Key West Weekly 26-0820 by Keys Weekly Newspapers

“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” — Banksy

August 20, 2026

TOAST OF THE TOWN ELECTION NIGHT BRINGS CHANGE TO KEY WEST | P. 4 & 9

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

NUMBER OF THE WEEK KEYS

NEWSPAPERS

5450 MacDonald Ave. No.5 Key West, FL 33040 Office: 305.453.6928 www.keysweekly.com Publisher / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com Publishing Partner / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com Editor / Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com Account Executive Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com Staff Writers Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com Production Manager Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com Design / Pre-Press Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com Diana Striker www.keysweekly.com Controller Lauren Pope lauren@keysweekly.com Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844 Se habla español THE KEY WEST WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050. APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials. Postmaster SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO THE KEYS WEEKLY, 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY MARATHON FL 33050 News Deadline Monday Noon Advertising Deadline Tuesday 2 p.m. @KeysWeekly @theWeekly

Members of

32.27%

Of the registered voters in Monroe County, 32.27% cast ballots in the 2026 primary election. In total, there are 54,625 registered voters. Between vote-by-mail, early voting and those casting ballots on Aug. 18, the total votes cast were 17,629.

DECISIVE WIN MAKES SAM KAUFMAN MAYOR OF KEY WEST Democrats outperform Republicans in ‘nonpartisan’ city races MANDY MILES

ON THE COVER Key West’s new Mayor-Elect Sam Kaufman celebrates his decisive win over incumbent mayor Dee Dee Henriquez on Aug. 18. LARRY BLACKBURN/ Keys Weekly

ELECTION RESULTS (see page 9 for commission race details.) Key West City Races (winners’ name is bold) Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez Sam Kaufman City Commission District II Bobi Lore Mark Rossi

mandy@keysweekly.com

ey West voters elected a new mayor on Aug. 18, choosing longtime city commissioner Sam Kaufman over incumbent Dee Dee Henriquez, who was seeking a second term. Though Key West city elections are officially nonpartisan, the divide between Republicans and Democrats was apparent, and Democrats carried the night, winning three of the four city races. Mark Rossi, a bar owner and former commissioner, is the only Republican who won, having defeated Bobi Lore for the District II seat. In addition to Kaufman defeating Henriquez, Chris Massicotte handily beat Greg Sullivan in District V, and in District IV, the two Democrats — Sarah Compton and Wayne Garcia — are heading to a November runoff. They both earned more votes than Republican Juan Llera, but neither secured 50% plus one vote, which was needed for an outright win. (See page 9 for details on the commission races. Kaufman dominates after contentious campaign Predictions of the outcome varied wildly among local politicos and armchair strategists. In the end, the race was not particularly close. Kaufman received 58% of the vote, compared to Henriquez’s 42%. Of the 6,680 votes cast, Kaufman received 3,848 while Henriquez got 2,832. The campaign divided Key West for nearly a year, as supporters on both sides turned Facebook into a pit of grievance and ridicule. A political action committee raised more than $25,000 from prominent businessmen to support Henriquez by attacking Kaufman with inflammatory mailers, TV commercials and letters to the editor.

City Commission District IV (November runoff election) Sarah Compton Wayne Garcia Juan Llera City Commission District V Chris Massicotte Greg Sullivan

Key West’s new mayor-elect Sam Kaufman celebrates the end of a grueling but successful campaign. Kaufman defeated incumbent mayor Dee Dee Henriquez with 58% of the vote compared to Henriquez’s 42%. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

The Key West Chamber of Commerce also supported Henriquez, endorsing her and the other three Republicans — Rossi, Sullivan and Llera — despite never having endorsed candidates before in its 100-year-plus history. The support wasn’t enough to give Henriquez a second term, and Kaufman will be sworn in before the end of the month along with newly elected commissioners Rossi (District II) and Massicotte (District V). The District IV race was narrowed from three candidates — Compton, Garcia and Llera — to two. Compton and Garcia, both registered Democrats, will face each other in a November runoff. The current commissioner, Lissette Carey, will remain in place until after the November election. Kaufman said after his win that the aligned slate of candidates was an intentional strategy, “because I knew if I were elected mayor, that’s just one vote. It’s not enough to make change and get things passed.”

In an interview after his victory, Kaufman reiterated his position that the current city manager, Brian L. Barroso, is not the right person for the job. “We have these divisions now ... but we’re going to get past that,” Kaufman said. “I don’t hold grudges against anybody. It’s not about grudges. It’s not personal. But we need the person that can help lead city staff, bring the commission together and do it in a way that is more effective than what we have now.” Finally, Kaufman spoke to Henriquez’s supporters, saying, “If you supported Mayor Henriquez and you feel like there’s something important that we can work on and we can partner together, I want you to come to City Hall. I want us to partner. I don’t care what your politics are. I want to know that we’re aligned on an issue and we can partner and we can improve that for our community. That’s what I want.” Henriquez had not released a statement as of 6 a.m. Aug 19. Her campaign’s Facebook page was also unavailable at that time. She did not stop at the Harvey Government Center on election night, where several candidates awaited the results and were interviewed.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

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CAROL SHAUGHNESSY www.keysweekly.com

1. Liz and Gary Young, who will shortly celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary, attend numerous cultural events together supporting music, film, theater, art, dance and literary endeavors throughout the Keys.

ELIZABETH ‘LIZ’ YOUNG: SUPPORTING THE KEYS’ CREATIVE HEART

2. Liz Young became a grandmother when daughter Emily and her husband welcomed baby Sophia in 2025.

SOMEONE YOU SHOULD MEET

or Elizabeth Young, usually called Liz, the heart of the Florida Keys island chain has always been its creative community. For the last 19 years, she has worked as an integral supporter of that heart. A former New York City casting director in film and television, Young moved to Key West in 1987 and was entranced by the island’s multifaceted arts community. While starting a family and raising two daughters with husband Gary Young, she was involved in multiple arts and nonprofit endeavors — including a position with renowned photographer Alan Maltz, fundraising and planning events for the local Montessori school, and serving as assistant stage manager for the acclaimed “Nutcracker Key West” ballet productions. In 2008, putting her professional skills and passion for creativity to the best possible use, Young became executive director of the Florida Keys Council of the Arts. Dedicated to advancing the Keys’ cultural community through advocacy, education, and financial support, the arts council will shortly kick off its 30th anniversary year. Recently she discussed her work, life and island home with the Keys Weekly. What made you choose to move to Key West in 1987? I had been visiting since 1979. My parents had some Chicago friends here and it became our getaway. We just fell in love with Key West. The intellectual creativity and artistry — and the legacy of the writers and artists and that saltwater air — really appealed to me. Then I met Gary, a New Yorker who had been living in Key West since 1982, and he convinced me to come and live here with him. After a career in New York City, Key West must have been a big change for you. How did that feel? I felt like I was living in Greenwich Village in the summer. I loved the tightness of Old Town, how the island changes block by block, and that everybody was living here very harmoniously. There was always something new — great restaurants, great culture, the history, nightlife at the Copa and the Monster, interesting people around every corner — and to me, that was just so beautiful.

3. From left, Liz Young, arts council adviser Jane Wood and arts council board member Charlotte Palmer enjoy a Connections Project showcase at the Lower Keys Nautical Market. CONTRIBUTED

1 2 3

What drew you to spend your professional life in the arts and nonprofit sectors? When I was in high school, my sister was an actress/singer, and I started working backstage. I learned how to be a stage manager, and I loved being around those creative people. My skills as a stage manager are basically what an arts administrator is. I love supporting people who are creative, making sure that artists are seen and heard and get the credit for who they are and what they do. How would you describe the arts council today? The job of an arts council is to showcase the artists and the arts organizations. It’s making people aware of the creative industry and its impact on the economy, building up all of the audiences and making arts accessible to everybody. We connect artists to audiences and audiences to artists, whatever that takes — promotion, connecting, calls to artists — to assist artists who are living and working in Monroe County. We also act as the arts advisory board to the government. We’re working with the board of county commissioners to enhance knowledge of the Keys for their creativity and artists.

What are some of the things that you’ve overseen for the arts council that matter most to you? I’ve developed a huge passion for the public art program, and I’m very involved on a statewide level. We also have our Connections project, connecting the Keys with local artists’ visuals, and the Gather Round series that spotlights so many of the great nonprofits. I’m very proud of our Art Builds Community grants, and our Artists in the Schools grants are giving teaching artists an opportunity to connect with arts education and introducing students to the creative arts. I’m also proud of establishing and co-curating the Florida Keys Sculpture Trail on behalf of John Padget and Jacob Dekker, and I feel very strongly about how many cultural organizations are thriving in our community. What do you do when you’re not working? What do you love to do? I love spending time with my family. Gary and I are about to be married for 39 years. He is my rock. His support of what I love to do is priceless. I love to go to the theater and gallery openings, and be out in the community. I’m very blessed to have my parents here, and I’m thrilled that my elder daughter Emily and her husband have started their family here. We love being grandparents to their daughter Sophia. After living in Key West for nearly 40 years, what elements of the island remain most important to you? The people — the people that teach us, guide us, lead us and have created this beautiful community. I love the history of the island and the romance of it. I still see it as this little island at the end of the road … and it’s home.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

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CHRIS MASSICOTTE & MARK ROSSI CRUISE TO COMMISSION WINS Sarah Compton & Wayne Garcia head to November runoff

Clark reelected; Urbanski defeats Garrido

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

wo of the three Key West City Commission races were decided in the Aug. 18 election, while one race will head to a November runoff. After a week of discussions about delayed election results due to the removal of landlines and fax capability from the county’s 33 polling places, it turns out all results countywide were known by 9:25 p.m. less than two and a half hours after the polls closed. The Key West race results were published online around 8:30 p.m. In those Key West races, Mark Rossi reclaimed the District II city commission seat being vacated by mayor-elect Sam Kaufman, who handily defeated incumbent Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez this week. Rossi represented District II about 10 years ago and this week bested candidate Bobi Lore to return to it. The District II race drew only 462 voters to the polls, but Rossi earned 50 more votes than Lore. While the city races are officially nonpartisan, Rossi is the only Republican who won a Key West race. In District V, Chris Massicotte will take the seat that until earlier this month was occupied by Greg Veliz, who was appointed to complete the term of the late commissioner Mary Lou Hoover, who died in November 2025 while in office. Massicotte defeated Greg Sullivan by a significant margin, 57% to 43%. Rossi and Massicotte, along with Kaufman, will be sworn in at noon on Friday, Aug. 28 at city hall. The District IV seat will remain a question mark, as it heads to a Nov. 3 runoff between Sarah Compton and Wayne Garcia, both Democrats. Incumbent commissioner Lissette Carey will remain in place representing District IV until that runoff identifies a winner. The Aug. 18 election wrapped up several months of vicious attacks against Massicotte, mostly, with Kaufman and Compton drawing fire as well from one particularly combative local business owner. The online attacks drew the attention of Todd German, president of the nonprofit Hometown organization, a nonpartisan voter education group. German asked Massicotte about the smear campaign “You had people whose hobby in life was to tear you apart,” German said on election night. “Any thoughts on all that, particularly thinking about prospective candidates in the

INCUMBENT, NEWCOMER WIN UTILITY BOARD SEATS MANDY MILES

Key West Mayor-Elect Sam Kaufman and Commissioner-Elect Mark Rossi shake hands on election night, as they prepare the work together on the city dais. RAHN CLAYTON/Keys Weekly

future that will have to go through what you went through?” Massicotte replied, “I’m going to do my best to let bygones be bygones, but it’s very hard because I’ve never seen someone do that. I’ve been in professional politics for 20 years and I’ve never seen someone go that far to try to tear down an individual candidate. I don’t know what his motivation was other than he wanted me to lose. But the tactics he used, and the tactics that the other PAC used against (Sam Kaufman) also weren’t effective.” Massicotte then pointed out that polling conducted in April by the slate of aligned Democrats in the city races found that “after affordability in housing, corruption was the No. 2 issue that concerned Key West voters.” Full election results are available at votemonroeflkeys.gov.

mandy@keysweekly.com

n the two races for Key West Utility Board, incumbent Mona Clark held onto the Group A seat that she has held for more than 20 years. Clark defeated Jim Marquardt, who had campaigned on televising utility board meetings and the advancements of solar capabilities. Clark said at a candidate forum that she would oppose televised board meetings. There was no incumbent in the race for Seat D, in which Tim Urbanski, a candidate endorsed by the Monroe County Republican Executive Committee, defeated Javier Garrido. The Key West Utility Board oversees operations of Keys Energy Services, the power company that provides electricity to about 30,000 customers from Key West to the Seven Mile Bridge. The five-member utility board meets monthly with little fanfare and no controversy. A review of its past year of meeting agendas and minutes shows the board meets for about 30 minutes the second Wednesday of each month for regular meetings and the board has unanimously approved every item proposed to it by the power company it oversees. Workshop meetings every few months tend to last one to three hours, according to board minutes. Utility board members earn about $24,520, with the board chair getting $28,000. Each board member also receives full health insurance coverage while serving on the board, Keys Energy spokesman Julio Torrado told the Keys Weekly last year.

KEY WEST UTILITY BOARD RACES (winners’ name is bold) Seat A Mona Clark — 52% | 4,969 votes Jim Marquardt — 48% | 4,532 votes Seat D Javier Garrido — 47% | 4,485 votes Tim Urbanski — 53% | 5,064 votes

KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

INCUMBENTS PREVAIL IN KEY PRIMARY CONTESTS

Lincoln returns to commission, Horan and Woltanski back on school board By Keys Weekly staff

ll incumbents running in key countywide races will return to their seats, following successful re-election campaigns which garnered more voter support than their challengers. A new judge will take the bench following his victory. And the race for Florida governor is set. With the polls closing at 7 p.m., the results of the Aug. 18 primary election were fully reported by the Supervisor of Elections Office by 10 p.m. Results can be viewed at votemonroeflkeys. gov.

BY THE NUMBERS

17,629

32.27% Percent turnout

TOTAL BALLOTS BY TYPE

Unofficial voter turnout

Ballots by party

Republican 8,242 Democrat

6,648

NPA

2,363

Other

376

7,326

4,065

Mail

Early voting

6,220

Election day

Provisional

ELECTION RESULTS

MONROE COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 2

MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 1

“If you’re a leader, you lead with the truth and with integrity. Hate never wins. Thank you Monroe County voters!” – Michelle Lincoln

Michelle Lincoln (R) 59.67% 9,425 votes Jorge “George” Ignacio-Lopez (R) 40.33% 6,370 votes

Darren Horan 51.39% 8,016 votes Theresa Axford 48.61% 7,581 votes

KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

ELECTION RESULTS

MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 5

FLORIDA KEYS MOSQUITO CONTROL BOARD DISTRICT 2

COUNTY COURT JUDGE

“I am incredibly grateful to everyone who voted, volunteered, donated, displayed a sign, shared a post, talked to a friend — or simply offered a word of encouragement along the way. You have given me the opportunity to serve one final term on the Monroe County School Board. I am deeply honored by your trust.” — Sue Woltanski

Sue Woltanski 64.05% 10,141 votes

“A big thank you to all my supporters for helping get my message out to our community. It is gratifying to see the Florida Keys appreciates the work and science of one of the top mosquito control programs in the world.” – Phil Goodman

Phil Goodman (R) 62.46% 9,337 votes

Chelyn Shaw 35.95% 5,693 votes

Alex Osborn (R) 37.64% 5,612 votes

Kevin McCarthy 65.84% 10,240 votes David Van Loon 34.16% 5,313 votes

FLORIDA GOVERNOR - REPUBLICAN Seven other candidates garnered 8.04 %, or 136,210 of the votes.

