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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.

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The number of performances of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera,” the longest-running show in the history of Broadway. Its 35-year run ended on April 16, 2023.

CAMPAIGN COFFERS ARE FILLING UP A look at Key West’s city races & who’s supporting who MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

t’s election season in Key West, so battle lines are drawn — and checkbooks are out. On Aug. 18, Key West voters will elect a mayor and city commissioners in Districts II, IV and V. As of April 15, no incumbents had filed to run in any of the three city commission races. But with three candidates running in District IV — Sarah Compton, Wayne Garcia and Juan Llera — if no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote on Aug. 18, then the top two vote-getters in that race will proceed to a run-off election on Nov. 3. In the mayor’s race, Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez, who ran unopposed for her first term two years ago, now faces City Commissioner Sam Kaufman in a contentious and expensive contest. While all Key West voters elect the mayor, only voters in Districts II, IV and V will elect their commissioners. Candidates were required to file their latest financial statements on April 10, listing monetary and in-kind contributions received by their campaigns between Jan. 1 and March 31, as well as campaign expenditures. The mayor’s race, by far, has drawn the most financial attention. Henriquez’s campaign had raised $68,890 as of March 31, while Kaufman’s campaign had raised $115,245 as of the same date. Here is a closer look at the support each candidate has received and from which sectors of the community. MAYOR Dee Dee Henriquez (incumbent): $68,890 Sam Kaufman: $115,245

Members of

Danise “Dee Dee” Henriquez Henriquez has received donations from many prominent and influential Conch families and business leaders

in town, including the Spottswoods, Ed Swift, Peter E. Batty, Sam Holland, Freddy Varela, former city attorney Shawn Smith, Arnold’s Towing, Jason and Gregory Barroso, who are city officials and brothers of the city manager Brian L. Barroso. The incumbent has also received donations from Waste Management Inc., which employs District V candidate Greg Sullivan. Key West Theater, Rams Head, Gary’s Plumbing, Penny Walker, Daniel Sujak, Wyland Galleries, Ocean Blue Galleries, restaurateur Bill Lay and Lay Management Co. “My campaign is supported by a wide range of Key West residents, including young generations, working families, retirees, longtime residents and local business owners,” Henriquez told the Keys Weekly. “Our supporters share a commitment to keeping Key West moving forward, including local business owners who employ hundreds of families in our community. Those businesses are essential to our local economy and help sustain working families across Key West. Voters can see the difference between political spin and real leadership.” Sam Kaufman Kaufman has received contributions from prominent donors including author Judy Blume, architect Bert Bender, philanthropist John Padget, David Dunn, JR Fogarty, Misohappy Sushi restaurant, Barbara and Evan Corns, Lynn Kaufelt, JT Thompson (who founded Key West’s One Human Family campaign) and Arlo Haskell, who led the Safer Cleaner Ships initiative against large cruise ships in 2020, and whose mother, Monica Haskell, is the current District I city commissioner. “The strength of this campaign is the people behind it,” Kaufman said in a press release issued following the latest financial disclosure deadline. “This campaign is built on local support, local voices, and a shared commitment to improving our city. We are focused

Keep Key West Beautiful and the Key West Ploggers spend an hour every Friday morning cleaning up trash and recycling from a specific part of town. See page 24 for details. CONTRIBUTED

on honest government, transparency, and making decisions that reflect the priorities of our community. “The vast majority of contributions have come from local residents, underscoring the campaign’s grassroots foundation and strong connection to Key West voters,” the release states. CITY COMMISSION, DISTRICT II Bobi Lore: $10,750 Mark Rossi: $450 Bobi Lore In District II, Bobi Lore entered the race significantly earlier than Mark Rossi, who held the District II seat before Kaufman, who must resign this summer given his mayoral campaign. Lore has received campaign donations from Blume and her husband, George Cooper, as well as an in-kind donation of a photography shoot by Key West’s Nick Doll. He has also received donations from Melissa McDaniel, Lynn Kaufelt, Brian Robinson, Wayne Smith and others. On his campaign website, Lore describes himself as “a Key West business owner and local activist” who will “stand for the working people of this community, who bear the weight of keeping our island functioning at its best, with integrity and genuine care for their well being.” Mark Rossi Having entered the race more recently, Rossi has received donations from attorney Ron Solomon and from the corporation that owns the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. Rossi summed up his campaign in two words at a candidate event last month. “Proven leadership,” he said, pointing to his prior tenure as the District II commissioner, from 2005 to 2015, when he stepped down and Kaufman won an election for the commission seat, which he still holds. CITY COMMISSION, DISTRICT IV Sarah Compton: $24,044 Wayne Garcia: $200 Juan Llera: $9,176 Sarah Compton In District IV, Sarah Compton has been campaigning significantly longer than her opponents, as Garcia just entered the race a month ago. continued on page 6

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Compton has received donations of $500 and $1,000 from Blume, Phil Amsterdam, Barbara Corns, Fred Covan, health care advocate Spencer Krenke and McDaniel. Compton’s campaign also has received scores of smaller donations in $25 and $50 increments. “In the most recent Campaign Treasurer’s Report, about 85% of the contributions originated from supporters in Key West with an average of $160 per donation,” states a release from Compton’s campaign. “These are small business owners, service industry workers, neighbors, people who live here, work here, and are ready for something better. “It tells me people are paying attention,” Compton said. “They’re engaged. And they want a city government that actually works for them.”The support comes at a time when a lot of people feel frustrated and shut out of the process. Instead of checking out, this community is leaning in.” Wayne Garcia The most recent entry into the District II race, contractor and artist Wayne Garcia, has thus far seeded his campaign with $200 of his own money. “Having lived in District 4 for more than 35 years, I understand the challenges our residents face,” Garcia said in a statement. “My top priorities include the cleanup and revitalization of Riviera Canal, improving sidewalk accessibility throughout District 4 by repairing and installing new sidewalks, addressing local flooding issues and developing a thoughtful plan for Little Hamaca Park.” He added that he believes Key West must ensure all of its employees are paid a living wage that reflects the true cost of living in the city. “I’m running for city commissioner to bring integrity to the commission, restore a sense of pride in our community and uphold a commitment to honest, transparent government,” Garcia said. Juan Llera Navy combat veteran, former law enforcement officer and current Keys Energy Services director, Juan Llera has received $500 or $1,000 donations from Arnold’s Towing, Penny Phelps, Dade County PDA political action committee, Waste Management, Bruce Guerdan, Darren Horan, Lay Management Co. and Swift. He also received an endorsement from the South Florida Police Benevolent Association. “Our city commission deserves leadership that listens, shows up and gets results,” Llera said in a social

media statement about his campaign. “I’m running to make our city safer, stronger and more connected, but I can’t do it alone.” DISTRICT V, CITY COMMISSION Chris Massicotte: $36,448 Greg Sullivan: $3,100 Chris Massicotte In District V, Chris Massicotte entered the race significantly earlier than his opponent, Greg Sullivan, who just announced his candidacy in early March. Massicotte’s campaign donors include many of the same people who have donated to Kaufman and Compton, with $500 and $1,000 donations coming to Massicotte from Blume, the Cornses, Dunn. Other donations are from Carol Deford, Bryan Green, commissioner Haskell, Kaufelt, Linda Mewshaw, Padget, Smith, Doll (who donated a photography shoot as an in-kind service) and Tony Falcone. His campaign also has received scores of smaller donations. “More than two dozen contributors are District V voters, the very people who will decide this election,” Massicotte said in a press release. “The average donation was about $200, a clear sign that this campaign is fueled by residents chipping in what they can, not a handful of wealthy or wellconnected insiders with contracts or business before the city. “Massicotte has also pledged not to accept contributions from anyone who has or is seeking contracts or leases with the City of Key West, reinforcing his commitment to independence and accountability,” the release states. Greg Sullivan Greg Sullivan is the senior regional manager of WM, formerly known as Waste Management Inc., which handles the city’s trash and recycling collection. He entered the District V race in early March and has received $1,000 donations from Arnold’s Towing, Gary Centonze of Gary’s Plumbing and the corporation that owns the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. Sullivan told the Keys Weekly last month, “I want to bring good, common sense to Key West and get things done. I’ve been here 31 years. I’ve never missed a hurricane and I think I understand what Key West residents need and want. I’m a nuts and bolts guy. I want to get things done, not postpone things. I’m all about maintenance and doing things that will make everyday life better for the people of Key West.”

DID ELECTION TENSION TURN TRAFFIC STOP INTO SPECTACLE? Commissioner Sam Kaufman admits to speeding & apologizes MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

nly in Key West, and more specifically, only in Key West during an election, does a routine traffic stop become a social media spectacle. So let’s cut through the comments and conjecture to what actually happened when commissioner Sam Kaufman, who is running against incumbent mayor Dee Dee Henriquez, was pulled over for speeding on Northside Drive just before 10 a.m. on April 9. Some Henriquez supporters contacted the Keys Weekly the night of April 10, claiming Kaufman was traveling more than double the 20-mph speed limit, an offense that could have resulted in a reckless driving ticket and four points against a driver’s license. The claims suggested that Kaufman, who is campaigning for transparency in city government and against favoritism, used his position as a commissioner to persuade the police officer not to ticket him. But footage from the officer’s dashboard camera, which the Keys Weekly requested and received from the Key West Police Department, tells a different story. In the video, which lasts less than three minutes, the officer’s patrol car is stopped behind Publix on Northside Drive. Multiple cars and a scooter pass in both directions. Then Kaufman’s Kia Telluride passes, going what looks to be slightly faster than the prior vehicles, prompting the officer to pull onto Northside Drive and activate his lights behind Kaufman’s car, which pulls over immediately near Regal Cinema. The officer can be heard calling Kaufman’s license plate number into dispatch before approaching the driver’s side window. He speaks to Kaufman for 24 seconds, according to the counter on the dash cam footage, then returns to his car without Kaufman’s license or registration. The two cars pull away.

Key West City Commissioner Sam Kaufman’s Kia is seen during a traffic stop the morning of April 9 on Northside Drive in Key West. CONTRIBUTED

Kaufman acknowledged the traffic stop in a Facebook post Monday afternoon, writing, “Last Thursday, I was pulled over for speeding, and I shouldn’t have been driving so fast. I take full responsibility and will be more careful. Like anyone, I’m human, but that doesn’t excuse it. I respect our law enforcement and appreciate what they do for our community. I’m focused on continuing to show up and do the work for Key West.” Kaufman, who’s an attorney, further told the Keys Weekly, “I don’t even know if he recognized me as a city commissioner, but I did not and would never try to use my position to get out of a ticket. “I thought he may have recognized me from a case in which I represented two young women in a stalking case. And the officer had been very helpful to my clients in that case. But I don’t know if he recognized me at all. He told me to slow down. We shook hands. He didn’t ask for my license and registration,” said Kaufman. “I apologized, and that was it. I honestly didn’t look at my speedometer, so I don’t know how fast I was going, and I wouldn’t take any issue with how fast he said I was going. He’s a good officer.” Key West police spokeswoman Alyson Crean told the Keys Weekly that Officer Mike Brablc will receive a reprimand for not activating his body-worn camera during the stop. “I feel badly that he’s getting a reprimand. That’s terrible,” Kaufman told the Keys Weekly. “He’s a really good officer. And I feel badly that the chief is also likely getting pressure with this.” See the dashcam video at keysweekly.com.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

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1. Finbar Gittelman and Julie McEnroe pause for a smiling moment during one of their trips to Cuba aboard the Wolf. CONTRIBUTED

CAROL SHAUGHNESSY www.keysweekly.com

2. Julie McEnroe and Finbar Gittelman ride a motorcycle down Duval Street during a previous year’s Conch Republic Independence Celebration parade. CONTRIBUTED

JULIE MCENROE: A VIBRANT VOYAGE THROUGH LIFE

3. Julie McEnroe (standing, far right) and Finbar Gittelman (back row, second from right) join a crew of Wolf supporters before a voyage. CAROL TEDESCO/Contributed

SOMEONE YOU SHOULD MEET

or decades, Julie McEnroe was “head sea wench” for the 74-foot topsail schooner Wolf, built and skippered by her husband, Key West’s legendary captain, Finbar Gittelman. She partnered with Finbar to coordinate the Wolf’s humanitarian voyages, bringing donated supplies to Caribbean countries hit by hurricanes or other natural disasters; spearheaded the Wolf’s designation as the official flagship of Key West and its irreverent alter ego, the Conch Republic; handled logistics for the vessel’s participation in festivals and tall-ship events in U.S. and international ports; and organized its pirate cruises, specialty day sails, weddings at sea and private charters. A Minnesota native, McEnroe developed a longstanding passion for the Wolf, its preservation and Finbar’s goal of making it a seagoing classroom where young people could learn the ancient art of sail — a passion that still motivates her after Finbar’s death in late December 2024. McEnroe, an event coordinator and marketer by trade, is deeply involved in the annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration, set this year for April 17-26 (See the back cover of this issue for the schedule.). The offbeat festival commemorates the Florida Keys’ 1982 “secession” from the United States and reinvention as the well-loved republic — which Finbar helped lead as admiral, first sea lord and supreme commander of the colorful Conch Republic Military Forces. McEnroe recently sat down with the Keys Weekly to discuss her work, the Wolf’s future and her ongoing voyage through life.

2000s was always magical. One of the first bonds Fin and I had was over our love of the island. We both had been going there since the early ’60s. My parents had met Les Hemingway, Ernest’s brother, at A&B Lobster in Key West. They flew with him to South Bimini to check out lots he was selling, and bought one. Wolf was one of the first vessels to travel to Cuba after it opened in 2016. It was Fin’s first trip spending time in Havana since 1959, and full of emotion. We returned in 2017 and our last voyage was in May 2019. Our voyages were documented in two award-winning documentaries: Matt Dean Films’ “Old Man and the Sea — Return to Cuba” and PeaceVision’s “Cuba Reframed — The Power of Connection.” We also enjoyed many wonderful Caribbean voyages, including sailing Wolf to Grand Cayman for their Pirates Week Festival and Cayman Island’s Quincentennial, and we participated in America’s Sail 2002.

When did you arrive in Key West — from where, and why? My first visit to Key West was back in 1992, after meeting Finbar and crew in Opua, New Zealand, a few months earlier. Fin and I reconnected in 1995, and I moved to Key West from Fort Myers in 1996. I wanted to embark on the voyage of a lifetime with Fin — who moved here in 1973 and would never have considered living anywhere else!

What made you choose event coordination and PR as your career? I was 5 when I planned my first event, a muscular dystrophy carnival. My first hotel sales director job in South Lake Tahoe opened for me the world of destination and event marketing, and I’ve loved it ever since.

Your longtime passion has been the promotion and preservation of the schooner Wolf. What are some of your favorite Wolf-related memories? Sailing to Bimini in the late ’90s and early

What’s ahead for schooner Wolf? Wolf is now in the hands of two capable people and I’m excited to see the ship get a second life. Captain Seth Salzmann, owner of Sunset Sail Key West, grew up aboard Wolf. He and partner Donald Trujillo, owner of 3-D Boatyard, recently took the helm — and I believe there is no better team to serve as stewards of the ship. The Restore the Wolf Campaign kicks off at the Conch-Tail Dinner Party at the Sunset Pier Key West on April 21. Captain Seth is already working with volunteers to prepare her for major maintenance and refurbishing.

How do you want people to react when they attend one of your events? To enjoy being in the moment and have more fun than they imagined possible. And to remember not to take themselves too seriously. It’s important to embrace the whimsical — and whenever possible, laugh till your stomach hurts.

