GERRIT C. HALE FOR MARATHON CITY COUNCIL
AFFORDABLE WORKFORCE HOUSING
Creating pathways for local workers and families to live where they work by expanding housing options through smart incentives and zoning reforms.
HURRICANE RESILIENCE & CLIMATE ADAPTATION
Investing in infrastructure that protects our homes, economy, and natural resources from increasingly severe storms and sea level rise.
CLEAN WATER & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Strengthening canal restoration, water quality initiatives, and local enforcement to preserve what makes the Keys special.
TOURISM MANAGEMENT & ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION
Balancing the needs of residents and visitors while supporting year-round, sustainable economic growth.
PUBLIC SAFETY & COMMUNITY AMENITIES
Enhancing public safety services, parks, and civic facilities that strengthen quality of life in every neighborhood.
PROTECTING OUR SHORELINES WITH MANGROVES
By restoring and protecting mangroves along Marathon’s canals and shorelines, we reduce storm damage, improve water quality, and safeguard our reefs and fisheries. Healthy waters mean a strong economy and a resilient community.
LEADERSHIP THROUGH TRANSPARENCY
Recent controversies have shown that transparent governance matters. Gerrit supports clear agendas, open deliberation, and citizen engagement on all major policy decisions.
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NO TAX INCREASE FOR 2026, MARATHON COUNCIL SAYS
ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com
Marathon will look to spend down its year-plus of reserve funds in an effort not to raise taxes in 2025-26, the city council concluded in a budget hearing on Sept. 16.
Fueled by a statement from Vice Mayor Jeff Smith, the council agreed to target the city’s 486 days of operating expenses held in reserve, arguing that funds held by Marathon for use in the wake of disasters such as hurricanes significantly exceed other Keys municipalities. In recent years, they said, budgeted one-time payments
had gone unspent, shifting funds instead to expand the city’s reserve.
The decision in Marathon’s first public budget hearing comes as a pivot from an original tax rate of 2.2235 mills – or $222.35 per $100,000 in a home’s taxable assessed value –proposed on Tuesday night, used to help fund a 2025-26 budget of $144.6 million.
Proposed expenses from the city’s general fund total $24.939 million – a $2.474 million increase from Marathon’s adopted 2024-25 budget. Notable increases of $623,462 and $481,682, Finance Director Jennifer Johnson said, were due mostly to union-negotiated or contractual raises
A new court ruling has paved the way for residents to openly carry firearms in Florida, though some critical restrictions will still apply. See page 8.
Vice Mayor Jeff Smith spearheaded a push to return the city to its rollback tax rate for 2025-26, taking aim at budgeted expenses that had gone unspent in the last three years – swelling the city’s reserves by roughly $9.7 million, even as budgets planned to spend down this total by millions.
for fire/EMS and police services, respectively, along with the addition of a battalion chief position to the city’s fire department.
Other hefty jumps of $574,112, $414,311 and $595,562 were proposed for the city’s general services, IT and public works. Johnson attributed the majority of the increases to professional and contracted services as well as staffing costs. Along with several salaries moving between departments as the city reorganizes its staff, Marathon’s full-time employee base has grown from 118 to 158, over the last three years – including several highranking posts like a deputy city manager and new I.T. director.
Discussions of staffing levels have persisted throughout the year as Marathon weighs additional services taken in-house – such as the maintenance of the U.S. 1 right-of-way – and levels of service provided to residents. Health insurance costs, Johnson said, are up 9% across the board, and a compensation study of similar posts in neighboring governments also informed adjustments to bring city salaries in line with their competitors.
Cost-of-living increases for staff, a thorn in the side of budget discussions in recent years, saw little discussion and are set at 3.1%, in accordance with June Consumer Price Index data for South Florida. An additional 2% of department salaries is reserved for merit increases, as a pooled amount to be distributed by department heads based on performance evaluations.
The city of Marathon will look to draw down its padded reserves rather than raise taxes in 2025-26, the city council decided in its first public budget hearing Tuesday night. CONTRIBUTED
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NO TAX INCREASE FOR 2026, MARATHON COUNCIL SAYS
Councilman Kenny Matlock opened discussions of “fat” in individual line items, calling into question expenses ranging from state lobbyists to travel, vehicles and uniform budgets that he said were unnecessary or routinely went unspent.
“I know we've added positions and costs have gone up again. It's hard to not be in the day-to-day and say, ‘Hey, this (position is) not efficient,’” he said. “I'm hoping that (staff) can start bringing us stuff like that, or just implementing it for efficiency purposes.”
Matlock sought support in reducing the city’s annual nonprofit grants from $150,000 to $75,000, with councilwoman Lynny Del Gaizo agreeing with the idea of a reduction.
Smith said he would support a reduction to the city’s original grant total of $100,000, reinstated in 2023, and agreed with a reduction or change in state lobbyists, calling their effectiveness into question after a state legislative session that saw uncertainty in critical issues for Marathon.
Smith then spearheaded a push to return the city to its rollback tax rate for 2025-26, taking aim at budgeted expenses that had gone unspent in the last three years –swelling the city’s reserves by roughly $9.7 million, even as budgets planned to spend down this total by multiple millions.
He argued that even a return to rollback would leave Marathon with more than 365 days’ worth of operating reserves – a number he said could likely be even further reduced once one-time project expenses were removed from the city’s annual operating estimates.
“What it's coming out of is budgeted expenses that we haven't spent, that are one-time expenses that keep rolling over year to year,” he said. “I.T. (upgrades) have been in the budget for three years, and we haven't spent it. Yet we've taxed for it, raised the revenue, and then we put it aside in the reserves because we had it and didn't spend it.
“(We’re) over-reserved compared to (our) peer group, dramatically, in the Keys. I'm not interested in going anything above rollback, because the historical numbers show me that we're not even coming close on our actual (expenses) versus what we're putting in here in the budget. … I don't see why we would take and punish the public again with a 7.7% increase when we have filled the kitty over the last three years beyond what we expected.”
Smith’s statement drew applause from the room, with Johnson adding that the rollback rate and subsequent deficit spending would still theoretically leave Marathon with 368 days’ worth of operating reserves, even before the cuts directed by council on Tuesday evening.
“I think, on top of that, we can almost DOGE ourselves – where can we save the taxpayers money?” added Matlock.
The council unanimously directed staff to move forward with the rolled-back rate of 2.0631 mills, with a second and final public budget hearing set for Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 5:30 p.m.
COUNTY REJECTS GIVING FDOT OK TO WIDEN U.S. 1
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
Monroe County commissioners unanimously rejected a draft proposal to give the Florida Department of Transportation authority to potentially enlarge segments of U.S. 1 to four lanes of traffic.
Commissioners made their positions known before members of the public took to the microphone to voice their opposition to the proposed policy change during a Sept. 10 meeting in Key Largo.
The proposal would have removed language stating Monroe County “shall coordinate with FDOT on these portions of U.S. 1 that are shown as two lanes on the future traffic circulation map to maintain them as two lanes for the planning horizon.”
The proposal strictly involved unincorporated areas of Monroe County. Talks surrounding more traffic lanes date back to November 2024, when commissioners directed staff to draft a proposed amendment to allow for up to four lanes of traffic on any new bridges FDOT constructs in unincorporated Monroe County.
In addition, commissioners directed staff to meet with FDOT to determine if adding more lanes of traffic to the non-bridge segments of U.S. 1 in unincorporated areas would improve the day-to-day traffic congestion.
Emily Schemper, growth management director, said FDOT was initially seeking to replace the Seven Mile and Long Key bridges. With the planning came a study of potentially more lanes.
FDOT, however, is no longer pursuing new bridge construction. Instead, it is seeking to conduct only rehabilitation projects.
Schemper said county and FDOT officials met in January to discuss whether adding lanes in unincorporated Monroe County would help traffic flow. FDOT replied that language within the county comprehensive plan would have to be removed, giving full authority to the state without the county having a final say.
The county’s planning commission recommended commissioners deny the proposed amendment due to its inconsistency with the principles for guiding development in Monroe County. The proposal, which dealt solely with unincorporated areas, still caught the attention of Islamorada officials, several of whom attended the meeting.
Speaking on behalf of the village council, Vice Mayor Don Horton re-
quested county officials never consider four lanes through Islamorada.
“The four-laning of Islamorada would just be devastating to our businesses and our way of life,” he said.
The planning commission’s recommendation, as well as opposition from residents via phone calls and emails to commissioners and public comment, shut down the idea. Commissioner Holly Raschein requested discussion among the commission to give residents an idea of their decision before a public comment period began.
“I feel like we’ve got a handle individually on where we’re leaning,” she said.
Commissioner Michelle Coldiron said they should stick to adding more turn lanes, not additional traffic lanes, where feasible on U.S. 1. She also noted FDOT is examining a potential ferry system that could transport people from various parts of the Keys, as well as the mainland, in a bid to reduce traffic on the highway.
“I would appreciate us putting pressure on FDOT to do the things that we know can help,” she said.
Lincoln also recommended county staff and County Administrator Christine Hurley come up with a better transit system for those commuting from areas like Big Pine and Big Coppitt Keys to work in Key West.
Before the discussion on the proposal, county commissioners received a report on the 2025 U.S. 1 arterial travel time and delay study. The study is done every two years by the county’s traffic consultant, AECOM, to monitor the level of service (LOS) on U.S. 1. The report cost the county $131,864.99.
The study report gave the overall LOS a “C” grade, with a median speed of 45.6 mph. All segments within unincorporated Monroe County currently operate at grade C or better.
Three segments in Islamorada, MM 84 to MM 86 on Windley Key, MM 79.5 to MM 84 on Upper Matecumbe Key and MM 73 to MM 77.5 on Lower Matecumbe Key, were found to be underperforming and received “D” grades.
County land development code states U.S. 1 must have sufficient capacity in unincorporated areas to be rated at least a “C” for the length of the highway. Development may be approved as long as it doesn’t worsen traffic by more than 5% below C. County commissioners ultimately approved the study following more than two hours of discussion, questions and public comment.
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COURT RULING ALLOWS OPEN - CARRY OF GUNS; KEYS SHERIFF HAS CONCERNS
By Mandy Miles, Alex Rickert & Jim McCarthy
Editors’ note: Legal interpretations and implications of the Sept. 10 court ruling are still changing. The Keys Weekly will continue to update this story as more information becomes available from official sources.
AFlorida appeals court ruled last week that adults in Florida can carry a gun in public as casually as they carry a grocery bag, a cell phone or a beach chair.
On Sept. 10, while the online world seethed over the shooting death of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, a three-judge panel from the 1st District Court of Appeals in Tallahassee ruled that Florida’s law prohibiting guns from being openly carried and publicly visible violated the Second Amendment and was therefore unconstitutional, due to recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings.
The 20-page court decision paves the way for Florida to become an “open-carry” state, meaning handguns, rifles, shotguns and AR-15s can be carried in plain view on streets, beaches, sidewalks, parks and other public places.
Private businesses and places of worship can impose their own gun prohibitions, and the federal Gun Free School Zones Act prohibits unauthorized people from possessing a gun on the property of a K-12 school or within 1,000 feet of such a school. But states can pass laws further regulating guns at schools, and some states now designate teachers and other staff members as those who are authorized to possess guns on school property.
Guns remain illegal in all federal courthouses and their parking lots as well as post offices, according to federal law. But the laws
governing gun possession in state and local courthouses vary by state.
As of Sept. 12, Florida law continued to state that guns are prohibited in bars and in the bar areas of restaurants. Florida Statute 790.06 states that guns are prohibited in all courthouses, courtrooms, schools and school events, polling places, government meetings and any place where guns are prohibited by federal law.
But as the recent court ruling pertains to constitutional rights, the full implications remain unknown, and could prompt changes to the state statutes
Judge Stephanie Ray, who authored the decision, wrote that the judges “conclude that the state has failed to carry its burden to show that Florida’s open carry ban is consistent with this nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.
“History confirms that the right to bear arms in public necessarily includes the right to do so openly,” the ruling states. “That is not to say that open carry is absolute or immune from reasonable regulation. But what the state may not do is extinguish the right altogether for ordinary, law-abiding, adult citizens.”
State leaders celebrate ruling
The Sept. 10 ruling will go into effect following a requisite 15-day window during which the state attorney general could appeal the ruling. But Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier celebrated the court’s decision in a post on X, writing, “Our office fully supports the court’s decision. This is a big win for the Second Amendment rights of Floridians.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis similarly applauded
the court, writing on X, “This decision aligns state policy with my long-held position and with the vast majority of states throughout the union. Ultimately, the court correctly ruled that the text of the Second Amendment — ‘to keep and bear arms’ — says what it means and means what it says.”
DeSantis said at a recent press conference that he’s open to signing a bill for open carry in the Sunshine State, if legislators pass it during the upcoming session.
But state Senate President Ben Albritton has previously opposed open-carry legislation, stating his support for law enforcement and acknowledging their concerns. House Speaker Danny Perez has previously acknowledged no need for open carry legislation when Florida allows permitless carry.
In most other states with open-carry permissions, the policy was voted in by a majority of state legislators, who could draft guardrails and restrictions.