FLORIDA GOVERNOR - DEMOCRAT Three other candidates garnered 14.31%, or 178,803 votes.

Byron Donalds 47.79% 810,675 votes Jay Collins 25.16% 426,787 votes

James Fishback 10.47% 177,674 votes

David Jolly 60.96% 761,674 votes Dotie Joseph 9.59% 119,837 votes

Dayna Marie Foster 15.14% 189,234 votes

Paul Renner 8.55% 144,898 votes

KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

AFTER THE SIGNS COME DOWN Editor’s note: The following letter was submitted to the Keys Weekly in advance of the Aug. 18 primary election.

s another summer election season comes to a close, I’ve found myself reflecting not only on the outcome, but on what recent campaign strategies say about us as a community. Democracy depends on spirited debate. We should challenge ideas, question decisions and hold public officials accountable. Healthy disagreement is not something to fear — it is essential to self-government. But increasingly, even our local campaigns have become less about ideas and more about personal attacks. This election season brought fake AI generated videos, misinformation presented as fact, name-calling and even threats directed at candidates and their families. Regardless of who was targeted or which side benefited, that should concern all of us. Local elections are different. The people who run for school board, city council, county commission, or other local offices aren’t distant political figures. They’re our neighbors. We see one another at school events, youth sports, churches, local businesses and community gatherings. Long after Election Day, we’ll still be living and working side by side. When political disagreement becomes personal hostility, everyone loses. Families who never sought public attention become targets. Volunteers think twice before getting involved. And qualified, thoughtful people begin to wonder whether public service is worth the personal cost. As a school board member and parent, I often think about the lessons we hope to teach our children. We ask students to tell the truth, treat others with respect, disagree without bullying and solve problems through thoughtful discussion. They are watching us. If we expect them to model those values, we must be willing to model them ourselves. Technology has made this challenge even greater. Artificial intelligence can now create convincing images, videos and audio that never existed. Each of us has a responsibility to pause, verify what we see and resist sharing misinformation simply because it supports our preferred candidate. This campaign is over, but our community is not. Tomorrow we’ll still be neighbors, working together to strengthen our schools, support local organizations and build a better Monroe County. The yard signs will come down, but our commitment to truth, civility and respect for one another should remain. Sue Woltanski M.D., Monroe County School Board, District 5 The opinions expressed in this column are solely the writer’s and do not necessarily represent the views of the Monroe County School Board or the Monroe County School District.

FLORIDA AG SUBMITS REVISED BALLOT LANGUAGE ON PROPERTY TAX RELIEF JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

tate officials used all 10 days a judge gave in his ruling to rewrite language that Florida voters would see on their November ballots on tax relief for homesteaded properties. By Aug. 13, Attorney General James Uthmeier submitted a more straightforward version of Amendment 3 to Secretary of State Cory Byrd. Language in the second version is a change from the “political flier” plaintiffs said the original represented when they filed lawsuits in June. Circuit Judge David Frank, who presided over the case, sided with various parties that sued and called the original draft “akin to a political slogan.” This year’s property tax constitutional amendment was put on the ballot by the Florida Legislature, which met in a special session to mull the governor’s proposal. Voting on party lines, the Republican-controlled Legislature approved a slightly different version by safeguarding property tax dollars for school districts. As Uthmeier’s redrafted version states, the amendment would increase the homestead exemption for all nonschool taxes from the current $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. It would then be adjusted for inflation in 2029 and the ensuing years. In addition, the amendment requires the Legislature to set procedures for counties and municipalities to completely eliminate property tax on homesteads by increasing the exemption to a property’s full assessed value. Ballot language written by Uthmeier states counties and municipalities will use property taxes “solely for public safety, education and schools, infrastructure, natural resources, bond debt service, retirement benefits for employees, and operations and administration.” Amendment 3 also lowers the annual cap on assessment increases for non-homestead properties, like businesses and secondary homes, from 10% to 5%. Parties have 10 days to challenge the revised version. Frank would preside over any additional challenges. If no challenges are made, the rewritten language for Amendment 3 would head to the Nov. 3 general election ballot. The measure needs 60% of Florida voters to say “yes” before taking effect.

‘This is not as ambitious as I hoped, but I’m for it. I hope it passes.’ — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Amendment 3

During a recent press conference, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he hopes the amendment passes even though it’s not as ambitious as he hoped. He noted how the state hasn’t seen a major increase in the homestead exemption since 1980, when it went from $5,000 to $25,000 “I think the taxpayers deserve the relief, quite frankly,” he said. But several organizations are warning of possible repercussions if the amendment passes. The Florida Chamber of Commerce said local governments could shift the tax burden onto non-homesteaded properties, including local businesses and working families and individuals who rent homes. “This tax shift is already occurring as non-homestead properties pay 65% of all property taxes collected and homestead properties have a 3% cap on the allowable annual increase of the assessed value versus 10% for nonhomesteaded properties, such as local businesses and renters.” The Florida Sheriffs Association issued a statement on social media earlier in the month, stating the amendment allows “Tallahassee to control your local budgets.” The Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association said the amendment creates uncertainty regarding future funding for fire protection, emergency medical services and disaster response without identifying a sustainable replacement revenue source. DeSantis said he thinks the arguments against the measure are basically an “argument to say government needs come before the needs of taxpayers. “That’s not the way our system was designed,” he said.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

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ACLU sends cease-and-desist letter to city; demands corrective action MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

n ongoing legal case over painted rainbow fence posts in Key West’s historic district took an odd turn this week, when city officials sent notices of code violations to several Old Town property owners regarding painted fence posts in the historic district that don’t comply with the historic guidelines. The code violations were based on complaints the city claimed had been filed by residents Nicole Sohn and Linda BagleySohn, who live on Fleming Street. Here’s where things get weird. Nicole and Linda have never filed any code complaints against anyone about fences or anything else. The couple was astonished to learn this week that complaints against multiple Old Town property owners had been filed in their names, using their address on Fleming Street, and making their neighbors think they had complained about them. In May, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida sued the city on behalf of the Bagley-Sohns, who were threatened with fines if they didn’t remove the rainbow-colored fence pickets they had painted on 12 slats of wood at their home in Old Town, six on the side fence and six on the front. The lawsuit alleges the city violated the First Amendment rights of the couple and selectively enforced its code against their rainbow-painted fence display by failing to enforce other violations of the city’s historic guidelines in Old Town. The lawsuit includes small photos of other properties in Old Town with painted fence posts that had not been cited by code enforcement and threatened with fines over their fences. The legal complaint contained examples of what the ACLU says is selective prosecution by the city. It did not contain any complaints that the plaintiffs filed against those property owners. “We were shocked and saddened to learn that the City of Key West has treated us as the complainants in numerous code enforcement

matters involving properties we mention in our pending lawsuit,” the couple told the Keys Weekly. “We discussed examples of colorful fences and walls to illustrate our legal claim that the city selectively enforced the (historic) guidelines. We did not file complaints with code enforcement, authorize anyone to file complaints on our behalf or ask the city to take enforcement action against our neighbors. The city knows the difference. “We believe deliberately treating evidence from our court filings as code enforcement complaints in our names is an attempt to pit our neighbors against us and divert attention from the issues at the heart of our case: equal treatment under the law and celebrating our vibrant community. We love the roosters, the pineapples and the hearts that adorn our neighbors’ fences. We love the color, character and individuality that make Key West what it is. We simply want our colors alongside them.” The ACLU on Aug. 18 sent a cease-and desist letter to the city, stating in part, “...nothing in statutory provisions authorizes the city to convert evidence presented by ... litigants into complaints purportedly made by those litigants, and then identify those litigants as the persons who reported the violations. The conduct described above therefore raises serious concerns under (state law).” The letter demands that the city identify all complaints attributed to the couple, notify property owners and correct the record; identify city personnel who authorized the fabricated complaints and cease further use of the couple’s federal lawsuit as purported complaints submitted by the plaintiffs. The Keys Weekly contacted the city for comment about the code complaints and received the following statement from chief assistant city attorney Kendal Harden: “It is this office’s policy not to comment on matters that are the subject of ongoing litigation. We’re unable to provide further detail at this time but appreciate the opportunity to respond.”

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

CUSTOM HOUSE ACQUIRES MARIO SANCHEZ ARTWORK

CFK PROFESSOR TO EDIT PRESTIGIOUS SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL M. Imtiaz Hussain will co-direct upcoming ‘Sustainability’ issue

A The Key West Art & Historical Society has announced the donation of a Mario Sanchez woodcarving depicting a traditional Key West funeral procession traveling along Center Street toward the Key West Cemetery. The work was donated by Holly S. Merrill, who inherited it from her mother, Scotti Merrill. KEY WEST ART & HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLLECTION/Contributed

Holly S. Merrill donates historic woodcarving

he Key West Art & Historical Society on Aug. 10 announced the donation of a culturally significant woodcarving by Cuban-American folk artist Mario Sanchez, given to the society by Holly S. Merrill. The work, inherited by Merrill from her mother, Scotti Merrill, depicts a traditional Key West funeral procession traveling along Center Street between Petronia and Olivia streets, passing in front of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on its way to the Key West Cemetery. “Scotti Merrill understood the importance of preserving the stories that make Key West unique, and Holly’s decision to donate this work continues that legacy in a meaningful way,” said Cori Convertito, curator and historian for the society. “Mario Sanchez had an extraordinary ability to capture the character and customs of Key West, preserving intimate glimpses of island life that might otherwise have been lost to time. We are honored that Holly has chosen to share a work that was part of her family’s history with the entire community, ensuring that it can be preserved, studied and appreciated for generations to come.” The woodcarving portrays a traditional funeral procession for a local fisherman, Mr. Salinier, traveling along Center Street toward the Key West Cemetery. With its horse-drawn hearse, mourners and Welters Cornet Band, the scene offers a glimpse into Key West life and ceremonial traditions during the 1940s. As with much of Sanchez’s work, the carving captures not only a specific moment in the

Mario Sanchez works on a woodcarving in his “Studio Under the Trees” in Key West. Sanchez, a self-taught Cuban American folk artist, spent more than 60 years documenting the people, places, customs and traditions of his hometown through his painted woodcarvings.

island’s history but also the customs and community traditions of Key West during an earlier era. Sanchez, a Key West native, is among this country’s most recognized folk artists. The self-taught artist was born in Key West in 1908, the grandson of Cuban immigrants. In the 1940s, at the urging of his mother-in-law, he began creating intricate carvings depicting life in Key West as he remembered from his childhood. Of his work, Sanchez adopted as his motto: “Se que mi modesto arte no es bueno, pero gusta,” or “I know my modest art isn’t good, but it pleases.” Sanchez’s works are held in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the American Folk Art Museum in New York City. The Sanchez woodcarving has been digitized and is available for viewing at kwahs.org/collections. More information is available from Convertito at 305-295-6616 x507 or cconvertito@kwahs.org. — Contributed

faculty member from the Department of Engineering Technology at the College of the Florida Keys, has been named lead guest editor for a special issue of Sustainability, an international, peerreviewed journal from Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), a large international open-access scientific publisher for the scientific community. The guest editor position of faculty member M. Imtiaz Hussain reflects recognition of CFK’s faculty expertise in emerging energy fields and shines a spotlight on CFK’s engineering technology program. CFK’s associate in science degree in engineering technology, developed with funding from the National Science Foundation, features a specialization in renewable energy that focuses on career training in solar, wind and ocean power technologies. The program supports the growing demand for today’s renewable energy workforce. An associate degree in engineering technology provides a foundation from which students can pursue a variety of careers. The special issue of Sustainability is titled “Integrated Thermal Energy Storage and Sustainable Renewable Energy: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities.” Hussain is co-editing the issue alongside Gwi Hyun Lee. The issue will gather original research and review papers and case studies on thermal energy storage and renewable energy systems including phase change materials, hybrid solar technologies, AI-driven energy optimization, hydrogen technologies and smart grid integration. It aims to give researchers, engineers and industry professionals a forum for advancing low-carbon, energyefficient technologies as part of the global energy transition. More information about the special issue is at mdpi.com/journal/ sustainability. “This appointment is not only a personal milestone but also an opportunity to showcase the

College of the Florida Keys faculty member M. Imtiaz Hussain, in pink shirt, instructs engineering technology students. CONTRIBUTED

outstanding work being done at the College of the Florida Keys,” said Hussain. “By strengthening our connections with leading researchers worldwide, we can enrich the educational experience of our students and further prepare the next generation of engineers to address global energy challenges.” Hussain earned a doctorate in engineering from Kangwon National University in South Korea and has nearly 12 years of experience leading research groups and teaching energy-focused coursework at the university level. He has published numerous research articles in peer-reviewed energy journals and has been awarded honors including the Higher Education Commission Scholarship of Pakistan and the Brain Pool Fellowship of South Korea. His research spans hybrid photovoltaic/thermal and concentrated solar power technologies, energy systems modeling, advanced heat transfer, AI-driven thermal management and green energy storage. More information is available at cfk.edu or from Marissa Owens, CFK manager of recruitment, at recruiter@cfk.edu or 305-809-3207. — Contributed

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026 A magnificent frigatebird, a regular sight in the Florida Keys. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

What is your favourite and least favourite bird? — House Boat Pedaler God, I love a question that requires no research. But stop spelling “favourite” like you’re a British person. You grew up in Maryland. Write American. Favorites and unfavorites are MARK tricky things, though. My affinities HEDDEN change every 10 minutes. Some days I love great blue herons. ... is a photographer, writer, and Some days I’m like, ugh, so basic. semi-professional Cormorants, brown pelicans, birdwatcher. He northern mockingbirds – same. has lived in Key I don’t think I have any acWest for more tive animus toward any species, than 25 years and may no longer largely because nearly all of them be employable in can fly and I can’t. (Penguins can’t the real world. He fly, but they commit acts of hilaris also executive ity while dressed in formal wear director of the their entire lives, so they get a Florida Keys Audubon Society. pass. Emus and ostriches can’t fly either, but they will rough you up if they catch you talking smack about them.) I’m going to say my least favorite bird is the Eurasian collared-dove, an exotic species that seems designed by committee to neither offend nor thrill. Some people say their plumage is as vibrantly colored as oatmeal, but careful observers will note that it actually ranges into tones of beige, taupe, khaki and ecru. They have a pathetic little mewling call they make whenever they come in to land. And they sometimes bully more aesthetically pleasing mourning doves at the feeder. I mean, I don’t dislike Eurasian collared-doves. I just have less enthusiasm for them. I’d have to say my default favorite is the magnificent frigatebird. I love that they are pelagic birds and spend most of their life flying over the ocean, despite the fact that they can’t swim or get very wet, meaning they have to fly low and snag their meals with their bills from the top four or five inches of the water. Or beat up other birds, usually terns, for their food. Also, look at them. They are just gorgeous, the cool club kids of ocean dependent avifauna. But frigatebirds get temporarily replaced in the Favorite Bird category, depending on what I’m looking at. Peregrine falcons, painted bunting, purple gallinules, barn swallows, rose breasted grosbeaks to name a few birds that often steal my fancy. But I’m always going to come back to frigatebirds. Why does the Cuban finch come to Florida if it’s native to Cuba? — The Fleming Street Rooster Knock it off, Beau. Also, I can’t believe your bocce team had new shirts for the first game of the season. I’m on the second season of playing on my team and still no shirt. Is it more effective to shoot a bird with both middle fingers, or to do it with just one while still holding onto the steering wheel? — Florida Man Man I grew up in New Jersey, which makes me a classicist when it comes to shooting a/the bird. And I’m going to stick with what they taught us in driver’s ed, which is that it’s important to keep one hand on the wheel for safety as you flip off the object of your disdain. It seems less efficient but is also actually

