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The latest research indicates consuming up to five cups of caffeinated coffee per day is safe for most adults and may be linked to cardiovascular health benefits in some individuals, according to the American Heart Association. It’s generally safe for most adults and appears to be linked to a lower risk of several cardiovascular conditions, including heart failure, heart disease and stroke in some individuals.
It’s time for the Marathon community to honor the people, businesses and places that make our islands the best spot to call home. Nominations for the 16th annual Best of Marathon Awards start TODAY. See page 8.
COLLEGE PRESIDENT FIRED AT LAST-MINUTE BOARD MEETING
Agenda didn’t mention potential termination of Jonathan ‘Dr. G’ Gueverra
MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com
Firing the college president wasn’t on the agenda for Monday night’s hastily-called meeting, but the board that oversees College of the Florida Keys still voted unanimously to oust president Jonathan “Dr. G” Gueverra, and may have violated state statutes in the process.
The unanimous vote for termination also prompted at least two philanthropic supporters to reconsider their relationship with the college.
Last-minute meeting
It was after 5 p.m. on Friday evening, July 17, when board chair Alexandria Suarez announced a special meeting would take place 72 hours later on Monday evening in the Upper Keys.
The agenda for that meeting listed two items: “1. President’s Contracts; 2. Big Pine Key Property.” The word termination was not mentioned, nor was the board’s intent to take action against the school’s longtime president, which is required by state statute.
The ambiguous agenda language and failure to include the president in the agenda setting formed the basis of Gueverra’s attorney’s objections to the July 20 meeting and all actions taken there.
Attorney Wayne Larue Smith detailed the objections when the board allowed public comment, at the end of the meeting, after it voted to terminate Gueverra — despite a statutory requirement that state boards “provide the public a reasonable opportunity to be heard” before the board votes on an issue.
“We reserve all of the president’s constitutional due process rights, statutory rights … and his right to seek
a formal administrative hearing … to challenge any unlawful agency action, suspension or attempt at termination,” Smith said. He indicated that they will be requesting an administrative hearing before a state board that reviews and resolves disputes over the actions of a government agency, including terminations.
Fast action
The board wasted no time in terminating Gueverra, who has led the college since 2012. Almost immediately after the pledge of allegiance opened the meeting, board member Peter E. Batty made a motion to terminate Gueverra “effective immediately.” Batty’s motion also authorized chairwoman Suarez to engage the services of a law firm to draft and serve Gueverra with written notice of termination. Once notified, Gueverra will have 15 days to request a hearing with the Division of Administrative Hearings, which attorney Smith indicated they would do.
The board of trustees did not have legal representation at the special meeting, where Suarez suggested they state on the record their reasons for the termination. She and board member Michael Downer listed alleged offenses by Gueverra, who was not at the meeting.
“I think that clearly Dr. G. has lost the confidence of this board,” Downer said. “One of the factors has been insubordination, among other things.”
The insubordination charge stemmed from a discussion a few months ago about the prior board’s decision to renew Gueverra’s contract.
“This board asked Dr. G about the very premature renewal of his contract, but we did not get an effective response. He effectively refused to address the concerns of this board,” Suarez said. “I think there’s a misunderstanding here. He thinks he’s in charge of the board.”
Suarez added, “The lack of confidence goes to various things reflected in the evaluations that were submitted by this board of Dr. G.”
No evaluations were attached to the July 20 agenda as backup material for the meeting, nor are any evaluations of the president posted with the online minutes of the board’s three most recent meetings.
“There’s a myriad of things,” Downer said, as Suarez added, “Not being able to secure appropriations from the state.”
The Keys Weekly has requested copies of the past five years of Gueverra’s evaluations.
Now what?
After the vote to terminate, Downer pointed out, “I think what was missing from the motion to terminate was how do we address the vacuum. I think we need to think about an interim leader and dealing with the aftermath of his departure. We need to avoid a vacuum and chaos.”
Not knowing whether the college had a succession plan for the president, the board sought advice from Vice President Brittany Snyder, who has been at CFK for 23 years.
They quickly, if awkwardly, appointed Snyder to take the place of her longtime boss.
continued on page 6
The board of the College of the Florida Keys, led by chair Alexandria Suarez, right, fired President Jonathan ‘Dr. G’ Gueverra, left, and appointed Vice President Brittany Snyder as interim president. CONTRIBUTED
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SIMPLY THE BEST
The 16th Best of Marathon Awards are around the corner
ALEX RICKERT
alex@keysweekly.com
Somewhere in Marathon, a business owner is already refreshing their browser. Another is quietly texting every friend they’ve ever met. A third is pretending they don’t care at all.
The Best of Marathon is back. Winning one of the Middle Keys’ most recognizable plaques – or even being named a finalist – comes with countless perks. Bragging rights. Local prestige. Reverse aging (allegedly). Infinite Googleability (we made that word up, and we don’t care).
As we approach our 16th annual awards show, Keys Weekly is beyond honored to recognize the finest our islands have to offer, determined by the people who know them the best. We say it every year, but our only job is to count the votes – the winning ultimately comes down to YOU and the locals who love you.
In a partnership extending all the way back to our first ceremony in 2008, we’re beyond proud to pair with the Rotary Club of Marathon, raising more than $150,000 for charitable causes while crowning more than 1,000 winners.
“One of the things that makes this event so meaningful is that it supports organizations doing incredible work right here in our own backyard,” said Keys Weekly publisher Jason Koler. “Beyond that, the Best of Marathon has always been about bringing the community together. Every year we're amazed by the number of people who take part in the voting, not just here in the Keys but from around the world. Last year we saw votes come in from five continents and more than a dozen countries. Then the awards gala gives everyone a chance to come together in one room, celebrate the people and businesses that make Marathon special, and simply enjoy each other's company. It's a night that reminds you how connected this community really is, and every dollar raised goes back to the Marathon Rotary Club to support projects that make a lasting difference.” Call your friends and get ready to
Photos by NATALIE DANKO/Keys Weekly
click like you’ve never clicked before –the Best of Marathon is back. Here we go!