3 After your long career in events, what keeps you energized about new projects? The excitement of seeing an idea and helping nurture it into fruition feeds my enthusiasm and energy. What’s energizing me most now is knowing Wolf gets a second life — and she’ll be teaching new generations the ancient art of sail. What do you do when you’re not working? Enjoy time on my back patio with friends, play with the kitties who adopted me last year, and sort out the Wolf memorabilia we collected over the years. You’ve been in the Keys for many years and have seen significant changes. What keeps you here? Key West’s ability to retain a sense of community among those who’ve called the island home for decades, while welcoming those who continue to feel drawn to it. Plus I love that everyone gets to be their authentic selves — and be appreciated for who they are.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

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jim@keysweekly.com

early $10 million generated by Florida Keys visitors will support projects serving visitors and residents. The Monroe County Tourist Development Council announced on April 13 that projects will get $9.7 million of tourist tax revenue, distributed from Key West to Key Largo across the five TDC advisory districts in the Keys. “This is an example of putting Visit Florida Keys’ money where its mouth is by investing in projects that are significant to residents as well as visitors,” Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln said. A Key West press release detailed three priority projects for phase one of improvements to Mallory Square that the TDC funds will support, totaling $3.62 million. Of that, $1.92 million will support new public restroom facilities, $1 million for shade structures and $700,000 for landscaping and improved aesthetics. “This investment positions the city to make meaningful visible improvements at Mallory Square,” said City Manager Brian L. Barroso. In the Lower Keys, $1 million will support an artificial reef project. Kara Franker, Visit Florida Keys president and CEO, said the project will help get new scuba divers comfortable around artificial reef structures before visiting real coral reef sites. Franker said there will also be an on-land educational component. Marathon’s Old Seven Mile Bridge will get $562,655 for maintenance. With the one-time funds, the TDC’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year includes $1.3 million for commercial air service at the Marathon International Airport. That includes $800,000 for an access control system and $500,000 to match a federal grant for the small community air service development. Recent upgrades to the county-owned airport are headlined by a $30.1 million runway relocation that was finished in October 2025. The move brought the airfield into compliance with FAA standards, separating the runway from the taxiway so larger planes’ wings could pass while traveling in opposite directions. Islamorada’s efforts to enhance the Founders Park boat ramp will receive $750,000 in TDC funds. The project aims to install a second boat launch next to the current one, along with

Mallory Square is packed for two hours during the nightly Sunset Celebration, but largely unused the rest of the day and night. FILE PHOTO

redesigning boat and trailer parking. Islamorada Vice Mayor Sharon Mahoney, who’s been working to bring another launch for local fishing guides, said she was elated by the funding, calling the project a win for residents, guides and tourism. And $2 million will support Key Largo’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park’s new visitor center and aquarium, in which the state is investing $50 million. The project will include interactive exhibits, a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium and wildlife observation areas. Franker said she and TDC chair Diane Schmitt chose “Destination Stewardship” projects in each of the TDC’s five District Advisory Committees (DACs) for these one-time funds. Franker said the projects are so significant to the economy and residents’ enjoyment that they were pulled out of the standard DAC capital funding application process for approval by the TDC and county commissioners. “They rose to a higher level of significance to benefit visitors and residents,” Franker said. Franker added the fiscal year 2027 budget includes a $65.4 million investment in advertising, events, promotions and operations. As for capital grant allocations through the DACs, each will receive a one-time funding boost of 20% to support projects. A total of $400,000 in unappropriated tourist development tax funds will support America’s 250th events in the Florida Keys. In March, county commissioners discussed using unappropriated tourism funds to support events and commemorative activities across the Keys for the nation’s semiquincentennial. The BOCC has determined that this use of funds promotes tourism and is consistent with Florida law.

Carousel A prior to the first arrival of passengers on April 14. CALE HARTLE/Key West International Airport

New rental car service desks in the baggage claim area at EYW.

Improvements also include car rental center MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

f you’re checking bags for a flight into Key West International Airport, expect a less frustrating experience retrieving them. One of two new baggage carousels opened Tuesday, April 14 in what used to be the overcrowded, ground-floor departure area. The second new carousel is under construction and is expected to open this fall. “Baggage Carousel A is built to handle EYW’s record-breaking growth and future capacity,” states a press release from airport spokeswoman Katie Atkins. “The first passengers to use the carousel were

impressed by its efficiency after arriving on Delta flight 1281 from Atlanta, and American Airlines flight 3580 from Miami.” New baggage service offices and rental car facilities are integrated in the space with airline support operations also located nearby. “This is another monumental step in the Concourse A and terminal improvements program,” said Richard Strickland, Monroe County’s executive director of airports. “Coincidentally, the opening of Carousel A happened on the one-year anniversary of Concourse A opening, both elements now drastically improving the transition from aircraft to curb.” The airport’s press release states that the new baggage area allows for better passenger flow; centralizes back-of-the-house airline equipment and support; and improves passenger efficiency.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR SPEAKS AT KEY WEST LIBRARY Maxim Loskutoff discusses his books & essays April 22

Award-winning author Maxim Loskutoff will speak at the Key West library on April 22 at 6 p.m. CONTRIBUTED

uthor Maxim Loskutoff will speak at the Key West library, 700 Fleming St., on Wednesday, April 22 at 6 p.m. Loskutoff is the awardwinning author of books, stories and essays about the contemporary West. His debut collection of stories, “Come West and See,” won the High Plains Book Award, was a New York Times Editor’s Choice, and an NPR and Amazon Best Book of the Year. His debut novel “Ruthie Fear” won the Montana Innovation Award and the High Plains Book Award, received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly and Booklist, and was a Reading the West Award finalist. His second novel, “Old King,” was named a Best Book of Summer by the Boston Globe and Minneapolis Star Tribune, and a Best Book of the Year by NPR and Publisher’s Weekly.

A former visiting writer at the University of Montana and the recipient of fellowships from Yaddo and MacDowell, his writing has appeared in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Ploughshares, GQ and many other magazines. He lives in the Rocky Mountains of western Montana where he was raised. He is a Peyton Evans Artist in Residence at The Studios of Key West in April. This event is free and open to the public. A Monroe County Public Library card is not required to attend. The library has a small parking lot behind the building, with an entrance off Elizabeth Street. The library is also a stop on the Key West Rides on-demand bus service. — Contributed

PILOT UNINJURED IN SEAPLANE CRASH OFF DRY TORTUGAS No passengers were on board for April 11 incident; FAA is investigating

A boat was about 400 yards from the site of the April 11 seaplane crash and captured photos and a video. Boater Dennis Ridderbush reported on Facebook that the pilot had exited the aircraft safely and no passengers were on board. DENNIS RIDDERBUSH/Facebook

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

he pilot of a seaplane that crashed off Dry Tortugas National Park the morning of April 11 was not injured in the incident, and no passengers were on board at the time, said Peter Green of Key West Seaplane Adventures. “The pilot was transported to Lower Keys Medical Center as a precautionary measure. He was evaluated and released shortly thereafter,” Green said. “The Federal Aviation Administration is conducting an investigation. We are cooperating fully and will provide updates when appropriate.” Green added that recovery efforts are underway for the aircraft, a DHC-3 DeHavilland Turbine Otter Amphibian, which was expected to be brought back to Key West by barge on April 14, weather and sea conditions permitting.

SHELF HELP

taff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection. What: “Murderland: Crime and bloodlust in the time of serial killers” by Caroline Fraser Why: Caroline Fraser makes a compelling case for how industrial-scale poisoning of American land, water and air in the 20th century helped create a wave of serial killers, especially in her native Pacific Northwest. This book is a mixture of true crime, memoir and environmental jeremiad, with Ted Bundy – who grew up and started raping and killing women in the Seattle area – at its center. The true crime recountings in this book are creepy as hell. Fraser’s detailed accounting of the toxins various industrial plants and millions of cars were spewing into the air, ground and water, along with a graphic showing the correlation of the crime rates with preschool lead exposure, are chilling. Where: You can borrow this as a regular and large print book, as an e-book and an e-audiobook from the Monroe County Public Library. How: You can request books, including e-books and e-audiobooks, online by logging in to your account at keyslibraries.org. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register online to get one. Questions? info@keyslibraries.org Recommended by: Nancy Klingener, community affairs manager See previous recommendations at keyslibraries.org/post/ shelf-help.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

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heck out the upcoming job fair on Friday, April 17 at Stock Island’s Bernstein Park on Stock Island, 6751 Fifth St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature a number of jobs related to both Naval Air Station Key West and private companies in Key West and the Lower Keys with current job openings. Participants include: • U.S. Customs & Border Protection. • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. • Hilton - Casa Marina & The Reach Key West. • Key West Police Department. • Keys Federal Credit Union. • Lower Keys Medical Center. • Monroe County. • Monroe County School District. • Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. • Naval Air Station Key West Child & Youth Programs.

• Naval Air Station Key West Fleet & Family Support Center. • Naval Air Station Key West Morale, Welfare & Recreation. • Naval Air Station Key West Public Works Department. • Naval Air Station Key West Navy Exchange. • SECO/Military Spouse Employment Partnership. • Joint Interagency Task Force. • Child & Youth Programs with Morale, Welfare & Recreation programs: Fitness & Aquatics, Community Recreation and Food & Beverage will offer on-the-spot interviews and tentative job offers. More information is available at 305-293-4410. This event is organized by the Fleet & Family Support Center and is open to the public seeking civilian jobs related to the military and/or in the private sector. — Contributed

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

KEY WEST’S REX WEECH ATHLETIC FACILITY PROJECT PROGRESSES FRANK DERFLER www.keysweekly.com

ontinued disagreement over a baseball field improvement project by the school district at Islamorada’s Founders Park highlighted the April 7 school board meeting in Key West. School board attorney Dirk Smits said negotiations were “stalled” with the village over the $5 million-plus in upgrades to Founders Park baseball field. “We can just keep plugging away if the board wants, or we can come up with a plan B. I don’t know which one is going to be your preference. We have been back and forth quite a bit,” he said. Smits said that while there have been extensive discussions, the most recent proposal still contains several “deal breakers” for both sides, leaving six or seven major issues unresolved. The fundamental issue is that the village owns the field while the school board will pay for the upgrades — and each wants a large degree of control. A day before the meeting, Superintendent Ed Tierney told Keys Weekly the district is working hard with the village to try and get a deal done. “It’s a complex needle to thread. One entity is putting up money and the other entity has the land,” he said. “We want to get to where the language is palatable for both sides.” The outcome will dictate whether the community can finally move forward with the village council’s proposal or if the school board must pivot to an alternative strategy for the Coral Shores High School baseball team. As of now, the 2027 baseball season will be played on the existing grass field. Pat Lefere, school district executive director of operations, provided a live view of the Rex Weech athletic facility in Key West. The training center structure is essentially complete and stucco

work has begun on the concession and museum building. The project remains on track for completion by Sept. 30. Board members expressed concerns about physical security for students when the museum is open to the public during games, a matter the district office will address as operations are finalized. The school board also honored several community “Great Moments in Education” and received updates on infrastructure and employee benefits. The meeting started with the GEMS recognition of George Fernandez, a well-known businessman and philanthropist, for his commitment to bringing the arts to the Keys. Through his support, nearly 4,000 students experienced live performances this season, including “Jazz at Lincoln Center” and “Puppy Pals.” Key West High School sophomore Zaylee Hayes was recognized for her courage and quick thinking. When a teacher suffered a medical distress, Hayes immediately sought help, an act that likely saved a life. Junior Allens Alexander was celebrated for a stellar wrestling season. With a 37-7 record, Alexander earned a silver medal at the state tournament, becoming only the 14th state finalist in school history. Coach Jerry Harbin received a GEM award for his seven years of volunteer service to the Sugarloaf Lady Sharks volleyball program, which recently captured the Conch Cup with only one loss this season. Following the surprise exit of Illinois-based Optavise from the employee benefits management business, the district conducted a search and announced a recommendation to move to a Tallahassee company, FBMC Benefits Management Inc. Charlene White, executive director of finance, noted that FBMC’s established relationship with the Florida Retirement System will streamline processes for retirees, particularly regarding dental and vision insurance payments. — Jim McCarthy contributed to this report.

LEGISLATORS TO CONVENE FOR CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING WITH NO BUDGET APPROVED JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

State Rep. Jim Mooney said he’s still waiting to hear more about a meeting to discuss the state budget. OFFICE OF JIM MOONEY/Contributed

s talks over a budget agreement loom over the state capital, legislators in the Florida House and Senate will return to Tallahassee to discuss a potential redrawing of the congressional map ahead of the November election. A special session called by Gov. Ron DeSantis beginning Monday, April 20 will bring House and Senate members back to the state capital for the first time since the conclusion of a 60-day session on March 13. Legislators left without approving a budget for the coming fiscal year. And talks over bridging the $1 billion spending difference likely won’t happen between the House and Senate during the special session. The House (HB 5001) and Senate’s (SB 2500) proposed budgets for fiscal year 2026-27 total $113.58 billion and $115.03 billion, respectively. Health and Human Services received the largest portion of funding for the House and Senate’s proposed budgets, totaling $49.33 billion and $49.09 billion, respectively. The state’s combined education programs and services received the second largest proportion of funding, $31.83 billion and $31.80 billion, respectively. State Rep. Jim Mooney, who represents the Florida Keys and south Miami-Dade, said there haven’t been any new developments in terms of when the chambers will convene and pass a budget. The Florida Legislature is constitutionally required to pass a balanced state budget, known as the General Appropriations Act (GAA),

annually during its legislative session, which takes effect on July 1. That means legislators have until June 30 to come to agreement on a spending plan. Mooney said the difference in spending between the chambers is closer than the $3 billion separation between the House and Senate seen during the previous budget cycle. The Legislature ultimately approved a $117.9 billion budget last June, of which DeSantis vetoed $564 million before signing a $117.4 billion spending plan. “We’re closer and we have plenty of time,” Mooney said. “Everybody wants stuff. The speaker and Senate president want things. The 120 House members and 40 Senators want things.” State Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, too, hasn’t heard anything suggesting the budget would be taken up during the special session for redistricting. “The focus, as it stands, appears to be limited to that call,” she said. “That said, I remain optimistic that both chambers will be able to close the gap and finalize a budget before July 1.” In early March, Speaker Danny Perez noted the disagreements in the budget, stating the “House believes we should spend less money; the Senate believes we should spend more money.” Senate President Ben Albritton said the two chambers weren’t too far apart in terms of spending. “If you look at the budget as a whole, there are a couple of silos we’ll figure out,” he said during an interview last month with CBS Miami. Despite the budget differences, both chambers allocated $20 million for the Florida Keys Stewardship Act. Funds support stormwater, canal restoration projects and other water quality projects from Key Largo to Key West. “We don’t ask for anything we don’t have a use for,” Mooney said in relation to the project requests for his district. “If you look at some of the projects that have gotten funded in the state, you’d scratch your head and go, ‘What?’ For us, the money gets spent the right way.” Rodriguez said she expects negotiations to continue following the special session.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

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“Live theater is a thankfully bottomless mine.

Playwrights keep turning out gems year after year, seeking companies to produce their work. Key West is fortunate to have miners like Joy Hawkins sifting through scripts, looking for plays that are cerebral, have a heart and are conducive to the intimate setting of Red Barn Theatre. Written by Sean Grennan, A Rock Sails By is one such gem.