ASK THE BIRD GEEK

easier and safer to hold the steering wheel with your left hand and do a cross body flip off with your right. Also, the advanced move they taught us in Jersey AP driver’s ed was to keep your eyes forward doing the initial flip off, then slowly turn and make eye contact with the flipped-off person, look at them for a count of three with a neutral expression, then return your gaze forward while keeping your central digit in its elevated position. Florida needs to do better when it comes to educating their drivers. It’s just all inchoate directional gesturing in these parts. Too much swerving on the road. Pro tip: In Florida, where there is often so much glare, it is often a good idea to roll down the window to make sure people see your emphatic gestures. Do Cuban finches use the Southernmost Point buoy as an official GPS waypoint? If so, have you noticed a localized drop in the Cuban finch population since the buoy was temporarily relocated? — Anonymous on Boca Chica Listen, Danette, I know what you’re up to here. And I’m not having it. Cuban finches were not affected by the temporary Southernmost Point buoy relocation because Cuban finches do not exist. You know this. How do birds choose the leader of their flock? Do they hold elections? — Jay Hall Depends on what type of flock you’re talking about. Birds like Eurasian starlings, who tend to gather in the biggest flocks, and who do that murmuration thing everybody loves so much, don’t actually have leaders. They lead by consensus. If you look through your back issues of the journal PLOS Computational Biology, specifically the Jan. 31, 2013 issue, you’ll see that all those magical looking, swirling clouds of birds just make it up as they go along. The basic mechanism of it all is that individuals pay attention to, and take their cues from, the seven birds that surround them. And those interlaced groups of seven are amazingly good at communicating directional moves across the flock. One article I read compared it to a game of telephone where the message doesn’t get garbled in transit. It’s one of the

many phenomena in the universe that doesn’t seem like it should work but does. Birds like geese and ibis are thought to communicate in the same way, but no one is sure about that. The one thing I always think about when I see a giant v-shaped flock of birds, having watched a lot of Tours de France, where riders called domestics ride to protect their team leader from the wind, is that the bird in front is probably not in charge. The bird in front is probably putting out 20% to 30% more energy than the trailing birds, and leaders generally don’t do the grunt work. How many dirty-sounding bird names are there and will Mandy allow you to print them in the newspaper? — Totally Not Your Wife I’m pretty sure Mandy is going to be wiped out from covering the election and may not even read this before it goes to print. Let’s start with the fact that the word for male chicken and human male genitalia are the same in, like, 19 different languages. And the fact that the word rooster was a euphemism first used by American puritans who were uncomfortable with that. And that the British Victorians appropriated the word rooster to mask their discomfort. There is a whole family of birds called shags, the most egregious of which is the blue-eyed shag. Close second is the New Zealand shag, once known as the rough-faced shag. There are just so many members of the tit family, but my favorites are great tit, fire-capped tit, crested tit, penduline tit, elegant tit, varied tit, dusky tit, as well as the anatomically confusing yellow-cheeked tit and the scary sounding ash-breasted tit-tyrant. Dickcissel, Andean cock-of-the-rock, Guianan cock-of-the-rock, American woodcock, and both hairy and downy woodpeckers. In local waters we are regularly visited by brown boobies and the more discreet masked boobies. Clapper rail could be taken the wrong way, as could snoring rail, reunion rail, and little wood-rail There is the streaky-breasted flufftail, the hoary puffleg, the buff-thighed puffleg, and red-shafted flicker. I’m going to quit here, before we get to the swallows.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

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

he Keys Weekly family loves animals as much as our friends at the Florida Keys SPCA do, and we’re honored each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for adoption at the organization’s Key West campus. From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people. The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for special-needs and older animals that require a little extra TLC. Check these pages each week for just a few of the animals waiting for a home and see them all at fkspca.org.

Chewy is a 7-year-old boy with a soft apricot coat and an even softer heart. This lovable pup enjoys quiet companionship. His calm and loyal nature makes him an incredible companion for someone looking for a true best friend. Chewy is searching for a family dedicated to his wellbeing and health. He does have a heart murmur that is causing him no issues currently. Chewy is part of our Golden Paw program, meaning all adoption fees are waived. Chewy also receives a senior bloodwork panel prior to adoption and a free wellness exam including vaccines a year after adoption.

Meet Dobby. This sweet 5-year-old domestic shorthair mix may be a little shy at first, but once she gets to know you, she’ll come running over for cheek scratches. With her sleek black coat and laid-back personality, we think she’s purrrfect. She’s ready to trade shelter life for a cozy spot on your couch.

Seraphina is still waiting for her furever family. This sweet, small mixed-breed girl has been through more than any dog should. She came to us from a heartbreaking hoarding situation alongside many other dogs, and now she’s finally getting the chance at the life she’s always deserved. All of the pups she arrived with have been adopted. She can be a little shy when you first meet her, but with a bit of patience and kindness, she truly blossoms. Once she trusts you, she’ll love you deeply.

Meet Ninja. This gorgeous 8-year-old girl has been waiting at our Key West shelter for more than 5 years, after her owner had to relocate and wasn’t able to bring her along. Ninja was described as a dream companion around the house, and it’s easy to see why. She’s sweet, curious, loving and simply an allaround wonderful cat.

Meet Levi. This beautiful girl is ready to hop her way into a forever home. Levi is a medium-sized white rabbit waiting for her family at the Key West campus. Rabbits make wonderful companions. They’re smart, curious, social and full of personality.

MAN CONVICTED OF BATTERY AFTER URINATING FROM BALCONY Jonah West had refused to leave downtown bar

ounty Judge Albert Kelley recently sentenced Jonah Hardesty West, 21, after he pleaded no contest and was found guilty of battery, trespassing and resisting an officer without violence. West was sentenced to 12 months of probation on all three counts, to run concurrently, and one day in the Monroe County jail, with credit for one day already served. As conditions of his probation, West is prohibited from consuming alcohol, using illegal drugs or using drugs without a prescription. He must submit to random urinalysis at his own expense, complete 50 hours of community service and write a 1,000word essay. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim and the downtown establishment. West was ordered to pay a total of $865 in court costs, fees and costs of prosecution and investigation. According to the Key West Police Department investigation, officers were called to the Duval Street area shortly after midnight on March 22. Investigators determined that West was on an upper-level balcony at a bar when he began urinating over the railing, striking the

Jonah West

manager below. The manager went upstairs, confronted West and told him his behavior was unacceptable and that he needed to leave. West refused and was physically escorted from the property. West initially claimed he had spilled a drink and that security personnel had incorrectly accused him of urinating from the balcony. However, investigators reviewed surveillance video that showed West did not have a drink in his hand at the time. The video showed him seated near the balcony with his hands in his lap before the manager approached and detained him. “Someone out enjoying an evening should not have to worry about being subjected to this kind of degrading and offensive behavior,” said Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield. “What may have started as incredibly poor judgment became a battery, followed by a refusal to leave the property and a refusal to cooperate with law enforcement.” — Contributed

KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

COUNTY FIRST RESPONDERS HOLD 9/11 MEMORIAL EVENT Patriot Day activities scheduled

ept. 11 marks the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States, which claimed the lives of 2,996 people and injured more than 6,000 others at the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. On Sept. 11, 2001, a Tuesday, in addition to law enforcement officers, medical service providers and other public servants, 343 firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice to help others. “On Friday, September 11, we pause to remember the lives lost and the heroes who answered the call,” said Chief RL Colina. “We are honored to continue to invite our community to join us at our fire stations as we remember their legacy and reflect on the importance of service, sacrifice, and unity.” Monroe County Fire Rescue invites the public to any of the Monroe County Fire Rescue stations on Friday, Sept. 11 to mark the memorial of one of the most devastating attacks on American soil. On Sept. 11, 2001, the North Tower of the World Trade Center was struck at 8:46 a.m. by American Airlines Flight 11, and the South Tower was struck 17 minutes later at 9:03 a.m. by United Airlines Flight 175. The schedule of events for the 25th anniversary on Friday, Sept. 11 will take place as follows: 9:50 a.m. – Ceremony start time. 9:59 a.m. – (Time of the World Trade Center South Tower collapse). Air horn sounds three sets of five blasts followed by one minute of silence. 10 to 10:28 a.m. – Time for personal remembrance and reflection. 10:28 a.m. – (Time of the World Trade Center North Tower collapse). Air horn sounds three sets of five blasts followed by one minute of silence. 10:29 a.m. – Flag raised and then returned to half-staff. 10:30 a.m. – Resume normal duties.

EVENTS RECALL THE END OF THE SLAVE TRADE SUNDAY, AUG. 23

American Legion post & African Cemetery at Higgs Beach host events

The Key West African Cemetery at Higgs Beach will host a ceremony for the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23. CONTRIBUTED

Monroe County Fire Rescue’s seven stations, from Stock Island to Tavernier, will hold ceremonies for the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks starting at 9:50 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11. CONTRIBUTED

During the remembrance, normal emergency response actions will be observed if needed. Monroe County Fire Rescue stations are located at: Station 8: Stock Island, 5655 MacDonald Ave., MM 5 Station 9: Big Coppitt, 28 Emerald Drive, MM 10 Station 11: Cudjoe, 22352 Overseas Hwy., MM 22 Station 13: Big Pine Key, 390 Key Deer Blvd, MM 30.5 Station 17: Conch Key, 10 S. Conch Ave., MM 63 Station 18: Layton, 68260 Overseas Hwy., MM 68.5 Station 22: Tavernier, 151 Marine Ave., MM 92 — Contributed

ey West will commemorate the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition with events on Sunday, Aug. 23 at William Weech American Legion, 803 Emma St., and at the Key West African Cemetery at Higgs Beach. The international recognition commemorates the day, in August 1791, when a slave uprising in what is now Haiti marked the beginning of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. William Weech American Legion Post 168, 803 Emma St., will host an informal gathering on Sunday, Aug. 23 from 12:30 to 2 p.m., including a panel discussion featuring Tara Roberts, a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, who will read from her book “Written in the Waters.” Arida Wright, poet

laureate of Key West, will read a poem, and professor Dinizulu Gene Tinnie will offer remarks, before filmmaker Rod Putnam introduces his documentary, “The Journey Home.” Attendees can then visit the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum to view the exhibits that were prompted by the museum’s marine archaeologists’ excavation and research of the slave ship Henrietta Marie, which wrecked off Key West in the 1700s. On the evening of Aug. 23 at 6:30 p.m., the annual Remembrance Ceremony will take place at the Key West African Cemetery at Higgs Beach. Events are free and open to the public. More information is available at 305-766-4922, 615-7304906 or 305-904-7620. — Contributed

KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

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EXCLUSIVE BANKSY ARTWORK TO BE DISPLAYED IN KEY WEST

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This Banksy-style drawing is reminiscent of one of the three original Banksy prints that will be on display at HiNote bar and gallery above General Horseplay, 423 Caroline St., from Aug. 22-29. MAGNIFIC.COM/Contributed

BRITT MYERS britt@keysweekly.com

hile Key West is synonymous with Margaritaville-themed vibes, local bar and restaurant visionary Chris Shultz redefined the Key West night scene over a decade ago. Boldly bucking the trend of steel drums and Jimmy Buffett nostalgia, Shultz created a cult following with steampunk designs and ’80s retro décor at his legendary bar, the Porch on Caroline Street. Soon after, other popular restaurants and bars would follow, featuring artistic approaches to small plates and craft cocktails. Today, Shultz still commands his healthy share of the Key West night scene with bars such as Tiki House on Duval, General Horseplay bar and the adjoining upstairs cocktail lounge aptly named HiNote. And while Shultz has always challenged the norms of traditional Key West modus operandi, he has explored the limits of his stylistic vision, ranging from his décor to the eclectic individuals drawn into his orbit. This week Shultz will once again redefine his presence on the island by displaying three authenticated works by legendary street artist and activist Banksy, whose art remains among the most recognized in the world — although the English icon has never publicly been identified. The three rare prints that will be on display at HiNote, all authenticated and numbered, include Banksy’s “Girl with Balloon,” “Bomb Hugger” and “Laugh Now.”

“Every night we will feature some surprise entertainment with some eccentric characters that reflect the artistic vibes of the art,” said Shultz. “I’m stoked it has worked out and people get to see some of the most iconic works in the world.” Shultz said the opportunity to feature the rare prints came about through the connection of friendship. His friend, Jon Resig, creator of popular streaming platforms theChive and Atmosphere, happens to be one of the largest collectors of Banksy’s works on the planet. And depending on who you ask, Resig and Shultz made plans to bring the Banksys to Key West over a few drinks late one evening. The conversation between pals is coming to life a year later. “He’s just connected to everybody,” Shultz said of Resig. “We met at the Porch years ago over a unique painting that now hangs at General Horseplay.” And while Shultz might allow that story to be told down the road, his friendship with Resig will benefit Key West with one of the rarest displays of art on the planet. Banksy Art at HiNote 423 Caroline St., upstairs. Opens Saturday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. Free bar/gallery walk-through: Aug. 24-29 from 3 to 6 p.m. Closed Sunday. Cocktails, Art & Spectacles: Monday through Saturday, 7 to 11 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Visit hinotebar.com.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

Escorted by Turtle Hospital manager Bette Zirkelbach and U.S. Coast Guard members who played a critical role in her rescue, rehabilitated loggerhead turtle ‘Timmy’ returns to her ocean home at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park in Key West on Aug. 14. LARRY BLACKBURN/Florida Keys News Bureau

GO BIG AND GO HOME 270-pound rescued loggerhead ‘Timmy’ returns to the sea with the help of the Turtle Hospital

t was the goodbye everyone had hoped for. Timmy, the larger-than-life loggerhead sea turtle who won the hearts of her caregivers during weeks of rehabilitation, returned to her ocean home on Aug. 14 in Key West. Hundreds gathered at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park to see Turtle Hospital staff carry the massive 270-pound turtle to the edge of the water and watch her make her way across the sand and back into the Atlantic. Timmy was rescued on July 19 after struggling to stay afloat and flailing in the ocean. Boaters found her about seven miles south of Sugarloaf Key and called for help. They stayed with the distressed turtle until a crew from the U.S. Coast Guard arrived. Timmy was then taken to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon for treatment. During the hour-long ride to Marathon, Timmy climbed out of her rescue container and sent equipment flying around the back of the turtle ambulance. That feisty streak continued during her rehabilitation and quickly endeared her to the staff caring for her. Timmy was treated with fluids and antibiotics and underwent a series of tests. As her health improved, so did her appetite. Squid, mackerel, shrimp and lobster tails were all on the menu. Staff even celebrated when Timmy finally went “number two,” an important indication that her digestive system was working normally. When Timmy was strong enough, she was moved into a 160,000-gallon tidal pool, where staff could watch how she swam and navigated deeper water. She passed the test.

