overseas Highway, Islamorada; and the Upper Keys Weekly office, 89240 Overseas Highway, Suite 2.

Those who wish to support Venezuela financially can donate money to the Key Largo Sunset Club Foundation by scanning the QR code here, as treasurer Brooke Vega keeps track of the donations. For more information, call Manuela Mobley at 305-967-9222.

A similar collection effort is underway in the Middle and Lower Keys with help from the Marathon Rotary Club. People can drop off items at Coldwell Banker Schmitt, 11050 Overseas Highway; Million Air, 8800 Overseas Highway; and the Marathon Chamber of Commerce, 12222 Overseas Highway. All donations must be dropped off or arranged for pickup by Thursday, July 9. Supplies will be transported via plane on July 10. For more information, call Jesus Parra at 786-282-9281.

Manuela Mobley with donors who provided items for the collection effort. KEYS WEEKLY PHOTO

Manuela Mobley sorts items collected to help the people of Venezuela. KEYS WEEKLY PHOTO

DONATIONS ITEMS REQUESTED • Baby diapers (all sizes) • Adult diapers • Baby formula (sealed) • Non-perishable food (canned goods, protein bars, peanut butter) • Manual can openers • Bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes • Over-the-counter pain relievers • Toilet paper • Wet wipes • Feminine hygiene products • Flashlights (preferably LED) • Batteries (AA, AAA, D) • Blankets • Sleeping bags • Work gloves • Heavy-duty trash bags • Dust masks (N95 if available)

22

KEY WEST CELEBRATES AMERICA’S 250TH PATRIOTIC PARTY INCLUDES PARADE, MUSIC & FOOD MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

K

ey West celebrated the nation’s 250th anniversary with a parade, party and performances of patriotic songs at Truman Waterfront Park on June 27.

Local military servicemembers marched with their children, candidates waved and community organizations honored the local military and history of the United States and Key West.

Key West celebrates the nation’s 250th with a patriotic parade and party on June 27.

LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

23

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026 A juvenile sooty tern resting at the Dry Tortugas. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

Y

ou think you know a place, and then you don’t visit for eight or nine years, and things start to feel a little foreign.

I’m talking about the Dry Tortugas.

I’ve probably been there 30 or 40 times. Back in the day MARK I used to guide birdwatchers HEDDEN out there on multiday trips.

And I used to help with the ... is a photographer, writer, and Christmas Bird Count when semi-professional they had one. And I’ve made a birdwatcher. He lot of day trips. But I couldn’t has lived in Key tell you exactly the last time I West for more than 25 years and had made the trip. may no longer It’s not totally my fault. In be employable in olden times you could buy a the real world. He ferry ticket the day before and is also executive head out there. You could be director of the practically spontaneous. But in Florida Keys Audubon Society. recent years, you have to get your tickets months in advance, especially for the peak songbird migration time in late April and early May. Planning that far ahead is not one of my core strengths.

So when someone offered me a last-minute ticket recently, I did not hesitate.

Seeing the fort materialize as a faint visage on the horizon, then solidify as we got closer warmed my heart a bit, though the day was pretty hot already. The first birds of the trip, if you don’t count the magnificent frigatebirds we’d been seeing periodically on the way out, were the masked boobies, distant pale dots flying over East Key, the first of the sandy islands north of Fort Jefferson.

The first birds we had good looks at were the sooty terns, dozens and dozens of them, twotoned denizens of the open ocean, their markings sharply demarcated, black on top, white below.

They flew bouncy little flight lines, mostly over the foredeck of the ferry, but occasionally skirting the bow just above the water. Mixed in, about every 15th or 20th bird, were brown noddies, generally the same size and shape, but a more uniform chocolate brown with a white crown on their round head.

The Dry Tortugas are the only place in North America where sooty terns and brown noddies have significant breeding colonies. It’s also the only place in North America where masked boobies and magnificent frigatebirds breed. There are probably 100 masked boobies, 4,500 brown noddies, and 100,000 sooty terns.

The magnificent frigatebird colony there had never been huge – maybe 100 breeding pairs and a lot of non-breeders – but I’d heard from multiple people that Hurricane Irma, and the storms that followed, did a lot of damage to the small cluster of buttonwoods and other foliage that they relied on for nesting. But I didn’t realize the extent of it until we approached and all that was left were a handful of limbless, leafless trunks, though a small number of frigatebirds were still making use of them.

I looked for brown boobies on the channel markers, but only saw more brown noddies and a lone osprey, who was shredding bits of flesh off

GETTING REACQUAINTED IN THE TORTUGAS

the fish he held in his talons, throwing his head back to gulp them down.

As we pulled up to the dock we could see a small group of men and boys posing with a 6-foot hammerhead shark they’d caught and pulled up onto the sargassum where they were taking photos. By the time the boat had tied up they’d dragged it back into the water and we watched as it swam slowly away below the shimmering surface of the water.

I had been out there in early June a few times, and one of the things I remember was seeing all the young sooty terns – more grayish than black, with rows of white polka dots across their wings and backs – clustered together on the shoreline, or under a sea lavender bush, as if they were in daycare. But this was late June and the difference was the young birds could fly. They didn’t seem to be heading out over the water much, but they were zipping around over Garden Key on their newly functional wings.

One of the old-school names for sooty terns was the wide-awake bird, because their call sounds kinda sorta like someone with a speech impediment and vocal chord damage yelling “wide awake” over and over again.

As I set foot on land, I looked up to see a juvenile sooty tern flying around with an adult.

The adult made the wide-awake call, and a second later the juvenile made the same call, but at a much higher pitch. I watched until they disappeared into a small kettle of frigatebirds and other sooties.

Garden Key, the island where the three-story brick fort is, and Bush Key, the island where the sooties and noddies breed, have had a tumultuous relationship, the space between them slowly silting in, then getting blown out by a hurricane every decade or two. But the connection between them has been filling in for close to 20 years in this latest part of the cycle, and it is broader than I have ever seen.

Both the sooty and noddy colonies have spilled over onto Garden Key, and the park staff

have had to rope off parts of the island where you used to be able to walk. Not that the birds were paying the rope any mind. There were a dozen juveniles huddled together under the nearest picnic table. And a nearby boat trailer was loaded with 40 or 50 adults sitting on it, and another 30 juveniles underneath.

Many of the birds that weren’t in the shade were standing with their bills open (birds, like dogs, dissipate heat through their open mouths) and their wings slightly drooped (a way to allow more airflow over the body) to try and stay cool.

When the sooty terns are present – from February through August in recent years – there tends to be a corona of avian chaos over Bush Key, hundreds if not thousands of birds all on their own missions. It was hard to make out the demographics of all that. But the kettle that had been swirling over Garden Key had grown in the last 10 or 15 minutes, growing from about 40 birds to about 200. In it were five or 10 frigatebirds, with the rest being a seemingly even mix of juvenile and adult sooties.

Sooty terns are precocial and can walk the day they hatch. It takes eight to 10 weeks until they are ready to fly. Once they can, they will start out over land, then make longer and longer forays out over the water. After about 18 days they will set out and not come back, spending the next three or four years in the air, not setting down on the land again until they are adults and ready, or at least near ready, to breed themselves.

The oldest sooty tern ever known lived to be 34. The oldest known bird at the Tortugas was 32. While they tend to return to the colony when they are 3 or 4, most don’t breed until they are 6, and their peak breeding years are thought to be between the ages of 12 and 20.

Seeing all those sooties again made me feel slightly reconnected to the place. Despite not having been out there for so long, there was a good chance I was seeing birds I may have seen in years past. Though it would be pretty hard to say exactly which ones.

25

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

HISTORY HEATS UP AT FIREHOUSE MUSEUM

Five-Alarm Pie Challenge serves sizzlin’ version of dessert on July 3

On Friday, July 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Key Lime Festival co-founder David Sloan will serve samples of his fiery 5-Alarm Key Lime Pie, and host a pie-eating challenge. Attendees can also view a rare 13-star American flag created for the nation’s Centennial celebration in 1876. CONTRIBUTED

W

hat do a spicy slice of Key Lime pie, a rare 13-star American flag displayed publicly for the first time in 50 years, and the nation’s 250th birthday have in common?

They’re all coming together during this year’s Key Lime Festival.

As part of the July 1-5 festival’s Independence Week offerings, the Alex Vega Key West Firehouse Museum, 1024 Grinnell St., will host the “5-Alarm Pie Challenge” and showcase a rare Centennial-era American flag.

On Friday, July 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the museum will welcome culinary adventurers for the “5-Alarm Pie Challenge,” where Florida’s official state pie gets a decidedly fiery makeover.

Specially prepared by historian and “Key West Key Lime Pie Cookbook” author David L. Sloan, the confection features cayenne-spiced graham cracker crumbs, habanero cream and a jalapeño topper. Complimentary samples will be available while pies last, with donations to the Firehouse Museum accepted.

While America commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and Key West marks 20 years since Key lime pie became Florida’s official state pie, visitors will also have the opportunity to view a 13-star American flag created for the nation’s Centennial celebration in 1876.

The flag, which has been in Sloan’s family for six generations, will be exhibited publicly for the first time in half a century at the Firehouse Museum on July 2, 3 and 4. Measuring approximately 12 by 18 feet, the banner was last displayed during America’s Bicentennial celebration in 1976, when four generations of the Sloan family gathered in Wayne, Pennsylvania, to fly it at a reunion.

Since then, it has been carefully preserved and largely unseen.

Visitors to the museum can also explore exhibits chronicling Key West’s firefighting heritage and experience the attraction’s new haunted-history audio tour.

More information is at keylimefestival.com.

