Key West Weekly 26-0730

$995,000

The one that checks all the boxes

Embrace the laid-back lifestyle of the Florida Keys in this waterfront two-bedroom, two-bathroom condominium with beautiful water views. Soaring vaulted wood-beamed ceilings, a skylight, and expansive sliding glass doors fill the home with natural light while showcasing the sparkling water beyond. The open-concept living and dining areas flow seamlessly to a spacious wraparound balcony, creating the perfect setting to enjoy your morning coffee, entertain guests, or unwind with the island breeze. The functional kitchen opens to the main living area, making entertaining effortless. Located in Bay Villas, a boutique waterfront community of just nine residences, residents enjoy beautifully maintained grounds, a community pool, boat docks, and inviting waterfront gathering spaces. Whether you're looking for a full-time residence, a seasonal getaway, or an investment opportunity, this waterfront retreat offers the relaxed charm that makes the Florida Keys so special.

5450 MacDonald Ave. No.5

Key West, FL 33040 Office: 305.453.6928 www.keysweekly.com

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Latest campaign finance records show big spending in the Republican primary for Florida governor. As of the latest finance reporting on July 17, more than $5.9 million was spent among the campaigns for Byron Donalds, Jay Collins, James Fishback and Paul Renner. Donalds has spent far more than any other candidate, at $4.8 million.

NEW COLLEGE BOARD FAILS TO FIX KEY DEER ISSUE

Appointees faulted former president for same struggle

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

The newly appointed college board members failed at a meeting this week to solve one of the problems they included on their list of reasons for firing college president Jonathan “Dr. G” Gueverra on July 20.

Trustees on the board of the College of the Florida Keys, when discussing Gueverra’s termination, mentioned his failure to find a solution to a Key deer issue on Big Pine Key. The college leases a former road prison from the state there and plans to install trade school offerings, including commercial driver license training.

The 10-acre former prison site has been closed for years and was heavily damaged in Hurricane Irma in 2017. It has been fenced to keep trespassers and wildlife out of the property, which is not part of the National Key Deer Refuge. But no one told the deer, and four of the endangered, four-legged residents of Big Pine Key found their way in and are not cooperating with efforts to make them leave.

Claiming the four deer, including a fawn, are “trapped” and suffering inside the prison site, advocates from the nonprofit Save Our Key Deer on Big Pine Key have been asking the college to let them install a wildlife gate in the perimeter fence to allow the deer to come and go from the property and access a fresh water source that’s in the middle of the site.

College officials, including Gueverra, interim president Brittany Snyder and the school’s attorneys, have long been concerned about the college’s liability if a person used the wildlife gate to access the site and was injured. The site includes multiple derelict buildings that pose dangers to curious teens and/or homeless people. Since January, three instances of vandalism

Key deer advocates from Save Our Key Deer circulated this photo during protests claiming the College of the Florida Keys is endangering four Key deer that are enclosed in a 10-acre site. Federal wildlife experts and local wildlife veterinarian Dr. Doug Mader have said the deer are healthy and have access to fresh water and food resources. CONTRIBUTED

have occurred when people have cut the padlocks that keep a gate closed and tried to cut holes in the fencing, Snyder told the board, which didn’t seem overly concerned with liability for the college.

Suarez, who is an attorney, asked Snyder, “How many trespass orders have been issued, and how many injuries have occurred on the site from someone accessing the property?”

When Snyder said none, other than the three instances of vandalism, Suarez and board member Robert Broton endorsed installing the wildlife gates anyway, regardless of liability concerns.

The Save Our Key Deer advocates have held protests and written letters to local newspapers accusing the college of trapping and endangering the four deer by keeping them fenced in on the property, despite reports from wildlife veterinarian Dr. Doug Mader and wildlife experts from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service saying the four deer are healthy and have access to plenty of water and food.

Nevertheless, the college and USFWS have made multiple attempts to lead the deer off the property so it can be resecured, to no avail.

Snyder told the college board at

The staff from Reef Relief enthusiastically celebrates their repeat Bubbas Award win for Best Summer Camp at the July 25 awards show for the Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards. NICK DOLL/Keys Weekly

their meeting July 28 in Marathon that USFWS experts were back on the property this week attempting to relocate the deer.

The college board, after electing Suarez as board chair and Peter E. Batty as vice chair, then spent nearly two hours rehashing the Key deer issue.

Several Big Pine residents and Key deer advocates attended the meeting, drawing the attention of board member Michael Downer.

“What surprised me is they decided to hold a bunch of protests after (board chair Suarez) spent a bunch of time with them. I think that’s counterproductive,” Downer said, later adding, “I’m not going to be bullied into taking action that could work against the college regarding liability.”

In a May performance evaluation of Gueverra, he was criticized for a contentious relationship with the Key deer advocates.

Broton eventually made a motion to install the wildlife gates despite liability concerns. That motion failed when no one seconded it.

Board member Eddie Kertis, who was silent for most of the Key deer discussion, finally wrapped up the matter when he reminded the board that the property is overseen by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, a federal agency that is on the property this week attempting to urge the four deer off the property,

Kertis, who is superintendent of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, is familiar with the federal government and its oversight of natural resources. He told his fellow board members that as a superintendent of a federal resource, he could not take orders from local advocates. He suggested getting U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez’s office involved if there is an issue involving the Fish & Wildlife Service. Otherwise, the property is in their hands, Kertis said.

His statement effectively ended the lengthy discussion with no progress made. The Key deer advocates left the meeting in frustration, with one of them muttering that the deer wouldn’t survive inside the fence, contrary to USFWS and Mader’s assertions. One thing the board did decide to do was explore the college’s long-term vision for the Big Pine site.

EVALUATIONS OF COLLEGE PRESIDENT CHANGED WITH NEW BOARD

Keys Weekly reviews five years of board’s analysis

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

What a difference a year — and six new board members — made for the former president of the College of the Florida Keys.

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed six of the college’s seven board members between January and June 2026. Alexandria Suarez has been on the board since 2023.

After 14 years as president of the College of the Florida Keys, Jonathan “Dr. G” Gueverra was fired by the new board on July 20, at a meeting whose agenda did not mention the potential termination.

The Keys Weekly requested and received copies of the board members’ evaluations of the college president for the past five years.

A comparison of the evaluations from the 2024-2025 school year and the 2025-26 school year under the new board of trustees shows a notable change.

In 2024-25 and the four years prior, board members rated Gueverra highly and included positive comments. The 2025-26 evaluations include more criticism from board members than any prior years.

Board vice chair Peter E. Batty noted repeatedly in his May 25 evaluation of Gueverra, “As a newer board member, I have limited knowledge.” Less than two months later, on July 20, Batty opened the special meeting with a motion to fire Gueverra, effective immediately.

When asked by the Keys Weekly on July 28 what information Batty had acquired between May 25 and July 20 that convinced him to terminate Gueverra, Batty said he was on vacation with his children for the month of July and would not be available until they returned to school.

The selection here shows comments from board members’ evaluations of Gueverra in 2024-25 compared to those submitted in spring of 2026 by the new board members.

2024-25 EVALUATION COMMENTS

(These comments from the previous board were unattributed.)

• “The President continues to find ... exceptional doctors who excel in their areas of expertise. Together they have built a cohesive leadership team.”

• “Like any strong leader, those that are … ready to work ... have very strong relationships with the President. Those that struggle to see the value ... create turbulence for all. ... The President navigates this with skill and passion.”

• “The President ... can call each student by name ... but also knows what they studied and what if any challenges they may have faced.”

• “He continually strives to stay ahead of changes.”

• “There is a keen focus on opportunities ... for the College to better support the educational needs of the local community.”

• “He has a strong leadership team that he can rely on.”

2025-2026 EVALUATION COMMENTS

• “I feel more communication directly with the Board is needed.” — Robert Broton

• “The college had two senior leaders leave around the same time. ... The board has still not received an explanation for these mysterious departures.” — Eddie Kertis

• “I’m disappointed by Dr. G’s interactions with the board with regard to ... why his contract was renewed a year early. ... I’m shocked at how disrespectful he was to the Chair during our last Board meeting....” — Michael Downer

• “I received three calls from elected or government officials after my appointment in January. ... critical of the relations between the college and the community.” — Kertis

• “The president has demonstrated that he has a vision for where the college should be and has taken steps to implement that vision.” — Kertis

• “I question some of the decisions that have been made regarding facilities, expansion, etc.” — Kertis

• “I am concerned that this college is on the edge of viability. Would like to see more urgency in putting the college on a more viable track.” — Michael Downer

• “The college is renowned for having an entrenched, inefficient, and intractable bureaucracy. Deans and directors are not empowered.” — Kertis

CFK BOARD APPOINTS SNYDER AS INTERIM PRESIDENT

At a special meeting on July 20, the board of trustees of the College of the Florida Keys appointed Brittany Snyder to serve as interim president. Snyder previously served as CFK’s executive vice president and chief financial officer.

The appointment followed the board’s decision to end Jonathan Gueverra’s tenure as president.

Snyder has more than 23 years of service at CFK. She began her career in the college’s business office before becoming an adjunct instructor teaching accounting, finance and management courses. She then served as a full-time faculty member, business program chair, dean of arts and sciences, provost and vice president of academic affairs.

In 2021, she was promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer, a role in which she oversaw the college’s business operations, information technology, strategic planning, accreditation, human resources, facilities and construction and sponsored programs.

She has served as CFK’s accreditation liaison for more than a decade, including leading the college’s recent work to become one of the first in Florida to earn accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

“I’ve been part of this college for over 20 years, and I’ve watched our students grow, work hard and go on to build better lives for themselves and their families. That’s what matters, and I am committed to ensuring that our students and community continue to receive the same exceptional education and support they have always received from CFK,” Snyder said.

Snyder is treasurer and a board member of the Key West Chamber of Commerce. She was the liaison to the Young Entrepreneurship Academy, and recipient of the President’s Award in 2022. She is a member of the Upper Keys Business and Professional Women and the Florida Federation of Business and Professional Women. Within the Florida College System, she sits on the steering committee for the Council of Business Affairs and the operations committee of the Risk Management Consortium and previously chaired the Council of Instructional Affairs as its small college representative. She was also selected to participate in the system’s chancellor’s leadership seminar.

Snyder has a doctorate in management and a master’s degree in accounting and financial management from the University of Maryland University College, and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Towson University.

— Contributed

Brittany Snyder, interim president for the College of the Florida Keys. CFK/Contributed

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An island inspired treasure trove where fashion meets paradise. Nestled into the heart of Key West, we’re your go-to destination for splurge worthy finds and fashion forward essentials. Featuring the latest styles from Farm Rio, Alemais, Oliphant & many more.

GERRY AND THE VANISHING BOOT

KEY WEST BACK IN THE DAY

When I arrived in Key West in the late 1970s, my belongings fit into a couple of suitcases and a box or two. That free-and-easy, low-possession lifestyle lasted for almost a decade — until my then-boyfriend Gerry moved in, bringing enough paraphernalia to satisfy an aspiring hoarder.

CAROL SHAUGHNESSY

has lived in Key West for 40-plus years, witnessing and writing about the island’s renegade past, shipwreck salvage adventures and colorful presentday characters.

Since its volume overwhelmed my little apartment, we soon found an upper Whitehead Street cottage to rent. None of our cohorts had a pickup truck at the time, so we hired a local moving company (whose owner was nicknamed Clyde the Magic Mover) for our crosstown relocation.

Shortly before the move, Clyde called and asked how many boxes we had. Gerry was not fooled. He had moved his possessions before. So he did what any other semi-hoarder would do: he lied.

The next day, Clyde and his partner Ezell arrived. In their mid-50s, they had enough energy to joke as they lifted Gerry’s overflowing boxes into their moving van — a vehicle seemingly large enough to hold all of Sloppy Joe’s Bar.

An unexpected island deluge began as we drove across town. It ended quickly, but left our new cottage’s attractive tropical yard filled with unattractive tropical mud.

Unfortunately, we had to cross the mud to get the furniture and boxes in the back door. But we were not daunted. Like Key West residents often do, we improvised. We placed a large board from the moving van over the worst of the mud, and Clyde and Ezell speedily unloaded our household goods and departed (with their board). That evening, I biked over to the Half Shell Raw Bar to pick up some dinner while Gerry stayed home to unpack.

Our backyard, however, was still a mud puddle. Bringing a few remaining belongings in from the car, Gerry removed his favorite cowboy boots and left them outside the cottage’s back door so he wouldn’t track mud inside.

Shortly afterward, he spotted a floppy-eared dog racing past the kitchen window with something in its mouth. At first he thought the object was a rag — but then realized it was one of his boots! Frantically, he gave chase, but couldn’t catch the culprit.

When I got home, Gerry was pacing the kitchen (barefooted) muttering to himself. The remaining boot sat in lonely splendor on the counter.

Indignantly, Gerry related the boot-snatching episode. I collapsed into a handy chair, laughing uncontrollably.

Later, as we dined on the Half Shell’s wonderful Key West pink shrimp, Gerry said, “I’ve heard that animals do only what they need for survival. So why did that dog need my boot? He can’t wear it!”

We fantasized briefly about a local dog pack indulging in boot worship on nearby Higgs Beach. I tried to finish my shrimp, but was laughing too hard.

After a night of fitful sleep, Gerry started the day in his flip-flops. He was not amused when I hummed “These Boots Are Made for Walking.”

Outside, savoring Key West’s tangy salt air, I started chatting with two kids trying to crack a coconut on the sidewalk. Gerry unobtrusively searched the area for his missing footwear.

Finally one of the kids said, “Mister, are you looking for something?”

Gerry related the whole sorry tale.

The older kid grabbed Gerry’s sleeve and urged him down Whitehead Street. There, behind the giant painted buoy that marked the southernmost point in the continental U.S., lay a boot. It was muddy, bedraggled and appeared to have a few bite marks.

Gerry snatched it up with a glad cry.

1. Could this innocent-looking golden retriever be the infamous boot thief? JOANNE DENNING/Contributed

2. Despite his traumatic encounter with the canine boot thief, Gerry later adopted two puppies named Captain, left, and Calhoun. CAROL SHAUGHNESSY/Contributed

3. A smiling couple poses beside Key West’s Southernmost Point marker, where Gerry eventually found his missing boot. CONTRIBUTED

That afternoon, as I biked over to Fausto’s for groceries, I spotted a dog that looked suspiciously like the boot thief Gerry had described. He was carrying something in his mouth ... but nevertheless, he managed to give me a wide canine grin.

KEY WEST DELIVERING for

WHILE OTHERS PLAY POLITICS, DEE DEE GETS THINGS DONE.

RESTORING TRUST AT CITY HALL

Worked to restore trust, strengthen accountability, and reinforce transparency, helping turn the page and making clear that corruption has no place in City Hall.

KEPT KEY WEST FAMILIES SAFE

Led the approval efforts supporting a new fire station and stronger emergency readiness, helping strengthen emergency response and ensuring help gets there faster when families need it most

BROUGHT HIGGS BEACH BACK TO KEY WEST

Led the effort to bring Higgs Beach into Key West hands, securing one of our island’s most treasured public spaces and protecting it for future generations

EXPANDED WORKFORCE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES

Supported partnerships with the Monroe County School District to advance plans for 150 workforce housing units, helping teachers and school employees continue calling Key West home.

WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED.

“I'M PROUD OF WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED TOGETHER, BUT THERE'S STILL MORE WORK TO DO. EVERY DAY, I'M FOCUSED ON MAKING KEY WEST AN EVEN BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND RAISE A FAMILY. THANK YOU FOR THE TRUST YOU'VE PLACED IN ME. IT REMAINS THE GREATEST HONOR OF M

BUBBAS BRING BRAGGING RIGHTS

Key West comes together for a night of comedy, competition & charity

Key West did what it does best on July 25, when nearly 300 people packed the Key West Theater for the 13th annual Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards.

Political divides were pushed aside for a few hours at the awards show that combined comedy, satire, friendly roasts and, of course, nearly 100 Bubba Awards given out to honor the people, programs and places that make Key West special.

As always, all proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships helped a local charity. This year’s beneficiary was AHEC, which provides free medical and dental care to all Monroe County kids.

The Keys Weekly congratulates all the winners and nominees, and thanks the community for supporting its locally owned newspaper.

Bubbas bragging rights began at the annual awards show on July 25 at Key West Theater — and are continuing on social media and in every business that took home a 2026

Bubba: Key West People’s Choice Award.

Photos by NICK DOLL and MARK HEDDEN

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

FOOD & DRINKS

Best Key Lime Pie

KERMIT’S KEY LIME PIE SHOP

Best Cuban Sandwich

KIM’S KUBAN

Best International Restaurant

EL SIBONEY RESTAURANT

Best Cup of Co ee

BABY’S COFFEE

Best Breakfast

TWO FRIENDS PATIO & RESTAURANT

Best Brunch

MOONDOG CAFE

Best Lunch

HOGFISH BAR & GRILL

Best Bar

GREEN PARROT BAR

Best Gay Bar

22&CO

Best Food Truck

GARBO’S GRILL @ HANKS!

Best Dessert Spot

BETTER THAN SEX

Best Ice Cream/Gelato

FLAMINGO CROSSING

Best Conch Chowder

CONCH REPUBLIC SEAFOOD COMPANY

Best Wings

ROOSTICA

Best Smoothie

SMOOTHIE SHUTTLE

Best BBQ

SMOKED BBQ (ON THE WATER)

Best Sushi

MISOHAPPY SUSHI & THAI

Best Raw Bar/Oysters

HALF SHELL RAW BAR

Best Ceviche

THE DOCKS RESTAURANT + RAW BAR

Best Teacher/Professor/School Admin.