In the case of Florida, the open-carry designation came from a court ruling that was prompted by the arrest of a Florida man for carrying a gun in public. He was convicted and sentenced to probation, but appealed his conviction, claiming Florida’s open-carry ban was unconstitutional. This week, the appeals court judges in Tallahassee agreed.
Keys law enforcement responds
Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay on Friday posted a video on his agency’s Facebook page, advising people that they’re much more likely to see people carrying guns in public, and that’s it’s no longer illegal if they do see a gun, “whether it’s a handgun, a rifle or an AR-15 slung over someone’s shoulder.” continued on the next page
Ramsay acknowledged that some people support the open-carry ruling and others oppose it, but he emphasized that sheriff’s offices and police departments can’t do anything to stop the public display of firearms in places where they’re allowed.
Speaking with Keys Weekly’s Alex Rickert on Sept. 12, Ramsay went into greater detail about questions that remain.
“We’re trying to clarify, where does this apply?” Ramsay told the Keys Weekly. “Does this mean you can carry a weapon anywhere? Can you go to parks? … Government meetings? There are more questions than answers right now, and a lot of these answers won’t be clarified until someone takes action, and then someone sues.”
The sheriff pointed out, “the day before yesterday, it was suspicious to law enforcement” if someone was seen carrying a gun in plain view while walking down the street. “Today, it’s not suspicious because it doesn’t violate a law.”
Sheriffs throughout Florida are continuing to encourage residents in their counties to call the sheriff’s office if they are concerned about how someone with a gun is acting, as officers should still respond and seek a consensual encounter with the individual to learn more. But unless a crime is being or has been committed, there is little the officers can do, Ramsay said.
“It’s not a matter of if, but when people see someone who’s open carrying, that they don’t freak out,” Ramsay told the Keys Weekly. “We’re concerned because we don’t have the answers either. We’re likely to see 911 calls to dispatch, but unless someone’s committing a crime, there’s nothing we can do.”
He added that while public areas may be the places of greatest concern, even private businesses that attempt to establish no-gun policies and trespass violators could face a gray area under the new ruling. And as Florida’s open-carry right came via a court decision, not a voter referendum, the limits and exceptions will likely be decided in future legal challenges to individual incidents.
“On one hand, you’d think, absolutely. But then, the person (with the gun) could say that business violated their constitutional rights because they’re being excluded for exercising their Second Amendment rights,” the sheriff added.
On Sept. 15, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issue a “guidance memorandum” to all Florida law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in which he confirmed private business owners’ continuing right to prohibit firearms.
“The decision does not ... prevent law enforcement from continuing to police those who ‘exhibit (firearms) in a rude, careless, angry, or threatening manner’ in public. And nothing in the decision permits individuals to menace others with firearms in public, nor does it undermine the state’s authority to prohibit felons from possessing firearms.
“Additionally,” Uthmeier wrote, “the court’s decision neither considered nor implicated Florida’s law listing certain locations where the carrying of a firearm — open or concealed — may be unauthorized.
“The same holds true for private property owners, who maintain the long-standing legal prerogative to compel individuals carrying firearms to leave their premises. Any person carrying a firearm who violates the private property owner’s warning to depart will be committing armed trespass, a third-degree felony,” the memo states.
In Key West, police chief Sean Brandenburg is also closely monitoring the ruling and its potential implications in a town known for laid-back style and affinity for adult beverages.
“The Key West Police Department is monitoring this decision closely,” Brandenburg told the Keys Weekly on Sept. 12. “According to the Florida Police Chiefs Association general counsel, nothing in this opinion invalidates any other Florida statute, such as the prohibition of firearms in certain places like bars and government buildings. As with concealed carry, the decision also allows private property owners to ask someone carrying a firearm to leave that private property. We will continue to monitor and to heed any advice from the FPCA’s general counsel and from the Monroe County State Attorney’s Office.”
Whatever the long-term impacts, guns are going to be more visible.
“Citizens at some point are going to see somebody walking with an open-carry weapon and it could be in close proximity to a church or school – high-impact, vulnerable areas,” Ramsay said. “They need to be cool, calm and collected and make decisions based on logic, not emotion. This appears to be the new way of life in Florida, and we all have to see how this is going to pan out.”
SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES BUDGET WITH INCREASED MILLAGE AND SPENDING
Monroe County School Board members approved a $320.65 million budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year during a Sept. 9 meeting in Marathon.
The total combined millage rate for the school district’s upcoming fiscal year is 2.9470, or $294.70 per $100,000 of assessed property value. The approved millage rate is a 2.9% increase from last year.
Overall, the spending plan approved unanimously is an increase of $13.28 million from the previous fiscal year. The general fund, which supports the district’s daily operations, totals $172.39 million. Capital projects make up $86.90 million, or 27.1% of the budget. Remaining funds go to internal services, debt service, special revenue, food service and trust and agency.
A final spending plan presentation by Charlene White, executive director of finance, was part of a multistep budget process that allows for analysis by board members and communication with the public.
The district’s reserve, which totals $9.6 million, is intended to help recover from a hurricane or other disaster.
There is a separate line item in the budget labeled “Public Schools by State Law.” Most of that money goes to other counties to equalize educational opportunities around the state.
Under a $3.77 million budget line item labeled safety and security, board member John Dick objected to payment for sheriff’s deputies working after-school events being rolled into the budgets of individual schools. He made the point that when the voters were asked to approve a separate millage for safety and security it was
to be separate and transparent. He argued that safety and security funds should be rigorously separated from the district general funds.
The staff argued that deputies for extracurricular activities are in a different non-instructional category.
The board also reviewed the 2025-26 student progression plan. This is being revised to include legislative mandates like the restricted use of wireless devices. The revised plan also tries to boost academic integrity while dealing with plagiarism. There is clarification about the release of high school students from school and certain requirements for graduation to include taking a personal finance course.
Board member Sue Woltanski asked about standardized testing and pointed out that students would have a small reduction in the instructional time dedicated to standardized testing.
The public comment session brought out two speakers asking for improvements at the Marathon High baseball diamond. Former Marathon Mayor Luis Gonzalez, representing the Middle Keys Booster Club, detailed how a 2024 district playoff game had to be called for flooding on the field. He stated that a committee developed a plan for the field that hasn’t had any improvements in eight years. The committee presented the board with a brochure and access to a slide show describing the suggested plan. Items include improved seating for fans, a usable press box and much improved drainage with artificial turf. Five baseball and softball teams use the same field. James Simcic, a little league coach, followed Gonzalez to echo his request.
FRANK DERFLER www.keysweekly.com
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ALWAYS REMEMBERED
Marathon community honors 9/11 victims and heroes
ALEX RICKERT
alex@keysweekly.com
arathon paid tribute to one of the darkest, but most unifying, days in U.S. history with a memorial service to commemorate the lives lost and acts of American heroism on Sept. 11, 2001. Gathering at the Marathon fire station, the expanded annual ceremony saw dignitaries , first responders and county leaders recount their own memories and connections to the tragic day while marking the exact moment hijacked airplanes struck the towers of the World Trade Center.
A few miles down the road, students and volunteers at Marathon High School lined the track with red, white and blue as the school’s Champions for Change club hosted the 9/11 Advocacy Project – 2,996 flags, one flag per life lost on 9/11. Halftime of the school’s football game that Friday was filled with MHS’ own memorial ceremony as veterans, military and first responders joined those directly affected by 9/11 on the field.
1: Students line the track at Marathon High School with American flags to commemorate lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
2: Dolphin Country gets on its feet for a 9/11 halftime memorial.
3. Marathon Fire Chief James Muro, left, and captain Peter Meneses ring a memorial bell to signify the moments two airplanes struck the World Trade Center at 8:46 (North Tower) and 9:03 a.m. (South Tower).
4. First responders, residents and dignitaries gather at the Marathon Fire Station on the morning of Sept. 11.
Photos by Alex Rickert and contributed images
TRAILER REPAIRS & SERVICE
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVE $672 MILLION SPENDING PLAN
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
Monroe County commissioners finalized a $672.2 million spending plan with staffing and program cuts, as well as slashes in funding to nonprofits serving vulnerable populations.
A Sept. 10 final budget hearing ended with commissioner Holly Raschein proposing a reduction in the tax rate to 2.6929, or $269 per $100,000 of property’s assessed value.
Commissioners originally considered an increase in the millage rate to 2.7327 to raise an additional $2 million for hurricane recovery and cleanup reserves. Commissioners aimed to bolster funds for storm cleanup amid the uncertainty surrounding federal reimbursements and grant funding through FEMA.
“We have a year before we have to be concerned with FEMA, but we have to keep it on radar,” Raschein said.
Lisa Tennyson, county legislative affairs director, said no changes are official, but there have been memos and statements from FEMA representatives suggesting policy shifts. Changes could mean shifting the costs of natural disasters, including hurricanes, to state and local governments, as well as fewer reimbursable projects for public facilities including parks, beach access, boat ramps and nature trails damaged in a storm.
Lower Keys while axing a proposed expansion in the Upper Keys. Quinn said these cuts offset the unavoidable cost increases, such as Consumer Price Index increases for solid waste collection and contractually-obligated 14.5% pay increases for county firefighters and EMS.
And 50%, or $1.1 million, was cut from funding for human services nonprofits. Each year, the county’s Human Services Advisory Board recommends funding for essential human services nonprofits. The requests are ultimately voted on by commissioners.
from page 9
SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES BUDGET WITH INCREASED MILLAGE AND SPENDING
Improvements like these would be part of a capital outlay budget plan that will be approved later this year.
CONTRIBUTED
The only domestic violence survivors in this county that will receive services from us — the only certified domestic violence center — will be the emergency
shelter. There will be no outreach services, which HSAB funds at that moment.”
— Sherrie Schwab
A millage rate reduction was unanimously approved by commissioners. A budget for the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year was then approved via 5-0 vote.
Overall, the budget is $43.6 million less than last year’s approved $714 million spending plan. John Quinn, county assistant director of management and budget, said the completion of Key West International Airport’s Concourse A and the completed purchase of three Trauma Star helicopters are the primary drivers behind the spending reductions.
On the personnel side, county officials eliminated 45 full-time positions. Employees who work for constitutional officers will receive a 2.9% cost of living adjustment, a decrease from an original ask of 4% to 5%.
County officials also discontinued Freebee rideshare service in the
Sherrie Schwab, CEO for the Domestic Abuse Shelter, said the cut to her organization means the end of outreach services from Key Largo to Key West. The Domestic Abuse Shelter was recommended to receive $98,895 from the county’s Human Services Advisory Board (HSAB), but will receive half that amount.
“The only domestic violence survivors in this county that will receive services from us — the only certified domestic violence center — will be the emergency shelter. There will be no outreach services, which HSAB funds at that moment,” Schwab said.
Cuts by county officials were made amid forecasts of decreases in sales and bed taxes and state-shared revenues. In addition, the state’s Department of Government Efficiency is zeroing in on government spending across the Sunshine State. Specifically, the state’s DOGE is targeting unnecessary use of taxpayer funds to support nongovernmental organizations. A report from the state department is expected to come out in January 2026. County officials are hoping to receive more clarity on policies as to what the state deems unnecessary funding.
“We have kept the DOGE priorities that were given to us from that department at the state level in mind,” said County Administrator Christine Hurley.
Key Largo resident Isabella McClain asked commissioners to reconvene in early 2026 to re-evaluate the budget and consider ways to reinstate — and sustain — nonprofit funding.
“These organizations are often first responders when our most vulnerable neighbors, family and friends have no other option but to stay through a major storm,” McClain said. “The care and capacity they provide cannot be quantified in this budget.”
In other matters, the school district was recognized as an Ocean Guardian District. Four schools in the district have had five or more years as ocean guardian schools. This award is a combined recognition from United Way and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
In the program, K-12 students create hands-on projects that improve the health of nearshore waters and the ocean. The district had to commit to a multiyear program that includes projects across the district and lesson plans aimed at environmental literacy. The Monroe County projects focused on stormwater runoff and pollution. Students designed rainwater filtration gardens and used native plants in swales to guide and purify water before it hits the beaches and reefs.
Overall, there are eight schools in Monroe County in the program, including the Academy at Ocean Reef and the Montessori Children’s School.
The board also gave out several Great Educational Moments (GEM) awards. Caden Pitcher, a junior at Marathon High School, received a GEM award for achieving a perfect score on the math SAT and for his leadership and service. Marathon High School students Lillian Wiley and Cindy Augustin were recognized for their work on the Special Olympics Youth Activation Committee. Stanley Switlik fourthgrade student Jadeyn Holmes was recognized for running her highly-successful lemonade stand supporting the local SPCA.
Board member Yvette MiraTalbott commended Plantation Key School and Coral Shores High School for honoring the veterans who went to Washington, D.C. with Honor Flight South Florida.
New burger truck is a must-try in Marathon
JEN ALEXANDER www.keysweekly.com
Anew culinary hot spot has rolled into Marathon, offering a menu that promises to satisfy the taste buds of the most serious of burger enthusiasts.
The Big Bite Burger food truck, located at 12240 Overseas Highway, is quickly becoming a go-to destination for locals and tourists alike seeking a classic American meal with a gourmet twist. Its simple yet powerful concept marries fresh ingredients, massive portions and creative flavor combinations to stand apart in Marathon’s vibrant food scene.