The giant loggerhead is estimated to be between 70 and 80 years old and still actively nesting. She had already laid eggs three times this season, including 10 days before she was rescued. “Seeing a turtle like Timmy that has survived our oceans for so many decades, getting a reproductive female like her returned to her ocean home is most important for the survival of their species,” said Bette Zirkelbach, general manager of the Turtle Hospital. During her hospital stay, staff shared Timmy’s progress with the public. People from across the globe tuned in, watching her eat, swim and regain her strength. They saw her enjoying back scratches and spa days. And by the time she was cleared for release, plenty of people were rooting for her. Florida Rep. Jim Mooney, whose House District 120 includes the Keys, was one of them. He said Timmy’s release carried a deeper message for the next generation.

“We have to maintain, through education, how important our environment is, not just for us, but for the future. The little kids that are walking around today, that’s what this is about,” said Mooney. Some of that community descended on Key West to see how Timmy’s story played out. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park waived admission fees for the special release, and spectators lined the beach as Turtle Hospital staff carried her toward the water. For Zirkelbach, the turnout showed how deeply Timmy’s story connected with the public. “Seeing the hundreds of people coming out for Timmy’s release today, it warms my heart,” said Zirkelbach. “And I know that that compassion is contagious. The most important thing we can do to help save sea turtles is to fall in love with them.” Mooney said the day’s release confirmed that the place he grew up in still stands to protect our most precious resource. “Having been a ‘Keys kid’ my entire life, and still a ’Key’s kid,’ is to protect the environment. Because I know what the environment means to our tourism, to our tax dollars.” When Timmy finally reached the surf and swam away from Key West, she went back to doing what she’d been doing for most of the past eight decades – living wild in the sea. More information is at turtlehospital.org. — Contributed

KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

We are in the midst of eclipse season, and everyCHRIS thing isn’t quite what it McNULTY seems. Can you feel the earth is an astrologer, shifting beneath your feet? wanderer, barDo you feel as though there tender and are monumental changes advocate for taking place, even though queer justice. He is a loquacious you can’t quite make out exGemini with a actly what they are? The time cozy Cancer rising. Find him at between eclipses requires us to follow our intuition hearthandheraldand make bold choices, even astrology.com if the overall strategy isn’t completely laid out. Trust your gut, and know it is healthy to start new chapters and leave old ways behind. This week, we also have Venus in her home sign of Libra forming an opposition to Saturn in Aries, the sign of his fall. Venus represents love, relationships, values, beauty and balance. She is at home in Libra, so she is able to bring about these qualities very readily. Saturn oversees boundaries, structures, hard lessons, tradition and things that take time. He is in the sign where he is most stifled in his capacity to enact these principles. What we get is a situation where what we desire is being opposed by the traditional order of things, but what we desire has the upper hand. It’s a fairly hedonistic time, to be honest. Allow yourself to enjoy pleasing experiences and let go of restraints a bit. Indulge the senses. Agree to social engagements. Love on your people. Retain a bit of structure, however, because Saturn remains a player in the arrangement. Get a little sleep and show a little restraint. But all in all, luxuriate in life’s bounty. Here are your horoscopes for the VenusSaturn opposition. Read for your rising and sun signs. LEO July 23 - Aug. 22 Your immediate environment and community are filled with people and places that bring love and fulfillment into your life. While you may have some plans in the works for adventure and advancement, right now you are being given the green light to appreciate what is right in front of you. Pump the brakes on novelty and fall into the familiar. Love the ones you’re with. VIRGO Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 You’ve been working on a project or projects with other people, incrementally investing your time and treasure. Under this sky, however, you are being given permission to spend money on yourself and to value your own happiness. What have you been denying yourself that you can now indulge in? It’s not selfish to pursue your own needs and wants. Your investments are not going anywhere.

LIBRA Sept. 23 - Oct. 22 This is the time to show yourself as much love as you possibly can. You’ve been putting in the work for an important relationship in your life, creating the structures necessary for lasting commitment. Right now, turn your focus to creating as much pleasure and love for yourself as possible. Literally look in the mirror with the eyes of a lover. You deserve your own attention, too. SCORPIO Oct. 23 - Nov. 21 You have been incredibly disciplined when it comes to your routines and your overall wellness. You’ve been putting in the work, creating lasting structures for your daily life. But you know what? It is OK to take some time off and retreat. Now is that perfect time. Let yourself rest deeply. Love the quiet time. Indulge in radical aloneness. The work you’ve put in will not fall apart. SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 This sky invites you to be a social butterfly in the best way possible. Surround yourself with friendly banter and supportive people right now. You’ve been putting a lot of time and dedication into your creative craft, and now it is the perfect time to let loose. Your creativity needs to breathe, and immersing yourself in the social atmosphere around you is the ideal out breath. CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 There’s some really good stuff happening at work, Capricorn. Indulge in whatever recognition, public praise or professional wins are coming your way. While you’ve been working hard on home and family, creating a world of lasting structure, it is OK to let the domestic burdens fall to the wayside for a moment. You deserve to be applauded for your efforts in the world outside. AQUARIUS Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 You probably have all sorts of tedious little tasks to get done in your everyday world, and yet this sky is encouraging you to travel and explore. Your chores are not going anywhere, so indulge in the world beyond the horizon. Fall in love with a faraway land, even if it’s in a book or a film. Let yourself dissolve into the romanticism of new knowledge and exotic places. PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20 A scarcity mindset might have you feeling a bit stressed about your own financial health, and paying attention to your incomes and expenses is important. However, under this sky, it is impor-

LOVE BEFORE LAW

tant to turn your attention to the ways in which you are supported by other people. Fall in love with sharing what you have and receiving generosity. Let yourself be vulnerable and see just how beautiful surrender can be. ARIES March 21 - April 19 You’ve been doing some serious work on yourself. Putting boundaries in place, investing in your physical body, getting serious about who you want to be. That’s fantastic. Right now, however, let your partner(s) love on you. Accept that life isn’t just about hard work, and let your people bring some grace and levity into your world. It’s OK to soften the edges from time to time and indulge when you’re invited. TAURUS April 20 - May 20 It appears that you have been quite introspective lately, putting in the hard work to get your mental health and your interior life in order. It’s great to get some structure in place for your inner well-being. Right now, though, your body is calling out for some sweetness and care. Indulge in some delicious foods and participate in physical wellness. Your body needs as much care and love as your mind does. GEMINI May 21 - June 20 You’ve been letting social rules and the expectations of your friends take your attention lately. It’s good to be mindful of collective structures, but now it is time to engage in your own personal joy. Participate in your own creative outlets, fall in love overnight, or play for the sake of playing. Your own bliss is more important than social obligations. A flight of fancy would serve you well. CANCER June 21 - July 22 Home is literally where the heart is right now, Cancer. You’ve been putting in some serious dedication in the workplace, and your hard work will produce results. Right now, though, immersing yourself in the comforts of home and the love of family is what your soul needs. You don’t need to chase excitement for success. There is real medicine in your homestead.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

TAVERNIER: THIRSTY SAILORS, FRENCH INNKEEPERS AND BITING FLIES

here is no shortage of stories told about the Florida Keys. One Upper Keys favorite that has been passed from barstool to barstool for a long time is the origin of the Tavernier name. As the story goes, a thirsty sailor came ashore at the southern, Atlantic-facing edge of Key Largo and asked, “Is there a tavern near?” It is not a true story; it is a good story. There are those, too, who say the name is of French origin; tavernier is the word for innkeeper. While the sailor’s story is colorful nonsense, French might have something to do with the name’s evolution from its Spanish roots. However, it seems more like a linguistic journey than a cultural one. As for local names, the origin of Tavernier is one of the oldest found along the island chain – though it both looked and sounded a bit different several hundred years ago. Before Tavernier was a name attached to a Key Largo community, it identified the 31-acre island in the Atlantic shallows just offshore. On a Spanish chart dated 1639, it was noted as Caio di Tabanos; in 1742, Cayo Tabanos. The rough translation of tabanos, from Spanish to English, is horsefly; so, Horsefly Key. One thing that all of the 1,700 islands making up the Florida Keys archipelago have in common is biting insects. Apparently, Tavernier Key was once known for big, biting tabanos. The transition from Tabano to Tavernier had a lot to do with how the “b” is pronounced in Spanish. It is given a “v” sound. To an English ear, Tabanos would have sounded like Tavanos, which helps explain why William Roberts’ work “First Discovery and Natural History of Florida” (1763) identified the island as Cayo de Tivanos. A dozen years later, in 1775, a chart by George Gauld identified the island by both its Spanish and English names: Cayo

FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY WITH BRAD BERTELLI Brad is a local historian, author, speaker and Honorary Conch who loves sharing the history of the Florida Keys.

Tabano and Key Tavernier. As for any French influence, the evolution of Tabano to Tivano to Tavernier does not seem like an uncomfortable stretch – especially when spoken with a French accent. One thing that Tavernier Key offered was a relatively deep natural harbor, frequently used by sailors and those engaged in the wrecking industry. On Oct. 8, 1836, the crew of a schooner navigated to the harbor and dropped their anchor for the night. By 1836, the second escalation of the Seminole War had made an impact in South Florida and the Keys. That day, Indians attacked the schooner; its crew was lucky to escape with their

lives. While they all lived to tell the tale, not all survived unscathed. Two of the crew were wounded in the attack but paddled to safety in one of the smaller auxiliary boats. Left abandoned, the schooner was looted of anything useful and then set afire until the waterline extinguished the blaze. Tavernier Key needed something more than a favorable harbor to lure the early pioneers who decided to anchor their ships and create something more permanent. It might have had something to do with horseflies. Mostly, however, it had to do with land, and Key Largo had a relative abundance of it. A couple of decades later, pioneer families began settling along the Key Largo shoreline and building lives.

They were farmers and fishermen who relied on long, narrow docks and shallow draft schooners to link them to the outside world. Along the southern edge of the island, the first families were the Lowes, Alburys and Johnsons. They built homes facing the Atlantic to take advantage of ocean breezes blowing through open windows to cool their dwellings and provide a primitive form of flying/biting pest control. In the late 1800s, the community wasn’t called Tavernier, but Planter. Tavernier, as it is applied to Key Largo, came about as a result of the Key West Extension of Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railway. When workers built the train station in the area of MM 92, it was named Tavernier Station. The Tavernier community grew up around it. Hurricanes and Flagler’s train encouraged the residents of Planter to move away from the shoreline and the docks, and closer to the conveniences and reliability of the railroad. The Planter Post Office and church moved closer to the people who relied on the institutions. Planter faded away and Tavernier took root. Little remains of the old Planter community, except for a cistern or two in the hammocks surrounding Harry Harris Park and a short road branching off Burton Drive called Planter Drive that pays homage to the old farming community. There is also a popular coffee shop that used to stand on the Albury homestead and service the Planter community. The building where the coffee shop is housed was built in Planter and served as its Methodist church. A transfer deed for the property where the church once stood was signed and dated Nov. 25, 1887. Robert and Patience Albury transferred the property to the trustees of Methodist Episcopal Church, South: Amos Lowe, Samuel Johnson and Robert Albury. The church was called Barnetts Chapel. When the community relocated closer to the railroad right-of-way, Barnetts Chapel was deconstructed and moved to better serve the people. Though the building was destroyed in the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, its pieces and timbers were gathered, along with lumber from other structures that were destroyed, and reassembled. When the church found a better home, the building was left unoccupied. For a time, it served as a Masonic lodge. In 1981, the Old Tavernier Town Association formed and purchased the building for $1,000. They paid much more to move it to its present location, where it first served as the Old Church Community Center and Visitor Center. Currently, it is home to Café Moka at 91713 Overseas Highway. Step inside for a cup of coffee, a croissant and a cool bit of local history.

The Barnetts Chapel structure after its move from Planter to Tavernier. Photo taken by the Property Appraiser’s office circa 1965 when it served as Masonic Lodge No. 336. FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY CENTER/Monroe County Library

KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

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HELP KEEP KEY WEST

AUGUST CLEANUPS Join a one-hour Friday morning cleanup. All events are 8 to 9 a.m. unless otherwise noted. Aug. 21: North Roosevelt Boulevard. Meet in front of The Laureate Hotel, which is hosting. Aug. 28: North Roosevelt Boulevard at The Capitana Hotel, which is hosting.

The Aug. 14 cleanup started at the corner of Northside and Trinity drives. In one hour, 32 volunteers braved the heat and collected 98 pounds of trash, 27 pounds of recycling and 1 gallon of cigarette butts. Special thans to Mount Sinai for providing all the volunteers with breakfast for their hard work.

It takes committed community involvement to keep Key West beautiful and we are making progress with every cleanup event and every spot that’s adopted. Call Dorian Patton at 305-809-3868 to find out how your business, nonprofit or club can help.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

FUNCTIONALLY CAFFEINATED WELLNESS

YOUR WATCH SAYS YOUR SLEEP WAS GARBAGE. NOW WHAT?

very morning millions of us wake up and, before we’ve even decided how we actually feel, consult a tiny piece of technology to find out how we slept. Apparently I slept for seven hours and 42 minutes, was awake for 37 minutes, spent an hour and 19 minutes in REM, got 48 minutes of deep sleep and earned a sleep score of 76. Which feels suspiciously like a C. Frankly, I don’t appreciate being graded before I’ve even had coffee. Our watches and rings are giving us more information about our bodies than we’ve ever had access to before. Heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, blood oxygen, sleep duration, sleep efficiency and a colorful little graph showing exactly how much time we supposedly spent in light, deep and REM sleep. It’s fascinating information. There is just one small problem. Most of us have absolutely no idea what any of it means. So, before you decide that your 42 minutes of deep sleep means you have six months left to live, let’s talk about what is actually happening after you close your eyes. Sleep isn’t one long, unconscious event. Throughout the night, your brain cycles through two basic types of sleep: non-REM sleep and REM sleep. Non-REM sleep is divided into three stages, creatively named N1, N2 and N3. We move through these stages multiple times throughout the night, with a complete sleep cycle generally taking somewhere around 80 to 100 minutes. N1 is the lightest stage and basically the waiting room between awake and asleep. Your muscles begin to relax, your breathing and heart rate start slowing and you’re relatively easy to wake. You don’t spend a tremendous amount of the night here, but you have to pass through it to get to the good stuff. N2 is still considered lighter sleep, but you’re officially asleep now. Your body temperature drops, your muscles relax further and your brain activity changes. We actually spend a pretty significant portion of the night in this stage, so don’t look at a giant chunk of “light sleep” on your watch and assume you failed sleeping. Light sleep isn’t junk sleep. It is a normal and necessary part of the process. Then we get to N3, the coveted deep sleep your wearable has probably convinced you that you desperately need more of. This is slow wave sleep, and it’s when your body gets some serious restoration work done. Heart rate and breathing slow, muscles relax, energy is restored and processes involved in tissue growth and repair take place. Deep sleep tends to happen more during the first part of the night, which is important to know when you’re staring at that graph wondering why you didn’t get equal amounts of it all night long.

