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A papal conclave at the Vatican elected Cardinal Robert Prevost as the next pope on May 8. He’s the first U.S.-born pontiff, and he will be known as Pope Leo XIV. The 69-year-old from Chicago is the 267th leader of Catholics worldwide.
A Glow Room was one of the main attractions for kids and families at Stanley Switlik’s art and STEM showcase on April 30. See page 30. ROSS SMITH/Keys Weekly
MARATHON COUNCIL SHOOTS DOWN DEVELOPMENT EXPANSION, GREENLIGHTS SKATE PARK
Additional homes denied over community character concerns
alex@keysweekly.com
Aproposed development expansion for a 16-unit build on 107th Street in Marathon took a beating from local leaders and residents alike at the Marathon City Council’s May 13 session.
In August 2023, with a 4-1 vote, the council approved an original plan of 16 homes behind a climate-controlled storage facility between 106th and 107th streets on the oceanside. Tuesday’s session heard a proposal to up that number to 24 six-bedroom homes – adding four already-approved units from a neighboring property purchased since the original agreement, plus another four homes.
The expansion, denied unanimously by the council, met a stiff rebuke from councilman Kenny Matlock, the lone “no” vote in 2023 who had already publicly stated his intent to oppose the build. Joining Matlock and taking the reins on Tuesday night was councilwoman Robyn Still, who quoted multiple sections of Marathon’s charter, comprehensive plan and land development regulations while decrying the expansion’s benefit to Marathon’s small-town atmosphere.
“Help me understand how this redevelopment enhances our community character in that particular neighborhood,” she said. “What about 184 parking spaces is small-town?”
Representing owners Charles and David LaClair with Marathon LLC, contractor Jim Saunders argued the development would be its own isolated community.
“It wasn’t that we don’t have what I would say is a dense project,” he said. “It’s just that we didn’t try to max it out any further.
“Small-town community, that’s going to be something you’ll have to comment on,” he added. “But we tried to make it code-compliant.”
“Code-compliant – but not more consistent with our community character,” Still responded.
“These homes are designed to go towards short-term rentals,” Matlock said. “The potential here is 336 new occupants every seven days. … It says that this won’t affect the welfare of the neighboring areas, and that’s just nonsense.”
Public commenters lambasted alleged safety issues already occurring on the construction site, as well as traffic, parking and infrastructure concerns.
“I’ve worked for the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority for 20 years. I know firsthand the strain our infrastructure is under, and I can tell you it’s not built for this kind of unchecked development,” said 105th Street resident Megan Hughes. “We’re not just losing housing – we’re losing neighbors and volunteers in the heart of our
community. What kind of future are we leaving for our kids if they’re not born into millionaire families?”
Skate park gets green light
A long-awaited skate and wheel park at the east end of Marathon Community Park got its most significant green light so far via unanimous approval of a $1.5 million design build contract with Platform Group LLC. Marathon has committed funds in two consecutive budgets for the project, which will come at a projected cost of $1,265,800 to the city. While the anticipated total cost is $1,531,040, the gap will be bridged with funding from the nonprofit Florida Keys Community Center headed by Matt Sexton, which has pledged to fund the $265,240 difference along with any additional costs. A splash pad will
An expanded 24-home development between 106th and 107th streets on the oceanside was unanimously denied by the council, citing community character concerns. CONTRIBUTED
ALEX RICKERT
Be Storm Ready NOW
Keeping you and your family safe during a weather emegency
Storm Preparedness Checklist
Non-perishable food and water (one gallon per person, per day) for 7 days.
Manual can opener.
30-day supply of medications.
Infant formula, preferably ready-to-eat.
Stay Safe
Battery-powered or crank weather radio.
Pet supplies, including: Food, water, and medications.
First aid kit.
• NEVER use a gas-powered generator indoors, in a garage, or within 20 feet of windows or a window air conditioner.
• Use a battery powered carbon monoxide alarm to prevent CO poisoning.
• Protect yourself from insects when outside by covering your skin (long-sleeved shirt and pants), and use insect repellant containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• Drain any standing water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
Special Needs Shelters
The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County, in partnership with Monroe County Emergency Management, provides shelter to those with special medical needs during an evacuation.
• This shelter should only be used as a last resort.
• To see if you qualify or to pre-register for the special needs shelter, visit MonroeCountyEM.com/SpecialNeeds.
For more information, call 305-293-7500 or visit Monroe.FLhealth.gov.
SCHOOL BOARD SELECTS ED TIERNEY AS SUPERINTENDENT
Palm Beach County Schools leader chosen over two local
finalists
mandy@keysweekly.com
The school board’s five-month search for its next superintendent ended this week, with the selection of Ed Tierney for the school district’s top job.
The board voted to hire Tierney, deputy superintendent of Palm Beach County Schools, over two local finalists — deputy superintendent Amber Archer Acevedo and Coral Shores High School principal Laura Lietaert.
Board member Yvette MiraTalbott spoke earnestly in support of Acevedo, but ultimately joined the other four members in making the vote for Tierney unanimous.
“He was very, very prepared,” board member John Dick said of Tierney after making a motion to hire him. “And I think the district is best served by a new person coming in.”
“The thing that touched me the most during Mr. Tierney’s board interview was when we asked him about the things he had done, he always credited the teachers, and that, I think, speaks volumes about what’s important to him,” board member Sue Woltanski said.
Horan said he watched “everything I could find on him on YouTube. And at our board interview, he commanded that room. You knew that he knew the answers. You only get that when you’ve led a team that instills their trust in you, and you could tell he has a support system that believes in him.”
Mira-Talbott said she agreed with the others’ assessments of Tierney, but added, “We also have a local candidate that’s amazing. When you have a top candidate who meets all the criteria and has given 40 years of service to this district, dedicated to Monroe County’s school children and teachers, and then the top job becomes available, and you’re not a consideration, that’s a problem. I don’t want any teacher to think they can dedicate their entire life to this district, but because they haven’t left Monroe County, or led an extremely large district, that at the end of
WILDFIRE DISRUPTS TRAVEL BETWEEN FLORIDA KEYS & THE MAINLAND
the day, they’ll never be able to be elevated to the top position.”
Board chair Mindy Conn and the others acknowledged the commitment of Acevedo and Lietaert.
“I think (superintendent Teresa) Axford is a prime example of the board not being afraid to have somebody who’s worked here for a very long time have the top job,” Conn said. “The selection today is not a comment on whether you can move up in this organization.”
Conn said she was impressed by Tierney’s experience as an exceptional student education (ESE) teacher, as well as a principal, chief of staff and deputy superintendent of a large, A-rated school district.
“The thing I liked most was he didn’t need to look at notes. His answers were felt by him. There was nothing to read from, and nothing he needed to think about. He knows what he needs to do. His 90-day plan was very impressive. What I saw is someone who wants to know every school, every principal, every staff member. It was clear to me that he was gonna be traveling up and down the Keys and has a dedication to know the Upper Keys as well as he knows the Middle and Upper Keys and that means a lot to me.”
After the vote, Conn called Tierney with the news.
“I’m so grateful for the support in that community and we look forward to coming down and joining the talented team in Monroe County. I feel so honored,” Tierney told the board.
Heavy smoke billows from a wildfire near Card Sound Road and the 18-Mile Stretch in Miami-Dade County on May 8. Inset: Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews battle a wildfire off Card Sound Road on May 8. MDFR/Contributed
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
Aparched section of natural lands went ablaze between the 18-Mile Stretch and Card Sound Road in neighboring Miami-Dade, forcing transportation officials to shut off the only two thoroughfares between the Florida Keys and Florida City for several hours on May 8.
A small fire soon spread to hundreds of acres as Florida Forest Service and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews teamed up to battle the flames — from the air and ground — into the evening and throughout May 9. Traffic on the two arteries between the Keys and the mainland remained at a standstill for several hours the evening of May 8 due to the proximity of flames and heavy smoke causing visibility issues. Traffic eventually flowed, albeit slowly, on May 9 when the southbound lane of the Stretch
opened. Card Sound Road going north reopened for a while until it was shut down later in the afternoon. Road lane closures affected Upper Keys schools, with no bus transportation available to students on May 9.
All lanes eventually reopened on both thoroughfares by the evening of May 9. Traffic remained unimpeded by the wildfire through last weekend.
A heavy dose of rainfall on May 12 not only provided a much-needed watering for a dry region, but it also aided firefighting crews to gain greater containment of the 400-acre wildfire.
This is the second wildfire near Card Sound Road and 18Mile Stretch on the Miami-Dade side this year. On March 12, a blaze spiraled out of control and burned nearly 26,000 acres by March 21.
MANDY MILES
Ed Tierney, in Key West on May 2 with his wife, Lori, was selected as the school district’s next superintendent at the school board’s May 13 meeting. MANDY MILES/ Keys Weekly
more and more. One day I just decided I wanted a change and I made it happen.
What do you do for fun in the Keys and why do you love living here? I love being on the boat, whether that be just cruising around or fishing. Paddle boarding and reading at the beach are also some of my favorite things to do. I love living here because there’s so much to do around the water, the weather is perfect and it’s laid back and quiet. Life here just feels easy.
If you could do one thing every day for the rest of your life, what would you do? Probably read a really good book – the type of book you don’t want to put down.
If you could be one ocean animal, what would you be and why? I would say a spotted eagle ray because they are just beautiful. It’s so exciting to see them while walking the Old Seven Mile Bridge. They’re so graceful; I could watch them forever. They are very calm but also so spunky.
TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN CELEBRATES 81 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Grads represent 12% of the Class of 2025 in Monroe County
JEN ALEXANDER www.keysweekly.com
No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to present our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.
Our neighbor of the week is Nikki Michaluk. She works at Aquarium Encounters as a biologist. She is passionate about the environment and loves being by the ocean. She enjoys hanging out with her cat and reading as well as staying active.
Nikki Michaluk Biologist, Aquarium Encounters
How long have you been in the Keys and what brought you here? I have been down here for two years now. I had come to the Keys a few times before deciding to move, and every time I came here I loved it
What is one food that is always in your refrigerator? Definitely pasta sauce, to go with the copious amounts of pasta I eat.
Why do you think no-see-ums exist? Because the universe needed something tiny, invisible and infuriating to remind us all that things in paradise always come with a catch.
What is something you can’t live without? Coffee! I don’t go a day without it. Preferably iced lattes.
What is the best part of working at Aquarium Encounters? Working hands-on with the animals, 100%. Training and handling the nurse sharks is very rewarding and honestly is a privilege to be able to do.
What is the biggest environmental issue you feel the Keys are facing? I think it would have to be the rising water temperatures and the mass bleaching events that come with it. It’s detrimental to the marine ecosystem and we have unfortunately seen proof of it happening here locally.
What’s one thing people don’t know about you? When I was little I had a very bad fear of wasps, but rightfully so, because I was always the kid to get stung. I have been stung by wasps way more times than I can count.
Know someone who would be a good “Neighbor of the Week?”
Email keysweeklyjen@gmail.com.
Take Stock in Children of Monroe County announces the graduation of its 25th class of scholarship recipients, marking a milestone in the program’s history. This year, 81 students from four county high schools are set to graduate, representing 12% of the Class of 2025 in Monroe County.