ALI FERGUSON - POINCIANA

Best Non-Profit Organization

FLORIDA KEYS SPCA

Best Elected O cial

SAM STEELE - MONROE COUNTY

TAX COLLECTOR

Best Local Musician

CAFFEINE CARL WAGONER

Best Local Band

MARSHALL MORLOCK BAND

Best Local DJ

DJ SANARIS

Best in Drag

BEATRIX DIXIE

Best Artist

LUCY HAWK

Best Thespian/Performing Artist

ERIN MCKENNA

Best Volunteer/Community Activist

LUCY HAWK

CHARLEY TOPPINO & SONS

Best Photographer

NICK DOLL

Best Doctor

DR. MELANIE YOUSCHAK

Best Veterinarian

LOWER KEYS ANIMAL CLINIC

Best Realtor

BASCOM GROOMS

Best Real Estate O ce

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY

HOMESERVICES KNIGHT

& GARDNER REALTY

Best Bank or Credit Union

FIRST STATE BANK

Best Wine Selection

GRAND VIN WINE BAR

Best Beer Selection

CAYO HUESO BREWING

Best Mojito

PEPE’S CAFE

Best Bloody Mary

RAMS HEAD SOUTHERNMOST

Best Margarita

PEPE’S CAFE

Best Martini

VIRGILIO’S

Best Bartender

BZ (BRIAN) - GREEN PARROT BAR

Best Dog-Friendly Bar/ Restaurant

HANK’S HAIR OF THE DOG SALOON

Best Waterfront Dining

THE DOCKS RESTAURANT + RAW BAR

Best Pizza

ROOSTICA

Best Seafood

SQUARE GROUPER - KEY WEST

Best Steak

PRIME STEAKHOUSE

Best Taco

GARBO’S GRILL @ HANKS!

Best Hamburger

MOONDOG CAFE

Best Late-Night Spot

GREEN PARROT BAR

Best Catering Company

CATERED AFFAIRS OF KEY WEST

Best Organic/Health Food

DATE & THYME CAFE & MARKET

Best Bar or Restaurant Restroom

22&CO

Best Happy Hour

BOAT HOUSE BAR & GRILL

Best Restaurant Service & Sta

LA TRATTORIA

Best Overall Restaurant

LA TRATTORIA

OUR COMMUNITY

Best Place to Take the Kids

KEY WEST BUTTERFLY & NATURE CONSERVATORY

Best Local Event/Festival

FANTASY FEST

Best Tourist Attraction

KEY WEST BUTTERFLY & NATURE CONSERVATORY

Best Local Celebrity

KEY WEST SHAWN

ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT

Sponsored by

Best Live Music Venue

GREEN PARROT BAR

Best Performing Arts Venue

KEY WEST THEATER

Best Art Gallery or Studio

THE STUDIOS OF KEY WEST

THE BUSINESSES

Best Accounting Firm

OROPEZA & PARKS

Best Law Firm

REED PALACIOS LAW

Best Charter Fishing Captain/Guide

GOOD TIMES KEY WEST

CAPT JUSTIN FERRELL

Best Furniture Store

SOUL HOUSE

Best Bike Shop

KEY LIME BIKE TOURS

Best Dive Shop

CAPTAIN’S CORNER DIVE CENTER

Best Bait & Tackle Shop

ESKY RODS

Best Watersports Company

FURY KEY WEST WATERSPORTS

Best Marina

THE PERRY HOTEL & MARINA KEY WEST

Best Customer Service

STRUNK ACE HARDWARE

Best Jewelry Store

JEFF’S GEMS & NAUTICAL DESIGNS

Best Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouse

THE GARDENS HOTEL

Best Chiropractor

DR. MICHAEL STERN

SOUTHERNMOST SPORTS

CHIROPRACTIC

Best Dentist*

Best Florist

LOVE IN BLOOM FLORIST

Best Liquor Store

GREEN PARROT LIQUORS

Best Local Retailer

KEYFILLERY

Best Fitness Center/Gym

SWEAT SOCIETY KW

Best Nail Salon

LEE NAILS

Best Spa

OCEAN WELLNESS SPA & SALON

Best Hair Salon

SALTY ROOTS

Best Barber

BLENDZ

Best Summer Camp

REEF RELIEF

Best Family-Owned Business

FAUSTO’S FOOD PALACE

Best Overall Business

LA TRATTORIA

*At the request of the local dental community, this category has been paused this year in memory and honor of the late Dr. Hector Guzman.

Reynerio Tamayo

Reynerio Tamayo (b. 1968, Niquero, Cuba) is the foremost contemporary painter exploring baseball as cultural mythology. His work blends technical mastery, satire, Caribbean folklore, and a Hemingway-in ected narrative sensibility. Tamayo’s Baseball Card series has positioned him as the world’s most important baseball artist, with major U.S. exhibitions at the Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, and Hall-of-Fame-adjacent venues.

SAMPLE BALLOTS SHOW WRONG ELECTION DAY IN SPANISH

Typo was a printer’s error; official ballots are correct & valid

An incorrect date on the sample ballots that arrived in Monroe County mailboxes told Spanish speakers to vote on Election Day — Nov. 5, 2024, or, more specifically, “5 de noviembre 2024.”

The incorrect date on thousands of sample ballots was a printer’s error. But all dates are correct on the official ballots that will be cast in the Aug. 18 election, Monroe County Supervisor of Elections Sherri Hodies told the Keys Weekly on Monday.

“I heard about it, then I looked at my own mail and couldn’t believe it; I was so angry,” Hodies said on Monday. “I told the printer the date was wrong seven weeks ago. We went through about 11 revisions, and the final proof I approved had the correct dates. I have three Spanish speakers in the office and we all checked the final proof and everything was correct.”

The typo appears in a box titled “Vote Election Day” that gives the date of the August election and a reminder that voters must vote at their designated polling location in their precinct. The paragraph is repeated directly below in

Spanish — except the Spanish version says election day is “5 de noviembre de 2024.”

Hodies provided the Keys Weekly with copies of the correct proof of the sample ballots that she approved, along with a marked-up version of a sample ballot that show Hodies’ comments to the printer about revisions in yellow. One of those comments, next to the incorrect date, points out that it says November 2024 and should say “18 de agosto.”

“After we had all checked the correct version and I approved it, the printer still went back and used the wrong version,” Hodies said, adding that the company handles ballots for elections across the state and the country.

She emphasized that all official ballots have the correct dates, and the incorrect date on the sample ballots was a frustrating error at the printer, not a conspiracy to keep Spanishspeaking voters from casting a ballot on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.

This is the first major election that Hodies is administering; she was elected in November 2024 and sworn in two months later in January 2025.

SHERIFF’S LIEUTENANT GETS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Lt. Nancy Alvarez honored by Florida Sheriffs Association

Sheriff Rick Ramsay presents Lt.Nancy Alvarez with a LIfetime Achievement Award from the Florida Sheriffs Association for her 40 years in law enforcement. CONTRIBUTED

Sheriff Rick Ramsay presented Lt. Nancy Alvarez with the Florida Sheriffs Association Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors members with at least 40 years of law enforcement experience, including at least 20 with a Florida sheriff.

Alvarez has been with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for 40 years and two months. She started her career shortly after high school as a 911 communications specialist where she also served as a reserve deputy volunteer, before entering the basic law enforcement academy.

Alvarez is a veteran commander with extensive experience in law enforcement, including specialized law enforcement, who has served with road patrol, with special

operations investigations, as commander of District 7 (Key Largo), and with the Sheriff’s Office arm of the South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas task force, before finding her passion as an intelligence lieutenant. She currently supervises the Court Security and Civil divisions.

“Anyone who knows me knows my goal is to keep our community and our officers safe and I love my job, even at 3 in the morning,” Alvarez said.

“Lt. Nancy Alvarez and I have worked together many years and our friendship reflects our shared passion for the job,” said Ramsay. “She is truly deserving of this honor.”

Left: All versions of the sample ballots have the incorrect date of election day, telling Spanish speakers to vote on Nov. 5, 2024. Right: Elections supervisor Sherri Hodies sent the Keys Weekly a copy of the corrections she sent to the printer that states the date needs to be changed in the Spanish section. CONTRIBUTED

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR VOTES!

BASILICA SCHOOL JOINS SUNSHINE STATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

Membership will allow competition for conference & state championships

The Basilica School, once known as Mary Immaculate, has been accepted into the Sunshine State Athletic Association (SSAA).

Four years ago, the Basilica School restored Catholic high school education to Key West for the first time since the 1980s. This past spring, the Mariners graduated their first senior class in a generation. Now, the school’s athletic program takes its next step by joining one of Florida’s fastest-growing athletic associations.

Membership in the SSAA will allow Basilica student-athletes to compete for conference and state championships while expanding opportunities for meaningful regular-season and postseason competition. The Mariners currently compete in volleyball, cross country, golf and basketball.

The Basilica School is committed to giving every student-athlete the opportunity to compete. Through Key West High School, Basilica students may participate in sports that are not currently offered at the Basilica School. Over the past several years, Mariners have competed for the Conchs in football, soccer, lacrosse, wrestling, swimming, track and field, tennis and softball. Several Basilica students have become standout athletes at Key West High School.

This past year, Basilica celebrated another milestone when Gloria Slavik became the school’s first student-athlete to earn an NCAA volleyball opportunity, signing to continue her academic and athletic career at Cedar Crest College in Pennsylvania.

“Our hope is that member-

ship in the SSAA will provide these student-athletes with greater opportunities to compete for championships while continuing to build something special here at Basilica,” Principal Robert Wright said.

Athletic director Clark Cascio has worked with the school leadership to expand programs, recruit coaches and build a culture centered on discipline, teamwork and character.

In August, the Mariner volleyball team will welcome Amber McCray back to Key West for two days of advanced player development. McCray is a celebrated figure in collegiate volleyball with an outstanding career as both a player and coach. As an opposite hitter at the University of Florida, she earned AVCA Second-Team All-American honors, was a twotime First-Team All-SEC selection, and was recognized as an ESPN Academic All-American. She later enjoyed a successful collegiate coaching career.

The free camp, available exclusively to Mariner student-athletes, will run each day from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., followed by an afternoon match session from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

“We recognize we’re still the newer program in town,” Wright said. “In many ways, we’re the David to Goliath. But we also know how that story ends. Every year our enrollment grows, our programs become stronger and our studentathletes gain more opportunities. We are trying to build a school that will serve Key West families for generations to come.”

— Contributed

GO AHEAD, MEET YOUR HEROES

National Night Out brings kids faceto-face with first responders Aug. 4

Local law enforcement, military and community partners will host the annual National Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at four locations: Key Largo Community Park, Islamorada’s Founders Park, the Sheriff’s Office Aviation Hangar at the Marathon International Airport and Truman Waterfront Park in Key West.

Each family-friendly event will feature food, refreshments and an opportunity to meet neighbors, members of local law enforcement agencies and firefighters, as well as members of the military from a wide variety of divisions and special teams, and many others who are all involved in public safety in the Keys.

The goal of National Night Out is to bring the community together to discuss how to make neighborhoods cleaner, safer and more secure. Community members can learn how to heighten their crime-prevention awareness. Each event — depending on the area — will feature displays of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office elite units such as the dive team, SWAT and crime scene investigation.

Also attending will be the U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,

Florida Highway Patrol, Monroe County Fire Rescue, Monroe County schools, business chambers and others. Participants can view vehicles and equipment used by many of the agencies and pick up valuable information and personal safety paraphernalia.

— Keys Weekly staff report

Guests enjoy National Night Out events in the Upper Keys and Marathon in 2025. Photos by Jim McCarthy and Natalie Danko

‘PAPAS’ PACK KEY WEST FOR HEMINGWAY DAYS

Chris Dutton wins look-alike contest — on 7th try

Seven tries. One lucky sweater. Perseverance paid off July 25 in Key West, as Chris Dutton made history becoming the first “Young Hemingway” ever to win Sloppy Joe’s annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest. The 39-year-old lawyer from Tampa joins a brotherhood dedicated to preserving Ernest Hemingway’s legacy through friendship, tradition and service.

Dutton emerged from a field of 134 registered contestants, in two preliminary rounds before defeating 23 other finalists to claim the title on his seventh attempt.

And while most contestants portray the older, white-bearded version of Hemingway, Dutton embodies the younger writer who lived and worked in Key West during the 1930s. Other “Young Hemingways” had reached the finals over the years, but none had ever won — until now.

The judges, each a former lookalike winner known as a “Papa,” evaluate resemblance to Hemingway, stage presence, character and the ability to represent a society devoted to preserving the celebrated author’s legacy.

After his first appearance at the look-alike contest, Dutton said he discovered what keeps generations of contestants coming back: the friendships. In 2019, a past Papa invited him on a trip to Cuba, where Hemingway also briefly lived. Experiences like that, he said, revealed the true spirit behind the competition.

“It’s about the brotherhood, the friendship and that’s why we all keep returning,” Dutton said.

And his new role is only begin-

ning. He now moves from contestant to judge, helping select future winners while supporting the Hemingway Look-Alike Society’s scholarship program, which has awarded more than $350,000 to Florida Keys students. He also becomes one of the tradition’s ambassadors, helping ensure Hemingway’s enduring influence continues for future generations. Dutton said he would do everything in his power to keep the tradition going.

“I haven’t completely digested it yet. But I’m ready. Ready to get to work,” Dutton said.

Bulls, berets take Duval

Beards, berets and wooden bulls rolled through Old Town Key West the afternoon of July 25 during the 45th annual ‘Running’ of the Bulls event, one of Hemingway Days’ most recognizable traditions.

Calling it a “run” is a stretch. While the “Papas,” as Hemingway was often called, sauntered down the one-block route, the crowd erupted in cheers just like it was the real deal in Pamplona, Spain.

Dressed in crisp white clothing with bright red berets and bandanas, past winners of the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest joined hundreds of “Papas” for the signature stroll down some of Key West’s most famous streets. They set out from Sloppy Joe’s Bar, crossed Duval Street, looped through Old Town and returned to the bar where Hemingway often hung out.

Five bulls — wooden sawhorse replicas mounted on wheels — joined in on the makeshift run, adding a bit of levity.

Chris Dutton, an attorney from Tampa, is named the ‘Papa’ in the 2026 Hemingway LookAlike contest at Sloppy Joe’s bar. Dutton becomes the first winner to portray a young version of author Ernest Hemingway. CAROL TEDESCO/Contributed

MEET THE 2026 ALL-KEYS GIRLS TENNIS TEAM

Depth, determination and emerging talent fuel another strong season on the courts

TRACY McDONALD www.keysweekly.com

Monroe County’s girls tennis programs showcased impressive depth and steady growth this season, with each school finding success in its own way. Key West’s talent-rich lineup was among the strongest in recent memory. Coral Shores continued its rise behind a mix of experienced leaders and promising newcomers. Marathon’s small but determined squad made the most of every opportunity. This year’s All-Keys Girls Tennis Team features accomplished veterans, emerging underclassmen and dedicated leaders who combined skill, sportsmanship and perseverance to elevate their teammates.

EVA DROZDETSKAIA

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

SENIOR, KEY WEST

A force against Monroe County competition, Eva Drozdetskaia capped an outstanding career by once again going undefeated in both singles and doubles against Keys opponents while leading the Conchs as team captain. Key West’s top seed in both singles and doubles, Drozdetskaia displayed her elite play with wins over LaSalle in both the regular season and postseason. She then pushed one of South Florida’s top players from Gulliver Prep to a thrilling three-set district championship match that was decided in a tiebreaker. Her dominant serve, strategic approach and exceptional mental toughness made her one of the area’s premier players, but it was her leadership that truly set her apart. Composed, humble and relentlessly positive, she consistently encouraged her teammates and elevated those around her.

EMILY ALVEAR

Junior, Marathon Marathon’s No. 1 singles player for the third consecutive season, Emily Alvear compiled a 6-5 singles record while going 5-6 in doubles against the toughest competition on the Dolphins’ schedule. She has steadily improved each season, earning her highest singles win total this spring. A focused, hard-working competitor, she provided veteran leadership while continuing to develop her game and appears poised to take the next step as one of the area’s top players.

SHYNELL MCGUIRE

Senior, Marathon

In her first season playing tennis, Shynell McGuire quickly worked her way from the No. 3 position into the No. 2 spot in Marathon’s lineup. Her rapid improvement was a testament to her work ethic, as she approached every practice determined to become a better player. A natural competitor with tremendous athletic potential, McGuire’s dedication paid off throughout the season, leaving the Dolphins wishing they had enjoyed four years with her on the court.

SHILO YEIDER

Senior, Marathon

A four-year fixture in Marathon’s lineup at the No. 4 position, Shilo Yeider brought positivity and enthusiasm to every practice and match. Although her record does not fully reflect her progress, she consistently improved throughout the season while serving as a dependable teammate and encouraging presence. Her upbeat attitude, determination and willingness to compete made her a valued member of the Dolphins’ program.

ALLYSON ROSENDALE

Sophomore, Coral Shores

Making an immediate impact in her first season with the Hurricanes, sophomore Allyson Rosendale finished with an impressive 13-6 record. A dedicated and highly competitive player, Rosendale established herself as one of Coral Shores’ top contributors. Her strong play, consistent improvement and confident approach on the court give the Hurricanes an exciting player to build around in the coming seasons.

HARLEE BEELER

Junior, Coral Shores

A third-year member of the Hurricanes, Harlee Beeler posted an

outstanding 11-4 record while providing steady leadership and consistency throughout the season. Her experience, determination and composed presence on the court helped fuel Coral Shores’ success. A reliable competitor who could always be counted on to battle for every point, Beeler continues to be one of the team’s most dependable players.

HAMIDA MUHSINOVA

Sophomore, Key West

A team captain despite being just a sophomore, Hamida Muhsinova excelled while playing both the No. 1 and No. 2 singles positions and No. 1 doubles for the Conchs. Undefeated against Monroe County competition, she paired her versatile all-court game with a winning record in doubles, highlighted by a strong performance against LaSalle and a hard-fought match against Gulliver Prep. Her positive attitude, sportsmanship and competitive mindset make her an outstanding teammate and one of the Keys’ brightest young stars.

MIAH APPERSON

Sophomore, Key West

Versatility was Miah Apperson’s greatest strength this season, as she contributed everywhere from the No. 1 through No. 3 singles positions while also competing at both No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. She earned decisive victories throughout the year, surrendering just five games combined in her singles wins. An exceptional all-court player, Apperson combines patient baseline rallies with outstanding hustle and court awareness. Her understanding of doubles strategy, strong volley game and constant encouragement of her partners make her one of the Conchs’ most complete and valuable players.

Photos by Doug Finger, Maicey Malgrat and Tracy McDonald

Dr. Christina Smith DDS is now accepting new patients and is thrilled to be part of the 9-time Bubba Award-winning Doc Guzman’s o ce.

KEY WEST THEATER SHOWS ANIMAL DOCUMENTARY JULY 31

‘Unspoken Bond’ explores humananimal connection, features Keys faces

The new documentary, “Unspoken Bond,” explores the connection between humans and animals, and features familiar faces from the Florida Keys. Key West Theater will host a special screening of the film on Friday, July 31 at 8 p.m.