HOW THE VOTING WORKS
Nominate your favorites: July 23 - Aug. 9
Log in to keysweekly.com starting on Thursday, July 23 at noon until Aug. 9 at midnight to nominate your favorites in each category. Voters can vote once per day for all categories. So visit often, or daily, throughout the nomination process to propose your favorite finalists.
The top three vote-getters in each category are placed on the finalists’ ballot. Contrary to the annual rumor, we do not create the top three. You, the voters, decide the finalists from among your nominees, each and every year. Nominations will end at midnight on Sunday, Aug. 9, so make sure your voice is heard before then.
Vote for the finalists: Aug. 20 - Sept. 6
The top three finalists in each category make the 2026 BOM ballot. The highest vote-getter among the three finalists in each category receives the Best of Marathon Award.
Voting for the finalists in each category begins at noon on Aug. 20 at keysweekly.com and ends Sept. 6 at midnight. During this stage, voters can submit one ballot per day. So visit keysweekly.com often throughout the process and submit one ballot a day.
The party: Sept. 19
The 16th annual Best of Marathon awards celebration, this year on Saturday, Sept. 19 at a venue to be announced, has become one of the most popular events in town. Tickets are not generally made available to the public due to demand. Winners, dignitaries and finalists are the first ones invited to attend, and additional guests are
Buckle up, people, it’s Best of Marathon time again. Celebrating our community is one of our absolute favorite things to do at the Keys Weekly, and there’s no better representation of that than our three awards ceremonies held each summer and fall.
Contrary to the rumors we hear every year, the Weekly has no say over the nominations and results. We leave that to YOU, the public, to nominate the people and businesses that make this town amazing. But hey – everyone needs some creative inspiration once in a while. So, here are our…
WAYS TO GET YOUR NAME ON THE BEST OF MARATHON BALLOT
10. Have your mom remind everyone on Facebook.
9. Convince a Publix chicken to wear your company shirt.
8. Sponsor every single fundraiser, fishing tournament and community event you can possibly imagine.
7. Bribe the Weekly (we’re joking).
6. Recruit an IP address in Pakistan to try and send thousands of fraudulent votes (we wish we were joking).
5. Rent one of those inflatable tube arm-waving thingies.
4. Use your 17 different burner accounts on social media to leave yourself 5-star reviews.
3. Start a rumor that Jimmy Buffett would have voted for you.
2. Tell everyone you’re “just honored to be nominated” (after nominating yourself).
1. Be really, really good at something all year long.
Incoming school board member Luis Gonzalez is recognized at the 2025 Best of Marathon.
Kristen Livengood accepts the Brass Monkey’s award for Best Late Night Spot with localfavorite bartender Brian ‘Cheddar’ Geitz.
THE LOBSTER LOWDOWN
Want an all-in-one primer as you get ready to hit the water for mini-season on July 29 and 30? We’ve got you covered.
LET’S TALK LIMITS
• The bag limit is six lobsters per active, licensed harvester per day in Monroe County, period. Making multiple trips to harvest the bag limit each time is ILLEGAL.
• Possession limits apply both on and off the water. The possession limit, even when off the water, is six lobsters per licensed harvester on July 29, or 12 lobsters per licensed harvester on July 30 (six harvested per day of mini-season).
• Gear that could puncture, penetrate or crush the shell of the lobster is prohibited. It is illegal to spearfish lobster.
THE SEASONS
• Sport season / “mini-season”: the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July, beginning at 12:01 a.m. on day one and ending at midnight on day two (July 29-30 in 2026).
• Regular season: Aug. 6 through March 31.
FINE PRINT MATTERS WHEN HUNTING
• Recreational harvesters are required to possess a valid Florida saltwater fishing license with a current spiny lobster permit. They can be purchased online at gooutdoorsflorida.com or by calling 1-888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356).
• Spiny lobster must have a minimum carapace length greater than 3 inches, and the measurement must take place in the water. The carapace is measured beginning at the forward edge between the rostral horns, excluding soft tissue and proceeding along the middle to the rear edge of the carapace. If a lobster gauge can fit over the end of the carapace, even snugly, the lobster is TOO SHORT. All recreationally harvested lobster must remain in whole condition while at sea.
• Egg-bearing (berried) spiny lobster must be released unharmed. Stripping egg-bearing females of eggs, and possession of spiny lobster tails from which eggs have been removed, is prohibited. Eggs are orange, yellow, brown or red masses found covering the underside of the lobster’s tail.
• During mini-season, bully netting is the only legal way to harvest lobster at night, defined as one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise. Night diving is permitted during the regular season, but NOT during mini-season. Possession of bully nets or hoop nets is prohibited in Everglades National Park.
• It is a felony to molest, damage or take lobster from commercial traps.
• A diver-down flag must be prominently displayed when divers and snorkelers are in the water. Other vessels must slow to idle speed when within 300 feet of a dive flag in open water, or 100 feet in canals.
• It is illegal to create “artificial habitat” for lobsters using items like cement blocks, pipes and other debris. It’s also illegal to harvest lobster from artificial habitat in state waters.
• Recreational trapping is prohibited.
Photos contributed
STAY AWAY
Most Keys cities have invoked special rules to cut down on neighbor-on-neighbor – and especially residenton-visitor – “turf wars.” Essentially, local rules establish a “no-go” zone to keep lobster hunters away from private property. In the following areas, there is no diving or snorkeling within 300 feet of enhanced residential or commercial shoreline, any man-made or private canal, or any public or private marina.
• In Islamorada, Key West and unincorporated Monroe County, the rule applies during the three days prior to the sport season (July 26-28 in 2026), the entirety of the sport season (July 29-30) and the first five days of the regular season (Aug. 6-10).
• In Marathon, the rule only applies during sport season, and in Key Colony Beach, it applies from the four days preceding sport season through 10 days after the opening of regular season.