The play revolves around astrophysicist Lynn Cummings, played brilliantly by Mimi McDonald, a woman who possesses a cold and unrelenting dedication to fact and science. Each actor brings humanity to her role, nudging along important conversations about mortality, fact and faith. Opposite McDonald, Jody Orrigo shoulders the role of antagonist with an expert "gee-shucks" affect that is charming without feeling saccharine. Leading the charge though, with the lion's share of dialogue and an equally heavily emotional lift, McDonald delivers her role with integrity and humor. At the risk of spoilers, it can be said with confidence that the final act of the play is everything you'd seek in a gem — shiny, witty, emotional. The play poses existential questions that it wisely doesn't intend to answer. Rather, this play is here to nudge viewers toward their own answers, with a gentle push, a reassuring laugh and a little dose of wonder. On the small stage of the Red Barn, it tracks perfectly. A gem.” — Erin Stover, Keys Weekly REDBARNTHEATRE.COM I 305•296•9911 I 7:30PM I 319 DUVAL (REAR)

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

STORM CHASING

Hurricane Hunter aircraft visits Marathon on NOAA Hurricane Awareness Tour

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

or the first time in more than a decade, the Marathon Airport played host to the massive engines and wingspan of a C130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft on April 14, welcoming public officials, school groups and Monroe County residents for tours. The customized transport plane is used by the U.S. Air Force Reserve to fly reconnaissance missions through tropical storms and hurricanes, gathering crucial data to aid the National Weather Service in accurately forecasting storms and keeping civilians safe. The plane paid a visit as a stop on NOAA’s Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour, bringing together forecasters from the National Hurricane Center, the National Weather Service Key West forecast office and aircraft crew members on stops around the U.S., Caribbean and Central America. “We’ve made improvements to products and services and forecasting hurricanes in recent years, and a lot of it is due to the data collected by these aircraft you see behind me and the hurricane hunters,” said National Hurricane Center director Michael Brennan. “They give us more confidence than ever. “This is the time to prepare for the hurricane season, regardless of what you might hear about seasonal forecasts and how many storms there might be in the Atlantic.” For a complete guide to hurricane preparedness, as well as a deeper dive into the Hurricane Hunter aircraft’s capabilities, see the upcoming Keys Weekly Hurricane Guide, published this June. Hurricane season in the Florida Keys runs from June 1 to November 30 each year.

1 2

1. A C-130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft rests on the tarmac at the Marathon Airport. 2. National Hurricane Center director Michael Brennan reminds guests to prepare for hurricane season, set to begin in less than 50 days in the Florida Keys. 3,4. Flight crews offer tours and equipment rundowns inside the Hurricane Hunter aircraft. 5. Monroe County marine resources administrator Brittany Burtner takes a seat behind the sticks in the Hurricane Hunter cockpit. 6. Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln pops out for a quick hello from the pilot’s chair. Photos by ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

WYATT TRIES IT

WALKING (PART OF) THE OUTLINE OF THE UNITED STATES WITH JACK KADIS

ack Kadis walks with the intensity and maturity of a man many years his senior, but with the confidence and glee only WYATT youth can bring. SAMUELSON I first “met” Originally from the 22-year-old Los Angeles, North Carolina Wyatt Samuelson native through came to Key West his Instagram (@ in 2023. His wife jlkadis). His goal is Ashley is in the U.S. Navy. They’re clear, but dauntawaiting the ing. Kadis plans to arrival of a baby walk the outline Conch in October. of the United States, a journey that will take three years — and many pairs of shoes — to complete. When we connected online, he had made it to Miami, and I asked if I could tag along for a few miles when he was closer to Key West. Happily agreeing, we decided to meet at Baby’s Coffee at MM 15. Kadis keeps to a goal of 12 to 15 miles a day and posts videos on social media. Unlike most 22-year-olds, he’s immediately interesting and surprisingly well-known. Egotistically, I had thought maybe I “discovered” him or something, but before I could even make any introductions, he had already been greeted by Allesandra, who works at Baby’s. She generously offered him and me (I think she was under the impression I was part of his team) breakfast and drinks, even giving him a free hat for his walk. While we chatted and ate before setting off, Kadis was greeted by seven people encouraging him, offering breakfast or wanting to take pictures with him. I asked him if he’d gotten used to people knowing him. “It was weird at first,” he said. “But now I don’t go a day without somebody who knows me or what I’m doing.” Kadis has always been passionate about online content creation. While attending North Carolina State University, he was known as the “Lime Scooter Guy,” riding the electric scooters down flights of stairs. After leaving NC State, he produced a daily podcast on his YouTube channel, and then came to the

COLLEGE HOSTS DINNER & ART SHOW Food & dinnerware are all created by students

Student-created ceramic plates will be provided to guests at the Culinary & Clay event on April 23 to taste culinary creations. CONTRIBUTED Six miles in we stopped for a break at a bus stop, where Kadis, right, answered Instagram comments and shot some content. WYATT SAMUELSON/Keys Weekly

conclusion that walking the outline of the United States would suit him better. His daily Instagram videos track his progress and the day’s adventure. He’ll often show people, like me, joining him on his walks — even if only for a few miles — along with his activities for the day or where he slept that night. Why the outline of the U.S.? He really doesn’t have a reason other than it’s what he thinks is going to be entertaining for his followers. With full bellies, well-caffeinated minds and not nearly enough sunblock for myself, we set out. Though Kadis has only been on the road for about three months, he already looks the part. Rocking a big camper backpack he purchased off Facebook Marketplace, he’s deeply tanned with shaggy hair, a scruffy beard, and the lightness of someone who’s enjoying every step. As we walked, he told me about the day he set off from North Carolina. “I bought a tent from Walmart and had $400 with me. Three hundred of that came from my mom,” he said with a smile. Kadis has a contagious and unshakable drive. We talked for hours about his goals, relationships, loneliness, girlfriends and family. Kadis is dedicated to this journey. He carries four phones: one for music and call; one to track his geolocation (so people can find him on his website,

jackkadis.com); one for his Strava app that tracks his steps, and finally one phone to capture and edit his daily videos. I asked if he ever gets lonely out here by himself. “Yeah, sometimes I get lonely, or I would like a girlfriend or something like that,” said Kadis. “But every time I picture myself in a relationship, I get this insane urge to want to run away and do my own thing again.” Around mile nine, I was beat. I asked my wife to pick me up. Kadis would keep walking into Key West proper, where he had plans to go on a free boat ride later that night. Kadis still has a long way to go, but instead of trekking back up through the Keys and around the dangerous and largely uninhabited Everglades, his followers convinced him (thank God) to take a short plane ride from Key West to Everglades City, where he would continue his journey. On the drive back home, I thought of one thing Kadis said as we were walking. “So many people tell me they wish they could do what I’m doing,” he said. “I’m always confused and ask them, ‘Why don’t you?’” Follow Kadis’s trek around the United States on his Instagram @ jlkadis or his website jackkadis.com, where you can also donate to support his trek.

he College of the Florida Keys will hold an evening of student-crafted cuisine and art. Culinary & Clay: A Mud Pi Celebration takes place on Thursday, April 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Tennessee Williams Theatre on CFK’s Key West campus. This year’s celebration includes a tasting of five international dishes, plus a sneak preview of the 2026 CFK spring art show with music and a cash bar. The tasting menu is posted at cfk.edu/events/. The event pairs savory dishes prepared by CFK culinary students with one-of-a-kind ceramic plates handcrafted by students in the MudPi ceramics club. Each guest selects a ceramic plate for the tasting and takes it home as a keepsake. A sneak preview of the art show, featuring students’ work in underwater photography and ceramics, will be on display. Art pieces will be available for purchase starting April 27 at the exhibit in CFK’s Learning Resource Center. One hundred seats are available for the event. Advance tickets, at $49, are available until Monday, April 20 by contacting CFK’s business office at 305-809-3186 or by visiting the office in the main lobby of Building A on the Key West campus. Tickets at the door will be $65. Additional ceramic pieces and food items will be on sale during the event. Proceeds from the event and sales will benefit the ceramics club and the culinary program. More information is available at 305-809-3515. — Contributed

KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

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22nd Tree Giveaway! Lower your cooling costs and boost your home’s curb appeal with FREE shade trees from Keys Energy Services. When: Saturday, April 18 at 8:30AM (Until they’re gone!) Where: Key West: KEYS’ Service Building (1001 James St.) Cudjoe Key: 755 Blimp Rd. between Valencia & Asturia Rds. The Goods: Choice of 2 FREE native shade trees per customer. First come, first served! Plan Before You Plant: Visit KeysEnergy.com for the list of available trees. Plant with the future in mind, check for overhead lines before you dig. If you have any tree limbs near or striking electrical lines, do not attempt to trim them yourself. Call KEYS so a trained tree trimmer can safely trim the limbs away from lines — free of charge. Need help? KEYS provides free line clearance tree trimming. Call (305) 295-1010 or request service online at KeysEnergy.com.

KEEP KEY WEST BEAUTIFUL IS AN AFFILIATE OF KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL Under Keep Key West Beautiful are four volunteer groups: Key West Cemetery Revitalization Program, Plogging the Keys, Key West Adopt a Spot and the Mayor’s Beautification Committee. KEY WEST CEMETERY REVITALIZATION PROGRAM The Key West Cemetery Revitalization Program, launched by Mayor Danise “DeeDee” Henriquez in December 2025, is a long-term initiative to restore abandoned, sunken, or damaged grave sites within the historic municipal cemetery. The program includes a brick fundraising campaign, community

KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

engagement, and technological improvements for preservation, such as ground-penetrating radar to protect existing burials. PLOGGING THE KEYS Plogging the Keys does cleanups at different locations throughout the city of Key West every Friday morning from 8 to 9 a.m. year-round, and special cleanups on other weekdays and weekends as requested.

KEY WEST ADOPT A SPOT Key West Adopt a Spot allows for local community involvement from residents, businesses, and community service organizations. Someone can adopt a street, a park or even the area in front of their house with a common goal of keeping the trash off the street and out of our beautiful waters surrounding Key West. THE MAYOR’S BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE The Mayor’s Beautification Committee takes on local projects such as trash can painting, repainting of street names on concrete poles and other community projects.

Earth Day 2026

Our Power Our Planet

LET’S GET YOUR TEAM ON THE MAP! Team Tunie Team Basilica Team College of the Florida Keys Team HOB Karen Leach Team Pete Lucy and Friends Team Kristine Team Terri’s B-Earth Day Team KWHS Shannon Duffy Team Team Reef Relief Team Publix Team Conch Republic Marine Army Team Children’s Montessori Team Mayor Henriquez Team Botanical Gardens and IFAS Team Southernmost and The Marker Team Chris Massicotte Team Heidi Davila

THANK YOU TO FDOT AND ALL OUR THAT HELPED KEEP KEY WEST BEAU

KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

EARTH DAY in Key West Calling all residents, organizations, volunteers and businesses to join forces for a Key West Earth Day initiative! Helpclean up our community,commit to a cleanup in your area or volunteer with Reef Relief for a shoreline cleanup.

Event hub and Educational Village at Indigenous Park 1801 White St. 8am-12pm

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April 22

JOIN Reef Relief and Keen for a shoreline cleanup JOIN The Conch Republic Marine Army for a mangrove cleanup

R VOLUNTEERS AND HOSTS OVER THE LAST YEAR UTIFUL. WE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU!

KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026 A dubiously named Cape May warbler seen in Key West recently. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

he cadence of a songbird’s daily life, of its moment-tomoment motions, are generally faster than we can follow. The speed at which they hop from place to place, flap their wings, peck at bugs and gulp them MARK down – even the speed at HEDDEN which they mate – is gener... is a photograally too quick for the pokey pher, writer, and semi-professional human eye. Sometimes you can snap birdwatcher. He has lived in Key a picture of them in motion, West for more freeze a moment in time than 25 years and and space and see somemay no longer thing you’ve never seen be employable in the real world. He before – the way they throw is also executive their wings or point their director of the feet. Usually this is when Florida Keys they are initiating a move Audubon Society. and leaping up. But exponentially more often than not, you miss the shot. Naked eyed, at best you catch a blur. Mostly what you can see are the brief moments between actions. This gets truer and truer the smaller a songbird is. I was thinking about this the other day at Fort Zach when I was trying to take pictures of warblers and getting frustrated due to their inconsiderate disregard of my intentions. It was all zip zip zip, and then whenever one of them would briefly pause, they would be behind a branch, or only their butt would be sticking out from behind a leaf. It was a bit of a relief when I caught sight of a gray catbird shooting across the path. Even though it was a gray blur, I knew it was a gray catbird because gray catbirds are on the bigger end of the songbird spectrum, which meant it was slightly slower than the warblers I’d been failing to photograph. In a quarter of an instant I could size it and catch the fact that the bird was essentially two shades of gray with not even a whiff of any other field marks. I thought I could gain some traction by getting a decent shot of it, and moving on to the more difficult birds from there. But this bird was too frenetic, more amped up than the catbirds I usually see, shooting back across the path into different random bushes. Gray catbirds fall into the category of Birds With Apt Names because they are gray and their contact calls sound very much like a mewing cat. On a scale of one to five stars, I would give them four stars, because while their name is apt, it is a little dull. (This particular catbird’s freneticism made me think it wasn’t so much of a catbird as a scaredy catbird, but that shouldn’t be reflected in species-wide nomenclature.) But it got me thinking about the aptness of different bird names, and I continued on with the rating of them after that.