The film features Key Largo resident Nicole Navarro and her nonprofit, Pawsitive Beginnings, where foxes rescued from the fur and exotic pet trades are given permanent sanctuary while helping to inspire healing in people facing trauma, addiction and emotional hardship.

The Keys connection extends beyond Navarro and the foxes, with appearances by well-known local figures including exotic animal veterinarian Dr. Doug Mader and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Jeanne Selander, affectionately known throughout the community as “Farmer Jeanne” for her work at the Sheriff’s Animal Farm.

Created and executive-produced by human-animal bond advocate Jackie Ducci, the film highlights three stories that showcase the effect animals can have on human lives. Ducci is also the founder of the Human-Animal Alliance, a Florida-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting programs centered around the healing power of the human-animal bond. Through the organization, grant funding has been awarded to Keys nonprofits including Pawsitive Beginnings to support animal-assisted healing initiatives.

In addition to Navarro’s story, the documentary follows international dressage rider Shannon Dueck as she navigates grief following the loss of her Olympic hopeful horse, Angel, and veteran Jason Gaver, whose service dog helps him cope with PTSD, isolation and personal loss after military service in Iraq.

The new documentary ‘Unspoken Bond’ about the connections between humans and animals will be shown Friday, July 31 at 8 p.m. at Key West Theater, 512 Eaton St. CONTRIBUTED

The film is directed by awardwinning filmmaker Don Hardy, whose work includes the Disney + series “Pick of the Litter,” as well as numerous documentaries exploring resilience, vulnerability and the connections that shape human lives.

“Unspoken Bond” invites audiences to consider how powerful the human-animal bond can be – from foxes rescued from fur farms to service dogs and elite horses.

Organizers hope the July 31 event will encourage locals to come together in support of a story that grew from the Keys and now resonates with audiences far beyond the island chain.

Tickets are available at thekeywesttheater.com. The theater is located at 512 Eaton St., Key West.

— Contributed

RED BARN THEATRE ANNOUNCES 47th LINEUP

Season opens in December and runs through March

Key West’s Red Barn Theatre has announced the lineup for its 47th season.

The mainstage shows include a group of works by playwrights who have garnered numerous accolades, including the 2026 Tony and Pulitzer Awards. The plays range from romantic comedy to sexy, campy fun, to a look at mothers and daughters trying to navigate the early days of the Women’s Liberation Movement.

“It may be one of our strongest seasons ever,” said artistic director Joy Hawkins. “Excellent stories by excellent writers, cast with top actors who will deeply move and entertain you.”

The season opens with playwright Steven Dietz’s romantic comedy, “Shooting Star,” a tale of chance encounters and second chances. It centers on two college lovers who have not seen each other for years, but have a life-altering reunion when snowed in at a Midwestern airport. The play will star Key West favorites Dave Bootle and Lauren Thompson, directed by Hawkins. “Shooting Star” will run Dec. 8, 2026 through Jan. 2, 2027.

Opening Jan. 19 is “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen. It’s a mash-up of Bram Stoker, Mel Brooks and Monty Python. The show stars Susannah Wells, Erin McKenna, Phillip Cole White, Jody Orrigo and Dominic Paolillo, each of them playing several different characters; it will be directed by Mimi McDonald with costume

design by Sushi. The story centers on two sisters, one of whom has “a disease of the blood,” so they enlist vampire hunter Van Helsing to find Dracula to help her. Their hunt for the dangerous and sexy count abounds with clever wordplay and quick-change antics.

The third mainstage show of the season is one of the most lauded shows of this past or any season: “Liberation” by Bess Wohl, winner of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Awards.

In 1970, somewhere in Ohio, six women meet on a basement basketball court to form a consciousness-raising group, determined to shake up their lives and change the world. Fifty years later, one of their daughters tries to understand where things fell apart. “Liberation” stars Morgan Fraga Pierson, Lauren Thompson, Cassidy Timms, Fritzie Estimond, Jessica Miano Kruel, Ivy Munnerlyn, Shannon Edwards and Jack McDonald.

The final production of the season brings back the perennial favorite “Short Attention Span Theatre,” an evening of short, punchy, funny, unpredictable short plays by well-known playwrights, all around a central theme.

One special event is set for this 47th season – singer Christine Mild returns with a new show, “For the Love of Country.” It will run January 5-9, 2027.

Tickets and more information are at redbarntheatre.com.

Red Barn Theatre announces the lineup for its 47th season, which opens in December. CONTRIBUTED

WATERFRONT PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCES 88th SEASON

Opening show starts Oct. 15 with ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’

The Waterfront Playhouse opens its 88th season with a performance of ‘Hedwig & the Angry Inch’ Oct. 15-23. CONTRIBUTED

The Waterfront Playhouse announces its 2026-2027 season, a lineup that includes a live concert and intimate solo performances, holiday storytelling, fast-paced comedy, a musical and a classic thriller.

The season opens with an encore presentation of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” (Oct. 15-23), the award-winning rock musical, presented as a live concert event.

The Spotlight Series begins with the Florida premiere of “Destroying David” (Nov. 12-14), a work set in Florence, Italy, where a guide’s exploration of Michelangelo’s David becomes something far more personal.

For the holidays, “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” (Dec. 3-17) transforms the theater into a 1940s radio studio, complete with live Foley effects, a jazz trio and original jingles created for local Key West businesses.

In January, the Spotlight Series continues with “Blanche and Beyond” (Jan. 7-9), a companion piece to “A Distant Country Called Youth,” tracing Tennessee Williams at the height of his career.

Also in January: “Unnecessary Farce” (Jan. 28-Feb. 6), by Paul Slade Smith delivers a comedy of errors — two cops, three crooks,

eight doors and a cascade of mistaken identities.

The Spotlight Series continues with another Florida premiere.

“Call Me Elizabeth” (Feb. 11-13) stars Kayla Boye in her acclaimed solo performance about Elizabeth Taylor. Set over the course of a single morning, the play offers an intimate and revealing portrait of a woman navigating fame, identity and survival.

“Come From Away” (March 4-20), a musical, tells the true story of a small town in Newfoundland that welcomed thousands of stranded travelers on 9/11.

The season concludes with “Dial M for Murder” (April 8-17), a smart, stylish thriller in the tradition of “Wait Until Dark” and “Accomplice.”

“I’m so excited to share this wonderful season with everyone in Key West,” said artistic director Patrick New. “These are stories brimming with humanity, compassion, vitality, and kindness — qualities that feel more essential than ever. Each production will bring us together to listen, connect and share something meaningful as a community.”

More information is at waterfrontplayhouse.org or 305-2945015.

— Contributed

SUGARLOAF SHOWDOWN FISHING TOURNEY RETURNS

Registration opens Aug. 1 for

contest Nov. 12-14

Registration for the 13th annual Sugarloaf Showdown opens Saturday, Aug. 1. In 2025, the tournament reached capacity in less than 48 hours, with a waitlist quickly established for teams hoping to get on the water.

The 13th annual Sugarloaf Showdown will take place Nov. 12-14, beginning with check-in and a rules meeting on Thursday evening, followed by two days of fishing and an awards celebration on Saturday.

Hosted by the Lower Keys Guides Association (LKGA), the Sugarloaf Showdown has grown from a small, homegrown tournament designed to bring anglers to the Lower Keys during the quieter fall season into one of the region’s most anticipated fishing events.

Registration will open to current LKGA members from Aug. 1-14. If space remains available, registration will open to the general public beginning Aug. 15.

The Sugarloaf Showdown is a catch-and-release tournament featuring bonefish, permit and barracuda, with both fly and spin anglers competing for top honors. A dedicated youth division also recognizes the next generation of anglers.

“The Sugarloaf Showdown has always been about more than the fishing,” said Jessyca LaBadie, tournament director and operations manager of the Lower Keys Guides Association. “It’s a chance for our community to come together, spend time on the water with family and friends and celebrate the incredible fishery that makes the Lower Keys so special. Every year we’re humbled by the enthusiasm surrounding this tournament, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back this November.”

Proceeds from the tournament’s online auction will benefit the Guides Trust Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Florida Keys fishing guides and their families during times of crisis. Last year, the foundation provided financial assistance to multiple Lower Keys guides who were sidelined for months by serious medical issues, helping ease the burden while they focused on recovery.

The tournament entry fee is $350 per boat. Complete registration details, tournament rules, eligibility requirements and the online registration form are at sugarloafshowdown.com.

— Contributed

CORAL RESCUERS PREPARED FOR POTENTIAL BLEACHING

After serving as a refuge for more than 5,000 corals during Florida’s historic bleaching crisis, the University of South Florida’s Keys Marine Laboratory is prepared for another round of rescues.

As an unusually strong El Niño drives dangerously warm ocean temperatures across the Keys this summer, the organizations that helped save thousands of corals during the worst bleaching event ever recorded on Florida’s coral reef say they’re entering the season better prepared than ever before.

Researchers at the University of South Florida’s Keys Marine Laboratory in Layton and their restoration partners have spent the past three years expanding coral refuge capacity, strengthening emergency response plans and identifying the corals most critical to long-term reef recovery — changes driven by the unprecedented marine heat wave in 2023.

“We know what’s coming,” said Cindy Lewis, who has a doctorate in coral biology and is the director of Keys Marine Laboratory. “And we are all better prepared to face an emergency crisis after our experiences from the 2023 El Niño event.”

During the 2023 crisis, more than 5,000 corals were relocated from offshore nurseries and parent colonies to temperature-controlled seawater systems at KML, which is operated by the Florida Institute of Oceanography. They remained there until ocean temperatures cooled enough to return them safely to the reef.

One lesson stood above the rest: Florida needed more emergency, land-based refuge space.

With funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), KML completed the construction of a new temperaturecontrolled seawater system in June 2026, adding 20 more seawater tables to support coral

restoration, bringing the total to 80 tables and tanks.

Additional funding from DEP in the latest state budget will support the operation of 28 of these tables at KML. These are specifically designated for reef restoration and rapid emergency response, ensuring corals are safely housed and eventually returned to the reef. Each table is equipped with rain covers and power heads to circulate water, helping rescued corals thrive.

Working with KML, partners including the Florida Aquarium, Coral Restoration Foundation, Reef Renewal USA, Islamorada Conservation and Restoration Education and the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute have identified priority corals, refined rescue protocols and coordinated how they’ll respond if conditions deteriorate.

“We learned that we simply cannot save them all,” Lewis said. “But we need to ensure that we can preserve a critical mass and diversity of corals to continue restoration efforts. The 2023 event forced us all to reassess and prioritize which corals to ‘rescue.’”

When bleaching occurs, warming water stresses corals into expelling the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn white. Prolonged thermal stress can lead to coral death. With El Niño poised to push sea surface temperatures even higher, the window for intervention could be narrow.

“One of the clearest lessons from the 2023 marine heatwave is that redundancy saves corals,” said Phanor Montoya-Maya, restoration program manager for Coral Restoration Foundation. “When conditions change faster than anyone predicts, having multiple response options, not just one plan, is what keeps restoration efforts resilient. It’s what gives us the best chance to preserve the coral stock needed to restore Florida’s reefs.”

Left: Keys Marine Laboratory completed the construction of a new temperature-controlled seawater system in June, adding 20 more seawater tables to support coral restoration. KML/Contributed

Right: During the 2023 bleaching crisis, more than 5,000 corals were relocated from offshore nurseries and parent colonies to temperature-controlled seawater systems at Keys Marine Laboratory.

With expanded refuge capacity, coordinated rescue plans and a stronger restoration network already in place, KML and its partners say they’re ready to act quickly if ocean temperatures again threaten one of the nation’s most important marine ecosystems.

“The Keys Marine Laboratory is uniquely positioned to support a coordinated, multiagency response,” said Gil McRae, director of the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. “This expanded capability will greatly increase the chances that corals that are critically important to long-term restoration goals can be spared widespread mortality from bleaching events.”

“Having additional capacity at Keys Marine Laboratory means more corals can be protected, monitored, and cared for if stressful conditions develop this summer,” said Kylie Smith, co-founder of Islamorada Conservation and Restoration Education. “Investments like this don’t just benefit a single organization; they strengthen the entire restoration community’s ability to safeguard years of restoration progress and respond quickly when our reefs need it most.

— Contributed

Jose Sleiman Morales, MD Electrophysiologist Jose Torres, MD Electrophysiologist

MISSING PARTS

The dust begins to settle. The lights come back on. The music starts again. The city keeps grinding along. But for a moment, the entire island paused, sighed, shed a tear and stopped to honor a native son. So many kind words have been said about Caffeine Carl, I could not add anything except to quote Zack Seemiller who said, at the Key West Theater after the funeral, where friends

gathered to celebrate and commiserate, said, “I think all these people would have been here even if Carl didn’t play music.”

When I was younger, musicians seemed larger than life. Perhaps it was because we had limited access to them. It was as if my reaction to their expression was my expression. How their music made me feel and how I showed that to the world formed part of my identity. I was still searching for my own form of expression, still copying and emulating those who looked as if they had found a way to release the madness inside them in a manner other people would want to see, feel, hear and understand.

Perhaps because I tied my personal development to my musical development, I felt those players must be stellar individuals. I understood that to write great songs that last forever, a

RAY WEST

... a professional musician, singer, actor and executive director of the Key West Music Awards, is known to sacrifice his comfort for that of his cat.

person had to dig deep into themselves to find a part that was privy to the eternal knowledge of our ancestors. Pretentious as it sounds, it made perfect sense to me at one time. Now I see it as one way to make music, but certainly not the only way.

Getting older comes with its own lessons. Somewhere along the line, the lights came on and the curtain was pulled away. The tricks were exposed and the magicians lost a bit of my respect. Soon, many people could do the tricks, yet, somehow, not the magic.

Eventually, a truth emerged: Talent cannot protect you from life.

Our town came face to face with this truth last week. Carl knew the tricks AND could perform the magic. After I’d made a self-effacing joke about my guitar playing, he looked at me and said, “We are out here doing this thing, brother. You’re the same as me.”

Though I knew it was not true, Carl made me feel as if it were, because he genuinely thought it was. That exchange had me walking a little taller that day, and I know I’m not alone in having experienced such a moment with Carl.

The dust begins to settle. The music starts again. The city keeps grinding along. But for many of us, the city sounds incomplete. There is a hole in its highest registers. Again, I will rely on Zack to help me. Before he performed his song “Harmony” at Carl’s celebration of life, he said, “Carl wrote this with me and now when I play it, there are missing parts.”

In Key West, the show goes on. But some missing parts can never be replaced. They don’t make them any more.

KEY WEST WOMENFEST RETURNS SEPT. 2-6

Festival invites women to celebrate their creative power

Key West Womenfest, a celebration for women in paradise, returns in 2026 with the theme, “Lost Women in the Arts” — inviting women to reclaim and revel in their creative power and individual identity while having an unforgettable time on the island famed for its open-hearted, open-minded “One Human Family” philosophy.

From Wednesday, Sept. 2, through Sunday, Sept. 6, attendees can explore fresh paths to reconnect with their artistry, their stories and one

another in a place where many have come to ignite their inspiration.

Festival highlights include themed and pool parties, live music shows and DJ sets, bike and trolley tours, gallery and arts events, a sunset sail, a clothing-optional snorkel trip, foodie experiences and more.

Key West Womenfest is presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and the Key West Business Guild. For event information, visit gaykeywestfl. com/womenfest/. — Contributed

Key West Womenfest returns to the island Sept. 2-6 with the theme ‘Lost Women in the Arts,’ urging women to reclaim their creative power and identity. KARRIE PORTER BOND/Contributed

The loss of musician ‘Caffeine Carl’ Wagoner leaves a hole in the fabric of Key West — musically and personally. Keys Weekly file photo

MEET THE 2026 ALL-KEYS BASEBALL TEAM

District champions, dominant arms and dangerous bats

TRACY McDONALD www.keysweekly.com

Monroe County’s baseball season featured strong district performances across multiple classifications, with Marathon and Key West both advancing to the regional semifinals after capturing district titles. Marathon finished 19-10-1 in Class 1A Rural District 8, including a win over Coral Shores in their lone meeting of the season, and carried that momentum into the playoffs. Key West posted an impressive 24-7 record in Class 4A District 16, claiming a district championship. Coral Shores completed the year at 8-10 in Class 2A District 16, competing in a tough field and falling short of a postseason run.

GABRIELE CIRINA

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

SENIOR, MARATHON, PITCHER

Cirina wasted no time making his mark after arriving from Italy during the winter, instantly becoming the heartbeat of Marathon’s district championship squad and one of the most dominant two-way players in South Florida. A commanding presence on the mound and a force in the middle of the Dolphins’ lineup, Cirina combined elite pitching with timely hitting to change the complexion of every game he played. He finished the season with a stellar 1.42 ERA and 91 strikeouts while batting .397 with 29 hits, including five doubles, two triples and two home runs. His patience at the plate helped produce a .531 on-base percentage, and he drove in 28 runs while providing veteran leadership and confidence to a young Dolphins team. Cirina will continue his baseball career at Eastern Florida State College. His ability to dominate every facet of the game made him a valuable asset to the Fins’ program this season.

DONOVAN THIERY Senior, Key West Pitcher/Infield

These Monroe County players won recognition from the High School Baseball Network South Florida District:

• Gabriele Cirina, Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year and Hitter of the Year.

• Donovan Thiery, Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year.

• Dylan Williams, All-District Utility Player.

• Roco Piscetello, All-District.

• Bradley Buigas, All-District.

• Jack Chapman, All-District Utility Player.

• Riley O’Berry, All-District.

• Roman Garcia, All-District.

• Nelson Ong, All-District.

• Xavier Perez, All-District.

• Kade Maltz, All-District.

• Auggy Davila, All-District.

Thiery was the ace of the Conchs’ staff and a consistent leader throughout the season. The Florida State University signee compiled a 7-3 record with a 1.98 ERA and 90 strikeouts while also contributing offensively with 26 hits, including six extra-base hits and three home runs for a .603 slugging percentage. Defensively, he turned nine double plays and finished with a .969 fielding percentage. His all-around excellence earned him collegiate offers and Thiery turned heads with professional scouts as well.