“The idea for the concept came to me when I was at a food show in Las Vegas,” said owner Willie Gonzalez. “I tasted a specific meat there, and (thought) that'd be a perfect meat for a burger. So that's why I was anxious to open a burger truck when I got back. I wanted something that my whole family could be involved in and that we could do together.”
Big Bite Burger stands out for its commitment to creativity and delivering a "wow factor" both in its food and its presence. The food truck uses a special Angus blend of short rib and chuck, ensuring a distinctive taste and quality. The business is family-run, with Gonzalez’s children actively involved, especially in social media and operations.
The truck’s menu is a testament to the idea that sometimes, bigger IS simply better. The star of the show is the lineup of colossal hamburgers, but the truck also offers a variety of sides and other handhelds, ensuring there's something for everyone.
The Classic Big Bite Cheeseburger is the signature item on the menu, a two-handed meal that demands your full attention. And taking the burger to new heights – literally – is the Triple B Burger pictured on the truck’s graphics, a monster packing three patties, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and a proprietary sauce. In total, the burger has a pound and a half of beef.
“My son is the creative mind behind the unique Triple B sauce,” said Gonzalez. “He keeps it a secret, so don’t ask what’s in it. I don’t even know what’s in it. He’s the only one who makes it and the secret lies with him. I guess that means that he has to show up every day.”
A separate lineup of smash burgers includes the Big Blue Double (blue cheese, bacon and grilled onion) and the Jalapeño Burger (pepper jack, jalapeño and chipotle aioli). And every burger comes out of the window with Big Bite’s logo seared into the top bun.
“People can go anywhere for a burger, but the whole thing about food is taste, quality and price,” said Aidan Gonzalez, the Triple B sauce’s creator. “Quality is the most important in my opinion. If it doesn't have good quality, people are going to eat it once, but they won’t come back. We want people to come back again and again.”
The food truck experience is casual and quick and fits perfectly with the relaxed Marathon lifestyle. Customers can order a delicious, hot meal and enjoy it on-site or find a nearby spot for lunch on the go.
Though the truck is already in full operation, an official grand opening will take place in the coming weeks, and Gonzalez said he has plans for other events including a burger eating contest.
For more information, including daily specials, follow Big Bite Burger on Facebook or @bigbiteburgermarathon_ on Instagram. The truck is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. To order ahead, call 305848-6535.
Big Bite Burger owner Willie Gonzalez, right, and son Aiden show off their new food truck at 12240 Overseas Highway. CONTRIBUTED
KIRSTEN TANGEN Salon Blanco
How long have you been in the Keys and what brought you here? I’m a real Conch, born and raised in the fabulous Florida Keys!
What do you do for fun in the Keys and why do you love living here? When I am not working, I am relaxing and hanging out with family and friends. I love living here because this is my home and the island life is all I’ve ever known.
What is your favorite memory from childhood? My favorite childhood memory is riding up and down U.S. 1 with my dad on our backhoe and going on the boat with my family.
JEN ALEXANDER
www.keysweekly.com
o 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 Kirsten Tangen, who is a hairdresser and nail tech working at Salon Blanco in Marathon.
What is the funniest thing someone has said to you while working? A client once told me a hilarious story about a date. The guy had literally tumbled out of a taxi, knocked himself out cold, and then she didn’t hear from him for three days. We were all convinced he was dead. Turns out he was just too embarrassed to call.
What is your favorite way to relax or unwind? My favorite way to relax or unwind is to relax in bed and scroll on my socials.
If you could have any conversation with anyone in the world, who would it be with and what would you talk about? I would have a conversation with my dad and catch up on life.
What is a quote or piece of advice that has always resonated with you? Believe you can and you’re halfway there.
If you were a flavor of ice cream what flavor would you be and why? I would be chocolate cherry because I’m comfort with a kick, elegance with a bit of mischief, and classic with my own twist.
What animal do you feel represents your personality? I’d be a golden retriever – deeply loyal and always down to lift the mood. I’m trustworthy, playful and loving.
Know someone that would be a good “Neighbor of the Week?”
LEWIS IS THE KEYS’ NEWEST JUDGE
Key West attorney fills county court space left by James Morgan
On Sept. 10, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of attorney Derek Lewis, of Key West, to serve as Monroe County’s newest judge. Lewis has worked as the managing attorney for Derek A. Lewis P.A. since 2001. Previously, he served as an assistant state attorney in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and his law degree from Nova Southeastern University. Lewis fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge James Morgan to the circuit court.
— Contributed
MAGICAL MISCHIEF AWAITS
Key West Fantasy Fest 2025 conjures bedtime stories and magical monsters
Dreamers, night creatures and storybook stars are invited to adorn themselves in their most inspired themed attire and immerse in 10 days and nights of stellar revelry for Key West Fantasy Fest 2025, set to run Oct. 17-26.
This year’s theme, “Bedtime Stories and Magical Monsters,” celebrates the full spectrum of imagination – those tales that tucked us in at night and the monsters that lurked in the dark. A sampling of highlight events is below. More information is at fantasyfest.com:
• Oct. 17: The royal coronation event to crown Fantasy Fest’s 2025 King and Queen is a two-hour stage show at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater that features performances by the competitors along with local celebrities. Proceeds benefit the Florida Keys SPCA.
• Oct. 17 and 18: The Bahama Village Goombay Festival is a two-day, family-friendly celebration of island arts and crafts, culture, music and food held throughout Key West’s historic Bahama Village neighborhood.
• Oct. 19: The Zombie Bike Ride invites “undead” of all ages to immerse in ghoulish revelry. Zombies descend on Fort East Martello in the afternoon for fun and entertainment including body painting, refreshment vendors and a kids’ zone. Come evening, thousands of zombies on wheels take to the streets of Key West.
• Oct. 20: Sloppy Joe’s Comic Book Cape-ers Party: Suit up as your favorite caped superhero or villain, dance to live music, and compete in a costume contest with prizes.
• Oct. 20: Mrs. Roper’s Romp: Break out your colorful caftan and signature curly red wig for a “Three’s Company”inspired party at Sunset Pier with music, photo ops, dancing, games and prizes.
• Oct. 21: Florida Keys Council of the Arts Fantasy Fest poster-signing party at the La Concha Hotel: Meet the artist, get your poster signed and stock up on other Fantasy Fest 2025 T-shirts and swag.
• Oct. 21: Tutu Tuesday with its dance party featuring a plethora of DJs happens across multiple Caroline Street district area venues.
• Oct. 22: Pet Masquerade, presented by Florida Keys Media at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater. Costume up with your favorite critter friends at this over-the-top competition or cheer them on from the audience. Prizes in multiple categories; registration fees benefit the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm.
The annual Headdress Ball, considered Fantasy Fest’s premier LGBTQ+ event, is set for Thursday, Oct 23, at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater. CAROL TEDESCO/FantasyFest.com
• Oct. 23: The 42nd annual Key West Headdress Ball, presented by the Key West Business Guild at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater, reveals a dreamscape of out-of-this-world headdresses modeled by their creators, along with high-energy entertainment by some of the island’s best talent.
• Oct. 24: Paparazzi Row is the place to get warmed up and strut your stuff for the cameras ahead of the Captain Morgan Masquerade March. Dance music will play and local paparazzi, photo booths and selfie stations will be set up to record costumed crews.
• Oct. 24: The Captain Morgan Masquerade March (aka “Locals Parade”) brings all creative hands on deck as costumed revelers parade through Old Town Key West, stopping along the route for adult beverage samples provided by selected guest houses.
• Oct. 24 and 25: The Fantasy Fest Street Fair and Costume Promenade returns to Duval Street, offering a mile-long party of arts, eats and island beats. Friday brings arts, crafts and food; Saturday is all about the food — served up late into the night. Arts and crafts from noon to 10 p.m.; food, from noon to 1 a.m.
• Oct. 25: The Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade in Old Town Key West presents floats, marching groups and kinetic contraptions to bring this year’s “Bedtime Stories and Magical Monsters” theme to life.
• Oct. 26: Children’s Day at Bayview Park offers a daytime fest from noon to 5 p.m. with games, food, rides, entertainment, arts & crafts and a costume contest for the kids.
• Oct. 26: Don your fabulous feathers for “The Fat Lady Sings” Tea Dance at La Te Da on Duval Street — the final official Fantasy Fest celebration.
Fantasy Fest 2025 is presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and We’ve Got the Keys.
— Contributed
Derek Lewis. CONTRIBUTED
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BAPTIST HEALTH SOUTH FLORIDA SUPPORTS SUMMER PROGRAMMING
PARKS & PLAY
Getting
to know
Scott Williamson
ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com
Donation supports free camp for teachers at Sugarloaf
Monroe County Commissioners recently thanked Baptist Health South Florida for its $20,000 sponsorship of Monroe County's Parks and Beaches summer camp program.
“This generous funding was used to support scholarships, provide free day camps for teachers at Sugarloaf during the final two days before school starts, and help cover costs for educational field trips, healthy snacks and essential camp supplies,” said Monroe County Mayor Jim Scholl.
Special recognition was also given to Jay Hershoff, Baptist’s community benefit committee chairman, for facilitating the donation and his commitment to the health and well-being of Monroe County children. Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward and Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Lincoln helped make the connection once learning there was a need in the community.
— Contributed
He’s the ringmaster of recreation over at Marathon Community Park, but many may be surprised to find that before his career as a banker, Scott Williamson’s recreation jobs took him down some seldom-explored avenues. In an effort to get to know some of Marathon’s leaders better, we sat down with Williamson to learn more about the road that brought him to become the city’s Parks and Recreation director in February.
Before the city, you worked at a bank. But we understand you have quite a bit of recreation experience?
I graduated from Indiana University, and my degree is sports and recreation management, so I wanted to get into that field kind of early on in life. My first experience was with the Navy’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) department in Jacksonville. Then I was a recreation director at a medium-security prison for three years. I got to use my degree, but also learn a bunch of different security things that have helped me in life. We moved here in 2019, and I was in banking at that time. I like banking, but I started missing recreation again. When this position came open, and the qualifications they needed were someone with financial acumen and a recreational background, it kind of fit the mold.
Basically half my adult life has been in recreation.
That’s a pretty unusual experience. What was the toughest part?
You had to learn the different elements in the prison. We called them security triggers – you had to learn the different gang members, and you couldn’t put them on the same field at the same time. The best thing I was taught from the inmates was respect, because it’s a big factor in that environment. You also learn safety and security, and being aware of your surroundings.
What’s the biggest asset you bring to the table from that background?
Just the variety of it. I’ve worked at high schools, at the prison, worked for the Navy, worked at colleges, so I have experience in different avenues of recreation, not just one area.
What drew you to recreation in the first place?
Growing up, Indiana was a basketball state. Bobby Knight was the head coach at Indiana, and I went to some of his basketball programs. I always enjoyed the outdoors, and I was an Eagle Scout. When I was in college, I didn’t even know there were these other programs like with the Navy –there are different opportunities that
people never think about. I enjoyed the world that was out there, and realized this was an avenue I could pursue, and I had a passion for it. There are days we do things at the park that just make this job so worth it – seeing the kids’ faces running around and having fun, those are memories that last for a lifetime.
What do you see as Marathon’s biggest opportunity for improvement in parks and rec?
More programs for the kids. We have a pretty good partnership with the Marathon Youth Club, and our Smart Start soccer program registration filled up in 24 hours, so we know we’re going to do more stuff like that for the little ones in town. We just resurfaced the basketball and tennis courts, we’re adding pickleball courts, and we’re trying to get feedback on what people like and what they want to do. We just added some frisbee golf holes at the Community Park.
Do you have a hidden talent that most people don’t know about?
I can’t sing, but when I lived in Tennessee, I always liked to write. I wrote a couple different songs and got them published. One of them got my friend his first record deal. I need to dip my toe back into it, because I really enjoyed it.
From left are commissioner Holly Raschein; Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward; commissioner Michelle Lincoln; Drew Grossman, CEO for Mariners and Fishermen’s hospitals; Jay Hershoff, Baptist Health South Florida’s community benefit committee chairman; John Allen, county Parks and Beaches director; County Mayor Jim Scholl and commissioners David Rice and Craig Cates. KRISTEN LIVENGOOD/Monroe County
WATERFRONT RESTAURANT
Enjoy our daily specials like Homemade Soup or Chowder, Fresh Fish Sandwich or One of our Daily Specials while overlooking Florida Bay! Open for Lunch & Dinner Every Day!
RETAIL STORE
Fish, Soups and Chowders & Key Lime Pie!
WEATHERING STORM SEASON
Some people say Florida doesn’t have seasons. They are wrong. They might not be traditional seasons, but they come around as surely as spring and fall every year.
Among the list, Florida has stone crab season, mini-lobster season, tourist season and off-season. There are others, including the big one, hurricane season.
It is my least favorite and one of the low-key things I don’t like about living in the Keys. Growing up in Southern California, it barely rains there, much less has hurricanes. There are earthquakes, but earthquakes don’t pop up on the radar for days and days with every gust and squall broadcast on national television. There is zero notice. All of a sudden, the earth rumbles, shifts and shakes. While I experienced many tremors and a few minor earthquakes, nothing devastated the ground on which I stood.