— Contributed

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS MUSEUM IS MOVING & EXPANDING Current location to close July 5; new home to open this fall

This rendering shows the future home of the Tennessee Williams Museum at 604 Whitehead St. KEY WEST ART & HISTORICAL SOCIETY/Contributed

T

he Tennessee Williams Museum will move to a new permanent home at 604 Whitehead St. that is expected to open this fall. The museum’s current location at 513 Truman Ave. will remain open through July 5.

Originally established as a temporary exhibit in 2011 to commemorate the 100th birthday of American playwright Tennessee Williams, the museum became a destination. Operated by the nonprofit Key West Art & Historical Society, the museum has spent the past 15 years preserving and celebrating the life, legacy and influence of one of America’s greatest dramatists.

Williams shared a profound connection with Key West, where he lived for more than three decades and wrote many of his later works. The island became his sanctuary and his creative home, offering the tranquility, inspiration and sense of community that fueled his artistic life. Today, his legacy remains woven into the cultural fabric of Key West, making the museum a popular destination for literary enthusiasts.

The new location will provide more exhibit space, allowing the museum to present a richer, more immersive exploration of Williams’ life and career. It will feature expanded galleries with more artifacts, photographs, manuscripts, multimedia presentations

and interpretive exhibits that more fully illustrate his contributions to American theater and his relationship with Key West.

“The Tennessee Williams Museum began as a special centennial exhibition, but the overwhelming response made it clear that Key West needed a permanent home dedicated to preserving his remarkable legacy,” said Dennis Beaver, founder and curator of the Tennessee Williams Museum. “This new location gives us the opportunity to tell that story in exciting new ways while creating an even more engaging experience for visitors.”

Before the museum closes its doors at 513 Truman Ave. on July 5, visitors are invited to take advantage of a 25% discount in the museum store.

The Key West Art & Historical Society invites the community to help bring the reimagined Tennessee Williams Museum to life. Donations will directly support the design and installation of new exhibits, preservation of the museum’s collections, educational programming and the creation of an enhanced visitor experience.

Those wishing to contribute can visit kwahs.org/donate and select “Tennessee Williams Museum” from the dropdown menu to designate their gift specifically for the museum project.

— Contributed

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

POLITICS & MUSIC: TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’

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s we navigate election season, the pace of political and campaign events gathers momentum and politics begins to define the general zeitgeist.

Music and musicians often tend to be a major part of some of these events. Leaving my personal reasonings out of the equation, I wondered why some musicians might decide to participate in a politically charged event. As I was pondering this, there happened to be an event that very day and I found myself listening to Sam Carlson and Tony Baltimore performing their distinctly different yet subtextually similar styles of music.

When Sam had finished his set we talked for a minute, and I asked him how a player decided whether or not to play at a political event. And, in the manner indicative of Sam, he pointed me to a quote from music legend Pete Seeger: “I have sung for Americans of every political persuasion, and I am proud that I never refuse to sing to an audience, no matter what religion or color of their skin, or situation in life. I have sung in hobo jungles, and I have sung for the Rockefellers, and I am proud that I have never refused to sing for anybody.”

Sam added, “For me, music should be for everybody, and it can open conversations with subtlety and nuance that other mediums can’t.” Both musicians’ thoughts seemed a good balance of practical advice and vibrant idealism.

I was glad Tony was there because I knew I would get a pragmatic and definitive opinion from him. I was not disappointed.

“Musicians are just like any American,” he said. “Any other person. We all have views. And if in your view you can do something to better the community, why wouldn’t you do that? We are all worker bees. We as musicians work with our hands just as any tradesman. Should we not have a voice and use it?”

Music has always played a role in the political arena. Think back

RAY WEST

to the ’60s and ... a profes’70s with the sional musician, singer, actor and Vietnam War and Bob Dylan, executive director of the Key West all the way to Music Awards, is the ’90s with known to sacrifice Rage Against his comfort for that of his cat. the Machine.

I then started to wonder whether the time of the political song had come and gone. Have we seen the last of the big political rallies punctuated with songs describing the struggles and joys of the common people?

Will there ever again be a Joan Baez helping to move the masses?

Back then, the average person had few ways to express their opinion to the world. There was no social media. Wearing a certain band’s T-shirt could tell the world about your political views. Same with bumper stickers and pins. As such, you chose carefully. This was part of who you presented to the world, and you wanted people to know what you felt. With the merchandise came the message.

Before anyone could share their own message with millions of people via social media, there was the political song. The words mattered because they represented your views as well.

By letting the world know you liked this particular artist, you were making the statement, “This is what I believe.”

But now that one can type in all-capital letters for the world to see, perhaps we don’t need someone else’s songs to show and tell the world how we feel. Or do we?

Joan Baez plays at the March on Washington in August 1963. WIKIPEDIA/ Contributed

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

MAURA & DANNY HUGHES WANT TO THANK OUR WONDERFUL STAFF, OUR BELOVED PATRONS, AND OUR SUPPLIERS & SUPPORTERS FOR BEING NOMINATED FOR THE FOLLOWING BUBBAS’ AWARDS.

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WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR LOVE & SUPPORT! M & D SCAN HERE TO CAST YOUR VOTE!

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

KEY LIME FESTIVAL IS BACK IN TOWN Events celebrate birthplace of Florida’s official state pie

The Key Lime Pie-Eating Contest on July 4 is a highlight of the annual Key Lime Festival, set for July 1-5. CAROL TEDESCO/Contributed

T

he annual Key Lime Festival runs through July 5 in Key West, the birthplace of the official state pie.

Serving up culinary experiences, competitions and family-friendly festivities, the five-day celebration invites locals and visitors to indulge in the sweet and tart traditions that have become synonymous with Key West.

The week features a lineup of events and experiences, all surrounding the festival’s centerpiece: the July 4 World Famous Key Lime Pie Eating Championship at the Southernmost Beach Café. A twist on New York’s traditional Independence Day hot dog eating contest, the spectacle challenges up to 25 competitors to devour a 9-inch pie, hands-free, in the fastest time possible.

On Thursday, July 2, the oneday-only Key Lime Pie Hop presents a downtown tasting tour featuring seven creative interpretations of the island’s iconic dessert, while Friday’s Key Lime Sip & Stroll lets participants sample and vote for their favorite Key lime infused cocktails and margaritas.

Events also include Mary Ellen’s Bar’s Wild Wheeling & Dealing Hot Wheels Race; Sloppy Joe’s Ultimate Key Lime Smash Party, where local celebrities take whipped cream pies to the face to benefit charity; and Pub Style Trivia with a Key Lime

Twist at the Southernmost Beach Resort. New this year, Kava Key presents a Pirates of the Key Lime – Curse of the Tartiest Pie event, featuring a homemade dessert contest, pirate costume competition, mocktail showdown and treasure chest raffle.

Elsewhere, the festival will feature a night of Havana-inspired salsa, rumba and cha-cha at the La Concha Key West Hotel; multiple Key lime-inspired dining experiences; the Rotary Club of Key West’s annual Fireworks Celebration on July 4; Key West Artisan Market’s Red, White, Blue & Green Edition at Higgs Beach; and JF Haden’s Battle of the Bartenders at the Marker Key West Harbor Resort.

On Sunday, events include a dockside brunch at Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar at the Perry Hotel; SpaTerre’s “Key Lime in the Coconut” spa treatment at Ocean Key Resort; Key Lime Rum tastings at the Key West First Legal Rum Distillery; and desserts at Better Than Sex. Launched in 2013 by author and historian David Sloan and Wonderdog Studios founder Marky Pierson, the Key Lime Festival celebrates the dessert the Florida Legislature named the state’s official pie in 2006.

More information is at keylimefestival.com.

— Contributed

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

T

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

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

The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for 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.

Meet Paris, one of the sweetest dogs you’ll ever meet. The shelter can still be a little overwhelming for this 5-yearold boy. Between all the barking and constant activity, he’d much rather be out on a quiet walk or curled up on a soft bed where he feels safe. Paris is currently being treated for heartworms, and we’ll guide his future family through his care. More than anything, Paris just needs someone willing to give him the chance he deserves.

Meet Kramer, a 2-month-old black-andwhite kitten who needs a home. Full of kitten curiosity, he’s always on the lookout for his next adventure. He’s the perfect mix of playful and sweet.

Meet Chewy, a 7-year-old boy who enjoys quiet companionship and spending time with his friend Bo. His calm and loyal nature makes him a great companion for someone looking for a best friend. Chewy is searching for a family dedicated to his wellbeing and health.

He does have a grade 4/6 heart murmur, and further cardiac evaluation is recommended after adoption to help keep him feeling his best. Despite this, Chewy remains full of love and ready to enjoy life with a family by his side.

Elaine is ready to find a family of her own. At just over 2 months old, this adorable grey and black kitten is full of curiosity and cuddles. She loves to explore, and after playtime, she’s more than happy to curl up for a cozy nap and soak up all the love and attention you have to give.