DYLAN WILLIAMS Junior, Marathon Pitcher/Infield

Williams continued to establish himself as one of the Keys’ premier pitchers, striking out 101 batters while posting a stellar 1.70 ERA. At the plate, he reached base consistently thanks to 27 hits and 24 walks, producing a .470 on-base percentage while adding 23 runs, 12 stolen bases and a .310 batting average. He showed versatility and impact across multiple facets of the game.

Photos by Maicey Malgrat, Rocky Gonet, Natalie Danko and Natalie Goodwin

ROCO PISCETELLO

Junior, Marathon

Second Base/Pitcher

Piscetello’s versatility made him one of Marathon’s most valuable players. He collected 28 hits, including seven extra-base hits, drove in 14 runs and scored 25 while providing steady defense in the infield. On the mound, he added a save as a dependable relief option. He demonstrated athleticism, hustle and ability to contribute wherever needed.

ROMAN GARCIA

Junior, Key West

Third Base

Garcia was the offensive catalyst for the Conchs, leading the team in both hits and on-base percentage. He collected 35 hits, including 16 extrabase hits, drove in 26 runs and slugged .589 while batting .328, showing the ability to produce in key situations and consistently spark the offense.

AUGGY DAVILA

Junior, Key West

Relief Pitcher

Davila excelled in late-game situations, recording eight saves while posting a 1.88 ERA and a 3-1 pitching record. He also supplied timely offense with 17 hits, including eight extra-base hits, while scoring 22 runs and driving in 18, showing poise under pressure and ability to impact games on both sides of the ball.

BRADLEY BUIGAS

Eighth Grade, Marathon Outfield

Despite not yet entering high school, Buigas quickly proved he belonged at the varsity level. The eighth grader hit .321 with 27 hits and 17 RBIs while posting a .913 fielding percentage in the outfield. His maturity, confidence and ability to compete against older players make him one of the area’s brightest young talents.

NELSON ONG

Junior, Key West Outfield

Ong was a steady force at the top of the Conchs’ lineup, leading the team with 35 hits while batting .350. He scored 26 runs, stole seven bases and played dependable defense in the outfield, finishing with a .956 fielding percentage. Ong showed consistency, speed and all-around play.

KELLER BLACKBURN

Junior, Coral Shores Outfield

Blackburn combined speed, discipline and flawless defense to become one of the Hurricanes’ most dependable players. He batted .306 with 15 hits, led Coral Shores with 11 stolen bases and worked 10 walks to finish with a .404 on-base percentage. Blackburn was also perfect defensively throughout the season, making him a reliable presence every time he took the field.

JACK CHAPMAN

Sophomore, Marathon Infield

Chapman delivered in every phase of the game, producing 24 hits, 21 RBIs and 17 runs while drawing 15 walks and batting .273. He also contributed on the mound, recording two saves as a reliable relief pitcher. Chapman demonstrated versatility and steady play throughout the season.

XAVIER PEREZ

Junior, Key West Infield/Outfield

Perez’s versatility and reliability made him an invaluable piece of Key West’s lineup. He appeared in all 31 games, batting .338 with 26 hits, seven doubles, 16 RBIs and 16 runs while posting an outstanding .973 fielding percentage. He showed a dependable glove and ability to contribute wherever needed.

RILEY O’BERRY

Senior, Coral Shores Pitcher

O’Berry anchored the Hurricanes both on the mound and as a leader. The Northern Oklahoma College signee posted a 2.92 ERA with 34 strikeouts while batting .364 and reaching base at a .481 clip. He also finished with a stellar .973 fielding percentage, showcasing consistency on both sides of the ball.

KADE MALTZ

Sophomore, Key West Pitcher/Outfield

Maltz emerged as one of the area’s top young two-way players. On the mound, he went 7-1 with a sparkling 1.47 ERA, struck out 34 batters and threw a no-hitter. At the plate, he totaled 31 hits, including 15 extra-base hits, while scoring 30 runs, driving in 22 and leading the Conchs with eight stolen bases in a breakout sophomore season.

Senior, Coral Shores

Shortstop

Clark provided veteran leadership behind the plate while serving as one of Coral Shores’ defensive anchors. The Rollins College signee posted an exceptional .988 fielding percentage while reaching base at a .460 clip thanks to nine walks. His steady presence, game management and leadership made him invaluable to the Hurricanes throughout the season.

Bonito’s leadership and steady play made him a cornerstone of the Hurricanes’ infield. He led the team with 11 walks to post an impressive .436 on-base percentage while adding nine hits, eight RBIs and dependable defense at shortstop. His baseball IQ, leadership and consistent presence helped set the tone for Coral Shores throughout the season.

Mason Clark Senior, Coral Shores Catcher

MAYKOL BONITO

CHRIS McNULTY

is an astrologer, wanderer, bartender and advocate for queer justice. He is a loquacious Gemini with a cozy Cancer rising. Find him at hearthandheraldastrology.com

Every full moon represents a moment of ripening, coming to fruition, enactment, achievement. The zodiac sign where the full moon takes place and how it hits each person’s chart determines what part of life receives the full moon’s bloom. This week, we have a full moon in Aquarius, which is about independence and ingenuity. Yes, we are the center of our own lives and experiences, and yet we can also take a left turn and make new choices when we need to. We do not need to continue doing the same things because people expect us to maintain a persona or because we’ve become accustomed to a routine. The Aquarius full moon encourages us to leave the comfort zone behind and to stretch into a zone of growth. This year’s Aquarius full moon is particularly powerful because the sun is conjoined Jupiter and the moon is conjoined Pluto. So, the sun and Jupiter in Leo are opposing the moon and Pluto in Aquarius. It’s a cosmic tug of war. Jupiter is the planet of expansion and joy, while Pluto is the planet of raw power and the shadow. Under this sky, however this full moon affects you, there will be tension between an almost manic appreciation of oneself and an incredibly deep and emotional realization. It turns out that you can be the joyful star of your life while simultaneously attending to your vulnerabilities. You cannot have light without the dark, and both are sacred.

Here are your horoscopes for the Aquarius full moon conjoined Pluto opposite Jupiter. Read for your rising and sun signs.

LEO July 23 - Aug. 22

You ought to be absolutely beaming right now, Leo. It’s as if the sun itself is shining through your skin. You are radiating joy and

self-confidence. Remember to keep it healthy, though. Humility is an important tool. An important partner in your life may open an old wound, and your best course of action is to face it head on. Air out the basement and keep your head held high.

VIRGO

Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

You’re probably feeling a bit fed up with your regular routine, like you just can’t keep it going any more. What lesson is present in those heavy feelings? Your time alone, spent in quiet reflection and deep repose, is when you can really find your sense of self and enjoy the lightness of being. But, life requires rest and work in some form or another. How can you change your labor to reflect your actual needs?

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 22

Are you feeling like a tortured artist with a gaggle of supportive friends? If so, you are right on time. Your creative outlet might be an emotional weight right now, despite all of the support that you are receiving from your circle of admirers and cheerleaders. What wants to emerge from those depths of feeling? What can be brought to light? It’s OK to do something outside of convention.

SCORPIO

Oct. 23 - Nov. 21

Where home is heavy, work is expansive. Your public reputation and career are going through a bit of a renaissance whereas your home and family are bringing up some weighty feelings. These two experiences go together. Home is an anchor for your flight into deserved recognition. The more vulnerable you allow yourself to be at home, the higher you can soar.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

Your world is getting joyfully bigger while you are still feeling a familiar depth of despair. Existence alone is a source of mysterious

unknowing, and yet you are here to explore the world around you. As Albert Camus said, “Always go too far, because that’s where you’ll find the truth.” How can you carry your sorrows while finding joy in the expanse around you? Keep doing what you’re doing.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

Sometimes, it is easier to take care of others’ needs than it is to take care of our own. Right now, parenting yourself and taking care of your material needs might bring up a lot of past traumas or heavy memories. That’s OK. There is plenty of joy to be found by sharing resources with others while you work through the difficulties of self-reliance. Just because it’s hard doesn’t make it any less necessary.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

If you’re feeling a bit down on yourself, turn to a close life partner for levity and bounce. We all go through moments of insecurity and doubt, and we can learn a lot about ourselves by allowing the weight to sit on our shoulders. But do not get stuck in those doldrums. Hear the lesson and let your loved one remind you how to dance in the sunbeams.

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

Sweat equity is offering you returns of fulfillment and happiness right now. Getting your hands dirty, fulfilling tasks and following through with your daily routines feels light and joyful. Don’t let the work become a means of avoiding heavy reflection, though. If you have heavy feelings of regret, shame or guilt that arise in your solitude, you need to look at them to diminish them.

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

You are probably having some misgivings about the people who usually support you; maybe you’re questioning some of your friend-

BALANCING LIGHT AND DARK

ships. It’s good to step away from people who do not align with your goals. Your own creativity is taking off in leaps and bounds, and you need a support network that wants to see you succeed. Lean into your artistry and see who shows up.

TAURUS

April 20 - May 20

Your roots are blindingly bright. Your home and family are a source of immense levity, joy and celebration, which marks a stark contrast to the weightiness of your work. Whatever difficult feelings are being stirred by your work, don’t disregard them. They are trying to teach you something important about your needs that require fulfillment. Lean on your closest people as you figure it out.

GEMINI

May 21 - June 20

Change and growth are not always pleasant experiences, and I imagine that you are going through some growing pains as you are forced to expand your awareness. Your familiar places, familiar people and siblings, and simple conversations are sources of joy and buoyancy, but having to learn something new is bringing up some heavy feelings. Trudge onward while leaning on your comforts.

CANCER

June 21 - July 22

Fulfilling your own needs is not a difficulty right now; it’s an incredibly joyful experience. You can see clearly what you need for yourself. Working with others, or the thought of sharing resources, is bringing up some hard feelings or past difficulties, and yet you have so much to learn by leaning on others. Use the energy from your self-sufficiency to propel you into collaboration.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 7PM & 9PM

ONE NIGHT STAND

A former artist-in-residence, a recent high school graduate, a birder, and an indie filmmaker walk into a theater... No, it’s not the setup to a joke. It’s this year’s One Night Stand! Four brand new plays will be written overnight by Cephra Stuart, Lily Andrews, Mark Hedden and Amber Nolan! By Saturday morning, rehearsals and set-building are underway. By evening? Four brand new plays take the stage. It’s fast, collaborative, chaotic, and always unforgettable. TWO SHOWS ONLY! $45 tickets at tskw.org

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST ART GALLERY OR STUDIO SINCE 2013!

Your support over the past several years means so much to us!

Contemporary art center, steps off Duval Street. Always free to visit! Open Tue-Sat, 10am-4pm

c: Mark Hedden

WHAT’S COOKING, KEY WEST?

Savor local crustaceans at Aug. 7 event

In Key West, one hobby takes precedence over all others each August. It’s not paddleboarding or snorkeling, painting or journaling, or even flats fishing in the calm backcountry shallows.

It’s eating lobster.

That’s because Aug. 6 marks the start of Florida’s annual commercial lobster season, and savvy foodies have spent months anticipating the chance to chow down on fresh, mouthwatering local lobster.

Florida Keys lobsters are quite different from their cousins from Maine. For one thing, they don’t have claws (also called by the unappetizing name of “grapnels”). Instead, they’re known as spiny lobsters and their meat has a slightly chewy sweetness that’s unmistakable.

In households and restaurants around Key West, lobster is often served steamed, broiled or grilled with melted butter. It can also be topped with herbed stuffing, enhanced with distinctive sauces or blended into dishes ranging from creamy bisque to cool summer salads.

On Friday, Aug. 7, lobster lovers can enjoy their favorite crustacean in a multicourse meal — and discover chefs’ techniques for preparing the featured dishes — during the Key West Cooking Show’s “Lobster Fest Dinner” evening.

Diners can choose from 5:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. seatings at the Cooking Show’s 291 Front St. venue. Surrounded by art and memorabilia spotlighting Key West’s colorful past, they’ll listen as a culinary storyteller offers tales, traditions and cooking tips connected to the sensational crustacean.

Seated at communal tables, sharing the experience with fellow seafood fans, they can enjoy a menu that includes decadent lobster bisque and richly seasoned lobster enchilados — a Cuban and Caribbean standout featuring tender lobster napped in a distinctive tomato-based sauce and served over rice.

Other menu items include the Key West Cooking Show’s signature house-

Attendees at a learn-and-dine dinner raise a toast with the Key West Cooking Show’s house-made sangria. KEY WEST COOKING SHOW/Contributed

made sangria, traditional plantain chips and luscious guava bread pudding. At the close of the festive feast, lobster lovers will depart with the recipes and knowledge needed to replicate it at home for family and friends. The entertaining evening is part of Key West Lobsterfest, scheduled Aug. 5-9 and celebrating the opening of Florida’s harvest season with events around the island. They include a traditional lobster boil, pool parties and a pub crawl, and the Lobsterfest Street Fair and free concert on Duval Street. Now in its 28th year, the crustacean celebration supports the Key West High School Scholarship Fund. For information and tickets for the Lobster Fest Dinner, visit https://www. eventbrite.com/o/key-west-cookingshow-109902905531. For information about Key West Lobsterfest, visit www. keywestlobsterfest.com.

LAST BITES

Dish of the week: Key lime lobster. Found in the beloved “Key West Woman’s Club Cookbook,” this recipe adds a unique flair to simple baked lobster. Before cooking, split lobsters lengthwise into halves and season them with Key lime juice, Worcestershire sauce and grated Parmesan cheese — then dot them with butter and top with a strip of bacon.

Helpful kitchen hack: Don’t waste the tender meat in a spiny lobster’s small legs. Instead, pop the meat out by cutting the legs off the body and gently rolling a rolling pin over them from the joint to the tip.

Hungry for more? Visit keywestcookingshow.com or call 305-294COOK.

CAROL SHAUGHNESSY www.keysweekly.com

3 KEY WEST BUSINESSES RECOGNIZED

Representatives from the Florida Small Business Development Center recognize three Key West businesses that used its free business consulting services. From left are John Griffin, Christopher Vazquez and Faith Vazquez of Florida Keys Electric; Jeanette Menova of First Horizon Bank; Brian VanHook and Bonnie Barnes from Florida SBDC; and Denis Lebedev of La Grignote Restaurant. CONTRIBUTED

Consulting network honors entities that worked with them

The Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida International University announced its 2026 Florida Keys award winners at a recent Key West City Commission meeting.

Three recipients were recognized for their business growth, community contributions and partnership with the SBDC, a regional small business consulting network.

Since October 2018, the Florida SBDC at FIU’s Keys consulting team has served more than 650 Monroe County businesses, helping clients access $39 million in capital, $33 million in government contracts and achieve more than $27 million in sales growth.

“The Keys Awards put a spotlight on what our local entrepreneurs are accomplishing every day in one of the most challenging business environments in the state,” said Brian Van Hook, regional director for Florida SBDC at FIU in the Keys. “Each of this year’s honorees represents the resilience and ambition that drives the Keys economy forward, and we are proud to stand alongside them.”

The award winners are:

Florida Keys Electric Inc.

2026 Keys Client of the Year

Florida Keys Electric Inc. is a familyowned electrical services company based in Key West. Under the leadership of owner Raymond Vazquez, the company has been in continuous operation for 37 years, providing industrial, commercial and residential electrical services from Key West to Tampa.

Florida Keys Electric became an SBDC client in 2024. Working with the center, the company pursued federal contracting opportunities and

obtained the certifications needed to compete for government setaside contracts. The result: a recently awarded $22 million government contract, demonstrating how federal certifications can level the playing field between small businesses and large corporations.

La Grignote Key West

2026 Restaurant of the Year

La Grignote Key West, owned by Denis Lebedev and located on Duval Street, is the largest bakery in Key West and specializes in French and international cuisine.

La Grignote engaged the SBDC last year with plans to expand and open a second location. Lebedev participated in the center’s “Scale to Grow” training program and has put that instruction to work, demonstrating measurable progress toward the expansion goal in a short time.

First Horizon Bank

2026 Community Partner of the Year

First Horizon Bank was recognized as the 2026 Community Partner of the Year for its ongoing collaboration with the SBDC. The bank’s Key West branch and countywide locations have supported the center through client referrals and community outreach focused on access to capital for small businesses.

The Florida Small Business Development Center at FIU is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance. The Keys team serves Monroe County entrepreneurs with free consulting services in areas including business planning, access to capital, government contracting and growth strategy. The center is part of a national network of over 1,000 centers partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and hosted by universities.

TAKE ME HOME?

FIND A FRIEND AT THE FLORIDA KEYS SPCA

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

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

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 Chloe, a heart-stealing beagle. From her soulful eyes to her affectionate sweet demeanor, Chloe offers boundless love. She has a brother, Rex, who entered the shelter with her, and is just as sweet. He would love to accompany her in her new home if possible.

Tahini is a petite, young princess. At just about 5 years old, Tahini is a black and orange Tortoise shell with very expressive eyes. She can be shy at first and will need time to settle in her new home. But she’d love for you to come and spend some time getting to know her.

FUNCTIONALLY CAFFEINATED

EENY, MEENY, MINY ... NO

Remember when you were a kid and you had a really hard decision to make? You’d resort to eeny, meeny, miny, moe, and whatever you landed on was what you got.

… Except it wasn’t.

If you didn’t like what you landed on, somehow, you’d suddenly remember there was more to the rhyme. “Catch a tiger by the toe.” And if that got you the answer you actually wanted, well, that seemed like a perfectly good place to stop. If it didn’t, you’d find some other way to wiggle out of your own picking until you landed on what you secretly wanted all along.

with his sister, Chloe.

Meet Pepa. This 1-year-old domestic shorthair is full of personality, love and playful energy. Pepa loves spending her days chasing toys, zooming around with the other cats, and turning every moment into an adventure. When she’s done playing, she’s more than happy to curl up nearby for some affection and companionship. Pepa enjoys being around people, thrives on interaction and would make a wonderful addition to a home looking for a fun and loving feline friend.

Meet Paddy, the fluffy, long-haired guinea pig. At just over 3 years old, Paddy has perfected the art of being charming and cuddly. Paddy has already stolen the heart of his caretaker and happily accepts treats and extra love whenever he can get it. With a little patience and gentle care, he’ll be a wonderful companion who brings plenty of joy (and fluff!) to your home.

My question is: Why was it so hard to pick in the first place?

Sure, as a kid, the agonizing pressure of choosing between popcorn, Twizzlers or a candy bar at the movie theater felt like the hardest decision you’d ever make. Looking back, it’s funny. But as adults, we’re really not all that different. We still struggle to make decisions. In fact, I think we’ve gotten worse.