Officially, hurricane season begins on June 1 and ends on Nov. 30. It is not unheard of to have tropical development in May. While it is uncommon for it to occur in November, tropical events have been recorded then, too. Though not the lone example, in 2020, Hurricane Eta reached Category 4 status as it meandered through the Caribbean. On Nov. 9, registering as a tropical storm, Eta made landfall near Lower Matecumbe Key in the Upper Keys.
The late summer months, when the water is at its warmest and the conditions ripe for tropical development, are a different story. Statistical-
ly speaking, Sept. 10 is considered the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. This year, not a single named storm has affected Florida or the Keys – so far. Since 1950, this has only happened eight times: 1962, 1966, 1975, 1976, 2000, 2014, 2016 and 2025.
While I hate to jinx things by taking a closer look at the state of the tropics, the first half of hurricane season has not seemed like business as usual.
Dry air and Saharan dust have been blowing in the wind, but those influences are forecast to dissipate.
The important thing to keep in mind is that this is not the time to be lulled into a false sense of nothing’s going to happen this year. The history books are filled with hurricanes that hit the Keys in the latter half of the season.
October has had some doozies. A 1906 storm spawned in the Caribbean, crossed the Keys and reached the southern tip of Florida in a northeasterly direction. The eye of the hurricane passed over Long Key on Oct. 17. The Key West Extension of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway was under construction, and Long Key was home to a work camp.
Two houseboats used for workers had been moored on the Gulf side of the island; each, secured with six mooring lines and an anchor, housed 150 men. According to Mr. W.P. Dusenbury, it was 5 a.m. when the furies of the storm snapped the anchor chain and the two Long Key houseboats broke free. One washed out into the Gulf, only for the wind and waves to push it back to shore.
House Boat No. 4, on the other hand, was driven around the tip of the island, blown out into the Gulf Stream, and pounded in the stormdriven swells until it splintered. Only 83 men from House Boat No. 4 survived. One of them was Dusenbury, who recounted his tale when he was discovered out in the Atlantic, clinging to a piece of wood, and rescued.
The 1906 hurricane resulted in the deaths of at least 193 people.
Three years later, nearly to the day, another October hurricane struck the Florida Keys. On Oct. 11, 1909, the storm traveled up the Keys like it was following the right of way of Henry Flagler’s train. It was responsible for some 15 deaths in the Keys. In Key West, over 300 boats were destroyed in the harbor, and as many as 400 buildings were destroyed by tidal surge or hurricane-force winds.
The following year, on Oct. 17, 1910, a storm that was initially expected to pass south of Key West proved to be unpredictable, making a three-quarters turn and essentially doubling back to strike the Keys. The eye of the hurricane passed near Key West. At Sand Key, a Weather Bureau observer reported, “The force of the
wind drew large nails from the door. The sand was all washed from sight by this time, and monster waves broke over the whole island.”
The French steamer Louisanne ran aground near the Sombrero Key Lighthouse. Because of ample warning, none of the 1,500 railroad workers employed at the time were lost. It helped that in September, a set of protocols was put in place to prevent the loss of life, special precautions in case of emergency. Substantial damages were attributed to railroad construction facilities.
On Oct. 2, 1966, Hurricane Inez approached the Keys. It had already devastated the Caribbean, killing 27 people before it reached the Dominican Republic, where it took an additional 75 to 100 lives. Inez was responsible for another 750 deaths in Haiti. It was a tricky storm to track. After pummeling the Caribbean, it crossed Cuba and emerged in the Straits of Florida as a tropical storm.
Inez moved northeast before making a sharp left, hooking around and taking aim at the Keys. The storm moved down the island chain. At Plantation Key, sustained winds reached 98 mph. Observers at Big Pine Key estimated sustained winds to be about 150 mph. While no deaths were reported in the Keys, 45 Cubans seeking refuge drowned offshore of Miami.
When the storm tracked down the island chain and re-entered the Straits of Florida, it was not done and struck Cuba again because, if nothing else, hurricanes are unpredictable. It is why the meteorologists repeat the importance of not just looking at the cone. The cone represents a good guess, but not a guaranteed path. Deviations in the projected path happen all the time.
Hurricane Wilma, too, was an October hurricane. Wilma arrived on Oct. 24, 2005. While it did not land in the Keys, its impacts were felt from Key West to Key Largo. The storm surge associated with the hurricane was the highest since Hurricane Betsy in 1965. Nearly all of Key West was underwater, with 4 to 8 feet of tidal surge washing over the island chain between Key West and the Upper Keys.
So, yes, it has been a quiet season so far, but history is filled with lateseason hurricanes. Let’s hope this quiet trend continues.
Brad is a local historian, author, speaker and Honorary Conch who loves sharing the history of the Florida Keys.
FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY WITH BRAD BERTELLI
The wreckage of Sparks Chapel on Fleming Street after the hurricane of 1909. Photo by R. W. Harrison. FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY CENTER/ Monroe County Library
FUNCTIONALLY CAFFEINATED WELLNESS
THE SNEAKY STING OF ALCOHOL: MORE THAN EMPTY CALORIES
We’ve all heard the calorie talk when it comes to alcohol. A margarita here, a craft beer there — it adds up faster than conch fritters on a Friday night. But let’s put calories aside for a second, because alcohol’s biggest trick isn’t what it does to your waistline. It’s what it does systemically — quietly, consistently and often in ways we don’t connect until it’s already doing damage.
Think of alcohol as the mosquito of your metabolism. (Mosquito Control, where you at?) At first sip, you might think you’re fine. One drink, maybe two. Like a little mosquito bite, you swat it away, no big deal. Except … wait for it. Just like that delayed itch from a bite, the effects of alcohol sneak up on your body.
Your liver is the first responder, working overtime to break down alcohol because, unlike carbs, fats or proteins, your body sees it as a toxin. (Let’s face it, it’s more than a toxin, it is literally poison, but we don’t like to think of it like that.) That means your liver puts fat burning, hormone balancing and blood-sugar regulation on the back burner. And here’s where the itch begins.
When I say “even small, regular amounts,” I’m talking about what most people think of as harmless: a nightly glass of wine with dinner, a beer (or two) on the boat, or those weekend cocktails that sneak into weekday happy hours. In research terms, that’s as little as seven drinks a week. (Did you just spit your espresso martini out from laughing so hard? Thought so.) It is well under what most people would call “heavy drinking” — yet still enough to cause long-term metabolic disruption.
Even those “harmless” sips mess with:
Blood sugar control: Hello insulin resistance. Over time, this sets the stage for pre-diabetes and metabolic dysfunction.
Hormones: Alcohol disrupts estrogen and testosterone balance immediately, making it harder to build muscle, burn fat and keep your mood steady.
...is a Marathonbased ACSMcertified personal trainer and precision nutrition coach who owns and operates Highly Motivated Functionally Caffeinated LLC. Hello@highlymotivatedfc.com
Gut health:
That nightly glass of wine? It irritates your gut lining, creating inflammation and disrupting your microbiome (your little internal ecosystem that runs everything from digestion to immunity) after just one glass.
Sleep quality: You might fall asleep faster, but alcohol blocks deep, restorative sleep. Less repair, more fatigue, slower metabolism. And just like scratching a mosquito bite makes things worse, trying to “fix” alcohol’s after-effects with remedies — extra coffee, supplements and workouts — only goes so far. You’ve already stripped off the body’s top layers of resilience, and now the damage is attracting more “tiny flying teeth”: inflammation, weight creep, high blood pressure and sluggish energy.
This isn’t pretending you’ll never toast at a wedding again. It’s about awareness. Alcohol isn’t just “a few extra calories.” It’s a systemic disruptor, a slow-burn metabolic mosquito bite that itches more the longer you let it linger.
Here in the Keys, we know the importance of prevention — whether it’s sunscreen for the coral reefs or dumping standing water for those swarming bloodsuckers. The same goes for our bodies. Prevention beats scratching until you bleed.
So, the next time you raise a glass, think of it less as a harmless sip and more as a potential mosquito. One won’t kill you, but a whole swarm? That’s when trouble sets in.
Cheers to fewer bites and a stronger metabolism.
BRIEFLY
Plantation teen dies after hookah rig dive
A 17-year-old Plantation male died on Sept. 13 following a dive on a hookah rig off Grassy Key. Cameron Isaiah Queen reportedly was swimming back to the boat around 1:30 p.m. when he went underwater. CPR began and the U.S. Coast Guard as well as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded. Queen was taken to Fishermen’s Hospital in Marathon, where he was pronounced dead. Foul play is not believed to be a factor and autopsy results are pending.
MHS cross country team to host car wash
The Marathon High School cross country team will host a car wash fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Keys Federal Credit Union in Marathon (5050 Overseas Hwy.). Stop by between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to get your car sparkling clean while supporting the team.
Winn-Dixie to sponsor drive-through food giveaway
Winn-Dixie, in partnership with Feeding South Florida Food Bank, will provide a drive-through food giveaway on Tuesday, Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon. The giveaway is limited to 150 local residents. The distribution is hosted by KAIR and will take place at San Pablo Catholic Church, 550 122nd Street Ocean in Marathon. More information is available from KAIR at 305-743-4582.
Monroe County seeks input on tourism industry wages
Monroe County is interested in feedback from local tourism business owners to help form public policy for affordable tourism employee housing in the Keys. A survey has been developed to encourage those who own tourism-related businesses to give the county data on the income levels of employees. This data will be used to help set rents and minimum income levels appropriate for future developments in the works throughout the community. To take the survey, scan the QR code:
United Way announces ‘Feed the Keys’ food drive
United Way of Collier and the Keys will hold its annual Feed the Keys food drive on Friday, Oct. 17 from 2 to 6 p.m. This communitywide event boosts nutritious food supplies at local food pantries, supporting the 45% of residents who live paycheck to paycheck and often struggle with food insecurity. Held in memory of Monroe County commissioner and United Way local
advisory board member “Mangrove Mike” Forster, the event celebrates his legacy of generosity and community service. Community members can drop off nonperishable food donations at three main collection sites: Burton Memorial Church (BMC) in Tavernier, KAIR (Keys Area Interdenominational Resource) in Marathon and Star of the Sea Foundation (SOS) in Key West. The United Way is also seeking partner sites to collect donations from Oct. 13 to Oct. 17. Organizations and businesses interested in participating can sign up by scanning the QR code. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Brittni. Brown@uwcollierkeys. org. For general questions, contact Laura.Collett@uwcollierkeys.org.
Swim with mermaids at Aquarium Encounters Mermaids will visit Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters at 11710 Overseas Highway on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4 and 5. The mermaids will perform swim shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day, with meet-and-greets after each show. Guests may sign up to swim with the mermaids in Aquarium Encounters’ tanks. More information is at 305-407-3262.
Float-in movie night at the Lagoon on Grassy Key
The Lagoon on Grassy Key in collaboration with the city of Marathon will present a float-in movie night featuring “Jaws” (rated PG) on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 5:30 p.m. Sunset takes place at 7 p.m. and the movie will start at dark, so please arrive early to get settled prior to the start of the movie. Attendees are asked to carpool when possible. Entry is free, but registration is required by scanning the QR code. Guests may bring their own floats, but are asked to be mindful of those around them with the size of their floats. Guests may bring chairs or blankets to “stay safe” on land and watch the film from beachside seating. Please stop at the sign-in table, which opens at 5:30 p.m., to complete your registration at the event. Waivers will be required for all participants of the float-in movie night. Bongos Botanical Beer Garden and Cafe will be open for food and drinks. No outside refreshments will be allowed. Children under age 12 must always have an adult present with them. Children ages 13 to 17 may be in the Lagoon without parents as long as parents are on site at the park and have signed the required waiver.
JENNIFER HARVEY
Founded by Betty Debnam
Take Good Care!
Is a visit to the doctor or dentist part of your back-to-school routine? You’ve probably been to doctor for a checkup and had your teeth cleaned at the dentist. Let’s meet the people who help us take care of our health and find out about the tools they use.
CHECKING IN
The first person you’ll probably see in a doctor’s or dentist’s office is a receptionist. He or she is responsible for setting appointments, checking patients in, taking payments and filing reports about patients.
MEET A NURSE
The next person you may meet is a nurse. He or she might:
• weigh you on a scale
• measure your height
• take your blood pressure
• listen to your heart
• ask you how you’ve been doing.
Careful records will be kept for your file. Nurses in pediatrician (pee-dee-uh-TRISH-an) offices also take a lot of calls from parents about kids who are sick or injured. (A pediatrician is a doctor who treats children.)
If you need a shot, a nurse will probably be the one to give it. Shots contain vaccines (vak-SEENZ), or medicines to prevent disease, or antibiotics to help you get better when you are sick.
Time for a checkup
If you’re visiting for a checkup, the doctor looks you over to see if you’re growing as you should be. Babies see the doctor many times during their first year or two. After that, kids usually have a checkup once a year.
The doctor may use special tools to look into your eyes, ears, nose and mouth. He or she may feel around your stomach and look at your back to make sure your spine is straight.
Your doctor may also talk to you about the foods you eat, how much exercise you get and what activities you participate in at school. You can always talk with the doctor and your mom or dad about any problems you’re having.