UNSPLASH.

Then there is REM, or rapid eye movement sleep. This is where things get weird. Your brain becomes highly active, your eyes move rapidly and vivid dreaming commonly occurs while most of your major muscles are temporarily kept from moving. REM JENNIFER is particularly important for processes involving learning, HARVEY memory and mood, and un...is a Marathonlike deep sleep, REM periods based ACSMtend to get longer as the certified personal trainer and night progresses. This is one precision nutrition of the many reasons chopcoach who owns ping two hours off the end of and operates your sleep isn’t necessarily the Highly Motivated same thing as simply losing Functionally Caffeinated LLC. two random hours. Now that you understand the colorful graph, we need to have a conversation about the device producing it. Your watch does not actually know when you’re in REM sleep. I realize this may feel like betrayal. In an actual sleep study, sleep stages are determined using measurements that include brain activity and eye movements. Your watch or ring isn’t reading your brain waves while you sleep. Instead, consumer devices typically use things they can measure, including movement and heart rate related information, and then an algorithm makes its best estimate about what’s happening. And to be fair, they’re getting pretty impressive. Research comparing popular consumer wearables with laboratory sleep studies has found that many are quite good at determining whether someone is asleep or awake. Sleep stage accuracy, however, is more variable. That means I would pay far more attention to patterns over time than I would one random

Tuesday when your watch announces that you received 31 minutes of deep sleep and apparently should spend the day reconsidering all of your life choices. This is where I think health technology can either be incredibly useful or make us completely insane. If your wearable shows that you’re consistently getting six hours of sleep when you swear you’re getting eight, that’s worth paying attention to. If you notice your sleep quality tanks every time you drink alcohol, eat a huge meal late at night or stay up scrolling until midnight, congratulations: your expensive piece of technology has provided you with information you can actually use. But if you wake up feeling rested, you’re functioning well during the day and your watch gives you a sleep score of 71, please don’t immediately decide you’re terrible at sleeping. The goal was never to win sleep. Instead, look at the bigger picture. Are you giving yourself enough opportunity to sleep? Are your bedtime and wake time somewhat consistent? Are you waking repeatedly throughout the night? Are you exhausted during the day? Do you snore heavily or wake up gasping? Has something noticeably changed from your normal pattern? Those questions matter more than obsessing over whether you achieved the exact amount of REM your app thinks you should have gotten. I love health data. Give me the graphs, the numbers, the trends and all the nerdy little metrics. But data is supposed to help us understand our bodies, not make us afraid of them. So tomorrow morning, before you let your wrist tell you whether you had a good night’s sleep, give yourself about five seconds. How do you actually feel? Then you can check your score. Preferably after water and coffee.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

WHAT’S COOKING, KEY WEST?

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Margarita-making classes salute island’s favorite son

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hey drink margaritas at every opportunity and regard Key West as their spiritual home port. They are the dedicated fans of late singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, and over Labor Day weekend they’ll gather on the island credited with inspiring his hit song “Margaritaville” for a festival in his honor. Attendees at the Just a Few Friends festival can enjoy concerts by Buffett band members and friends, an exuberant second-line march, and in-depth explorations of Buffett’s life on the island where he developed his signature sound. Equally important, they can learn the secrets to crafting a margarita worthy of the legendary musician — often called Key West’s favorite son. The margarita-making magic happens in 30-minute “turbo classes” offered by the Key West Cooking Show and its Bar 1 emporium at 291 Front St., whose ambiance salutes the island’s heritage of writers and adventurers. The margarita cocktail achieved rock-star status in 1977 when Buffett released “Margaritaville,” his ode to “booze in the blender” and the carefree Key West lifestyle he embraced. Yet the tequila-based libation was most likely born in Mexico in the late 1930s or early 1940s, though its exact birthplace and creator remain in dispute. Some even say it’s related to a 1930s drink called the Tequila Daisy, a plausible theory since “margarita” is the Spanish word for “daisy.” In tribute to Buffett’s iconic lyric that celebrates “wasting away again in Margaritaville,” the Cooking Show’s 30-minute margarita-making classes are titled “Wastin’ Away (Properly) in Key West.” Each one features tales about the drink’s history and its arrival and popularity in Key West, as well as a heaping helping of Buffett lore. But the hands-on highlight is the chance for participants to create their own margaritas, guided by cocktailcrafting experts who share tips and techniques. Ingredients in the typical margarita include tequila, orange liqueur to add a touch of sweetness, lime juice

VOTED BEST CONTRACTOR Mixologist Dave Holtz vigorously shakes a Margarita at Bar 1, chilling and blending the ingredients before straining the cocktail into a glass. KEY WEST COOKING SHOW/ Contributed

and agave syrup. Bar 1 serves a version called an Air Margarita, topped with unique Key West Salt Air Foam — suggesting the foam of cresting ocean waves and adding a distinctive flair to the traditional libation. Learning to craft the perfect margarita, sipping and savoring Bar 1’s version, and enjoying the Just a Few Friends festival are all great ways to celebrate Buffett’s music and memory — and his lasting impact on the island that embodies the sun-drenched “Margaritaville” lifestyle. Festival information is at justafewfriendskeywest.com. Information about Margarita-making classes, offered twice daily Sept. 3-5 and Sept. 7, is at margaritaclassjustafewfriends. eventbrite.com. LAST CALL Drink of the month: Key lime spicy margarita. Like life, cocktails should be a little bit spicy — a concept perfectly illustrated by Bar 1’s newest twist on the classic margarita. Fruity white tequila with a hint of vanilla, Key Lime Pie liqueur and lime juice, orange liqueur and spicy agave are blended to create an unforgettable offering. Drink of the month: Key Lime Spicy Margarita. Like life, cocktails should be a little bit spicy — a concept perfectly illustrated by Bar 1’s newest twist on the classic margarita. Fruity white tequila with a hint of vanilla, Key lime pie liqueur and lime juice, orange liqueur and spicy agave are blended to create an unforgettable offering. Explore a non-cocktail sensation. Learn to prepare the perfect Key lime pie, the Florida Keys’ fabled signature dessert — and enjoy a slice! More information is at keywestcookingshow. com or 305-294-COOK.

5 YEARS IN A ROW

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Founded by Betty Debnam MINI FACT: Animal shelters take in many kinds of animals, including guinea pigs, lizards, ferrets and snakes.

If you have a pet at home, there’s a good chance it came from an animal shelter. Animal shelters care for millions of abandoned or injured dogs and cats each year. There are about 5,000 animal shelters in the United States.

Photo by The Bees

WHAT IS A SHELTER? Most shelters are places that care for animals for a short while. Few can care for animals for the rest of their natural lives. Shelters care for the animals while workers search for good homes for them. They find homes for millions of animals every year. Dogs and cats are the main animals in shelters. However, they also care for many other animals people have as pets. Sometimes wild animals end up in shelters, too. WHAT DO SHELTERS DO? Shelters take in abandoned or injured animals. Often they care for lost or stray dogs and cats until their owners claim them. Animal control officers also rescue animals from situations where the animals are being treated cruelly. Animals that have been pets don’t do well on their own. Shelters look after these animals. Shelters provide food, water, housing and medical care. Workers pet and play with the animals.

Photo by Chriss Haight Pagani

GIVE THEM SHELTER This mother cat and her three kittens are feral (FAIR-uhl), or wild. They live by hunting.

SPAYING AND NEUTERING Experts say the most important thing people can do to help their pets is to get them spayed or neutered. This means the animals get an operation to be sure they can’t have kittens or puppies. They are asleep during the operation, so they aren’t scared or in pain. Spaying and neutering are important because there are so many animals needing care and not enough homes or shelters for them. One cat or dog can have many litters in its life. Its kittens or puppies can have many litters, too. This can end up creating thousands of new cats and dogs. GOOD HOMES NEEDED! Unfortunately, shelters cannot care for all the hurt or abandoned animals that come through their doors. Experts say that from 6 to 8 million dogs and cats are brought into shelters in America each year. About half of those are euthanized (YOU-thuh-NIZD), or painlessly killed.

HOW TO HELP If you see an animal you think is being mistreated, tell an adult you trust. Never approach a strange animal. Do not go onto someone else’s property. Tell a parent, a teacher or a police officer. Animal cruelty is illegal everywhere in America. You can volunteer at a local shelter. You can volunteer in person or do other things to help out the shelter workers. You could: • Stuff envelopes for the shelter’s mailings. • Collect and deliver items shelters need*, such as: pet food and treats kitty litter washable toys first-aid supplies soft towels and blankets

* Call your local shelter first to see which supplies they most need.

RESOURCES ON THE WEB • bit.ly/MPshelters AT THE LIBRARY • “Give Me Shelter: Turning Shelter Dogs and Cats Into Family Pets” by Yellow Duck Press • “Milton Makes a Move” by Jonathan Graziano

FIND IT ADOPT, ANIMAL, BLANKETS, CARE, CAT, DOG, FERAL, FOOD, HOME, LITTER, LOST, NEUTER, PET, SHELTER, SPAY, STRAY, TOWELS, TOYS, TREATS, VOLUNTEER, WATER.

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

L H C Z Z V A S U F

O A D O P T I G R S

S R L A R E F L E P

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

Z Y Y R Z Z E L G E W O T D D N O K U O T L F A O U C V C C

ECO NOTE Nearly a mile beneath the waters surrounding the Galápagos Islands, Photo courtesy Charles scientists encountered a tiny flash of Darwin Foundation blue unlike anything they had seen before. Barely the size of a golf ball, the newly discovered octopus emerged from one of the least explored environments on Earth — the dark, cold seafloor of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Researchers described a sense of wonder as cameras captured the little creature moving across the ocean floor, its vivid blue body glowing against the darkness. Adapted with permission from Earthweek.com

KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

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THANK YOU!!! WE COULD NOT DO ANY OF THIS WITHOUT THE SUPPORT AND HARD WORK OF OUR AMAZING TEAM, OUR LOYAL PATRONS AND THE CITY OF KEY WEST! WE ARE BEYOND HONORED AND LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING WITH YOU ALL SOON!

COME IN AND SEE WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT. LOVE MAURA & DANNY

BEST MOJITO BEST MARGARITA

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / AUGUST 20, 2026

August 20, 2026

Football is back in Monroe County | P.8

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

YOUR FAMILY, YOUR LIFESTYLE, YOUR HOME!

Family owned and operated since 1958 ADMINISTRATION

Joseph H. Roth III President 27 Years

Lorie Head Office Manager 36 Years

Jennifer Roth Assistant Manager 5 Years

Sara Roth, Agent/ Commercial Lines Assistant Supervisor 3 Years

Maria Bell Receptionist 4 Years

SALES

Linda Griswold Agent/Sales

20 Years

Holly Redding Agent/Sales

24 Years

COMMERCIAL LINES

Grimi Betancourt Manager/Sales Agent-Marathon

6 Years

Christine Thing Agent/Account Manager 1 Year

Lisa Maguire Supervisor

17 Years

Remorna Pottinger Kyra Gonsalves Ochoa Account Processor 5 Years Account Manager

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AUGUST 20, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

THE SCOREBOARD

AUG. 13-16

Team

Sport

Opponent

Date

Result

Coral Shores

Volleyball (Preseason)

Key West

8/13

W, 2-0

Coral Shores

Volleyball (Preseason)

Marathon

8/13

W, 2-0

Key West

Volleyball (Preseason)

Marathon

8/13

W, 2-0

Marathon

Football (Preseason)

South Miami

8/14

W, 40-0

Key West

Football (Preseason)

Somerset Silver Palms

8/14

W, 21-6

Coral Shores

Football

Coral Springs Charter

8/14

W, 25-21

THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Jesus

GONZALEZ

Senior, Marathon Football

AUG. 20-27

Date

School

Sport

Opponent

Start Time

8/20

Marathon

Volleyball

@ Keys Gate

5 p.m.

8/21

Marathon

Volleyball

Westwood Christian

4 p.m.

8/21

Key West

Volleyball

Boca Raton

TBA

8/21

Key West

Football

@ Boca Raton

6:30 p.m.

8/21

Coral Shores

Football

Miami Beach

7 p.m.

8/21

Marathon

Football

@ Wildwood

7 p.m.

8/21

Marathon

Cross Country

@ FNU Conquistador

TBA

8/25

Coral Shores

Volleyball

Marathon

5:30 p.m.

8/26

Marathon

Volleyball

Key West

5:30 p.m.

8/27

Coral Shores

Volleyball

Somerset South Homestead

5:30 p.m.

8/27

Coral Shores

Cross Country

@ Palmer

TBA

Jesus’ toughness, instincts and work ethics are what set him apart from the rest. He has been waiting for this moment since he was in sixth grade here at Marathon.” – Sean McDonald, Marathon head coach

152 total yards

ON THE COVER

AUGUST 20

Marathon’s Kevin Ruiz goes up for the catch in preseason action against South Miami on Aug. 14. The Dolphins prevailed, 40-0. See page 8. SEAN WESTERBAND/ Keys Weekly

total touchdowns

enior Jesus Gonzalez has waited a long time for this season. The quiet leader has been running Marathon’s single-wing offense since middle school, and in the Dolphins’ preseason win over South Miami, that experience showed. Gonzalez rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries while completing four passes for 47 yards and another score. More likely to lead by example than with words, Gonzalez has earned the respect of his teammates through his toughness, work ethic and commitment to the team. His twin brother Israel shares the backfield with him, but for Gonzalez, the brotherhood extends across the roster. More than individual numbers or accolades, what he wants most is to see the Dolphins succeed. For his selfless play, tireless off-season work ethic and standout performance, Marathon’s Jesus Gonzalez is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

Photo by NATALIE DANKO/Keys Weekly

tracy mcdonald SPORTS WRITER

fled to the Keys from the frozen mountains of Pennsylvania hours after graduating from college and never looked back. She is a second-generation coach and educator, and has taught in the public school system for over 25 years. She and her husband met at a beginning teacher meeting in 1997 and have three children born and raised in Monroe County. In her free time, McDonald loves flea markets, historical fiction and long runs in the heat.

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / AUGUST 20, 2026

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

Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Managing Editor / Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Business Development

Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com Manuela C. Mobley manuela@keysweekly.com Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com

Production Manager

PRESEASON

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Graphic Design

sean mcdonald grew up in Miami and moved to the Keys in 1997. He has spent the last 25 years teaching physical education and coaching virtually every sport for Florida Keys kids ages 4 to 18. If you are reading this and live or lived in the Florida Keys, he has probably taught, coached, or coached against someone you know.