I have a theory. We’ve overcomplicated “healthy.” Somewhere along the way, eating well, moving our bodies and taking care of ourselves went from being relatively simple to feeling like a full-time research project. I think it’s time we get back to keeping healthy ... simple.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about all the wellness gadgets we love to collect. Smart watches, sleep trackers, continuous glucose monitors, recovery boots, red light panels. Sometimes they’re incredibly helpful. Other times they feel more like a high-tech ankle monitor, and your watch is the warden wondering why you haven’t checked in and closed your rings yet.

The gadgets aren’t really the problem, though. The problem is that somewhere along the way, we’ve convinced ourselves that getting healthy requires us to make the perfect decision every single day. Which workout is best? Should you lift weights or do Pilates? Is walking enough? Should you eat high protein, low carb, Mediterranean, keto, paleo, carnivore, vegan or intermittent fast? Should you drink electrolytes before your workout or after? Creatine? Collagen? Magnesium glycinate or citrate?

It’s exhausting.

There’s a name for this. Psychologists call it “choice overload.” Research has found that when we’re presented with too many options, we’re actually less likely to make a decision at all. In-

JENNIFER HARVEY

...is a Marathonbased ACSMcertified personal trainer and precision nutrition coach who owns and operates Highly Motivated Functionally Caffeinated LLC.

stead of confidently choosing one path, we keep searching for the “best” answer because we’re afraid of picking the wrong one. Add in a little perfectionism and a healthy dose of fear of making a mistake, and suddenly deciding what to eat for lunch feels like negotiating a peace treaty. Sound familiar? We spend so much time researching the perfect workout that we don’t work out. We spend so much time comparing diets that we don’t make dinner. We spend so much time listening to wellness podcasts that we forget to actually practice wellness. Maybe that’s why eeny, meeny, miny, moe worked so well. It got us moving. Looking back, we weren’t really trying to figure out what we wanted. Deep down, we already knew. We just needed permission to stop overthinking it. Maybe our health needs a little less overthinking, too. Because at the end of the day, your body has never cared whether you chose the perfect workout. It just wanted you to move. It has never cared whether your vegetables were organic or conventional. It just wanted you to eat them. It has never expected perfection. Only consistency.

So the next time you find yourself stuck trying to choose between the latest diet, workout, supplement or wellness trend, remember the wisdom of your eight-year-old self. Stop looking for the perfect answer. Pick one. Then get moving.

Rex the beagle is sweetness wrapped in his tricolor coat. He loves to go on walks where he stops to smell the roses, and the grass, and the bushes. He likes to play, can offer you a high five and roll over. He would love to be adopted

Birthday presents, just because gifts, or those special anniversary presents, Fast Buck’s is where you will find the MOST UNIQUE GIFTS ON THE ISLAND.

One-of-a-kind, hard-to-find gifts: unusual, thoughtful items that will impress even the hardest-to-shop-for people on your list.

BREAKFAST $19.95

CHOOSE YOUR MEAL

- 2 eggs any style, bacon and toast,

- Ham and cheese omelette, or

- Pancakes

CHOOSE A DRINK

- Mimosa, coffee or soda

LUNCH $19.95

CHOOSE YOUR MEAL

- Pulled pork sandwich with side of German fries,

- Cheeseburger with side of German fries, or

- Blackened mahi mahi sandwich with side of German fries

CHOOSE A DRINK

- Margarita, 16oz draft Yuengling or soda

DESSERT: Key lime pie

BREAKFAST $19.95

CHOOSE YOUR MEAL

- Pancakes,

- Ham and cheese omelette with side of potatoes, or

- 2 eggs any style, bacon, toast and potatoes

CHOOSE A DRINK

- Mimosa, juice or coffee

DESSERT: Key lime pie

Reservations recommended for breakfast at Pepe’s Mon-Fri

DINNER $19.95

CHOOSE YOUR MEAL

- 8oz New York strip with choice of one side,

- Single pork chop with choice of one side, or

- Blackened mahi mahi sandwich with choice of one side

CHOOSE A DRINK

- Margarita, 16oz draft Yuengling, or house wine

DESSERT: Key lime pie

EXTEND HAPPY HOUR AT PEPE’S 16PM

LUNCH & DINNER $19.95

CHOOSE YOUR MEAL

- Bacon cheddar burger with fries,

- Chicken/shrimp caesar salad,

- Fried mahi mahi with side of fries,

- Churasco steak, or

- Cajun shrimp pasta

CHOOSE A DRINK

- Pina Colada, domestic beer bottle, or house wine

DESSERT: Key lime pie

KEY WEST DELIVERING for

WHILE OTHERS PLAY POLITICS, DEE DEE GETS THINGS DONE.

RESTORING TRUST AT CITY HALL

Worked to restore trust, strengthen accountability, and reinforce transparency, helping turn the page and making clear that corruption has no place in City Hall.

KEPT KEY WEST FAMILIES SAFE

Led the approval efforts supporting a new fire station and stronger emergency readiness, helping strengthen emergency response and ensuring help gets there faster when families need it most

BROUGHT HIGGS BEACH BACK TO KEY WEST

Led the effort to bring Higgs Beach into Key West hands, securing one of our island’s most treasured public spaces and protecting it for future generations

EXPANDED WORKFORCE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES

Supported partnerships with the Monroe County School District to advance plans for 150 workforce housing units, helping teachers and school employees continue calling Key West home.

WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED.

I'M PROUD OF WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED TOGETH T ER, BUT THERE'S STILL MORE WORK TO DO. EVERY DAY, Y I'M ' FOCUSED ON MAKING KEY WEST AN EVEN BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, E WORK, AND RAISE A FAMILY. Y THANK YOU FOR THE TR T UST YO Y U'VE PLACED IN ME. IT REMAINS THE GREATE T ST HONOR OF MY LIFE TO SERVE AS YO Y UR MAYOR ”

Publisher Jason Koler

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keysweekly.com

To our readers:

Election season brings a barrage of campaign signs, social media posts and promises. Somewhere in the middle of that noise is the information that Monroe County voters need to make wise choices in picking the leaders of our community.

That’s why we publish this Decision Guide.

Living in one of the most unusual counties in our country, surrounded by a pristine ecosystem and just-for-here rules that practically require a law degree to sort out, our local governments have a huge pull on the reality of daily life in the Florida Keys.

The leaders we elect in city council, school board, county commission and other races are the ones making crucial choices that shape the future of our islands – especially as our state and nation continue to make monumental changes in the funding and operations of these governments.

As your trusted locally-owned newspaper, it’s not our job to tell you whom to vote for. It IS our responsibility to ensure that voters have accurate information to work with, so that they may make the best choices based on their beliefs and values.

Within these pages, you’ll find plenty of information on nearly every race set to be settled in the Aug. 18 primary, and we prom- ise our election coverage will continue in the Keys Weekly Newspapers through to November’s general election. We encouraged every qualified candidate to participate, and have presented their responses here as fairly as possible.

So take a few minutes to read, take a moment, read it all again, and if you still have questions, ASK. One of many benefits of our close-knit islands is that our candidates are more accessible than just about anywhere else.

And this fall, the greatest service you can give to our community is by showing up at the polls to vote.

An informed electorate is the foundation of a healthy community. We’re honored to do our part.

Sincerely,

Alex Rickert Editor

THE PRIMARIES ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE In 2026, most of the high-profile local races in the Florida Keys will be decided in the Aug. 18 primary election. As several races are No Party Affiliation (NPA) or have candidates from only one political party, these races are open to ALL VOTERS, regardless of party affiliation.

MONROE COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT 2

The following questions and answers were taken directly from the Keys Weekly and Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce’s July 22 candidate forum. Answers were lightly edited for length and clarity, and not all questions are included here. For a full forum recording, scan the QR code:

1. If the property tax referendum passes in November, what services are you going to propose be eliminated? What other revenue sources are available to cover services?

2. How do you believe the recent outcome of the Shands case vs. the city of Marathon will shape the future of takings cases and liability issues pertaining to ROGO in Monroe County?

3. Are you in favor of utilizing funds collected by the Tourist Development Tax for budget shortfalls and other residential services, and do you think it is probable to change the legislation at the state level to permit additional flexibility with TDT spending?

4. Increasing property values led to significant increases in the county’s budget of about $200 million since 2020, as the budget grew from $473 million to $673 million. Do you think there has been a corresponding level of added services and benefits with this increase? Did the residents see a return on their investment over this period?

Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln, first elected to the Board of County Commissioners in 2018, has a new challenger for District 2 in George Lopez, a retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander who runs electrical equipment distributor PECO International Electric.

1. It has been 30 years since we last had a tax reform in our state, and I think we’re overdue. I look forward to finding a tax reform bill that works. I’m encouraging everyone to attend the community workshops we’re going to be having, because your question needs to be answered by the entire community. We’re all going to have to sit down and look at the budget. We all know that of our ad valorem taxes, 90% right now go for the safety of our community through our law enforcement and our firefighters. If (tax reform) is what our community wants us to do, then as a community we need to work on what we prioritize. We might have to close a library one day, or we might go to four-day workdays.

2. When we were all getting down to the end of our ROGOs, we all realized that we had to figure out the balance and the risk of taking more units, or the risk of lawsuits like the Shands case. The whole time, we met with our constituents and came up with what number of ROGOs we would be comfortable with as a county. We got a consensus of a number that we thought would protect us from lawsuits. The Shands case just came out, stating exactly what our fear was: that we would be liable for takings cases, meaning if we denied a person their right to build a home on the property they owned, our county would be liable for that damage. So we made the right decision.

3. The Tourist Development Tax is a Florida state statute, and to change anything in the Florida state statute usually takes years and a huge effort. I believe that our Tourist Development Tax funds get spread across our county through all of the District Advisory Committees, and they use Tourist Development Tax funds for things like our parks and our beaches, Pigeon Key and the Big Pine Channel. I’m very proud that our county got a one-time $35 million fund from the Tourist Development Council that we were able to spend on workforce housing. But I do not believe that the state of Florida would ever jeopardize our tourism and our tourist funds by taking that money that is supposed to be spent on our businesses and advertisements.

4. I am extremely proud of our county, and I would say yes, because not only did the budget and the value grow, so did our population. We went from 85,000 permanent residents to an everyday functional population of 160,000 because of the tourists that come here. Everyone is on our roads, and we have to maintain 311 miles of county-owned roads. We maintain 36 bridges. We maintain a 120-mile linear county with buildings, with a brand new emergency operations center, with three new helicopters to help protect our our people who live here, and with making sure that we fund our firefighters and our first responders, our sheriff’s department, and all of our staff who make our county the most beautiful place to come to live and to work.

1. There’s no essential services that are going to be cut. If you look at your TRIM notice when you get your tax bill, there’s ad valorem, which is what we’re proposing to cut. The essential services, looking at your TRIM bill, you see the police and fire there, the EMS is there, the libraries are there, public schools are there, and those services are not going to be touched. There are a couple (new) revenue sources. You can actually reallocate the bed tax allocation from the TDC. It’s hard to do, but it’s been done here before. Also, there’s a program that used to be from 1938 to 1954, which is the Visitor Toll Federal Partnership. (Editor note: This program was known as the Overseas Road and Toll District)

2. Since we’re speaking about ROGO, we haven’t passed a level of service study since 2016, and basically we keep modifying the solution or the methodology for doing that. I don’t know much about the Shands case, I’ll be perfectly frank with you. But basically, (ROGO) needs an independent review. We need an independent review with an independent party to come in here and tell us what we need to do to fix it to get the level of service to a passing grade.

3. Absolutely, 100 percent, and the reason why is because out of 4.7 million visitors that came into the state last year, they generated $5.5 billion in revenue. The TDC raked in $472 million of funds, and of that, their operating budget is only $103 million. There’s $330 million floating around somewhere, and it’s probably at the state and other places in the county. And yes, we should work to get that money into the budget to cover the shortfalls. We shouldn’t have knee-jerk reactions of every time there’s a shortfall, let’s raise the taxes 7.7 percent.

4. I think the services have gone down. Based on what I see in the county, everybody’s struggling for money. With regards to the ballooning value, Blaise Ingoglia told me on the phone that the millage rate should go down instead of going up, which it’s going up a percentage and a half. So I would roll back 2.429, which is the current millage rate, to 2.29, and that would bring back 10 million dollars in the budget, and you could do that from one budget hearing to the next. You could get money back to cover the shortfalls – there’s all sorts of ways to do it and keep the services up. I think the services are not adequate compared to the values of the homes and the tax revenue they’re collecting.

Michelle Lincoln vs. George Lopez

MICHELLE LINCOLN

GEORGE LOPEZ

SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 1

The following questions and answers were taken directly from the Keys Weekly and Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce’s July 22 candidate forum. Answers were lightly edited for length and clarity, and not all questions are included here. For a full forum recording, scan the QR code:

1. What are the current metrics used to evaluate the performance of the superintendent of schools? Does this process need to be improved and if so, what would you do?

2. There is a delicate balance between state financial support for public schools and parental choice in education. Do you believe in re-routing tax dollars to support private education programs or homeschooled students?

3. What changes do you think are necessary at the administration level in regards to the budget?

The School Board District 1 race will see board Vice Chair Darren Horan, a Key West Attorney, vie to maintain his seat against former Monroe County Schools Superintendent Theresa Axford, who retired in 2025 after a 38-year career in the school system. School board members are elected countywide.

1. It’s based on all those factors (Axford listed), but it’s more than that. I evaluate our superintendent on his interaction with the board. I meet with (Superintendent Ed Tierney) more times than I've ever met with our prior superintendent. The reality is that we don't know what he knows. I base his criteria of what he does not just on what happens in the classroom, but how well he manages your capital projects, how much he's looking out for your bottom line, your tax dollars. We've run rampant with what we spend on things, and it's because it's “just the way things are.” Not with this superintendent, and I evaluate him on how much he's doing for you, not just what he's doing in the classroom.

2. I believe that school choice is imperative because it drives innovation. As a school board member, my priority is the public school system. I love the public school system, but we need to have this back-and-forth of who's better. It creates innovation. I respect charter schools because they drive public schools to be better. That's the whole goal of all this – to make sure your kids, no matter if they choose a traditional public school, a charter school, or private school, that they get the best education we can give them.That's the ultimate dream behind all this, and no matter who is creating what.

3. I'm a bottom line kind of guy. If we're going to get squeezed at anything, administration cuts will be made first before we cut a teacher. We have an overabundance of administrators. We can probably get rid of a few and consolidate jobs here and there. But as far as I'm concerned, before we cut a single teacher, an administration job can be cut.

1. We put together a strategic plan in 2022, and it just expired in 2025. It was looking at specific information that had to do with student performance, so the superintendent was evaluated on the FAST test, the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking, and it dealt with reading, math, science, graduation rate, all those kinds of factors. I feel that that was a good evaluation tool, but I think you need some other feedback – something they call a 360 evaluation, where all the people below the superintendent evaluate him or her as well as the school board.

2. I believe in parent choice. So in Florida right now, the dollars follow the student. If a person wants to send their child to the Basilica School in Key West, those dollars follow their children to the Basilica School. It's really important for parents to make choices, and we need to support those choices. I believe that every student belongs to all of us in Monroe County. Our public schools are shining, an A grade this year. Marathon High School went from an 83% graduation rate to 93. That's right along with what the Florida Chamber of Commerce wants to do by 2030.

3. I think that every department needs to undergo a very careful budget review, so when people who are in charge of the departments are told that cuts need to be made, they can make good decisions about who to eliminate. I believe that the teacher is the most important person in terms of delivering services to students. But having principals who are keenly aware of the costs that are occurring in their schools is a real asset at budget time. As superintendent, I really relied on my principals and my department heads to help make those cuts.

You helped wipe out lunch debt with personal funds for students at Key West’s HOB and High School. What is a long-term solution to ensure Monroe County students have access to healthy meals during the school day?

You’ve said that rewriting state statute would be almost an impossible lift. I happen to have someone in my family that's done that – my father. I am not afraid to take on Tallahassee and change the legislature to get our kids fed. Right now, I haven't even tried to raise money, and I've raised $60,000 for our kids. Marathon doesn't have a lunch debt because your principal does a great job to make sure the budget is done well, but it's a million dollars to get kids fed. I can go find 100 businesses right now that will happily cut me a check for $10,000 because they need a tax write-off. I'll figure it out.

You retired earlier this year after working for nearly 40 years in the Monroe County school system. What would you do as a school board member that you couldn't do as a leader inside the school district?

School board members are responsible for the development of policy and governance. As someone who has followed policy for over three decades. I think I would be a good person to write future policy, but also to govern schools and to assist the superintendent in building the greatest school district in Florida. There's some big changes coming based on what the federal government is doing. They're breaking down the Department of Education. They are moving those programs like Title I and ESE to Health and Human Services, so there's going to be changes that we're going to have to deal with as a school district, and I feel prepared to assist with those changes.

THERESA AXFORD

Darren Horan vs. Theresa Axford

DARREN HORAN

SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 5

The following questions and answers were taken directly from the Keys Weekly and Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce’s July 22 candidate forum. Answers were lightly edited for length and clarity, and not all questions are included here. For a full forum recording, scan the QR code:

1. What changes do you think are necessary at the administration level in regards to the budget?

2. How do you feel about bringing religion into the public school system? Would you approve of posting the 10 Commandments in the classroom? Should some religions be excluded?

3. Many school board campaign issues revolve around partisan politics. Do you feel like public education would be better served if the school board members were elected based on political party affiliation? Why or why not?

The School Board District 5 race will see current board member Sue Woltanski, a retired pediatrician and public education advocate, face a challenge from newcomer Chelyn Shaw, a 21-year Key Largo resident and current captain, scuba instructor and Sunday school teacher.

1. Our new superintendent made it a point that he was going to make cuts to the administration first, and that was a great message. But I think we're a very unique district. Our administrators wear many different hats, and we're going to need to look carefully at how the responsibilities are doled out, and where we could do some consolidation. I expect he'll have some great ideas for the reorganization of his staff.

2. My goal is to make sure that all students have access to a high-quality, safe public school system, regardless of what their religious beliefs are. Contrary to popular belief, we do have religion in the schools. There's no restrictions on children privately practicing their religion or giving prayer. We have school clubs that are student-driven and student-organized. They do prayer at the flagpole, and they have put on some beautiful memorial services for kids who have been lost. I wouldn't be opposed to the 10 Commandments if the other laws of other religions were equally shown. I don't believe it's the school's decision to say what religion should be excluded.