With a collective achievement of over $2 million in awarded scholarships, this cohort has exemplified dedication and perseverance, boasting an average GPA of 3.65. Throughout their time in the Take Stock in Children program, students have met weekly with their volunteer mentors and engaged in rigorous academic pursuits, successfully completing 221 Advanced Placement courses and earning 256 dual enrollment credits.
Twenty-eight percent of these students have earned the Bright Futures scholarship. The students also have collectively completed 182 college applications, resulting in 131 college admissions. Approximately 42.5% of the class will enroll in a college or technical school, while 55% will pursue higher education at a university.
“We are so very proud of this group of students,” said Chuck Licis-Masson, executive director of Take Stock in Children - Monroe. “While in the Take Stock in Children program, these students have faced challenges, dismantled obstacles and worked hard to begin their post-secondary educational career. We thank their parents for their support and their mentors who have guided them along the way. Our students have earned their scholarships and are prepared for continued success in college and career.”
The graduation ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 17 at 11 a.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Marathon Middle High School. The public is invited.
Take Stock in Children of Monroe County is the flagship program of the Monroe County Education Foundation, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing scholarships and mentorship to low-income students in Monroe County and ensuring that they have the opportunity to pursue higher education.
More information is available from Licis-Masson at chuck. licis@monroecountyedfound.com or 305-293-1546. — Contributed
Take Stock in Children scholars from Coral Shores High School’s Class of 2024. Eighty-one students will graduate from the scholarship program this month. CONTRIBUTED
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Lisa Ferringo and John Salvatore with The Lisa Ferringo Group put buyer and seller together for 785 Sawyer Dr Cudjoe Key which just closed on May 7th for $12,250,000. This is the 2nd highest residential sale ever in the Lower Florida Keys including Key West. It was also the highest price sale to date this year in the entire Florida Keys.
Lisa Ferringo has been the #1 Residential Realtor in the Florida Keys every year since 2015 and the only Realtor ever to have $1 Billion in Residential Sales in the Keys. In 2024 Lisa and her team closed 104 transactions totaling $139 Million. To date in 2025 they have closed 35 transaction sides totaling $69 Million.
A nurse shark makes itself at home at the new sunken power poles that were deployed off Key West as part of Monroe County’s new artificial reef program. HANNA KOCH/ Contributed
ARTIFICIAL REEFS ARE THE REAL DEAL FOR MARINE LIFE
County’s grant-funded sunken power poles are teeming with fish
Monroe County’s first artificial reef in its new, 100% grant-funded program is now complete, and sea life can already be found in abundance in the area.
Earlier this month, the rest of the donated concrete power poles were delivered and set on the bottom at the Gulfside 10-Mile Artificial Reef site, 10 miles off Key West in federal waters. This completes the power pole artificial reef project, which started in November 2024 with the deployment of nine poles to Patch Reef #1, 21 poles to Patch Reef #2, and the last 20 poles to Patch Reef #3.
At each patch reef, the concrete poles – 35 to 55 feet long –were stacked in perpendicular layers to maximize vertical relief and create various habitat spaces for marine life. The reefs range from 6 to 12 feet high, are about 65 feet in diameter, and are at a depth of about 40 to 45 feet. The poles were obtained from the Florida Keys Electric Co-op’s Sea Oats Beach project in Islamorada and the Monroe County Land Steward.
This will be part of a network of artificial reef sites in this area. The “Gulfside Network” will provide new fishing and diving opportunities, waypoints for migrating marine life and, long-term, marine habitat. It may also help reduce pressure on natural reefs. Site surveys and permit applications are underway for the other sites in the network. Multiple patches and sites will help disperse fishing pressure
and reduce human user conflicts.
“I was thrilled to see the great diversity and abundance of marine life using these structures,” said Hanna Koch, director of artificial reefs for Monroe County, who surveyed the sites with state wildlife scientists recently. They reported dozens of fish species, including a variety of snappers and groupers, thousands of fish ranging in size from a few inches to several feet, nurse sharks, sea turtles, dozens of invertebrate species and numerous large egg masses. “You could clearly see how the different organisms were using the variety of spaces in the reef, whether it was a large shark resting under a ledge, small fish schooling in the shallow cracks between the layers, or medium-sized fish hiding in cavities,” she said.
Koch will monitor these patches and the rest of the sites once they are completed to understand how humans and marine life are using them. She asks divers to relay their experiences at these reefs, at koch-hanna@monroecounty-fl.gov or via voicemail at 786-847-5443.
The coordinates for each patch reef:
• Patch Reef 1: 24° 53.1945’ N, 81° 42.20448’ W
• Patch Reef 2: 24° 53.1174’ N, 81° 42.1362’ W
• Patch Reef 3: 24° 53.058’ N, 81°42.062’ W
— Contributed
MOM & BABY MANATEE SAFE AND SOUND
Mother’s Day rescue in Islamorada is a success
More than one species celebrated Mother’s Day on May 10 in the Florida Keys, as Dolphin Research Center (DRC) led the successful rescue of a mother manatee and her young calf in Islamorada.
The mother manatee had sustained serious injuries from a boat strike, resulting in a life-threatening pneumothorax — a condition in which air becomes trapped in the chest cavity, potentially impairing lung function.
The distressed manatee and her calf were safely transported to SeaWorld Orlando, where they are now receiving expert medical care and rehabilitation.
The operation was a coordinated effort with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and included on-site assistance from Aquarium Encounters.
“Rescuing a mother and her calf on the eve of Mother’s Day made this mission especially meaningful,” said Allie Proskovec, director of media and marketing at the Dolphin Research Center. “Every manatee matters, but rescuing a mother and helping ensure the calf’s survival is a double victory for conservation.”
and her calf into a specially-designed rescue boat.
Boaters throughout Florida are urged to remain vigilant and reduce speed in manatee-inhabited waters to help prevent future injuries to these magnificent marine mammals. For more information or to report a sick, injured or distressed manatee, please contact FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922). — Keys Weekly staff report
Kayakers keep a close eye on a mother manatee in distress and her calf before a successful rescue on May 10. DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER/Contributed
A coordinated rescue team from Dolphin Research Center, Aquarium Encounters and FWC load the mother manatee
Explore a holistic exercise fit for all ages at Marathon Taoist Tai Chi’s open house next week, set for May 19 at St. Columba Episcopal Church. CONTRIBUTED
ART OF MOTION
Explore tai chi at May 19 open house
JEN ALEXANDER www.keysweekly.com
Next week, locals and visitors will have the opportunity to discover the gentle power of tai chi here in the Middle Keys, courtesy of a free open house on Monday, May 19 at 6 p.m. at the St. Columba Episcopal Church parish hall.
Tai chi is a holistic exercise system that merges gentle physical movements with mindfulness and controlled breathing. Offering a variety of potential health improvements, it has become a widespread and long-lasting practice that’s suitable for individuals of all fitness levels.
“I’ve been practicing tai chi for about 12 years now, but I wish I had started sooner,” says instructor Anna Davis, who leads Marathon Taoist Tai Chi. “The main benefits are to help people with their balance and to prevent disease. The Taoist Tai Chi Society is in 26 countries. It’s a nonprofit organization and its sole purpose is to help people.”
According to traditional Chinese medicine, chi (also “qi”) is the fundamental life force that flows through the body's energy channels, which are vital for all functions and overall health. Smooth, balanced and sufficient chi within these pathways signifies well-being, while disruptions are seen as key contributors to disease.
Tai chi's gentle movements improve blood flow and circulation, which supports the healthy movement of chi along the meridians. According to practitioners, this enhanced internal
circulation is also thought to combat the rapid progression of aging, offering a way to potentially prolong life.
“Tai chi is a gentle exercise that doesn’t need any equipment,” said Davis. “As we start to age, we get more aches and pains and are not as flexible as we once were. The movements help with that. Although the average age range is around 50, there are people of all ages that participate. We practice a specific set of moves and expand and recoil our spines. It is really amazing to feel the energy in the room as everyone flows together.”
Harvard Medical School calls tai chi “medication in motion” because of its many health benefits. There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China as a martial art, has value in treating or preventing many health problems.
“All are welcome to come to our open house on the 19th,” said Davis. “There are beginning and intermediate levels and the session is free but we do accept donations as we rent the space.”
The open house is on Monday, May 19 at 6 p.m. at 451 52nd Street Gulf. Year-round sessions are held on Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. More information is available via email to floridakeys@taoist.org, 877-398-1108 or at www.taoisttaichi.org.
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WHERE FISHING = HOUSING
Annual mahi tourney
supports Habitat for Humanity
ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com
Rough seas didn’t deter more than 100 anglers from supporting affordable homeownership in the Middle Keys in the 19th annual Habitat for Humanity Mother’s Day Dolphin Tournament on May 9 and 10. Fishing aboard 30 different vessels for eight hours, 108 total anglers battled it out on Saturday for the heaviest mahi in four competitive divisions. When the trophy fish hit the scales at the Marathon Yacht Club, Key West-based Weekend Warrior Nate Duncan brought home the heaviest catch at 25 pounds. Most importantly, at the conclusion of the awards banquet held at the yacht club, the fan-favorite tourney raised more than $58,000 for Habitat Middle Keys, destined to support future builds to house hardworking Marathon locals.
1. A table of prizes and trophies await anglers in the 19th annual Mother’s Day Dolphin Tournament.
2. Habitat Middle Keys staff and board members. From left: board members Cindy McKnight and Andres Herrera, executive director Chris Todd Young, board members Lisa Ziels, Meghan Bolen and ReStore manager Lily Williamson.
3. Top Pro Division angler Ethan Wohlers, center, earns a $2,000 payout.
4. Liechty Marine general manager Darrell Braddy, left, presents top Weekend Warrior angler Nate Duncan and his crew with their first-place trophy. Duncan reeled in the heaviest fish of the tournament at 25 pounds.
5. Top Junior Angler Justin Torro, center, claims his trophy and Suzuki swag with his team.
6. After a long day of fishing, teams retire to the Marathon Yacht Club for an awards banquet. Front row, from left: Emmalee Speer, Kyle Franz, Butch Mitchell and Dawn Mitchell. Second row: Erika Goodman, RD Goodman, Kristin Carlson, Damien Pottage, Bill Giliberti.
7. Second-place lady angler Erika Goodman, left, receives her trophy.
8. Laura, left, and Chris Gratton take in the awards ceremony.
Photos by NATALIE DANKO/Photo Design by Natalie
GLOWING REVIEWS
Switlik hosts night of creativity and discovery with art & STEM showcase
Glow-in-the-dark creations lit up the faces of parents and children visiting Stanley Switlik’s student art and STEM night on April 30. The family-friendly evening open house in the school’s media center showcased curriculum for kindergartners and first graders while presenting an art gallery full of pieces from all grade levels at Switlik – including the aptly-named Glow Gallery in the art room. Additional activities promoted learning and discovery in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Photos by ROSS SMITH/Keys
THE GREAT FLORIDA KEYS ROAD TRIP: THE CRAWL KEYS
Survey finds the name developed from turtle storage pens
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, kraal is defined as “1) an African and especially a southern African village in which a group of dwellings surrounds a livestock enclosure; 2) an enclosure for animals, especially in southern Africa.”