• The city of Layton has a prohibition on harvesting lobster any time from waters within city limits.
DON’T LOBSTER IN THESE AREAS:
Sanctuary preservation areas (SPAs)
Carysfort Reef, the Elbow, Key Largo Dry Rocks, Grecian Rocks, French Reef, Molasses Reef, Conch Reef, Davis Reef, Hen and Chickens, Cheeca Rocks, Alligator Reef, Coffins Patch, Sombrero Key, Newfound Harbor Key, Looe Key, Eastern Dry Rocks, Rock Key, Sand Key.
Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, Biscayne Bay Card Sound Spiny Lobster Sanctuary, Biscayne National Park Coral Reef Protection Areas, city of Layton, John Pennekamp State Park Lobster Exclusion Zones.
DIVE FLAG DETAILS
Divers and snorkelers in the water must display a diver-down flag. The flag must measure 12 inches by 12 inches if flown from a buoy or float, or 20 inches by 24 inches if flown from a vessel or other structure. Flags must be flown from a vessel’s highest point and must be visible from all directions. Divers should stay within 100 feet of their dive flags in channels, or within 300 feet of their flags in open water. Other vessels inside these distances must fully slow down to idle speed.
KILL LIONFISH, GET MORE LOBSTER
Through successful completion of FWC’s annual Lionfish Challenge, recreational lobster hunters can up their bag limits during each of the sport season days by one lobster per challenge finisher per day. All information, including detailed instructions to submit proof of the minimum 25 harvested lionfish, is at reefrangers.myfwc. com/lionfish-challenge. Too late to get involved this year? Bookmark this for 2027.
• Increased bag limits ONLY apply to harvesters who complete the challenge, submit their tails, and receive a 2026 Challenge Coin. While the coin allowed two extra lobsters per day in 2024, for 2026, it has returned back to its original rule of one per day.
• The increased bag limit applies ONLY to the harvester who completes the challenge and possesses the challenge coin, NOT all divers aboard a vessel.
Bully netting is the only way to legally harvest lobster at night during mini-season. Photo by Alex Rickert
The lobster measured here is too short.
CHARITY REGINELLI
JEN ALEXANDER www.keysweekly.com
No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to present our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.
Our neighbor of the week is Charity Reginelli, who was born and raised in the Florida Keys and is a mom of three. She loves spending her days exploring the Keys’ incredible ecosystems, paddleboarding, snorkeling, gardening and turning everyday adventures into hands-on learning opportunities for her kids. She told the Weekly that faith is the foundation of her home, and she strives to teach her children to choose kindness, value free will, and appreciate God’s creation.
How long have you been in the Keys and what brought you here? I’ve called the Florida Keys home my entire life. I was born in Key West in 1982, and my mom actually drove across the old Seven Mile Bridge while she was in labor with me just before the new bridge opened.
If you were given $1 million, what would you do with it? I’d create an outdoor nature and homeschool education center in the
Florida Keys where families could learn through hands-on experiences, conservation, gardening and exploring the amazing environment we’re so blessed to have. I’d also make sure my family was secure and give generously to causes that help children and families. What is the craziest thing you’ve done with your kids as a homeschool parent that taught a life lesson? We’ve paddled out to tiny islands, snorkeled coral reefs and learned lessons right in the middle of nature. One of my favorite things is showing my kids that the greatest classroom isn’t always four walls.
Describe your ultimate day.
Coffee at sunrise, paddleboarding with my kids over crystal-clear water, spotting wildlife, a picnic on a little island, snorkeling together and ending the day with fresh food, family and watching the sunset over the ocean.
What is one thing you always have in your purse? Lip balm and probably a random seashell or tiny treasure one of my kids handed me to keep safe.
If you were a flower, what type of flower would you be and why? A sunflower. They naturally turn toward the light, are resilient and bring a little joy wherever they grow. That’s how I try to live my life.
Which living person do you most admire? Mike Card. He took me under his wing at the young age of 16 and has always been there for me, showing me unconditional love and support like I was one of his own.
What is your favorite book, movie or TV show right now? I honestly spend more time reading about health, homeschooling and nature than watching TV, but if I’m relaxing, I love anything that inspires adventure or teaches me something new.
What is your greatest extravagance? Experiences with my kids. I’d much rather spend money making memories than buying things.
What’s a secret about you that people might be surprised to learn? I’m pretty much an open book, so there aren’t many secrets. People usually either appreciate that I’m willing to speak openly about difficult topics or strongly disagree with me. One thing that often surprises people is that I had my youngest daughter at home in a freebirth. It was one of the most empowering and meaningful experiences of my life, and I cherish the opportunity to have welcomed her peacefully in the comfort of our home, surrounded by the people I love.
Know someone who would be a good “Neighbor of the Week?” Email keysweeklyjen@gmail.com.
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CASH & CANALS
County commission tackles budget & neighborhood improvement programs
ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com
The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners kicked off work on a proposed $695.8 million budget and approved a new framework allowing neighborhoods to fund their own infrastructure improvements during meetings on July 14 and 15.
Budget workshop sets stage for fall hearings
On July 14, commissioners reviewed the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, presented by County Administrator Christine Hurley, Assistant Administrator Tina Boan and Management and Budget Director John Quinn. The proposed $695.8 million budget is about $23.7 million larger than the 2025-26 spending plan, an increase county officials attributed largely to TDC use of accumulated funds for capital projects, events and advertising.
The countywide millage rate will remain at 2.6929 — again expected to be Florida’s lowest — but the aggregate millage rate would rise 1.5% to 3.4054, covering fire rescue and road patrol salary increases. Officials said holding the aggregate rate flat would require about $2.6 million in budget cuts.
As approved, the owner of an average homesteaded property valued at $665,485 would pay about $50 more in county taxes next year, while a non-homesteaded property valued at $1.1 million would see roughly a $270 increase. (This is in addition to school and municipal taxes.)