Looking for a bunny to brighten your days? Meet Pickles, a handsome little American rabbit with a beautiful grey and white coloring that makes him as striking as he is sweet. Pickles is a curious, gentle boy who would love a home where he can hop, explore and enjoy plenty of attention.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES

KEYSWEEKLY.COM/BUBBAS26 VOTING STARTS JUNE 25 @ NOON & ENDS JULY 12 @ MIDNIGHT

THE BUBBAS ARE BACK FOOD & DRINKS Best Key Lime Pie: Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shop / Blue Heaven / Key West Cooking Show Best Cuban Sandwich: Kim’s Kuban / Sandy’s Cafe / 5 Brothers Key West - Coffee & Cubanos Best International Restaurant: El Siboney Restaurant / Benihana / Fritas Cuban Burger Cafe Best Cup of Coffee: Kim’s Kuban / Cuban Coffee Queen / Baby’s Coffee Best Breakfast: Goldman’s Deli / Two Friends Patio & Restaurant / Moondog Cafe / Blue Heaven Best Brunch: Square Grouper - Key West / Hot Tin Roof Restaurant / Moondog Cafe Best Lunch: Moondog Cafe / Square Grouper - Key West / Hogfish Bar & Grill Best Bar: Irish Kevin’s / Virgilio’s / Green Parrot Bar Best Gay Bar: 22&Co / Aqua Bar & Nightclub / 801 Bourbon Bar Best Wine Selection: La Trattoria Oceanside / Grand Vin Wine Bar / Vinos on Duval Best Beer Selection: Cayo Hueso Brewing / The Retro Room / The Waterfront Brewery Best Mojito: Southernmost Point Bar / Pepe’s Cafe / El Meson De Pepe’s Restaurant & Bar Best Bloody Mary: Two Friends Patio & Restaurant / Tipsy Rooster Liquor Store & Bar / Rams Head Southernmost Best Margarita: Tipsy Rooster Liquor Store & Bar / The Docks Restaurant + Raw Bar / Pepe’s Cafe Best Martini: Virgilio’s / Martin’s / Square Grouper - Key West / General Horseplay Best Bartender: Carlos Home - 22&Co. / BZ (Brian) - Green Parrot Bar / Shay Thomas - Hank’s Hair of the Dog Saloon Best Dog-Friendly Bar/ Restaurant: Mac’s Place / Hank’s Hair of the Dog Saloon / Grand Vin Wine Bar / The Retro Room Best Waterfront Dining: The Docks Restaurant + Raw Bar / La Trattoria Oceanside / Louie’s Backyard Best Pizza: Roostica / Duetto Pizza & Gelato / White Street Pizza Best Seafood: The Docks Restaurant + Raw Bar / Square Grouper - Key West / Hogfish Bar & Grill Best Steak: Prime Steakhouse / Tavern N Town / Broil Best Taco: Kim’s Kuban / Garbo’s Grill @ Hanks! / Hogfish Bar & Grill Best Food Truck: Southernmost Sandy’s Cafe / Fritas Cuban Burger Cafe / Garbo’s Grill @ Hanks!

Best Dessert Spot: Better Than Sex / Moondog Cafe / Square Grouper - Key West Best Ice Cream/Gelato: Flamingo Crossing / Duetto Pizza & Gelato / Rooster Treats - Soft-Serve Ice Cream & Mini Donuts Best Conch Chowder: Half Shell Raw Bar / Hogfish Bar & Grill / Conch Republic Seafood Company Best Wings: Roostica / Mac’s Place / Kaya Island Eats Best Smoothie: Smoothie Shuttle / Date & Thyme Organic Cafe & Market / Grain & Berry Cafe Best BBQ: Smoked BBQ (On the Water) / MacDooBBQ / Pop’s Smoke Shed Key West Best Sushi: Misohappy Sushi & Thai / Benihana / Origami Sushi Bar Best Raw Bar/Oysters: Half Shell Raw Bar / Square Grouper - Key West / The Docks Restaurant + Raw Bar / Pepe’s Cafe Best Ceviche: Bel Mare Restaurant / Square Grouper - Key West / The Docks Restaurant + Raw Bar Best Hamburger: Fritas Cuban Burger Cafe / Blackfin Bistro / Moondog Cafe Best Late-Night Spot: Green Parrot Bar / Mary Ellen’s Bar & Kitchen / Tattoos & Scars Saloon Best Catering Company: Catered Affairs of Key West / Destination Catering & Events / Great Events Catering Best Organic/Health Food: Date & Thyme Cafe & Market / Sugar Apple Organic Cafe & Market / The Koffie House / Grain & Berry Cafe Best Bar or Restaurant Restroom: 22&Co / Tavern N Town / Square Grouper - Key West Best Happy Hour: Boat House Bar & Grill / Pepe’s Cafe / Tavern N Town Best Restaurant Service & Staff: Two Friends Patio & Restaurant / Square Grouper - Key West / La Trattoria / Boat House Bar & Grill Best Overall Restaurant: The Docks Restaurant + Raw Bar / La Trattoria / Moondog Cafe Food & Drink Category to add next year: Best Fish Dip / Best Fish Sandwich / Best French Fries

OUR COMMUNITY Best Place to Take the Kids: The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory / The Waterfront Brewery / Key West Community Sailing Center Best Local Event/Festival: Fantasy Fest / Key West Songwriters Festival / Key West Pride / Mile 0 Fest Best Tourist Attraction: The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory / The Hemingway Home & Museum / Truman Little White House Best Local Celebrity: Key West Shawn / Bill Hoebee / Mike Stack / Beatrix Dixie Best Teacher/Professor/School Admin.: Keia Hughes - Horace O’Bryant / Ali Ferguson - Poinciana / Joe Dallas - Sugarloaf School Best Non-Profit Organization: Florida Keys SPCA / Key West Immigrant Support Network / Reef Relief / Key West Community Sailing Center

Sponsored by

Best Elected Official: Sam Steele - Monroe County Tax Collector / Dee Dee Henriquez - Key West Mayor / Sam Kaufman - Key West City Commissioner Best Local Musician: Oren Polak / Caffeine Carl (Wagoner) / Tony Baltimore Best Local Band: The Durtbags / Marshall Morlock Band / Zero Turbulence Best Local DJ: DJ Sanaris / DJ Dallas Wonderland / DJ Top Jimmy Best in Drag: Maya Montana / Beatrix Dixie / QMitch Best Artist: Lucy Hawk / Theresa Chiechi / Neil Lindley / Lance Berry Best Thespian/Performing Artist: Erin McKenna / Fritzie Estimond / Arthur Crocker Best Volunteer/Community Activist: Anne Brodsky / Kirby Myers / Lucy Hawk Best Live Music Venue: Green Parrot Bar / Key West Theater / Hanks Hair of the Dog Saloon Best Performing Arts Venue: Key West Theater / Tennessee Williams Theatre / Red Barn Theatre / Waterfront Playhouse Best Art Gallery or Studio: Sacred Space Gallery / The Studios of Key West / Gallery on Greene Community Category to add next year: Best Tour Company / Best Karaoke Spot / Best Street Performer

THE BUSINESSES Best Accounting Firm: Oropeza & Parks / Zuelch & Zuelch Accounting & Tax / Pribramsky & Company Certified Public Accountants Best Law Firm: Oropeza Stones & Cardenas / Reed Palacios Law / Horan Law Best Charter Fishing Captain/Guide: Above & Below Fishing Adventures / Good Times Key West - Capt Justin Ferrell / Recon Sportsfishing Charters Best Furniture Store: Royal Furniture & Design - Key West / Soul House / Fast Buck’s At Home Best Bike Shop: Eaton Bikes / Key Lime Bike Tours / We Cycle - Key West Best Dive Shop: Captain Hook’s Dive Key West / Captain’s Corner Dive Center / Southpoint Divers Best Bait & Tackle Shop: Esky Rods / Key West Bait & Tackle / Key West Marine Hardware Best Watersports Company: Sunset Watersports / Fury Key West Watersports / Danger Charters Best Marina: Conch Harbor Marina / The Perry Hotel & Marina Key West / Beach Weekend / A&B Marina Best Customer Service: Strunk Ace Hardware / New You Health Clinic / Keys Federal Credit Union Best Resort/Hotel: Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton / The Key West Hotel / Opal Key Resort & Marina Best Grocery Store: Fausto’s Food Palace / Publix / Winn-Dixie Best Contractor: Key West Windows / Charley Toppino & Sons / Kenna Construction / Keystar Construction Best Photographer: Nick Doll / Landon Jones / Larry Blackburn Best Doctor: Dr. Sandy Santiago / Dr. Melanie Youschak / Dr. Jerry J. Jackson Best Veterinarian: Keys Animal Care Center / Lower Keys Animal Clinic / All Animal Clinic Best Realtor: Chris Orth - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Knight & Gardner Realty / Krystal Thomas - ShineGroup / Bascom Grooms - Bascom Grooms Real Estate Best Real Estate Office: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Knight & Gardner Realty / Bascom Grooms Real Estate / Shine Group Best Bank or Credit Union: Keys Federal Credit Union / First State Bank / First Horizon Best Jewelry Store: Jeff’s Gems & Nautical Designs / Neptune Designs / Key West Treasure Chest Best Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouse: Southernmost Point Guest House / The Gardens Hotel / Alexander’s Guesthouse / The Conch House Best Chiropractor: Dr. Michael Stern - Southernmost Sports Chiropractic / Dr Liz Morin - Excel Chiropractic / Dr. Darold Leto - Florida Keys Chiropractic & Therapy Best Dentist: At the request of the local dental community and our finalists, this category has been paused this year in memory & honor of the late Dr. Hector Guzman.

Best Florist: Love in Bloom Florist / Petals & Vines / Kutchey’s Flowers in Key West Best Liquor Store: Tipsy Rooster Liquor Store & Bar / Green Parrot Liquors / The Roost Best Local Retailer: Keyfillery / Timmy Tuxedos / Lost Boy Creations Best Fitness Center/Gym: FYT Key West / Sweat Society KW / Bodyzone Fitness Best Nail Salon: Younique Beauty Studio / Lee Nails / Nailtini Nail Bar & Day Spa Best Spa: Destination Wellness Spa / Ocean Wellness Spa & Salon / New You Health Clinic Best Hair Salon: Blown Away Hair Studio / Salty Roots / Kai & Co. Salon Best Barber: Blendz / Old Town Barbers / Beards & Brews Barbershop & Bar Best Summer Camp: Reef Relief / Key West Community Sailing Center / Critter Camp Best Family-Owned Business: Fausto’s Food Palace / Southernmost Point Guest House / Miami Subs / Above & Below Fishing Adventures Best Overall Business: La Trattoria / Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Knight & Gardner Realty / Miami Subs Business Category to add next year: Best New Business / Best Tattoo Artist / Best Massage Therapist

ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT

37

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

MOSQUITO CONTROL: A CRITICAL SERVICE To the Editors: I have visited and lived in the Florida Keys since 1955 and have seen many changes; some good and some not so good. One of the incredibly positive changes is the huge reduction of mosquitoes and their diseases because of our mosquito control programs.