Kraals were used in the Florida Keys to pen turtles. Some can still be seen at the Key West Bight, on the docks at the end of Margaret Street. When turtles were considered a kind of livestock, they were brought to Key West and kept in watery pens until they could be processed. The local cannery operated where Turtle Kraals Restaurant stands today.
FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY WITH BRAD BERTELLI
Brad is a local historian, author, speaker and Honorary Conch who loves sharing the history of the Florida Keys.
Turtle pens were not isolated to Key West. Once upon a time, they were found up and down the island chain. In
the Middle Keys, there are a couple of islands that were, allegedly, named for them. They fall under the Marathon umbrella which, like Islamorada, is not a single place but a collection of islands that includes Grassy Key, Crawl Key, Little Crawl Key, Long Pine Key, Fat Deer Key, Deer Key, the East and West Sister’s Islands, Stirrup Key, Key Vaca, Hog Key, Knights Key and Boot Key.
Unlike Islamorada, when you drive through the collection of islands under the Marathon umbrella, it is often difficult to distinguish where one island ends and the next begins. Surprisingly, they are bereft of bridges and of the green and white road signs that declare each and every island along the rest of the drive.
Grassy Key is an interesting exception. The Tom’s Harbor Channel Bridge almost reaches it, but comes up short. Railroad fill connects the bridge to the island, where a green and white sign announces Grassy Key — technically, the sign marks the fill before the road reaches the island.
Traveling down the Overseas Highway and through Marathon, the distinction between Grassy Key and the next island is difficult to ascertain. One minute you are driving on Grassy Key, and the next you are not. The linking element is a line of railroad fill constructed by the men building the right-of-way for the Key West Extension of Henry Flagler’s train that has since been taken over and disguised by mangroves and other flora.
Crawl Key is the next island, going south/west. Charles Smith’s 1872 official government survey identified it as Kraal Key. Decades later, in a field report written for the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey 1935-6, the following can be found: “The name [Crawl Key] is well established and in general use. Authority I (Charles L. Pinder of Key West) gives the spelling as Kraal. Local information states that the name developed from the turtle crawls (storage pens) that were early established here. The name is recommended.”
There will not be a sign announcing the island’s presence. The first real marker is Banana Boulevard. If you take the turn to the oceanside and drive a short distance down the boulevard, you will arrive at Valhalla Island, the future site of Bass Pro’s Johnny Morris’ nature resort. Continue down the highway, and an unmarked road will be on the gulfside. Take it and you will end up at the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s building and no one wants to end up there.
Just ahead is Little Crawl Key. The 1935-6 U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey offered: “Local authorities sometimes refer to this island as Little Crawl Key or Crawl Key Mangrove as there is little navigation in the area. There is probably no established name and the (first) name is recommended as being as good as any.”
Little Crawl Key is home to Curry Hammock State Park, the largest undeveloped parcel of land between Key Largo and Big Pine Key — thanks to the Curry family. Alfred Bates Curry was born circa 1867 in Spanish Wells, Eleuthera. Like many Bahamians, he left the islands and, in 1885, arrived at the harbor in Key West. The young man worked hard, married, had a single child and grew up to be a significant landowner in the Florida Keys. One of the properties he owned was a large section of Little Crawl Key. Upon his death, his property holdings were left to his only child, Lamar Louise Curry.
In 1991, the state of Florida acquired 1,112.5 acres from Miss Curry. The land was used for the state park that was named in her honor. She lived a long life and passed away on Dec. 3, 2012, just eight days before her 106th birthday. The park offers camping, hiking, fishing, snorkeling, kayaking and small beaches. When the wind is blowing, it is a popular spot for kiteboarders.
Too often, people are in a hurry to get to Key West or some other destination and miss out on so much of the natural beauty of the Florida Keys. If you have a little time, visit the park and let the ocean breezes brush against your skin.
Just beyond the entrance to the park is Burnt Point Road. It is on the gulfside and marks the location of another one of Marathon’s unmarked islands, Long Point Key. The island was unnamed on the Charles Smith 1872 survey. The 1935-6 U.S. Coast & Geodetic Report stated: “Authority I (Charles L. Pinder of Key West) gives the name Long Point Key and some local authorities call it Burnt Point Key.” Burnt Point Road ends at a remarkable, though private, estate.
Continuing down the Overseas Highway, the road travels over Long Point Key until it reaches, again with no fanfare, Fat Deer Key. Fat Deer Key signals the beginning of what most people visualize when talking about Marathon. When the Great Florida Keys Road Trip returns to Marathon, it will begin at Fat Deer Key, talk a little bit about the coco plum, and then we’ll let the tires roll down Coco Plum Drive.
Valhalla property on Crawl Key, 1955. WRIGHT LANGLEY COLLECTION/Florida Keys History Center
IF YOU CAN’T PRONOUNCE IT, SHOULD YOU EAT IT?
FUNCTIONALLY CAFFEINATED WELLNESS
...is a Marathonbased ACSMcertified personal trainer and precision nutrition coach who owns and operates Highly Motivated Functionally Caffeinated LLC. Hello@highlymotivatedfc.com
Ifelt like a true rockstar when one of my clients recently told me they wanted to start incorporating electrolytes into their daily nutrition routine after reading one of my articles. I mean, that’s the goal, right?
To empower people to take control of their health in small but meaningful ways.
That superstar glow lasted about 24 hours. The next day, I caught that same client sipping on a bright red drink that looked like it could double as car engine coolant. I blinked. Surely, this couldn’t be their new “hydration upgrade,” right?
I gently walked over and said, “Hey, I am SO proud of you for making hydration a priority. Seriously. But ... not all electrolyte drinks are created equal.” I explained that while yes, the body needs minerals like sodium, potassium and magnesium to stay balanced, what he was drinking was also loaded with artificial colors, preservatives and chemicals that were likely doing more harm than good.
That’s when he hit me with a question that nearly made me face-palm right there in the gym:
“What’s Ester of Rosin? It says it right here on the bottle.”
Cue me taking a deep breath and explaining that Ester of Rosin is a chemically-modified substance — originally derived from tree sap — that’s used as an emulsifier to keep ingredients from separating in shelf-stable drinks. Sounds “natural” enough, right? But when something has to undergo a chemical makeover just to sit on a store shelf for a year without separating, you have to ask yourself if that’s something your body really needs.
He tried to keep reading the label out loud, but it started to sound less like English and more like he was speaking in tongues. Very cherry tongues, to be exact.
That moment lit a fire under me to write about why reading food labels matters more
UNSPLASH.
than ever — and why it’s not as complicated (or boring) as it sounds.
It’s easy to get sucked in by marketing. Words like “natural,” “immune-boosting” and “electrolyte enhanced” are everywhere. But the truth is, front-of-package claims are advertisements. The real story lives on the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel — the stuff they hope you don’t read.
A general rule of thumb: If you can’t pronounce it easily, your body probably won’t recognize it easily either. Whole foods and cleanly formulated products should have ingredients you could find in a regular kitchen, not a science lab.
Some quick tips for smarter label reading. Number one: shorter is better. Look for ingredient lists that are short and simple. The more ingredients — and the more complicated they sound — the more likely the product is ultra-processed. Number two: sugar by any other name is still sugar. Added sugars hide under names like “maltose,” “syrup,” “nectar” and “-ose” endings. Electrolyte drinks especially love to sneak in sugar bombs under the guise of “energy boosts.” Watch for it. Final tip: the first three ingredients tell the truth. Ingredients are listed by weight. If sugar, corn syrup or artificial colors show up in the top three, that product’s priorities aren’t aligned with yours.
Ingredients to be wary of include artificial colors (like red 40, yellow 5), which are linked to hyperactivity and potential inflammation; preservatives (like sodium benzoate), which can form harmful compounds in certain conditions; and emulsifiers (like Ester of Rosin), which, while technically safe, aren’t not doing your body any nutritional favors.
Functional foods, fortified drinks, electrolyte boosters — they all can have a place in a healthy lifestyle. But your health doesn’t come from buzzwords on the label; it comes from what’s actually inside the bottle, bar or box.
The next time you’re shopping, turn that bottle around. Don’t be shy about googling an ingredient if you don’t know what it is. (Pro tip: If it sounds like a chemical compound you once used in high school chemistry, maybe leave it on the shelf.)
Your body deserves real food, real nutrients and real hydration — not cherry-flavored science experiments. And if you ever need a second set of eyes on a food label? Find yourself a coach who will tell you, lovingly, that Very Cherry Red was better left for crayons.
JENNIFER HARVEY
SEVERAL SPECIES ARE FACING THREATS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
Friday, May 16 is National Endangered Species Day. It is important to raise awareness of some of the most critically endangered species that call the Florida Keys home.
The Keys are known for their breathtaking coral reefs, diverse marine life and unique ecosystems. However, despite their natural beauty, the Keys face significant environmental challenges that threaten the delicate balance of these ecosystems. Among the most pressing concerns is the decline in various species that inhabit the region; many are classified as endangered. These species are at risk of disappearing forever.
From mangrove forests and seagrass beds to coral reefs and pine rocklands, the Florida Keys are home to a wide range of ecosystems. These diverse habitats support an abundance of wildlife, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. However, rapid development, habitat loss and pollution have all contributed to the decline of many species.
The Key deer is one of the most iconic endangered species of the Keys. With a population of fewer than 800, this small, delicate deer is primarily found in the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key. These deer are threatened by habitat degradation, as well as vehicle collisions on roads. Conservation programs are in place to protect the Key deer, including vehicle speed limits and habitat restoration.
The smalltooth sawfish is now critically endangered, with the Keys as one of its last strongholds. This unique ray, easily recognized by its long, saw-like snout lined with teeth, prefers shallow coastal waters, mangroves and seagrass beds for breeding and feeding. Habitat loss, entanglement in fishing gear, disease and slow reproduction have severely reduced its population. Conservation efforts in the Keys focus on habitat protection, research and public awareness to help restore this ancient species to healthier numbers.
The Atlantic loggerhead sea turtle is a species of marine turtle that frequently nests on the beaches of the Keys. These turtles face numerous threats, including destruction of eggs by raccoons, habitat destruction, entanglement in fishing gear and accidental capture in shrimp trawl nets. Warming oceans and rising sea
is the University of Florida, IFAS Monroe County Extension coordinator.
levels also pose a significant risk to this species, as they could affect their nesting sites. Conservation efforts, including beach monitoring, the protection of nests and policy changes that require turtleexcluding devices on shrimp nets, have proven to be successful. These efforts have significantly increased turtle populations over the years.
The Key Largo woodrat is a rare and critically endangered rodent found only in the hardwood hammocks of Key Largo. With fewer than 50 remaining in the wild, this species is at risk of extinction due to habitat destruction, predation by non-native species, and competition for food. Conservation efforts include habitat restoration and the removal of invasive predators to provide a safer environment for this species. Captive breeding programs have been established at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa and Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, but captive females average only one offspring per year, while wild females typically have two litters a year with three or four pups.