About 70% of the county’s annual ad valorem taxes cover first responders and public safety, while 21% funds the operational costs of constitutional officers – the sheriff, clerk of court, property appraiser, supervisor of elections and tax collector.
Public hearings on the tentative and final budgets are scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 5:05 p.m. at the Nelson Government Center in Key Largo and Monday, Sept. 14 at 5:05 p.m. at the Harvey Government Center in Key West. Commissioners may lower — but not increase — the proposed millage rates during those hearings.
Locals can fund neighborhood upgrades
Following years of debate over countywide taxpayers’ responsibility
for neighborhood-specific projects, commissioners unanimously approved a Residential Neighborhood Improvements Program Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) ordinance.
Under the new program, neighborhoods may use a majority vote of property owners to voluntarily request local infrastructure upgrades – funded by special assessments, not standard tax dollars, from homeowners in the affected areas. Eligible projects include weed gates, sidewalks, drainage improvements and recreational facilities, among others.
Commissioners also approved a Financial Hardship Deferral Program for qualifying homeowners within assessment districts. Homesteaded residents earning no more than 80% of the county median income, with less than $60,000 in cash assets and annual assessments exceeding $1,500, may defer payment until the property is sold or transferred, with the county fronting the assessment dollars in the interim.
Up first: plugged canals
Commissioners immediately put the new neighborhood upgrade program to the test later in the meeting, when residents with “plugged” canals asked to pursue reopening their waterways.
About 20 canals in some areas throughout Monroe County have been left plugged for decades, restricting the use and value of what would otherwise be considered waterfront homes. Chief Resilience Officer Rhonda Haag said many canals were plugged after developers illegally dredged them 10 to 40 feet deep to create fill for building nearby houses.
“The rules changed (with the Clean Water Act) mid-game on these developers,” said County Attorney Bob Shillinger. “Some proceeded without permits, and then they had enforcement actions.”
Residents from the Upper Keys and Big Pine Key described stagnant water, dead fish, seaweed buildup and even crocodiles wandering into yards as they urged commissioners to let neighborhoods pursue locally-funded reopening projects.
“The seaweed accumulation on the outside of the canal is tremendous,” said Jorge Prieto, representing the Upper Keys-based Blue Water Property Owners’ Association. “It’s
Initially closed off as a penalty for unpermitted dredging, ‘plugged’ canals throughout Monroe County, such as this system in Big Pine Key, have become a source of resident concern over water quality, seaweed inundation, wildlife die-offs and other issues. CONTRIBUTED
creating such a health hazard to the neighborhood. The smell, the fish that are being killed there – the marine life is totally gone.”
But county staff repeatedly cautioned that beyond the layers of legal and regulatory paperwork to unwrap historical settlement agreements or administrative orders relating to the canals’ closure, efforts could ultimately fail. Reopening a plugged canal is treated as new dredging under state and county regulations, and no state agency has ever approved the permits needed for such a project, they said.
Acknowledging the effort may prove futile, commissioners defended residents’ right to attempt the reopening – but cautioned that the change involves a multiyear timeline, and frustrations should not be directed at county staff for state or federal roadblocks.
“It’s a really heavy lift, but I don’t know that it’s impossible,” said commissioner Holly Raschein. “I think we have an opportunity to write history if the communities are willing to pay to go the distance.”
“There almost has to be a disclaimer that there’s no money-back guarantee here,” said Mayor Michelle Lincoln. “You all are going to be the Henry Flagler of unplugging canals, and do this fully understanding the risk involved.”
Rather than formally requiring residents to front money for a project that regulators might ultimately deny, County Attorney Bob Shillinger proposed a middle path: letting neighborhood residents individually and voluntarily fund an independent legal and regulatory analysis first, before committing to a more formal assessment process.
In other news:
• Commissioners opened the meeting by honoring assistant county administrator Kevin Wilson for 20 years of service to Monroe County.
“While his accomplishments are many, Kevin’s greatest contribution has been his commitment to people,” said senior project manager Suzi Rubio. “He is a mentor, a trusted adviser, and a leader who genuinely values employees and goes out of his way to ensure they feel appreciated and supported.”
• Aiming to reduce travel time and encourage local participation in jury service, the commission approved a redrawing of the county’s jury districts. Under the new divisions, Big Pine Key and No Name Key residents will report to the Marathon courthouse instead of Key West. Residents from Craig Key north through Windley Key will shift from the Marathon courthouse to the Plantation Key Courthouse. The revised boundaries take effect Jan. 1, 2027, once an administrative order is issued by the 16th Judicial Circuit’s chief judge.
• The commission unanimously approved a resolution asking the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore funding for monitoring of the endangered Key deer, whose population data collection has lapsed since 2019 due to staffing shortages at the National Key Deer Refuge. “The Florida Key deer is an iconic symbol of the Lower Keys and an irreplaceable part of our natural heritage,” said Lincoln in a statement accompanying the resolution.
• A pair of ordinances unanimously approved allow for changes to Monroe County’s comprehensive plan and land development code, raising the maximum height for residential structures from 35 to 42 feet.
FINN
2-year-old male terrier mix.
Looking for: A playful and loving home.
Turnoffs: So far, I haven’t met a person, cat or dog that I don’t like.
SWIPE RIGHT
JUNIPER
1.5-year-old female lionhead bunny.
Looking for: A nice home where I can be my own bunny and eat salads all day.
Turnoffs: Other female bunnies.
Adorable furry faces are waiting for families at the Florida Keys SPCA
Keys Weekly is thrilled each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for their perfect adoption “match” at the Florida Keys SPCA’s Marathon campus – complete with their best qualities, preferences and turnoffs to ensure the best fit.
From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you at one of the SPCA’s two campuses, in Key West and Marathon. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people.
See all the animals waiting for a home at fkspca.org. To contact the Marathon campus, call 305-743-4800 or visit 10550 Aviation Blvd.