BIRD NAMES: A CRITICAL CONSIDERATION

Since most of the birds I was seeing had the word “warbler” in their name, the first question was, how suitable a name is it? The name, of course, comes from the bird’s song. You tend to think of warbles as coming from people or creatures who can’t control their voice, voices that are not confident or competent in their output. A warble is generally equated with a trill or a quaver. This is complicated by the fact that New World warblers were named after their superficial resemblance to Old World warblers, but the two families are not closely related. (This is complicated slightly more by the fact that the olive warbler is in neither family. Because someone always has to be difficult. But in the context of this mission the complication is mooted by the fact that in North America, they are only found in Arizona and New Mexico.) To my ear, though, the songs of the Old World warblers and the New World warblers sound like they are generally in the same avian musical genre, with lots of fast clear notes. So it is possible, by modern definitions, that warbler is not quite fit for the species in both families. Except, if you do a deeper dive on the etymology of the concept of warbling, the definition of the term in the 1300s was of “a stream of clear, rapid, gliding, melodious tones.” At least according to one etymology website online. So I’m going to allow it as a suitable descriptor. The most prominent species I was seeing was the palm warbler. They were flitting around by the half dozen. They are probably the most common songbird you see in the Keys from October through May. Usually they are mellow creatures, stalking around in small groups in the grass looking for bugs. But at the park they were getting all aggressive with each other, chasing each other off for no

reason, even though there is no territory or food supply they needed to compete for here. Most likely it was because their hormones were starting to kick in before they migrated back to their breeding territories in Canada. But the name seems inapt, because they don’t breed anywhere with palm trees, and are not seen in palm trees all that often when they are in more tropical climes. Palm trees don’t seem to have much to do with their lives. And I’ve never seen one land on the inner surface of anyone’s hand. So two stars. There were a couple Cape May warblers around – two males and a female that I saw. Their name comes from the fact that the first one described to science was collected in Cape May, New Jersey. Cape May is a wonderful place to bird (the Cape May Bird Observatory is an ornithological juggernaut). And you have to love any city smart enough to preserve its historical architecture. But the species breeds in boreal Canada and winters in the Caribbean. The name tells you nothing about the species except the place where one of them got shot. One star. I caught a few quick glimpses of a wormeating warbler, a name that has always stuck in my craw. Sure, they eat worms, but so do a lot of birds. Why saddle them with such a judgmental name? Two stars. Lest I come off as a total crank here, I did see at least two black-and-white warblers, a species covered with parallel-ish black and white streaks, all of them as clear and sharp as the text on a page of a newspaper. Simple, elegant, to the point. Five stars. Five species in and I find myself out of space. Considering that there are about 10,000 bird species in the world, and around 800 species in North America, this may have to be an ongoing project. But it’s a start.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

Last year’s grants totaled $188K to 11 Monroe County organizations

FDOT HOLDS MEETINGS ABOUT UPCOMING BRIDGE REPAIRS

Star of the Sea Foundation, which operates SOS food pantries in Key West and the Upper Keys, is one of the 15 Monroe County nonprofits that recently received grant funding from United Way of Collier and the Keys. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

Shark Channel Bridge in the Lower Keys, shown here in 2022, is one of eight bridges slated for rehabilitation by the Florida Department of Transportation between late 2026 and late 2029. Public meetings will be held April 23 and 30 in Big Pine and Key West, respectively. CONTRIBUTED

UNITED WAY INVESTS $200K IN 15 KEYS NONPROFITS

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

nited Way of Collier and the Keys recently announced an investment of $600,000 in grant funding to 46 nonprofit organizations across Collier and Monroe counties for the 2026-2027 grant cycle. Of that $600,000, 15 Monroe County nonprofits will receive a total of $200,000, although the United Way declined to release to the Keys Weekly the specific amounts awarded to each local charity. The funding supports programs that align with United Way’s core impact areas in the two counties: community resiliency, financial security, healthy community and youth opportunity. These areas are designed to meet the needs of ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households – working families who earn above the federal poverty level, but still struggle to afford basic needs. “These investments are about strengthening the programs our community relies on every day,” said Tiffani Mensch, United Way president & CEO. “By partnering with local nonprofits, we’re helping ensure individuals and families have access to the resources

they need to navigate challenges, build stability and create brighter futures.” The grant process is led by volunteers who evaluate applications based on its alignment with United Way goals and the potential for measurable outcomes. This year’s Monroe County grant recipients are: • A Positive Step of Monroe County. • Burton Memorial United Methodist Church. • Diocese of Southeast Florida (Hammock House). • Dolphins to Stop Domestic Violence. • Florida Keys Area Health Education Center. • Florida Keys Children’s Shelter. • Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition. • Florida Keys Outreach Coalition. • Good Health Clinic. • Grace Jones Community Center. • Heart of the Keys Recreation Center. • Independence Cay. • Keys Area Interdenominational Resources. • Samuel’s House. • Star of the Sea Foundation. More information is at uwcollierkeys.org.

In-person & virtual attendance available in Big Pine & Key West

he Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will host multiple public meetings that can be attended in person or virtually, to discuss the design of multiple bridge rehabilitation projects along U.S. 1 in Monroe County. The projects include concrete repairs on the beams, corrosion protection and repairs to damaged concrete and deck expansion joints. Construction is expected to take place from fall 2026 through fall 2029.The total estimated cost for these projects is $13.9 million. Schedules and costs are subject to change. Each meeting will include a formal presentation followed by an open discussion. Staff will be available to answer questions in the order received and as time permits. Questions not addressed during the meeting will receive a written response afterward. More information is available from FDOT’s communications office at 305-470-5349; community outreach specialist Jeff Baquedano at

305-470-5477 or Jeff.Baquedano@ dot.state.fl.us; or southflroads.com. Meeting times, dates, locations and links to participate online are below. BIG PINE KEY Thursday, April 23 at 6 p.m. Big Pine Key Community Center 179 Key Deer Blvd. Free parking To participate in the April meeting virtually, call in by dialing 562-2478421; access code: 754-429-322 KEY WEST Thursday, April 30 at 6 p.m. Harvey Government Center 1200 Truman Ave. Free parking To participate in the April 30 meeting virtually, call in by dialing 562247-8421; access code: 739-833-505. Bridge work will take place at the following locations: • Shark Channel Bridge. • North Pine Channel Bridge. • Torch Key Channel Bridge. • Torch Ramrod Channel Bridge. • Vaca Cut Bridge. • Kemp Channel Bridge. • Ohio Missouri Channel Bridge. • Old Seven Mile over Knight Channel Bridge. — Contributed

KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

There is so much action swirling around right now, it CHRIS can be hard to focus on any McNULTY one thing. From world politics to community engageis an astrologer, wanderer, barment to personal situations, it tender and seems everything is in a state advocate for of flux and change. There is queer justice. He an astrological corollary to all is a loquacious of this churning energy. We Gemini with a cozy Cancer currently have seven planets rising. Find him at in the sign of Aries, plus the hearthandheraldsun and the moon. With all astrology.com of this activity in the fire sign of Mars, action precedes planning; impulses are popping off and courage is called upon. This is a time to get things done and worry about the consequences later. It is a time to beg forgiveness rather than permission. It is a time to let go of musty, stale projects and begin fresh tasks that energize our spirits. On April 17, we have the new moon in Aries, which is a time to heal old wounds through new actions. It is an opportunity to make a conscious choice not to continue a cycle of self-abandonment or to bring toxic patterns into the future with you. What is one action you can take under this new moon that will have you taking responsibility for your own well-being rather than sabotaging yourself? As Aries is all about action, under this new moon, it is important to make a decisive action that closes one cycle and opens a new one. Go ahead and cut the cord. You have this one beautiful life. Here are your horoscopes for the new moon in Aries conjunct Chiron. Read for your rising and sun signs. ARIES March 21 - April 19 So much in life is beyond our control, but there are ways to exert our will to ensure that we are getting what we need. What’s one way you can take back the steering wheel of your life? What is one pattern of self-abandonment that you can let go of? This new moon, radically choose strength through vulnerability by getting real about how you hold yourself back from what you want. TAURUS April 20 - May 20 How do you hold yourself back from reaching your own potential? What inner monologue is preventing you from being the best version of yourself? This new moon, spend some time in quiet reflection having a very direct conversation with yourself. Don’t let your inner saboteur have the power any more. You are capable of achieving any goal you set out for yourself. GEMINI May 21 - June 20 It is perfectly valid to say that what you once

hoped and dreamed for is no longer a goal. You can absolutely decide that “this is no longer for me, and now I want to strive for this other thing instead.” You will probably even find that you need to change your social circle around in order to achieve your new goals. Go for it. This new moon encourages you to get honest about your direction and the people walking alongside you. CANCER June 21 - July 22 Your career and/or your public reputation are going through a sunset, but that is only for a fresh sunrise to follow. Your public-facing self should be an authentic reflection of who you are, and if you are going through changes it is perfectly natural for your public status to change. Under this new moon, start that new job, let your reputation change, or drop the public mask that is preventing you from showing the world who you are. LEO July 23 - Aug. 22 Under this new moon, don’t be afraid to alter your beliefs. Faith is something everyone holds in some capacity, whether it is religious, spiritual, scientific or humanist. But faith ought to be somewhat malleable when new experiences provide alternate proofs. Now is a time to actively engage in putting your beliefs to the test and being willing to alter your worldview if necessary. Instill some fresh life into your faith. VIRGO Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 Intimacy is an investment, and investments are vulnerabilities. Under this new moon, you will find you probably need to move either some money or loyalty around. You will probably find that the places you have been investing your time, energy and/or money need to change. You can do this strategically for your own healing and well-being. LIBRA Sept. 23 - Oct. 22 Relationships come and go. Under this new moon, you are being encouraged to end one relationship and start a new one, even if you do not change partners. Something needs to change so you can show up with greater vulnerability and authenticity. Say the thing you need to say or do the thing you need to do. Ultimately, the relationship will be stronger when you show up in your truth. SCORPIO Oct. 23 - Nov. 21 We are creatures of habit, and the habits and routines that we follow ultimately become a part of who we are. A lot of the time, these habits are unconscious. Under this new moon,

CUT THE CORD

though, you have the opportunity to consciously decide what habits and routines need to change. Honestly, they are probably the most deeply rooted ones. Time to drop the bad habits to make room for the healthy ones. SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 The creative human spirit is born out of the tenuous vulnerability of life. The absurdities and joys of existence are woven into every joke, every painting, every song. This new moon encourages you to find your unique creative management of life’s difficulties so you can alchemize your pain into beauty. How can you transform your wounds into flowers? CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 How can you take a more active role at home or with your family? It is in these spaces that we should be able to be our most vulnerable, but that is not always the case. Under the new moon, you are being called upon to make a choice that will allow you to show up more fully with your family or in your home situation. The healthier you are, the healthier these spaces will be. AQUARIUS Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 You’ve got something to say. Perhaps you’ve been holding onto something for a while that simply cannot go unsaid any more. Let it out. If it doesn’t come out perfectly, that is OK. You can always explain or edit, but the most important thing is getting the words out. You’ll be surprised how much better you will feel when you speak your piece. This new moon will support the outcome. PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20 How have you been managing your finances? Does your earning and spending match your core values? Under this new moon, you are encouraged to have a major heart-to-heart with yourself about how your money management can better reflect your needs. Audit your recurring bills, spend more on your health or find a different income stream. First, get real about what your goals are.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

HELP KEEP KEY WEST BEAUTIFUL

Les Steele welcomes all our Snowbirds back to the island for a wonderful Season!

JOIN A 1-HOUR CLEANUP FRIDAY MORNINGS

The April 10 cleanup started at the Key West Woman’s Club on Duval Street and included the side streets between Duval, Simonton and Whitehead streets. In one hour, 78 volunteers collected 166 pounds of trash, 55 pounds of recycling and 4 gallons of cigarette butts. Special thanks to the woman’s club for hosting breakfast inside the historic Hellings Curry Museum. The April 17 cleanup will start in front of Strunk Ace Hardware, 1111 Eaton St., to kick off Conch Republic Independence Days. Please do not park in the Strunk parking lot. CONTRIBUTED

ne hour a week makes a huge difference, and volunteers are welcome every Friday and some Saturday mornings, from 8 to 9 a.m., when the Key West Ploggers clean up a designated area of the island. Gloves, pickers, buckets, vests, hand sanitizer and a parking pass are provided to all volunteers. A troubling number of cigarette butts and plastic bags have been included in recent hauls. Please remember your reusable bags when shopping so we can keep the plastic off the streets, parking lots and, most importantly, out of the water. And dispose of cigarette butts in any receptacle rather than the street or sidewalk, as from there, they easily end up in the ocean. The city of Key West and its residents ask everyone to do their part to help keep Key West beautiful. With simple steps like making sure you bag your trash before putting it in your Waste Management trash cans or Dumpsters, and making sure the lids on Dumpsters are closed, will keep a lot of trash from blowing into the streets. Call Waste Management at 305-296-8297 for any furniture items left on the city right of way. Please pick up around your home or apartment complex. Every

piece of trash picked up is one less that may end up in the ocean that surrounds and sustains our island community. It is not just the large items you can see easily when you are walking, but the smaller items such as bottle caps and cigarette butts that are collected by the volunteers that make the biggest difference. It takes committed community involvement to keep Key West beautiful and we are making progress with every cleanup event and every spot that’s adopted. Call Dorian Patton at 305-809-3782 to find out how your business, nonprofit or club can help. — Contributed

Join a one-hour Friday morning cleanup. All events are 8 to 9 a.m. unless otherwise noted. April 17: Eaton & White streets. Meet in the front parking lot of Strunk Ace Hardware, 1111 Eaton St. This is a joint cleanup with the Green Ops of the Conch Republic. April 24: Mallory Square. Meet at Mallory Square close to the Ocean Key Resort, which is hosting.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

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‘FIRST LADIES MAN’ ANDREW OCH SPEAKS AT TRUMAN’S LITTLE WHITE HOUSE TV producer, author & presidential wives historian shares stories April 16

APPLY BY APRIL 30 FOR YOUNG WRITERS STUDIO Key West Literary Seminar hosts 5-day program for high school students

Young Writers Studio participants from a prior session at Dry Tortugas National Park. CONTRIBUTED Author and award-winning TV producer Andrew Och, known as ‘The First Ladies Man,’ will share insights, anecdotes and the history of America’s first ladies during an outdoor presentation at the Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West on Thursday, April 16 at 5 p.m. CONTRIBUTED

ward-winning television producer and author Andrew Och — known as “The First Ladies Man” for his panoramic knowledge of America’s first ladies — brings his insider storytelling to the lawn of the Truman Little White House, 111 Front St. on Thursday, April 16. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the presentation beginning at 5:30 p.m. Och produced C-SPAN’s series “First Ladies: Influence and Image” and is author of the two-volume series, “Unusual for Their Time – On the Road with America’s First Ladies.” Och has traveled tens of thousands of miles to explore homes, schools, cemeteries — any locale he can identify

that relates to the public and private lives of this unique sorority of American women. Och’s presentation will be followed by a book signing, with books available for purchase. General admission is free. Guests are invited to enjoy complimentary popcorn and light bites along with a donation-based bar. Attendees who bring a canned food donation for the Bahama Village Little Pantry will be entered in a drawing for a ride around Old Town Key West in the Harry S. Truman Foundation’s vintage presidential limousine. More information is at trumanlittlewhitehouse.org. — Contributed

oung Writers Studio is a program for young people in the Florida Keys who want to become better writers, learn about themselves and see their island home with fresh eyes. Participants will spend five full days, June 22-26, exploring Key West and learning about great American authors who have lived and worked here, including Ernest Hemingway, Elizabeth Bishop, Wallace Stevens and James Merrill. The program emphasizes journaling, close observation and sitespecific writing exercises, along with constructive feedback and group critique. Each afternoon includes a writing workshop led by a visiting writer. A special daylong excursion to Dry Tortugas National Park will conclude the week’s site-specific writing. The theme of the program references James Merrill’s poem, “Island in the Works.” Written

from his Elizabeth Street home in the 1980s, the poem is full of observed imagery, a relish for language and a sense of humor. The poem emerges from everyday life in the Keys. This year marks the relaunch of the Key West Literary Seminar’s youth program, which operated in 2018 and 2019 but was paused during the restoration of the historic Elizabeth Bishop House & Garden. The house will provide a classroom space for the young writers. The program is open to students of all levels in Monroe County who will be starting their sophomore, junior or senior year in the fall of 2026. Students who are homeschooled or from unconventional educational backgrounds are also encouraged to apply. More information is at kwls. org/young-writers. — Contributed

KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

WHAT’S COOKING, KEY WEST? Spices add flair to dishes & drinks

FIND A FRIEND AT THE FLORIDA KEYS SPCA

CAROL SHAUGHNESSY www.keysweekly.com

n addition to abundant fresh fish, seafood and tropical fruits, the development of Key West’s signature cuisine benefited from the island’s position as a bustling deep-water port. Its location made it a convenient stopping point for ships from Europe, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean — whose crews and passengers brought exotic spices as well as unique culinary traditions. In addition, when salvagers rescued cargoes from ships sinking on the nearby reefs, those sometimes included spices and spiced foodstuffs. Settlers from Cuba, the Bahamas and elsewhere in the Caribbean also imported their favorite spices and seasonings. Those new and intriguing ingredients eventually helped define Key West’s rich multicultural cuisine, finding their way into favorite local recipes and cocktails. Many dishes incorporating such spices are demonstrated in the Key West Cooking Show’s culinary and cocktail experiences. They range from simple black beans to refreshing light fare like shrimp ceviche. Among them is lobster enchilado, a classic with roots in Cuba and the Caribbean. Focal ingredients are lobster tails, finely diced vegetables and a zesty tomato sauce — enhanced with garlic, oregano, bay leaves, and the Cooking Show’s proprietary spice blends. Other standouts include the seafood risotto that’s a specialty of executive chef Keith St. Peter. Featuring Arborio rice paired with royal red shrimp and grouper, both harvested regionally, the rich and creamy dish relies on saffron threads and cilantro to add distinction and flair to its flavor profile. Scheduled daily at the Cooking Show’s historic headquarters at 291 Front St., both culinary and cocktail experiences combine preparation tips and techniques, “deep dives” into ingredients including spices, and ample chances for attendees to savor the offerings being demonstrated. Some participants in the popular cocktail classes are surprised to learn that spices can play as important a role in drinks as they do in food. Ginger, for example, is used in the homemade ginger demerara syrup that flavors five

TAKE ME HOME?