I have witnessed the transition from a ragtag organization of the 1950s and ’60s to one of the most professionally run and effective government agencies we have in Monroe County, and they have kept us safe. With all the recent discussions in Tallahassee about changes to property taxes, I believe mosquito control must continue to be funded as a critical service.

In the early days, the mosquitoes were so bad that you had to scrape them from your body before going inside. One could look down the street and see the black clouds of mosquitoes.

Everyone went about swatting and displaying many red splotches on their face, arms and legs and we were always concerned about getting sick from their terrible diseases. The Keys were not an attractive place to either live or visit.

To justify living here then, people were always saying, “We have to remember where we live,” or “We chose to live near the Everglades,” or “It’s the price you pay for living in paradise.” Regardless of the rhetoric, the mosquitoes were very bad and often unbearable. Very few residents of the Keys today were here then to fully understand just how bad.

Today, it is quite different.

There are still mosquitoes, but very few by comparison and life is pretty darn good. Many of us would prefer zero mosquitoes, but with all the government-protected land in the Keys, each with its own regulations designed to protect the many endangered species of insects, rats, bees and butterflies, it will never happen.

I live in the Upper Keys, where the protected lands account for most of the total land mass. These state parks, botanical gardens and wildlife preserves are mostly off limits for any type of mosquito control measures. This is part of protecting our environment,

which most of us really appreciate, but it increases the number of mosquitoes in our community.

A major source of mosquitoes in the Keys is the Florida Everglades. I spend a lot of time in the Everglades and at times, the mosquito swarms there remind me of the way the Keys used to be. Today, when the winds are unfavorable, swarms of mosquitoes are blown into the Middle and Upper Keys. Mosquito controllers send out their aircraft and trucks, and the numbers of mosquitoes are reduced significantly. This process is never-ending, and it is complicated by regulatory constraints as well as adverse weather conditions.

I appreciate the dedicated people of mosquito control who come onto our properties, our salt marshes, our offshore islands, etc., take the samples they need, make helpful recommendations and improve our comfort and safety in each neighborhood. It must be a very thankless job, because I see comments on social media from individuals who are frustrated but undoubtedly do not realize the environmental constraints that our mosquito control district must legally abide by.

Even though we still have some mosquitoes, have you looked at the increase in your property values? We have transitioned from a land that few people wanted to some of the most desirable, and therefore most expensive, real estate in the state and nation. This change and the economy it created would never have happened without excellent mosquito control leading the way. If you travel to other parts of Florida, the southeast of the U.S. or other tropical and subtropical countries, you will know what I mean. We must urge Florida’s Legislature to recognize the critical value of mosquito control in their tax legislation.

In closing, I want to simply say thank you to mosquito control for being there every day. You are the unsung heroes who make the Florida Keys a real paradise.

Please, keep up the great work.

Sincerely, Richard Barreto Key Largo

WANT TO HELP OUR KEYS COMMUNITY? FIND OUT HOW AT

CFFK.ORG

VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK

WENDY GATES

MARATHON WILD BIRD CENTER

HELP KEEP KEY WEST

JULY CLEANUPS Join a one-hour Friday morning cleanup. All events are 8 to 9 a.m. unless otherwise noted.

The June 26 morning cleanup was held at the end of White Street at the indigenous Park. In one hour, 58 volunteers collected 433 pounds of trash, 43 pounds of recycling and 2 gallons of cigarette butts, plus an additional 2.75 gallons collected by volunteers throughout the week. CONTRIBUTED

Friday, July 10: Atlantic Boulevard & White Street. Meet at the bocce courts, 1301 Atlantic Blvd. Hosted by Chris Massicotte.

There is no cleanup on Friday, July 3, but please pitch in and help clean up your neighborhood after the July 4 festivities. Thank you to everyone who works hard weekly to Keep Key West Beautiful.

Friday, July 17: Duval and Greene streets. Meet in the parking lot behind Irish Kevin’s. Co-hosted by Irish Kevin’s and Key West Military Affairs Committee.

It takes committed community involvement to keep Key West beautiful and we are making progress with every cleanup event and every spot that’s adopted.

Call Dorian Patton at 305-809-3868 to find out how your business, nonprofit or club can help.

Friday, July 24: Whitehead and Olivia streets. Meet across the streetfrom the Hemingway Home, which is hosting.

Friday, July 31: To be determined.

38

CHRIS McNULTY

This week is chock full of is an astrologer, astrological activwanderer, barity that should tender and propel us all foradvocate for ward while also queer justice. He is a loquacious having us take Gemini with a a look back. We cozy Cancer had a full moon rising. Find him at in Capricorn and hearthandheraldMercury stationastrology.com ing retrograde on June 29. Jupiter moved into Leo after a full year in Cancer the next day, and Mars is conjoining Uranus on July 4. Let’s break this down a bit.

The full moon in Capricorn represents a release of emotional burdens that hold us back from achieving security and success — the imposter syndromes, the victim narratives, the savior complexes. This past full moon was an opportunity to look our emotional barriers square in the face and choose our practical well-being over emotional blackmail. Mercury turning retrograde in Cancer is an opportunity to tap into the power of nostalgia as a force to propel us forward. We can appreciate where we’ve been, while continuing to move forward and write new stories.

Mercury retrograde lasts for three weeks, so use this time to honor the magic of memory, but be mindful about travel and communication hiccups. Jupiter has been in the sign of its exaltation for the past 12 months, which means joy, expansion, bounty and luck have all been made abundant. In essence, it made everything bigger. With Jupiter’s ingress into Leo, we can expect the constant hyperbole to diminish a bit.

Finally, on July 4, we have one of the most explosive meetings in all astrology. Mars, planet of fire and action, meets Uranus, the planet of electricity and the unexpected. A powerful surprise is upon us this Fourth of July. Let’s hope it’s catalytic rather than catastrophic.

Here are your horoscopes for this highly active week in astrology.

Read for your rising and sun signs.

CANCER June 21 - July 22 You’ve just completed an expansive year. It was a leveling-up in some ways and probably fairly

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

exhausting in others. The high energy is now tapering off and you can breathe a bit better. Now you just have to take stock of what happened and where you’ve landed. Be very tender with your mental and emotional health this weekend. A shock is afoot that may try to throw you off kilter, but you have the ability to maintain your balance.

LEO July 23 - Aug. 22 After a year of quietly and internally amping yourself up, you can finally unleash your brilliance into the world. You are embarking on a larger-than-life year. You will be heard. You will be seen. Use your stage wisely. Take some time to integrate and appreciate all you’ve experienced in solitude this past year. This weekend, a blowup in your friend group is likely. Be ready for damage control.

Virgo Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 Something big and explosive is taking place at work this weekend.

You can either be part of the collateral damage or use the energy to make big moves for yourself.

You’ve had a big year of friends and supporters showing up for you, and now you are embarking on a journey of inner well-being. Enjoy the quieter energy and remember the people who got you here.

LIBRA Sept. 23 - Oct. 22 After a huge year related to your work and public reputation, take some time to reminisce about how far you have come. This upcoming year is going to be bountiful in friends and supporters, so lean in to the people who surround you.

This weekend, be ready for an event that will propel you into a new adventure. Something shocking and unexpected will change your path.

Be adaptable.

SCORPIO Oct. 23 - Nov. 21 What adventures has this past year taken you on? I see lots of travel or study in your recent history.

Reflect on how far you’ve come and

how much you’ve learned, and get ready for a year of largesse in your career. Big things are coming your way at work. Over the weekend, you will likely have a big vulnerable moment that can serve as a catalyst to new connections. Embrace your truth.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 Prepare for a big surprise with an important partner in your life.

This weekend, you could either have an unexpected problem to solve together or a relationshipaltering fight. How will you choose to navigate this energy with your important someone? After a year of building your capacity for vulnerability, you’ve got this. You are embarking on a year of expanding your horizons.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 You’re completing a year of joyful partnership. That doesn’t mean your partnership is over, but it does mean that your joy is shifting into new investments and shared resources. Reflect on the year you’ve had with your partner and how much you’ve gained. This weekend, an explosive event will compel you to change up your routine. Don’t fight the lesson.

AQUARIUS Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 You’re on the doorstep of a huge year in relationships, whether that is romantic or platonic. Your partnerships will be the locus of your greatest joy and bounty. As your attention shifts from your daily routines and wellness practices to relationships, take some time to integrate what you’ve learned. You have a burst of creative energy coming your way this weekend. Figure out how to direct it without burning out.

PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20 Over the upcoming weekend, be prepared for some aggressive activity to happen with home and family. Conflicts arise, sometimes completely randomly, but how you

PROPULSION AND NOSTALGIA

choose to respond can make all the difference. After an incredible year of creative joy, take some time to do a personal retrospective. What did you make this past year? Be proud of yourself. Now turn your attention to your routines.

ARIES March 21 - April 19 Some shocking news is coming your way this weekend. It could involve a sibling or your local community. Use caution when deciding how to respond because adding fire to fire will only cause more damage. After a year centered on the joy and bounty of your home, you are entering a year of immense creativity. Soak in this energy and become a maker.

TAURUS April 20 - May 20 A wildly unpredictable event or a sudden shift will probably shake up your finances, resources or material stability. Don’t panic. Look at it as a lightning strike clearing out old, stagnant habits around how you value yourself. You’ve spent the last year expanding your mind and connecting deeply with your local community. Now, your focus shifts toward building a joyful, deeply abundant sanctuary right at home.