TAKE YOUR MEDICINE
If needed, the doctor may order medicine. Some medicines are given in a liquid that you take with a spoon. Older kids can swallow pills. A doctor may prescribe, or order, a an injection, which is medicine given through a needle. Shots usually pinch just for a second, and then the pain is over.
Words that remind us of doctor and dentist visits are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
CHECKUP, DENTIST, DOCTOR, EARS, EYES, HYGIENIST, MEASURE, MEDICINE, MOUTH, NOSE, NURSE, PEDIATRICIAN, PRESCRIBE, RECEPTIONIST, SHOT, VACCINE, VISIT, WEIGH, X-RAY.
The dentist will use tools to explore around your teeth, looking for weak places or cavities. Sometimes a small mirror is used to help look into hard-to-see places.
AT THE DENTIST
A dentist is a doctor who takes care of teeth, and a dentist’s office can be similar to a doctor’s office. You’ll probably check in with a receptionist.
At a dental checkup, the dentist wants to make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy. But before the dentist examines you, a dental hygienist (high-JEE-nist) may clean your teeth using a scraper, an electric tool and flavored toothpaste. He or she may also floss between your teeth and take X-rays of your teeth and jawbones.
You’ll sit in a special chair that leans back and wear a paper bib to protect your clothes from spatters.
RESOURCES
On the Web:
• bit.ly/1FoDZiE and bit.ly/1cOXas3
At the library:
• “Getting Ready for My Doctor’s Visit” by Fei Zheng-Ward
ECO NOTE
A surge of locusts is devastating crops in southern Ukraine as Russia’s war on the country disrupts pest control efforts. Officials say extreme heat, abandoned farmland near the front and the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, which created a vast soggy area, have resulted in perfect breeding conditions. Swarms have overtaken roads and fields in Zaporizhzhia, where farmers report losing up to 33% of sunflower crops. Ukraine, the world’s leading sunflower oil exporter, depends on these southern regions for grain and oilseed production.
Mini Fact: The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day and flossing daily.
A nurse might take your temperature.
The doctor listens to your heart and lungs using a stethoscope.
601 W Ocean Dr #414D, Key Colony
$595,000 | 2BD/2 5BA | 1,343 SqFt Tracy Chacksfield (305)912-2177
Sat
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341 Sombrero Beach Rd, Marathon
$1,899,999 | 2BD/2BA | 1,532 SqFt Alicia Lund (305)431-0577
201 E Ocean Dr 311, Key Colony
$589,000 | 2BD/2BA | 994 SqFt Darlene Alferes (305)407-6925
97 Coral Ln, Key Colony
$960,000 | 2BD/2BA | 1,290 SqFt Tracy Chacksfield (305)912-2177
1041 Gilbraltar Rd, Key Largo
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1044 Gilbraltar Rd, Key Largo
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12399 Overseas Hwy 12, Marathon
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Sept. 8 - 13
Team Sport Opponent Date Result
Coral Shores Volleyball Marathon 9/9 W, 3-0
Coral Shores Volleyball Westwood Christian 9/11 L, 3-2
Key West Volleyball Walnut Grove Christian 9/12 W, 2-0
Key West Volleyball St. Petersburg Catholic 9/12 W, 2-0
Key West Volleyball Tampa Bay Heat 9/12 L, 2-1
Basilica Volleyball @ St. John Paul II Academy 9/12 L, 3-0
Marathon Volleyball Westwood Christian 9/12 L, 3-1
Marathon Football Zephyrhills Christian 9/12 L, 42-6
Key West Football Belen Jesuit 9/12 W, 22-15
Coral Shores Football SmartEn Sports Academy 9/12 L, 24-13
Key West Girls Swimming Westminster Christian 9/13 W, 10166
Key West Boys Swimming Westminster Christian 9/13 W, 10552
Key West Volleyball Durant High School 9/13 W, 2-0
Key West Volleyball Alonso High School 9/13 W, 2-1
THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS Sept. 18 - 25
9/18
9/18 Coral Shores Football @ Glades Day 7 p.m.
9/19 All Keys Teams Cross Country @ Spanish River 6:30 p.m.
9/19 Marathon Football @ Palmer Trinity 4 p.m.
9/19 Key West Football @ Gulliver Prep 4 p.m. 9/19 Marathon Volleyball Archimedean 5 p.m.
9/20 Key West Swimming Archbishop McCarthy 11:30 a.m.
9/22
9/22 Coral Shores Volleyball @ Basilica 5:30 p.m. 9/22 Marathon Volleyball @ Franklin Academy 5:30 p.m.
9/22 Coral Shores Football @ Palmer Trinity 3 p.m.
9/24 All Keys Teams Cross Country @ Marathon 3:30 p.m.
9/24 All Keys Teams Golf @ Key West 2 p.m.
9/24 Marathon Volleyball Basilica 4:30 p.m.
9/25 Coral Shores Volleyball Key West 5:30 p.m.
9/25 Marathon Volleyball Archimedean 5 p.m.
9/25 Coral Shores Swimming Westminster Christian 4 p.m.
ON THE COVER
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
BURNS
His commitment motivates others and inspires coaches.the I am excited to see how far his dedication will take him.”
– Helena Bursa, Dolphins cross country coach
17:06
Burns’ first time clocked this season
2
place at Miami Country Day
After a long-awaited start to the season, Marathon’s Lucian Burns, left, and Molly Joly came out of the gates as the Dolphins’ top runners. See page 10. NATALIE DANKO/ Keys Weekly
When Marathon’s Lucian Burns took the line at the Miami Country Day cross country meet last week, he had big shoes to fill. With the Fins’ long-standing success streak on the line, Burns took off and never looked back. Just a freshman, he finished the six-team meet in second place, a blink behind the frontrunner, a junior who placed in the top 30 in the state last season.
“Lucian stands out because of his incredible drive. Even as a freshman, he takes full ownership of his training, doing every run, adding extra work and always giving 100%,” said Fins coach Helena Bursa. For his commitment to the sport, dedication to his team and willingness to do whatever it takes to improve, Marathon’s Lucian Burns is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.
Lucian
Freshman, Marathon Cross Country
Photo by NATALIE DANKO/Keys Weekly
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.
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.
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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.
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All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.
Emmett Merryman is a big part of Marathon’s winning combination this season.
NATALIE DANKO/Keys Weekly and Keys Weekly File Photos
SWINGING THROUGH THE STORMS
Keys golfers dodge the rain to fit in nine holes
Soggy greens did not stop Keys golfers from their match on Sept. 8 at Marathon’s Florida Keys Country Club. Two days later, another scheduled match at Key West was postponed for lightning and the athletes ran out of daylight. Fortunately, teams made the most out of their single match, finishing with some of the best scores of the season.
Key West’s Geo Twyman had the low score, finishing one above par with a 37. Teammate Mason Titensor was within striking distance with a 39. The next three finishers were Dolphins, with Emmett Merryman and Roco Piscetello tying for third place at six over and Jackson Millard of Marathon tied with Key West’s Canyon Miller for sixth with 47 strokes apiece. Luca Picariello, Max Childress, Aiden Richard and Jack Dunn, all of Marathon, rounded out the top 10. Coral Shores’ top finisher was Fischer Daly, who finished 14th.
Taking the top spots helped Key West’s team score, but the Dolphins’ consistency throughout the lineup secured the overall team victory.
The Lady Conchs won by default as the only full team present, but the smaller numbers did not diminish the golfers’ scores. Key West’s Lexi Finigan topped the scoreboard again last week, shooting a 43, with teammate Claudia Steling in second at 51. Marathon’s Makenna Haines finished third at 55 with Lady Conch Mary Alice Davila in fourth and Justice Lee of Marathon in fifth. Key West’s Berkeley Tripp was sixth, with Coral Shores’ Valerie Gabriel and Melanie Estevez finishing seventh and eighth.
9709 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 33050
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Golfers have many chances to hone their skills this season, even with the weather challenges. Coaches have scheduled two and sometimes three matches per week until the teams enter the postseason. Last fall, Key West sent one athlete to regionals, a relatively rare feat for Keys golfers. This season, the level of competition could produce multiple athletes representing Monroe County with the ultimate goal being a trip to Howey-in-the-Hills for the state championships in November.
Geo Twyman, top & Lexi Finigan, left, are the golfers to beat this season.
Twyman shot a 37 and Finigan scored a 43 at Marathon last week.
tracy mcdonald
sean mcdonald
MARKET EDITORS
SILVER LINING
Conchs net Silver Division championship at GEM tourney
Key West traveled to Wesley Chapel for the Florida GEM High School volleyball tournament on Sept. 12 and 13. The tournament hosted over 70 varsity teams for some of the best competition anywhere in the state. The Conchs captured first place in the Silver Division, losing just one match. Key West beat teams from as far away as South Carolina to bring home the trophy. The Conchs now turn their attention closer to home, with a series of in-county matches in the com-
ing weeks. They’ll leave Monroe County just one more time prior to districts.
At the other end of the Keys, Coral Shores blanked the Dolphins of Marathon 3-0 on Sept. 9 for win number seven on the season. Aces were wild, with Celene Walker picking up four, Shelby Lynn and Jillian Thiery with three and Coralyn Frimpter, Ivy Tiedemann and Abby Leigh with one each. Lynn, Maddie Jordan and Alexandria Burson all had 100% service percentage, making it difficult for the Dolphins to get their own offense started.
Meanwhile, the Hurricane hitters were strong, with Walker leading the way with seven kills, Frimpter with five and Violet Matthews with four. Two nights later, the Lady ’Canes fell to Westwood Christian, but the Warriors had to work for the win. Coral Shores lost the first set, then battled back, winning sets two and three. The Warriors then swept the final two to make it 3-2 and give the Hurricanes a 7-4 record as they head into the final three weeks of the regular season.
Key West’s Adriana Heinrichs, Tess Wright, Gabrielle Garcia, Audrey Smith, Savannah Ventimiglia, Molly McKnight and Catherine Van
Hurricane hitters Coralyn Frimpter and Jillian Thiery are making an impact this season as freshmen. Frimpter had five kills, three digs, an ace and a block while Thiery registered three aces, three kills, two blocks, an assist and a dig against the Marathon Dolphins last week. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly
DELAYED GRATIFICATION
After more than two weeks of delays due to uncooperative weather, the Conchs were finally able to kick off their 2025 season in the pool against Westminster Christian on Sept. 13. Key West won over the Warriors 101-66 in girls competition and 105-52 in boys action.
The Conchs’ relay teams dominated in the pool, shutting out Westminster from any firsts in those events. Mary Searcy, Amelia Korzen, Molly Martinez and Christina Rice won the girls 200-yard medley race while Jacob Perez, Hugo Blinckmann, Andres Aguero and Sebastian Camargo were first in the boys race. Aly Camargo teamed up with Korzen, Martinez and Rice for the 200 freestyle team for a first, while Santiago Gonzalez and Jack Reyn-
olds joined forces with Hugo and Max Blinckmann for a boys first-place finish in the same event. In the 400 freestyle relay, Taylor Thomason, Kennedy Morgan, Tessa Hughes and Martinez cruised in for a first and Camargo, Max Blinckmann, Gonzalez and Perez won for the boys.
Christina Rice was the big winner for the Lady Conchs in meet number one. Rice had a pair of individual wins to add to her relay events. She touched the wall well ahead of her competitors in both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle races.
Santiago Gonzalez added two individual wins to his relay races as well. Gonzalez took first in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle races to make him the most prolific winner for the boys team against Westminster.
Other individual winners were Colbie Turner, who won the girls 100-yard butterfly event. Andres Aguero finished first in the boys event. Hugo Blinckmann finished just ahead of brother Max in the 50 freestyle sprint and Amelia Korzen swam to a first-place finish in the girls 100-yard breaststroke event.
Coral Shores has yet to dive into the competitive season this year. Several meets have been postponed or canceled due to inclement weather. With any luck, the Hurricanes will start things off at Founders Park on Tuesday, Sept. 23 against Doral Academy and again on the 25th in a tri-meet with Westminster Christian and Cutler Bay. Key West hosts Archbishop McCarthy on Saturday, Sept. 20 at the College of the Florida Keys pool.
1. The Warriors of Westminster join the Conchs in one of Monroe County’s greatest sports traditions, the singing of the national anthem at each home meet. 2. Amelia Korzen comes up for air in the 200-yard medley relay. Tessa Hughes makes her way to the finish two lanes away. 3. Santiago Gonzalez dives into his junior season against Westminster on Sept. 13. 4. Key West freestyle specialist Christina Rice loses her goggles but wins the race. JENNIFER SEARCY/Contributed
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CONCHS WEATHER
Key West washes out Belen in Week Four gridiron action
Key West was the lone Keys winner on the gridiron last week, with a victory over Belen Jesuit on Sept. 12. The Conchs outscored the Wolverines 22-15 to even their record and keep their hopes of a playoff game alive.
Walson Morin ran for over 250 yards against the Wolverines, scoring two of Key West’s touchdowns. Jeff Dejean scored the third and amassed over 100 yards. All three TDs came in the first half. In the second, the Conchs only had three drives in total and were not able to capitalize on them.