Hurricane fosters needed. With hurricane season upon us, the SPCA needs volunteers and fosters in case of a storm. Over 100 animals would need to be evacuated, so it is crucial they all have homes in place before an impending storm. The SPCA provides everything you need; all
MOE
3-year-old female domestic medium hair.
Looking for: A sweet loving home where I get all the pets.
Turnoffs: None – I’m easygoing.
you do is give an animal a safe haven during the storm and return them to the shelter once it’s safe – that is, if you don’t fall in love. For more information on becoming a hurricane foster, visit https://fkspca.org/volunteer/become-a-foster-volunteer/ or call 305-743-4800.
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COLLEGE & WILDLIFE EXPERTS ARE MOVING KEY DEER FROM BIG PINE SITE
School is working with state & federal experts; deer are healthy & unharmed
The College of the Florida Keys, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission are working together to safely remove Key deer from the college’s Big Pine Key property. USFWS wildlife professionals continue to monitor the deer, which remain healthy while the agencies refine plans to safely remove them from the site.
The agencies have been in communication about Key deer on the property since January, with planning for the removal beginning in March. Wildlife service professionals and cooperating veterinarians recommended that removal efforts be delayed until a resident fawn reached four months of age to ensure it could safely leave with the adult deer. Through continuous monitoring, wildlife experts and veterinarians have confirmed that the deer are in good health and have access to sufficient and appropriate food and water sources.
“I’ve examined the deer intermittently throughout their confinement at the old prison site. On each occasion I noted that all the deer appeared to be in excellent health. There was ample food and fresh water available to them at all times,” said veterinarian Dr. Douglas Mader. “There is an older fawn present with four adults, and the fawn also is in excellent condition and eating well on its own.”
Mader has over 40 years of experience caring for wildlife, including 29 years with Key deer, working directly with the USFWS on responding to and treating injured Key deer.
“Removing the Key deer from the 10-acre property, which is covered in dense vegetation, is a unique and complex task,” said Kevin Kalasz, USFWS coordinator for joint USFWS/FWC Key Deer research and response program, USFWS Florida Ecological Services field office. “We are prioritizing tactics that are gentle and minimize stress on the deer.”
Last week, USFWS-led teams, supported by trained volunteers, traversed the college’s property to guide the deer through a newly installed back gate into surrounding habitat. The operation was overseen by wildlife biologists and cooperating veterinarians. The property’s thick brush and vegetation — including poisonwood — combined with rain and the deer’s instinct to seek cover, complicated the effort. Although no deer left the
property during the initial operation, USFWS and its partners gained valuable information and are refining their approach to overcome various complexities in a way that is safe and efficient before resuming efforts.
“The staff and volunteers who came together for this first effort showed real dedication and care,” said Nikki Colangelo, an ecology specialist with the USFWS. “Guiding Key deer safely means reading their behavior moment to moment, and the thick brush and poisonwood on this property, along with the rain, added real complexity to that work. We’re grateful for everyone’s patience, and we remain focused on completing this removal safely. The deer remain healthy, and we will continue to monitor them until they are removed.”
The college has had a long-term lease with the state since 2021 to develop the site that previously housed the Big Pine Key Road Prison. The college plans to use the site to expand educational and training opportunities in the Lower Keys, in alignment with its mission, as required by the state. Located on Key Deer Boulevard, it is zoned as suburban commercial and is not within the boundary of the National Key Deer Refuge.
The property includes 16 structures, which have deteriorated since the prison closed in 2017. “Due to the condition of the property and existing buildings, it is not safe to leave it open,” said Brittany Snyder, CFK executive vice president & CFO. “It is the college’s responsibility and obligation to secure the property and restrict access to prevent potential harm to humans.”
Maintaining a secure perimeter has also presented challenges. The gate and lock were vandalized twice, and the back fence was damaged earlier this month. FWC and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case. The college has repaired the gate, replaced the lock, installed security cameras and reinforced the fence line with rock.
“The college is grateful to our local, state and federal partners for their continued collaboration and expertise,” said CFK President Jonathan Gueverra. “We will continue to work with these agencies and other stakeholders as we pursue opportunities that benefit individuals and the economy while respecting the environment and character of the Keys.”
SLOW DOWN, DIVERS AROUND
Mini-season safety message honors memory of late Jocelyn Brown
MANDY MILES
mandy@keysweekly.com
Love it or hate it, lobster miniseason is set for Wednesday and Thursday, July 29 and 30. The two-day event allows recreational divers to catch up to six lobsters per day before the regular season opens on Aug. 6.
But mini-season comes with risks, as swarms of divers prowl the waters beneath boats piloted by people of varying experience and ability.
A group of residents from Key West and the Lower Keys are using this year’s mini-season as a way to honor the memory of a popular resident who died in May, while freediving near Little Palm Island off Big Pine.
Jocelyn Brown was 27 when she was fatally struck by a boat’s propeller despite properly displaying a diverdown flag from the highest point of her boat to warn nearby vessels of her presence in the water below.
Per Florida law, vessels must stay at least 300 feet away from a displayed diver-down flag in open water, or 100 feet within channels or constrained water bodies. If passing the marker within the required radius, they must slow to the lowest speed necessary to maintain steering control.
Brown’s death quickly generated a widespread show of support and grief across the diving and fishing communities in the Florida Keys.
“Words are hard to find as our community grieves the loss of a beautiful soul, Jocelyn Brown,” wrote dive shop Freedive Key West in a Facebook post. “A devoted mama. A talented diver. A light in this community. Gone because a boat operator ignored a dive flag displayed less than 75 feet away. That is not an accident. That is negligence.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission continues to investigate the matter and no arrests have been made.
Meanwhile, as this year’s miniseason promises to pack Keys nearshore waters, a group of residents are honoring Brown’s memory by distributing more than 1,000 flyers reminding boaters to “slow down, look around” and be aware that divers are down below.