Chef-storyteller Karl Stahl adds spices to a simmering pot during one of the Key West Cooking Show’s learn-and-dine sessions. KEY WEST COOKING SHOW/Contributed

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.

libations at the Cooking School’s Bar 1. The syrup, blending raw turbinado sugar and varying levels of ginger, provides a depth and appealing “burn” sensation that’s particularly apparent in the bar’s mezcal old fashioned. Allspice liqueur, absinthe and the spiced spirit Jägermeister are other examples — but according to Brad Rouge, the mixologist behind Bar 1’s distinctive cocktail menu, they can’t top the jalapeño nectar that gives the trendsetting spicy margarita its sweet heat. For those who want to make the Cooking Show’s spiced drinks and dishes at home, the proprietary Key West Classic and Key West Caliente seasoning mixes are available, providing a “shortcut” blend that can be used in multiple recipes — and even Bar 1’s signature Bloody Mary.

Beau is a small, handsome adult French bulldog mix. Though much of his past is unknown, he is grateful for the love he’s receiving now and gives it back tenfold. Beau is a member of our “Good Dog Club,” which means his adoption fees are waived and he comes with two free training sessions, a wire crate, a bag of Science Diet food, and 30-day medicine supply (if applicable).

LAST BITES Dish of the week: Cuban Chimichurri. This vibrant, tangy sauce combines cilantro, garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes and other ingredients in a base of extra-virgin olive oil. Versatile and easy to make, it’s often served as a condiment for grilled meats. Helpful kitchen hack: What’s the easiest way to peel a garlic clove for a dish like lobster enchilado? Smash it with the flat side of a knife, and the skin will slide right off. Hungry for more? Visit keywestcookingshow.com or call 305-294COOK.

Meet Paddy, a 3-year-old long-haired guinea pig with a handsome black coat. This little guy is low-key and perfectly content just hanging out by your side. If you’re looking for a sweet, mellow friend, Paddy might be the perfect match.

Spots is a 9-year-old cow cat who holds the title of “grandma of the kitten room.” While the little ones run wild, she’s perfectly content to sit back and watch the show with quiet curiosity. This laid-back girl loves the simple things in life. Though a bit older, she still has much love to give.

Simba is a sweet 12-year-old Chihuahua mix who’s the ultimate lap companion. This gentle senior has a calm, loving nature that makes him the perfect match for someone looking for a laid-back, affectionate companion. As part of our Golden Paw program, his adoption fees are waived. He must be adopted with his best friend, Cookie. Together, they make the perfect pair and will bring double the love.

Lonnie is a beautiful 3-year-old cat with a soft grey and black coat and stunning green eyes. This medium-sized girl has a quiet charm and gentle presence. Whether she’s relaxing nearby or giving you that signature green-eyed gaze, she’s sure to make every day a little brighter.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

BIRTH

JOANNA AND LEVI PATTINSON WELCOME DAUGHTER

LIFE IS SHORT WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Joanna and Levi Pattinson of Key West welcomed their first child, Josephine Dianna Pattinson, to the world at Lower Keys Medical Center on March 25 at 12:39 a.m. Little Miss Josephine was 6 lbs, 1 oz. at birth and 18.5 inches long.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

10 11

1 2

4 5

FASTER THAN THE WIND

Racers battle brutal breezes for third year in 7 Mile Bridge Run ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

top us if you’ve heard this before: It got a little windy out there. For the third time in as many years, racers in the 7 Mile Bridge Run galloped against a gale, battling 25-mph headwinds in one of the country’s most scenic road races on April 13. Familiar faces and a healthy dose of local representation topped the podiums for the 45th annual run. Repeating his 2025 performance, Key West’s Owen Allen broke the tape first overall in 42 minutes, 24 seconds, followed by Fort Pierce native Sullivan Nordheim in 42:32 and Marathon High School sophomore Tony Bursa in 42:38.

Dallas, Georgia native Joanna Stephens kept her dynasty alive atop the women’s standings, leading all female challengers for the fourth year in a row and finishing nearly four minutes ahead of the field in 45:40. Anne Dinsmore of Tavernier crossed in 49:18 for second place, with Melbourne’s Jennifer Halloran finishing in third in 51:11. The course record for the 6.8-mile race is 32:59, set in 1998 by Paul Marmaro. In 2004, Sonja Friend-Uhl set the women's record of 37:15. Racers are tasked each year to “Beat the Bus,” avoiding a shag bus from the Monroe County School District by crossing the line within roughly 90 minutes to allow for timely reopening of the Overseas Highway.

More than 600 volunteers, from packet pickup to start line, water station and finish line crews, combined to make the annual spectacle a success. Entry fees from a field of 1,500 runners, filled within minutes when registration opened online in January, fund thousands in donations by the Marathon Runners Club to Middle Keys schools and youth athletic organizations. For complete searchable results, including finish line photos and videos, scan the QR code here.

1. Denise Pankow welcomes former bridge run champ and Marathon native Aydan Child at the finish line. Child finished 16th overall in the 2026 run. 2. Jessica Mather of Tavernier takes home the top time in the Female 25-29 division, crossing in 54:49. 3. Sarah-Irene Donahue of Clermont, Florida is one of the final racers to ‘Beat the Bus.’ 4. Stiff winds keep the colors waving at the east end of the Seven Mile Bridge. 5. Summerland Key’s Patrick McCarron charges to the finish. 6. Tavernier’s Anne Dinsmore finishes as the second overall female. 7. Key West’s Owen Allen defends his 7 Mile Bridge Run title, breaking the tape in 42:24. 8,9. With 6.8 miles in the books, runners relax with donuts, beer and friends on the lawn at Isla Bella Resort. 10. Mary Ann Nelson crosses the line as the 2026 race’s oldest female finisher. The 75-year-old completed the course in 1:35:12. 11. MHS sophomore Tony Bursa takes third overall. 12. Key West’s Roger Nelson is one of two octogenarian finishers of the 7 Mile Bridge Run, completing the race in 1:46:08. Photos by WildSideOnline and Tom Weber/Smile Event Photography. For more post-race photos, scan the QR code.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

Founded by Betty Debnam

REPRODUCTION All trees have flowers. It is the flowers that make the seeds. Pollen is a fine golden dust from flowers. In order for a flower to make seeds, pollen from the male parts (the stamens) must reach the female part (the pistil). This is called pollination (pah-luh- NAY-shun).

FRUITS Trees need a way to spread their seeds. One way they do this is to grow a fruit that encloses their seeds. Animals carry away the fruit, or they might eat the fruit and the seeds pass through their bodies. The sugary food in juicy fruits, such as apples and oranges, helps new seeds get a good start. Not all fruit is sweet and juicy. A nut is actually a dry fruit with a hard, dry fruit ball around the seed. HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT Flowering trees help the environment and the economy in many ways. Trees: • create beauty; • attract tourists; • provide shade and cooling; • help keep waterways clean; • make food for people and animals; • provide shelter for animals; • produce oxygen; • provide fuel for cooking and heating.

ARBOR DAY Arbor Day celebrates the importance of trees. National Arbor Day falls on the last Friday in April. Each state also has its own Arbor Day. Many states in the southern United States celebrate it in February or March. Many northern states celebrate it in May. Arbor is a Latin noun meaning tree. ARBOR DAY HISTORY Arbor Day was started in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton, a journalist and politician in Nebraska. At that time, the state had few trees, and settlers missed them. Morton urged Nebraskans to have a treeplanting holiday. On the first Arbor Day, the people in that state planted more than 1 million trees. In 1885, Nebraska named it a legal holiday, to be celebrated on April 22, Morton’s birthday. In 1970, President Richard Nixon declared that Community members plant Arbor Day would trees together in Baltimore. be celebrated nationally on the last Friday in April.

Photo by Scott Kashnow

BLOOMING TIME Most trees bloom in the spring. However, some trees, such as the hazelnut, bloom in late winter. Others, such as some magnolias, bloom during the spring and the summer. Trees might also bloom when something goes wrong with their environment. For example, hurricanes can strip the leaves off many trees. Afterward, some of these trees may start to flower, even if it’s the wrong season for blooming. Sometimes during mild winters, trees flower early. But if snow and ice come after the flowers are out, these flowers may die. When it warms up again, trees can start growing leaves, but they may not be able to produce fruit.

After the pistil receives the pollen, it can make seeds. Some tree types have male and female flowers on the same tree. Others Flower buds on an apple tree. have only female flowers or male flowers.

Photo by Markus Bernet

In spring, many flowers begin blooming on the ground and in the trees. Have the trees in your neighborhood burst into bloom yet? The Mini Page celebrates Arbor Day, April 24, by taking a close look at the beautiful trees of spring.

Photo by Bernard Dupont

SPRING’S BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS

Image courtesy Arbor Day Foundation

MINI FACT: This wisteria tree (left) grows in South Africa, where it blooms between August and January.

RESOURCES ON THE WEB • arborday.org/youth-education AT THE LIBRARY • “Spotting Trees” by Angela Lim • “Real Trees” by Jamie Breedlove

FIND IT ARBOR, BEAUTY, BLOOM, BUDS, FLOWER, FOOD, FRUIT, FUEL, HOLIDAY, OXYGEN, PETAL, PISTIL, POLLEN, SEEDS, SHELTER, SPRING, STAMEN, TREE.

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

L X F O O D F N A V

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

L F C I D A T Z B S B I I T L P T U N E L E W O A R B I L E

Z Y U U Y O L L O U

J F N R W E H K G Y C Y D K X J S O O P N F M D R P K F E C

ECO NOTE Scientists have found evidence that great apes can engage in pretend play, a cognitive skill once thought unique to humans. Experiments led by Johns Hopkins University researchers showed that a language-trained bonobo named Kanzi could track imaginary objects, correctly identifying the location of pretend juice and grapes in most trials. Kanzi still consistently chose real food or drink when given the option, indicating he could distinguish imagination from reality. The study suggests that the ability to form mental images of things that are not physically present may date back 6 million to 9 million years to a common human-ape ancestor. Adapted with permission from Earthweek.com

KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / APRIL 16, 2026

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LAST CHANCE TO FLY Track teams prep for postseason | P.8

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APRIL 16, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

THE SCOREBOARD

APRIL 6 - 12

Team

Sport

Opponent

Date

Result

Marathon

Baseball

Downtown Doral

4/6

W, 12-1

Coral Shores

Baseball

ABF Academy Hialeah

4/6

L, 3-0

Marathon

Softball

Ransom

4/7

W, 16-1

Key West

Girls Lacrosse

St. Brendan School

4/8

W, 10-9

Coral Shores

Girls Lacrosse

Ransom Everglades

4/8

L, 19-6

Key West

Baseball

Stoneman Douglas

4/9

L, 3-2

Key West

Boys Lacrosse

Coral Shores

4/9

W. 14-5

Marathon

Baseball

Downtown Doral

4/9

W, 10-0

Coral Shores

Softball

Ransom Everglades

4/10

W, 14-4

Key West

Softball

King’s Academy

4/10

L, 5-3

Marathon

Baseball

Miami Country Day

4/10

W, 13-3

Key West

Softball

LaBelle

4/10

L, 8-5

Key West

Girls Lacrosse

Palmer Trinity

4/10

L, 15-5

Coral Shores

Softball

Mater Bay Academy

4/11

W, 18-1

Key West

Softball

Doral Academy

4/11

L, 13-1

Key West

Softball

Stoneman Douglas

4/11

W, 5-1

Key West

Boys Lacrosse

Westminster Christian

4/11

L, 13-6

THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS

APRIL 16 - 23

Date

School

Sport

Opponent

Start Time

4/16

Key West

Baseball

Possible District Championships

TBA

4/17

Coral Shores

Softball

Everglades City

6 p.m.

4/17

Coral Shores

Baseball

Possible District Championships

TBA

4/17

Key West

Softball

Lake Wales

7 p.m.

4/17

Marathon

Baseball

Possible District Championships

TBA

4/18

Key West

Softball

Lake Wales

11 a.m.

4/20

Marathon

Softball

@ South Homestead

4 p.m.

4/21

Coral Shores

Softball

Marathon

5 p.m.

4/22

CSHS & MHS

Boys Weightlifting

Regionals @ Keys Gate

8 a.m.

4/23

Marathon

Track & Field

Districts @ Palmer

9 a.m.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Max

CHILDRESS

Senior, Marathon Boys Weightlifting

Max has worked tirelessly to perfect his form and become the strongest on the team. He has also matured into a great senior leader. I’m really proud of him and looking forward to watching him compete at regionals.” – Jessie Schubert, Marathon head coach

district titles

715 pounds lifted

ON THE COVER

APRIL 16

Marathon eighth grader Maverick McDonald launches himself in the pole vault event at a last-chance meet at Key West High School on April 10. See page 8. ROCKY GONET/Keys Weekly

Marathon strongman Max Childress may need to clear some space on his shelves. The talented senior added to his growing medal collection of hardware after sweeping both the traditional and Olympic titles at the FHSAA 1A District 16 Championships. A fixture in Marathon’s weight room year-round, Childress has dedicated himself fully to the sport. He earned his dual titles with three powerful lifts: a 175-pound snatch, a 275-pound clean and jerk and a 265-pound bench, outlifting the competition in both events. Using weightlifting’s pound-for-pound scoring system, Childress placed second in each discipline. With different lifters taking the top spot in each, his combined performance made him the strongest overall lifter in District 16. With his dual district titles, Childress secured a return trip to regionals and, based on his current totals, is in position to make another run at the state meet. For his dedication and relentless work ethic, Marathon’s Max Childress is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

Photo by NATALIE DANKO/Keys Weekly

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / APRIL 16, 2026 SPORTS WRITER

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

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

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Graphic Design

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com

Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

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

MARKET EDITORS

Marathon - Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844

Se habla español

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.