3. I disagree with the premise of the question, because I think that public schools are a nonpartisan issue. I think that most people in this community, regardless of whether they're Republican or they're Democrat, believe that the best thing this community can have is high-quality public schools. Most people send their kids to those public schools, and the community comes out in tremendous support of those schools. I believe the discussions on the dais should be nonpartisan, and people should be choosing the person who is best served to serve the children of Monroe County, not based on what color hat they wear.

Through the years, there have been questions and concerns about funding for Coral Shores athletic facilities, while other schools have seen significant upgrades. How do you continue to advocate so that upgrades to Upper Keys facilities match those made in the Middle Keys and Key West? Persistence. Coral Shores was up for the redo of the athletic fields before Irma, but when Irma came in and really wrecked the athletic fields at Marathon, the trade was made. And when Tommy Roberts Stadium was found to be unsafe to hold people, then that trade was made again. You probably heard that last night (at a joint School Board-Islamorada Village Council meeting) we did make some tremendous progress on our baseball field. We are moving forward on building the backyard for sports, and I expect it to be as high quality as all of the other facilities.

1. I would never cut educational dollars or dollars that would go toward our teachers. I believe that budget-wise, I understand that the school board does an audit of themselves once a year and always have, but I believe we can do better. I think if we can bring in our CFO of Florida and have him come in and do a DOGE kind of audit, and find out where we have fluff, cut the fluff and move it to where it's benefiting teachers and education.

2. Our country was founded on Judeo-Christian values. I have no issues with posting the 10 Commandments. They've been posted for many years up until the last several years, and all of a sudden there's a problem with it. I would also bring those same values to the seat that I would occupy. There's nothing wrong with integrity, honesty and service to others before self. As far as teaching other religions, I think that that's best done at home. We need to go back and look at our history throughout the founding of our nation to make those decisions regarding religion. Since we are working for Monroe County families and students, they should have a say-so on excluding religions.

3. I would love it if nonpartisan worked, but we're all biased. Everybody is biased because we have experiences, so nonpartisan is a little bit of a myth. Some people hide behind that label, and it might just be better if we come out waving the flag of exactly what we believe and where we stand. When it all comes down to it, we need to sit in the positions of school board members and make sure that every child has the opportunity to receive the best education possible, regardless of politics.

The Heritage Foundation's Phoenix Declaration emphasizes the importance of religion and traditional values as the guiding principles for public education. How do you feel about implementing this plan for Monroe County students? How do you reconcile the document when the constitution suggests a separation of church from state?

I do believe in the Phoenix Declaration and what it stands for. It supports that parents are the ultimate authority in their children's lives, and that education is also the parents' choice. Parents are taxpayers too, so they have a right to choose where their kids go to school. As far as separation of church and state goes, you’ve got to go way back into our documents and look at that. People get that twisted, but separation of church and state was for the benefit of the churches, not for the benefit of the state.

CHELYN SHAW

SUE WOLTANSKI

Sue Woltanski vs. Chelyn Shaw

MOSQUITO CONTROL BOARD,

DISTRICT 2

The following questions and answers were taken directly from the Keys Weekly and Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce’s July 22 candidate forum. Answers were lightly edited for length and clarity, and not all questions are included here. For a full forum recording, scan the QR code:

1. Please explain the science behind the Naled insecticide Mosquito Control is currently using and its effects on other insects, like bees, butterflies and dragonflies.

2. Last season seemed to bring an exceptional amount of mosquitoes to the Keys. Can you explain the contributing factors and what we learned?

3. If the property tax referendum passes in November, what sort of budget cuts can we expect? How can we make up any shortfalls to protect the health and safety of Monroe County residents?

4. What experiences, education or background prepared you for a position on the Mosquito Control Board?

The District 2 race for Mosquito Control Board pits incumbent Phil Goodman, who was appointed to the board in 2011 by then-Gov. Rick Scott and has been its chair since 2016, against newcomer Alex Osborn, a lifelong Lower Keys resident who returned to start an architecture firm after graduating from the University of Miami.

1. Naled is a dibromium product that is very effective for aerial applications for mosquito control for both the Aedes aegypti mosquito and the salt marsh mosquito. If it weren't for being able to use Naled, a lot of people would have difficulty living, because when the mosquitoes are coming in from the Everglades, usually adulticiding is the only mechanism we have. Most of what we do is larviciding, but as a last resort, we use Naled.

2. Two big things. The same things that we're seeing in Key West and the Upper Keys, we're seeing it on the offshore islands. With particularly high tides, we're seeing many many new breeding sites that are very difficult to find. We've introduced LiDAR, which is a detection mapping system that really looks through the canopies. This is going to solve this problem. One of the big problems, though, was in the Everglades. With all the reconstruction, there's a lot more water. For all the good environmental things that it's doing, there's a lot more water, and thousands of acres of land that was dry for 100 years is now wet, producing mosquitoes. The westerly winds last year really exacerbated the movement of those.

3. Right now the only funding source we have in mosquito control is ad valorem taxes. I have been to Tallahassee a lot, seeing why mosquito control was left out of the referendum, because it wasn't considered a severe important criteria for public safety. If it passes, we will probably lose 10 to 15% of our funding next year. There are alternatives – we can raise the millage rate – but what will happen in some of the rural counties? About 26 rural counties in the state may lose all their funding, and if they cut their budgets in one area, it will hurt mosquitoes all over the state.

4. I've been a chemist for many, many years, I was president of a large chemical company. I held a lot of different technical and executive positions in a number of chemical companies – also using pesticides in the agricultural part of the industry, which is where most of these products come from. I’ve traveled to over 100 countries in the world in my business, a lot in Central and South America and in Africa. It was interesting for me years ago to see all these people that were sick from these diseases like yellow fever, dengue fever and malaria, and it became a way of life for them because they had no mosquito control. I didn't realize that years later I would be in a position that I could really help. This has been a passion for me to work with mosquito control.

1. We’ve heard the science behind the pesticide, but I believe that we need to use pesticide less. We are killing beneficial insects that we need – dragonflies and bees. It’s unacceptable collateral damage.

2. We had heavy winds for a very long period of time, and now releasing water out of the Everglades, that's bringing more mosquito larvae and mosquitoes into the Keys. In particular on July 4, we had some helicopters that were out of service. Those items have been either not an issue this year or remedied by the purchase of new helicopters, which brought the fleet up to par. A big component of my platform has been the increased use of traps, which catch 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I think it is something that can help us reduce mosquitoes overall and rely less on those helicopters.

3. I expect that the referendum will pass, so it's something that we have to deal with. I've read some great articles, which were reprinted in numerous publications, where they pointed to mosquito control as being necessary to tourism. An idea that I had is to utilize TDC money in order to make up the shortfalls for mosquito control.

4. I'm a graduate of the University of Miami. I came back to the Keys and started a small architecture firm with my wife. I recently obtained my certified building contractor license. We are constantly working on projects and improving drainage and trying to make them more mosquito-resistant just through design. I've lived down here for 40 years and I’ve been bitten by mosquitoes, every one of them. It's given me a general desire to eradicate mosquitoes.

Phil Goodman vs. Alex Osborn

PHIL GOODMAN

ALEX OSBORN

DISTRIBUTION OF 4% TAX REVENUE

2% GENERIC

• Administrative (7% taken off the top before other allocations)

• Event related items (35% after administration)

• Advertising related items (65% after administration)

Source: TDC

2% DISTRICTS

• Administrative (3% taken off the top before other allocations)

• Capital improvements/ Brick and mortar (20%)

• Advertising - Around 95% after administrative and capital improvements

• Events - Around 5% after administrative and capital improvements

• Affordable housing

One-time FY 25 $35M

STATE LAW PUTS RESTRICTIONS ON USES FOR TDC FUNDS

Throughout this campaign cycle, candidates in multiple races have made reference to the use of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) dollars to fund county budget shortfalls and other services, as well as total dollars collected and spent annually by the TDC.

Florida law restricts the use of Tourist Development Tax dollars to the promotion of tourism, capital construction of tourist-related facilities, or beach and shoreline maintenance throughout the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern.

According to figures from third-party analysis firm Dean Runyan Associates, total state and local tax revenues generated by all visitor spending in the Keys total $409 million annually. The Tourist Development Tax, which funds the Tourism Development Council, accounts for roughly $61.2 million of this total. The remainder is generated by state and local sales tax, secondary taxes from tourism-supported businesses, and other smaller taxes. These dollars do not pass through the TDC, nor are they made available for use by the TDC.

The TDC’s total proposed budget for 2026-2027 is $112.93 million, combining estimated TDT collections of $61 million with a fund balance of $54.98 million, according to Visit Florida Keys CEO Kara Franker.

Capital funding for projects in the coming year totals $18.5 million, along with another $9.7 million in community reinvestment projects, $4.65 million in event funding, and $210,000 for America 250 events and celebrations.

Changing the allocation of TDT dollars would require a change to state statutes, approved by the Florida Legislature. A $35 million tourist tax surplus from the years surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic was approved as a one-time special carve-out in 2024 for use in workforce housing development. Otherwise, spending restrictions remain in place according to state statute. — Keys Weekly staff report

KEY WEST MAYOR RACE HEATS UP

Commissioner Sam Kaufman challenges incumbent Dee Dee Henriquez

The Key West mayor’s race has divided the “One Human Family” that once defined the Key West community.

The matchup pits incumbent Mayor Danise “Dee Dee” Henriquez, who is seeking her second two-year term, against city commissioner Sam Kaufman, who has represented District 2 for the past 10 years.

Henriquez ran unopposed in 2024 and in nearly every election of her 20+-year career as the county’s elected tax collector. She now faces significant opposition from a capable Kaufman campaign.

The candidates faced off in person on June 26 and July 13 at forums held by the nonprofit voter education group, Hometown Key West. Kaufman had the stage to himself at two recent events. Henriquez missed a July 15 forum held by the Lodging Association of the Florida Keys & Key West, citing an allergic reaction, organizers said. She also missed a July 23 debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

The following is a selection of questions posed to the candidates at the July 13 Hometown forum and their answers.

Both of you have lamented the political and personal attacks of this campaign. Please address any allegations to correct the record.

Henriquez

“There have been attacks on me, my family, my children, wishing us death, wishing us cardiac arrest, to up my medication. You name it, it’s been from A to Z. I would like to just talk about the truth and not false narratives. I have never ever experienced something like this in my 30-some years of public service, with this type of ugliness that I have experienced and my family has experienced and it needs to stop.”

Kaufman

“My campaign has not engaged in any negative campaigning. ... There are others in the community that engage in that, but we will not ... There's enough issues to address … raising of taxes ... lack of water quality testing ... we haven't had a strategic plan. We don't need ... negative personal attacks. And ... those text messages about me? ... Look who's funded those. … Follow the money and look at ... the decisions that have been made behind closed doors, which has to stop, because we need a level playing field.“

What concerns you most about the possibility of your opponent winning this election?

Henriquez

“A lot. I am very nervous about my opponent becoming mayor,” Henriquez said before turning to Kaufman, seated beside her. “Yeah, keep looking at me. Because what he will destroy in two years as mayor, it will take years for somebody else to come in and fix. So I am very concerned.”

Kaufman

“Let's bring down the temperature. We all want the best for Key West. ... We can be civil and listen to each other. … People in this community feel abandoned. There's a lot of people who were hurt by what this commission did over the last year. The people of Key West are united behind One Human Family ... but city hall is not and that's the problem.”

Madame Mayor, you ran for mayor unopposed last time. This time you're in a heated contest. What is your proudest accomplishment and highest priority if reelected?

Henriquez

“One of my proudest moments ... is building the relationships with our municipalities, our county, our state and our federal level.

“This year, we were able to bring home $5.5 million from the state, which hasn't been done in almost 10 years. ... I don't know yet what we're going to get at the federal level. So one of my proudest moments is to bring back money back to our city.”

What would you do as mayor to restore trust and transparency in city hall?

Kaufman

“We can start by inviting people to come into city hall ... on every issue. ... We really need to focus on building unity among the commission and we need to provide information to the public with full transparency.

“People have questions about Mallory Square. ... Water quality. Why was the college program terminated? Higgs Beach, where did that come from? There's question after question after question. And we need to be transparent.”

Closing statements

Henriquez

“I am your mayor. I am proud to be your mayor. I want to continue to be your mayor. I have been endorsed by Congressman Carlos Gimenez, Senator Ana Maria Gonzalez, previous city mayor Craig Cates ... South Florida Police Benevolent Association, Key West Firefighters Local 1424 ... and Teamsters Local Union 769. I would like to continue to be your mayor. I want to continue to move our city forward.” (Henriquez was referring to state Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez when listing her endorsements.)

Kaufman

“We're going to recommit to our One Human Family values. ... I have been endorsed by almost 1,000 people who've donated, individuals, not the big money, not the big corporations, because we are committed to ... a level playing field. We're gonna have fairness in city hall. We're gonna bring common sense back to city hall. We're gonna focus on health care ... affordability and ... all the things people care about. But we have to do it together. And I know there's a lot of negativity ... but we have to get past that and unite and move Key West in the best direction it can go.”

MAYOR DANISE HENRIQUEZ

SAM KAUFMAN

MASSICOTTE & SULLIVAN VIE

FOR KEY WEST DISTRICT 5 SEAT

Prominent businesses support Sullivan; Massicotte attracts individual residents

The District 5 city commission race is between Chris Massicotte and Greg Sullivan.

Sullivan is a 32-year resident and senior district manager for Waste Management, the city’s trash and recycling contractor. Sullivan is a longtime Rotarian and Chamber of Commerce leader.

When should Key West follow the state, and when should it push back?

Massicotte

“I am also a big proponent of home rule. ... We need to stand up for ourselves … and we should always, always do it respectfully. But regarding SB 1134 (prohibiting public funds from supporting LGBT events), Vice Mayor Lee, the letter he put together was one of the most respectful I have ever seen, just to voice our collective opposition, because it is really going to hurt our tourism industry. ... And the commission couldn’t bring itself to even support that letter. If I was on that dais that day, that vote would have been different.”

Sullivan

“So, the state kind of has us under their thumb. Unfortunately, we go to them for grant money ... and we can’t break the law. ... With the (rainbow) crosswalks ... I would have asked to take a contingent of Key West folks and have a meeting with the governor and explain what Key West is all about, why this is important to us and why we just can’t roll over and say, ‘OK, paint the crosswalk over.’ ... Or maybe have the governor come down here and give him a one-on-one tour of Key West ... convince them they were wrong. But we have to be careful ... when it comes to ... asking for dollars. ... But I believe in good conversation face to face.”

Massicotte was an auditor and a political consultant in Washington, D.C. He chairs Keys Last Stand, an environmental advocacy nonprofit.

The following questions and answers are selected from the July 13 Hometown forum and the July 23 League of Women Voters forum.

Mr. Sullivan, you’re a senior manager at Waste Management, which holds Key West’s trash and recycling contract. … When it comes time to renew and renegotiate, what will you do?

Sullivan

“Our current contract goes for four years and the only thing that will change in the next four years is an annual CPI that’s already approved and in the contract.

“So when that comes up I will obviously recuse myself, but there’s no negotiations to go on. So next year ... whatever the CPI is that will be implemented, but there’ll be no contract changes. So other than myself recusing myself, we’re good to go.”

Mr. Massicotte, you lead Keys Last Stand, an environmental advocacy group. Does that organizational role create a conflict when you vote on development projects or business permits?

Massicotte

“I don’t think that advocating for clean water, responsible development is a conflict. There’s no financial interest in any of that. Last Stand doesn’t profit if we build more, if we don’t build more. “We have ... pay-toplay politics where people, companies that have contracts directly with the city will donate to candidates and then turn around and ... want something for that.

“I’ve taken a pledge to not take any money from any person or business that has a contract with the city, to stay as independent as possible.”

TRIAL COURT EXPERIENCE

Cases Before County Court

CHRIS MASSICOTTE

GREG SULLIVAN

By Mandy Miles

3 POLITICAL NEWCOMERS VIE FOR KEY WEST DISTRICT 4 COMMISSION SEAT

Sarah Compton, Wayne Garcia & Juan Llera have run a respectful race

The three-way race for the District 4 Key West City Commission seat has been marked with respect, affability and cooperation among the three candidates, in contrast with the most heated and hostile mayoral race in recent memory.

The District 4 race features three electoral newcomers — Sarah Compton, Wayne Garcia and Juan Llera — vying for

You’ve made rebuilding public trust central to your campaign. What would do in your first 90 days to demonstrate that things are different?

SARAH COMPTON

“Public participation is my north star, and I’m talking to the public, in detail, about what is happening before the meetings happen and decisions are made. … To me, transparency means finding every single way to bring public participation into the process. Corruption cannot grow or live or do anything whenever public eyes are on it. I also think bringing the information to people where they are, so they don’t have to hunt for it, is so important to being truly transparent.”

What are you hearing the most about while campaigning? What are people telling you?

WAYNE GARCIA

“The No. 1 thing I hear about in District 4 is the seasonal flooding that we have along Flagler Avenue. One of the solutions I’ve heard and offered is to approach the Army Corps of Engineers, with the city engineers, and see if we can come up with a solution. The streets do flood, but the city of Key West sewer department or public works did a great job, believe it or not, this last time. Within two or three hours most of that rainwater was gone. So that’s the number-one thing I hear about in District 4.”

If you’re elected to the city commission, are you prepared to make a decision that’s good for the city but not necessarily good for you?

JUAN LLERA

“Absolutely. … Unfortunately you’re never going to make everyone happy, but we have to work cohesively as a dais and there’s going to be decisions that I

the seat currently occupied by Commissioner Lissette Carey, who is not seeking reelection.

Compton owns a hospitality marketing business and was appointed to the Key West Planning Board by City Commissioner Sam Kaufman. Garcia is a native Conch, a contractor and a woodworking artist, who was appointed to the same Planning Board a year before Compton by Mayor

Dee Dee Henriquez. Juan Llera is a safety and risk management executive at Keys Energy Services, which he joined in 2018 following a 20-year career in the U.S. military and then law enforcement.