“We’re starting a grassroots campaign to put these flyers all over at marinas, boat launches, restaurants, tackle shops, everywhere so people
the late local freediver Jocelyn Brown, at marinas, boat ramps, tackle shops, restaurants and any other place frequented by people in town for lobster mini-season. Bottom: Jocelyn Brown, 27, pictured here with her young son Mikey, was fatally struck by a boat off Little Palm Island on May 8. CONTRIBUTED
can be aware, slow down, look around and make sure there’s not a diver,” said Key West business owner Paul Menta. ”Things like this that happened to Jocelyn happen more than anyone thinks, and there are so many close calls. We figured this is a good way to honor her memory and get people to pay attention. We want to show our locals and visitors that we as a community are doing something to try to keep everyone safe while reminding our visitors to be safe when they come down here to dive for lobsters.”
Top: Flyers with important safety reminders for lobster mini-season will be distributed in memory of
MANDY
drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. She’s married to a saintly — and handy — fisherman, and has been stringing words together in Key West since 1998.
MILES TO GO DID YOU
HEAR THAT?
Meet the little girl who does something most adults fear
MILES I was 5 when I got my first pair of eyeglasses. I can still remember the exact moment that the world came into focus. I was awestruck at what I had been missing for my first five years. I spent the whole drive home reading the numbers and letters of passing license plates out loud to my mom.
I never again left the house, or even my bed, really, without the tools that let me see what I was supposed to. It never occurred to me NOT to wear glasses. (And given my propensity for falls, even with glasses, it would have been decidedly dangerous to wander blindly in the world.)
Until this week, I had simply assumed that just as people with eye problems wear glasses to improve their vision, then surely people with ear problems would simply wear hearing aids to improve their hearing.
But that’s not the case. Not at all. Millions of people are intentionally wandering around this world, unable to hear their spouse in a restaurant, the meow of a kitten, the whistle of a tea kettle, the priest in church, the cry of a baby and countless other sounds.
Hearing aids and other devices can usually improve their hearing the way a proper eyeglass prescription can give someone 20/20 vision.
But hearing aids got a bad rap decades ago and have yet to overcome the perceived stigma.
“Hearing aids were big, noticeable, ugly and they didn’t work,” Michelle Couture, an audiologist, told me this week. “You have no idea how many come in here for an evaluation and are amazed at how poorly they did on a hearing test. And yet, as soon as the conversation turns to hearing aids, they’re out of here. People absolutely refuse to even consider hearing aids. There’s still a stigma.”
But then I looked at the little girl sitting across from me in Couture’s office. Valyn Welter is 7 with long dark hair, a quick smile and confidence for miles.
And since she was 5, she’s worn hearing aids in both ears. Her mom, Rachel, has an app that lets her adjust Valyn’s aids for various settings, and there’s even a tiny microphone that
YOU CAN’T OUTSOURCE YOUR NUTRITION
Iwon't waste any of your sunshine or a rare flat day listing the countless meal delivery services I've tried over the years. Paleo, keto, low carb, high carb, high protein ... if it arrived in a refrigerated box with neatly portioned containers, there's a good chance it's shown up on my doorstep.
Rachel can clip to her shirt collar and speak normally. Her voice then gets amplified directly into Valyn’s hearing aids.
“It’s amazing what they can do these days,” Rachel said. “But I know the stigma is real. My husband — Valyn’s dad — refuses to get hearing aids. His own daughter has them and yet he refuses. It’s so frustrating, but it’s a real thing.”
After an hour in that office with Valyn, her friend Karma, also 7, Rachel and Dr. Michelle, as Valyn calls her, I was convinced this needs to stop. People need to hear as best they can and hearing aids are practically invisible these days.
Both my parents have them. (Oh, that’s a treat in a restaurant, when my dad needs to adjust his, but ends up connected to my mom’s via Bluetooth.) But they dial things in within 30 seconds and we can have a conversation.
I understand, no one wants to be different. But hearing rocks. And people who can’t hear often end up isolating themselves and that never leads to anything good, said Couture, who has a doctorate in audiology, and is way more fun than I had expected an audiologist to be. See? We were all tearing down stigmas and stereotypes this week.
“For most adults, as they age, hearing loss isn’t about volume; it’s about clarity,” said Couture. “And we can usually fix it, but only if people are willing. So I tell them I’ll see them when they’re ready. I’m not some used car salesman just trying to sell hearing aids.”
One look at Valyn, wearing headphones, and raising her hand properly each time Couture played a highpitched tone in one of her ears, proved we can all learn a lot from this little girl — and her audiologist.
After all that research, here's my hot take: Most of them miss the point. Before you fire off an angry email, hear me out. I'm not saying meal delivery services are bad. For someone recovering from surgery, learning to cook, juggling a demanding work schedule or simply trying to break the drive-through habit, they can absolutely serve a purpose. Sometimes convenience is exactly what someone needs to get pointed in the right direction.
My problem isn't with the companies. It's with the promise people think they're buying. Somewhere along the way, we've started believing that someone else can permanently solve our nutrition problem. They can't. Any eating plan that completely eliminates an entire food group or leaves no room for real life is eventually going to run into trouble. Vacation happens. Birthday cake happens. Holidays happen. Date nights happen. The occasional pizza night with friends happens. If your plan falls apart the moment life gets interesting, it probably wasn't much of a plan to begin with.
Every Sunday, I spend about two hours meal prepping. Is it exciting? Not even a little. There are plenty of weekends I'd rather spend on the water, in the yard or doing just about anything else. But I know myself well enough to know what happens if I don't.
If I don't prepare my meals, I slowly start making decisions based on convenience instead of nutrition. Lunch turns into a handful of crackers, a protein bar or whatever happens to be in the pantry. One less-than-great choice becomes another, and before long I'm wondering why my energy is low and my workouts feel harder than they should.