Defensively, Key West was able to get in a lot of practice against a high-caliber passing game. The Wolverines threw 25 times against the Conchs, setting up Noah Mercer for three sacks in a single game.
Now 2-2, Key West will head to Gulliver Prep on Friday, Sept. 19 for a 4 p.m. kickoff, but if anything has been made apparent over the last month, it is that an afternoon game in
Miami will be fraught with delays.
Ninety miles away from the Southernmost City, the Goats of SmartEn Sports Academy were sure-footed through the sloppy field and weather conditions last week. The Goats defeated the Hurricanes of Coral Shores 24-13 in a wet, muddy meetup in Tavernier.
The Goats led 6-0 at the half after some excellent displays of defense from Coral Shores. Coach Ed Holly praised SG Paul, Marco Gudino, Nick Calderon and Glade Harrelson for their performance on defense and in keeping the game close through all four quarters.
Sterling Keefe called the plays, running for nearly 50 yards in addition to running the offense for the ’Canes. Keefe and the rest of the Hurricane offense got within a point of the Goats early in the second half, but sloppy weather and some feats of athleticism from SmartEn sealed the deal for a Goats win. Ekon Edwards and David Beltran had some big gains
THE STORM
running the ball for the Hurricanes. Beltran walked into the end zone once after a three-yard run. The other TD was off a 17-yard run by John Oughton.
Marathon came out of the gates against Zephyrhills Christian Academy with an intensity head coach Sean McDonald has been looking for all season, and the Dolphins were able to string together some explosive plays on both sides of the ball. The first half of their Sept. 12 game was a defensive battle, with Zephyrhills leading 6-0 with just over a minute to go before the half. The Warriors punched one in to lead 12-0 when the second-quarter buzzer sounded.
Westminster added enough points early in the second half to put a win out of reach for the Fins, but the increased intensity and some big plays give the Dolphins hope heading into week 5. Mathew Machado scored the Fins’ lone TD and defensively, Marathon had some bright spots, including a goal-line stand early and a Charlie Buttner interception.
Marathon will look for win number one against a formidable Palmer Trinity on Sept. 19. Palmer will then play Coral Shores three days later to complete the second half of their game, postponed earlier in the season due to weather conditions. Palmer will start the game against the Hurricanes with a 16-point advantage, scored in their earlier engagement.
Before the Hurricanes finish their business with Palmer, they will play a full game at Glades Day Thursday, Sept. 18, then Florida Christian on Friday, Sept. 26, giving them three opponents in nine days’ time.
If anything has been made apparent over the last month, it is that an afternoon game in Miami will be fraught with delays.
1. Josh Johnson boots a kickoff.
2. Walson Morin gets into the end zone to score the two-point conversion for the Conchs.
3. Kaine Dickerson launches a kickoff for the Conchs.
4. Walson Morin dodges tackles on a run for Key West.
5. Key West’s Jeff DeJean runs the ball.
6. Coral Shores quarterback Sterling Keefe (#16) runs upfield on a keeper against SmartEn Sports Academy at CSHS.
7. Hurricane Andres Alvarado locks down a SmartEn receiver.
8. Coral Shores sophomore John Oughton (#19) scores a touchdown against SmartEn Sports Academy.
9. Coral Shores running back Ekon Edwards (#25) runs upfield.
10. Coral Shores sophomore John Oughton (#19) runs upfield against SmartEn Sports Academy.
11.Marathon players congratulate Garrett Ruddy after their successful goal-line stand.
12. Mathew Machado finds a hole and takes off.
13. Colton Huff (11) and Danger Moya (6) race to recover an onside kick.
14. Garrett Ruddy fights for extra yards, dragging some Warriors with him.
Photos by Doug Finger, Maicey Malgrat and Tracy McDonald
Nearly a month after the FHSAA’s official start date for competition, the Dolphins of Marathon were able to complete their first cross country race of the season at Miami Country Day. In the weeks since the Aug. 18 season opening, multiple events were canceled, all due to inclement weather, giving local teams some concern over whether they would be race-ready.
On Sept. 9, the Fins made it clear that they have not missed a beat.
Freshman Lucian Burns led the team to second-place finishes for both the Fins and himself. Burns finished in 17:06, good enough for a big PR and just a tenth of a second behind the first-place finisher. Right behind Burns was sophomore Tony Bursa, whose 17:32 put him in third overall. Allan Taylor and Caleb Shelar were next, each breaking the 20-minute mark and Taylor clocking a fraction of a second ahead of Shelar. Landon Anderson completed his first-ever cross country race in 21:24 and Anthony Vargas, a seventh grader, finished in 21:26, giving Marathon a solid sixth man to serve as tie-breaker should the team ever require one.
FAST OUT OF THE GATES
Marathon runners clock solid times in first race of the season
Key West and Sugarloaf School cross country runners pose for a quick photo at the jumping bridge. The athletes made the most of their weather-addled meet schedules and had some fun between workouts last weekend. CONTRIBUTED
The sixth runner has been a deciding factor in the past for the Fins, and ensuring the team had someone in that role was one of the coaching staff’s biggest concerns heading into this season. The team captured second place out of a pack of six teams entered in the race.
The girls team had just two returners clocking times last week. Molly Joly was first for Marathon and seventh overall with a 22:56. Though just a seventh grader, Joly is now in her second year of varsity running with the Fins. The team’s other seasoned runner, Mylana Loza, was second for Marathon, running a 27:58. Transfer student Kayla Skaarup was third and broke the 30-minute mark along with newcomer Ariella Dworniczak. Stephanie Rodriguez rounded out the Fins’ top five.
Marathon and Coral Shores now each have one race completed this season, while Key West has not had any luck with dodging foul weather. The Conchs have used the lack of meets as a reset to get some extra work in as well as to bond as a new team. All three teams are scheduled to compete at the Spanish River Invitational Sept. 19 and the following week, a Marathon meet is scheduled for Sept. 24.
CONCRETE MADE TO LAST
Marathon’s cross country teams pose for a quick photo after their Sept. 9 meet. CONTRIBUTED
FICTITIOUS NAME
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Artiful Ann located at 2095 San Remo Drive, Big Pine Key, FL 33043, intends to register the said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, FL.
By: Ann Schlabach
Publish: September 18, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
FICTITIOUS NAME
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of International Cool located at General Delivery, Marathon, FL 33050, intends to register the said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, FL.
By:
Frank Pauly
Publish: September 18, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
U-HAUL COMPANY OF MIAMI
Notice is hereby given that on October 6th, 2025, Leonard Richford Jr. Storage Auctioneer, Executive Administrator for U-Haul Company of Miami, Will be offering for sale under the Judicial Lien Process, By Public Auction, the following storage units. The Terms of the sale will be cash only. U-Haul Company does reserve the right to refuse any bids. The sales will Begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue day by day until all units are sold. The names of whose units will be sold are as follows: Location: 103530 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037. Molina, Emilio 1569 Adams, Melinda 1302 Stutznan, Pam 1207 Valverde, Nathan 1550 Pinero, Jesse 1298 Fellhauer, Amy M 1185 Pena, Steven 1403
Publish: September 18 & 25, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CASE NO: 2013-CP-219-K IN RE: ESTATE OF DARREN GUTTMAN, Deceased.
Estrella Guttman, a personal representative of the Estate of Darren Guttman Plaintiff Vs. Karen Guttman
Defendant 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 28th day of July, 2025, in the cause wherein IN RE: ESTATE OF DARREN GUTTMAN, Deceased. Estrella Guttman, a personal representative of the Estate of Darren Guttman is Plaintiff and Karen Guttman was defendant, being Case No. 2013-CP-219-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 personal property to wit: SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY Stock certificates representing the one hundred percent (100%) ownership interest of Karen Guttman in the following corporations:
Altruistic Endeavors, Inc.
Altruistic Endeavors, Inc.
Cabbies Cab, Inc.
County Cab Services, Inc.
Friendly Cabs of Key West, Inc.
Innovative Cab, Inc.
Key West Taxicabs, Inc.
Maintenance Investigations, Inc.
Mechanical investigations, Inc.
Monroe Cab, Inc.
Prestige Cab, Inc.
Prompt Cab, Inc. Protector Cab, Inc. Row Row Cab, Inc. Safety Endeavors, Inc.
Service Cab, Inc. Yellow Cab Company of Key West, Inc.
All bidders must have a valid Driver’s License with them and must register with the clerk at location of sale prior to start time of sale. I shall offer this property for sale, at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters building located at 5525 College Road Key West, Florida 33040 in the County of Monroe, State of Florida, on the 16th day of October 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 personal 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 22nd day of August, 2025. Richard A. Ramsay Sheriff of Monroe County, Florida By: Donald Stullken
Deputy Sheriff In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the Civil Division no later than seven says prior to the proceeding at (305)8093041
Publish: August 28 and September 4, 11 & 18, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, THAT THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH WILL BE HOLDING PUBLIC HEARINGS ON:
DATE/TIME: Planning & Zoning Hearing: Thursday, October 2nd, 2025, 9:30 A.M. City Commission Public Hearing: Thursday, October 16th, 2025, 9:30 A.M. LOCATION: City of Key Colony Beach City Hall Auditorium ‘Marble Hall’ 600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051, To hear a Variance Request from Gizelle Andrade Sarmento and Ian Michael Morgan, owners of the property located at 491 10th Street, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051. This meeting will be available via Zoom Meetings. Members of the public who wish to attend virtually may email the City Clerk at keycolonybeach.netcityclerk@ or call 305-289-1212, Ext. 2 for further instructions on attending via Zoom Meetings. The applicant requests a variance to the City of Key Colony Beach Land Development Regulations, Article IV, Sec. 101-26, for the construction of a residential swimming pool that would encroach in the setback by five (5) on the side. Interested parties may attend the Hearing and be heard with respect to the requested variance.
If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission of the City of Key Colony Beach with respect to any matter considered at the Variance Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceedings and for such
purpose 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.
If you are unable to attend the Hearings on Thursday, October 2nd, 2025, or Thursday, October 16th, 2025, but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to the City Clerk at P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051, or via email at keycolonybeach.net,cityclerk@and your comments will be entered into the record.
Published: On or before September 18th, 2025
City Clerk, City of Key Colony Beach Publish: September 18, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, THAT THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH WILL BE HOLDING PUBLIC HEARINGS ON:
DATE/TIME:
Planning & Zoning Hearing: Thursday, October 2nd, 2025, 9:30 A.M.
City Commission Public Hearing: Thursday, October 16th, 2025, 9:30 A.M.
LOCATION:
City of Key Colony Beach City Hall Auditorium ‘Marble Hall’ 600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051, To hear an After-the-Fact Variance Request from Capi Group Holdings, LLC, owner of the property located at 1250 Coury Drive, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051. This meeting will be available via Zoom Meetings. Members of the public who wish to attend virtually may email the City Clerk at keycolonybeach.netcityclerk@ or call 305-289-1212, Ext. 2 for further instructions on attending via Zoom Meetings. The Applicant requests an After-the-Fact Variance from the City of Key Colony Beach Land Development Regulations, Chapter 101, Section 10 (8), for the construction of an approved residential project that has reached its top level as per the permitted plans. A variance is sought for additional height to provide access to the observation deck, which was previously approved as part of the original project design, and the requested height increase is necessary to ensure safe and functional access. Interested parties may attend the Hearing and be heard with respect to the requested variance.
If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission of the City of Key Colony Beach with respect to any matter considered at the Variance Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose 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.
If you are unable to attend the Hearings on Thursday, October 2nd, 2025, or Thursday, October 16th, 2025, but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to the City Clerk at P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051, or via email at keycolonybeach.net,cityclerk@and your comments will be entered into the record.
Published: On or before September 18th, 2025
City Clerk, City of Key Colony Beach
Publish: September 18, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION
CASE NO.: 2025-CP-370-P
IN RE: THE ESTATE OF BONNIE RAE LUIKAART, Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the Estate of Bonnie Rae Luikaart, deceased, whose date of death was April 27, 2025 and the last four digits of whose social security number are 5251, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, Florida 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 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 §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 the first publication of this notice is the 18th day of September, 2025.
Personal Representative: James Henry Luikaart c/o Law Office of Jack Bridges, P.A. P.O. Box 1714
Tavernier, FL 33070-1714 (305) 664-9690
Attorney for Personal Representative: Jack Bridges Fla. Bar No. 175950 P.O. Box 1714 Tavernier, FL 33070-1714 (305) 664-9690 jack@jackbridges.us linda@jackbridges.us Publish: September 18 & 25, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA UPPER KEYS PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 25-CP-000341-P IN RE: ESTATE OF KATHERINE T. EBERT, Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of KATHERINE T. EBERT, deceased, whose date of death was February 3, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Hwy., Tavernier, 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 required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS
AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. 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: September 11, 2025.
Signed on September 4, 2025
Personal Representative: MARY M. EBERT
224 Columbine Ave., Unit A Whiting, NJ 08759
Attorney for Personal Representative: Victoria Miranda, Esq. Fl Bar No. 1015363 Attorneys for Personal Representative Hershoff, Lupino & Yagel, LLP 88539 Overseas Highway Tavernier, FL 33070 (305) 852-8440 – Telephone (305) 852-8848 – Facsimile VMiranda@HLYlaw.com –Primary kvilchez@HLYlaw.comSecondary bmiller@HLYlaw.comSecondary Publish: September 11 & 18, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 2025-CP-357-P IN RE: ESTATE OF ROBERT T. ROYALL, Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of ROBERT T. ROYALL, deceased, whose date of death was May 2, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, Florida 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME 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: September 11, 2025.