GEMINI May 21 - June 20 This weekend, you are the lightning rod. Your actions are likely to cause quite the commotion, so do your best to be intentional rather than erratic. Be as authentic as possible and the fallout will be the best it can be. Take some time to reflect on the financial decisions you’ve made this past year. You’ve likely experienced some great bounty. Now that you’ve managed your material needs, you can focus on writing and expressing yourself.

39

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

FUNCTIONALLY CAFFEINATED WELLNESS

THE HYDRATION ILLUSION I

n the Florida Keys, hydration gets treated like a personality trait.

Everyone has a giant water bottle. Everyone is tracking ounces. Everyone is adding powders, drops, minerals, packets, lemons, cucumbers and someJENNIFER times what appears to be HARVEY an entire produce aisle ...is a Marathoninto their cup. based ACSMAnd listen, I love the certified pereffort.

But somewhere sonal trainer and precision nutrition along the way, we started coach who owns confusing drinking water and operates with being hydrated.

Highly Motivated They are not always the Functionally same thing. Hydration is Caffeinated LLC. not just about what goes into your body. It is about what your body can absorb, hold on to and actually use.

This matters, especially down here, where summer does not politely arrive. It sits on your chest at 8:30 in the morning and asks if you have any errands to run.

Your body is mostly water, but it is not just a walking cooler. Water helps regulate body temperature, transport nutrients, support digestion, lubricate joints, maintain blood volume and keep your brain from feeling like it is operating on dial-up internet. So yes, water matters. But the science of hydration is more interesting than “drink more water.”

Your body has a built-in hydration management system, and one of the major players is a hormone called ADH, which stands for antidiuretic hormone. Its job is basically to tell your kidneys, “Hang on to some of that water. We may need it.” When ADH is doing its job, your kidneys reabsorb more water instead of sending it all straight to your bladder.

But alcohol suppresses ADH. That means your kidneys stop holding on to water as well, and you start producing more urine.

This is one reason a night of drinks can turn into multiple bathroom trips, dry mouth, a pounding headache and a next-day personality best described as “fragile.”

Caffeine can also increase urine output, especially in higher amounts or in people who are not used to it. Coffee is not evil.

Please do not panic. I am not here to take away your morning joy. But if your entire hydration strategy is iced coffee, a spicy margarita, and one emotionally supportive sip of water at 4 p.m., we may need to talk.

Here is where people get confused. They pee constantly and think, “Wow, I must be so hydrated.” Not necessarily. Peeing all the time does not automatically mean your body is hydrated. It may mean water is passing through you faster than your body can use it.

Normal urine output for adults is often around 800 to 2,000 milliliters per day, depending on fluid intake, body size, temperature, activity and health status. Producing more than about 3 liters of urine a day is considered polyuria, which is the scientific way of saying that is a lot of pee.

So, if you are running to the bathroom three times in an hour and proudly announcing it to everyone within earshot, first of all, you do not have to declare every bathroom trip. We believe you. Second, more pee does not always equal better hydration. Sometimes it means your body is losing fluid faster than it can hold on to it.

Now add heat.

When you are outside in 90-degree weather with heavy humidity, your body sweats to cool you down. The problem is humidity makes sweat less effective because it does not evaporate as easily. So, your body keeps trying. More sweat. More fluid loss. More stress on your system. For people working outside, this adds up fast.

Hello, construction workers, landscapers, postal workers, boat captains, fishing guides, roofers, pool cleaners, delivery drivers, dog walkers and anyone else earning a living while the rest of us are sprinting from the air-conditioned car to the air-conditioned grocery store.

The CDC recommends that people working in the heat drink about 8 ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes. That comes out to roughly 24 to 32 ounces per hour. Multiply that by an eight-hour workday and you are looking at 192 to 256 ounces of fluid, or roughly 1.5 to 2 gallons.

And that is not for someone running an ultramarathon. That is basic heat safety for people doing their jobs in hot conditions.

This is why hydration cannot be treated like a cute wellness trend. It is not just about clear skin and matching your tumbler to your outfit. It is blood volume. Brain function. Muscle function. Temperature regulation. Heart rate. Energy. Safety.

And here is the other piece most people miss: Water needs minerals to work well.

Sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and chloride are electrolytes. They help move fluid in and out of cells, support muscle contractions, regulate nerve signals and help maintain fluid balance. This does not mean everyone needs to walk around drinking neon-colored sports drinks. But it does mean that if you are sweating heavily, working outside, exercising in the heat, drinking alcohol, drinking a lot of caffeine or peeing every 14 seconds, plain water may not be enough.

Your body does not just need water. It needs water with a plan.

That plan may look like salting your food appropriately, eating fruits and vegetables, drinking consistently throughout the day, adding electrolytes when sweat loss is high and paying attention to what your body is actually telling you.

Hydration is not a moral victory. It is not a competition. It is not about having the biggest water bottle in the room. It is a relationship with your body. A quiet, daily way of saying, “I am paying attention.”

So yes, drink the water. But do not assume every bathroom trip is proof that you are winning hydration. Sometimes your body is not asking for more water to pass through.

Sometimes it is asking for help holding on.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

WISCONSIN FAMILY WHAT’S COOKING, KEY WEST? SLAYS THE DOLPHIN

Offshore fishing fills the freezer

Why the Key lime is a culinary superstar CAROL SHAUGHNESSY www.keysweekly.com

T Young Evie Pagel of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, along with her uncle Chris Wortman, of Verona, Wisconsin, and relatives Tom Pagel and Emma Katte crushed the dolphin and other species during a recent two days of offshore fishing in Key West with captain Stan Miles. CONTRIBUTED

he Key lime may be a tiny fruit, but it’s a culinary superstar.

Unfortunately, its power is often underestimated. Too many people use the little yellow lime as an ingredient in Key lime pie, and nothing more — without experimenting to see how the fruit and its juice can enhance dishes ranging from appetizers and salads to fish and chicken entrées.

Luckily, local residents who contributed to the historic “Key West Woman’s Club Cookbook” had a deep appreciation for the Key lime’s versatility and ability to bring flavor alive. Originally published in 1949, the volume is treasured for its scores of recipes and its value in capturing Key West’s history through cuisine.

Mouthwatering recipes from the cookbook demonstrate the range of dishes that benefit from the addition of Key lime. Among the standouts are a luscious lobster cocktail appetizer, jellied melon and papaya salad, chicken with a lime-infused wine sauce and mango sherbet.

The popular cookbook inspired much of the traditional cuisine that’s demonstrated and served during the Key West Cooking Show’s dinnertime learn-and-dine sessions, including dishes flavored with Key lime juice.

Other citrusy treats available at the Cooking Show, located at 291 Front St., include fresh-baked Key lime pie topped with meringue — and those who want to learn to make their own pies can do so during 30-minute “Key Lime Pie Experience” classes, scheduled several times daily (except Sunday) at the venue. For cocktail fans, the Cooking Show’s Bar 1 serves two types of Key lime margaritas.

Given their citrusy offerings, it’s only natural that the dual hotspots are involved in the fun-filled Key Lime Festival, created to salute the fruit and taking place through July 5.

From noon to 3 p.m. July 2, fans of the tart and creamy pie can

Chef-storyteller Karl Stahl displays a meringue-topped Key lime pie during a Key West Cooking Show learn-and-dine experience. KEY WEST COOKING SHOW/ Contributed

meet David Sloan, festival founder and celebrated author of “The Key West Key Lime Pie Cookbook,” as he hands out slices of the popular pie at Bar 1. The venue is the final stop in the 2026 Key Lime Pie Hop, the fest’s guided tasting tour where participants can sample versions of the citrus confection at multiple Key West stopping points.

On the following day, the focus turns to Key lime libations.

The Cooking Show’s popular craft cocktail bar is a featured stop on the festival’s Key Lime Sip & Stroll tasting and competition from 3 to 7 p.m., when the emporium’s skilled mixologists plan to debut their brand-new Brick 1 daiquiri.

To participate in Key Lime Festival events honoring the tiny culinary superstar, check out the schedule at keylimefestival.com.

For information about learn-andsavor Key lime pie demonstration classes, visit keywestcookingshow. com or call 305-294-COOK. LAST BITES Dish of the week: Key lime fish.

Featured in the historic “Key West Woman’s Club Cookbook,” this recipe combines firm fresh fish fillets, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, butter and the juice of two Key limes. It’s an entrée designed to delight.

Helpful kitchen hack: Citrus zest — the outermost layer of a fruit’s peel — can ensure that your kitchen and sink areas have a fresh scent. Simply put a few strips of zest down the garbage disposal and turn it on briefly for an easy aromatic boost.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 2, 2026

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1

KEYS WEEKLY COMICS, LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / JULY 2, 2026

In The Bleachers

Brevity

Adam Dailies

NEWS OF THE WEIRD Lisa Catalano’s quest for love has finally paid off. The California woman went viral last year for putting up billboards along U.S. Highway 101 with her photo and a link to a website where potential suitors could submit dating applications. Eight months and almost $7,000 later, Catalano is off the market, People reported on June 24. She footed the bill for advertising -- including billboards, taxi ads and the website -- along with wardrobe, makeup, video shoots and related equipment. She received about 4,000 dating applications between September 2025 and May 2026. After all of that, she ended up meeting her new beau through a dating app back in January. An update on her website reads: “Applications closed! Lisa’s in love and has a boyfriend.”

2 Nancy Dailies

KEYS WEEKLY COMICS, LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / JULY 2, 2026

TODAY’S HISTORY

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, outlawing major forms of discrimination.

TODAY’S NUMBER

Brevity

10,955 -- Walmart stores (including Walmart U.S., Sam’s Club and Walmart International) worldwide, as of June 2026. The first Walmart store opened in Rogers, Arkansas, on this day in 1962.