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

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

END OF THE ROAD Lacrosse season comes to a close in playoffs

he Lady Conchs lacrosse squad made it clear that one week can make all the difference in their FHSAA 1A District 16 quarterfinal matchup with St. Brendan School. On March 31, the Sabres beat the Conchs by eight, but Key West used high spirits and impeccable timing to upset St. Brendan on April 8 despite trailing for a majority of the game. Coach Marissa Giacopuzzi said the team was, “locked and loaded, looking for a redemption win,” and that’s just what they got. The Sabres came out with fire and led by five goals at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Conchs fought back, narrowing the gap to two goals by halftime, then just one at the end of the third quarter. Key West hit the gas and never let up, taking the lead with three and a half minutes left in the game and holding on for the win. “Redemption wins are sweet,” said

Giacopuzzi of the 10-9 quarterfinal victory that put the Conchs into the semis. Mavis Bishop led the scoring with four goals. Teagan Shea netted three and Eisley Whitehead, Taylor Gibson and Colbie Turner accounted for the rest. Bishop and Althea Olsen picked up five ground balls each and Gibson added four in the big win. On April 10, it was the Palmer Trinity Falcons who earned the sweet redemption win, defeating the Lady Conchs in the semifinals and earning a playoff bid. The Falcons got off to a furious 8-0 first quarter, leaving Key West with a deficit they could not overcome. The Conchs struggled with possession and took just eight shots on goal. Five found their mark, including three from Gibson and one each from Turner and Shea. Gibson was credited with an assist and Eisley Whitehead assisted on two in the 15-5 loss. The defeat put the Lady Conchs at 7-9

APRIL 16, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

1. Carlo Vernieri (4) leads Zane Martinez (3) and Nathaniel Shugarman (13) on a chase for the ball. 2. Zachary Payne (7) battles through Coral Shores defenders. 3. Kieran Smith (20), Carlo Vernieri (4) and Brady Wright (12) keep the ball away from Henry Garfield (16). 4. Key West’s Raffael Rice (21). 5. Junior defender Grace Holtkamp (7) and senior captain Colbie Turner (2) disrupt the St. Brendan offense Apr. 8 in the team’s come-from-behind playoff win. 6. Senior captain Adriana Dall takes control in the Conchs’ April 8 quarterfinal game against St. Brendan. 7. Adriana Dall fights for possession in the Conchs’ quarterfinal win against St. Brendan on April 8. Photos by Marissa Owens and Rocky Gonet

for the season, and according to Giacopuzzi, the team will waste no time preparing for the next. “It’s what we do in the offseason that matters, what we do when no one is looking,” she said. For the Lady ’Canes, the journey ended April 8 at Ransom Everglades. The Hurricanes, ranked seventh in the district, faced No. 2 Ransom in the quarterfinals, and despite a strong effort from the team, Coral Shores came up short, losing 19-6 to the Raiders. For Monroe County’s two boys lacrosse teams, there was only room for one team to move on past round one of district play. The teams faced one another in the FHSAA 1A District quarterfinals April 10 in Key West’s Backyard. Key West led early and maintained that lead the entire game, outscoring the Hurricanes 14-5. Carlo Vernieri netted six goals to lead the Conchs in scoring. The junior captain also picked up nine ground balls in the matchup. Zach Payne scored three, Sawyer Hill logged two and Mateo Lopez, Max Louchheim and Kai Woods had one goal

5 6

“The energy, enthusiasm, and heart these girls displayed was exactly the boost we need to play another day. I am so proud of them – the way they rallied together for the team unselfishly and came out on top was so beautiful to witness.” — Marissa Giacopuzzi, Lady Conchs head coach

each. Lopez, the team’s starting goalkeeper, registered 13 saves before trading sticks and storming the field for his goal. While Lopez was taking shots offensively, Roger Mendoza covered the goalkeeping duties, saving two shots. Senior captain Kieran Smith was credited with one assist and picked up eight ground balls, and Raffael Rice and Brady

Wright were dominant in faceoffs, with both winning more than half. Rice won six and Wright five. For Coral Shores, the loss meant the end of the road, but not before seniors Nathaniel Shugarman, Christian Gonzalez and Finn McDonough netted their final goals as Hurricanes. Shugarman scored two while Gonzalez added one goal, one assist and four ground balls. McDonough was good for two assists and three ground balls. Junior James Mitchell scored a pair of goals and senior goalkeeper Brock Bynum was tremendous in goal. Bynum picked up six ground balls and recorded 15 saves in his final high school game. The ’Canes ended with a solid 11-6 record. Key West’s win kept them alive in the playoffs. They played Westminster Christian, the topseeded team in the district, the following day in the semifinals. The Conchs did not have the same momentum that carried them past Coral Shores, and fell to the Warriors 13-6. Key West finished 11-5 in what head coach Alberto Piceno described as “a good season, overall.”

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / APRIL 16, 2026

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DIAMOND DRIVE M

Keys teams build momentum as they roll into postseason onroe County’s three baseball squads closed their regular seasons with more than a few individual milestones as they looked toward postseason goals. Marathon capitalized on Downtown Doral’s limited space on April 6 with three home runs, but the hitting did not stop there. The Dolphins registered nine hits in total – three from junior Roco Piscetello, who claimed one of the bombs. Eighth grader Miles Murphy and senior Massimo Quargnali accounted for the other two. The shorter outfield on the road wasn’t the only thing sparking the homerun rally. “We looked back and did the math, and the team had five home runs total in six seasons. This season we have eight already,” said Fins head coach Joey Gonzalez. He also said Murphy’s long ball was the first he knows of from a middle school athlete. By the end of the mercy-rule win, Quargnali added another hit and a walk to bat 1.000 in the 12-1 five-inning rout. Dylan Williams, Jack Chapman and Bradley Buigas each singled. Chapman pitched for the win, with one and onethird innings of relief from Piscetello. Three days later, Downtown Doral made the trip to the Keys for a rematch that did not go in their favor. The Fins dispatched the other Dolphins 10-0 in five innings. Buigas and Piscetello registered two hits each, with one each from Chapman, Curren Nicolay, Williams, Reef Rella and Jason Stubblefield. Piscetello and Rella joined forces on the mound. The win was especially sweet as it was the team’s Senior Night and marked a milestone for both head coach Joey Gonzalez and his brother and assistant coach, Luis Gonzalez Jr. The victory was number 100 for the broth-

ers, whose seven years at the helm of Dolphin baseball included a district championship last season and the No. 1 seed heading into this year’s postseason. But the Fins were not finished yet. On April 10, it was another five-inning mercy-rule win for Marathon. Chapman logged his first career homer on an inside-the-park shot that scored two for Marathon. It was one of three hits for Chapman in the 13-3 win over Miami Country Day. Piscetello added a single and a triple and Williams and Murphy had one base hit apiece. Williams got the win in his four innings of work. He struck out nine and walked four, giving up three hits and three runs before Chapman slammed the door on the Spartans. Marathon’s top seed in Rural District 8 earned them a bye in the quarterfinals; on April 15, the Fins faced the winner of the Glades Day vs. Moore Haven game in the semis with a hopeful shot at a district title repeat on April 17 (results not available at press time). Coral Shores played one game last week, losing at ABF Academy Hialeah. A strong Cowboys pitcher stymied the Hurricanes’ hitting, but Keller Blackburn and Brayden Turner each managed a single. Riley O’Berry had his own impressive performance on the mound, striking out four, walking three and allowing five hits and three runs over six innings, but the Cowboys rode away with the 3-0 win, leaving Coral Shores hungry for a playoff win this week. FHSAA’s five-team 2A District 16 made the quarterfinals a breeze for the Hurricanes; the team, ranked third, received a quarterfinal bye. Their first postseason opponent, Keys Gate, was the No. 2 team in the district. The winner of the semifinal game April 15 moved on to the district championships on

APRIL 16, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS April 17 (results not available at press time). Key West played just one game last week, making the trip to 7A Stoneman Douglas for what has become a much-anticipated rivalry each season. The teams took a raincheck mid-week but managed to get in a full game later in the week. Donovan Thiery started on the mound for the Conchs, fanning eight, walking three and surrendering four hits and two runs over five innings. Kade Maltz closed it out with one inning of work. Jackie Niles led the charge with two hits while Roman Garcia and Thiery added one hit and one RBI each. Nelson Ong accounted for one Key West hit, but a strong force on the mound for Stoneman Douglas held Key West to five hits. The pitchers’ duel made for an exciting matchup, but unfortunately for Key West fans, it ended in a 3-2 Stoneman Douglas win. The matchup between the schools, particularly their senior pitching talent, did not disappoint. Scouts were in the crowd to check out the pair of aces, both of whom are committed to D1 schools and are raising eyebrows of pro teams hungry for South Florida talent. Gio Rojas, of Stoneman Douglas, will be at the University of Miami next year while Thiery, who toyed with the U and other top schools, chose Florida State for his next stop. According to one scout, the hurlers had comparable arsenals, and Thiery’s giant 6’5” frame and ability to mix up his weaponry garnered mention. Thiery and the Conchs will rely on that arsenal to see them through the postseason as Key West works toward its long-sought 12th state title. The Conchs now turn to the FHSAA 4A District 16 Championships, where they received a well-earned top-seed bye in the quarterfinals. Their first challenge in postseason play will be the winner of South Miami vs. Hialeah-Miami Lakes on April 15 with the title game held the following night.

1. Joey Gonzalez, left, and Luis Gonzalez Jr. reach the 100-win milestone with a victory over visiting Downtown Doral April 9. 2. Key West’s Donovan Thiery, left, and Gio Rojas have more history together than just last week’s showdown at Stoneman Douglas; the pair of aces met up at the East Coast Pro scouting event last August. 3. Scouts in the crowd at Stoneman Douglas have all eyes on the mound as they check out Donovan Thiery and Gio Rojas last week. Photos by Michelle Thiery and Justice Lee

REGULAR-SEASON RECAP Marathon Rural District 8 No. 1 seed 16-8-1 record Key West 4A District 1 No. 1 seed 21-4 record Coral Shores 2A District 16 No. 3 seed 7-9 record

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / APRIL 16, 2026

FINAL COUNTDOWN Tracksters take their mark in final regular-season meets

n the final week of regular-season meets, Keys teams made their last chances count with strong races and finishing touches as teams head into their respective district championships. Marathon sent a limited crew to Tavernier on April 7 to compete against Coral Shores in the final home meet of the season for the ’Canes. The Hurricanes outscored the Dolphins 70-43 in the boys competition, winning six individual events and two relays. Daniel Fernandez was the fastest man on the track that afternoon, sprinting to an 11.83-second finish in the 100-meter dash. Adrik Mayer won the 200 in 23.77 seconds. Colton Connolly finished the 400 in 54.77 seconds and Alaric Rodriguez completed the 400 hurdle race in 1:01. Xavier Johnson was the 110 hurdle winner, finishing in 16.9 seconds. Mayer, Connolly, Rodriguez and William Roberts joined forces for a win in the 4x100 relay. Roberts replaced Will Theis in the 4x400 for a final win on the track for Coral Shores and Mikel Castellanos picked up the team’s lone field win with a 37’ 8.75” toss in the shot put. In what has become their signature pattern, Marathon’s boys picked up a majority of their wins in the field and distance events. Lucian Burns won the 800 in 2:05 and the 1,600 in 4:37, then ran a leg of the Fins’ winning 4x800 relay, making himself the biggest winner of the day. Kaleb Blakley, Tony Bursa and Landon Anderson were also part of the winning relay. Eian Batzer’s 5’ 5.75” high jump was good for a first, as was Maverick McDonald’s 8’ 4.25” pole vault. Sean Nelson

won for Marathon in the long jump (18’ 7”) and discus (106’ 4”) to round out the Dolphins’ winners. The Lady ’Canes won the meet 45-37 with individual wins on the track from Niveah Howard in the 100 (13.92 seconds), Jenna Mandozzi in the 400 (1:10) and Sammy Bates in the 800 (2:45), plus a pair of firsts in the 100 and 400 hurdles from Julieanna Oddo. Oddo finished the shorter race in 17.81 seconds and the full lap in 1:29. Howard, Oddo, Grace Goodwin and Kate King teamed up in the 4x100 relay for the final team win. Marathon’s Tia Hawkins, a seventh grader, won the 200-meter race in 30.09 seconds and classmate Molly Joly won two events, the 1,600 (6:06) and the 3,200 (13:17). Joly’s 1,600 time broke her own school record. Justice Lee Isom also won two events in the shot put (40’ 9.75”) and discus (107’ 4”). The senior’s shot put toss, a personal best, pushed Lee Isom into the No. 1 spot in FHSAA’s 1A. Key West hosted a last-chance meet on April 10, and three other schools took advantage of the final day of the regular season. The 2A Conchs and ’Canes and the 1A Fins joined 3A Archbishop McCarthy in the Southernmost City, with Key West easily winning the girls competition and Archbishop McCarthy taking the top spot for the boys. Key West’s Walson Morin won the 200-meter dash in 22.39 seconds, then Prometheus Delacerda went the distance in the 3,200, finishing the eight-lap race in 11:21. Jorge Sanchez won the 110 hurdles in 18.54 seconds, then cleared

1. Marathon’s Kevin Contreras (4) finishes the open 400 in front of Allan Taylor. 2. Ali Wheatley, left, and Aly Camargo sprint it out in an exciting 800-meter race. 3. Conch pole vaulter Maya Gray makes good on her attempt. 4. Marathon’s Colton Huff wins his heat at Key West’s April 10 meet. 5. Coral Shores’ Tomas Gonzalez sprints in front of Key West’s Alvin Annylesse in the 200-meter dash. 6. Key West’s Scotty Meir rides out the final portion of his triple jump. ROCKY GONET/Keys Weekly

APRIL 16, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

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Ekon Edwards

Fredy Flores

Isaak Vallejo

Matthias Martinez Velez

Max Childress

DISTRICT DOMINANCE

Coral Shores wins dual championships in boys weightlifting

the bar in pole vault at 12 feet for two Conch wins. Jeff Dejean won the long jump with a 21’ 2” leap, Christopher Barter won the discus event (111’ 6”) and Leo Batista claimed first in shot put (45’ 5”). The Conchs’ 4x400 relay team made for the final Key West win of the day. Hurricane seniors Mayer and Rodriguez each notched a win for Coral Shores. Mayer won the open 400 in an impressive 52.43 seconds and Rodriguez broke the one-minute barrier in the 400 hurdles in 59.93 seconds, setting a new school record in the process. Lady Conch Mirakle Humphrey was the fastest finisher in the shortest race, the 100-meter dash, crossing the line in 13.36 seconds. Violet Jangraw did the same in the longest race, finishing the 3,200 in 13:37. In the field events, Damarla Thompson won the long jump with a 16’2” leap and Jordan Greene’s 32’ triple jump gave her the win. Ariel Newton cleared the bar in pole vault at 12 feet and Audrey Smith tossed the javelin 114’ 11” for the final wins for Key West. Lady ’Cane Ali Wheatley ran the 800 for a PR and a win, edging Key West’s Aly Camargo by two-hundredths of a second in 2:31.33. Julieanna Oddo also had a personal best of 17.78 seconds in her winning 100-meter hurdle race. Coral Shores also won the 4x800 relay event. Joly had Marathon’s only track win, with a 5:56 personal best in the 1,600. Daysi Williams was first in the high jump at 4’10” and Lee Isom won a pair of throwing events, making her the big winner for the Dolphins. Lee Isom tossed the shot 37’ 5”, then threw the discus 111 feet. Key West and Coral Shores headed right into districts on April 15 at Southridge Park (results not available at press time). Marathon competes April 23 at Palmer Trinity.

oral Shores and Marathon chalked their hands and fastened their weight belts on April 11 at the FHSAA 1A District 16 Championships, held at Key Largo School. When the final lifts were tabulated, the Hurricanes were crowned dual district champions, while Marathon finished third in both events. Eight individual Keys athletes earned gold medals, securing their spots at regionals and remaining in contention for state medals. Coral Shores’ Kyle Derobertis won both events in the 129-pound class, totaling 280 pounds lifted in Olympic and 325 in traditional. Mason Aussubel was the Hurricanes’ other dual winner, lifting 265 in Olympic and 315 in traditional in the 238-pound class. At 219, Fredy Flores and Nicholas Calderon split titles, with Flores winning traditional (485 pounds) and Calderon taking Olympic (360). Ekon Edwards added another gold for Coral Shores with a 405-pound effort in Olympic at 199. Marathon’s Max Childress was the Dolphins’ lone dual champion. Competing at 183 pounds, Childress won traditional with a 540-pound total and Olympic with 450. Isaak Vallejo captured a district title in traditional at 199 pounds with a 570-pound lift. Matthias Martinez-Velez rounded out Marathon’s champions, winning the 139-pound traditional competition with 400 pounds lifted. Other notable performances for Marathon included Jason Doss, who placed third in both events at 119 pounds. Evan Toman (129) finished second in traditional and third in Olympic, while Roland Gonzales (199) took third in both. Trevor Wofsey (Unlimited) earned silver in both events to round out the top Dolphin finishers. Top Hurricane finishers included Jake Companioni, who earned silver in traditional and bronze in Olympic at 169, and Aaron Lykins, who mirrored that performance at 183. Edwards added a silver in traditional, while Flores and Calderon each earned silvers in their weight class, Flores in Olympic and Calderon in traditional. The eight district champions automatically advance to regionals April 22 at Keys Gate Charter School. The remaining athletes must await results from the other three district meets to determine the wildcard qualifiers.