The Miami blue butterfly is a critically endangered species native to the Florida Keys. Once widespread across coastal South Florida, it has now been reduced to a single wild population in the Key West and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuges, with fewer than 100 remaining. This decline is attributed to habitat loss, coastal development and invasive species such as the green iguanas eating the butterflies’ host plant, nickerbean. Conservation efforts, including captive breeding and habitat restoration at Bahia Honda and Long Key state parks, aim to stabilize and recover the species.
Coral species found in the waters around the Florida Keys are in severe decline due to ocean warming, disease, pollution and coral bleaching. Elkhorn and staghorn corals, once the foundation of the region’s vibrant coral reefs, are now listed as endangered. Coral restoration programs have shown promise in helping these species recover.
New Key West festival runs June 1-20
Organizers, performers, artists and vendors of Key West’s Sunset Celebration are conjuring up Summer Solstice Celebration at Mallory Square, a series of special performances, features and demonstrations running June 1 through the night of the summer solstice on June 20. CAROL TEDESCO/Contributed
CELEBRATE THE SUMMER SOLSTICE AT MALLORY SQUARE
More than a dozen artisans will demonstrate their creative abilities in Key West during the Summer Solstice Celebration, set for June 1-20 at Mallory Square. Attendees can watch live painting showcases; learn about macrame, palm flower crafting and henna body art; make flower crowns associated with the solstice and more.
The festival celebrates the June 20 summer solstice, marking the official first day of summer and the longest day of the year. Presented by the Key West Cultural Preservation Society, organizer of the nightly Mallory Square sunset gathering, events begin at 7 p.m. and continue until after the sun goes down.
Among the featured artisans is wire sculptor Ryan Stimers, who bends and twists shining strands of wire into intricate forms that range from kinetic flowers and pet portraits to palm trees and other symbols associated with the Keys.
Stimers refined his wire wizardry while traveling through Europe and to South America and Australia. Since settling in Key West 20 years ago, he has emerged as a respected local artisan and is one of the organizers of the Summer Solstice Celebration.
“This event will give Key West visitors a chance to interact with local artists and craftspeople, observe their creative process during our demonstration days, and discover unique art that captures the spirit of the island,” said Stimers, who intends to stage wire sculpture giveaways as well as demonstrations during the festival.
Others scheduled to showcase their talents include painters Kaley Bentz, Sean Dwyer and Theresa Chiechi; macrame masters Lisa and Gary Ford; henna artisan and painter Alisa Mealor; “boho
Ryan Stimers, who bends and twists shining lengths of wire into intricate forms, will stage wire sculpture giveaways and demonstrations during the Summer Solstice Celebration at Mallory Square, which kicks off on June 1 and continues through the night of the June 20 summer solstice.
beach” jewelry maker Rachel Burrows; silkscreen expert Joanne Hasman; soap crafter Samantha Gonzalez; Isaac and Danay Valdes, skilled in intaglio wood carving and hand painting; dichroic glass jewelry creator Johnathan Craft; and Susan Schaal with her custommade dog products.
Demonstrations will conclude with a June 20 presentation of “digital dreamscapes” by colorist and digital impressionist Nicholas Bergery.
The Summer Solstice Celebration also features live shows by local and visiting street performers, island-style music, daredevil performances and demonstrations, tarot card readings, food and drink from local vendors, and opportunities to honor and learn about the power and mythology connected to the sun.
Festival activities are set against the backdrop of Key West’s Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square, a nightly gathering founded some 50 years ago.
The Summer Solstice Celebration is presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. More information is at sunsetcelebration.org.
Contributed
BRYNN MOREY
City
Kenny Matlock, Councilmember
Robyn Still, Councilmember
Code Compliance Hearing
5/15/25 2:00 pm Marathon Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy.
Planning Commission Meeting CANCELLED
5/19/25 5:30 pm Marathon Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy.
Firefighter Pension Board Meeting
5/20/25 9:00 am Marathon Fire Station #14, 8900 Overseas Hwy.
City Council Workshop
5/27/25 5:30 pm Marathon Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy.
Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at any meeting or workshop noted herein, he or she will need a record of the proceedings and for such purposes he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made; which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. The City of Marathon complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are a disabled person requiring special accommodations or assistance, please notify the City ADA Coordinator at (305) 289-5022 of such need at least 72 hours (3 days) in advance.
MARK HEDDEN
... is a photographer, writer, and semi-professional birdwatcher. He has lived in Key West for more than 25 years and may no longer be employable in the real world. He is also executive director of the Florida Keys Audubon Society.
What was ideal was heavy rain that happened the night before, the kind of inclement weather that tends to encourage migrating birds to maybe take a break and ride things out down here, among the lowly terrestrials, at least until the storms move out of the way.
What was not ideal was it being the second week in May, kind of late in the migration, when most birds had already passed over and through and on up into North America.
It seemed worth the two-mile trip to Fort Zach, though, to see if there was any fallout.
The last time I’d been in the park, a week-and-a-half before, I’d sat at the edge of the moat with my friend Ellen Westbrook, and then my friend Lisa Morehouse, and watched as a steady parade of warblers came in to bathe on the low twigs that dipped into the water.
Warblers tend to be the bulk and the color guard of the migration. We’ve recorded close to 40 species of them in the Keys. And they are pretty fun birds to see, small things, often brightly colored, sometimes just interestingly colored, slightly larger than winged baby carrots, that spin and flit through the trees.
So I went back to the same spot, sat down in the dirt and hoped for a repeat, which is never the right hope in birdwatching.
Instead of a parade of small songbirds, there was one very large and very dark – almost black – iguana. And above him, a small concert of noisy local red-winged blackbirds.
Somewhere high in the canopy behind me I heard a soft tuk-tuk-tuk, the contact call of a yellow-billed cuckoo. I didn’t bother to turn around and look for it because cuckoos, especially cuckoos in migration, tend to be lurkers, always three or four layers deep in foliage, always heading toward the exit before you even notice them.
I got up and began to wander.
There wasn’t the level of bird activity I’d hoped for, but I could see the occasional shadow move through the trees. More cuckoos, I suspected, but nothing distinct in color or shape.
My binoculars are a well-used, nearly 20-year-old pair of Swarovskis. (Apparently they make jewelry, too?) I accidentally dropped them in a bag from a foot or two onto our tile floor a while back, and didn’t think about it until a few days later, when I went to use them and realized the right barrel no longer focused.
As with any well-used tool that you’ve had for so long, the binoculars become like an ex-
CUCKOO SHADOWS
tension of the user. You lift them to your eyes and you find the bird, or whatever you were looking for, without thinking about it.
I didn’t realize how much being able to focus only one eye would stymie me. I’d see some movement, lift the binoculars, and the blurry side would somehow completely scramble the sharp side. When I would remember to close one eye, somehow my aim was all off. (I could fix all this if I just remembered to ship them off for repair.)
My suspicions about the yellow-billed cuckoos were confirmed without binoculars up behind the blacksmith shop at the park, when I stepped on a twig and three of them leapt out of the tree and flew off in different directions.
It was all silhouette, but cuckoos have a distinct shape. To me they always look a little hunched when they fly, curving downward, as if, while in the open air, they are conveying with their body language just how much they would like to return to some form of cover.
I did see a closely related and similarly shaped black-billed cuckoo in the park once, and the elusive mangrove cuckoo has been seen there, though not by me. But seeing a lot of cuckoos in the park made it more likely that I was encountering a wave of migrating yellow-bills.
Yellow-billed cuckoos breed in the Keys, as well as in most of the eastern half of North America. They breed in the western half of the continent, too, but their numbers there crashed heavily in the 1900s. And for some reason, in my experience, the local breeders, which will be easier to find in the coming weeks, are much less skittish than the migrants. (The photo here is from a Keys breeder.)
Most of our cultural notions about cuckoos comes from Europe, where in the mid-1600s Swiss clock makers figured out how to mimic
the sound mechanically, and make some very memorable clocks. And European cuckoos have been equated with craziness since the time of Aristophanes in the fifth century B.C.
For a long time I mistakenly thought that New World cuckoos, like a lot of New World bird names given by European immigrants, shared a name with the Old World cuckoos, though not a twig on the taxonomic tree. But I was wrong. The common cuckoo, which inspired the clocks, and the yellow-billed cuckoo (as well as the black-billed and the mangrove) are actually in the same family.
Besides being known as metaphors for madness, cuckoos in Europe are also thought to be some of nature’s more devious villains, at least in an anthropomorphic sense. This is most likely due to their habits of nest parasitism, meaning they don’t build nests of their own, but instead lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. Cuckoo chicks mature faster, allowing them to muscle in on the best food from the duped host parents, and to thrive at the expense of the actual offspring. The chicks also have a small bare patch on their rump that allows them to slow-motion twerk the eggs of their host parents up and over the side of the nest.
Yellow-billed cuckoos actually build their own nests, and both parents share near equal responsibility for the brooding and feeding of their own chicks. But they do also, on occasion, lay eggs in the nests of American robins, gray catbirds, wood thrushes and at least eight other species of North American songbirds.
This is likely why American robins, gray catbirds and wood thrushes will sometimes go after yellow-billed cuckoos when they see them. And also possibly why yellow-billed cuckoos are so likely to avoid attention and loiter in the shadows.
A yellow-billed cuckoo in the Keys. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly
BRIEFLY
MARATHON COUNCIL SHOOTS DOWN DEVELOPMENT EXPANSION, GREENLIGHTS SKATE PARK
also be eventually constructed next to the skate park, and site work to build the park will prepare the area for the splash pad, city staff reports stated.
Approval of the build was met with applause around the room, along with special praise by the council for Sexton, a local resort owner, action sports enthusiast and longtime champion for the project.
“My sole goal has been to bring more fun things to this town, give this place a good sense of community, and create more things for kids to do,” Sexton told the council. “I think (this project) has become exactly what I hoped it would – a reimagining of what our community park could be, bringing in the wants and needs of everybody.”
Safety action plan zeroes in on traffic fatalities
Resident input in future surveys and workshops will pair with crash data to create an action plan to reduce traffic fatalities throughout Marathon, deputy project manager Kush Bhagat of consulting firm Stantec told the council on Tuesday.
Bhagat’s presentation summarized six years of crash data in Marathon, in which 1,598 total crashes resulted in 88 fatalities or serious injuries and caused an estimated $233 million in societal costs, he said. Peak crash frequencies tended to correlate with busy tourist months, and generally occurred around noon, 2 and 3 p.m. in the areas of 33rd to 73rd Street, the Sadowski Causeway intersection and the Coco Plum Drive intersection.
Bhagat showed a video clip series of near-miss crashes in collision hotspots, used to identify crash patterns and problematic traffic patterns among cars, pedestrians, bicycles and scooters.
“The end result is going to be a document that has outlined policy
steps for the city, as well as identified projects in locations with recommended improvements,” he said. “It’s going to be data-driven, but it’s also from a lot of engagement. … We want to hear from you.”
Traffic concerns will be on the agenda at Marathon’s May 27 workshop, and residents are encouraged to take an online survey by scanning the attached QR code.
In other news:
• Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Captain Derek Paul announced a return of $122,978 in unused funds from MCSO to the city from the sheriff’s office annual contract.