TODAY’S QUOTE

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

Hermann Hesse (1877-1962), author; Thurgood Marshall (1908-1993), Supreme Court justice; Pierre Cardin (1922-2020), fashion designer; Medgar Evers (1925-1963), civil rights activist; Richard Petty (1937), NASCAR driver; Larry David (1947- ), writer/actor; Jose Canseco (1964- ), baseball player; Johnny Weir (1984- ), figure skater; Lindsay Lohan (1986- ), actress; Alex Morgan (1989- ), soccer player; Margot Robbie (1990- ), actress.

“Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.”

— Hermann Hesse, “Siddhartha”

3

KEYS WEEKLY COMICS, LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / JULY 2, 2026

Founded by Betty Debnam

Summer Safety Tips

L

Mini Fact: Staying safe is an important part about enjoying summer.

ots of people look forward to summer, but it can be a dangerous season. Experts say that between May and August, more kids are injured or die from accidents than at any other time during the year. This week, The Mini Page is sharing some safety tips to help keep everyone safe this summer.

Swimming safety While a lot of kids look forward to summer and spending time at the pool, lake or ocean, it’s important to be careful. Experts say more drowning deaths occur in the summer than at any other time of year.

Tips: Walk around a pool (don’t run); don’t go swimming alone; make sure if you dive that you’re diving in areas that are clearly marked for it; never swim under a diving board; and always make sure an adult is near and watching when you’re swimming.

Sun safety With the warmer weather during the summer, people often spend more time outside, but again, it’s important to be safe.

Experts recommend applying sunblock 30 minutes before you go outside. The higher the sun protection factor (SPF), the more your skin will be protected from the sun.

Tips: Wear hats; apply sunblock; drink lots of water; take breaks; and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Poison plants safety Some plants cause itchy rashes for 1 out of every 2 Americans.

Poison ivy and poison oak are vines or low shrubs with leaves growing Poison ivy in groups of three. Plants can have greenish-white berries.

Poison sumac is a short tree with pairs of leaves of seven to 12 leaflets.

It has grayish berries, which it drops.

Poison oak Harmless sumacs have red berries.

Tips: Be cautious about which plants you touch outside. If you think you have touched one of these plants, wash with soap and water right away.

Your clothes should be washed, too.

Poison sumac

Fireworks safety Fireworks are pretty to look at but can be dangerous. They should be handled only by adults.

Did you know sparklers can burn as hot as 2,000 degrees and can easily set clothes on fire and even melt some types of metal? According to experts, sparklers are responsible for 1,400 eye injuries per year.

Fireworks that don’t go off should be soaked in water.

Tips: Read all fireworks’ directions with an adult before using them; keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies; and never point fireworks at anyone.

Tips for adults • Make sure that all fence gates and doors will latch securely.

• Before children use their bikes, skateboards or Rollerblades this summer, make sure they have helmets that properly fit and have straps that fasten for safety. Check to make sure brakes are working correctly. Go over bike safety precautions with children to make sure they understand.

• Check that play equipment is in good working order, including bolts and hooks on play sets.

• Lock up grills, gasoline containers, lighters and matches.

• Never leave children alone in or near water. Kids can drown in just a few seconds in as little as 1 inch of water.

• Don’t let kids dive or jump into water that is less than 9 feet deep. Also, remind children not to jump into the water toward other people.

• Learn CPR. • Keep emergency service numbers in your phone.

• If visiting the ocean, be aware of underwater currents and waves. Don’t allow children to dive facefirst into waves.

RESOURCES ON THE WEB • bit.ly/4neKcZB AT THE LIBRARY • “Would You Rather? Summer Edition”

by Lindsey Daly

The Mini Page® © 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication

FIND IT

Words that remind us of summer safety are hidden in this puzzle.

Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:

BIKE, DIVE, FIREWORKS, GRILL, HATS, INJURY, IVY, LAKE, OAK, PLANTS, POOL, PROTECTION, SAFETY, SPARKLERS, SUMAC, SUMMER, SUNBLOCK, SWIM, WATER.

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

I E R X A R E L A T

R R Z K N Y R O F E

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

ECO NOTE A new artificial intelligence technique is allowing scientists to map ocean currents in unprecedented detail by analyzing temperature patterns from weather satellites, according to research led by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The method, called GOFLOW, tracks subtle shifts in ocean surface temperatures to reveal small, fast-moving currents that were previously difficult to observe. Researchers say the new discovery could improve climate models, weather forecasting and the understanding of marine ecosystems.

4

KEYS WEEKLY COMICS, LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / JULY 2, 2026

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KEYS WEEKLY COMICS, LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / JULY 2, 2026

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • The following is an upcoming GMX procurement opportunity:

INVITATION TO BID (ITB) GMX PROCUREMENT/CONTRACT NO.: ITB-26-13

GMX PROJECT/SERVICE TITLE: TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT CENTER (TMC) OPERATIONS For detailed information please visit the Procurement Department website at http://www.gmx-way.com/business/solicitations, or call the Procurement Department at 305-637-3277 for assistance.

Publish: July 2, 2026. The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

LIBRARY MEDIA BOX SURPLUS SALE SECOND NOTICE OF CALLING FOR BIDS OF SURPLUS PROPERTY, 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 Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. 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. In the event of a discrepancy between the bid amount on the Proposal Form and the bid amount entered in Bonfire, the bid amount listed in the “Proposal Form” provided by Monroe County in the RFP is the amount that will be utilized by the County when considering the bid proposal. The County reserves the right to waive any proposal/bid irregularity.

The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom.us/j/4509326156 Meeting ID: 4509326156 One tap mobile: +16465189805,,4509326156# US (New York) +16699006833,,4509326156# US (San Jose) Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 US (New York) +1 669 900 6833 (San Jose) Asset ID BA-0007477 BA-0008940 BA-0008941 BA-0008942 BA-0008943

County ID 20002366 = 10781 20004056 = 11818 20002154 = 11819 20003140 = 11820 20003340 = 11821

Asset Description Library Media Box Model 1500G Library Media Box Model 1500G Library Media Bo Model 1500G Library Media Box Model 1500G Library Media Box Model 1500G

Estimated Value Location 35,904.38 Marathon Library 31,258.92

Key West Library

31,258.92

Big Pine Key Library

31,258.92

Islamorada Library

31,258.92

Key Largo Library

For information or to schedule a viewing of these units & equipment listed above, please contact Anne L. Rice, 305-292-3594, rice-anne@monroecounty-fl.gov Publish: July 2, 2026. The Weekly Newspapers

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

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

Meetings are open to the public, and all are invited to attend.

Questions, or to RSVP, please email Liz Young at director@keysarts. com Membership & Development Committee Meeting July 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85644 191713?pwd=paGfQQZCXO33BsN LFWygwbyl4SAqAY.1 Meeting ID: 856 4419 1713 Passcode: 132658 Executive Committee Meeting July 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81232 521250?pwd=CrZMKL1oJhWCyDL ZwvGhBYbIUH55HR.1 Meeting ID: 812 3252 1250 Passcode: 747508 Art In Public Places Committee Meeting July 21, 2026, at 4:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81830 937276?pwd=tk5Mchz7KPe9lakdi STGvaMwh29QvU.1 Meeting ID: 818 3093 7276 Passcode: 052099 Membership & Development Committee Meeting July 22, 2026, at 4:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88498 912227?pwd=pKb3leXpsNSXQPvr qemfSzzYa4ltg2.1 Meeting ID: 884 9891 2227 Passcode: 850136 Grant Panel Review – ABC July 23, 2026, at 10:00 AM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82254 030418?pwd=W2ghuJjYah2eTQcR 8brESc4zYXGz87.1 Meeting ID: 822 5403 0418 Passcode: 219386 Grant Panel Review - AIS & SP Jul 23, 2026, at 3:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89829 848881?pwd=keDzalOWKLoOmCP acG9VpQBbUTJRPY.1 Meeting ID: 898 2984 8881 Passcode: 404554 Membership & Development Committee Meeting July 29, 2026, at 4:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88498 912227?pwd=pKb3leXpsNSXQPvr qemfSzzYa4ltg2.1 Meeting ID: 884 9891 2227 Passcode: 850136 Publish: July 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

electronic bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl. bonfirehub.com, no later than 3:00P.M. on July 28, 2026. There is no cost to the bidder to use the Bonfire platform.

Please do not submit your confidential financial information as part of your proposal. There are separate uploads for each set of documents, including confidential financial information.

All proposals will be made public on the platform after an intended decision or 30 days, whichever is earlier, unless the bids/proposals are rejected in accordance with F.S. 119.071. If your proposal document includes financial information, that information will not be considered confidential and will be available and viewable to the public in accordance with public records law.

The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. You may call in by phone or internet using the followingK Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156 Meeting ID: 4509326156 One tap mobile: +16465189805,, 4509326156# US (New York) +16699006833,, 4509326156# US (San Jose) Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 US (New York) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Publish: July 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

Robert J. Naberhaus III, Esq. Attorney Florida Bar Number: 476684 Dean, Mead, Egerton, Bloodworth, Capouano & Bozarth, P.A. 7380 Murrell Road, Suite 200 Melbourne, Florida 32940 Telephone: (321) 259-8900 Fax: (321) 254-4479 rnaberhaus@deanmead.com probate@deanmead.com Publish: July 2 & 9, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

Rachel Enos Manos, Trustee of The Enos Trust dated February 14, 2012 202 Suffield Ave. Birmingham, MI 48009-4620 ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE NOTIFIED THAT: All creditors of the estate of the decedent and persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent other than those for whom provision for full payment was made in the Order of Summary Administration must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702. ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in sections 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk.

The date of first publication of this Notice is June 25, 2026.