Meal prep isn't about having perfectly matching containers lined up in the refrigerator or creating Instagramworthy lunches. It's about making the healthy choice the easy choice. When my meals are already prepared, I don't have to rely on motivation, willpower
...is a Marathonbased ACSMcertified personal trainer and precision nutrition coach who owns and operates Highly Motivated Functionally Caffeinated LLC.
or whatever sounds good at three o'clock in the afternoon. The decision has already been made.
People tell me all the time they don't have time to meal prep. Maybe that's true for some. But I also know we somehow find time to scroll social media, watch another episode or make a second trip to the grocery store because we never decided what was for dinner. Meal prep isn't really about having more time. It's about deciding what's important enough to make time for.
If your goal is to eat food that's nutrient-dense, supports your health, fits your lifestyle and actually tastes good to you, eventually you have to become part of the process. No subscription service knows your schedule. No algorithm knows your family. No meal delivery company knows what foods make you feel your best or what your goals will be six months from now.
Can meal delivery services be helpful? Absolutely. They can introduce new recipes, teach portion sizes, help you through a busy season or provide structure when you're first getting started. I just don't think they should become the destination.
The goal isn't to become dependent on a box that arrives every Tuesday. The goal is to learn enough about your own nutrition that you could feed yourself well whether a delivery truck shows up or not.
Because the healthiest meal you'll ever eat probably isn't the one that arrived on your doorstep. It's the one you learned to make yourself.
JENNIFER HARVEY
Audiologist Michelle Couture checks the hearing aids that 7-year-old Valyn Welter has worn in both ears since she was 5. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly
PURRFECT
For 38 participants, the evening of July 18 was filled with wine, relaxation and kitten snuggles as Hawks Cay Resort hosted Wine Down Kitten Yoga. Donating the event space, wine and charcuterie, the resort added $1,000 to funds raised through registration, totaling $2,140 given to the SPCA. ‘There were plenty of kittens roaming the room during yoga, which made for some pretty great moments, and everyone
seemed to have a fantastic time,’ said marketing manager Abbey Jones. ‘It’s fundraisers like this that allow us to put on our low-cost vaccine and spay/ neuter clinics for the community,’ added SPCA event coordinator Amina Nunn. ‘We rely heavily on local businesses like Hawks Cay and donations in order to be able to continue our efforts.’ Photos contributed
W E L C O M E H O M E
$895,000
$895,000
OUR COMMUNITY THE FOOD & DRINK
Best Place to take the Kids
Best Event
Best Bathroom
Best Sunset
Best Place to Have a Wedding
Best Elected O cial
Best Tourist A raction
Best Local Celebrity
Best Volunteer
Best Non-Profit Organization
Best Place to Take a Date
Best Band/Musician
Best Place to Take a Selfie
Best Summer Camp
Best Sports Coach
Best Educator
Best Thespian
/Performing Artist
Best Beard
Nominations start July. 23 noon to Aug. 9 midnight
Final Voting Begins Aug. 20 noon to Sept. 6 midnight
Winners & Awards to be presented
Saturday, Sept. 19
THE BUSINESSES
Best Resort/Hotel
Best Law Firm
Best Retail Shop
Best Fishing Guide/Charter
Best Bait & Tackle Shop
Best Customer Service
Best Medical Professional
Best Health and Wellness Service
Best Landscape Company
Best Auto Repair
Best Detailing Service
Best Marine Repair
Best Photographer
Best Marina
Best Water Sports /Leisure Cruise
Best Veterinarian
Best Realtor
Best Real Estate O ce
Best Vacation Rental Company
Best Bank/Credit Union
Best General Contractor
Best Specialty Contractor
Best Salon
Best Family Owned Business
Best New Business
Best Business
Best Key Lime Pie
Best Cuban Sandwich
Best Fish Sandwich
Best Fine Dining
Best International Food
Best Breakfast
Best Lunch
Best BBQ
Best Cup of Co ee
Best Bar
Best Bartender
Best Server
Best Happy Hour
Best Waterfront Dining
Best Live Music Venue
Best Pizza
Best Bloody Mary
Best Margarita
Best Late Night Spot
Best Dessert Spot
Best Beer Selection
Best Catering
Best Taco
Best Food Truck
Best Steak
Best Seafood
Best Sushi
Best Burger
Best Wings
Best Conch Fri ers
Best Cook your own Catch
Best Family Friendly Restaurant
Best Overall Restaurant
OPEN MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FLORIDA
MONDAY, JULY 27, 2026 AT 1:00 P.M.
FKEC TAVERNIER HEADQUARTERS, BOARD ROOM
COMMERCE CORNER
Knauf-Koenig Group has been delivering exceptional construction services since 2006, earning a reputation as an award-winning, full-service general contractor specializing in custom homes, residential and commercial remodeling, and renovations. Whether building from the ground up or transforming an existing space, the team is committed to quality craftsmanship and a seamless construction experience.
The company's success is built on the extensive knowledge and experience of its team, combined with a client-first approach rooted in transparency, honesty, and integrity. From the initial planning stages through project completion, Knauf-Koenig Group believes communication and trust are just as important as the finished product, ensuring every client feels confident throughout the process.
After spending decades visiting the Florida Keys and recently purchasing a home in Key Colony Beach, the Knauf-Koenig Group is proud to become part of the local community. Built on strong family values, the company treats every client and employee like family, focusing on lasting relationships—not just completed projects. Their goal is to deliver exceptional results while making every construction journey a positive and rewarding experience.
305.741.7210 | info@kkgbuild.com CGC1512289
$7 Menu
• Chicken wings, chicken livers and More!
• 32 beers on tap 1/2 off 2pm - 3pm
uengling
* $2 Pints of Yuengling and Bud Light!