MARKET EDITORS

Marathon - Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com

Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

Classiﬁeds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844

Se habla español

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

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Hurricanes make an early statement on the volleyball court

eys volleyball teams met in the middle on Aug. 13 to test their grit against one another prior to the official start of the season four days later. The Hurricanes of Coral Shores defeated both Marathon and Key West 2-0 in matches that were close, competitive and full of excitement for the upcoming season. Head coach Sam Ovalle’s Lady ’Canes enter the season with a young but experienced roster, bolstered by veteran leadership. A talented sophomore class gained valuable experience last season, and if last week’s test is any indication, the Hurricanes could be a factor in FHSAA’s Class 3A District 16. Ovalle praised his team’s energy and noted standout performances from Celene Walker, Alex Burson, Abby Leigh, Coralyn Frimpter, Bella Villalba and Eliyana Mcleod. Joining the Hurricanes in 3A District 16 are the Lady Conchs, who picked up a pair of wins over Marathon. Coach Kim Butler’s roster is relatively young, but the Lady Conchs have athleticism and size on their side. Helping to guide that young talent are libero Journey Lamb and back row specialist Dianeza Gonzalez, who managed to stand out on a roster full of seniors last season. Despite some preseason miscues, Key West showed plenty of potential while testing different lineups and making adjustments ahead of the regular season. Marathon has a new coach this season, but it’s hardly a new face. Kevin Freeman returns to the volleyball program to lead the Dolphins in their quest for a Rural District 8 title. Freeman served 15 seasons as head coach of the Lady Fins before stepping down in 2020, and six years later, he’s back on the court and ready for another run. His roster features a healthy mix of veterans and underclassmen eager to prove what they can do in district play. Adelle Bainbridge will shore up the net while Ana Boose and Dahlia Westdickenberg will hold things down on the back line. Basilica School will compete at the junior varsity level this season after graduating seven seniors last year. With a roster made up entirely of underclassmen, the Mariners will use the season to develop their young players, gain valuable varsity-level experience and begin building the foundation for seasons to come.

AUGUST 20, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

5 6

STORM 7

1 2

1. Hurricane hitter Coralyn Frimpter goes up for a strong hit against Marathon. 2. Kerestin Hults serves the ball for Key West. 3. Hurricane sophomore Jillian Thiery serves the ball to Marathon. 4. Coral Shores’ Jillian Thiery and Marathon’s Adelle Bainbridge leap for control at the net. 5. Marathon’s Anastasia Boose (2) sets the ball during the Dolphins’ preseason match against Coral Shores. 6. Dolphin Adelle Bainbridge (11) jumps to block a Coral Shores spike. 7. Key West’s Miriam McManus (6) sets the ball for outside hitter Kerestin Hults in the Conchs’ preseason match against Coral Shores. 8. Coral Shores coach Sam Ovalle gives his team advice during a break.

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / AUGUST 20, 2026

RUNNING DOWN A DREAM 2025 Athletes of the Year return to the cross country course for another season

perfect storm may just be brewing in the Florida Keys. Last season’s male and female cross country athletes of the year are returning to the course this year, and despite how effortless Ali Wheatley and Lucian Burns make it look, the sport is far more challenging than it seems. Running standouts almost always fit a mold. They are hardworking perfectionists who excel in all they do, whether in the classroom or outside putting in miles in 90-degree heat. Nobody outworks a cross country star. Wheatley, a Coral Shores junior chasing down the all-time school record, and Burns, a Marathon sophomore with speed to spare, fit this mold to a T. And both are motivated by the same thing: competition. “What motivates me is thinking of beating the person in front of me and not having to say ‘what if’ at the end of the race if I didn’t push,” said Burns. Likewise, Wheatley loves a good challenge. “I really like to race,” she said, also expressing gratitude that she has had a chance to be pushed by some of the finest competition in Florida. Both champs agree that heat plays a major factor in their times, noting that an unseasonably cool day or some well-timed cloud cover can yield a coveted PR, something Wheatley and Burns are actively seeking. “This season I am focused on running a time under 19 minutes, and earning a medal at the regional race,” Wheatley said. Burns, too, is looking to break a minute barrier this season. “I’m chasing to break 16 in the 5K and in the future, win first at states in the 3200 in track,” he said. But he’ll have to finish the season healthy in order to achieve those goals. Though it is not unlike Burns to slip off a

Top: Ali Wheatley, cruising to a finish in last season’s regional championships, is poised to make an immediate impact on the cross country circuit this season Below: Lucian Burns makes repeats look easy at a recent practice at Marathon High RICK MACKENZIE and TRACY McDONALD/Keys Weekly

protective boot to run a race with a questionable injury when it’s all on the line, he is doing everything in his power this season to toe the line at states injury-free. This offseason, he’s added strength training, stretching and more intense warmups in hopes of putting his best foot forward at states. While most Keys kids were lounging around the sandbar this summer, Wheatley headed for considerably higher ground. She attended Smoky Mountain Running Camp in Asheville, North Carolina, where she worked on hill training, something not particularly easy to come by in the Florida Keys and something that will serve her well on the state course in Tallahassee. She also picked up speed and efficiency drills that she is excited to share with her team. Despite the individual nature of cross country, it is a team sport, too, and that is not lost on either Wheatley or Burns. Wheatley’s standout career with the ’Canes is highlighted, in her opinion, by her team’s achievements. “The best thing that happened last season was our team getting to regionals,” she said. “It was so amazing to see all the hard work me and my teammates had put in all season come together as we were able to represent our school on a higher level. Everyone ran really well at districts, which was also one of my best races last season.” And though she does have high hopes to be a state contender this season, she added, “On top of that, it is really important to me to be the best teammate I can be and support everyone as much as I can.“ Burns also added his teammates to his season goals. He hopes to stand out at the invitationals this season, but also looks ahead to the spring, when he is excited about anchoring the Dolphin 4x800 relay team, which he hopes will outpace the entire region this year. And while there is no doubt Wheatley and Burns have the chops to stand out in Tallahassee this fall, both believe in their teams and know they also have the potential to go far. But it’s not going to be easy. “They will have to understand it will be hard; it will not always be fun. And if you want to be a champion you have to do what no one else will and knowing that will make us successful,” said Burns. Wheatley had similar sentiments. “It’s been said that miles in the summer turn into minutes in the fall,” she said. If Wheatley and Burns are right, plenty of summer miles have already been banked. Now, with two of the Keys’ best runners returning faster, stronger and hungry for more, the perfect storm may be ready to break.

AUGUST 20, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

MILES OF POSSIBILITY

Key West, Basilica runners build for future as cross country season gets underway

Key West (and a few Sugarloaf) cross country runners participate in drills in preparation for the upcoming season. CONTRIBUTED

n the Southernmost City, Key West’s cross country teams are entering the season with plenty of new faces and, according to head coach Keara McGraw, a roster that is “full of possibility.” The Conchs will have a talented mix of incoming freshmen, including Hazel Matazarro, Lynn Noah, Noah Taylor, Gage Jangraw and Ella Urrestarazo Jara, who will add a spark of energy as they join forces with the veterans. Returning runners Violet Jangraw, Ryah Bushey, Emma Bradshaw, Sawyer Hill, Alejandro Caridad, Collin Palomino, Charlie Delashmit, Matthew Barrett and Izzy Gotuzzo bring the experience and work ethic needed to provide a solid foundation for McGraw, who will again be doing double

duty this season as head coach of both the boys and girls teams. “There’s real talent in this group, and there’s also work to be done to reach it,” said McGraw. The Conchs are putting in that work in the late-summer heat, hoping the miles logged now will begin to pay dividends as the season progresses. Across town, Basilica School also plans to field a team this season. The Mariners enjoyed some success last fall and have already demonstrated their ability to develop young runners. Several athletes now on McGraw’s Key West roster got their start at Basilica last season, giving the small program an early indication that it can help cultivate runners capable of competing at the next level.

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Conch cross country athletes receive some love from the student body at Key West’s first pep rally. ROCKY GONET/Keys Weekly

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KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / AUGUST 20, 2026

THREE WINS, THREE WAYS F or the first time since Sept. 20, 2024, all three Keys football teams landed in the win column on the same weekend. Marathon, Coral Shores and Key West did it this time as the programs prepare to navigate three very different paths through the 2026 season. Marathon gave fans plenty to be excited about on Aug. 14, defeating the South Miami Cobras in the Dolphins’ preseason classic at Tropical Park in Miami. Though the victory will not count toward the Fins’ record, their performance offered an early glimpse of what head coach Sean McDonald has called a season five years in the making. “These guys have been running this offense since middle school and it’s showing on the field,” McDonald said. The Dolphins’ veteran backfield is led by senior tailback Jesus Gonzalez, with his twin brother Israel Gonzalez at B-back, junior Garrett Ruddy at fullback and senior Mathew Machado at wing. Most of the group has played together since sixth grade and is now entering its fifth season running Marathon’s singlewing attack. “The veterans are really understanding the nuances of the offense, and that’s big,” McDonald said, adding that hard work in the offseason has also made a difference. That experience showed against South Miami. Marathon amassed 422 yards of total offense, with 375 coming on the ground at an average of 10.7 yards per carry. Jesus Gonzalez led the rushing attack with 105 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Machado added 82 yards and a score on seven carries, while Ruddy rushed eight times for 62 yards. Israel Gonzalez added 43 yards and a touchdown on just two carries, and Gabe Harper rushed twice for 36 yards and another score. The Dolphins were efficient through the air as well. Gonzalez completed four of nine passes for 47 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Machado on all four completions. Machado finished the night with 129 total yards and two touchdowns between his rushing and receiving efforts. Defensively, Maverick McDonald and Aiden Lezcano led Marathon with seven tackles apiece, with Lezcano adding two quarterback hurries. Harper and Tripp Avera each came away with an interception. The promising preseason performance comes as Marathon enters a new era in postseason competition. With the FHSAA eliminating its Rural classification this season, the Dolphins opted to compete as an independent. Rather than following the traditional district playoff path, Marathon will have an opportunity to qualify for the independent postseason based on its record and ranking. The change is part of a much larger shakeup in Florida high school football, as schools across the state adjust to a new landscape shaped by classification changes, school choice and player movement. For some Keys programs, including Coral Shores, that has meant choosing a different path forward. CORAL SHORES The Hurricanes picked up win No. 1 of the season with a 25-21 victory, and unlike the preseason wins and losses logged by their Keys neighbors, this one will remain in the record books. Coral Shores has exited the FHSAA in favor of the Sunshine State Athletic Association, making its season opener not only the first official game of the year, but an important conference matchup. It was a move head coach Ed Holly did not make lightly. The dynamics facing smaller schools factored into the decision, and when Coral Shores initially made the leap, programs were

Keys football teams earn preseason weekend sweep

6 7

AUGUST 20, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

“The veterans are really understanding the nuances of the oﬀense, and that’s big.”

– Sean McDonald, Marathon head coach

8 9

1. The Coral Shores football team opened their season with a win. 2. Ekon Edwards 3. Sterling Keefe 4. Kevin Williams Jr. 5. Marathon cheerleader Amelia Perdomo. 6. Gabriel Harper stiﬀ-arms a defender. 7. Jesus Gonzalez finds the gap. 8. Israel Gonzalez (8) and Garrett Ruddy (9) celebrate a touchdown. 9. Charlie Buttner (3) and Curren Nicolay (12) make a team tackle. Photos by Sean Westerband, Natalie Goodwin and Natalie Danko

permitted to remain members of the FHSAA while also participating in the SSAA. That option changed after the Hurricanes made their decision, leaving Coral Shores outside the FHSAA and fully committed to its new path. Holly sees plenty of reasons for optimism. “The SSAA has a guaranteed playoff format for all teams. They regulate transfers and recruiting, and it’s a new, exciting opportunity for us to play new teams similar to ours and see the state,” he said. That new era began with a test. Coral Shores trailed for much of its opener, but the Hurricanes did what they have traditionally done well: run the football and keep grinding. David Beltran powered the Hurricanes’ run-heavy offense, scoring twice in the first half on gains of 12 and 15 yards. Coral Shores went into halftime trailing 14-12. Quarterback Sterling Keefe added a 10-yard touchdown run, but the Hurricanes eventually found themselves trailing 21-18 and needing one more score. They got it when it mattered most. With just over 3-1/2 minutes remaining, Keefe led Coral Shores on an 80-yard drive, finishing it himself with a 3-yard touchdown run to put the Hurricanes ahead 25-21 for good. Coral Shores amassed 301 rushing yards, with Beltran accounting for 200 of them on 28 carries. He added five receptions for 77 yards to finish with 277 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. Kevin Williams rushed nine times for 45 yards, while Charles Royal added 33 yards on five carries and hauled in a 25-yard reception. Keefe threw for 105 yards on just seven attempts in addition to his work on the ground. Royal was equally disruptive on defense, registering five solo tackles, an assisted tackle, two pressures and a sack. Billy Holly and Ekon Edwards were also among the Hurricanes’ leading tacklers. The win carried additional weight as Coral Shores’ first conference game in its new league. SSAA playoff rankings factor in a team’s overall record, conference performance and strength of schedule. “Getting a conference win in week one is a huge confidence builder,” Holly said. The Hurricanes also had to contend with a hot, humid and windy South Florida night on the turf, but they were not without support away from home. “Coral Shores traveled well,” Holly said. “We had a big turnout.”

continued on the next page

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / AUGUST 20, 2026

10. Kelly Kasper leads a Conch charge. 11. Matthew Oviedo (5) and James Carey (71) on the scrimmage line with Jayson Michel (2). 12. Allens Alexandre fends oﬀ a Somerset defender. 13. Cain Hughes (32) makes sure Chace Gaertner (7) gets the touchdown. 14. Chace Gaertner breaks through the goal-line stand. 15. Khoa Nguyen (44) and Jakobe Williamson (6) stop Travis Jacinthe (2). Photos by Rocky Gonet

from page 9

Next up, Miami Beach High School travels to Tavernier for a non-conference matchup before Coral Shores returns to conference play the following week against Westminster Academy. With unfamiliar opponents filling much of the schedule, preparation may be more challenging this season, but for the Hurricanes, that is part of the excitement of taking a new path.

14 15

KEY WEST Key West, meanwhile, will stay the course with the FHSAA, remaining in Class 3A District 16 and facing another daunting slate of opponents. The Conchs will contend with perennial powers Miami Central, Jackson, Miami Springs and North Miami Beach, along with St. Brendan. Gone from the district lineup is Miami Northwestern, whose Bulls have dominated in recent seasons, but there will be no shortage of challenges remaining on Key West’s schedule.

If the preseason was any indication, the Conchs appear ready for them. Key West defeated Somerset Silver Palms 21-6 at Tommy Roberts Memorial Stadium, giving a packed and lively home crowd its first look at a team tasked with replacing a highly talented backfield from a season ago. What the Conchs have up front should make that transition considerably easier. Key West boasts a massive offensive line featuring Kelly Kasper, Allens Alexandre, Louden Garcia, center James Carey and Josh Johnson, who is expected to return to full contact in the coming weeks. With multiple members of the unit already committed to Division I programs, the line gives Key West a formidable foundation around which to build its offense. Behind them, Chace Gaertner showed he may be ready to take on a much larger role. The featured back rushed for close to 150 yards against Somerset Silver Palms and scored twice, breaking loose for a 43-yard touchdown before adding another from six yards out. Matthew Oviedo added close to 100 yards with a hard-running performance, while quarterback Roman Van Loon showed his own ability to pick up yards on keepers. Van Loon earned the start at quarterback but was forced to the sideline temporarily with cramping. Jayson Michel stepped in and kept the Conchs moving, punching in a 2-yard touchdown run in relief. The heat has been an issue throughout the preseason, particularly for a Key West roster that will rely on numerous athletes to contribute on both sides of the ball. “This felt like the hottest summer ever. It was unbelievable,” head coach Johnny Hughes said of preseason camp. “I guess it prepares you, but it was rough.” For the Conchs, conditioning will be particularly important. “With guys playing both ways like us, it’s going to be a factor,” Hughes said. Key West’s defense gave the home crowd plenty to like as well, holding Somerset Silver Palms to six points while forcing a fumble and coming away with an interception. Luis Fernandez and Javi Perez were among the defensive standouts in the preseason victory. The competition gets considerably more serious this week when Key West travels to Boca Raton for its regular-season opener. With a powerful offensive front, a new group of ball carriers beginning to establish itself and a defense that looked sharp in its first test, Hughes is eager to see how the Conchs match up when the games begin to count. “It should be a good matchup,” he said.