Attorney for Person Giving Notice: John A. Garner, Esq. Florida Bar No. 0569992 Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP 9130 Galleria Court, Suite 101 Naples, FL 34109-4381 Telephone: 239-497-8362 Primary email: jagarner@taftlaw. com Secondary email: jstarnes@taftlaw. com Person Giving Notice: Rachel Enos Manos 202 Suffield Ave. Birmingham, MI 48009-4620 Publish: June 25 & July 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: Key West Library Roof 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://monroecountyfl.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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 26-CP-000268-K IN RE: ESTATE OF ROBIN WHITLEY HOOD, II Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Robin Whitley Hood, II, deceased, whose date of death was March 10, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss.

732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s.

732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is July 2, 2026.

Personal Representative: Robert J. Naberhaus III 7380 Murrell Road Suite 200 Melbourne, Florida 32940 Attorney for Personal Representative:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 26-CP-000234-P IN RE: ESTATE OF ALAN RANALD THOMSON Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of ALAN RANALD THOMSON, deceased, whose date of death was February 17, 2026; is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 26-CP-000234-P; the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this notice, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS: JULY 2, 2026.

Personal Representative: ALAN C. THOMSON 556 Bonito Ave Key Largo, FL 33037 alan@swensonrealty.com Attorney for Personal Representative: John Michael Lynn, PA JOHN MICHAEL LYNN, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 0147273 7 Barracuda Lane Key Largo, Florida 33037 Telephone: (305) 367-0911 turnerlynnpa@gmail.com Publish: July 2 & 9, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 26-CP-000167-K IN RE: ESTATE OF ALBERT H. ENOS, JR., Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS (Summary Administration) TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS OR DEMANDS AGAINST THE ABOVE ESTATE: You are hereby notified that an Order of Summary Administration has been entered in the estate of Albert H. Enos, Jr., deceased, File Number 26-CP-000167-K; by the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040; that the decedent’s date of death was March 16, 2026, that the total value of the estate is $25,000.00, and that the names and addresses of those to whom it has been assigned by such order are: Name/Address

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA FILE NO.: 44-2025-CP-000536A0-01KW PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF SANDRA TROSSET, a/k/a SANDRA E. TROSSETT, a/k/a SANDRA LYNN TROSSET, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS (Summary Administration) TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS OR DEMANDS AGAINST THE ABOVE ESTATE: You are hereby notified that a Petition for Summary Administration has been filed in the estate of SANDRA TROSSET, a/k/a SANDRA E. TROSSETT, a/k/a SANDRA LYNN TROSSET, Deceased, File Number 44-2025-CP-000536A0-01KW, in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Monroe County Courthouse, 500 Whitehead St., Key West, FL 33040; that the Decedent’s date of death was July 7, 2025, that the total value of the estate is $43,297.71 and that the names and addresses of those to whom it will be assigned by an Order of Summary Administration are: Name/Address ROBERT F. TROSSET, III 23 Cactus Dr. Key West, FL 33040 CHRISTOPHER LYNN TROSSET 62 Bay Dr. Key West, FL 33040 ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE NOTIFIED THAT: All creditors of the estate of the Decedent and persons having claims or demands against the estate of the Decedent other than those for whom provision for full payment is made in the Order of Summary Administration must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702. ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER

6

KEYS WEEKLY COMICS, LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / JULY 2, 2026

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the Decedent's death by the Decedent or the Decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in Sections 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under Section 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the Clerk.

The date of first publication of this Notice is June 25, 2026.

Person Giving Notice: ROBERT F. TROSSET, III 23 Cactus Dr. Key West, FL 33040 Attorney for Person Giving Notice: SHELBY L. LOVELESS Florida Bar No. 125061 Weaver Loveless Law 240 E. Park Ave. Lake Wales, FL 33853 Tel.: 863.676.6000 Fax: 863.678.1515 E-Mail: sloveless@lakewaleslaw.net Secondary E-Mail: jimweaver@ lakewaleslaw.net Publish: June 25 & July 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

Cunningham Miller Rhyne PA 10075 Overseas Hwy PO Box 500938 Marathon, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-9428 Fax: (305) 743-8800 E-Mail: memiller@floridakeyslaw. com Secondary E-Mail: kobrien@floridakeyslaw.com service@floridakeyslaw.com Publish: June 25 and July 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

Pursuant to the IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AS TO COUNT(S) VI entered in a case pending in said Court, the 26th day of May 2026.

Style of which is: BEACH HOUSE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff vs.

ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ADMINISTRATORS OR AS OTHER CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST RICHARD LISLE WALKER, DECEASED AND MELISSA WALKER, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO RICHARD LISLE WALKER Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2025-CC-000397-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 8TH day of June 2026 KEVIN MADOK Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod 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 60 days after the sale.

Publish: June 25 and July 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 26-CP-000119-M DIVISION: MARATHON IN RE: ESTATE OF JOHN A. WARNER, SR. Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of John A. Warner, Sr., deceased, whose date of death was March 9, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050.

The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss.

732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s.

732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is June 25, 2026.

Personal Representative: John A. Warner, Jr. 900 Plantation Way Gallatin, Tennessee 37066 Attorney for Personal Representative: Meghan E. Miller Attorney Florida Bar Number: 1003898

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NUMBER: 26-CP-276-K IN RE: THE ESTATE OF VIVE A. LEROY, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of VIVE A. LEROY, deceased, whose date of death was February 13, 2026, Case: 26-CP-276-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: June 25, 2026.

Personal Representative: JULIA D. CLOPTON 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: June 25 and July 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025-CC-000397-K AMENDED 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 9nd day of July 2026 at 11 o’clock a.m., 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: Unit F11, Week 10, Beach House, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1510, Page 225, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025-CC-000384-K 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 9nd day of July 2026 at 11 o’clock a.m., 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: Unit F24, Week 39, Beach House, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1510, Page 225, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

Pursuant to the IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AS TO COUNT(S) I entered in a case pending in said Court, the 26th day of May 2026.

Style of which is: BEACH HOUSE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff vs.

ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ADMINISTRATORS OR AS OTHER CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST JOHN BUBOIS, DECEASED AND KAREN DUBOIS, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO JOHN DUBOIS Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2025-CC-000384-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 8TH day of June 2026 KEVIN MADOK Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod 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

LEGAL NOTICES within 60 days after the sale.

Publish: June 25 and July 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2025-CC-000413-K 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 9th day of July 2026 at 11 o’clock a.m., 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: Unit 5531, Week 29, Annual Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

Pursuant to the IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AS TO COUNT(S)II entered in a case pending in said Court, the 26th day of May 2026.

Style of which is: WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FOR-PROFIT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff vs.

ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ADMINISTRATORS OR AS OTHER CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST JOHN P. SCHINAS, DECEASED; DAVE SCHINAS, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO JOHN P. SCHINAS; DAWN SCHINAS, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO JOHN P. SCHINAS; ROB SCHINAS, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO JOHN P. SCHINAS; AND CARRIE SCHINAS, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO JOHN P. SCHINAS Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2025-CC-000413-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 8TH day of June 2026 KEVIN MADOK Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod 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 60 days after the sale.

Publish: June 25 and July 2, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 26-DR-671-M ATASHIA JERODIEN BELLE, Petitioner, and JARVIS JABARR MCGEE, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: JARVIS JABARR MCGEE RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 4753 NW 42ND STREET, LAUDERDALE LAKES, FL 33319 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 ATASHIA BELLE, whose address is 1685 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, APT. 4, MARATHON, FL 33050 on or before JULY 25, 2026, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 3117 OVERSEAS

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

HIGHWAY, MARATHON, FL 33050 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: June 10, 2026 Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Leslie Rodriguez Deputy Clerk Publish: June 25 and July 2, 9 & 16, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time maintenance person. 12- 15 hours a week.

Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Email office@marathonyachtclub. com or call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview.

Specialty Hardware of Marathon - Looking for full time or part time person.

Hardware knowledge an absolute must. Must have knowledge of hardware, plumbing and electrical. Apply in person at 10730 Overseas Hwy. Marathon 1-305-743-3382 HIRED!!!

AUTOS WANTED AUTOS ALL YEARS! Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks. Runs or Not.$CASH 305-332-0483

AUTOS FOR SALE Dodge Dakota For Sale.

ONLY 49k miles, 4 seats, mechanically sound, cold A/C, White in color, paint in good condition.

Located in Summerland Key. $4,500 OBO 3 0 5 - 3 9 4 - 2 7 7 7 PLACE YOUR AUTO FOR SALE AD HERE! $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy!

Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke@keysweek ly.com

BOAT SLIP/RACK FOR RENT Boat Slip &/or Rack For Rent in Marathon at The Boat House, Vaca Key. Call Tony 561-346-6400

EMPLOYMENT

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY - Concrete Field Testing Technician needed. Fulltime. Year round. We train you to go to various job sites and collect samples. Vehicle provided. Must speak English and have clean driving record.

Starting pay $20/hour. Pay rate will rise at intervals.

Benefits included. 305-6992555 catlabflkeys@gmail.com The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Full-time Carpenter, Electrician, & Custodian (Marathon). To apply, please contact Human Resources at: greenel@kwha.org or 305-2965621 ext. 225. 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.

Experienced FT Line Cook needed at the Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club. 10AM - 5PM, Good Pay. Small friendly staff.

Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

Serve/Bartend on the ocean!

The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a customer serviceoriented Server/Bartender.

Serve on pool deck, beach and/or bar lounge. Open year round, 9:30am-7pm daily. Full time/Part time.

Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips.

Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

Safety Staff- We are seeking a reliable, dedicated, and responsible Safety Staff member to join our team.

Full-time & Part-time availability starting at $18/hr.

To apply, call 305-664-4860 Ext 1, e-mail: corrine@orlk.org or apply in person at Outdoor Resorts at Long Key, 65821 Overseas Hwy, Long Key HIRED!!!

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy!

Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke@keysweek ly.com

HOUSING FOR RENT ANNUAL RENTAL - Key Largo - 3BR/2BA new kitchen, Spacious Doublewide modular on canal w/40’ dock, direct ocean access.