• Fire Chief James Muro announced the selection of an upcoming fire and EMS rescue boat to operate out of Marathon. The total purchase price of $476,557.07 through manufacturer Safe Boat is funded in part by a $150,000 grant from the state, budgeted funds previously set aside by the city, and an additional $101,557 in city expenses approved unanimously in Resolution 2025-46. The 29-foot center console vessel will eventually be docked at Marathon’s Seven Mile Marina once completed, allowing easy access to both gulfside and oceanside emergencies.
Pork dinner to support Pay it Forward scholarship
On Saturday, May 17, the Marathon Elks Lodge will play host to a pork dinner benefitting the Pay it Forward scholarship, awarded every year to graduating Marathon High School seniors. The evening features a night of karaoke, 50/50 raffle, an extensive silent auction and more from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are pre-sold and available at the door – contact Wendy Bonilla at 305-942-9961 to order. All proceeds will go to the MHS Class of 2025.
Water pipe work will pause
For Memorial Day Weekend, the crew installing the new Plantation Key water main near MM 89 will pause work on Thursday, May 22 and resume work on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. As of May 9, the crew working north of Snake Creek Bridge has installed 5,931 feet of pipe. More information is at fkaa.com or via email to community@fkaa.com. After-hours support is available at (305) 296-2454.
Fair Insurance Rates for Monroe seeks board members
The board of directors of Fair Insurance Rates for Monroe (FIRM) is now accepting nominations of individuals interested in serving on its board. FIRM, a grassroots organization formed in February 2006, is composed of homeowners and residents united to fight against excessive, discriminatory and unaffordable residential, condominium and commercial property insurance rates. Information on FIRM membership and activities can be found at www. firmkeys.org. Responsibilities include monthly board meetings held in Key West and participation in committee work. Middle and Upper Keys residents are encouraged to submit their interest as meetings can be attended via ZOOM. Areas of expertise that are particularly relevant to board make-up include but are not limited to fundraising, communications, engineering/construction, real estate and floodplain management. Please send a letter of interest and resume to FIRM at info@firmkeys.org by May 31.
Marathon man arrested for spitting on deputy
A 59-year-old Marathon man was arrested May 6 after allegedly spitting on a sheriff’s office deputy. Robert John Hermanson was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest
and providing false information to law enforcement. The sheriff’s office saw Hermanson sleeping at the Crane Point Museum and Nature Center around 3 a.m., where multiple no-trespassing signs were posted/visible. Hermanson gave a false name, date of birth and social security number. His real name was learned shortly thereafter, as well as that he had an arrest warrant from Miami-Dade County. Hermanson allegedly ignored a deputy’s commands and spit in his face. He also pushed and pulled away while being arrested. He was taken to jail.
Three family members arrested after roadside argument
Three family members engaged in an apparent domestic argument while in a vehicle were arrested May 11 following an incident on U.S. 1 in Marathon. Diana Alvarez, 48, was charged with domestic battery. Sebastian Alvarez, 27, was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer. Daniel Alavarez, 24, was charged with resisting arrest. An SUV stopped on the shoulder of U.S. 1 around 6 p.m. Multiple individuals exited the vehicle and appeared irate. The sheriff’s office arrived and began to separate those involved when some began to resist deputies. Sebastian Alvarez allegedly attacked one deputy before being shocked with a Taser. All three suspects were taken to jail.
Keys Democrats invite public to monthly meeting
The public is invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Keys Democrats on Thursday, May 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the Marathon library. The meeting will be a hybrid Zoom and in person meeting. More information is available via email to mid-keys@keysdems. com.
Come
take
a class at the Marathon library
The Marathon library has a wide variety of class offerings, ranging from photography to book clubs, robots, virtual reality and more. Scan the QR code here to see the schedule and get involved.
Fire Chief James Muro displays the city’s model of choice for a new fire and EMS boat. Purchase of the $476,000 vessel, partially funded by a $150,000 grant from the state, was unanimously approved Tuesday night. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly
Consultant Kush Bhagat shows a series of near-miss crash videos throughout Marathon. Combining resident input with crash data since 2019, consultants will work to develop a safety plan for improvements to Marathon’s roads. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly
GETTING TRASHY
Net collections from I.CARE Trash Derby smash previous record “I
t takes a village,” said I.CARE Co-Founder Mike Goldberg of the effort necessary to keep the Keys clean.
A village spanning the length of the Keys responded in force for the third annual I.CARE Trash Derby. New faces, healthy competition and better organization made the annual event, which took place the first weekend of May, an unexpected and smashing success.
In two days of Keyswide cleanups, 898 participants removed a whopping 36,459 pounds of marine debris from our waters, mangroves and coastlines. This surpassed last year’s record of 14,000 pounds.
“There was so much (trash), we didn’t know where to put it. We filled nine 20 yarders (Dumpsters), and we could have filled 20,” said Goldberg.
What made a difference
Trying to explain the huge jump in impact, he cited several factors:
• More enthusiasm and healthy competition among locals groups and dive shops.
• Scouting for debris by dive shops for weeks in advance.
• More land cleanups available so people could find and join more easily.
• Better event organization and communication, so people could jump on multiple cleanups.
Cortney Benson, the marine debris removal stewardship coordinator for National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, credited Keys nonprofits already engaged in cleaning up our slice of paradise with a lion’s share of the difference.
For example, Conch Republic Marine Army (CRMA) is a boat-based nonprofit that regularly brings locals and visitors to mangrove islands to remove hard-to-reach trash and storm remnants — for free. This was their first year participating in the derby, and they ended up winning the private boat division for most overall trash collected: 8,866 pounds.
“We had an absolute blast and we cleaned a lot of stuff out of the mangroves,” said CRMA executive director Carla Burns. “My favorite part was a big snotball of rope. Literally, a thousand pounds in one knot that took six guys to get out of the water, onto the boat and to the side where we cut it up in pieces.”
“Groups like CRMA, Surfrider, Reef Relief made all the difference — we leveraged their expertise, their knowledge, their ability and their infrastructure,” Goldberg added.
Whatever it takes
Many people went above and beyond. The twoman team of Bob Murray and Terry Helmers won the land division by removing 2,258 pounds, including a
concrete dock that was “definitely an Irma casualty.” They sledgehammered it into pieces, smashed it up and carried it out in 5 gallon buckets that weighed around 35 pounds each. Then, they had to cross mangrove roots and coral rock to a boat anchored offshore.
“It was kind of like a crossfit thing,” Murray joked. “We wanted to get a ton, and we did.”
Benson, like others, participated in numerous cleanups throughout the weekend. She started with two dives with Captain’s Corner in Key West, followed by a land and snorkel cleanup along the seawall by the Key West Airport. Day two, she went out with Captain Hook’s Big Pine for two more dives, followed by a land-based cleanup on Indian Key Fill. Goldberg gave a nod to the Florida Keys Tourism Development Council for their partnership and support.
“The TDC agreeing to fund a program like this — picking up trash — as a ‘tourism’ event is not what they’d normally consider, but they saw through that and supported us financially. That allowed the dive operators to be a part of it and offer free diving to visitors and locals.”
With all diving for the event completely sponsored, dive boats were fully booked months in advance. This also brought an unexpected boon to our islands: of the 534 divers, 81.5% were from out of county, and many stayed at local hotels, ate at area restaurants and contributed to this communitywide effort.
Empowering people
Benson explained why, generally, trash cleanups and debris dives work. “Marine debris is such a big and daunting topic and problem, I think lots of people feel helpless about it. But people feel more empowered when … they can come and physically remove the debris with their own hands and … can be a part of the local solution.”
“There are so many things you do in life that you don’t feel like have an impact. Here, you can see what you’ve done and the impact,” added Burns. “You feel so good.”
There’s already buzz about the 2026 derby, with second-placers rethinking their strategies, winners enjoying their bragging rights and the community feeling really connected and positive about the power of many to create real change.
Murray said, “I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about it. I am going to vote for it as the best event in the Best of Upper Keys.”
He decided to donate his half of the winnings ($1,000) back to I.CARE, and Helmers will donate his half to the Friends of John Pennekamp. Helmers has also found another dock, and the two already have plans to try to remove it.
“There will be something else,” Murray said. “Sadly, there is no shortage of stuff to clear out. But, that’s why we’re not stopping. It’s all of our responsibility.”
1. Mangrove ecosystems are littered with derelict trap lines brought in by storms. Conch Republic Marine Army removes much of it. 2. The Conch Republic Marine Army uses floating boards to help bring gear out from deep in the mangroves. 3. Winners of the land division, Terry Helmers and Bob Murray, cleaned up ‘a literal ton’ of debris — 2,258 pounds with just the two of them — focusing on debris left over from Hurricane Irma in 2017. Photos by CONCH REPUBLIC MARINE ARMY and BARBARA OVERTON
Having Fun in the Middle Keys
Founded by Betty Debnam
Have you ever been to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia? Just outside Washington, D.C., Arlington is the final resting place for more than 300,000 service members and their family members.
Military men and women from every American war are buried there. But Arlington is not the only cemetery where American soldiers, airmen and sailors lie at rest. In fact, all across the world, American cemeteries, memorials, monuments and markers honor military members who have fought for their country.
In advance of Memorial Day on May 26, The Mini Page explores some of these faraway tributes.
MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR
• Mexico City National Cemetery
In 1847, as Mexico and the United States fought over territory, American forces moved toward Mexico City. Finally, Mexico surrendered, and the war ended. The United States won the territories of New Mexico and Alta California.
The remains of 750 unidentified Americans are buried together together there.
ARLINGTON, BELGIUM, CEMETERY, COLONIAL, CRYPT, FLAGS, FOLD, FRANCE, GRAVES, MEMORIAL, MEXICO, MILITARY, OVERSEAS, POOL, SERVICE, SOLDIER, SOUTH KOREA, VAULT.
Honoring the Fallen
The remains of 813 Americans who served in the Mexican-American War and the Spanish-American War are also buried in wall crypts, or vaults, in the cemetery.
WORLD WAR I
• Flanders Field in Belgium
In 1918, just before World War I ended, the U.S. 91st Division fought a battle where Flanders Field American Cemetery is now. With 368 service members buried there, it is the only American cemetery in Belgium.
The famous poem “In Flanders Fields” was written by John McCrae in 1915 after an earlier battle there.
WORLD WAR II
• Normandy American Cemetery in France
A complicated plan to invade German-occupied parts of France in 1944 was called Operation Overlord. It involved U.S., British and Canadian paratroopers dropping from planes during the night to conquer and secure as many areas as possible. Then, at dawn, soldiers stormed five different beaches along the coast of Normandy, France. On the first day alone, at least 10,000 Allied troops were lost.
The cemetery contains the graves of more than 9,000 military dead.
Words that remind us of military cemeteries are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
KOREAN WAR
• U.S. Monument at U.N. Memorial Cemetery in South Korea
The United Nations Memorial Cemetery in South Korea contains the graves of 2,300 service members from 11 countries. Thirty-six Americans are buried there. The U.S. monument reads: “Honor, Freedom, Peace.”
FOLDED FLAGS
An Army officer presents a folded flag to the widow of a fallen soldier.