AUGUST 20, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

SWIMMING DOWN MEMORY LANE Key West alumni reunite as Lori Bosco celebrates 30 years coaching the Conchs

t had been a decade since generations of Key West swimmers gathered for an alumni meet, but on Aug. 10, former Conchs had a reason to get back in the pool together. The veterans made their return with an appropriate amount of self-deprecation, entering the College of the Florida Keys pool area by bursting through a breakaway banner emblazoned with “WASHED UP.” They took to the water for an evening designed to reconnect former teammates and celebrate the legacy of Key West swimming. The reunion also provided an opportunity to recognize Lori Bosco, who is celebrating her 30th year coaching swimming at Key West High School. Former assistant coach and longtime friend Judd Wise “had the pleasure of coaching with her for 14 years” and said her impact on the program extends well beyond the pool. “She is a tireless worker. She is there for her swimmers,” Wise said. “She knows swimming, but more importantly, she

Top: Conch alumni pose for a photo after their first alumni meet 10 years ago. Above: Longtime Key West swim coach Lori Bosco addresses the crowd Aug. 10 at the Key West Alumni Swim Meet Photos contributed

wanted her athletes to know they were students first and athletes second.” Wise said the coaches emphasized doing things the right way, a philosophy they summed up for their swimmers with a simple saying: “Do it right, do it light; do it wrong, do it long.” For many of the former swimmers, the meet offered an opportunity to reconnect with teammates they do not get to see nearly as often as they would like. The last alumni meet was held 10 years ago, making this year’s gathering a long-awaited return to the pool. The alumni shared the evening with the current Key West swim team, alternating events with the Conchs as they swam 50-yard races and the 100 individual medley. The alumni did not compete directly against the current team, but the format gave Key West’s swimmers an opportunity to practice their starts and record some early-season times while sharing the pool with those who came before them. The evening also included a tribute to former Conch swimmer AJ Hally and a moment of silence honoring other members of the Key West swimming family who died too young. More than simply a return to competition, the alumni meet served as a celebration of the relationships built through the program and the generations of swimmers who have represented Key West High School. For a program spanning decades, the evening brought past and present together in the same pool, even if one group was willing to admit it was a little more “washed up” than the other. Cayo Provisions sponsored the meet by covering the pool fee, while Berkshire Hathaway sponsored a potluck pizza party following the swimming events.

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / AUGUST 20, 2026

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Misfit located at 504 Angela Street, Key West, FL 33040 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. By: Jennifer Portier of Blanche Enterprises, LLC, a Florida limited liability company Publish: August 20 & 27, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 26-CP-000313-K IN RE: ESTATE OF CHARLES WILLIAM JONES, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Charles William Jones, deceased, whose date of death was May 4, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The personal representative or curator 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 applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211. The date of first publication of this notice is: August 20, 2026. Personal Representative: Susan Kurdziel 21072 6th Avenue Cudjoe Key, FL 33042 Attorney for Personal Representative: Dawn Ellis, Esq., Attorney for Personal Representative E-mail Address: Dawn@ MyFloridaProbate.com Florida Bar Number: 091979 My Florida Probate, PA Dawn Ellis, Esq., for the firm P.O. Box 952 Floral City, FL 34436-0952 (352) 726-5444 Publish: August 20 & 27, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 26-CP-000404-P IN RE: ESTATE OF MARVIN A. BLUMENFELD Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of MARVIN A. BLUMENFELD, deceased, whose date of death was June 19, 2026; is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 26-CP-000404-P; the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. 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, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this notice, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS: AUGUST 13, 2026. Personal Representatives: JEFFRY A. BLUMENFELD 290 Laramie Blvd. Boulder, CO 80304 jeff@blumenfeldpr.com ROBERT M. BLUMENFELD 12 Robin Hill Road Mount Kisco, NY 10549 bobby@blumenfeldgroup.com Attorney for Personal Representatives: JOHN MICHAEL LYNN, P.A. JOHN MICHAEL LYNN, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 0147273 7 Barracuda Lane Key Largo, Florida 33037 Telephone: (305) 367-0911 turnerlynnpa@gmail.com Publish: August 13 & 20, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

Plaintiff Vs. MICHAEL T. GUERRA, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Oresme Gil Guerra, Defendant AMENDED NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE (TO CORRECT A SCRIVENER’S ERROR) NOTICE IS HEREBY given that pursuant to a Writ of Execution issued in the Circuit Court, of Miami Dade County, Florida, on the 19th day of March, 2026, in the cause wherein ALEX JESUS ANTON, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Beatriz Rodriguez Guerra is Plaintiff and MICHAEL T. GUERRA, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Oresme Gil Guerra, was defendant, being Case No. 2022-002703-CP-02 in said court, I, Richard A. Ramsay, Sheriff of Monroe County, Florida have levied upon all right, title, and interest of the defendant, in and to the following described real property to wit: SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY The following described land, situate, lying and being in Monroe County, Florida, to-wit: Legal Description: Lot 12, Block 32A, BIG PINE COVE, as recorded in Plat Book 3, page 131, of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida. AND A tract of baybottom land in Bogie Channel, East of and adjacent to Lot 12, Block 32A, BIG PINE COVE, according to the Plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 3, page 131, of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows: COMMENCING at the N.E. corner of Block 32 of SANDS SUBDIVISION, as recorded in Plat Book 1, page 65, of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and bear East for a distance of 540 feet, more or less, to the mean High Water Mark of Bogie Channel; continue to bear East for a distance of 400 feet; thence bear South 112.1 feet, to the Point of Beginning of the tract of baybotton hereinafter described; thence continue to bear South 87.9 feet to a point; thence bear West for a distance of 280 feet, more or less, back to the mean High Water Mark along the Easterly boundary of Lot 12, Block 32A, of the aforesaid BIG PINE COVE; thence meander the Mean High Water Mark in a Northwesterly direction to a point due West from the Point of Beginning, thence bear East back to the Point of Beginning. Property Address: 31641 Avenue D., Big Pine Key, FL 33043 (the “property”) Parcel ID/Folio# 00308710-000000 All bidders must have a valid Driver’s License with them and must register with the civil clerk at location of sale prior to start time of sale. I shall offer this property for sale, at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters building located at 5525 College Road Key West, Florida 33040

in the County of Monroe, State of Florida, on the 30th day of September 2026, at the hour of 10:00 A.M. or as soon thereafter as possible. I will offer for sale all of the said defendant’s right, title, and interest in the aforesaid real property at public auction and will sell the same subject to all taxes, prior liens, encumbrances and judgments, if any, to the highest and best bidder for cash or cashiers check, in the exact amount of the bid, in hand. The proceeds to be applied as far as may be to the payment of costs and the satisfaction of the above described execution. Dated at Key West, Monroe County, Florida, this 14th day of August, 2026. Richard A. Ramsay Sheriff of Monroe County, Florida By: Donald Stullken Deputy Sheriff In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the Civil Division no later than seven days prior to the proceeding at (305)809-3041 Publish: August 20 & 27 and September 3 & 10, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

not known to be dead or alive, his several and respective unknown spouses, heirs, devisees, grantees, creditors, or other parties claiming by, through, or under those unknown natural persons; and the several and respective unknown assigns, successors in interest, trustees or any other person claiming by, through, under or against any named defendant; and all claimants, persons or parties, natural or corporate, or whose exact legal status is unknown, claiming under any of the abovenamed or described defendants or parties or claiming to have any right, title or interest in and to the lands hereinafter described, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a Complaint has been filed against you by the Plaintiff in the above-style court for the purpose of quieting title to the following described property situate and being in Monroe County, Florida: Parcel 1: The Northeasterly one-half (1/2) of the following described parcel of land: A parcel of land on the Island of Key West, being a part of Tract 5 according to William A. Whitehead's map delineated in February, A.D. 1829, said land being more particularly described as a part of Lot 7 of Block 2 of W.C. Maloney's Estate Subdivision according to Plat Book 1, Page 2 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida and being more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows: COMMENCE at the intersection of the Northeasterly Right-ofWay line of Elizabeth Street and the Southeasterly Right-of-Way line of Olivia Street and thence N76°09'56"E along the said Southeasterly Right-of-Way line of Olivia Street for a distance of 71.00 feet to the Northeasterly corner of the lands described in Official Records Book 3157, at Page 2228 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, said point being the Point of Beginning of the parcel of land hereinafter described; thence continue N76°09'56"E along the said Southeasterly Right-of-Way line of Olivia Street for a distance of 3.00 feet to the Northwesterly corner of the lands described in Official Records Book 3179, at Page 968 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida; thence S13°50'04"E along the Southwesterly boundary line of the said lands described in Official Records Book 3179, at Page 968 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, for a distance of 100.26 feet to the Southwesterly corner of the said lands described in Official Records Book 3179, at Page 968 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida; thence S76°21'50"W for a distance of 3.00 feet to the Southeasterly corner of the lands described in Official Records Book 3157, at Page 2228 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida; thence N13°50'04"W along the Northeasterly boundary line of the said lands described in Official Records Book 3157, at Page 2228 of the Public Records of Monroe

County, Florida, for a distance of 100.25 feet back to the Point of Beginning ("Parcel 1"). Parcel 2: The Southwesterly one-half (1/2) of the following described parcel of land: A parcel of land on the Island of Key West, being a part of Tract 5 according to William A. Whitehead's map delineated in February, A.D. 1829, said land being more particularly described as a part of Lot 7 of Block 2 of W.C. Maloney's Estate Subdivision according to Plat Book 1, Page 2 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida and being more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows: COMMENCE at the intersection of the Northeasterly Right-ofWay line of Elizabeth Street and the Southeasterly Right-of-Way line of Olivia Street and thence N76°09'56"E along the said Southeasterly Right-of-Way line of Olivia Street for a distance of 71.00 feet to the Northeasterly corner of the lands described in Official Records Book 3157, at Page 2228 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, said point being the Point of Beginning of the parcel of land hereinafter described; thence continue N76°09'56"E along the said Southeasterly Right-of-Way line of Olivia Street for a distance of 3.00 feet to the Northwesterly corner of the lands described in Official Records Book 3179, at Page 968 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida; thence S13°50'04"E along the Southwesterly boundary line of the said lands described in Official Records Book 3179, at Page 968 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, for a distance of 100.26 feet to the Southwesterly corner of the said lands described in Official Records Book 3179, at Page 968 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida; thence S76°21'50"W for a distance of 3.00 feet to the Southeasterly corner of the lands described in Official Records Book 3157, at Page 2228 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida; thence N13°50'04"W along the Northeasterly boundary line of the said lands described in Official Records Book 3157, at Page 2228 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, for a distance of 100.25 feet back to the Point of Beginning YOU ARE REQUIRED to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Richard J. McChesney, Esq., Spottswood, Spottswood, Spottswood, & Sterling, PLLC, Attorney for Plaintiff, whose address is 500 Fleming Street, Key West, FL 33040, on or before the following date: September 14th, 2026, and to file the original with the Clerk of the Court either before service on Plaintiff’s attorney or immediately thereafter, otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint. WITNESS my hand and seal of this Court on 7TH day of August, 2026. Kevin Madok, CPA as Clerk of the Court By: Britney Bethel as Deputy Clerk Publish: August 13, 20 & 27 and September 3, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the vessel below will be sold at public sale on the date listed below at 10AM for monies owed for storage pursuant to Florida Statutes 328.17. SALE DATE: August 28, 2026 at 10AM LOCATION: Caloosa Cove Marina, 73501 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, Florida 33036 VESSEL: 1986 Catalina Sailboat, HIN: CTN3361G586, Registration: FL5492GX BALANCE DUE: $9,257.04 OWNER: Michael Zutevez Caloosa Cove Marina reserves the right to accept or reject any and/ all bids. Publish: August 13 & 20, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers DISTRICT V ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC V) (from Mile Marker 90.940 to the Dade/Monroe County Line and any Mainland portions of Monroe County) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for an “At Large” representative - Any resident who is not directly involved in a tourism business and who shall represent the general public and shall live or work within the tax collection district for which they are applying. (The operative word within this description is directly. This word means someone who is not in business, nor whose business or economic activity are dependent upon tourists.) Any person wishing to participate on the District V Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application by emailing angela@fla-keys.com. Completed applications should be emailed to angela@fla-keys.com or may be sent via U.S. mail to the address below: Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026. A resume may be attached to the application. Publish: August 20, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MIAMI DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO: 2022-002703-CP-02 ALEX JESUS ANTON, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Beatriz Rodriguez Guerra

The following is an upcoming GMX procurement opportunity: INVITATION TO BID (ITB) GMX PROCUREMENT/CONTRACT NO.: ITB-27-01

GMX PROJECT/SERVICE TITLE: SYSTEMWIDE PAVEMENT REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS For detailed information please visit the Procurement Department website at http://www.gmx-way.com/business/solicitations, or call the Procurement Department at 305-637-3277 for assistance. Publish: August 20, 2026. The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL DIVISION CASE#: 44-2026-CA-000780-KW JUDGE: TIMOTHY J. KOENIG PINEAPPLE HOUSE LLC A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, DAVID RICHARD STACK AND TREVA STACK, Plaintiff, Vs. ROBERT H. GIVENS, deceased, his unknown heirs, devisees, grantees, creditors, and all other parties claiming by, through, under or against the aforesaid parties; and all unknown natural persons, if alive, and if dead or not known be dead or alive, their several and respective unknown spouses, heirs, devisees, grantees, creditors, or other parties claiming by, through or under those unknown natural persons; and the several and respective unknown assigns, successors in interest, trustees or any other person claiming by, through, under or against any named defendant; and all claimants, persons or parties, natural or corporate, or whose exact legal status is unknown, claiming under any of the abovenamed or described defendants or parties or claiming to have any right, title or interest in and to the lands hereinafter described, Defendants. NOTICE OF ACTION TO: ROBERT H. GIVENS, deceased, his unknown heirs, devisees, grantees, creditors, and all other parties claiming by, through, under and against the aforesaid parties; and all unknown natural persons, if alive, and if dead or

The following is an upcoming GMX procurement opportunity:

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) GMX PROCUREMENT/CONTRACT NO.: RFQ-27-01

GMX PROJECT/SERVICE TITLE: INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES For detailed information please visit the Procurement Department website at http://www.gmx-way.com/business/solicitations, or call the Procurement Department at 305-637-3277 for assistance. Publish: August 20, 2026. The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 26-DR-790-K KASSANDRA MAE MANGUBAT, Petitioner, and NAJEE D. STITH, Respondent. NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: NAJEE D. STITH RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: UNKNOWN YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for dissolution of marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it

AUGUST 20, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

EMPLOYMENT

HOUSING FOR RENT

PUPPIES FOR SALE

WANTED TO BUY

YARD SALES

on KASSANDRA MAE MANGUBAT, whose address is 3333 DUCK AVE, APT. G101, KEY WEST, FL 33040 on or before SEPTEMBER 10, 2026, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 WHITEHEAD STREET, KEY WEST, FL 33040 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings. Dated: August 4, 2026 Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Britney Bethel Deputy Clerk Publish: August 13, 20 & 27 and September 3, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

Publish: August 20 & 27 and September 3 & 10, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

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.