Very nice community $3500/ month 786-258-3127 3BR / 3BA fully furnished home for rent in Marathon. Available June 30. $3,500/month 618-559-9143 2BR/2BA available in August.

Studio Rental in Marathon, long-term, partially furnished, price includes internet, water, electric gas, garbage, pest, and lawn @ $2,200/mo all in. Call or text 305-433-0515 LONG TERM RENTALS: HUGE EFFICIENCY, 650 SF, partially furnished $1,650/month AND 2 Bedroom unfurnished, all appliances, renovated, for rent in Marathon. On the water, gated property. Section 8 possible. $2,000 month. First/ Security Call 305-610-8002

WANTED TO BUY

Hiring for busy pediatric office in Tavernier. Full-Time Medical Assistant - Pediatric experience preferred. Must multitask in fast-paced setting.

Pay is commensurate with experience. Email resume to: flkeyspeds@gmail.com HIRING: Office Administrator in Marathon. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), experience with QuickBooks or other accounting software preferred and must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Full time – Mon-Fri. Pay TBD - based on skill. Email: Natalie@cecflk.com Handyman needed for residence In Marathon.

High Pay! Start right away.

Call Bob at 305-395-0478

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

Duties include managing closing files, coordination with Realtors, sellers, buyers and lenders, regularly updating all involved parties.

Prior experience a plus. Salary, health insurance, bonuses, overtime pay and 401k.

Email resume to: greg@oropezastonescardenas.com

7

KEYS WEEKLY COMICS, LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / JULY 2, 2026

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • •305.743.0844 WANTED TO BUY

WE’RE HIRING

PRIVATE COLLECTOR WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches.

Old Model Military Clocks & Watches.

Call 305-743-4578 TURN YOUR CARDS INTO CASH! Marathon collector buying any and all Pokemon cards & collections.

Call 401-256-0645.

PIZZA MAKERS, PREP & CASHIERS

FOR THE NEW KEY LARGO LOCATION, OPENING SOON.

YARD SALES PLACE YOUR AD HERE! $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke@keysweek ly.com

Pizza Maker experience is a must.

For all positions, applicant must be selfmotivated, quick learner and team player.

NOW HIRING DOCK HAND

We are looking for a Dock Hand with excellent customer service to join our team. You would assist with the daily operations of our marina. Responsibilities include assistance with the daily marina tasks including helping guests arrive and depart from their dock, guiding guests over the radio, navigation, marina amenity cleaning, pressure-washing, assisting guests with golf cart rides and requests, and maintaining the marina.

Salary includes 401k match up to 6% and negotiable based on experience.

Send resume to captpips@aol.com or come in the office to fill out application.

1480 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050

Please call Nicole at 305-433-0515 or email nicole@themoongroupfl.com

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

NOW HIRING

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Company Description The Islamorada Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center is dedicated to promoting and strengthening local businesses through support, education, and advocacy. The organization provides resources, programs, events, and networking opportunities that help businesses grow and succeed while supporting a vibrant and sustainable local economy.

NOW HIRING! wants you to join their team!

RETAIL GIFT SHOP ASSOCIATE Full-time. $19/hour to start.

EMAIL resume to: TurtleHospital@TurtleHospital.org APPLY in person: 2396 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL

SEE DOLPHINS PLAY EVERYDAY!

NOW HIRING! GIFT SHOP (PT, Weekends) VETERINARY TECHNICIAN (Full-Time, Permanent) DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

is a fun, environmentally friendly non-profit 501(c)(3) organization specializing in education, research, and rescue of marine mammals.

DRC provides for the well-being of its employees with a competitive package including: a 401k retirement plan, medical benefits, HSA account, paid holidays/vacation/sick days, an employee assistance program, in addition to, life and disability insurance at no cost to the employee. EOE

COME JOIN THE FAMILY!

Email your resume and a DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER 58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL

Role Description The Executive Director is a full-time, on-site leadership position based in Islamorada, Florida, responsible for the overall management, strategic direction, membership growth and retention, and daily operations of the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.

Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of the organization. The position represents the Chamber throughout the community and works to advance the interests of local businesses while promoting Islamorada as a world-class destination.

Qualifications • Proven leadership and management experience, including oversight of staff, budgets, and operations.

• Strong communication, public speaking, and relationship building skills.

• Experience in large public event planning, program development, and project management.

• Knowledge of financial management, budgeting, reporting, and organizational planning.

• Experience working with a Board of Directors and supporting board governance.

• Familiarity with marketing, publication development, social media, website management, and visitor engagement.

• Experience with grant writing, fundraising, sponsorship development, or revenue generation.

• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem solving abilities.

SUNSET GRILLE NOW HIRING BARTENDERS WAIT STAFF - HOST/HOSTESS BUS PERSONS Apply in person at

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

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience.

• Experience in tourism, economic development, community organization, nonprofit, chamber of commerce, or membership organizations is preferred.

• Ability to thrive in a highly visible leadership role and serve as an effective ambassador for the organization and the community.

Local knowledge is highly desirable

NOW HIRING • DIVE INSTRUCTOR Pay: $160.00 per day Guaranteed Pay + Tips + Commission.

Affordable employee housing available.

• TOUCH TANK ATTENDANT • GUEST SERVICES Call 305-407-3262 or email info@floridakeysaquariumencounters.com 11710 OVERSEAS HWY, MARATHON

D'Asign Source is seeking the following professionals.

Overtime and benefits are available.

Home Décor Sales Consultant Customer-focused sales professional with experience in retail or customer service.

Creativity and interest in home décor a must. Help customers discover pieces that turn everyday spaces into something special.

Kitchen Design Specialist Individual who brings creativity, functionality, and style together in kitchen and bath design.

Design kitchens that become the heart of the home.

For complete details and to apply, please visit DAsignSource.com/careers

8

KEYS WEEKLY COMICS, LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / JULY 2, 2026

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

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

IS HIRING!

JOIN A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE NONPROFIT HELPING PEOPLE COPE AND CHANGE FOR 53 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 (CAT) Case Manager (Adult) Mental Health Technician

KEY WEST

Case Manager (Children) Crisis Counselor Behavioral Health Counselor (Children) Prevention Specialist Behavioral Health Therapist (Children) (FT, PT)

MARATHON

Mental Health Technician Driver (CDL NOT required) (PT) Registered Nurse (PT) Behavioral Health Therapist (Adult, PT) *Support Worker (Assisted Living) (FT, PT) *Behavioral Health Technicians (FT, PT) *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

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

SUBSTATION ELECTRICIAN

(High Voltage Substation Electrical Technician) Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $46.38/hr. - $51.94/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.

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE 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

OPENINGS AVAILABLE PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS

- Medical Assistant, Ortho-Tavernier, $5k Bonus - Medical Assistant, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus - Medical Assistant, Cardiology, Upper Keys, $5k Bonus - Medical Assistant, Ortho, Key West, $5k Bonus - Radiology Technologist, Ortho Surgical, Key West, $25k Bonus

MIAMI CANCER INSTITUTE KEY WEST - Director Nursing Services, Operations Support Key West, $5k Bonus - Medical Assistant, Outpatient Procedures, $5k Bonus - Patient Access Scheduler, Operations Support Key West, $5k Bonus - Pool Radiation Therapist

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- Chaplain, Chaplaincy Spiritual Care, Per Diem - Clinical Partner, Multispecialty Acute Care Center, $3k Bonus - Clinical Pharmacist, $5k Bonus - Customer Service & Membership Coordinator, Mariners Wellness Center - Exercise Assistant, Mariners Wellness Center, Per Diem - Exercise Physiologist, Per Diem - MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, CT Scan, $50k Bonus - Mechanic, FT, 7A-3:30P - Medical Staff Coordinator, Mariners Hospital, FT - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, Echocardiography, Per Diem - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, (CT & X Ray), $25k Bonus - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 2, (Echo & Vascular w/Ultrasound Preferred), $25k Bonus - Pharmacy Technician, Mariners Hospital, $4k Bonus - Pool Clinical Pharmacist, Per Diem - Pool Group Exercise Instructor, Per Diem - Pool Medical Technologist - Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care, $25k Bonus - Registered Nurse, ICU, $15k Bonus - Registered Nurse, Surgery, $15k Bonus - Supervisor Chef, Dietary

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- Cook, Dietary, PT - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (CT & X Ray), Radiology, $25k Bonus - Phlebotomist, Laboratory, Per Diem, 7A-3:30P - Pool Physical Therapist, Per Diem - Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, Per Diem - Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care Center, Various Shifts & Statuses - Registered Nurse, Surgery, $15k Bonus - Registered Respiratory Therapist, $25k Bonus - Registered Respiratory Therapist, PT, $12,500 Bonus - Security Officer, FT, 7A-7:30P - Security Officer, Per Diem All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. *Sign-on bonuses are available only for select full-time positions based on candidate experience.

APPLY AND LEARN MORE careers.baptisthealth.net

FULL-TIME POSITION

POLICE OFFICER Requirements • Current Florida Law Enforcement Certification • Ability to successfully complete a background investigation, drug screening, medical exam, polygraph, and psychological evaluation Salary & Benefits • Starting Salary: $75,000 • Full Health & Dental Insurance • Florida Retirement System (FRS) • 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan Email resume to: Chief of Police Jamie Buxton chief@keycolonybeach.net For more information: 305-289-1212 ext. 1 City of Key Colony Beach An Equal Opportunity Employer Preference in the selection of vacant positions will be given to eligible veterans and their spouses. The Key Colony Beach Police Department is an EEO employer and a drug- and nicotine-free workplace.

Work with the BEST

Voted BEST BANK 2014 - 2025 Key West Full Time Teller Marathon Customer Service Representative Islamorada Assistant Branch Operations Manager Apply Online @ KeysBank.com/Careers

FIRSr# srATE

MNK

KeysBank.com