Why do we fold flags for military funerals? The U.S. flag is folded in this special way at ceremonial occasions.
As the flag is folded, the red and white stripes are covered by the star-covered blue field. This represents the light of day disappearing into the darkness of night.
The shape, similar to a Colonial hat, reminds us of the soldiers and sailors who served during the Revolutionary War.
On the Web: • youtu.be/B7yMakv5Dwg
youtu.be/JqNy91cJgEw
At the library: • “Arlington National Cemetery” by Barbara M. Linde
The U.K.’s endangered turtle dove population is making a remarkable recovery, thanks in large part to a recent hunting ban. The Guardian reports that after declining by 98% since the 1990s, the population grew by 25% across Western Europe since a 2021 ban on shooting the birds in key countries along their migration routes, such as France, Spain and Portugal. Conservation efforts in the U.K., including habitat support from over 400 landowners, have also been key to the recovery.
Mini Fact: At Arlington National Cemetery, a soldier places flags on graves for Memorial Day.
photo by Elizabeth Fraser, U.S. Army
Burial vaults at the Mexico City National Cemetery.
The Reflecting Pool at Normandy American Cemetery in France.
photo
Proudly serving Key West to Islamorada as the ONLY locally owned and operated concrete company in the Florida Keys.
Whether you’re building a large commercial building, FDOT bridge, or a customdesigned home, we have concrete mix designs for every project. Thanks to decades of experience, our team can create custom mixes with high-quality additives for specific project needs. We offer the largest variety of materials and operate the only FDOT-certified ready-mix plants in the Florida Keys. Call us for all ready-mix concrete, block, aggregate, rebar and bagged good needs.
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.
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.
Marathon - Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com
Upper Keys - Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com
Key West - Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com
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.
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.
PITCH PERFECT
Dialed-in Brianna Brenner drives defense while two Lady Conchs go yard in regional quarterfinal win
The Lady Conchs kept their dreams of a state title alive with a resounding 7-1 win over the Cougars of Barron Collier High School on May 7. Key West, ranked third regionally, picked off the sixth-ranked Cougars in The Backyard to advance to the next round of play.
The game was scoreless until the fourth frame, when Key West got things started with a Shylo Sanchez solo homer to center field. Then with two outs, the Conchs put together a rally of three more hits, a walk and a Barron Collier error to tack on three more to head into the top of the fifth with a 4-0 lead.
In the next at-bat, Key West added two on a Skye Sterling homer sent sailing into center field. The lead was enough to keep the Cougars at bay, and at the end of the final frame, Key West had earned a spot in FHSAA’s 4A Sweet 16.
The Conchs amassed 10 hits, including two each from Sanchez and Lilee Gage. Aaliyah McLeod, Tavyn Gage, Vera Rodger, Maicee Gage, Kaleya Cervantes and Sterling accounted for the rest.
Key West’s win was sealed by an error-free defense and a spectacular performance by Brianna Brenner in the circle. Brenner pitched a full game, striking out 14 batters, walking two and allowing just two hits against a regionally-ranked Barron Collier offense. The sophomore sensation currently leads the district in strikeouts with 113, and her 1.92 ERA is tops in District 16 and appears on the top-10 leaderboard for all of 4A.
Next up for Key West was the regional semifinals, where they played second-seeded Archbishop McCarthy on May 13 (results not available at press time). The Mavericks and No. 3-seeded Conchs both boast 15-7 records, and though the teams do not have any shared opponents this season, they match well against one another in all statistical areas.
tracy mcdonald
sean mcdonald
Marathon’s top singles player, Emily Alvear, has been on the roster since middle school. This season she registered three wins, including one in the first round of the district playoffs. “Emily continues to get better every year and is getting stronger on the court,” said coach Kevin Freeman. “I think she finally saw what she is capable of and has stepped her game up. We are very excited to see what happens with her next year.”
Key West’s top seed was undefeated in the regular season, sweeping her Keys competitors and adding wins against LaSalle and Gulliver. “She is an inspiration to the team with her team spirit, on-court focus and hard-hitting strokes,” said head coach Joie Switzer. “Her serve and pace are her greatest weapons.”
Coral Shores’ Kai Guth played in the No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles spots this season. Coach Zach Ownes said, “Kai was a leader and mentor to all team members.” Guth is a four-year varsity player for the ’Canes and earned a spot on the FHSAA 2025 Florida Dairy Farmers Academic All-State Team for her contributions on the courts and in the classroom.
Senior captain Gaby Aguero was described by Switzer as “the heart of the tennis team with her uplifting attitude and joyful spirit.” Aguero had a win in No. 1 doubles at Gulliver Prep and had a winning record in singles this season.
Hurricane Kai Redruello played at the No. 3 singles spot this season, earning a 7-3 record with wins against Keys competitors as well as Westminster Christian. “Kai was one of the team leaders with matches won,” said Owens. “We are excited to have her for one more year.”
Hamida Muhsinova’s freshman campaign was so strong it earned her the team’s Coach’s Award. Muhsinova played No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles this season. “She showed a quiet determination to win her matches, using a mix of consistency and power,” said Switzer. “Her commitment to improving her serve and volleys and playing with a positive attitude were her biggest assets.”
MEET THE 2025 ALLKEYS GIRLS TENNIS TEAM
Monroe County teams rally to standout performances
Key West and Coral Shores enjoyed order on the courts this season, with each team winning six matches. The Conchs finished the season 6-4, losing one match to Coral Shores with the rest of their losses coming from mainland teams. The Conchs had some success at Gulliver, winning two matches against one of the best teams in South Florida. Coral Shores finished 6-5-1. The Hurricanes found some success on the mainland, picking up a win and a tie against Miami teams. The Marathon Dolphins struggled this season, finishing 0-10, but had success at the No. 1 singles spot throughout the season. All three teams play the majority of their matches against one another, forging a solid sense of camaraderie despite being opponents.
Photos by Maicey Malgrat, Doug Finger and Barry Gaukel
1. Conch pole vaulter Ian Newton in front of the leaderboard at the state championships.
2. Marathon’s Justice Lee has three more medals to add to her expansive collection.
3. Marathon’s state-qualifying athletes pose with their medals and coaches.
4. Key West’s Caylaa Makimaa, left, and Coral Shores’ Ali Wheatley battle it out for position in the 3,200-meter run at states.
5. Audrey Smith releases the javelin.
6. Sophomore Ariel Newton clears the pole.
7. The FHSAA 2A State Championship medalist podium is crowded with Conchs this year. Shane Lavallee stands in second, Peyton Zubieta in sixth and Jeremiah Harvey in seventh.
8. Dolphin pole vaulter Ava Merryman.
9. Jeremiah Harvey’s sixth-place state performance.
RICK MACKENZIE/Contributed
MEDAL MANIA
Newton strikes gold, Lee wins three medals at track and field states
Local athletes earned trips to Jacksonville last week by qualifying for the FHSAA State Championships in track and field. The events, held at Hodges Stadium, home to University of North Florida, were spread out over a series of days to accommodate the various divisions. Key West and Coral Shores, both 2A schools, competed on May 9 while 1A Marathon’s events were held the following day.
The FHSAA awards the top eight athletes in each event a medal at the state level, where the competitive fields are composed of the top two athletes in each of the four regions plus the 10 next best athletes overall.
One Keys athlete took gold last week.
Key West’s Ian Newton brought a state championship to the Southernmost City in the pole vault, clearing 15’3” for the state’s top spot and a personal best.
Conchs head coach Dave Perkins did not mince words earlier this season, describing Newton as an incredible athlete whose potential was likely yet untapped. Last season, he came in 10th at the state championships, clearing the bar a good three feet lower than he did last week. His improvement over the course of a single year was remarkable.
Newton’s first-place finish was the only one for Key West, but plenty of Conchs medaled and all had stellar performances at states. Newton’s sister, Ariel, has proven her
own prowess in the pole vault. The younger Newton matched her personal best, 10’4”, to crack the top 10 in the girls competition with two more years of eligibility remaining to take her own vaults to new levels.
The field events proved especially fruitful for Key West’s athletes. Senior Shane Lavallee earned a bronze medal, placing third in the javelin throw with a 168’10” toss. Lavallee was not the only Conch to earn a medal in the javelin event, as Audrey Smith, a junior, won fourth place in the girls competition with a 123-foot throw. Seniors Jeremiah Harvey and Peyton Zubieta also brought home medals in javelin, with Harvey’s 160’9” toss and Zubieta’s 157’9” throw earning sixth and seventh place, respectively.
Smith went on to secure ninth place in the discus event, just missing a medal but cracking the top 10 with a 115’11” throw. Junior Noah Mercer unleashed a 156’8” discus throw. Mercer’s efforts broke his own school record and earned him a fourth-place state medal. Sophomore Josh Johnson finished 10th in the shot put competition, propelling it 47’3”.
The only track competitor for Key West to qualify for states was senior Caylaa
Makimaa. Coincidentally, Coral Shores’ only qualifier, freshman Ali Wheatley, made the state list in the same event. Both athletes have run exceptionally well this season in the 3,200-meter race, often finishing within seconds of one another and pushing each other to better times. At regionals, Wheatley outpaced Makimaa, but at states, Makimaa’s experience helped push the senior two spots ahead of Wheatley. Makimaa finished in 15th place in 11:51, while Wheatley was 17th, crossing the finish line in 12:05.
The following day, it was Marathon’s turn to compete against the best in the FHSAA’s 1A. On the track, Dolphins distance specialist Vance Bursa capped off his senior season with two races, qualifying for the state meet in the 3,200 and 1,600-meter races. Bursa placed 14th in the 3,200 and 16th in the 1,600 to secure his spot among Marathon’s top track athletes in school history.
Fellow senior Jay Marshall finished 13th in the 100-meter dash, where he holds the school record, set last season. But like Key West, it was the field events where Marathon shined this year.
A pair of junior Lady Fins brought home four combined medals. Ava Merryman
placed seventh in the pole vault, clearing 9’4.25”. Merryman holds the school record in the event and will return next season with a state gold on her wish list. Teammate Justice Lee dominated the throwing events two weeks ago at regionals, qualifying for states in all three events. Her at-large bid in the javelin did not stop her from medaling in the event. Lee picked up the eighth-place medal by unleashing a 104’1” throw of the spear. She went on to capture bronze in the discus, re-breaking her own school record with a 123’8” toss. Still unfinished, Lee captured a third medal, a state silver, in the shot put event. Lee’s 40’6.25” throw added two feet to her prior PR and school record.
Key West’s Alfredo Corrales holds the school record in career pins with 94 as well as career wins with 150. “Alfredo is what you hope all your athletes strive to be,” said coach Chaz Jimenez. “Someone who works hard in all facets of his life and is dedicated to his goal.” Corrales capped off his career with a district championship, a regional championship and a trip to states where he placed fourth.
Finn McDonough finished his junior season 31-19, secured a district title and was one match away from qualifying for the state championships. Jiovenetta said McDonough “brings the right attitude everywhere he goes. He helps lighten up a room. And in a wrestling room, that can be very important.”
In his first season with the Hurricanes, Costa Tuttle finished the season 25-12 after a midseason injury nearly sidelined him. “Costa stepped it up and showed perseverance and grit,” said head coach Dante Jiovenetta. Tuttle finished the season with a district championship in his weight class and qualified for the state meet, finishing just one win from a medal.