“This is the only race that could even possibly lead to a runoff in November. And that only happens if nobody gets 50% plus one vote — not 51%, 50% plus one vote,” Hometown Key West president

Todd German said at the organization’s July 13 candidate forum. German also commended the three candidates in District 4 for their positive campaign. “This is the way campaigns should be. These three are just wonderful.”

The following are excerpts from questions asked and answers given at Hometown’s July 13 forum and the League of Women Voters’ July 23 event.

don’t agree with some of my colleagues on. But if it’s in the best interest of the community and the best interest of our residents; if it’s transparent, and it makes fiscal sense, yes it doesn’t matter what my beliefs are. At that point I will certainly vote for that.”

At a previous forum, a candidate described a business owner losing $150,000 a month waiting on city permitting. As a contractor, what specific permitting change would you encourage the city to make to address this problem?

WAYNE GARCIA

“As a builder, I’ve dealt with the city of Key West building department for 40some years and I’ve seen it all.

“One of the biggest problems with the building department is the availability of qualified people, inspectors, qualified plan reviewers, even getting us a permanent division head, a chief building

official. We have to get that talent into the building department and then have them figure out a way to streamline the building process. There’s no excuse for a permit to take eight months and thousands and thousands of dollars in lost revenue. We can do better than that.”

What is your first priority for the district you hope to represent?

SARAH COMPTON

“My first priority for my district is to make sure that their voices are heard. One of the biggest things, besides flooding, that I have heard is that they don’t feel connected to their representatives. They don’t understand what’s happening. I want to make sure I am accessible, that I am coming to them rather than them having to hunt me down and we are making a decision as a community.”

JUAN LLERA

“There’s been a political divide on our dais for a while now and we’re not getting a lot of stuff done. Things get pushed to the next meeting. So I would like to get not only my district together and have a meeting, but also work cohesively with the other commissioners on the dais so we can start putting our differences aside and doing what we’re supposed to be doing and what we’re there to do, which is represent the citizens of Key West while maintaining our heritage and our culture.”

WAYNE GARCIA

“My first priority is to get to the meeting on time, but after that it’s to work with the other commissioners in unifying that commission. There’s been some division and we need to get together. We need to make decisions that benefit the citizens of Key West and don’t benefit special interests or that are just for certain people and not for all. So it would be to unify the commission.”

District 4 city commission candidates, from left, are Sarah Compton, Wayne Garcia and Juan Llera. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

ROSSI & LORE VIE FOR KEY WEST DISTRICT 2 COMMISSION SEAT

Candidates own very different downtown businesses

Two downtown business owners are running a thus-far respectful race for the District 2 seat being vacated by Commissioner Sam Kaufman, who has to resign to run for mayor.

Mark Rossi is the longtime owner of Rick’s and Durty Harry’s entertainment complex in the 200 block of Duval Street. He served as the District 2 commissioner from 2005 until 2015.

“Mr. Rossi, you served in this seat from 2005 to 2015. Name one thing the city got wrong after you left that you would have prevented.”

“There's many things. I think the city does not keep up on its infrastructure, and preventative maintenance is a very good thing. We need to keep the things that we have working. You've got a sewer plant out there on Fleming Key that's going to need a lot of attention soon..... I don't really want to nitpick the city, but I want to go in there and help the city and make it a better place with common sense. I mean that.”

“The city has recently declined to conduct water quality testing in Key West Harbor. Do you agree?”

Bobi Lore

“I strongly disagree. We need to make decisions based on facts. When we have hard data, it’ll be easier to implement and changes or improvements. We should have been doing it the whole time I’ve lived in Key West. There’s no excuse. I’d make it a top priority.”

Mark Rossi

“Stantec just signed a contract to do it. We did do it on the Atlantic side years ago. I’m for testing the harbor; believe me.”

“When should Key West follow the state? And when should it push back?”

Bobi Lore owns Island House, a 37-room gay resort on Fleming Street.

Both men provide multiple units of employee housing to their staff.

Both men said they would support a change in the city’s historic guidelines to allow property owners to paint eight fence posts in rainbow colors — or any other design. Current rules require fences in Old Town to be white or unpainted.

Mark Rossi

“I voted for the rainbow crosswalks back when they first came up. But the state is the state and you have to listen to them. We have to have a good relationship with Tallahassee. They’re in charge; like it or not.”

Lore

“I’m a strong proponent of home rule, we should stand strong for or against matters that are important to Key West. I’d have pushed back on the city signing a 287(g) agreement (for local police to assist ICE agents with immigration enforcement).”

Summary statements

Rossi

“I’m gonna stick up for the residents,” Rossi told the Keys Weekly. “This town needs someone to come back and help clean things up. I’ve never taken a salary or insurance from the city, and I won’t this time around. I’m gonna fix the streets. I’m gonna work on the hospital contract for our residents and I’m gonna support the military. I want to keep Key West Key West.”

Lore

“I will meet with my constituents regularly and listen to their concerns, learning how I can best serve them. I will not stand for backroom deals or other actions that are not given the transparency of open debate. My inner compass always points toward the common good.”

MARK ROSSI

BOBI LORE

PRIMARY ELECTION

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS, SHERRI HODIES: Find time to get out and VOTE! And while you are at the polls, remember to THANK your Election Workers for their wonderful service to their community - we couldn’t run our elections without them!

Polling Location Changes:

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Although there is no deadline to change your address or signature, don’t wait until you vote. Update today!

On Election Day, your voted Mail Ballot will not be accepted at your polling location, so bring it into the elections office directly for it to be counted!

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

August 6, 2026August 18, 20267 p.m.

Deadline to Request a Voteby-Mail Ballot be mailed to you.

Deadline to return your Voteby-Mail Ballot to the elections office.

FLORIDA IS A CLOSED PRIMARY STATE

What is a Closed Primary? Only voters registered as Republicans can vote on Republican races and only voters registered as Democrats can vote in Democratic races. Every registered voter can vote on Non-partisan and Universal races.

What is a Universal Primary Race? When candidates of the same party do not have opposition from a different party to run against in the General election, the winner is elected outright in the Primary, so all voters can participate in that race, regardless of party affiliation. Our 2026 primary includes two universal primary races. There is something for everyone to vote on in this election!

particip

EARLY VOTING

AUGUST 3 - AUGUST 15

8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

MONROE COUNTY’S THREE ELECTION OFFICES:

1. Key West - 5200 College Rd.

2. Marathon - 10015 Overseas Hwy

3. Key Largo - 102050 Overseas Hwy, Ste. 137

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

Big Pine Key - Community Park, 31009 Atlantis Dr.

Plantation Key - NEW LOCATION!! Community Center, 88820 Overseas Hwy

KEY WEST UTILITY BOARD RACE DRAWS ENTHUSIASTIC CANDIDATES

Four hopefuls are running for two seats

By Mandy Miles

Candidates for Key West Utility Board have demonstrated significant knowledge of and enthusiasm for the board’s role.

Three of the four candidates called for meetings to be televised and all are well informed of the utility’s operations, local generation capabilities and efforts to harden infrastructure to storm damage.

The Key West Utility Board oversees Keys Energy Services, which provides electricity to about 30,000 customers, from Key West to the Seven Mile Bridge.

The five-member board meets monthly with little fanfare and almost no controversy. The board’s regular meetings last about 30 minutes and every agenda item has received unanimous approval, according to minutes from the past year.

Members receive about $24,520 a year, $28,000 for the chair, and full health insurance coverage, Keys Energy spokesman Julio Torrado said last year. Four candidates are vying for two of the five seats.

Hotel general manager Jim Marquardt is challenging 22-year incumbent and retired educator Mona Clark for Seat A, which represents Old Town Key West.

Retired engineer Tim Urbanski and business owner Javier Garrido are vying for Seat D, in a race with no incumbent.

The following is a selection of the candidates’ responses to questions at the July 13 Hometown forum.

Ms. Mona Clark, when was the last time the board denied or did not unanimously approve an agenda item? Is that a sign of a rubberstamp board?

Mona Clark

“I've voted in opposition. ... So it's not unanimous for everything. And the public has the right to sit in all meetings. ... Decisions are made individually and not just rubber stamped as some folks would like you to believe. You put thought into it. ... There's a learning curve.”

Do you think utility board meetings should be televised?

Mona Clark

“Meetings are announced well in advance and the public has the opportunity ... to give input .... As far as investing in televising, it would be very costly and we haven't had anyone asking for televising our meetings. So that's a no for me personally.”

Jim Marquardt

“They definitely should be televised. Every public meeting ... should be televised. ... And I might just add, public input is only allowed at the end of the agenda. It's not allowed for any discussion.”

Tim Urbanski

“When members are absent ... Keys Energy uses Teams to broadcast a Zoomtype session. There's no reason they cannot be broadcast.”

Javier Garrido

“The board just approved an expenditure to update AV equipment. Not to speak for them, but I anticipate the meetings will probably go online. ... But I do support having them on TV, internet. ... In this day and age there's no reason we can't.”

Why is it so difficult to get solar power and should that be part of the role of Keys Energy?

Jim Marquardt

“My house is 100% solar. Solar is not cheap … but the technology ... can now be integrated in any construction. Keys Energy should be in the business. I shouldn't have to call … New Jersey. ...I should be able to go to Keys Energy and say I'm interested in doing this in my new construction or reconstruction.”

Name one thing you would do to address rate pressure on working residents and small businesses.

Tim Urbanski

“Rates are set by the state and have been fairly consistent ... all year. ...That cost is also for distribution charges, operation maintenance. ... The FMPA,

where we buy our electricity, has greatly grown solar capability. Solar generation is cheaper in the long run than fossil fuel generation. The rates will be coming down. … If we did some local generation, it would take some of the load off the grid.”

Javier Garrido

I did some research ... about solar and hydroelectric power. The utility company contracts their power and is unable to generate their own. To keep our rates low I’d ... encourage solar individually and for our municipalities, Key West, Monroe County, to pursue into the grid and generate their own power, which will keep our rates lower.”

Mona Clark

“Our attempt on a daily basis is to keep rates affordable. That's difficult. ...We purchase our electricity from FMPA, which is mostly gas, and if we got into solar ... it would be very, very costly to homeowners that can't afford it. ... We offer rebates ... and we have over 700 actual solar customers who actually sell back the electricity they don't use.”

Jim Marquardt

“The 700 solar customers shows there's an interest. Legislation is the key to rates and energy rebates. My solar went on when the different administration was in the White House, so I was able to get 33% of the cost back. That disappeared … so the legislation has to change.”

Closing statements

Mona Clark

“I do believe experience is a good factor. There is a learning curve. ... With my experience — even though folks do talk about term limits — I am running because I believe in our customers and I believe in MY community.”

Jim Marquardt

“I'd really love the opportunity to represent you on the utility board. I have a passion for this as you can see. I just would appreciate your vote on Aug. 18.”

Tim Urbanski

“My first and foremost goal is to represent every customer, employee and Keys Energy properly. ... I don't have any endorsements. ... I do not want any special interest groups, PACs, people with money. ... I don't want any of them backing me because I don't owe anybody anything....”

Javier Garrido

“I’m a longtime resident of the Keys, I have two degrees ... and a master's. I manage four companies. I’m raising my kids here and at the end of the day, vote Javier, I'll keep the lights on.”

MONA CLARK

JIM MARQUARDT

TIM URBANSKI JAVIER GARRIDO

COUNTY COURT JUDGE

Kevin McCarthy vs. David Van Loon

KEVIN MCCARTHY

A longtime resident of the Florida Keys, McCarthy has been an assistant public defender in Monroe County since 2011. He was promoted to chief assistant public defender in 2017 by Public Defender Robert Lockwood.

In his more than 14 years of service, McCarthy has represented clients in thousands of cases, ranging from misdemeanors to the most serious felonies. He is one of a small number of attorneys in Monroe County qualified to serve in death-penalty proceedings.

As chief assistant public defender, he has supervised, mentored and trained dozens of attorneys.

McCarthy is a graduate of Key West High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Emory University in Atlanta, and his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law. He practiced civil litigation at a private firm in Miami before returning to Key West in 2011.

McCarthy is an active member of Sunrise Rotary, the Southernmost Hockey League, the Monroe County Bar Association and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He serves on the board of directors of A Positive Step of Monroe County, assists local schools with their mock trial programs and is a member of the Statewide Death Penalty Advisory Committee and the Florida Public Defenders’ Association.

Since 2015, he has taught criminal justice courses at St. Leo University, helping numerous service members and law enforcement professionals complete their college degrees. He is certified to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

“I am deeply honored to seek this position and committed to continuing to serve the people of Monroe County with fairness, integrity and respect for the rule of law,” McCarthy said of his candidacy for county judge.

McCarthy is married to local attorney Tiffany Curry. They are the parents of two children.

For more information, email McCarthyforkeysjudge@gmail. com or call 305-304-6125.

A seat vacated by Judge Mark Wilson, who succeeded retiring Judge Mark Jones as circuit court judge, will be decided at the Aug. 18 primary.

Races for the bench are more strict than other county and state races. According to Florida statute, a judicial office is a nonpartisan office. A candidate for election or retention to the seat is prohibited from campaigning or qualifying for such an office based on party affiliation.

Attorney David Van Loon has lived in Key West since 1996. He moved to the Keys to teach at Key West High School, where he served for four years before pursuing a legal career.

He launched his practice in 2003, and has more than two decades of legal experience serving individuals, families, businesses and institutions throughout South Florida, with a primary focus on Monroe County.

Van Loon said he has deliberately balanced transactional and litigation work, developing a comprehensive understanding of the law from multiple perspectives. He has handled more than 1,000 cases across Monroe, Miami-Dade, Collier, Lee, Hendry, Palm Beach and Brevard counties.

In his transactional practice, Van Loon said, he has helped homeowners buy and sell property, drafted lease agreements and prepared commercial and private loan documents, as well as condominium and homeowners’ association documents. He has also helped individuals form and launch businesses and has guided clients through the purchase and sale of companies. Additionally, Van Loon has represented individuals and families in immigration matters, helping them obtain lawful permanent residency and United States citizenship.

As a litigator, Van Loon has tried cases in county and circuit courts, as well as in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. He has represented clients in more than 500 county court matters and over 400 circuit court cases. At the federal level, he has represented national companies in complex, multimillion-dollar litigation, including FDIC-related matters. He is also certified to appear before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Van Loon also has practiced before the Third and Sixth District Courts of Appeal, including presenting oral arguments before the Third District Court of Appeal.

“Beyond private practice, I also have extensive quasi-judicial experience,” Van Loon said. “For more than a decade, I have served as special magistrate for the Monroe County Value Adjustment Board, presiding over exemption-related hearings. Over the past year, I have also served as a traffic magistrate for county court civil traffic infractions. I also have been appointed by the court on several occasions to serve as magistrate in real estate disputes, overseeing and managing property pending sale,” he said.

More information is available from Van Loon at 305-697-8404 or dvlforjudge@gmail.com.

DAVID VAN LOON

WORKING WITH NEIGHBORS TO PUT KEY WEST FIRST

Sarah Compton is a small business owner and communi ty advocate who has seen firsthand how our community can improve wh en City Hall listens to residents and is responsive, transparent , and fair. improve ,

AS COMMISSIONER, SARAH WILL:

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ term as governor is almost up. As a result, a number of candidates who’ve qualified for the upcoming Aug. 18 primary have aspirations to lead the Sunshine State for the next four years. The primary will determine which Republican and Democratic candidates will square off in the November election. The information here is from the candidates’ campaign websites.

Byron Donalds is a representative in the U.S House for Florida’s 19th district. He served in the Florida House from 2016 to 2020. During his time in Tallahassee, Donalds chaired the House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee.

He attended Florida State University and graduated in 2002 with a degree in finance and marketing. His career path has included working in the finance, insurance and banking industries in Southwest Florida. He lives in Naples with his wife and three children.

Donalds’ priorities include making Florida more affordable by cutting property taxes and lowering insurance rates, protecting natural resources and completing Everglades restoration, fighting illegal immigration and expanding economic opportunity by diversifying the economy and attracting new investment in the state.

Learn more at byrondonalds.com.

THE RACE FOR FLORIDA GOVERNOR

Primary sees a host of candidates

Jay Collins is a Green Beret who was deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and South America. He sustained injuries that would lead to the loss of his leg years later. Following the amputation, he requalified as a fully deployable Green Beret and served five more years on active duty.

He was elected to the Florida Senate in 2022 and was tapped by DeSantis in 2025 to be lieutenant governor. He lives in Tampa with his wife and children.

Collins’ priorities include making Florida affordable for working families and senior citizens by driving the costs of taxes and insurance down, supporting law enforcement, finishing Everglades restoration and providing world-class schools that put children first. Learn more at jayforflorida.com.

James Fishback is a fourth-generation Floridian who was born and raised in Davie. Fishback is looking to save the state he fears is being lost. He lives with his wife in the Panhandle.

Fishback’s priorities include stopping data centers, eliminating property taxes for all Florida residents, tackling high homeowner’s association and condominium costs, banning private equity firms from buying single-family homes and supporting law enforcement and small businesses. Learn more at fishback2026.com.

Paul Renner is a veteran naval officer, former assistant state attorney and state legislator who served in the House from 2015 to 2024. He spent two years as House Speaker.

Renner lives in Palm Coast with his wife and kids. He served in Operation Desert Storm during combat operations onboard the USS McInerney (FFG-8) and later during combat operations in Afghanistan in 2011.

Renner’s priorities include cutting property taxes, lowering homeowners’ insurance premiums, stopping public corruption, passing an AI bill of rights to protect children and protecting the health and freedom of Floridians. Learn more at voterenner.com.

Bobby Williams is a third-generation Florida native. His values are rooted in Christian principles, emphasizing love, humility, accountability and service. He rejects lawlessness and embraces conservative ideals that uplift family, personal responsibility and the value of being a blessing to others.

His priorities include protecting Florida’s land and waterways, providing an education that gets students ready for life and fighting against data centers, overdevelopment and illegal immigration. Learn more at bwflgov.com.

David Jolly is a former member of Congress, attorney and television analyst. In addition to his work in Congress and in the private practice of law, he served for nearly a decade as a political analyst on NBC and MSNBC. Jolly lives in Pinellas County with his wife and kids.

Jolly’s priorities include solving the affordability and insurance crisis, adequately funding public schools, investing in clean water and the ocean economy and implementing campaign finance and ethics reform. Learn more at davidjolly.com.

Dotie Joseph serves in the Florida House. She’s the Democratic minority leader pro tempore.