ANNUAL RENTAL - Key Largo - 3BR/2BA new kitchen, Spacious Doublewide modular on canal w/40’ dock, direct ocean access. Very nice community $3500/month 7 8 6 - 2 5 8 - 3 1 2 7

MOM & DAD HAD BABIES! German Shepards For Sale. Avail. in September w/ health certificate. Duck Key resident. Call Glenn at 305-481-1316 or Email glenn.3232@yahoo.com

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

YARD SALE: SAT & SUN 8/22 - 8/23 11am- 5pm. 217 Coral Rd. MM86.8, Ocean off old rd. Couch w/elec. recliners, chairs, bench, ladder, new King sheet sets, New King bed in bags, towels, New flash lights, glassware, baskets, Americana, Wicker Shelf, storage units, towers, 3 pc. patio set, office supplies, Lucite flyer racks, new color copy paper & lots more!!! NO EARLY BIRDS!

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 26-DR-902-P CLAIRE GUAZZELLI SEHNERT, OBO LCL, Petitioner, and In Re: Name Change, Respondent. NOTICE OF ACTION FOR PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME (MINOR CHILD) TO: PHILIP LOVKA III RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 1530 TALLY CIRCLE, OVIEDO, FL YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME (MINOR CHILD) has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on CLAIRE GUAZZELLI SEHNERT, whose address is 178 CORAL AVE, TAVERNIER, FL 33070 on or before SEPTEMBER 21, 2026, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at Monroe County Clerk of the Circuit Court, 88770 Overseas Hwy, Ste. 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings. Dated: August 17, 2026 Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Katherine Soto Deputy Clerk

AUTOS WANTED AUTOS ALL YEARS! Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks. Runs or Not.$CASH 305-332-0483 BOAT SLIP/RACK FOR RENT Boat Slip &/or Rack For Rent in Marathon at The Boat House, Vaca Key. Call Tony 561-346-6400 PLACE YOUR BOAT SLIP FOR RENT AD HERE! $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke@keysweekly.com EMPLOYMENT HIRING: Office A d m i n i s t r a t o r in Marathon. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), experience with QuickBooks or other accounting software preferred and must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Full time – Mon-Fri. Pay TBD - based on skill. Email: Natalie@cecflk.com HANDYMAN WANTEDSeeking a reliable handyman in Marathon for general home repairs & misc. maintenance items. This is a part time position and hours may vary. Must be dependable, expierenced, and have references. Call 305-395-0478 Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a Line Cook. 20-30 hours a week at a private club, primarily dinner shifts, Tuesday-Saturday. $24/hr or negotiable based on experience. Must provide photo ID, social security card, and checking account. Email office@ marathonyachtclub.com or call 305-743-6739 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 service-oriented Server/Bartender. Serve

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Full-time Carpenter, Journeyman Electrician, Protective Service Aide, Grounds Caretaker, Custodian (Marathon), HCV Assistant, Superintendent (Middle & Upper Keys), Assistant Project Manager. 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. 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 HIRED!!! Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time dishwasher. Private club, evening shifts TuesSaturday, 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 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview. HIRED IN LESS THAN THREE WEEKS!!! Specialty Hardware of Marathon - Looking for full time or part time person. Hardware knowledge an absolute must. Must have knowledge of hardware, plumbing and electrical. Apply in person at 10730 Overseas Hwy. Marathon 1-305-743-3382 HIRED!!! PLACE YOUR EMPLOYMENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-743-0844 or Email Anneke@keysweekly.com

2 BR / 1 BA for rent in Key Colony Beach. 800 Sq Ft, fully furnished, public beach access and tennis/ pickleball courts nearby. 6 month min. $2,975/ month F/L/S 786-285-9476 3 BR/2 BA home for rent in Key Colony Beach. 75' premium dock. $4,000/month + utilities. F/L/S 786-229-0228 LONG TERM RENTALS: EFFICIENCY, $1,400/ month, 1 Bedroom $1,950/ mo, 2 Bedroom $2,200 limited elect. included. Located in Marathon. On the water, gated property. Section 8 possible. First/ Security Call 305-610-8002 Studio Rental in Marathon, long-term, partially furnished, price includes internet, water, electric gas, garbage, pest, and lawn @ $1,800/ mo + utilities. Call or text 305-433-0515 RENTED!!! 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 LOT FOR SALE Lot with active permits. Stilts in place. Save money, time, hassles with this private (Hammocks behind, no rear neighbors, ocean beyond) lot cleared, electric, walk to Harry Harris, boat ramp, beach. 186 Dove Creek Drive, Tavernier. $350,000 OBO Owner/Agent 305-9339594 Contigius lot avail. MISC. FOR SALE Scooter For Sale excellent condition, 7,541 miles, all service records, individually owned. $400 OBO. Located in Key West. Call Denny 305-294-5568

HOUSING FOR RENT CROSSWORD SOLUTION

SUDOKU SOLUTION

VACATION RENTAL

2 BR/2 BA Half Duplex for rent in Key Colony Beach. On canal with dockage. Newly renovated & furnished. 3 - 6 month rental. $5,500 month for Winter 26/27. Call 239-285-1639

TURN YOUR CARDS INTO CASH! Marathon collector buying any and all Pokemon cards & collections. Call 401-256-0645. YARD SALES

YARD SALES

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, RISK MANAGEMENT & PUBLIC RECORDS MONROE COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE The Monroe County Attorney's Office is seeking a detail-oriented and dependable Executive Assistant to support the County's Risk Management and Public Records functions. This position provides essential administrative support to the Risk Manager and County Attorney's Office staff, ensuring that insurance schedules, claim files, and public records responses are handled accurately, confidentially, and in full compliance with Florida law. The salary range for this position is $55,354 to $85,798, depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Monroe County offers an excellent benefits package and is a member of the Florida Retirement System (FRS). Apply online: WWW.MONROECOUNTY-FL.GOV/JOBS. For questions, contact Human Resources at: Careers@MonroeCounty-FL.gov or 305-292-4554. Deadline: open until filled. Veteran’s Preference Available. E.O.E.

NOW HIRING IN ISLAMORADA

BOAT RENTAL STAFF

FLEXIBLE HOURS & COMPETITIVE WAGES Need to have experience driving boats and a working knowledge of the Islamorada area by water. Duties include taking reservations, giving captains lessons and routine boat maintenance. Email Matt at eliteboatrentalsmatt@gmail.com. Please include contact information and any relevant experience.

NOW HIRING IN ISLAMORADA

MARINA CASHIER Must have customer service experience working in a retail environment and using a point of sale system. Additional duties include restocking, completing purchase orders, daily ordering of basic items in the store, and maintaining a clean appearance in the store. This is an hourly position and compensation is based on experience. Work hours are flexible and we try to maintain a set weekly schedule. Please respond by email (Matt at islamarinamatt@gmail.com) with any relevant previous experience and at least two references.

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / AUGUST 20, 2026

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • •305.743.0844 YARD SALES

YARD SALES

SARA’S ESTATE SALE: SUMMER SPLASH This estate sale is for beer makers, wine lovers, food growers & DIYers who embrace a coastal vibe and love every shade of blue! The sale is Fri & Sat, Aug 21 and 22 from 9a to 1p at 354 96th St, Marathon. Raised bed planters, pots, composter & huge smoker plus porch fridge & freezer, canning jars. Full size frangipani & pineapple plants for sale. Lots of totes! Full complement of Ryobi tools, plus vac, air compressor, etc. and camo hunting gear. Beautiful nautical art, pretty L-shape blue couch, white king

bed/mattress & bunkbed/ mattress & nautical sideboard. Home office: desk, bookcases, monitor, supplies, crafts. Home brew kits and all the accessories for enjoying wine at home. So much bedding and small appliances i.e. rolling room ac, dehumidifier, tower fan, treadmill (fits under bed!), carpet cleaner, etc. Follow the signs and park with consideration. 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: EXPANDED FUNCTIONS DENTAL ASSISTANT WHO IS DEDICATED TO CHILDREN'S CARE! Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children? Our Dental Center is looking for a Chairside Dental Assistant to join our dedicated team delivering Dental Care in the Florida Keys across multiple sites. Candidate must have dental experience and being bi-lingual is a plus. This isn’t just a job—it’s a promise to our Kids. You’ll work hands-on with children who may otherwise go without essential dental treatment. Services are delivered at multiple school and office sites countywide. This program brings high-quality, accessible care directly to patients who need it most. • Position is in the Florida Keys, full Time (4 days per week) • Competitive hourly wage + health insurance + travel pay • Work with compassionate professionals in a supportive team Send your resume to michael@keysahec.org

WE’RE HIRING 3

NEW KEY LARGO LOCATION NOW OPEN: PIZZA MAKERS

A Great Place to Bank, is a Great Place to WORK!

MARATHON: PIZZA MAKERS

Key West

Full Time Teller

Pizza maker experience is a must. Applicant must be self-motivated, quick learner and team player. Salary includes 401k match up to 6% and negotiable based on experience. Please call Nicole at 305-433-0515 or email nicole@themoongroupfl.com Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Transmission & Distribution Department:

Stock Island

Full Time Teller Assistant Branch Operations Manager

WITH HAZMAT ENDORSEMENT

Please apply at Charley Toppino & Sons, 129 Toppino Industrial Drive, Rockland Key ask for Cheryl, 305-296-5606 ext 126

NOW HIRING! wants you to join their team!

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

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

Islamorada

Customer Service Representative Assistant Branch Operations Manager

SUBSTATION ELECTRICIAN

Apply Online @

(High Voltage Substation Electrical Technician)

KeysBank.com/Careers

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $48.47/hr. - $54.28/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.

NOW HIRING CDL DRIVER

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

Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender

SUNSET GRILLE & RAW BAR EOE-M/F/V/D

7 Knight’s Key Blvd, Marathon

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE

NOW HIRING • DIVE INSTRUCTOR

Diesel Mechanic Truck Helpers CDL Drivers

• TOUCH TANK ATTENDANT • GUEST SERVICES

We are now hiring for the following positions:

Applicants must apply in person to be considered. 4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

Pay: $160.00 per day Guaranteed Pay + Tips + Commission. Affordable employee housing available.

Call 305-407-3262 or email info@floridakeysaquariumencounters.com 11710 OVERSEAS HWY, MARATHON

AUGUST 20, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

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

D'Asign Source is seeking the following professionals. Overtime and benefits are available.

Home Décor Sales Consultant Customer-focused sales professional with experience in retail or customer service. Creativity and interest in home décor a must. Help customers discover pieces that turn everyday spaces into something special.

Kitchen Design Specialist Individual who brings creativity, functionality, and style together in kitchen and bath design. Design kitchens that become the heart of the home. For complete details and to apply, please visit DAsignSource.com/careers

The Guidance/Care Center, Inc. a division of “Uplifting the human spirit since 1973”

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

IS HIRING! JOIN A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE NONPROFIT HELPING PEOPLE COPE AND CHANGE FOR 53 YEARS! We provide Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs to the Florida Keys community while valuing and rewarding our employees.

KEY LARGO Behavioral Health Counselor (Child, FT) Case Manager (Adult)

KEY WEST Crisis Counselor (PT) *Mental Health Technician (FT)

MARATHON Maintenance Specialist (FT) 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

OPENINGS AVAILABLE PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS

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

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

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

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

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

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

APPLY AND LEARN MORE careers.baptisthealth.net

THEME: HAPPY BIRTHDAY ACROSS 1. Thanksgiving tubers 5. ____ Patrol 8. Boohoos 12. Burn soothing plant 13. “Frat Pack” member Wilson 14. ____ ligation 15. Sound an alarm 16. Marvin, Majors and Greenwood 17. O. Henry’s specialty 18. *Marilyn Monroe: “Happy Birthday, Mr. ____” 20. Sporting sword 21. Blue pencil marks 22. Knight’s title 23. *One for every year 26. Custodian 30. Be in debt 31. Stay clear of 34. Accompanies relief 35. #1 Down, pl. 37. Owned 38. Subway in Paris 39. Shore extension 40. Per ____ 42. Even, poetic 43. City in Netherlands 45. Like voice during laryngitis 47. Barents or Laptev, e.g. 48. Noah’s passengers 50. Type of code 52. *Astrological sign for those born on New Year’s Eve 56. Black one and white one, for Tchaikovsky 57. Crematorium jars 58. “The Odyssey,” e.g. 59. Make this, not waste 60. Let it stand, to proofreader 61. Governmental space agency, acr. 62. The windows to the soul 63. Money in Myanmar 64. Theodora or Dorothea

DOWN 1. Bark or yelp 2. Relating to armpit 3. *”...and many ____” 4. Detected 5. *Like 16 6. Hiking sandals of a certain brand 7. Of the present month 8. *Greeting to the birthday honoree, sometimes 9. Bassoon cousin 10. Misery cause 11. Canny 13. Dated tunes 14. Make a logical connection (2 words) 19. Runs without moving 22. Lumberjack’s tool 23. Another word for nutria 24. Look forward to 25. Not as old 26. George Lucas’ warrior-monk 27. Concentration of a solution lab test 28. Shrek and Fiona, e.g. 29. Cotes du ____, wine region 32. Online room 33. As opposed to mishap 36. *”We want your presence, not your ____” 38. New Zealandian minority 40. Cuban dance syllable 41. *Quench it with punch 44. Precedes desist 46. Antonym of descent 48. *Traditional birthday celebration 49. Sleeper’s woe 50. Up, up and there 51. Level a building 52. Crescent point 53. Colorful fish 54. Greet the judge, e.g. 55. March Madness org. 56. Pronoun

CONCRETE CONCRETE MADE TO LAST

MADE TO LAST Proudly serving Key West to Islamorada as the ONLY locally owned and operated concrete company in the Florida Keys.

GET IN TOUCH

Whether you’re building a large commercial building, FDOT bridge, or a customdesigned home, we have concrete mix designs for every project. Thanks to decades of experience, our team can create custom mixes with high-quality additives for specific project needs. We offer the largest variety of materials and operate the only FDOT-certified ready-mix plants in the Florida Keys.

Key West

Call us for all ready-mix concrete, block, aggregate, rebar and bagged good needs.

Monroe Concrete 155 Toppino Industrial Drive Key West, 305-296-9934 Monroe Concrete Marathon 1500 107th Street Gulf Marathon, 305-743-5800