With 23 wins and 15 losses this season, sophomore Sterling Keefe had an outstanding year and is getting better by the day. Described as the Hurricanes’ “grittiest” wrestler, Keefe is a true competitor. “Sterling has that ability to find ways to win; no matter the score, he’s always in the match,” said Jiovenetta. “He never quits and always gives himself a chance to win.”
In his junior campaign, Sebastian McCoy finished with a solid 34-16 record, a district championship and a trip to states. McCoy is already putting in the work for his final season with the ’Canes. “Sebastian is a good example for our team in the practice room. Nobody drills harder,” said Jiovenetta.
Coral Shores sophomore
David Beltran finished the season 33-15, bringing home a district championship and qualifying for the state meet. He is credited with leading the team by example, guiding others with his fantastic discipline and work ethic. “The way he trains, believes and competes – you’ll understand why he’s had success,” said Jiovenetta.
With one more season to go, Key West’s Jacob Ferguson has everything it takes to be one of the best Key West has seen. After strong showings at districts and regionals, Ferguson qualified for states and ended his season at 23-23. Ferguson is praised for his improvement, which is driven by a fantastic work ethic and willingness to do what it takes to become the best he can be.
Lazaro Diaz will leave Key West as a district champion with a 27-12 record in his senior season. Diaz suffered an injury in his regional semifinal bout, and had that not occurred, Jimenez said he’s certain Diaz would have found success at the state meet. “LJ could pin people from anywhere and was one of the most exciting wrestlers on the team to watch,” he explained.
Lazaro
MEET THE 2024-2025 ALL-KEYS WRESTLING TEAM
Keys mat men and women make a statement
Photos by Maicey Malgrat, Jim McCarthy and contributed images.
Keys wrestling teams proved their strength and resilience this season, making strong showings across the state in what some would argue is the most intense and challenging sport available to high school athletes. Key West is quickly becoming a city synonymous with excellence in wrestling, fueled by a 16-year streak in district team championships. This season, the Conchs captured the district team title while Coral Shores was third. Between the teams, there were eight district champions, one regional champion, eight state qualifiers and one state medalist. Both teams had impressive growth this season, and with many athletes returning to the mats next season, the future of the sport in Monroe County is very exciting.
Abram Canet has been a force for the Conchs for a long time. The senior grappler is a three-time state qualifier and a district champ. “Abram is a gamer, always looking to score,” said Jimenez. Indeed, he did score quite a lot this season, finishing with 43 wins and just 16 losses to finish his time with Key West as one of the most prolific wrestlers in the Conchs’ program.
Searcy, a two-time district champion, finished off his senior season with a trip to states. “James is a leader on and off the mat,” said Jimenez, who also praised Searcy for his grit, determination and work ethic. He finished the season 20-13 despite battling back from knee surgery just prior to the start of the season.
Key West’s two-time state qualifier Sheyla Figueira completed her senior season with a 24-7 record. Figueira was a founding member of the Lady Conchs wrestling program, and her contributions will remain long after graduation. “Sheyla will forever be remembered as one of the founders of girls wrestling at KWHS,” said Jimenez, adding that her success helped build the program, which grows yearly.
In her first year with the Conchs, Maria Holushko wrestled her way to an impressive 30-7 record, qualifying for states as a freshman. “Maria is a natural talent who can accomplish great things in the sport of wrestling,” said Jimenez, adding that Holushko’s background in jiu-jitsu served her well this season, and the best is yet to come.
Maria Holushko
Sheyla Figueira
James Searcy
Abram Canet FRESHMAN KEY WEST SENIOR KEY WEST
SENIOR KEY WEST
SENIOR KEY WEST
• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •
LEGAL NOTICES
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, June 11, 2025, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:
For information or to schedule a viewing of these units/equipment listed above, please contact Keith Moriarity at 305-394-5258.
FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Newfound Harbor Marine Institute located at 1300 Big Pine Ave, Big Pine Key, FL 33043, intends to register the said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
By: Seacamp Association, Inc.
Publish:
May 15, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Summerlin Automotive located at 1388 Niles Rd., Summerland Key, Florida 33042, intends to register the said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, FL.
By: Kenton Smeltzer
Publish:
May 15, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
AMENDED NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY CASE NO: 24-CA-000594-K
Darreth Dellagnese
Plaintiff, Vs William H. Foster
Defendant, AMENDED NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY given that pursuant to a Writ of Execution issued in the Circuit Court, of Monroe County, Florida, on the 16th day of July, 2024, in the cause
wherein Darreth Dellagnese is Plaintiff and William H. Foster was defendant, being Case No. 24-CA-000594-K in said court, I, Richard A. Ramsay, Sheriff of Monroe County, Florida have levied upon all right, title, and interest of the defendant, in and to the following described real property to wit: SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY:
From the warranty deed that states the following described land, situate, lying and being in Monroe County, Florida towit (With certain exceptions): Legal Description(s) –The southerly 15 feet of Lot 30, WHISPERING PINES PLAT NO. 3, according to the map or plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 4, Page 59 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida.
PARCEL B – “LESS AND EXCEPT” – (AUTHORED BY THE UNDERSIGNED PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY TONY ANDRE) A portion of Lot 30, WHISPERING PINES PLAT NO. 3, according to the map or plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 4, Page 59 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and being more particularly described as follows: Commencing at the Southeasterly corner of the said Lot 30 and run thence S89°53'00"W along the Southerly boundary line of the said Lot 30 for a distance of 99.00 feet to the Easterly face of an existing pool coping, said point also being the Point of Beginning of the parcel of land hereinafter described; thence N0°01'48"E along the said Easterly face of an existing pool coping for a distance of 0.78 feet to the Northeasterly corner of the said existing pool coping; thence N89°58'12"W along
the Northerly face the said existing pool coping for a distance of 21.77 feet to the Northwesterly corner of the said existing pool coping; thence S0°01'48"W along the Westerly face of the said existing pool coping for a distance of 0.83 feet to a point on the said Southerly boundary line of the said Lot 30; thence N89°53'00"E along the said Southerly boundary line of the said Lot 30 for a distance of 21.77 feet back to the Point of Beginning.
(Containing 45.15 Sq. Ft +/-)
Copy of Exhibit A available upon request from the Sheriff’s Office and on the date of sale.
SPECIFIC LOCATION OF REAL PROPERTY:
Vacant Sands Road, Big Pine Key, FL 33040
All bidders must have a valid Driver’s License with them and must register with clerk at location of sale prior to start time of sale.
I shall offer this property for sale, at Monroe County Court House located at 500 Whitehead Street Key West, Florida 33040 in the County of Monroe, State of Florida, on the 18th day of June, 2025, at the hour of 10:00 A.M. or as soon thereafter as possible. I will offer for sale all of the said defendant’s right, title, and interest in the aforesaid real property at public auction and will sell the same subject to all taxes, prior liens, encumbrances and judgments, if any, to the highest and best bidder for CASH IN HAND. The proceeds to be applied as far as may be to the payment of costs and the satisfaction of the above described execution.
Dated at Key West, Monroe County, Florida this 1st day of May, 2025.
Richard A. Ramsay
Rockland Key 6839 6839-** 20 YD Roll-Off Container 061829 $250.00 Rockland Key 6805 FMS6805 2010 Ford F150 1FTMF1CW2AKA82552 $3,850.00 Rockland Key For information or to schedule a viewing of these units & equipment listed above, please contact Greg Zills at 305-850-8122.
IMPORTANT: All payments must be made by Cashier’s Check only.
DISCLAIMER: The above listed assets will be sold as the coding below dictates. ** – Winning bidder will be taxed an additional 7.5%.
1
– Sold with a Certificate of Origin and a Bill of Sale only.
2 – May be sold without a Certificate of Origin/Title. Bill of Sale only.
Pursuant to F.S. § 50.0211(3)(a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www.floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from the County’s electronic bidding platform at https://monroecountyfl.bonfirehub.com OR www.monroecounty-fl.gov/BonfireBids. The Public Record is available upon request.
Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform. Please do not email, mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Emailed/mailed/physically delivered bids/proposals/responses WILL NOT be accepted.
The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl.bonfirehub.com, no later than 3:00P.M. on June 11, 2025. There is no cost to the bidder to use the Bonfire platform. Please do not submit your confidential financial information as part of your proposal. There are separate uploads for each set of documents, including confidential financial information. All proposals will be made public on the platform after an intended decision or 30 days, whichever is earlier, unless the bids/proposals are rejected in accordance with F.S. 119.071. If your proposal document includes financial information, that information will not be considered confidential and will be available and viewable to the public in accordance with public records law.
The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on June 11, 2025. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: JOIN ZOOM MEETING
https://mcbocc.zoom.us/j/4509326156
Meeting ID: 4509326156
One tap mobile: +16465189805,,4509326156# US (New York)
+16699006833,,4509326156# US (San Jose)
Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 US (New York)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Publish: May 15, 2025. The Weekly Newspapers
Effective April 17, 2025, Francis Fraboni, M.D., is no longer practicing with Baptist Health Primary Care at the following location: 3303 Overseas Highway, Suite 100, Marathon, FL 33050.
Patients who wish to receive copies of their medical records may log into our patient portal at myBaptistHealth.net, call
Sheriff of Monroe County,
By: Donald Stullken
Deputy Sheriff
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the Civil Division no later than seven says prior to the proceeding at (305)8093041.
Publish:
May 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
Please take notice that in accordance with Florida Statute 328.17, Silent Hunter Boat Yard, LLC dba-Marathon Boat Yard claims a possessory lien on the following described vessel:
Owned by Darryl Wayne Hansen for unpaid storage fees:
a 1981 Formosa 51’ 6” vessel by Formosa Boat Bldg Co., “Dragonfly”, Florida Registration # FL4642RH and HIN #FBB510330481 and 2021 Saturn 21’ vessel Registration #FL0988TD and HIN #VEJ51669B121. Sealed bids will be accepted on May 30, 2025 at Marathon Boat Yard, 2055 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. Silent Hunter Boat Yard, LLC dba Marathon Boat Yard, reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
Publish: May 8 & 15, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
DISTRICT III ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC III) (From the West End of the Seven Mile Bridge to the Long Key Bridge) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for a LODGING INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE – shall be owners or operating/general managers of motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks, or other tourist accommodations which are subject to bed tax in the tax collection district for which they are applying. Any person wishing to participate on the District III Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys.com. Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys. com or may be sent via U.S. mail to the address below:
Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 The deadline for receipt of application at the above address is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025. A resume may be attached to the application.
Publish: May 15, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
FISHING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (District III Representative) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Has an opening for a District III Fishing Advisory Committee Representative (from the West End of the Seven Mile Bridge to the Long Key Bridge) Must reside full time in the Florida Keys and have a fishing related business or represent and have knowledge of fishing tournaments that utilize/ request funding from the specific bed tax district they are representing.
Any person wishing to participate in the Fishing Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so
to the address below:
Department FAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council
1201 White Street, Suite 102
Key West, FL 33040
The deadline for receipt of application at the above email address is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025. A resume may be attached to the application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm the email was received.