E. Cheryl Culberson
Personal Representative 161 Leoni Drive
Islamorada, Florida 33036
Rayme L. Suarez, Esq.
Attorney for Personal Representative
Florida Bar No. 0086622
Law Office of Rayme L. Suarez 92400 Overseas Highway, Suite 7
Tavernier, Florida 33070
Email: raymelaw@gmail.com
Secondary email: danrayme@ aol.com
Publish:
September 11 & 18, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA KEY WEST DIVISION IN ADMIRALTY CASE NO.: 4:25-cv-10067-DSL IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT OF KEY WEST JETSKI, INC. AS OWNER OR A 2025 11’8” YAMAHA WATERJET POWERCRAFT, HIN NO. YAMA1040G425, AND APPURTENANCES, Petitioner, NOTICE TO CLAIMANTS OF PETITION FOR EXONERATION FROM OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Notice is given that the above named Petitioner, Key West Jetski, Inc. ("Limitation Petitioner") has filed a Petition/Complaint for Exoneration from or Limitation of Liability, pursuant to 46 U.S.C. § 30501 et seq., ("Limitation Petition") for all claims for any damages or injuries, arising out of, or occurring as a result of an incident on the navigable waters of the United States on or about May 9, 2025, allegedly involving a 2025 11’8” Yamaha Waterjet Powercraft, HIN No. YAMA1040G425 and Appurtenances ("Limitation Vessel"), as more fully described in the Limitation Petition.
All persons having such claims must file their respective claims, as provided by Supplemental Rule F of the Supplemental Rules for Certain Admiralty and Maritime Claims of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, with the Clerk of Court in writing and must serve a copy thereof on attorneys for Limitation Petitioner on or before October 30, 2025 or be defaulted. Personal attendance is not required. Any claimant who desires to contest either the right to exoneration from or the right to limitation of liability shall file and serve on attorneys for Limitation Petitioner an answer to the Complaint, on or before the aforesaid date, unless the claim includes an answer, so designated, or be defaulted.
DONE AND ORDERED this 10th day of September, 2025. Angela E. Noble UNITED STATE DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OT FLORIDA By: Lisa T. Streets Deputy Clerk Publish: September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 44-2025-CA000024-A0-01-PK JOSE ROBERTO TRIANA, and MARILYN GONZALEZ PlaintiffS, v. MANGROVE MARINE HOLDINGS, LLC, d/b/a GILBERTS, and MANNY DORTA,
Defendants. NOTICE OF ACTION TO: Manny Dorta Address Unknown YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action has been filed against you in the Circuit Court of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Monroe County, Florida, regarding the motor vehicle accident occurring on September 29, 2024, on 107900 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037 and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to Kendrick Almaguer, Esq., Attorney for the Plaintiff, The Hachar Law Group, whose address is 7900 Oak Lane, Suite 401, Miami Lakes, FL 33016, and file the original with the clerk of this court at Clerk of the Circuit Court, 5000 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040 on or before September 29, 2025. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint. Dated this 18th day of August, 2025.
KEVIN MADOK CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Shonta McLeod As Deputy Clerk Publish: August 28 and September 4, 11 & 18, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 25-DR-1011-K ELENA VISSER, Petitioner, and KEITH RAYMOND VISSER, Respondent. NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE TO: KEITH RAYMOND VISSER RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 912 POHALSKI ST. APT. D, 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 ELENA VISSER, whose address is 1621 JOSEPHINE ST. APT. 2, KEY WEST, FL 33040 on or before October 18, 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: NONE Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.
Dated: September 15, 2025 Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Destiny Johnson Deputy Clerk
Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CASE NO.: 24-DR-1320-K
DIVISION: FAMILY
STACY ANNE PAULWELL Petitioner, and TAVERES DENARD WATLEY Respondent, NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT)
TO: TAVERES DENARD WATLEY
2821 Windsor Forrest Ct, College Park, GA, 30340
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 STACEY ANNE PAULWELL, whose address is C/O Law Office of Wayne Dapser, 300 Southard St, Suite 208, Key West, FL 33040 on or before October 11, 2025, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.
The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request.
You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office.
WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.
Dated: September 5, 2025
Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Destiny Johnson Deputy Clerk Publish: September 11, 18 & 25 and October 2, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 25-DR-918-K
EDWIN ANTONIO AMADOR MIRANDA, Petitioner, and AMELIA BEATRIZ AMADOR BELETA, Respondent.
AMENDED NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE TO: AMELIA BEATRIZ AMADOR BELETA RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: COL. 14 DE SEPT DEL SUPEREXPRESS 4 C AL S ½ ABAJO, MANAGUA, NICARAGUA 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 EDWIN ANTONIO AMADOR MIRANDA, whose address is 5582 1ST AVE, APT 201, BOX 5, KEY WEST, FL 33040 on or before September 29, 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: August 22, 2025
Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida
By: Shonta McLeod Deputy Clerk Publish: August 28 & September 4, 11 & 18, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED
2025-26
Notice is hereby given that, BLUE LOCKER HOLDINGS LLC, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No: 2019/1493 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2019 Account Number: 8557965
Parcel ID: 00489050-000200
Description of Property:
26 62 38 PT LOT 8 BLK 3 BLUEWATER TRAILER VILLAGE SEC 2 PB5-124 OR807-1744
Name in which assessed: VINCENTE G SANCHEZ, GLADYS M SANCHEZ
All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida.
Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 12th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk
Publish: September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-28
Notice is hereby given that, BEAMIF A LLC, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of
property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows:
Certificate No: 2022/290
Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1103357
Parcel ID: 00090500-000100
Description of Property: 5 62 39 ISLAND OF KEY LARGO PT GOV LOTS 1 & 3 (4 AC PER SURVEY) OR795-1307-1309
OR806-2183E OR806-2187Q OR8611511/1513Q/C OR8611514/1516 OR861-1517/1519 OR863-1946/1948Q/C OR879882/884Q/C OR1363171/75MER OR1516-1060/62
Name in which assessed: KAWAMA HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION INC
All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed.
com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 11th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk
Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED
2025-29
Notice is hereby given that, SCOTT V MORTON, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No: 2019/920 Date of Issuance: June 01,
2019
Account Number: 1406171
Parcel ID: 00331061-009100
Description of Property:
BK 4 LT 31 & PT OF SANDY AVE
SEA-AIR ESTATES VACA KEY PB6-91 (AKA BAYBTM) OR847768 RES NO 373-1981
Name in which assessed:
SEA-AIR ESTATES INC C/O GOSS RICHARD All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed.
com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am. Dated this 11th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy
Clerk
Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED
2025-30
Notice is hereby given that, SCOTT V MORTON, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No: 2019/919 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2019
Account Number: 1406163
Parcel ID: 00331061-009000
Description of Property: BK 4 LT 30 & PT OF SANDY AVE
SEA-AIR ESTATES VACA KEY PB6-91 (AKA BAYBTM) OR847768 RES NO
373-1981
Name in which assessed: SEA-AIR ESTATES INC C/O GOSS RICHARD
All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 11th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk
Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED
2025-31
Notice is hereby given that, SCOTT V MORTON, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows:
Certificate No: 2019/922
Date of Issuance: June 01, 2019
Account Number: 1406198
Parcel ID: 00331061-009300
Description of Property:
BK 4 LT 33 & PT OF SANDY AVE
SEA-AIR ESTATES VACA KEY PB6-91 (AKA BAYBTM) OR847768 RES NO 373-1981
Name in which assessed: SEA-AIR ESTATES INC C/O GOSS RICHARD
All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida.
Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed.
com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 11th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk
Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED
2025-32
Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No: 2022/664
Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1288730
Parcel ID: 00221510-000000
Description of Property: BK 2 LT 23 WINDWARD BEACH
ESTATES LITTLE TORCH KEY
PB4-131 OR455-280-281 OR592-807 OR732-749
OR2525-1126D/C OR25251127/28
Name in which assessed: OCONNOR LESLIE JACK REV TR 8/30/2010
All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida.
Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 12th day of August, 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk
Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-33
Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows:
Certificate No: 2022/666
Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1288896
Parcel ID: 00221670-000000
Description of Property: BK 2 LT 39 WINDWARD BEACH ESTATES LITTLE TORCH KEY PB4-131 OR455-280/281 OR592-807 OR7891809 OR1041-1844QC Name in which assessed: F N A S BUILDERS
All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida.
Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am. Dated this 12th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-34
Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows:
Certificate No: 2022/667
Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1288926
Parcel ID: 00221700-000000
Description of Property: BK 2 LT 42 WINDWARD BEACH ESTATES LITTLE TORCH KEY PB4-131 OR532-713 Name in which assessed: ELTON T NAYLON, MERLE A NAYLON
All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida.
Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will
be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed.
com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 13th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy
Clerk
Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-35
Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows:
Certificate No: 2022/668
Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1288985
Parcel ID: 00221760-000000
Description of Property: BK 3 LT 6 WINDWARD BEACH ESTATES LITTLE TORCH KEY PB4-131 OR560-584
Name in which assessed: MARGARET TORRES
All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida.
Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed.
com Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 13th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk
Publish: September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-36
Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No: 2022/702
Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1328103
Parcel ID: 00256360-000000
Description of Property: LT 13 LINDA-LOMA SUB PB419 BIG PINE KEY OR123-282283 OR429-276 OR16981812/13EST/ORD
Name in which assessed: RHODES BETTY
All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed.
com Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 13th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy
Clerk Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-37
Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No: 2022/669
Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1289086
Parcel ID: 00221860-000000
Description of Property: BK 3 LT 16 WINDWARD BEACH ESTATES LITTLE TORCH KEY PB4-131 OR427-983
Name in which assessed: CHARLES L HORSTKAMP,LORRAINE HORSTKAMP
All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 13th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk
Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-38
Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No: 2022/660
Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1289141
Parcel ID: 00221920-000000
Description of Property: BK 3 LT 22 WINDWARD BCH EST LITTLE TORCH KEY PB4131 OR534-998 OR758-453 OR1296-191
Name in which assessed: YIU WEI MAK All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 13th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk
Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-39
Notice is hereby given that,
MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK,
holder of the following
Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows:
Certificate No: 2022/673
Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1289302
Parcel ID: 00222080-000000
Description of Property:
BK 3 LT 38 WINDWARD BEACH
ESTATES LITTLE TORCH KEY
PB4-131 OR339-127 897-2394
Name in which assessed: CALLENDER JANET
All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed.
com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 13th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy
Clerk
Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED
2025-40
Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No: 2022/1056 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1457019
Parcel ID: 00373940-000000
Description of Property: CRAINS SUBD OF GRASSY KEY PB 1-51 PT SECS 24-25-26 TWP 65S R 33E LOT 3 SQR 54 G30-189/190 OR900-2496 OR1331-184 Name in which assessed: GORMAN JOSEPH E All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida.
Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed.
com Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 13th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy
Clerk Publish: September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-41
Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No: 2022/1055 Date of Issuance: June 01,
2022 Account Number: 1457001
Parcel ID: 00373930-000000
Description of Property: CRAINS SUBD OF GRASSY
KEY PB 1-51 PT SECS 24-25-26
TWP 65S R 33E LOT 2 SQR 54
G30-189/190 OR900-2496 OR1331-184
Name in which assessed: GORMAN JOSEPH E
All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed.
com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 13th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy
Clerk
Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-42
Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No: 2022/1054
Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1456993
Parcel ID: 00373920-000000
Description of Property: CRAINS SUBD OF GRASSY
KEY PB 1-51 PT SECS 24-25-26
TWP 65S R 33E LOT 1 SQR 54
G30-189/190 OR900-2496 OR1331-184
Name in which assessed: GORMAN JOSEPH E All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida.
Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 13th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk
Publish: September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-43
Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows:
Certificate No: 2022/1058
Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1457035
Parcel ID: 00373960-000000
Description of Property:
LEGAL NOTICES
GORMAN JOSEPH E
All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed.
com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 13th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk
Publish: September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-44
Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows:
Certificate No: 2022/1057
Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1457027
Parcel ID: 00373950-000000
Description of Property:
CRAINS SUBD OF GRASSY
KEY PB 1-51 PT SECS 24-25-26 TWP 65S R 33E LOT 4 SQR 54 G30-189/190 OR900-2496 OR1331-184
Name in which assessed:
GORMAN JOSEPH E
All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida.
Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed.
com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 13th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk
Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-46
Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows:
Certificate No: 2022/1062
Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1457108
Parcel ID: 00374030-000000
Description of Property:
CRAINS SUBD OF GRASSY
KEY PB 1-51 PT SECS 24-25-26
TWP 65S R 33E LOT 12 SQR 54
G30-189/190 OR900-2496 OR1331-184
Name in which assessed: GORMAN JOSEPH E All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder
on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 13th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy
Clerk
Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED
2025-47
Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows:
Certificate No: 2022/1063
Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1457116
Parcel ID: 00374040-000000
Description of Property: CRAINS SUBD OF GRASSY KEY PB 1-51 PT SECS 24-25-26 TWP 65S R 33E LOT 13 SQR 54 G30-189/190 OR900-2496 OR1331-184
Name in which assessed: GORMAN JOSEPH E All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida.
Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed.
com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 13th day of August, 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk
Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED
2025-48
Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows:
Certificate No: 2022/1064
Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1457124
Parcel ID: 00374050-000000
Description of Property:
CRAINS SUBD OF GRASSY KEY PB 1-51 PT SECS 24-25-26 TWP 65S R 33E LOT 14 SQR 54 G30-189/190 OR900-2496 OR1331-184
Name in which assessed: GORMAN JOSEPH E
All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 13th day of August, 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy
Clerk
Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED
2025-49
Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows:
Certificate No: 2022/1065
Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1457132
Parcel ID: 00374060-000000
Description of Property: CRAINS SUBD OF GRASSY KEY PB 1-51 PT SECS 24-25-26 TWP 65S R 33E LOT 15 SQR 54 G30-189/190 OR900-2496 OR1331-184
Name in which assessed: GORMAN JOSEPH E All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida.
Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed.
com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am.
Dated this 13th day of August, 2025
KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk
Publish:
September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2025-50
Notice is hereby given that, MIKON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND OCEAN BANK, holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate No: 2022/1066 Date of Issuance: June 01, 2022
Account Number: 1457141
Parcel ID: 00374070-000000
Description of Property: CRAINS SUBD OF GRASSY KEY PB 1-51 PT SECS 24-25-26 TWP 65S R 33E LOT 16 SQR 54 G30-189/190 OR900-2496 OR1331-184
Name in which assessed: GORMAN JOSEPH E All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida.
Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder on www.monroe.realtaxdeed. com
Sale Date: October 29, 2025
Sale Time: 10:00am. Dated this 13th day of August, 2025 KEVIN MADOK, CPA CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT & COMPTROLLER OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: September 18 & 25 and October 2 & 9, 2025 The Weekly Newspapers
AUTOS ALL YEARS! Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks. Runs or Not.$CASH 305-332-0483
AUTOS FOR SALE
2003 Ford Explorer. 174k miles, runs greathave svc. records from 89k miles, A/C works. REDUCED to $3000 - OBO Bring an offer! Located in Marathon. Call Evan 305-417-0169 SOLD!!!
PLACE YOUR AUTO FOR SALE AD HERE. $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-4170871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com
BOATS FOR SALE
GREAT DEAL: Key Largo 21' Deep V Center Console w/trailer. New 150hp motor & electronics. $15,000 Located in Marathon. 201-696-8906
17' Montauk Whaler, 90hp Yamaha-50 hours only, GPS, Depth Finder, Radio, Aluminum Trailer, excellent condition. Located in Marathon. $11,000 OBO 305-849-5793 SOLD IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!!!
PLACE YOUR BOAT FOR SALE AD HERE. $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-4170871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com
BOAT SLIP FOR RENT
Dockage up to 60’ Islamorada - Bayside, 50 amp service. Call 860-982-4517
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
PLACE YOUR BOAT SLIP FOR RENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-417-0871 or email Anneke@KeysWeekly.com
EMPLOYMENT
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 SS Wreck & Galley Grill (mile marker 59) is looking for a fulltime prep and dishwasher person. Self-motivated, will train, experience very helpful, quick learner, and team player. Salary includes 401k match up to 6%. Please call Nicole at 305433-0515 or email nicole@ themoongroupfl.com.
PAVER DAVE INC. is now hiring in the Lower Keys. Must have Driver’s License. Bobcat driver experience helpful. Pay depends on experience. Call 305-304-3966
Serve/Bartend on the ocean! The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a customer service-oriented Server/Bartender. Serve on pool deck, beach and/ or bar lounge. Open year round, 9:30am7pm daily. Full time/ Part time. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.
PLACE YOUR EMPLOYMENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-417-0871 or email Anneke@KeysWeekly.com
HOBBIES/COLLECT
PRIVATE
COLLECTOR
WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call 305-743-4578
HOUSING FOR RENT
UNFURNISHED 2/2 HOUSE FOR RENT ON CANAL, MM27, Ramrod Key, recently refurbished and painted, w/d, utilities paid by owner, $2,750/month, fenced yard, available now. Pete 786-649-9833 or pprm1119@aol.com
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
HOUSING FOR RENT
Luxury rental - vacation or long term. 2BR/2BA at 1800 Atlantic, Key West. Pool, beach, zacuzzi. $4,000/mo. 773-421-0332
3 BR/2 BA home for rent in Key Colony Beach. 75' premium dock. $4,000/month + utilities. F/L/S 786-229-0228
2BR/2BA Single Family Waterfront Home for rent in Marathon. Fully furnished. 70' dock. $4,500/month includes all utilities, internet & TV. Available for 4 monthsJan - April. 727-278-1105
2BR/1BA house for rent in Marathon. Completely remodeled. All appliances. No pets. $2700/mo for 2+ ppl.- $2,500/mo if less, incl. electric only. F/L/S Dock available for sep. fee. 305-610-8002
2BR/1BA with outdoor patio for rent in Marathon. $2,100/month F/L/S Taking applications. 305-849-5793 RENTED IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK!!!
PLACE YOUR HOUSING FOR RENT AD HERE. $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-417-0871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com
VACATION RENTAL
Key West House For Rent - 28 day minimum. Recently renovated. 2 Units: 3BR/3BA or 2BR/2.5BA. 1 block to Schooner Wharf @ Historic Seaport. Starting $214/night. Sweet CarolineSeaport.com
YARD SALES
PLACE YOUR YARD SALE AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-417-0871 or email Anneke@KeysWeekly.com
IMMEDIATE OPENING FOR SIGN TECHNICIAN
Experience preferred. CDL required. Applicant must apply in person at:
MARATHON ELECTRIC SIGN & LIGHT 10690 Aviation Boulevard Marathon, Florida 33050
MARINA CASHIER
Looking for a friendly, dependable team member who can handle a busy retail environment with a great a itude. Customer service experience and willingness to learn our sales system is ideal. Duties include assisting customers, restocking, placing orders, and keeping the store clean and organized.
This is an hourly position with pay based on experience. Flexible hours with a consistent weekly schedule. Morning and a ernoon shi s available.
Please respond by email (Ma at islamarinama @gmail.com) with any relevant previous experience and at least two references.
Marathon Boat Yard is looking for a Part-Time Administrative Assistant to perform the following duties: Answering the phone, basic bookkeeping, basic data entry and some customer service. Basic computer and email skills are required. QuickBooks experience is a plus. Bilingual is also a plus. Pay will be based on experience.
MARATHON BOAT YARD 2059 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY MARATHON, FL 33050, 305-735-4594
MARATHONBOATYARDLLC@GMAIL.COM
Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Transmission & Distribution Department:
APPRENTICE SUBSTATION ELECTRICIAN
Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $33.25/hr - $37.24/hr. For more information, including job duties and required qualifications, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com.
KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.
Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.
DOCK HAND
We are looking for a Dock Hand with excellent customer service to join our team. You would assist with the daily operations of our marina. Responsibilities include assistance with the daily marina tasks including helping guests arrive and depart from their dock, guiding guests over the radio, navigation, marina amenity cleaning, pressure-washing, assisting guests with golf cart rides and requests, and maintaining the marina. Send resume to captpips@aol.com or come in the of ce to ll out application. 1480 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 CAPTAIN PIP’S IS AN AWESOME PLACE TO WORK, WE TREAT OUR EMPLOYEES GREAT. COME JOIN OUR TEAM!
wants you to join their team!
Full or Part-time. $19/hour to start. EMAIL resume to: Bette@TurtleHospital.org APPLY in person: 2396 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL
DRC provides for the well-being of its employees with a competitive package including: a 401k retirement plan, medical benefits, HSA account, paid holidays/vacation/sick days, an employee assistance program, in addition to, life and disability insurance at no cost to the employee. EOE
ARE CENTER, Inc. IS HIRING!
JOIN A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE NON-PROFIT 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 Therapist (CAT)
Behavioral Health Therapist (Children)
KEY WEST
Case Manager (Children, Adult) (FT)
Prevention Specialist
Advocate
MARATHON
Advocate
Care Coordinator (PT)
Driver (CDL not required) (PT)
RN/Licensed Practical Nurse (FT,PT)
*Support Worker (Assisted Living) (PT)
*Behavioral Health Technicians – 3 shifts (FT,PT)
*Night Monitor (Assisted Living - Free Housing)
*No experience required for this position. Will train. A caring heart & helpful hands necessary.
Background and drug screen req. EEOC/DFWP COMPETITIVE PAY! EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS!!! Apply at guidancecarecenter.org - Get Involved/ Join our team/Job Opportunities/location/zip
DUI FRONT DESK CLERK & EVALUATOR/INSTRUCTOR
The Advocate Program DUI school is hiring for part time positions.
Front desk: 3 days a week, high school diploma and computer data entry skills required.
DUI instructors and evaluators: 2 days a week, Bachelors or Masters degree in substance abuse eld required.
Of ce located in Marathon. Contact Marcia at 305-704-0117.
MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE
We are now hiring for the following positions: Diesel Mechanic Truck Helpers
CDL Drivers
Applicants must apply in person to be considered.
4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon
OPENINGS AVAILABLE
PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS
- Advanced Practice Provider (APRN-PA-C)Surgical, Ortho, Tavernier
- Medical Assistant, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus
- Medical Assistant, Upper Keys-Gastro, $5k Bonus
- Medical Assistant, LPN, EMT or Paramedic, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus
MIAMI CANCER INSTITUTE KEY WEST
- Advanced Practice Provider (APRN/PA-C) Medical Oncology, Per Diem
- Pool Radiation Therapist
TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL
- Clinical Pharmacist, $5k Bonus
- Cook, Dietary, $5k Bonus
- MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, CT Scan, $50k Bonus
- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, Echocardiography, Per Diem
- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (Mammo & X Ray), Radiology, $50k Bonus
- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, MRI, $50k Bonus
- Medical Technologist, Laboratory, $20k Bonus
- Pool Clinical Pharmacist, Per Diem
- Pool Medical Technologist
- Pool Registered Nurse, Cardiac Rehab
- Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
- Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care Center, PT
MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
- Inventory Control Administrator, Keys/Marathon Supply Chain
- MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 2, (MRI & X Ray), Radiology, $50k Bonus
- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (CT & X Ray), Radiology, $50K Bonus
- Patient Care Nurse Supervisor, PT, Nights
- Patient Scheduler 3, Surgery, PT
- Pool Occupational Therapist
- Pool Pharmacy Tech 2
- Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, $15k Bonus
- Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, Per Diem
- Registered Nurse, PACU, $15k Bonus
- Registered Respiratory Therapist, PT, $12,500 Bonus
- RRT 2, Respiratory Therapy, Per Diem
- Security Officer, Per Diem
THEME: AUTUMN VIBES
ACROSS
1. *Maze plant
5. Wharton degree, acr.
8. Special effects in “Avatar,” acr.
11. Dwarf buffalo
12. “On Golden Pond” bird 13. Isolated 15. Atomizer output 16. Enthusiasm
17. Pueblo people, pl. 18. *Pre-game party (2 words)
20. Doomsayer’s sign 21. Perfume bottles
22. Tombstone acronym 23. Construction binder
26. “____: The Movie,” 2002 slapstick comedy
30. Genetic info carrier, acr.
31. Dorsa, sing.
34. “He’s Just Not That ____ You”
35. *Like some sweaters
37. Earth Day mo.
38. Opposite of cation
39. “Que Sera ____”
40. Approved
42. Denotes middle
43. Assess pro rata
45. Lorraine’s neighbor
47. Doctor Dolittle, e.g.
48. Temporary stay
50. Chicago’s Navy ____, tourist destination
52. *Popular fall spectator sport
55. Hutu’s opponents, 1994
56. Quinceanera or bat mitzvah
57. Biblical captain
59. Rocky ridge
60. Having wings
61. Russian parliament
62. Diamond or ruby
63. An affirmative
64. Dog command
DOWN
1. Cameron, to friends
2. The Fonz: “Sit ____ ____!”
3. Civil rights icon Parks
4. Richard Wright’s “____ Son”
5. Relating to mole
6. Whatever rocks them!
7. “Green Gables” protagonist
8. Walking helper
9. Smiley face
10. “____ Now or Never”
12. Smooth, in music
13. Before appearance of life, geology
14. *Patch purchase
19. ____ Hop dance
22. Ewe’s mate
23. *Like air in fall
24. Keyboard key
25. Introduction to economics
26. Twelve angry men, e.g.
27. Carl Jung’s inner self
28. Indifferent to emotions
29. Type of probe
32. *Leaf collector
33. R&R stop
36. *Bushels of apples, e.g.
38. Impromptu
40. Over the top, in text
41. Time for an egg hunt
44. Falcon’s home
46. Uses two feet
48. Bridal veil fabric
49. Smidgins
50. Unadulterated
51. Individual unit
52. Brawl
53. Clod
54. Tibetan priest
55. Chasing game
58. *Cushion on a fall ride