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / APRIL 16, 2026

RACKETS READY Tennis teams head into districts after strong season on the courts

he Florida Keys’ three tennis squads closed the regular season with familiar rivals to prep for district play. Key West hosted Marathon on April 6 and dealt a courtside crush to the Dolphins. The boys won 6-1, with singles wins from John Picco, Nathaniel Bergh, Hubert Konopka and Jack Bridger. Picco and Andrei Lehene teamed up in No. 1 doubles and Bergh and Ben Delostrinos did the same in No. 2 doubles for another set of wins for the Conchs. Marathon’s Kase Daughtry had the lone Fins win against Key West in the No. 4 singles match. The Lady Conchs didn’t allow any Fins wins, blanking the Dolphins 7-0. Eva Drozdetskaia, Miah Apperson, Avery Batty, Beyza Atilla and Amina Erik won in Nos. 1 through 5 singles; Drozdetskaia and Hamida Muhsinova won in No. 1 doubles and Monea McLeod and Durdona Oblokulova made the clean sweep with a win in No. 2 doubles. The following day, the Conchs delivered another one-two punch to visiting Coral Shores. Wyatt Bartels, Mason Martel and Bridger won in singles, with Bartels and Bridger plus Martel and Daniel Morales teaming up to keep the ’Canes off the scoreboard. The girls matchup was closer, with Key West coming out on top by a single match. Muhsinova won in No. 1 singles for the Lady Conchs, then Kaiyenna de Ron got on the board for the Hurricanes in No. 2 singles. Fellow ’Canes Jillian Thiery and Vanesa Gabriel made it three wins for Coral Shores. But Shihan Ren’s win in No. 5 singles plus doubles wins from Muhsinova and Batty plus McLeod and Ren gave Key West a 4-3 win. On April 9, Coral Shores traveled to Marathon for the final regular-season matches for Keys teams. The Hurricanes got on the board first with a win from Garrett Gomila in the No. 1 singles match and added a second win from Parker Smith in No. 5 singles, but the Fins put five points on the board for the win. Matt Delgado, Graham Murphy and Kase Daughtry picked up singles wins and Daughtry and Tanner Snowden picked up a win in No. 1 doubles. Seniors Delgado and Eduardo Garcia finished their regular season in familiar fashion; the duo, who spent years on Marathon’s offensive and defensive lines on the gridiron together, completed their brotherhood by teaming up on the court for a win in the No. 2 doubles match for the biggest win in Fins history, as far as size goes. In girls action, Marathon’s Emily Alvear started things off strong for the Dolphins, winning in No. 1 singles. After that, the Hurricanes blew past the Fins, winning six straight. Allyson Rosendale, de Ron, Harlee Beeler and Thiery won in singles, then Rosendale and Beeler plus Vanessa Gabriel and Parker Kelly won their doubles matches for a 6-1 win for Coral Shores. This week, the teams will head to their respective district matches in hopes of making the run into regionals the following week.

Top: Eduardo Garcia, left, and Matthew Delgado got their win in tennis. Middle: The Lady ’Canes tennis team takes a break for a group shot after a recent match. Bottom: Coral Shores freshman Jillian Thiery faces Monea McLeod in their No. 3 singles match on April 7 in Key West. Thiery went on to win 8-6. MICHELLE THIERY/ contributed

APRIL 16, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

STEALING THE SHOW

Aggressive baserunning fuels big wins for Fins, ’Canes

he Lady Fins of Marathon hosted Ransom Everglades April 7 for what would be their only softball contest of the week. Downpours in Miami deleted a game slated for the following afternoon, but the team made the most of their single outing. Ransom struck first, putting a run on the board early in the first. It was nothing but Dolphin Country from there. Sara Robinson singled, doubled and tripled to lead the offense. Maeve Merryman, Madelyn Thornton, Elianys Roque, Kayla Skaarup and Ana Boose contributed two hits each to what amounted to a 17-hit team total. Nearly everyone on the team registered at least one hit, and once on base, the Fins did not stop; runners stole seven bases, four by Merryman alone. Boose pitched four solid innings, fanning six, walking one and giving up just one hit and one unearned run in the 16-1 mercy-rule win. Key West’s seven-game win streak came to an end on April 10 when the Lions of Kings Academy paid a visit. Brianna Brenner struck out four over six innings, but the Conch bats were unusually quiet, delivering just four hits. Two came from Maicee Gage, with Ariana Garcia and Charlie Bracher owning the other two in the Conchs’ 5-3 loss. Later that day, LaBelle made it a two-game slide for the Lady Conchs, despite a perfect day at the plate from Garcia. The sophomore slugger added a single, triple and home run to lead the offense for Key West. Chloe Kongos added her own two-run home run and Lilee Gage singled in a five-hit showing for the Conchs. Key West tested a trio of pitchers against the Cowgirls, with Brenner, Ryleigh Harnish and Kaleaya Dickerson all seeing time in the circle. The Cowgirls matched Key West in hitting, but discipline and patience at the plate drew a dozen walks for LaBelle, making the difference in the 8-5 loss for Key West. Key West lost their third straight on April 11, their biggest slide this season, to 6A Doral Academy. The Firebirds, ranked No. 1 in Florida for all classifications and No. 20 nationally, held the Conchs to just two hits – one by Garcia and the other off the powerful bat of Lucy Katz, whose home run produced the only point Key West put on the board against the Firebirds. Brenner struck out three and walked one, but Doral’s bats were as fierce as their hurler, resulting in a 13-1 loss for Key West. The Lady Conchs returned to their winning ways hours later against Stoneman Douglas. Brenner was at the helm

again, tossing for three strikeouts, three walks, four hits and a single unearned run. Lilee Gage singled twice with two RBIs and Shylo Sanchez, Garcia and Dickerson added one hit each in a 5-1 win to put the Conchs at 12-7 with two regular-season games remaining. In the Upper Keys, Coral Shores made the best of foul weather against a trio of unlucky opponents. The Hurricanes rode roughshod over Ransom Everglades on April 10, delivering a 14-4 mercy-rule loss to the Raiders on their home field. The win for Coral Shores was fueled by 15 hits, 10 walks and a hit batter. Natalie Cornaire logged three hits while Arianna Talan, Pressley Bagwell, Addison Grady and Alyvia Prince added two each. Aubrey Killmurray, Bayley Catarineau, Mira Jones and Vanessa Cawley had one hit each. Cawley’s was a double and Jones went yard with her third home run of the season. Prince led the defense, striking out four batters in five innings. The following day, it was two more games and two more wins for the Lady ’Canes. First was a 10-9 16-hit win over Mater Bay Academy. Jones and Addison Grady added three hits each while Prince, Bagwell, Cornaire and Caylyn Gwilliam each logged two. The Hurricanes stole 10 bases from the Rays, four by Gwilliam. Bagwell and Prince shared the pitching duties in the narrow victory. The next contest was not even close. The Hurricanes piled on 14 runs in the second inning to help fuel their win over the Braddock Bulldogs in an 18-1 rout. Grady and Prince had two hits apiece in the team’s total of eight. Killmurray, Jones, Catarineau and Lily Underwood accounted for the rest. The team drew 15 walks and added a pair of hit batters and 19 stolen bases, five by Jones, to overcome a shell-shocked Braddock in the lopsided win.

Marathon’s Maeve Merryman leads the Dolphins with 17 stolen bases this season. NATALIE DANKO/Keys Weekly

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KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / APRIL 16, 2026

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

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NOTICE OF FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that CiPro Technology Solutions, LLC, owner, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Pachydermal located at 101425 Overseas Highway, #203, Key Largo, FL 33037, in Monroe County, Florida, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Publish: April 16, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA DIVISION: PROBATE CASE NO.: 26-CP-000125-P IN RE: THE ESTATE OF: JOSHUA CALVIN LENTZ, Deceased. / The administration of the estate of JOSHUA CALVIN LENTZ, deceased, File Number: 26-CP-000125-P, whose date of death was February 25, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 302 Fleming Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the Petitioner and the Petitioner’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. A 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. 732.216732.228, APPLIES, OR MAY APPLY, UNLESS A WRITTEN DEMAND IS MADE BY A CREDITOR AS SPECIFIED UNDER S. 732.2211. 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 April 16, 2026. SHIELA MOORE 11463 Ruby Mountain Lane Nathrop, CO 81236 Petitioner Attorney for Petitioner James F. Miller, Esq. Miller Legal PL 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 1555 West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Office: (561) 296-3252 Fax: (561) 828-3115 Email: jmiller@millerlegalpl.com Publish: April 16 & 23, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

FILE NO.: 25-CP-000104-M IN RE: ESTATE OF DONALD EDWARD HUBBARD, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Donald Edward Hubbard, deceased, whose date of death was November 16, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Marathon Courthouse, Marathon, 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. The names and addresses of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE TIME 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 having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. A 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 April 16, 2026. Personal Representative: DEBORAH RIBE 212 Holiday Park Blvd. NE Palm Bay, FL 32907 Attorney for Personal Representative: Bart A. Brink, Esquire Florida Bar No. 0363080 Brink Law Firm, P.A. P.O. Box 540351 Merritt Island, FL 32954 321-252-9362 bartbrink@gmail.com Publish: April 16 & 23, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is April 16, 2026. Personal Representative: Marjee R. Nathaniel 1 Ocean Beach Blvd. Apt. 608 Pompano Beach, Florida 33062 Attorney for Personal Representative: Richard E. Warner Attorney Florida Bar Number: 283134 RICHARD E. WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-6022 Fax: (305) 743-6216 E-mail: richard@rewarnerlaw.com Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com Publish: April 16 & 23, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: April 16, 2026. Personal Representative: Lawrence King Wagner, Jr. 22822 John Silver Lane Cudjoe Key, Florida 33042 Attorney for Personal Representative: Richard E. Warner Attorney Florida Bar Number: 283134 RICHARD E. WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-6022 Fax: (305) 743-6216 E-mail: richard@rewarnerlaw.com Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com Publish: April 16 & 23, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

Handyman needed for residence in Marathon. High Pay! Start right away. Call Bob at 305-395-0478

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DIVISION OF ST. CROIX SX-2026-CV-00106 ACTION FOR DAMAGES AND TO FORECLOSE LIEN DIRTY BOTTOM LLC d/b/a ST. CROIX MARINE CENTER, Plaintiff, vs. JORDAN HOPP, Defendant SX-2026-CV-00106 ACTION FOR DAMAGES To: Jordan Hopp 710 Ashe Street Key West, FL 33040 To: Jordan Hopp c/o S/V PENROSE 5063 Gallows Bay St. Croix, VI Pursuant to the March 19, 2026 Order of the Virgin Islands Superior Court, within the time limited by law (see Note below) you are hereby required to appear before this Court and answer to a Complaint filed against you in this action and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment by default will be taken against you for monetary and other relief as demanded in the Complaint. Tamara Charles, Clerk of the Court Superior Court of the Virgin Islands Bruce P. Bennett BENNETT LAW 63 Calhoun Street Washington Depot, CT 06794 T: (475) 206-1199 F: (475) 207-0117 V.I. Bar #512 bpb@brucebennettlaw.com NOTE: The defendant, if served personally, is required to file his answer or other defense with the Clerk of this Court, and to serve a copy thereof upon the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after service of this summons, excluding the date of service. The defendant, if served by publication or be personal service outside of this jurisdiction, is required to file his answer or other defense with the Clerk of this Court, and to serve a copy thereof upon the attorney for the plaintiff within thirty (30) days after the completion of the period publication nor personal service outside of the jurisdiction. Publish: April 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

Exhibit “A”, record owners, their heirs, guardians and assigns, of the unit week(s) as showing thereon, all located in and governed by that certain: Declaration of Condominium for FLORIDA BAY CLUB OF KEY LARGO, a condominium, recorded in O.R. Book 871 at pages 1215, et seq. Public Records, Monroe County, Florida. Based upon default in assessment payments and pursuant to the Claim of Lien filed by THE FLORIDA BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC., a Florida notfor-profit corporation, recorded at O.R. Book 3362, Page 949 in the Public Records of Monroe County Florida, STAACK & SIMMS, PLLC, d/b/a TIMESHARE TRUSTEE™ WILL CONDUCT A SALE OF EACH AND EVERY UNIT WEEK LISTED ON THE ATTACHED LIST BEGINNING AT 11:00 A.M. ON April 23rd, 2026, AT: 103500 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, Florida 33037. Unit Week Owner Name(s) Address Default Year Amount Due Per Diem C02-03 Betty J. Pearson 7016 NW 169th Street, Hialeah, FL 33015 2023 $4,229.89 $2.09 A02-03 James Lewis Mitchell III a/k/a James Mitchell III Julian Mitchella/k/a Julian Berry Mitchell 801 South Street, Unit 3903, Honolulu, HI 96813 2024 $2,946.78 $1.45 B04-02 James Lewis Mitchell III a/k/a James Mitchell III Julian Mitchella/k/a Jullian Berry Mitchell 801 South Street, Unit 3903, Honolulu, HI 96813 2024 $2,946.78 $1.45 B03-44 Eartha Hill 18460 SW 82nd Ave., Miami, FL 33157 2023 $4,021.96 $1.98 A01-06 Christopher Ian Meyerson 4136 Shadowood Parkway SE, Atlanta, GA 30339 2020 10375.85 $5.12 A01-09 Clifford E. Brown Linda K. Brown 8205 Rio Bend Ct., N. Richmond Hill, TX 76182 2023 2947.39 $1.45 Obligors and junior lienholders showing on Exhibit “A” may cure the default and redeem the timeshare interest by paying the amounts secured by the Association’s lien on their unit week(s) as reflected in Exhibit “A” together with trustee’s fees and interest through the date of payment in cash or certified funds to TIMESHARE TRUSTEE™ at any time prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Sale on the above date. GOVERN YOURSELVES ACCORDINGLY. STAACK & SIMMS, PLLC, d/b/a TIMESHARE TRUSTEE 900 DREW STREET, SUITE 1 CLEARWATER, FL 33755 PHONE: (727) 441-2635 FAX: (727) 461-4836 Website:www.staacklaw.com Publish: April 9 & 16, 2026 The Weekly Newspapers

AUTOS WANTED

Boat rental company in Marathon looking for help with boat detailing & boat cleaning. Call 305-481-7006

NOTICE OF SALE To: All members of the general public including all persons on

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH

IN THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

The following is an upcoming GMX procurement opportunity: INVITATION TO BID (ITB) GMX PROCUREMENT/CONTRACT NO.: ITB-26-10 GMX WORK PROGRAM NO.: 40052-000.060

GMX PROJECT/SERVICE TITLE: CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR SR 924 OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS AT NW 32 AVENUE TO WEST OF NW 27 AVENUE 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: April 16, 2026. The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 26-CP-126-M DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF NEIL T. NEVILLE Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Neil T. Neville, deceased, whose date of death was February 4, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court 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

AUTOS ALL YEARS! Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks. Runs or Not.BOAT MISC. FOR SALE

2 Suzuki 60hp 2013 motors for sale - 4 stroke, low hours, with controls & wiring harnesses. Currently on boat if you want to test run. $6,900 OBO for the pair. Will separate. Gary 305-393-1415 Used NEPTUNE 4-post BOAT LIFT For Sale. 15,000 lbs.+ Located in Marathon. $800.00 2 6 0 - 7 5 0 - 6 4 7 9 SOLD IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!!!