Publish: May 15, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on May 21, 2025, at 9:00 A.M. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at the Harvey Government Center, 1200 Truman Avenue, Key West, Florida, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, intends to consider adopting the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, REVISING THE MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES TO ENACT AN ORDINANCE IMPLEMENTING THE ASSESSMENT OF THE TWO DOLLAR ($2.00) FEE AUTHORIZED BY F.S. 938.15
RETROACTIVE TO JULY 2, 2001, AND RATIFYING ALL ACTIONS TAKEN BY MONROE COUNTY SINCE JULY 2, 2001; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT
HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION INTO THE MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
The proposed ordinance may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by viewing the agenda packet for the May 21, 2025, meeting, which will be posted beginning on May 16, 2025 at: http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/citizens/default.aspx.
The ordinance may also be viewed at the Monroe County Attorney’s office at 1111 12th St. Ste. 408 Key West, FL 33040. The public can participate in the May 21, 2025, meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, FL by attending in person or via Zoom. The Zoom link can be found in the agenda at http:// monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/ citizens/default.aspx. ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 2924441, between the hours of 8:30a.m.—5:00p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”. Live Closed-Captioning is available via our web portal @ http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/Citizens/Default.aspx for meetings of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. Dated at Key West, Florida, this 10th day of May, 2025.
KEVIN MADOK, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Ex Officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida
Publish:
May 15, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on May 21, 2025, at 9:00 A.M. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at the Harvey Government Center, 1200 Truman Avenue, Key West, Florida, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, intends to consider adopting the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 6 – BUILDINGS AND
CONSTRUCTION, ARTICLE III – CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, TO UPDATE THE MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE CONTRACTORS EXAMINING BOARD, TO UPDATE THE PROCEDURE FOR DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS, TO UPDATE THE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRACTORS EXAMINING BOARD, AND TO UPDATE PENALTIES AND ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE OF PENALTIES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
The proposed ordinance may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by viewing the agenda packet for the May 21, 2025 meeting, which will be posted beginning May 13, 2025 at: http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/citizens/default.aspx.
The ordinance may also be viewed at the Monroe County Attorney’s office at 1111 12th St. Ste. 408 Key West, FL 33040. The public can participate in the May 21, 2025 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, FL by attending in person or via Zoom. The Zoom link can be found in the agenda at http:// monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/ citizens/default.aspx.
ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 2924441, between the hours of 8:30a.m.—5:00p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”. Live Closed-Captioning is available via our web portal @ http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/Citizens/Default.aspx for meetings of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. Dated at Key West, Florida, this 10th day of May, 2025. KEVIN MADOK, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Ex Officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida Publish: May 15, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: Professional Support Services for Plan Review, Inspection Services, and Planning/Zoning Development Review Monroe County, Florida Pursuant to F.S. § 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from the County’s electronic bidding platform at bonfirehub.comhttps://monroecounty-fl. OR www. monroecounty-fl.gov/ BonfireBids. The Public Record is available upon request. Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform. Please do not email, mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Emailed/mailed/physically delivered bids/proposals/ responses WILL NOT be accepted.
The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform at https:// monroecounty-fl.bonfirehub. com, no later than 3:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 26, 2025. There is no cost to the bidder to use the Bonfire platform. Please do not submit your confidential financial information as part of your proposal. There are separate uploads for each
set of documents, including confidential financial information. All proposals will be made public on the platform after an intended decision or 30 days, whichever is earlier, unless the bids/proposals are rejected in accordance with F.S. 119.071. If your proposal document includes financial information, that information will not be considered confidential and will be available and viewable to the public in accordance with public records law. In the event of a discrepancy between the bid amount on the Proposal Form and the bid amount entered in Bonfire, the bid amount listed in the “Proposal Form” provided by Monroe County in the RFP is the amount that will be utilized by the County when considering the bid proposal. The County reserves the right to waive any proposal/bid irregularity.
The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on Thursday, June 26, 2025. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156
Meeting ID: 4509326156
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Publish:
May 15, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2025-CP-130-P IN RE: THE ESTATE OF MARY HILTON MENDEZ, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of MARY HILTON MENDEZ, deceased, whose date of death was November 25, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, on whom a copy of this notice is 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 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.
The date of first publication of this Notice is: May 15, 2025.
Personal Representative: MELANIE E. VALLE
986 Shaw Dr. Key Largo, FL 33037
Attorney for Personal Representative:
Urban J. W. Patterson, Esq.
Email: ujwplaw@gmail.com
Secondary Email: ujwplawfirm@yahoo.com
Florida Bar No. 382035
Urban J. W. Patterson, P.A.
P. O. Box 783
Islamorada, Florida 33036
Telephone: 3056645065
Publish: May 15 & 22, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION
FILE NO.: 2025-CP-141-K
IN RE: ESTATE OF CHRISTINA LEE CLIFFORD Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Christina Lee Clifford, deceased, whose date of death was December 13, 2024, 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.
The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is: May 15, 2025.
Personal Representative: Jack C. Clifford 8101 Mission Road, Apt. 422 Prairie Village, Kansas 66208
Attorney for Personal Representative: Gregory D. Davila, Esq.
Florida Bar Number: 886998
Law Office of Gregory D. Davila, P.A. 1111 12th Street, Suite 411
Key West, Florida 33040
Telephone: (305) 293-8554
Fax: (305) 294-9913
E-Mail: E-Filing@ keywestlawoffice.com
Secondary E-Mail: gdavila@ keywestlawoffice.com
Publish: May 15 & 22, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
DIVISION: PROBATE
CASE NO.: 25-CP-155-K
IN RE: ESTATE OF KENNETH ALAN LASSIG Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the
estate of KENNETH ALAN LASSIGl, deceased, whose date of death was January 11, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 WHITEHEAD STREET, KEY WEST, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is May 8, 2025. Personal Representative: Cathy D. Fox 1565 Sunrise Drive Big Pine Key, FL 33043 Attorney for Personal Representative: BRIAN M. CASEY Florida Bar Number: 92715 WRIGHT BARROWS PLLC 9711 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-8118 Fax: (305) 489-0307 E-mail: Brian@keysclosings. com Publish: May 8 & 15, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 25-DR-527-K VINCENT DUFOUR, Petitioner, and PENNEL GRACE SORIANO SANTORIA QUINTONG, Respondent. NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: PENNEL GRACE SORIANO SANTORIA QUINTONG RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 632 WHITEHEAD STREET, KEY WEST, FL 33040 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Vincent William Dufour, whose address is 2013 Fogarty Avenue, Key West, FL 33040 on or before June 14, 2025, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: N/A Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office
notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.
Dated: May 9, 2025
Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Destiny Johnson
Deputy Clerk Publish: May 15, 22, 29 and June 5, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
ALL KEYS GUTTER HIRING INSTALLERS $25/$35hr - Holidays Off -BenefitsTavernier. Apply: call or text Jay 305-587-1581
Night Monitor – FREE Private Room in exchange for overnight availability at our Assisted Living Facility. 5 nights on, 5 nights off 10pm-8am plus weekly stipend, Drug & background screen required. www.westcare. com/join-our-team/
The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring for the following positions: Resident Care Supervisor with min. 3 yrs. experience of an LPN, Housing Manager- FTMarathon, Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: wrightk@kwha.org or 305-296-5621 ext. 224. Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 or online at www. kwha.org - EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.
PLACE YOUR AUTO FOR SALE AD HERE. $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy! Pease call 305-4170871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com
BOAT SLIP FOR RENT
19’x40’ slip in Marathon, could handle somewhat larger boat with approval from dockmaster. Desirable location in marina, easy in, easy out. Available 1 May 25 thru Oct 25, possibly long term lease. $1,400/ mo. Please contact Vern Rozier, 904 626 5279, or 904 626 8224 and leave call back info. Or email vrrozier@yahoo.com.
Boat Dockage for rent in Marathon. Private bay bottom, up to 40' boat, self containing, offshore water, car & dingy parking space provided. 305-610-8002
Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time bookkeeper. QuickBooks experience required. Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Email office@ marathonyachtclub.com to schedule an interview.
Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time line cook. Private club, friendly atmosphere. Flexible lunch/ dinner shifts available Tuesday – Saturday, some Sundays. English proficiency required. Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Email office@ marathonyachtclub.com to schedule an interview.
HELP WANTED: Two Conchs in Marathon is now hiring a Full Time Retail Sales Person in our Tackle Shop/Marina. Competitive wages. Contact George 305-289-0199
ARE CENTER, Inc.
JOIN A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE NONPROFIT HELPING PEOPLE COPE AND CHANGE FOR 52 YEARS!
We provide Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs to the Florida Keys community while valuing and rewarding our employees.
KEY LARGO
Behavioral Health Counselor (Children)
Behavioral Health Therapist (Children)
KEY WEST
Case Manager (Children Forensic, Adult) (FT,PT)
Behavioral Health Therapist (Children)
Prevention Specialist
Front Desk Specialist
Advocate
MARATHON
Care Coordinator (PT)
Driver (CDL not required) (PT)
RN/Licensed Practical Nurse (FT,PT)
Maintenance Specialist
*Behavioral Health Technicians – 3 shifts (FT,PT)
*Support Worker (Assisted Living) (FT,PT)
*Night Monitor (Assisted Living - Free Housing)
*No experience required for this position. Will train. A caring heart & helpful hands necessary.
- Social Work Case Manager, Case Management, $10k Bonus
- Pool Pharmacy Tech 2
- ED Team Coordinator, Emergency Department
- Service Worker, Dietary, $5k Bonus
- Patient Financial Associated, $1k Bonus
- Pool Occupational Therapist
- Registered Nurse, Oncology-Outpatient
- RRT, Respiratory Therapy
- Sr. Phlebotomist
- Supervisor Supply Chain
- Supervisor Patient Access Operations
ASSISTANT, CNA (FT)
Assisting our clients with dental, medical and transportation appts. Act as liaison between clients, families and support staff. Requires some on-call responsibility. Min. requirement - Florida certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant.*
SUPPORTED LIVING COACH (FT)
Responsibilities include management of developmentally disabled clients in independent living environments, management of office and in-home support staff. Must be available for some evenings and weekends. Bachelor’s degree in related field or experience working with developmentally disabled clients in lieu of degree. Must have a valid FL driver’s license. Salary commensurate with experience.*
DIRECT CARE STAFF – NIGHTS/WEEKENDS – GROUP HOMES 24/7 (FT)
These positions are available at our Windsor and Von Phister Group Homes. Providing direct-care services and support to our clients in their home. Must be willing to work flexible shifts including overnights. This position requires a minimum of high school completion or GED and 1 year of experience with care giving or 30 hours of college coursework.*
DIRECT CARE STAFF/DRIVER AT ADULT DAY-TRAINING PROGRAM (FT/PT)
This position is available at our Adult Day program. Providing direct care service and support for our clients in the day program. Requires the minimum of high school completion or GED. Prefer experience with caregiving or working with adults with disabilities*
*ALSO REQUIRED FOR ALL POSITIONS: Fluent in English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must. Level 2 background screening and valid Florida driver’s license. EOE