BREAKFAST SERVED UNTIL 2PM
• Unique & interesting menu
• $3 Mimosas • $5 Breakfast Shots
LUNCH & DINNER
• New Sandwich Options
• Diver Speared Local Fish
• Prime Rib • Lobster
• Cook Y
• Great Seafood Selections
SUSHI
• Toro • Lionfish • Poke • Hamachi collar
• Fresh Uni arrives on
THIS WEEKS ENTERTAINMENT
THURSDAY, JULY 23
CANDACE 8PM
FRIDAY, JULY 24
LUKE GLENN BAND 8PM
SATURDAY, JULY 25
GLENN HARMAN BAND 8PM
SUNDAY, JULY 26
JOE GARRETT 3PM
DOCKSIDE SUNDAY JAM 7PM
MONDAY, JULY 27
MIKE HAMMOND 6:30PM
TUESDAY, JULY 28
TACO TUESDAY ALL DAY
COUNTRY NIGHT WITH JIBSEA COWBOYS 7:30PM
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29 TRIVIA 7PM
MICHAEL ‘LANCE’ ROMANCE 1967-2026
Michael "Lance" Romance, 58, of Marathon, passed away on June 14. Born on Dec. 30, 1967 in Erie, Pennsylvania, Lance lived a life filled with adventure, nature and a deep appreciation for the outdoors. Though he dreamed of island hopping one day, Marathon became his home in 1993 — a place he loved so much that he stayed there for over three decades.
Lance began his Keys career as a scuba instructor at Seacamp in Big Pine Key. His passion for the ocean led him to Marathon, where he worked as a scuba instructor and a 100-ton master captain for 12 years. In 2005, Lance joined the Florida State Parks service at Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park. Four years later, he transitioned to Curry Hammock State Park, where he spent the remainder of his career.
Lance met Anne, his wife of 30 years, during high school. Though their romantic journey didn’t begin until their early 20s, their bond grew into a lifelong partnership filled with love and shared adventures. Together they raised two daughters: Autumn of Rockledge, Florida, and Amber of Melbourne, Florida.
Lance is also survived by his siblings: Dan "Doc" Romance of East Springfield, Pennsylvania; Tim (Kitty) Romance of Berea, Ohio; and Tricia Suroviec of Edinboro, Pennsylvania. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents William J. Romance and Rose Mary Romance of Erie, and his sister Kathleen Romance of Chantilly, Virginia.
A man who embraced life’s simple pleasures, Lance enjoyed a cold beer under an open sky and was an avid reader of science fiction. Lance’s adventurous spirit and love for storytelling left an unforgettable mark on those who knew him. Donations to remember Lance can be made to the Florida Park Service Ranger Association at https://www.fpsra.org/Donate.
BRIEFLY
Donate
closet treasures to MCT’s annual yard sale
Cleaning out your closets, garage or spare room? Don't toss those treasures — donate them to Marathon Community Theatre's annual yard sale. The theater is looking for gently loved furniture, home décor, toys, tools, small appliances and clothing. Every donated item helps raise funds to support live theater, youth programs and cultural arts for the Marathon community. Items may be dropped off on Monday and Tuesday, July 27 and 28 from noon to 6 p.m.
Man found dead in Sombrero canal
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on Sombrero Beach Road in Marathon just before 9 a.m. on July 20, where an 84-year-old male was found dead in a canal. Jackie Williams of Immokalee, Florida, was found adjacent to a vessel in the canal behind the residence. Foul play does not appear to be a factor, and autopsy results are pending.
Marathon man arrested for machete threats
A 50-year-old Marathon man was arrested on July 18 for allegedly threatening another man with a machete earlier this week. There were no life-threatening injuries reported. Pablo Arturo Rivero was charged with aggravated battery. The sheriff’s office was called to the Brass Monkey bar parking lot around 4 a.m. on July 12 regarding a battery. The adult male victim stated he had been arguing with the suspect, who chased him with a machete. Detectives were able to identify Rivero as part of the investigation. A warrant was obtained for Rivero’s arrest and he was booked into jail.
CFK ‘Fast Track to Fall’ offers personal & financial assistance
The College of the Florida Keys’ "Fast Track to Fall" event will be offered from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at two locations this year: the Key West Campus on Wednesday, July 29 and the Upper Keys Center on Thursday, July 30. The event connects current and future students and their families directly with staff for access to essential information about degree and certificate options as well as scholarships, financial aid and payment plans, and personalized guidance through the application process. New student applications are due Aug. 1 and classes begin Aug. 17. New students who participate in a Fast Track to Fall session will have their application fee waived, a savings of $30, and receive a $100 kick-starter scholarship. Throughout the day,
personal appointments are available to help prospective students get registered and access financial resources to support their academic and career training goals. Prospective students are encouraged to bring the following items, if readily available, to expedite the admissions process: sealed official transcripts (college and high school), two forms of proof of Florida residency (such as a Florida driver’s license and Florida vehicle registration), and official test scores (SAT, ACT and/or PERT). For more information visit the college’s website or contact Marissa Owens, manager of recruitment, at recruiter@cfk.edu or 305-809-3207.
Meet local first responders at National Night Out
Local law enforcement, military and community partners will host the annual National Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Marathon’s event will be held at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office aviation hangar at the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport, 9400 Overseas Highway, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Similar events will be held throughout the Keys. Each family-friendly event will feature food, refreshments and an opportunity to meet neighbors, members of local law enforcement agencies and firefighters, as well as members of the military from a wide variety of divisions and special teams, and many others who are all involved in public safety in the Florida Keys. The goal of National Night Out is to bring the community together to discuss how to make neighborhoods cleaner, safer and more secure. Community members can learn how to heighten their crime prevention awareness. Each event — depending on the area — will feature displays of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office elite units such as the dive team, SWAT, and crime scene investigation. Also attending will be by the U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Highway Patrol, Monroe County Fire Rescue, Monroe County schools, business chambers and others. Participants can view vehicles and equipment used by many of the agencies and pick up valuable information and personal safety paraphernalia.
Elks Lodge to host Blake Robert concert
The Marathon Elks Lodge will host a free concert with pop-rock musician Blake Robert on Saturday, July 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is open to the public. The bar will open at 5 p.m., and the lodge’s kitchen and bar will be open with drink specials. For more information, call 305-743–2652.