BOATS FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 26-CP-118-K DIVISION: LOWER KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF LAWRENCE K. WAGNER Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Lawrence K. Wagner, deceased, whose date of death was March 2, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S

22' Mako Center Console Aluminum like new float on trailer, 2001 250hp Yamaha, hull 1979, 2 stroke, runs great, many extras. Asking $12,999 OBO Gary 305-393-1415 21' Mako Center Console Float on Aluminum Trailer, 250 2 stroke Yamaha 2005?, hull 1979, New Transom, $10,999 OBO Gary 305-393-1415 PLACE YOUR AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-7430844 or E-mail: Anneke @keysweekly.com BOAT SLIP/RACK FOR RENT

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

EMPLOYMENT Hiring for busy pediatric office in Tavernier. Full-Time Medical Assistant/RN Pediatric experience preferred. Must multitask in fast-paced setting. Pay is commensurate with experience. Email resume to: flkeyspeds@gmail.com Safety Staff- We are seeking a reliable, dedicated, and responsible Safety Staff member to join our team. Full-time & Part-time availability starting at $18/hr. To apply, call 305-664-4860 Ext 1, e-mail: aaron@orlk.org or apply in person at Outdoor Resorts at Long Key, 65821 Overseas Hwy, Long Key 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

PART-TIME USCG CAPTAIN – MARATHON - Local captain needed to run owner’s 55’ twin engine trawler while owner fishes. Sunrise–2/3 PM typical. Good opportunity for newer captain to log hours on a larger boat. Pay DOE. Call/Text 970-901-1138 Groundskeeper/ Maintenance person, KCB, Sea Isle Condominium, 20 hrs. per week, $27 per hr., apply by e-mail to HardingThomasL@aol.com, text or call 734-476-0531.

HIRING: Office Administrator in Marathon. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), experience with QuickBooks or other accounting software preferred and must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Full time – Mon-Fri. Pay TBD - based on skill. Email: Natalie@cecflk.com The SS Wreck & Galley Grill (mile marker 59) is looking for a line cooks and fryers. Self-motivated, experience very helpful but will train, 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 Part-time Office Clerk, $18/ hr, Thu/Fri/Sat, 9:30am-7pm. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-219-3359 and ask for Dave Experienced Full-time 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. S e r v e / B a r t e n d on the ocean! The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a customer service-oriented Server/ Bartender. Serve on pool deck, beach and/or bar lounge. Open year round, 9:30am7pm daily. Full time/Part time. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave. Paver Dave how hiring a Job Supervisor/Sales in the Lower Keys. Must have a driver's license. Bob Cat experience a plus. Call for more information 305-741-7688. Paver Dave now hiring Part-Time Office Help. Working some days in Marathon and some days in Big Pine Key. Call for more information 305-741-7688. Key West Cooling Company is hiring HVAC technicians and installers. We are looking for dedicated individuals that are ready to work. For more information, please call or text us at 305-912-2293 or send an email to keywestcoolingcompany @ gmail.com Compensation is based on experience.

APRIL 16, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

EMPLOYMENT

HOUSING FOR RENT

STORAGE AVAIL.

WANTED TO BUY

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Full-time Carpenter, Electrician, Housing 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 1 9 6 8 .

Key Largo- 6 months+ canal front rental on Blackwater Sound. 40' dockage, 1 BR/1 BA Trailer with 1,000 sq. ft. living area. $2,300/mo. 904237-9090 or 904-338-1207

LONG TERM RENTALS: Furnished Studio AND 2 Bedroom unfurnished, all appliances, renovated, for rent in Marathon. On the water, gated property. Section 8 possible. $1,500 - $2,500 month - includes water, sewer, electric & garbage. Call 305-610-8002

Gated storage & dockage available in Marathon oceanside. Starting price $10/ foot per month for storage and $20/foot per month for dockage. 305-610-8002

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

HOUSING FOR RENT

2 bed 1 bath rental in Marathon, long-term, unfurnished, price includes internet, water, electric, pest, and lawn @ $2800 all in. Parking on premises. Call or text 305-433-0515

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

3BR/2BA Tavernier Hammer Point. Waterfront Mobile with Bay Views, Furnished, 1500 sq.ft. $3,500/mo. 954-728-4699 1BR/1BA for rent in Marathon. Long term, unfurnished. $2400.00/ mo F/L/S 305-930-9121

LOT FOR SALE REDUCED $395,000 OBO Save money, time, hassles with this private (Hammoks behind, no rear neighbors, ocean beyond) permitted lot, cleared, electric, foundation stilts in place, walk to Harry Harris, boat ramp, beach. 186 Dove Creek Drive, Tavernier. Marcia, Realtor 305-303-0238 Contiguous lot avail.

VACATION RENTAL 3BR/2BA Contemporary Home for rent on Big Pine Key. Pool, 40' dock w/davits, screened-in porch. Sleeps 6 ppl. Avail. month of July & Sept. 2026. $7,000/mo. Call Brian at 267-374-7063

WANTED TO BUY SWORDFISH BILLS - Fresh or aged. Located in Key Largo. Call 305-990-0619

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

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

NOW HIRING

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

DAYTIME CASHIER/ ASSISTANT MANAGER Full-time day position, 40 hours/week. Must be self-motivated, quick learner and team player. Salary includes 401k match up to 6% and negotiable based on experience.

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

PIZZA MAKERS Experience is a must. Please call Nicole at 305-433-0515 or email nicole@themoongroupfl.com Coast To Coast Pizza, 61 53rd Street, Marathon

SUDOKU SOLUTION

FEATURED POSITIONS: BOAT CAPTAINS (Full-Time & Part-Time) Take the helm of our Glass Bottom, Snorkel, or Dive boats. Responsible for safe navigation, crew management, and ensuring an unforgettable guest experience on the water. Working Friday/Saturday or Sunday/ Monday, and USCG License required. FIRST MATE / DIVE MASTERS The backbone of our maritime operations. Duties include assisting with vessel docking, passenger boarding, equipment maintenance, and ensuring boat cleanliness. Working Friday/Saturday or Sunday/Monday required. For snorkel boat, PADI certification (or other recognized agency), insurance and membership current required. MARINE TOUR NARRATORS Be the voice of the reef! We are looking for engaging public speakers to provide educational and safety-focused commentary for our guests. Working Friday/Saturday or Sunday/Monday required, Must have a basic knowledge of coral reefs and marine life and experience speaking in front of audiences. SEASONAL OPPORTUNITIES Looking for a summer job? We have seasonal openings for Kayak/ Paddlesports Attendants, Snack Bar Attendants, Gift Shop Clerks, and Reservation Counter Attendants. Perfect for those looking to spend a season in the Florida Keys! Customer service experience required for all roles, experience on the water with customers and safety required for kayak/paddlesports role.

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM? Competitive Pay: Rates starting from $17–$30/hr+ (depending on position and experience). Benefits: Health, Dental, and Vision, and Life insurance available for full-time employees. Perks: Employee discounts and the best "office view" in the world. Community: Work with a team dedicated to conservation and outdoor recreation. HOW TO APPLY Ready to dive in? Send your resume and detail on the role that you are applying for to coralreefhr2025@gmail.com. You will be contacted if you are selected to move forward with next steps. The Coral Reef Park Company Inc, at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Mile Marker 102.5 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037 Visit us at: www.pennekamppark.com Equal Opportunity Employer | Drug-Free Workplace

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.

Associate Interior Designer Detail-oriented and creative individual to assist with residential design projects. Education or experience in Interior Design required. Help bring inspired residential interiors to life. For complete details and to apply, please visit DAsignSource.com/careers

SEE DOLPHINS PLAY EVERYDAY!

NOW HIRING! GUEST SERVICES STAFF (Full-Time, Permanent) GUEST SERVICES STAFF (Part-Time, Weekends) DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

is a fun, environmentally friendly non-profit 501(c)(3) organization specializing in education, research, and rescue of marine mammals. DRC provides for the well-being of its employees with a competitive package including: a 401k retirement plan, medical benefits, HSA account, paid holidays/vacation/sick days, an employee assistance program, in addition to, life and disability insurance at no cost to the employee. EOE

COME JOIN THE FAMILY!

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

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

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS / APRIL 16, 2026

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

Work with the BEST

Voted BEST BANK 2014 - 2025

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

CUSTOMER SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE I Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $23.93/hr. - $26.80/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.

Key West Full Time Teller Marathon Full Time Teller Islamorada Assistant Branch Operations Manager

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.

HIRING IN THE UPPER KEYS CARPENTERS & LABORERS • Must have own hand tools and transportation. • Long-term employment in the Upper Keys. • Top pay for quality minded individuals.

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE • Hard working individual to part of a property management team for large estates in the Upper Keys. • Must have reliable transportation. • Top pay for the right individual. CALL 305-852-8000 OR EMAIL SUE@DOOLEYCONSTRUCTION.COM

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

Key Largo Full Time Teller

SUBSTATION ELECTRICIAN

Apply Online @ KeysBank.com/Careers

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

FIRSr# srATE

MNK

KeysBank.com

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.

WE ARE HIRING Cooks (Mornings) Cashier / Barista / Server Apply in person at: Vicky Bakery 97630 Overseas Highway (mm 97) Key Largo, FL 33037 KeyLargo@VickyBakery.com

NOW HIRING FRONT OFFICE/ MANAGER APPLY IN PERSON AT: Bonefish Bay Motel & RV Sites 12565 Overseas Highway, Marathon or Email: bfb@bonefishbayresort.com

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

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

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

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

APRIL 16, 2026 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP/LEGALS & CLASSIFIEDS

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

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

IS HIRING!

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

KEY LARGO

Behavioral Health Counselor (CAT) Driver (CDL NOT required)

KEY WEST

Case Manager (Children) Crisis Counselor Behavioral Health Counselor (Children) Prevention Specialist Mental Health Technician (PT or FT) Behavioral Health Therapist (Children)

MARATHON

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

HEAVY EQUIPMENT DIESEL MECHANIC We are hiring a heavy diesel mechanic with experience working on John Deere, Caterpillar, Kubota, Detroit Diesel, etc. Monday-Friday with some overtime available. Sign on bonus after 90 days; top pay and housing assistance available. Please apply at Charley Toppino & Sons, Inc., 129 Toppino Industrial Drive, Key West or online at https://charleytoppinoandsons.com/careers/apply/?job

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE We are now hiring for the following positions:

Diesel Mechanic Truck Helpers CDL Drivers Applicants must apply in person to be considered. 4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

OPENINGS AVAILABLE PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS

- Medical Assistant, Ortho-Tavernier, $5k Bonus - Medical Assistant, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus - Medical Assistant, Upper Keys Internal Medicine, $5k Bonus

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

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- Clinical Pharmacist, $5k Bonus - Construction Project Manager, FL - Exercise Assistant, Mariners Wellness Center, Per Diem - Exercise Physiologist, Per Diem - Food Service Worker, Dietary, $5k Bonus - 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 2, (Echo & Vascular w/Ultrasound Preferred), $25k Bonus - Pharmacy Technician, Mariners Hospital, $4k Bonus - Physical Therapist, $25k Bonus - Pool Clinical Pharmacist, Per Diem - Pool Group Exercise Instructor, Per Diem - Pool Medical Technologist - Registered Nurse, ICU, $15k Bonus - Registered Nurse, Surgery, $15k Bonus - Security Officer, FT, 6A-6:30P - Security Officer, Security/Safety, FT

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- Cook, Dietary, PT - Driver, Marathon/Keys Supply Chain, FT - Lead Med Technologist, Laboratory, $20k Bonus - Manager Environmental Services, FT - Medical Staff Coordinator, FT - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (CT & X Ray), Radiology, $25k Bonus - Patient Care Manager (Nurse Manager), Surgery, $20k Bonus - Patient Financial Associate, Admitting, $1k Bonus - Patient Schedular, Surgery, PT - Pool Physical Therapist, Per Diem - Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, Per Diem - Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care Center, Various Shifts & Statuses - 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: INSECTS ACROSS 1. Ira ____ of NPR 6. Mr. Turkey 9. Gives the boot 13. Between octet and decet 14. Ginger one 15. Spherical bacteria 16. Popular ursine meme star 17. Public health org. 18. Mountaineer’s tool (2 words) 19. *Fly larva 21. *World’s noisiest insect 23. Comic book shriek 24. Like some excuses 25. Food safety org. 28. Man Ray’s genre 30. Temporarily, legally speaking (2 words) 35. Like unpleasant awakening 37. 4th down kick 39. Quarter-round molding 40. Computer operating system 41. Metal bar 43. Mine passage 44. Antonym of exhume 46. Expert 47. Strip of wood 48. Throws 50. It will 52. Concurrence word 53. Silo contents 55. Romanian money 57. *Bee’s bounty 60. *Boll weevil, e.g. 63. Aquarium scum 64. *Lightning bug trap? 66. Brandish 68. Part of a flower 69. Bonanza find 70. Courtroom excuse 71. Whiskey grain, pl. 72. Coniferous tree 73. #52 Across, pl.

DOWN 1. Econ. measure 2. Good earth 3. Wintour of “Vogue” fame 4. Marsh plant 5. Not impromptu 6. Diplomat’s asset 7. Antediluvian 8. Hajj destination 9. Cocaine plant 10. Got an A 11. March Madness org. 12. *Number of legs on an insect 15. Famous Roman orator 20. Giraffe’s striped-legged cousin 22. Mischief-maker 24. Opposite of energetic 25. *____ fly, first living creature sent to space 26. “I don’t know,” casually 27. #43 Across, pl. 29. *____ beetle, world’s strongest insect 31. *Shape of a ladybug or carpet beetle 32. Not tomorrow, not yesterday 33. Like basketball’s final eight 34. *Lepidoptera members, not butterflies 36. Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, e.g. 38. Reason for suit 42. Tutu fabric 45. Duran Duran’s 1984 hit, with The 49. “Monkey ___, monkey do” 51. Wiggle room 54. “Have a great time!” 56. Useful 57. Performance with acts 58. Lecherous look 59. “Betcha Can’t Eat Just One” brand 60. Tea or beer 61. Hawaiian flower garlands 62. Major European river 63. Acronym, abbr. 65. “Roses ____ red” 67. Bad-mouth, slangily

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