Her priorities include fully funding public schools and restoring teacher pay to competitive levels, expanding Medicaid to cover working Floridians left in the coverage gap and raising the minimum wage for Florida families, especially state employees. Learn more at dotiejoseph.com.

PAUL RENNER

DAVID JOLLY

THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES

BYRON DONALDS

JAMES FISHBACK

BOBBY WILLIAMS

DOTIE JOSEPH

JAY COLLINS

THE MAN BEHIND THE CANDIDATE

EDUCATION

- Key West High School

- Lynn University (BSBA)

- Thomas M. Cooley Law School (JD)

WORK EXPERIENCE

- Partner: Horan Law, LLLP

- Co-Owner: On Pointe Restaurant Group, LLC

- Horay Restaurant Group, LLC

COMMUNITY SERVICE

- Take Stock in Children (Mentor)

- Board of Directors for the Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce

- Past Chairman of the Key West Military Affairs Committee

- Vice-President of the Southernmost Seminoles Club

- Coach (youth sports)

- School Board District 1 Board Member Vice Chairperson

ENDORSEMENT

- Monroe County IAFF Local 3909

REASON FOR RUNNING FOR SCHOOL BOARD

“I’m running for re-election on behalf of all children in Monroe County Schools.”

KEVIN for McCARTHY

COUNTY COURT JUDGE GROUP 2

ABOUT KEVIN McCARTHY

Kevin McCarthy is married to Tiffany Curry, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. A dedicated member of the community, Kevin has built a career rooted in public service, a strong commitment to justice, and a distinguished legal background. Kevin is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts as well as the Supreme Court of the United States. Kevin's experience, integrity, and dedication to serving others provide him with a well-rounded perspective on the challenges facing our judicial system.

Education:

• Key West High School

• Emory University, B.A.

• University of Miami School of Law, J.D. - Cum Laude

Experience:

• 2009-2011 Associate Attorney specializing in Civil Litigation

• 2011-2017 Assistant Public Defender

• 2017 - Present Chief Assistant Public Defender

• 2015 - Present Adjunct Professor, Saint Leo University

Community: Key West Sunrise Rotary: Member Southernmost Hockey Club Board of Directors A Positive Step of Monroe County Board Member VOTE TUESDAY, AUGUST 18 TH •

14,728

14,814

“I am deeply honored to seek this position and committed to continuing to serve the people of Monroe County with fairness, integrity, and respect for the rule of law. I humbly ask for your vote on August 18th.”

Kevin is proudly endorsed by:

FICTITIOUS NAME

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of TOKEN TIDBITS located at 13 N. PELICAN DR, KEY LARGO, FL 33037 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: 3 MINUTE MEDIA LLC

Publish:

July 30, 2026

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice is hereby given that Big Pine Storage, pursuant to the Florida Self Storage Facility Act, Florida Statutes (Section 83.801–83.809), will sell at public sale by competitive online bidding to satisfy the owner’s lien for unpaid rent, fees, and other charges. Sale to be held online at 11:00 AM on August 10, 2026, at storagetreasures.com. Contents of the following unit(s) will be sold: OP11 – James Reynolds, 825 Wright Drive, Lake Worth, FL 33461 – Personal items Property is stored at Big Pine Storage, 30677 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, FL 33043. All items are sold as is, where is, and must be removed within 48 hours of purchase.

Publish:

July 30 and August 6, 2026

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

U-HAUL COMPANY OF MIAMI

Notice is hereby given that on August 3rd, 2026, Leonard Richford Jr. Storage Auctioneer, Executive Administrator for U-Haul Company of Miami, Will be offering for sale under the Judicial Lien Process, By Public Auction, the following storage units. The Terms of the sale will be cash only.

U-Haul Company does reserve the right to refuse any bids. The sales will Begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue day by day until all units are sold. The names of whose units will be sold are as follows: Location: 103530 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037 Press, Brian 1116 Tabora, Nicholas 1025 Thoman, Catherine 1598 Gonzalez, Gerardo 1612

Publish:

July 23 & 30, 2026

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

Sale of One (1) County-Owned Unimproved Parcel on Key Largo Monroe County, Florida Parcel Identification Number: 00087310-000100

Minimum Bid Required; $94,000.00

5% Bid Bond Required

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 electronic bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl. bonfirehub.com, no later than 3:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 20, 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 Thursday, August 20, 2026. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156 Meeting ID: 4509326156

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+16465189805,,4509326156# US (New York)

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Dial by your location:

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Publish:

July 30, 2026

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

South Florida Regional Planning Council is accepting proposals from CPA firms to provide Audit Services for Fiscal Years ending September 30, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030.  Bids will be accepted until 5:00 PM on August 26, 2026, via email and one (1) hard copy at 1 Oakwood Boulevard, Suite 250, Hollywood, Florida 33020.  Detailed specifications for proposals and schedules can be found at: https:// sfregionalcouncil.org/requestfor-proposal-financial-auditservices-2026/ Publish:

July 30, 2026

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: Appliance Repair Service— Countywide 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 electronic bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl. bonfirehub.com, no later than 3:00P.M. on August 25, 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, August 25, 2026. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156

Meeting ID: 4509326156

One tap mobile:

+16465189805,,4509326156# US (New York)

+16699006833,,4509326156# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location:

+1 646 518 9805 US (New York)

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

Publish: July 30, 2026

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

COMPREHENSIVE BILLING SERVICES FOR FIRE INSPECTION FEES

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 proposals via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform. Please do not email, mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids/proposals/responses. Emailed/mailed/physically delivered bids/proposals/ responses WILL NOT be accepted. The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that proposals be submitted via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform at https://monroecountyfl.bonfirehub.com, before 3:00P.M. on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. There is no cost to the proposer to use the Bonfire platform and questions should be submitted using the Bonfire platform. Otherwise, questions regarding this RFP may be transmitted in writing to Zully Hemeyer c/o Monroe County Fire Rescue, 7280 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050, or Email: Hemeyer-Zully@ monroecounty-fl.gov.

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 from unsealing, whichever is earlier, unless the bids/proposals are rejected in accordance with F.S. § 119.071. If your proposal document includes financial information (not uploaded separately), that information will be considered public and viewable to the public in accordance with public records law. In the event of a discrepancy between the bid/ proposal amount on the Proposal Form and the bid/proposal amount entered in Bonfire, the bid/proposal 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 bid/proposal irregularity.

The proposal opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M. on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom.

us/j/4509326156

Meeting ID: 4509326156

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Publish:

July 30, 2026

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 26-CP-000096-M

DIVISION: MARATHON

IN RE: ESTATE OF HELMUT FRIEDRICH ROTH

A/K/A FREDERICH H. ROTH

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Helmut Friedrich Roth a/k/a Frederich H. Roth, deceased, whose date of death was October 8, 2025, 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.

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

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

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

The date of first publication of this notice is July 30, 2026.

Personal Representative: Fred M. Roth

13333 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050

Attorney for Personal Representative: Meghan E. Miller

Attorney

Florida Bar Number: 1003898

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: service@floridakeyslaw.com kobrien@floridakeyslaw.com

Publish: July 30 and August 6, 2026

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 26-CP-000140-K

IN RE: ESTATE OF MAURICE LEWIS Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of MAURICE LEWIS, deceased, whose date of death was January 28, 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 representatives and the personal representatives’ attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. 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 30, 2026.

Personal Representatives: Paige Martin Address: 908 N. Wayne Street North Manchester, IN 46962

Abby Tomcsi

Address: 11520 Rossburn Drive Fishers, IN 46037

Attorneys for Personal Representatives: Aaron P. Snellenbarger, Esq. Florida Bar No. 113125

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP 1 Indiana Square, Suite 3500 Indianapolis, IN 46204

T. 317-713-9453

Email: asnellenbarger@taftlaw. com

John A. Garner, Esq. Florida Bar No. 0569992

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP 9130 Galleria Court, Suite 101 Naples, FL 34109-4381 T. 239-497-8382

Email: jagarner@taftlaw.com

Publish: July 30 and August 6, 2026

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 26-CP-000141-K IN RE: ESTATE OF BARBARA LEWIS Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of BARBARA LEWIS, deceased, whose date of death was January 28, 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 30, 2026.

Personal Representative: Jason Grube

Address: 952 West Shore Dr. Culver, IN 46511

Attorneys for Personal Representative:

Aaron P. Snellenbarger, Esq. Florida Bar No. 113125

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP 1 Indiana Square, Suite 3500 Indianapolis, IN 46204

T. 317-713-9453

Email: asnellenbarger@taftlaw. com

John A. Garner, Esq. Florida Bar No. 0569992

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP 9130 Galleria Court, Suite 101 Naples, FL 34109-4381

T. 239-497-8382

Email: jagarner@taftlaw.com

Publish:

July 30 and August 6, 2026

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION CASE NUMBER: 26-CP-000033-M

DIVISION: MARATHON IN RE: THE ESTATE OF ROY EDWARD MCADAMS

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of ROY EDWARD MCADAMS, deceased, whose date of death was September 16, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is July 23, 2026.

Persons Giving Notice: Lee Simone Mullis

207 David Lane Marathon, FL 33050

Attorney for Persons Giving Notice: Christopher B. Waldera, P.A. Christopher B. Waldera Florida Bar No: 980810

Attorney for Personal Representative 5800 Overseas Highway, Suite 7 Marathon, Florida 33050 Telephone: (305) 289-2223

Facsimile: (305) 289-2249

Publish: July 23 & 30, 2026

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO. 44-2025-CA-1181-P MARKEY MARINE SERVICE, INC., a Florida corporation, Plaintiff, vs. JOANNE FERNAN, her Estate, her successors-in-interest, and all others in possession or claiming an interest by, under or through her, Defendant.

NOTICE OF ACTION (formal notice by publication) TO:

JOANNE FERNAN, deceased, and all unknown heirs, devisees, grantees, assignees, lienors, creditors, trustees, and all other parties claiming by, through, under, or against JOANNE FERNAN, deceased, whose last known address, residence, and whereabouts are unknown: YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action to quiet title to the following property in Monroe County, Florida, has been filed against you: A part of Lot 2, according to the Plat recorded in the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, in Plat Book 1, Page 59, and being more particularly described by metes and bounds, as follows: Commencing at the intersection of the Southeasterly right-ofway line of U.S. Highway No. 1, and the North line of Section 5, Township 62 South, Range 39 East, bear Southwesterly along the Southeasterly right-of-way line of U.S. Highway No. 1 for a distance of 556 feet to the Point of Beginning of the part of Lot 2 hereinafter described: from said Point of Beginning, continue bearing Southwesterly along the Southeasterly rightof-way line of U.S Highway No. 1 for a distance of 22. 98 feet to a point; thence at right angles and Southeasterly for a distance of 150 feet to a point on the Northwesterly right-of-way line of Old State Highway No. 4A; thence at right angles and in a Northeasterly direction along the Northwesterly right-of-way line of Old State Highway No. 4A for a distance of 22. 98 feet to a point; thence at right angles and in a Northwesterly direction for a distance of 150 feet, back to the Point of Beginning. Containing approximately 3,447 sq. ft., more or less. You are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to this action on Plaintiff's attorney, Nicholas W. Mulick, P.A., whose address is 91645 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, Florida 33070, and file the original with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Monroe County, Florida, at 88770 Overseas Hwy, Suite 2, Tavernier, Florida 33070, on or before August 10th, 2026. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint. Signed on this 6th day of July 2026.

Kevin Madok, CPA as Clerk of the Court

By: Destiny Johnson as Deputy Clerk Publish: July 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

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

BOATFORSLIP/RACK RENT

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

PLACE YOUR BOAT SLIP AD HERE! $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke@ keysweekly.com

EMPLOYMENT

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

LOOKING FOR EXTRA CASH? Part-time help needed in Marathon & Lower Keys. Must be able to lift 50-70 lbs. Starting pay $22.25/ hour. Pay rate will rise at intervals. 305-743-5555 catlabflkeys@gmail.com

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Full-time Carpenter, Journeyman Electrician, & Custodian (Marathon). To apply, please contact Human Resources at: greenel@kwha. org or 305-296-5621 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.

HANDYMAN NEEDED needed for small projects at residence in Grassy Key. Must have own tools & transportation. High Pay! Call Bob at 305-395-0478

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

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time dishwasher. Private club, evening shifts Tues-Saturday, 4-8 pm. Pay raise negotiable if you can also help with prep work. Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Email office@ marathonyachtclub. com or call 305-7436739 to schedule an interview.

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, 9:30am7pm daily. Full time/ Part time. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

Hiring for busy pediatric office in Tavernier. Full-Time Medical AssistantPediatric experience preferred. Must multitask in fastpaced setting. Pay is commensurate with experience. Email resume to: flkeyspeds@gmail.com HIRED!!!

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 305-6644860 Ext 1, e-mail: corrine@orlk.org or apply in person at Outdoor Resorts at Long Key, 65821 Overseas Hwy, Long Key HIRED!!!

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 305-7436739 to schedule an interview HIRED!!!

PLACE YOUR EMPLOYMENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke@ keysweekly.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 Aug-Dec 2026. $3,500/ month. 2BR/2BA also available Aug-Dec 2026. Call 618-559-9143

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

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

NOW HIRING CONCRETE MIXER DRIVERS

PLACE YOUR HOUSING FOR RENT AD HERE! $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke@ keysweekly.com

WANTED TO BUY

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.

YARD SALES

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

NOW HIRING: ADVENTURE AWAITS AT AMERICA’S FIRST UNDERSEA PARK!

The Coral Reef Park Company Inc, operating within the world-famous John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, is seeking enthusiastic, ocean-loving individuals to join our team. If you have a passion for the marine environment and enjoy working in a fast-paced, tropical setting, we want to hear from you!

BOAT CAPTAINS (Full-Time & Part-Time)

Take the helm of our Glass Bottom, Snorkel, or Dive boats. Responsible for safe navigation, crew management, and ensuring an unforgettable guest experience on the water. Working Friday/Saturday or Sunday/ Monday, and USCG License required.

FIRST MATE / DIVE MASTERS

The backbone of our maritime operations. Duties include assisting with vessel docking, passenger boarding, equipment maintenance, and ensuring boat cleanliness. Working Friday/Saturday or Sunday/Monday required. For snorkel boat, PADI certification (or other recognized agency), insurance and membership current required

MARINE TOUR NARRATORS

Be the voice of the reef! We are looking for engaging public speakers to provide educational and safety-focused commentary for our guests. Working Friday/Saturday or Sunday/Monday required, Must have a basic knowledge of coral reefs and marine life and experience speaking in front of audiences.

ADMIN/ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

We are hiring for an Admin/Accounts Payable position. Duties include accounts payable and general of ce duties. Must be pro cient in QuickBooks & Excel.

SEASONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Looking for a summer job? We have seasonal openings for Kayak/ Paddlesports Attendants, Snack Bar Attendants, Gift Shop Clerks, and Reservation Counter Attendants. Perfect for those looking to spend a season in the Florida Keys! Customer service experience required for all roles, experience on the water with customers and safety required for kayak/paddlesports role.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

Competitive Pay: Rates starting from $17–$30/hr+ (depending on position and experience).

Benefits: Health, Dental, and Vision, and Life insurance available for full-time employees.

Perks: Employee discounts and the best "of ce view" in the world. Community: Work with a team dedicated to conservation and outdoor recreation.

HOW TO APPLY

Ready to dive in? Send your resume and detail on the role that you are applying for to coralreefhr2025@gmail.com. You will be contacted if you are selected to move forward with next steps.

The Coral Reef Park Company Inc, at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Mile Marker 102.5 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037 Visit us at: www.pennekamppark.com

Equal Opportunity Employer | Drug-Free Workplace

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

DOLPHIN RESEARCH

is a fun, environmentally friendly non-profit 501(c)(3) organization specializing in education,

and

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

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.

ARE 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)

Behavioral Health Therapist (Children) (FT)

MARATHON

Driver (CDL NOT required) (FT, 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.

THEME: HISTORY 101

ACROSS

1. Charlie “Bird” Parker’s sax 5. Mary ____, businesswoman extraordinaire 8. Downloadable smartphone purchase 11. In ____ of 12. Greek salad staple 13. Appraisal 15. Law school prerequisite, acr. 16. “Once ____ a Time in America” 17. Dictum, pl. 18. *____ press, Johannes Gutenberg’s invention

20. “Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay” singer 21. In need of a muffler 22. Make a choice 23. *Genghis Khan’s ____ Empire 26. Intima, pl.

30. Fertility clinic stock

31. Tranquil

34. Famous Steeler coach, Chuck

35. Twisted cotton thread

37. Key next to spacebar

38. Like a gymnast

39. Naysayer’s favorite prefix

40. Develop, as in story

42. ____-AFTRA

43. Famous fox of fable

45. Like a smell of soil

47. *World’s first 24-hour TV news network, acr.

48. Molten rock

50. Smoke plus fog

52. *First Roman emperor

55. Part of foot, pl.

56. Chowder protein

57. Pelvic parts

59. Are not

60. *Homesteader’s purchase, sing.

61. “____ the good die young”

62. *Pres. during the Cuban Missile Crisis

63. It is

64. Fermented rice brew

DOWN

1. Pledge of Allegiance ending 2. Talk like Daffy

3. Eye drop

4. Day trip

5. Flat-topped military caps

6. Lack of muscle tension

7. Opposite of yin

8. Mushroom spore sacs

9. Benatar and Morita, e.g.

10. Money in Myanmar

12. Pointless

13. Take as one’s own

14. *____ Bull, Lakota’s famous leader

19. Gallows’ rope

22. *World War ____, 1914-18

23. Wisdom tooth, e.g.

24. Sheep-like

25. Highly unpleasant

26. “He’s Just Not That ____ You”

27. Damp

28. Islam’s Supreme Being

29. Lament for the dead

32. Writer Ayn

33. Rudolph’s friend Hermey, e.g.

36. *One of Mount Rushmore presidents

38. *First President in the White House

40. Cremation ashes container

41. Peanut or pea, e.g.

44. Emotional turmoil

46. 2:1 and 3:1, e.g.

48. Defraud

49. Petri dish jellies

50. Feudal lord’s servant

51. Humble and docile

52. Frozen bowl berry

53. Arm bone

54. *The ____ Road, ancient EastWest trade route

55. Pilgrimage to Mecca

58. Pirate’s “yes”